Tuesday 30 August 2011

LSNED!

Well, in line with my topic for September, I've signed up for Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day class (I'd totally forgotten about this class when I decided on my topic yesterday, so it would be rude not to take part really, wouldn't it lol).

It starts on Thursday - and I've only got one pupil that day, so I'll have LOADS of time to play!

If you fancy joining us, check out the details at Shimelle.com!




Monday 29 August 2011

Topic of the Month

I thought I'd add a little structure to my blogging ... and crafting. So, as of September I'm going to choose a topic each month to scrap, use for my cards, photograph etc.

So, my topic for September is .......... New Beginnings.

I'm thinking new school year for the boys, scrapping the photos I took for the beginning of my new career in March, birth photos of our gorgeous Niece Freya. Wonder what else will spring to mind during September??


Thursday 18 August 2011

Feeling Blue!

No .... not me lol. Mo's Digital Pencil are running a new Challenge called Feeling Blue - make a card using the colour blue.

I used my new Scalloped Circle Nestabilities to make the easel card and I'm really pleased with the effect.




And another one!

This one was made for the Glue Pot Challenges Weekly Challenge with the theme Get Well Soon. If you fancy joining us, we're on Facebook - it's an open group so anyone can join.

For this card I used a gorgeous image called 'Harry's Feeling Ill' from Mo's Digital Pencil. It was a great one to colour, but I definitely need to find somewhere to buy the new fine nibs for my Promarkers ;-)




Michelle Perkett Studios - Vintage Creations Challenge

I love the vintage look - and now that I've managed to get to grips with it, I love stepper cards lol. I'm not the most patient of people, so tended to rush the measuring and cutting ..... big mistake! But this time, I took my time with it, measured, cut and scored acurately and guess what .... it worked lol.

I decided to mount the image in the centre step rather than the back one, as I wanted it to be more visible ... I think it works.

Cardstock by Bazill, Paper from a Paper Mania Pad (I think! Yep, you've guessed it - I've lost the cover to this pad as well lol), eyelets from Eye-lets Etc and image from Michelle Perkett Studios




Tuesday 16 August 2011

Sketch N Stash Challenge 68

Well, I think I'm on a role with the old mojo - so I'm making the most of it!

Today I've finished my entry for the Sketch N Stash Challenge 68 - I adore this sketch, and can see me using it often. If you want to play along too, you have until Sunday 28th August to get your entry in - there's a £10 voucher to Bunny Zoes Crafts up for grabs.

Anyway - onto my entry. One of the rules for Sketch N Stash is that you have to use something new or something neglected from your stash - being greedy, I used both!

The something neglected is the patterned paper. It's from a huge pad I had, but I've lost the cover so can't tell you what it is lol. I've not used it in ages, so decided to start using it up. The new stash is the ribbon, which comes from my Cardmaker's Kit from Duck Pond Crafts; the mint green pearls from Hobbycraft; and the digi-stamp, which is a freebie from Sassy Cheryl (you can find her group at Paper Craft Planet. The card is Bazill and Anita's Silver Miriboard.

Off now to do some more colouring - I SOOOO love my Promarkers!



Monday 15 August 2011

We all love a giveaway!!!

Do you fancy being entered into one??? Well, the wonderful Antoinette at Inspired Stamps is offering all her readers the opportunity to do just that!

Check out the rules on her blog post and remember to mention that I (Barbara Maynard) referred you there - then if you win - WE BOTH WIN!!!

There is also a sneek peek of a new set of stamps being launched on Friday - and there'll be more sneek peeks every day.

So go on ..... what are you waiting for! Get over to Inspired Stamps!


Sunday 14 August 2011

Doodling - a new found media!

OK - so I'm probably light years behind everyone else, but I though I'd give Doodling a go as a new addition to my crafty armoury!

I found a great blog called Homegrown Hospitality by Stephanie Ackerman, and decided to sign up for her Doodle 101 workshop. Below is my first proper Doodled page - the front page for my journal. I want to try and make at least one page each week in this journal, and will be featuring doodles in there a fair bit. It's so relaxing and theraputic, although I may need to buy some other pens as the Promarkers bled though to the back .... and the next page - ooops!

I'm seriously thinking about now joining the Doodle, Too class!






Christmas Is Coming ........ ARRRGH!!!

I can't believe I just typed that - I've not even had my summer holiday yet!!

Having Google Reader as my homepage is really helping to get me craftily inspired - there are so many great crafting blogs out there! So, last night I piled my stash around me, including my new Blooms Kit from Duck Pond Crafts and made three more Chrismas Cards. The photos aren't great (sorry) - I really must find my PSE disc so I can load it on the Netbook (just can't get to grips with the freebie photo editing software I downloaded). But you'll get the idea. Blooms and ribbons come from the kit - the rest is stash I had floating around.

The two images are from Michelle Perkett Studios - Poinsettia Fairy and Tia the Holiday Fairy - both of which I used for my Blog Hop cards earlier this month.

All I need to do now is make sure I don't forget where I put them between now and Christmas lol.






Wednesday 10 August 2011

I love surfing!

Recently, my laptop became sick ;-( She's still sick, but I went out and bought myself a Netbook so I could a) get back to work and b) get back to my social life (Facebook, Paper Craft Planet etc lol). And of course, back to my crafting.

First thing I did (after installing a good anti-virus programme so my Netbook doesn't join the laptop in the hospital), was to set up Google Reader as my homepage - and boy has there been some inspiration out there recently! There have been a few Blog Hops taking place, so I've added lots of new blogs to my list - and found lots of new/old technique tutorials to have a play with.

Amongst my favs are:-

Faux Porcelain Flowers by Sherry Cheever

Starfolded Card by mollyscrap on You Tube

I've had a go at the Starfolded Card - just need to put the finishing touches to it then I will post piccies. I'm going to use it for the Papertake Weekly Challenge - Grow Your Own, so watch this space!