The soft option

Since learning something new on the Skinny Mini class I've been busy experimenting with some of my photos. I think from now on no photo will now be safe from having some adjustment made or an effect added. I particularly like the soft light option used on this photo.

Next up is textures and I'm a bit behind with my homework but hopefull will get back on track in readiness for the next class.

I'm probably behind as I'm easily distracted and the new fabric I bought recently was just too tempting. You know what it's like you see some fetching fabric that you just have to have with no thought of what you're going to make........or is that just me? That was the story with this Kokka linen fabric. That is until I turned it into a bag.

It has some natty green spot fabric for the lining and fastens with a magnetic clasp

That isn't the only bit of sewing I've managed to fit in I've also made this cute little mouse by Mandy Shaw of Dandelion Designs. Her stand at Brighton at the Creative Stitches show was so popular. I  just about managed to buy a pattern in the mad scramble, a rabbit called Judy. This little mouse is her friend, Pip made from some Tilda fabric (oval rose) another impulse buy.

Enjoy what's left of your weekend - Goodbye from me and Pip

Blissed Out

Do you remember last month I felt inspired by the delivery of my Spring Boden catalogue?

I've been busy and completed my second layout using one of the free stickers as inspiration for the title  - Blissed Out

This photo is one of the first I used to create a layout when I joined UK Scrappers but I had the urge to revisit it after using the photo as part of the Skinny Mini class. For this version I added a soft light layer and added some typed text. I'm looking forward to learning how to add texture to photos in a later class.

For the layout I decided to print the photo onto canvas paper to add a bit of texture and go with the natural feel I'd decided on with the stitched linen and kraft cardstock background.

And for those of you wondering what the original looked like I'll be brave and show you......

 .......an 8x8 and not very adventurous.

Chicken Soup and a Winner

Hi

How are you on this Valentines Monday morning? I feel in a bright mood as I'm delighted to say that the sun is shining. In my garden the bulbs are starting to appear and that can only mean one thing............. Spring is on it's way.

Today also marks the first day of the free e-course I signed up for at Kim Klassen. Registration for the Photoshop Skinny-Mini stays open until 16th February so if you fancy giving it a go sign up what have you got to lose - Nothing! I'm hoping to pick up some basic skills and knowledge to set me on my way to creating beautiful photos. Well I can dream.

This is the inspiration this week at Chicken Soup

I created a card inspired by the white woodwork and floral print mugs

As a finishing touch I added one of the paper flowers I've been making with the addition of a button centre tied with some jute string. I cut the frame on my Silhouette using some pretty floral print paper and inside the frame I used some embossed kraft brushed with some gesso. 
And lastly I have the winner of my birthday blog giveaway to announce........

........................... Congratulations Sonja as your latest blog post said 'you've got to be in it to win it'! Make way for some stash coming your way.

Bloomin Lovely

Today I have a 6x12 layout to share.

As it's fast approaching Valentines Day I thought I'd scrap a photo of the two of us. We don't really do Valentines Day but it's always a good opportunity to scrap a photo from the previous year. I know this one isn't from last year but I have another layout planned too. Last year I made a reverse canvas.

Scrapping the layout also gave me a chance to use my newly acquired bazill basics kraft and the paper is from the Glitz Love Nest collection. Something I've been doing alot lately is making my own backgrounds from inexpensive white cardstock and inking and stamping to suit whatever I'm making. Another homemade feature of the layout are the paper flowers. Since finding a brilliant tutorial from Gabrielle Pollacco I can't stop making them. The ones on my layout are made from book pages and white cardstock which have been inked with worn lipstick distress ink and spritzed with water mixed with a bit of LuminArte Sunburst mica powder. I don't know about Sunburst I look more like I have a 40 a day habit!

Once I started making them I experimented with different types of paper I think these are my favourites. This is how they start off, these ones are cut using the tattered floral die from some coloured notepaper. You don't have to use mica just plain water will do but you can just see the slight glimmer it gives.

This is what they look like layered up you could leave the centre more open and fix a gem or button but I quite like the fluffy look.

If you like the thought of making your own embellishments from your existing stash then visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog they have all kinds of tutorials posted today features page pebbles. I had every intention of joining in with their putting your own kit together this month but got too excited by making flowers.

Let me know if you make any flowers of your own I'd love to see them.

Happy Creating

I Love Sock Monkeys

When I saw this weeks free shape from Silhouette I knew I had to make something using it.

You see sock monkeys make more than one appearance in my house. There is one who looks down on me from high on a shelf in my kitchen.

......and another in my craft room wearing some funky looking spots.

Maybe it's time I added to my collection.............. or I could just make another card or maybe even a layout featuring my existing duo.

I do have some socks left over from when I made this pair of monkeys so if you have any other ideas on what to make let me know.

Create

Hi. Have you had a creative weekend. Mine started on Friday when I spent the day chatting and eating cake with some friends with a bit of creating thrown in. I downloaded some cute birdhouses for the Silhouette which we decorated in our way. With the addition of a door I can see these making great little beach huts.

In fact my friends were so impressed with the Silhouette they had to buy their own so in between the eating cake, chatting and creating we had a shopping excursion too. I hope you like it girls. Looking at the Silhouette blog I was interested to see that there are some new lines being introduced and fabric interfacing is one of them. I think there are going to be some tutorials coming up on how to cut fabric so I'll be keeping an eye on that.

For my February Monthly Make I thought I'd do a bit of papercrafting and a bit more getting to know my Silhouette.

I cut out one of the pennant shapes that comes with the studio software and used some of my neglected material girl paper to decorate. 

I can see real potential in these with all kinds of uses............I just need to make a note of them so I don't forget.

The little dog you can see keeping watch is by Total Pap. I should really take some photos of the windows they have done locally as they are amazing and much nicer to look at than an empty shop window and there are a lot of empty shops!

Happy creating.
 

Hello Dolly

Hi

Do you remember the doll swap I signed up for? So far I've had visits from two dolly friends to have their body decorated (best not mention that!), their face created and most recently I had a new arrival for a hair appointment. 

Meet Dolly.

Dolly belongs to Sonja and I did check with her first if she wanted to keep tabs on Dolly's progress so Dolly says 'Hi Sonja I hope you like my hair?'. And as all good hairdressers do I'll show you the back view too.

Dolly is packing her bags and getting ready for the next step of her journey while I await the arrival of a new doll.

This week I've been getting to grips with a new addition to my crafting kit - a Silhouette. I'd considered getting one some time ago and then reconsidered but after seeing how much Sandra liked hers and finding one at a bargain price I took the plunge. And now? I'm so pleased I did. I've been amazed at what it can achieve. Here are a few cards I've made using it.

This card uses the free shape for download last week - a dressform. (yes, that is more Glitz paper you can see!)

I couldn't resist this Keep Calm and Carry On sentiment.

This Happy Birthday sentiment comes free with the software. I put it together with a card blank by Craftwork Cards they measure 8x8 and I love working with them. This one is inked with distress inks and stamped with a leaf stamp around the edge. The watch stamp was free with craft stamper last month and once stamped I finished it off with a bit of glossy accents on the watch face. Some die cut tattered leaves and a couple of flourishes to finish. 

I have to say that I've had fun learning how to use it so far and I hope to learn lots more. I'll keep you posted.