Better late...

'Flourish' frame. I loved making this little number using
Crafty Individuals' stamps, Paris Nights papers and oodles
of embossing using a scrummy blend of gold and copper.

It's 3am on Monday, it's soooo peaceful and yet my mind is a whirr. So, better than late than never, I thought I'd post a little on my much-neglected blog before the year suddenly comes to an end!


'Cherish' is a simple wood panel covered in Crafty Individuals'
images, vintage lace and gorgeous stamps. I've added depth
using Tim Holtz distress inks and lashings of embossing to
add even more texture. It sure feels good!!!



Oooh, this is my fave I have to say! I enjoyed every moment
creating it. The romantic Crafty Individuals image so
deserves its place in this Boudoir-style frame. 

OK, this is a peek at a couple of pages from an art journal I decided to
start a few weeks ago. Having completed seven pages I'm now
stuck because I chose THE WRONG PAPER for just one page! One
page is all it took to completely lose my inspiration. It's gone. So....

... this is the front cover, not yet complete, but when I get the
calling to finish this book I'll put the lot up. Watch
this space (this time next year I guess!!!)

CREATIVE WRITER AWARD

  Thanks to my darling friend Chris, of Bling-kin-eck, I've got a bit of work to do.  Like I soooo need this on a lazy Sunday afternoon Chris!!!  Oh welI, guess it's as good a time as any to burrow into my warped mind and set some truths free... or lies???

The rules of the award are as follows:
. Thank and link to the person who gave you the award.
. Display the award on your blog.
. Tell 6 outrageous lies and 1 outrageous truth about yourself , or switch it around and tell 6 outrageous truths and 1 outrageous lie about yourself.
. Then, nominate 7 others and leave them a message to let them know.

Okay here we go.... can you guess which way round they are?

1. On a visit to Dubai some years ago with a group of  journalists, I gained my camel driving licence. I was the only one sober enough to stay the course, while three hacks honked up on their camels' humps and two didn't even make the hike up their camel's back. 

2.  On my 14th birthday I received the Cheshire Life Award for being the fastest hula-hooper in Holmes Chapel. I made 104 hoops in one minute while my cat, Blacky, was draped over my shoulders.

3. For three years leading up to the year 2000, I kept a bearded billy goat in my front garden. His name was Gruff and he had only one eye. He kept the lawn neat, politely took our post from the postie, and was far better behaved than any guard dog.

4. I have a writer friend who is preparing to test out his own theory about hiding Ingleby Barwick from the rest of the world - just for one day. He has managed to convince the majority of IB's residents to tie their bedsheets together and hide all our houses behind them. The Guinness Book of Records will be attending - if they can find us.

5. Yesterday, I was so upset when I saw my hubby re-shaping my prized three-tiered buxus box tree into a pyramid that I went into the garden at 4 this morning and cut a pyramid-shaped door into the back of his polythene-covered greenhouse.

6. Every year on 21st March, I buy a small Red Haired Eel (quite a rare variety), put it in a large fish bowl on the coffee table for a week (for Persian new year) and then transfer it to the garden pond where it acts like a hoover, ferociously feeding off the bottom of the pond. These eels rarely survive beyond 9 months, but one of ours lasted 2 years!

7. I once pan fried and ate 17 garden snails as a bet, but was shocked when my best friend beat my score. She ate 23 snails, plus two fried garden worms, a slug and three toe nail clippings (yes, of course they were her own!). 


Now, as an avid follower I have chosen these seven arty peeps to receive the award. They are:


Nigel
Helga
Linda
She
Pen
Sherry
Lin

LA FEMME STEAMPUNK!

I thought I'd create a few pieces of Steampunk jewellery in readiness for next Sunday's craft fair at Gisborough Hall.  


I love the rather masculine cogs and wheels and weird "inventions" some artisans have been selling on the likes of ebay and Etsy, but decided on a more feminine style. 


I've altered some wooden hearts using various coloured embossing powders and UTEE and decorated them with tiny cogs and wheels, brass and copper findings, etc. I've arranged the pieces on brass and copper chain and added antique-style keys and other findings to compliment the mini fob watches I bought in specifically for this project.  

Vintage ATC Swap

 Almost didn't put these on... sorry Chrissy (ATC Club), hope I'm not too late for your Vintage swap? Well, to make up for it I made 6, so you get to keep one! I've used layers of organza, lace and embossing powders on a couple of these, then burned holes here and there to give them that aged feel - hence the grainy texture on the attached pics (they look better in the flesh)!

SPRING HAS HATCHED

SPRINGTIME: Easter's coming so I thought I'd share some of my eggs with you before I take off for my hols!
They look like they are about ready to hatch...

HAPPY EASTER!

Doodle Door

Thought I'd put my doodle arch up, although I'm not so sure it's actually finished. An image might do the trick so I'll probably pick it up again another time when I'm feeling more inspired.

The door's made of thick MDF and I've used acrylic paint and pens to draw the doodles. Love doodling!

My rather shady background

Oh dear, this is another background I've been working on but my scanner really doesn't do it justice. Never mind, I'm sure Chriss will have a piece!!!
I've used lots of different fabrics layered over each other and daubed in various fabric and acrylc paints and embossing powders. I've ironed the whole piece under a lovely white linen tea towel which has turned out to be a rather colourful piece of art in itself!

Tea Tuesday - Urban Art

Hi all, it's lovely to be invited to join you for your regular Tuesday cuppa. Chriss thoughtfully gave me the nudge but I can't get hold of Kimmie to ask her to add me to her ever-growing list of fans.

I've been looking over your blogs and feel somewhat ashamed at my poor attempt, but will try harder next week I promise!

Well Christen, thanks to you I got truly creative (not!!!). My urban art is this lot.  But, IMAGINE it is a cityscape if you will (?!).

While I was in the kitchen dithering over coffee or tea just now, I rummaged through the cupboard and pulled out some packs of tea and coffee, conveniently placed a couple of passing trams from Hong Kong's MTR, added some Gin Houses courtesy of KLM and a couple of urban-style cats then piled them up like an urban landscape.

It works! Or is it just my warped imagination?

Happy Tuesday and cheers to the next!

Debs x

Background paper swapsy?

I've finished it.. YIPPEE! 

This large piece of background paper/fabric has been on the go for some time cos I just couldn't decide what it was going to be! Over the months I've picked it up and lovingly crafted it using organza, lace, woolly bits, stringy bits, Crafty Individuals'  Time images and then put it down.

Some weeks later I daubed it with Stewart Gill paints and embossing powders here and there.  Today I heated it into a nice crisp state with yummy burnt out patches, stamped it and last of all ironed it. I'm kind of happy with the result.

It looks 2D but it's actually as flat as a pancake and I think it would make interesting ATC backgrounds. I'd like to swap two pieces for two ATCs if anyone thinks they're worthy? The first two to say "I" will get one each!

Summertime sorbets

Baubles, bangles and beads

When I'm not gluing and sticking I'm usually found hiding in a room surrounded by gorgeous beads, jewellery making equipment and three pairs of specs (hate tri-focals!).

I'll post a few of my recent designs here, some of which have sold. I'll also include some artsian designed beads just in case any magpies come across my blog!

Debs x

Almost came a cropper!

I doubt this little PIGeon will be making off-spring for some time! He sat on the garden shed pondering his chances of getting his beak in for a good gobble and oooops, well the pic says it all!

Playtime!

Well I've never had such fun as when playing over at Chrissy's (Rollins) last week. Chriss (Rowe) was there too and of course, when the three of us get together we're in 100% artyfarty mode (none more so than our Chriss, eh Chriss?!) 


In no time at all the table was covered in all manner of crafty stuff!

Being late I had missed out on the yummy Magnum ice creams - those special ones in their own silver boxes (drool) - and in the minute or two I was berating them for not saving me one Chriss came up with this cute little paper button fairy (she used a gorgeous hand stamp I bought at Paddy's Place in Prestwich, Manchester).  Chriss used her well licked ice cream stick as wings. I know where I could have stuck it Chriss!

The banter was flying all through the day and night and before we knew it it was 4 in the morning!

Can't wait for the next one girls!

  

Amusing Muses: Have a HeART For Haiti, A Blog Event

Amusing Muses: Have a HeART For Haiti, A Blog Event

The story of Cheryl the Snail

This ATC has evolved somewhat, with Cheryl taking centre stage. Cheryl my friend - not the snail - doesn't even try to understand the concept of ATCs and becomes pretty animated when occasionally we ask her to join in with one of our crafty nights. Here, she'd painted a fabulous background using acrylics on watercolour paper, she added all sorts of little flowers, hearts and this funky little snail. She later binned it as she spat out a couple of expletives, so I furtively rescued it, embellished her design by adding Zettified petals and hearts and enamelled blobs here and there. Hence, Cheryl the Snail will live on happily ever after...

Catching up with paperwork

This is a work in progress: some handmade paper with more than a touch of texture - I just adore texture! 
Once again, I'm using my favourite Stewart Gill Byzantia paints - they work on absolutely any medium you care to cover, not just fabrics, and they heat up a  treat with no loss of colour, so I'm sorry if I keep going on about them!
I've used a top grade watercolour paper painted up, covered in lace, webbing, ribbon, organza, embossing enamel and various embossing powders. I've yet to add another layer before ironing flat, spraying with water and drying out for use as ATC backgrounds. I aim to give away two ATC sized pieces when it's completed so watch this space...
Debs x

Wanna play dress up?

Oh what fun was to be had making this creation.  My crafty friends Chriss and Chrissy bullied me (oh yes you did!) into joining this monthly challenge by Margaret and I'm soooo glad they did. I've got the bug now so I reckon I'll be one of her regulars - many thanks Margaret! 
I used oodles of Stewart Gill's Byzantia paints on my template, then added ruffled organza fabric, feathers and more Stewart Gill - Cerisanctum and Constantine, then painted the delicate rose buds a lighter shade and stuck them on too. The bodice is made up of SG Cerisanctum and embossed in a mix of gold and copper shaken up with Melt Art's Ultra Thick Embossing enamel, and finished off with Swarovski crystals and pearls. 
This OTT little number reminds me of the gown I wore for my evening wedding reception - sans feathers you understand?!

E for Elegant

I used my own papers for this 'ABCDE' challenge. I had five gorgeous images so I kept it simple and titled each one Alluring, Beauty, Chic, Demure and Elegant. Obviously I kept the one that was least like me, lol.

Keys challenge

This ATC was one of those "let's play around with this and get some altered art going". I love texture so I stuck some netting down, layered embossing powders here and there and gave the edges a burned, frazzled look. I believe the two papers used were from one of my fave suppliers - Crafty Individuals.

My last rolo

This was a "Friends" challenge I took part in. I guess the sweeties say it all don't they? I'm all for sharing my arty crafty bits and pieces with like-minded friends, but unlike these cute bunnies, no-one gets my last rolo!!!

I'm still trying to get this!

OK, so I've been consciously avoiding building my blog! Why? When I look at all those gorgeous artsy blogs out there I think "how do they do that?" Anyway, I've been advised to just let it flow so here goes. I'll start by putting up some of my own ATCs and if you think they're worthy perhaps you'd be kind enough to stay awhile and share your thoughts :)

The lady in pink is part of a set of five ATCs - a Zetti challenge I participated in on my friend Chrissy's blog. After Zettifying the background (a cake cut out from a mag) I altered the image and topped her off with a hat made of the same cake and again, Zettified it! I've named her Nazila after a friend who has the same beautiful eyes and mouth!

I sooo enjoyed embellishing this glam lady with brass and gold findings and Swarovski crystals left over from my days of making Faberge style eggs. The background is a stamped image and the skirt of her dress is made of bubblewrap sprinkled with a mix of gold and copper embossing powders then heated to bubbling point!!!