You are my Valentine

Hello - well I am finally here to post my card for MDUC's first challenge of the year which went live on Tuesday. I was waiting for better lighting to take a photo, alas it didn't eventuate so I am stuck with a sad washed out photo to share with you. It really just doesn't do the card justice at all, I must apologise for that.

This card follows the bingo card row down: Fancy folds, masking, make your own embellishments.  The only embellies I didn't make were the ribbon which I had left over from my wedding, haha, yes I am a horder! The crystal flat backs - Magnolia Knick Knackeries and some small roses. The rest are all die cut. 

I masked "You are my valentine" Tilda from the new Lovely Duo collection with a background stamp from a few years ago. I will have to look the name of this one up for you however, it is probably 6 years old :)

The papers are a mix of MME papers from various collections. 

I hope you get a chance to come and play at our challenge, there is a bit over a week to go. 

Until then, have a great weekend. 

Loves Me

Hi there all, 

Well I'm back at the craft desk and loving having all of my bits and pieces unpacked and easily accessible. 

It also helps that some new stamps arrived on my door step this week and ink and rubber met soon after.

I have had a little wooden trinket box sitting on my desk for weeks begging for attention. I primed it a fortnight ago in fact but didn't know where to go from there. Last night I painted it all green... and again - stuck.

So coloured little Loves me Tilda up from the new stamp club. 

Hmm.... I really didn't know where to go with that so decided to sleep on it. 

This morning I located my aqua paint and went to work - no paint brush, just fingers blending with the aqua and some white to get a nice sky. 

Then the embossing ink came out and I stamped the fence and hearts onto the background and heat embossed with Shabby white Frantage. 

Hmm.... it needed more to lift it up.....  where were my distress inks? That's right.... right in the drawer where they should be....  I filled in the fence with some Faded Corduroy and layered some Faded Moss for grass.  Hmm... getting there! We just needed some little sparkles...... Copic Spica at You pens were within reach - green to give the grass some definition and purple for the flowers.... yes... that's where we're headed.  

Some more white paint around the edges and there we have it - A really quick and satisfying project :) 

Tilda was coloured with Copics and fussy cut. She was mounted to the box with some 3d foam squares. 

Now ... what shall I fill it with?

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Maggie friends!!

"Begin as you wish to continue" is how I saw the New Year in - at my craft desk playing.

When we moved house my craft room became a bit of a dumping ground for all the bits and pieces that we couldn't find a home for, which meant that it was less than inviting to sit and play, let alone being about to find anything! OMG,  what a mess. 

It was time for a bit clean up - and clear out. It took all afternoon but I can now locate all of my dies, markers, stamps and embellishments with a minimum of fuss. 

I dug out one of my favourite MME paper pads which is almost finished, its a bitter sweet feeling when your favourite paper pad is just about gone. I feel satisfied that for once I've managed to use something up, but also a bit sad that I haven't saved any of it. 

The adorable Tilda is from the 2010 Bon Voyage collection. This is one of my favourite collections I think, I had a lot of stamps from this one and they're so versatile. 

I have finally made good use of my Doo Hickey Club vol 1 with the sea weed and jelly fish dies. They're really very cute. 

The button, twine, pleated satin ribbon, liquid pearls and pearl trim are all from The Ribbon Girl.

And now for a couple of craft room shots. My desk. This was obviously taken early in the night. Surprisingly enough after the card it is still visible. Most unusual. I just need to stay in the routine of cleaning up my desk after each make. I keep my markers and some dies on my desk. Mostly Doo Hickeys and Spellbinders within easy reach.   The chunkier Tim Holtz dies are in a basket in my book case. 

And my stamp and embellishment storage.  The clear trays contain all of my Magnolia stamps divided into collections all in date order. The trays below are my lace, ribbon and flower storage. 

I hope to be back with a lot more crafting this year than last. Now that I am finally all set up and organised, there should be no stopping me. 

Happy New Year everyone xxx