Christmas is coming (too fast)

Well I got the fruit cake done today and all the presents are wrapped - apart from the ones I ordered on-line and still not arrived!!

Not much time for creativity however, but I am enjoying receiving all the angels and baubles from the various swaps plus some lovely Christmas ATC's from all around the world. Much better than getting bills every day.

This is an angel I made for the Art'n'soul swap on Flickr - I really enjoyed doing these and they make very pretty decorations around the house.

Christmas is coming

I can't believe how fast December goes by. One minute it is all just normal and then suddenly ...Yikes it is nearly Christmas and nothing is ready! So what am I doing today? Trying to finish off writing cards, wrap up a few prezzies and oh yes - clear out my kitchen cupbords and the freezer ready for the influx of food I have ordered for next week!
Wher would I be without internet supermarket shopping (probably stuck in a queue somewhere getting annoyed!)
Hopefully Christmas will arrive in a van sometime soon!!!!!!
Not much time mor making and creating a the moment, but I am really enjoying receiving some lovely Christmas ATC's, angels and baubles from various swaps I have participated in. Decorations are going up and these will make a lovely addition to the ususal items.

Needlework - a new challenge

Many years ago I used to enjoy cross stitch, embroidery and making clothes, but of late have not done any of the above! I took up the challenge and went on an embroidery day at Alston Hall which I thoroughly enjoyed and found quite relaxing. We made an embelished book cover and even though I say it mayself, I was quite pleased with the result.

Spurred on by this I went to the Knitting and s

Stitching Show in Harrogate at the weekend and ended up buying lots more stuff to do even more! All I need now is some time...

Then just by chance one of the Challenges on the Flickr groups is for a stitched fabric ATC swap - so I had a go and it is still a work in progress. I managed to do an image transfer onto fabric using gel medium and am now working on the embelishments - hope to get them finished later tonight.

Altered Journal

This is the Altered Journal we made recently at the workshop at Crafty Hearts in Preston. I was really pleased with it and loved working with the Fashionista Papers. There are several pages with diffrent styles of tags and pockets, and the front cover is finished with a layer of Beeswax which polishes up really nicely. I was originally making this to give as a gift, but I am going to keep it to use it myself!

Time is tight!

Not much time for blogging or even creating at the moment. My mum is quite poorly and is staying with us for a while. Most of my time seems to be taken up with doing all sorts of things around the home. I managed a bit of time out to attend a great workshop at Crafty Hearts in Preston last Saturday which was a nice break. We made a gorgeous altered journal and just as soon as I get around to it I will post up some pictures.
I intended making a few christmas cards and a few other bits and pieces, but it is just not happening at the moment. Hopefully I will have some time this weekend. So............watch this space you never know what might pop up!

Out of Touch!

I have not had much time for things creative just recently due to illness in the family. I am hoping to get things going again this weekend and catch up with some of my projects.
Since mum turned 90 she has been quite poorly so is staying with us for a while to recover. I will keep this post short and sweet and get on with some painting I think!

Sunday again!

I just cannot believe how fast these weeks seem to go by!

I suppose I must turn my thoughts to Christmas decorations and cards. Every year I decide not to make Christmas cards and just end up making a few - just keep it simple I think else get really bored with them.

I have just joined a new challenge on Flickr to create festive baubles which may spark my imagination.

Meanwhile I have been making a few halloween ATC's and other bits and pieces. Mainly this week I seem to have been busy doing nothing - I was going to have a massive sort out of all my craft goodies but did not quite get around to it (again) - maybe this week.

The ATC above is finger painted with acrylics - this was such good fun and I loved doing the really bright red.

Celebrations!!!

My mum turned 90 this week so we had a big party to celebrate. A whole host of friends and family attended and we had a super if exhausting day!!

Not much time for anything else this week with all the preparations etc. but it was all worth it and a very enjoyable day for everyone.

Rainy Friday!!

Well here we are in October and it is raining and miserable! Still never mind good excuse to stay indoors and make lots more stuff - except I have to go to work later. Been busy making ATC's this week and must start doing some Christmas stuff soon but can't get in the mood for it yet so need to find some inspiration from somewhere.

I am still using lots of these vintage pictures on the ATC's so perhaps could use those on Christmas bits and pieces too......

Happy Week!

So far this week I am having a Happy Week! On Monday the kind postman brought me TWO lovely packages.

The first one was a Goodie Box from 3D Jean - Monthly Art Raffle. This raffle is great fun everyone sends in a small item and at the end of the month a winner is drawn to win the whole lot!! I didn't win the rwhole raffle, but a lovely side prize for having the 28th entry this month. So thanks Jean for the lovely papers and stamps. I will certainly put them to good use.

The second package was a super art magazine from my friend Zoe in America - we usually swap ATC's and knitting hints, but we decided to send each other magazines this month and it makes such a refreshing change to see some new and different ideas. The only problem now is that I need eight days in every week to do everything!

I am also trying to make Ribbon Dolls for our Monthly Doll Swap but so far not too happy with the results! I have two more in progress so watch this space.

Busy Busy Busy...........

Oh dear, I must be busy or going senile! I forgot to go for my dentist appointment yesterday! They even phoned me the day before to remind me and I still forgot. Just too much going on in this little old brain of mine at the moment.

I have been busy making mini art dolls - see above - for a swap on Ravelry. Ravelry is really a knitting and crochet site but I joined an ATC group on there and we do monthly swaps - except this month we are doing dolls!!! Is it any wonder I am confused?

I have been doing some postcard collages recently, and was particularly pleased with this one. I

love the image and wanted to show it off with a muted background, which is inked and stamped with gesso and distress ink. More of these in the future I think as it is quite nice to do something a bit bigger than an ATC.

Art Doll

This is the first go I have had at making a stick doll. I was quite pleased with the result but I think I could do better so I am going to have a go at another one.