Duck

Sooooo, inspired by my visit to Doncaster today, where everyone calls you 'duck', as opposed to the 'love' of Leeds, I made this card:

I used a LOTV die-cut (I wanted a quick card - no time to colour), a greeny-coloured card blank and papers from a Papercrafter paper pack.

I edged the die-cut with broken china distress ink and wrapped the paper with two lengths of blue organza ribbon, hoping that this will suffice for the 'stripes' in the Lilli's Little Fairies Challenge.

I added faux stitching with a white gel pen around the edge of the spotty paper and stamped the 'new baby' sentiment in black ink.  I coloured the hearts using a powder blue promarker.

Finally, I added a blue bow to the bottom right hand corner of the die-cut and blue gems in the top right hand corner of the card.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

LOTV Ideas to Inspire - Boy Oh Boy

Lili's Little Fairies - Spots and Stripes

Cute Card Thursday - Tie It Up

Deep Ocean Challenge Blog - Ribbon and lace

Fab N Funky Challenges - Ribbon and/or lace

I have a few more cards to share with you, but these will have to wait until tomorrow/Monday.

In the meantime, small announcement - until Monday at midnight, I am offering 10% off all stock in my Etsy Shop.  Please use code FRIENDS10.

Happy Crafting!

Holly

xx

How To: Make A Shrug from a Scarf

Soooooo, this is one project I might be attempting if I find a pretty scarf.  I'm not really one of those people who wears scarves (except the giant woolly ones in winter), but I do like the fabrics and patterns they are made from, so this project could be perfect:

http://planb.annaevers.com/diy-capa-kimono/?wprptest2=0

Happy Crafting!

Holly

xx

Wedding Outfit

Soooo, I've finally completed the sewing aspect of my outfit for my friend's wedding, which will be taking place this time next week.  I've been making her some gifts, but I know that she reads this blog, so you will just have to wait until after the wedding for details on them.  Sorry.

Anyway, details of my outfit can be found on my other blog, Teapots and Tantrums.

First off, I made a pretty dress, which can be found here.  Then I made a pretty petticoat to go with it, which can be found here.

I'm still trying to find some shoes, and raiding my sister's vast collection has proved fruitless, so looks like I will have to go buy some come pay day.

Happy Crafting!

Holly

Sweet Sketch Wednesday: Elisabeth Bell

Sooooo, as it is Wednesday today, there is another challenge available over on Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

This week, we have a new sponsor (or new to me anyway) - Elisabeth Bell, who has some of the loveliest, most detailed images for you to use:

Elisabeth Bells Digital Collection features enchanting, whimsical, Digital stamps for all of your paper-crafting projects!
Although Elisabeth illustrates for several stamp companies, no one except Elisabeth Bell herself has a collection of sweet digital stamps, this is a perfect way to get your instant gratification.

With a growing catalog of high-quality digi stamps, Elisabeth offers a multitude of themes. Such as holidays, special occasions, childrens adorable characters, and just the everyday cuteness that Elisabeth is famous for producing.

These Digi Stamps are available in standard black and white line art, and are great for resizing, and rotating to suite your needs.

Inspiration, by her very own Design Team, is posted, and shared daily, on Elisabeth’s “Digi Bells Blog” using Elisabeth Bell’s digital art.

And here is our wonderful sketch for you this week:

And here is my card:

I coloured the image using watercolour pencils and matted the image onto red card.

The papers were from my stash, as was the ricrac and the sentiment.

The winner this week will get the choice of two of three images as their prize, and this image is one of them.  You will see that the rest of the SSW DT have used the other two images, which are:

Good Luck.

Happy Crafting!

Holly
xx

How To: Make A Post-It Note Holder

Sooooo, a pretty project for you today:

http://craftygiftshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/how-to-make-post-it-note-holder-present.html?m=1

I think I might attempt one of these for myself for starting my new job in a couple of weeks, as I really get fed up of the yellow squares on my desk with no real place.  I also want to make my new desk as pretty as possible.  I might also make some for my new colleagues as a 'welcome me' present.

We shall see.

Happy Crafting!

Holly

xx

Review: Simply Homemade - Issue 30

Soooooo, do you like my new look blog?  I was getting bored of the vintage pink, so decided to go for fabulous orange instead.

Anyway, only a couple of days late, I bring you my review of the latest issue of Simply Homemade.

It hit the shops on Friday and comes with a free recipe box kit, and as always, the first project in the magazine is how to make up your free kit.

I quite like Art Noveau, which has some beautiful lilac glass painting featuring flower motifs.  These could easily be adapted to other colours.  There are vases, wine glasses, mirrors and window hangings.  All the templates are included in the magazine.

Staying with the flower theme, there are some nifty creations using flower-shaped shrink plastic.  These also stick with the lilac theme too.  There is a hair clip, which looks very pretty, a necklace, a gift bag and some decorative pieces too

I want to try out the chutney recipes featured in the magazine - tomato & pepper, and mango, both of which sound absolutely delicious.

I also would love to try (but probably never will) the crocheted bag made from granny squares, some with an added flower.  My big sister crochets - I might suggest that she might like to make this for me.  Or, I could learn to crochet - the first one is the most likely option though.

Other projects this issue include:

• felted satchel
• log cabin quilt table cover
• candle holder
• nature-inspired cutlery holder & mug cosy
• fluffy vintage-inspired pin cushions
• patchwork quilt
• cards, kindle covers and decorations featuring music and lyrics
• steampunk-style wall art
• crocheted desk games, including snooker, tenpin bowling and basketball
• teddy bears

Giveaways this issue are:

• £500 of The Bead Shop vouchers
• Berisfords ribbons sets
• decorative drawers
• The Soapmaker's Companion book
• Dremel hobby kit
• Molly Felicity Designs sets
• Botanical Sticky Memos pads
• Dreamees sets

The next issue is out on 13 June and comes with a free stamp set and coordinating papers.

Happy Crafting!

Holly

xx

Soooo, I have another boy card to share with you today.  I think this will be my last post of the weekend, as I have some sewing to do and I really need to catch up on some telly.

Anyway, here is my card:

I made this using an image from my LOTV art pad.  I was originally going to go with a blue theme to match the boy's clothing, but I somehow ended up with a green theme.

The papers are from a Dovecraft pack.  I edged everything, including the image, with Memento Cottage Ivy ink, and I followed an old Sweet Sketch Wednesday sketch.

I used gold ribbon - more for want of being able to find a green one I liked - and two green buttons from my stash.  

To finish, I stamped zzzzzz inn green ink using some alphabet stamps I got from Hobbycraft a while ago.  Again, I used the Memento Cottage Ivy ink.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant - masculine birthday

Here Come The Boys - buttons

Eclectic Ellapu - anything  goes

I will have some more cards to share with you later in the week, along with some other projects.

Happy Crafting!

Holly

xx