Woo Hoo am ahead for Once !!

Yes am feeling pretty pleased with myself as have already made April's Pennant

5 x 8 inches

Stamps by Crafty Individuals and Designs by Rynn.  The background was created using the Wallpaper Paste Technique.  The Crafty Individual stamps were gifted to me by a very dear blogging friend, who I won't name as know she would be embarrassed.  Thank you very much dear friend.

Plus a card for the new Rogue Redhead Challenge, which is to make the sentiment or quotation your main focus.

Stamp by Rogue Redhead Designs, Floriculture stamp plate.  Tim Holtz Hanging Sign diecut, Embossing Folder and Distress Inks, plus a few golden gemstones and two gold hoops.

Plus I have a couple of Art Journal pages showing this week on Nettys Art Adventures if you would like to go see.

Yep a pretty productive week so am feeling happy.  Wishing you a smashing weekend and take care of yourselves.  Thank you for dropping in and any kind comments you would like to leave..........lol
Hugs Annette xx

I'm in the Mood for Love......

Hi, February is the month for showing our love to whoever deserves it.  Am going to start with my February Pennant (you can see January in the post below).

For this month's pennant I used Tim Holtz cardstock which I won from Wanda a couple of years ago.  Dabbed with Distress Inks, edged the hearts with Gold Paint Dabber and coated with Modge Podge to protect.  The little doily was very conveniently put under my coffee cup in a Garden Centres'  Restaurant, so that went straight in my bag.......we all love a freebie don't we, this also has been dabbed with Distress Inks, although its hard to see in the photograph.

Have also made a couple of cards for family:

Stamps by Artistic Outpost and Darkroom Door

Two Embossing Folders, Two Die Cuts, brad and an Emery Board.  Stamp by  Craft Lounge

Both very quick and easy cards to make.

The snow came down quite thickly last night and again today but luckily so far its not freezing.  Tomorrow we are off to the Hospital for more heart tests on my husband, methinks he will have to have some more stents put in as he has not been feeling very brilliant lately.

Thank you for visiting me and wishing you a lovely week.  Take care, hugs Annette xx

My Paintings  for this week can be seen HERE   if you would like to look xx

Bag it and Tag it...............

Hi, over at Gingersnaps we continue the Shopping theme with Bags and Tags. With this I have to say mine is rather plain compared to the other Gingers beautiful creations.......sob sob, still we have to do our own thing don't we..............!!!!

A Takeaway Brown Paper Bag which has been stencilled and stamped with black paint dabber. Diecuts cut  from one of my Arcrylic Squishings and love the way the Umbrella Man turned out........

The Gingersnaps challenges are good because you can interpret them anyway you like providing you follow the requirements.  Look forward to seeing your wonderful bags and tags even if I go green with envy and weep copiously............... Have a great afternoon and take care, Hugs Annette x

A Card from the Heart and the Queen of Cats Tag

Hi, hope you all have had a great day. We went to Carlton Village and visited Emmaus, this is a very special community which helps people to move on from homelessness, providing work and a home in a supportive family environment and enables people to develop skills and rebuild their self respect. This wonderful place is all about recycling in many ways, plus they have a terrific Bistro and out of this world yummy cakes including their famous Pavlova......you have to see this to believe it........needless to say I bought a couple of things from their shops, a reference book and a wonderful wooden thingy that was crying out to be altered, but what into, not sure yet, am just enjoying touching it at the moment, sad person that I am.........lol

Anyways enough of my ramblings. I made this card and tag, just because I love the stamps and have been longing to use them. The tag is going to a dear friend of mine who adores her cat and the card hasn't a home yet. I used a Prima Flower Mask for the background of the card, Antique Linen Distress Ink and a Promarker for the little bit of colouring in. Stamps by Papermania and Inkadinkado. Just noticed The Stampman challenge this week is Floral, not sure if this really fits the bill as its not covered in flowers apart from the background and the word Flower.........mmmmm we will see. The Tag has been brushed with Distress Inks and Flowersoft added; Stamp by Andrea Jayne for Docrafts - such a great cat stamp.

Ooh just seen the Blog One Stop Craft Challenge are doing Clean and Simple so will try the card their as well, brill.

Hope you like these as I enjoyed making them. Take care and have a great weekend, Annette x

Walking to Work

Hi, am back again, done the food shopping, now all I have to do is scrape the carrots, but we have chocolate mousse tonight to celebrate me being featured (see earlier post), well it doesn't happen every day does it?

Gingersnaps theme this week is Going to Work, which is a real fun challenge and there are some amazing samples from the DT to look at. You really have to join in this great fun challenge, am looking forward to seeing your terrific pieces.

My DT piece is made from recycled corrugated card, a map from our holiday in Jersey last year (a freebie) . Some plastic bits from an old alarm clock, black paint dabber, crackle glaze, Tim Holtz die cut bird, drew and painted the gorgeous legs myself........lol plus the boots and hat. This bird has to walk to work..........aaaaaah. The stamp Adventure is by Technique Tuesday. Hope it amuses you.

Will be back later after have done the carrots and got the meal on to check out all your beautiful creations. Ooh nearly forgot Benidorm is on TV tonight at 9pm so won't be around then, but will be back afterwards. Take care, Annette x

CofC33 and a Doodlezect !!

Hi, once again the lovely Linda of Studio L3 has given us another challenge from the Book of Curiosities - Altered Metal Alcohol Inks (page 56). For me it had to be another card as am still playing catch up this month.

The paper is by RLB, the CD has been alcohol inked in various colours (which doesn't really show up all that well in the photogaph) and so has the butterfly. Used a circle shaped piece of chipboard and painted it and cut out a Flower from the RLB paper. Mmmm I think thats it, hope haven't missed anything out. There are some beautiful examples over at Studio L3 and Linda's example is just gorgeous.

Have you seen all the Zectangling going on in blogland, wow they look terrific. So last night while watching the TV methinks to myself why not have a go at this. This is more of a Doodlezect and my first attempt, but will definitely do some more as its so interesting......Did I have a plan.......heck no, just went with flow.......and had fun. It amused me and hope it amuses you.

Feeling a lot better today and thank you again for all your lovely messages wishing me well. Take care and enjoy the day. Hugs Annette x

The Charm and Destiny of Rusted Enamel

'The Charm and Destiny of Rusted Enamel'.......yep am talking about two challenges in one this time.

The CofC Challenge is Rusted Enamel (page 41) hosted by the lovely Linda of Studio L3. Never tried this technique before and can honestly say I love the effect it gives, so much so I have made a large piece of it (in a different colour) for future use. Hope you will be able to see the pitting in the photograph.

Also am entering this into the Gingersnaps Charms Challenge. The charms are made from molds and hopefully they look a bit like wood and bronze which is the effect I was trying to achieve. Hmmm maybe a bit too ambitious of me.........lol

There are loads of wonderful entries for both these challenges, plus great examples from the Design Team; well worth having a look at if you get the time and hope you will join in and have some fun.

Will catch up with you all later as I love seeing your wonderful creations. Take care and have a lovely evening. Annette x

ROYALTY VISITS GINGERSNAPS !!

Hi, the Gingersnaps Chestnut Theme Challenge this week is Kings and Queens. Yep Royalty comes to Gingersnaps......cool........so now you have the chance to be a Royal Ginger if you play along with us; how brilliant is that. Again you can create anything you like as long as you use the theme. If you are not sure what I am talking about check out the Gingersnaps Blog link (on my sidebar) for the wonderful DT samples.

My DT Ginger sample is Avant-Garde which is a fun piece. Background is the Rock Salt Distress Ink technique which is fun to do as you never know how its going to turn out. Products used are T Holtz Distress Inks, Black Stickles and Rock Candy Distress Stickles. Stamps by TJ Designs, Paper Artsy and B Line (which have been chopped about a bit). Looking at the photograph I think I should have covered the Queen up a bit and not shown her manly chest for all to see...............lol

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with as its such a great challenge with endless possibilities. Take care and have a great day, Annette x

CofC 30 - Altered Metal with Paint

Hi, this week dear Linda of Studio L3 had us turning to page 48 of the Compendium of Curiosities which turned out to be Altered Metal with Paint.

The piece I chose to alter was a bit of a minefield to do as it has so many nooks and crannies, plus just couldn't make up my mind which colour to choose, sigh sigh.........lol It has had 4 different colours on it until I decided on this last one........... The pendant was bought from the Junk Market for 10p, it was originally a very shiny silver colour. Am leaving it as it is for the moment until I can find the right ribbon/material to thread through it to turn it into a necklace as it is way too big to go on a card. In case you are wondering about the background, its one of my acrylic paintings, well splodgings actually........thats a technical term for a mess...................

Thank you for all your congratulations on the birth of my first Great Grandson, Lewis. I have 10 grandchildren altogether. My ever growing family are determined to keep us poor........but rich in so many other ways, so am counting my blessings and hiding my purse.....................lol

Thank you for popping in and seeing me plus all your great support. Have a lovely evening and will catch up with you all later. Take care, Annette x

CofC 29 - WEATHERED GRUNGE

Hi, thought I would have a go at doing something a little different for me with the lovely Linda's Compendium of Curiosities challenge 29 Weathered Grunge (page 50).

Stamps used, BLine and Craft Lounge; Tim Holtz Die, Sizzix Die and a TH Texture Fade. Other products were Gold Paint Dabber, Tea Dye Distress, Aqua Paint Dabber, Baby Blue Stickles.

As yet not sure whether to put this onto a Valentines card or make it into a Hanging or Magnet etc, so leaving it as it is at present. There are some fab examples of this weathered grunge over at Linda's StudioL3 so if you get the time pop over and have a look you will be amazed.

Thank you for popping in and for all your great support, wishing you a happy day and take care, Annette x

PS. Am having problems with blogger at the moment. Cannot follow a new blog with my photo enclosed, think it wants me to be incognito.........and also some comments are not being allowed even though they are not spam. Will try and fix it, but not sure how. If anyone has any ideas please email me I would be grateful.

Hanging My Head in Shame.........CofC-27

Yep am coming to you hanging my head with shame at my example for the Compendium of Curiosities No 27, Distress Misting Masks. Its so naff...........but after covering this and myself in Terracotta and Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls I was not in the best of moods, especially as I had to go for some special XRays yesterday covered in this stuff, not a good look, no wonder the doctor and the nurses looked at me strangely....lol

To see some wonderful examples of this technique from page 60 of the CofC you need to visit dear Linda of Studio L3 and believe me there are some fab examples there. Will try and do better next week.

Thank you for popping in and hope the visit didn't make you feel too sick....... Take care and have a happy day. Annette x

CCC26 & The Artistic Stamper ' SUGAR AND SPICE'

'Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice' was primarily made for Lindas Compendium of Curiosities (Studio L3) - Rusted Grunge and then saw Jennie (The Artistic Stamper) was doing Wings, so wow two for the price of one...........

I used an old Postcard for this tag and stamped a Lace Background and then dragged Betsy kicking and screaming onto it, she was not happy having rusty wings.......So we did a deal and I told her she could bring her dog along, anything to shut her up.......

Now for the truth.........yep have to own up......not got the required colour for the rust, only black and pale blue. So had to improvise and no I didn't use Gravy Granules, although tempted......lol

For all the instructions on how to do it correctly go to Page 45 of the Compendium of Curiosities, then upload yours so we can all see. There are some fab entries again this time and also Lindas' wonderful tag.

Once I have uploaded to the challenge sites I must get dressed as overslept this morning and still in PJs, but will be back later in the day to check out all your wonderful creations. Thank you again for all your wonderful support and kindness and have a happy day whatever you are doing. Annette x

CofC 25 - SCRIBBLE STAIN DISTRESS

Hi, back again with another Compendium of Curiosities, this time Scribble Stain Distress, chosen for us by the lovely Linda of Studio L3. I am never quite sure why I keep having a go at these as so rarely do I have the proper requirements.

With this one I don't have the Scribbler........what on earths that I hear you cry.....its all revealed on page 34 of the CofC.........lol Anyway not going to give up so I tried a wooden stick dipped......mmmm not quite the same and doesn't really get the right effect, but its not too bad........possibly............!!!!

Distress Inks Used were Fired Brick and Tea Dye, also White and Gold Paint Dabber, Inka Gold and Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold and of course the Trees embossing folder by Tim Holtz. Will try and link this to Jennies tag challenge at The Artistic Stamper.

Thank you so much for popping in as am sure you are all extremely busy at the moment getting ready for the big day........ we are going to our youngest daughter Wendy for Christmas Day and she is the most brilliant cook and serves terrific wine..........and has the best sense of humour... yep just like her mother......lol

Stay safe and Warm and be Happy. Hugs Annette x

DAY 10 - 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Hi, Well this was an adventure for me as had never embossed plastic packing before, neat.....

I didn't have the snowman but I do have the bird, so went with that. Dressed him up in little red boots and fancy wing, thought he looked kind of smart......... Used the tree embossing folder for him to stand on and for the plastic I used a Crafts-Too embossing folder of flowers, not quite snowflakes but its the best I had for the job......... Oh dear I never realised it was so late....but wanted to get it finished. So am off to bed now, catch you all later........Have a lovely weekend and take care. Annette x

CofC - Double Distress

Hi,

The lovely Linda of StudioL3 gave us page 40 of the Compendium of Curiosities this week, Double Distress. So off we go, embossed on Grunge - fine.... and then it went wrong! Reason: far too heavy handed.... Result: a total mess, so reversed the grunge and did the technique on the leaves instead - Now was this a 'cop out' or being resourceful? Either way a lesson learn't.......Yep most definitely an adventure into this amazing book. Distress Inks used were Worn Lipstick and Dusty Concord.

Also will enter it into Simon Says Stamp - Distress Inks

The picture on the right is my entry for the Gingersnaps Challenge GC80 - Vintage Hues, its a small book cover 3.50 x 3.50 which has a little bit of decoupage on it and some Fimo mouldings plus Distress Inks, so it could go in for Simon Says as well, couldn't it!

Studio L3, Simon Says Stamp and Gingersnaps are terrific places to visit as the craftings are just amazing and full of inspiration, so if you get the chance they are well worth a visit.

Thank you for popping by and for your great support and kindness. Have got to start clearing out my kitchen ready for a new one to be fitted starting on Monday.......or shall I get on with some Christmas stuff.......yea......forget the kitchen can always do it at the weekend..... Take care, Annette x

CofC 22 - Alcohol Ink Spatter

Hi,

Challenge 22 already.......time does fly when you are having fun and it thanks to dear Linda of Studio L3 who is taking us all on an adventure. This time its page 52 of the Compendium of Curiosities.

Made mine into an Easel card for a change.....and am quite pleased how its turned out. Using a straw with the technique caused a lot of laughter as my husband thought I was ill when he heard all the huffing and puffing.......stupid man..........lol

My wonderful prize arrived from Linda yesterday and I cannot thank her enough, as have great plans for the Configurations.

I shall not be around for a couple of days as am going to visit my Uncle and Auntie in Swindon, unfortunately he has cancer and is a bad way poor man, so its going to be heartbreaking as some of you will know who have been through the same thing with a dear friend or relative. But on a brighter note I will be back on Saturday and be able to catch up with all your wonderful work.

There is already some wonderful examples of Ink Spatter at Lindas' Studio L3 Blog so if you get the time its well worth a visit. Take care, hugs Annette x

Simon Says Shows Us Your Favourite Tim Holtz Stamp!

Hi

I had to make two male cards this week and it is not my top hole favourite thing to do, mainly because I am so bad at it. I know my limitations honestly.

Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge this week is show us your favourite Tim Holtz Stamp, well unlike a lot of other crafters I only possess two and both are minis, so what sort of crafter does that make me............rubbish........lol

Both cards use the Car stamp, one with a Tim Holtz Cutting Die and both with his embossing folders and of course his Distress Inks. Oops nearly forgot, the easel type card has a calendar on it but not clearly visible in the photo. Anyway I am entering these cards if only to make the other challengers items look fab, and they are, as have just been over to look at them. So if you want to see some great Tim Holtz stamps and wonderful creations pop over to Simon Says.

I am truly having a bad creative week, have been struggling with the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge this week - you have never seen such rubbish as my attempts at this - and then I found out what I was doing wrong. I will tell you all about it when I post it, you are just not going to believe how a person can be so dumb.

Thank you for popping in and supporting me, hope your week is going good, Annette x

Introducing Miss Haute Couture

Hi, am introducing you to Miss Haute Couture, her name is Betsy and she models for BLine Designs, she is a little shy but she wanted to be included in the Gingersnaps Challenge..........

An Altered Frame (another old one patched up), Black and Silver Paint Dabbers, Mirror card embossed corners. For the background I used Distress inks on photocard. Hope you like the effects. This little picture is going to one of my young grand-daughters.

Thank you for popping by and all your terrific support and sorry about the glass reflection. Take care, Annette x

PS.

Will be catching up with all your wonderful blogs later on this evening as I hate missing anything...lol

CofC 20 - Industrial Grunge

Thank you so much for all your congratulations on my birthday and the many cards and brilliant presents. I was overwhelmed by your generosity. Since then we have some sad news within the family and everything has been very topsy turvey and my phone has not stopped ringing so am afraid I just haven't been able to keep up with all your wonderful craftings, so sorry, but will try to catch up as the week goes on.

Didn't feel much like crafting either, but Terry, bless her gave me some great advice so here I am with the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge - Industrial Grunge (page 54). I tell you this was a real tough one and had to improvise with the vital steps with a cork with pins stuck in........ and think I overdid it a bit.........

Products used were Tim Holtz dies and embossing folder. Silver paint dabber, Silver metallic cream, Fired Brick Distress Ink, Frosted Lace Stickles and Snow Tex.

Well at least I have a Christmas card made now.........

To see all the wonderful creations using this technique go over to the lovely Linda at StudioL3 and see a feast of art.

Am also entering this into the Everybody Art Challenge - Non Traditional Christmas

and The Stampman Challenge 9 - Christmas (see link on sidebar)

I have just received an award from Andrea of Smudgetastic 'I GOT THE ATTITUDE' Blog Award will have to enter all the requirements later as it really needs thinking about.... but how cool is this. Its going to give me great Kudos with the children and grandchildren, so am going to learn to talk the talk and walk the walk......lol how brilliant, thank you Andrea.

Thank you for popping by and for all your great support. Take care, Annette x

GC76 Colour Challenge - Pumpkin, Avocado and Eggplant

Hi,

This is my last week as a Visiting Artist over at the wonderful Gingersnappers.......am so sad as it has been such an adventure and very challenging.

So for my final piece I created this Wall Hanging, using Corregated card from packaging, Plasterers Mesh, Twigs from the garden, Bottle top, Tim Holtz Die Cuts, Double sided card - which was a freebie from LB Crafts on their last open day and Berries from stash, plus I used some Distress Inks and a spider which happened to be passing by..........it is hung with raffia and is now hanging on one of my walls amongst a load of other hangings and alterations. Hope you like it as had great fun making it. So why not give this Colour Combo Challenge a go and for inspiration from some great creative crafters pop over to Gingersnaps.

Thanking you again for all your great support and encouragement. Have a happy week and a great weekend........I shall be out flying on my broomstick on Sunday because thats what us Halloween birthday girls do..................so duck if you see me coming as am hopeless with the gear changes and sense of direction is not good either..........lol Take care, Annette x