Welcome to my craft room. Grab a cuppa and take a look around.
I mainly paper craft, but i also sew and make bobbin lace and i love to Project Life :)

Monday 30 March 2015

It’s a Boy!

Good Morning Dear Reader; i hope that you are well today. Its lovely and sunny this morning although rain is of course expected later because its the school holidays here! Lol!
I am hoping to get out in my craft room a bit later as i feel a need to get inky :)

Today i am going to share a baby card with you; its a good job i brought those stamps a few weeks ago because they have definitely earned their keep with two expectant mums and a new baby in the last few weeks :)

2015-03-11 17.30.43

{stamps from Lawn Fawn}

Its a clean and simple card that i simply stamped and water-coloured the image and popped it on 3D foam onto a kraft card blank. 

I love Lawn Fawn stamps they appeal to my sense of fun plus most stamp sets have a matching die set so no fussy cutting!

I have had a couple of emails asking where i get my Lawn Fawn stamps from and i thought i would answer it here also; i get mine from a lovely shop in Kings Lynn called Sprinkle Twinkle.  You can find their web store HERE 

Right that’s it from me today

Until next time

Ttfn

Charlie.x

Friday 27 March 2015

Sunny day….

Hello Dear Reader, hope all is well with you.  When i made the card that i am sharing with you today it was really gloomy and throwing it down with rain so i created my own sunny day :)

2015-03-09 12.35.16

{all supplies from SU}

Again using the tree set from before i have created a happy sunny scene, i am so looking forward to this being the normal weather.  I like that i can look out to the garden from the window while i work and i cant wait for all the flowers to start coming out.  Mr C has even put a window box below my window and has planted them with miniature roses my favourite. Love that man! <3

That’s it from me today
Until next time
Ttfn

Charlie.x

Wednesday 25 March 2015

WOYWW? March 25th 2015

Happy Wednesday Dear Reader, and that means its time for another snoop around the world via craft desks :)  Such a lovely group of people to be involved with i love my Wednesdays

Last week a lot of people commented on the zippy bag i had on my desk asking what was inside……Well it was inky sponges lol! Lots of people thought that it may have been fruit :)

I have finally finished sorting and have moved all of my craft bits in now, well apart from my lace stuff and sewing machine as they have comfy homes already it would be a shame to uproot them Winking smile

2015-03-24 17.51.03

This was my desk at 6pm last night, no extra lighting as it was still lovely and light in there for me to potter about, due to the sorting i hadn’t got much crafting done, but i was having a good look on pinterest so that counts right? lol! I plan to get some crafting done today i have some stamps i want to play with so hopefully i will have some bits to show you next week :)

Until Next time

Ttfn

Charlie.x

Monday 23 March 2015

Cycle flip…..

Hello Dear Reader, i hope that you are well? I organised and taught a class to my local crop last meeting, its fun to share ideas {they are not a money making exercise and the ladies just pay for the materials}we have a lot of fun, and laughs.  At one point in the morning i asked someone to pass the hillock stamp which some one miss heard a pillock so the rest of the day the ground stamp was known as the pillock! :)
This card is a flip card made using a nifty die that means that you don’t need to do a lot of juggling with your plates and dies and washi tape!
2015-03-09 12.35.06
{all supplies for this card from SU}
Very simple a little of 2 step stamping made simple as this is a clear stamp, and an embossed layer for the back to add interest and texture.  The circle flips to show your sentiment, mine doesn’t have one yet as not sure what this will be needed for so when i use it i will add the sentiment i need but at least the bulk of my card is done; great for last minute cards!

That’s it from me today
Until next time
Ttfn
Charlie.x

Friday 20 March 2015

Blossoming tree…..

Hello Dear Reader, i hope that you are well? I am full of cold this week, which although not serious does make you feel rather yucky.  But at least the sun keeps poking out to cheer the days:) this time of year i find i become a little obsessed with the weather after the long gloomy days of winter! lol!

Today i am sharing a card with you with spring in mind of all the blossom trees that will soon start flowering, i am hoping that Mr C will soon take the hint and plant one or two in our garden ;)

I made the blossoms on this card using the wet-wipe technique, where you create a multi coloured ‘ink pad’ with a few layers of wet wipes with re-inkers randomly dropped over the surface. Here is the result;

2015-03-09 12.34.38

{all supplies for this card from SU}

I really like the soft mottled look that this technique gives and in some ways it mimics the blossom moving in the breeze. I really like this set from SU its in their spring/summer catalogue and has lots of stamps to build a scene around the tree.  I have just realise that the mount on this card is wonky :/ sorry about that oops!

That’s it from me today

Until next time

Ttfn

Charlie.x

Wednesday 18 March 2015

WOYWW March 18th 2015

Hello Dear Reader, i hope that you are well? Just a quick one from me today to join in with What's on your work desk Wednesday.

2015-03-17 16.15.48

Organising! That’s what i am up to in my new craft room today this is how i left it on Tuesday and hopefully today i will get it all sorted and put away …..then i can start on the next lot!  I am sure that my stuff has been reproducing behind my back because i can’t see how i fit it all in in my small space! lol!!

That’s it from me today

Until next time

Ttfn

Charlie.x

Monday 16 March 2015

Bun in the oven……..

Hello Dear Reader,  no i am not sharing happy news for myself! lol I have been making baby cards for members of the family that have happy news on the way. :) I love babies, but i love to hand them back when they cry :) i like that mine are growing up now and we can do more together.
So we don’t know the gender of either of the babies so i tried to keep the cards neutral using blue and pink for one and yellow and purple for the other.
2015-01-28 14.45.27
{stamps and dsp Lawn Fawn, card base SU}

2015-02-11 12.34.00
{stamps Lawn Fawn, cardstock SU}
Both were coloured using spectrum noir pencils and a blending fluid with paper stumps. I popped crystal effects on the oven door so that it was shiny like glass.
Sorry about the strange photos at the moment i need to set up a place to take photos in the craft room soon.
Until next time
Ttfn
Charlie.x

Thursday 12 March 2015

Baked with love……

Hello Dear Reader, hope all is sunny and well your end; we have lovely bright sunshine today, you still need a coat but at least it is sunny :)
Today i am sharing with you a gift that i made for my lovely friend, who last week on her only day off stopped crafting, got out of her pj’s and went to IKEA for me as the raskog cart was on sale for £20 off but only in that store, which isn’t her nearest store but closer to her than me. As she loves me and is a wonderful friend she did this for me so i had to make her a thank you as she was coming up to see me on Tuesday with my shopping in tow.
Now my friend loves my shortbread but instead of making it and popping it in a placky box i wanted to do something pretty with it; So i prettied up a jar that i had originally brought to hold craft stuff, when me room was going to be full of vintage furniture {plan changed} so now i have no use of the jar instead of throwing it i thought i would use it.  These jars are meant to be used for foods stuffs so they have an air tight lid and when empty she could always use it to store more treats or craft bits.
2015-03-09 12.32.03
{stamps Lawn Fawn, cardstock, punches,dies and watercolour crayons SU}

I coloured the images using a blend-a-pen and the long retired watercolour crayons that SU used to sell to give them a soft feeling. I made the tag using a punch that makes the tag top for you in blue and crumb punching each one with a different edging punch. I die cut the oval and embossed the card behind then tied it on the jar with twine and tidied it all up with a nice ribbon bow.
Because i had coloured extra images i made a quick card to pop in my box.
2015-03-09 12.32.14 

{stamps Lawn Fawn, notecard SU}
this took 2 minutes to put together from the scraps but i now have a back up birthday card, and i think together these would make a nice gift for someone for their birthday.
2015-03-09 12.32.27
Thats all from me today, i hope that you liked my projects.
Until next time
Ttfn
Charlie.x

Wednesday 11 March 2015

WOYWW March 10th 2015

Hello Dear Reader another week of showing our desks and snooping at desks across the globe. I have been working out in my new craft room when it is warm enough out there as the heat is not connected up yet.

I have taken this photo on Tuesday afternoon after an day spent with my lovely friend i knew that my desk wouldn’t be changing much between now and then…… apart from tidying up!

20150310_115624

As you can see today we was working on the dining table in the warmth of the living room :)  I was having a play with my friends new stamp set to see if it grabs me……. its nice but not sure if i need it……. yet!

I have also been up to lots of colouring on my quest for the perfect alcohol markers for me;
2015-02-19 19.19.322015-02-19 19.33.502015-02-19 19.42.20

{stamps Lawn Fawn, pens SU Blendabilities}

Think that my hedgehogs look like they been baking themselves in the sun! lol!

That’s all from me today,

Until next time

Charlie.x

Monday 9 March 2015

The new trend……Bokeh!

Hello; Dear Reader, i hope that you are well? Its very gloomy here i am wondering where the sunshine of the weekend has gone!? It was lovely over the weekend, i managed to get to sit out on my bench, admittedly in my coat but the sun was warm and i helped {filled out the plant markers} Mr C get the seeds started for the year.
So i have been seeing a technique everywhere lately on blogs and instagram, so i thought i would give it a go.  Bokeh is a photography technique and  has been defined as "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light". You can recreate this on card with some sponging and a template made at home with acetate.
2015-03-09 12.34.14
{inks from SU and Brilliance, stamp from SU, card stock also from SU}
I started with a blank piece of card and swirled on two shades of light blue then added a light lavender type colour.  With the stencil i sponged on white craft ink and white brilliance ink once it was dry i stamped the tree in versa mark and heat embossed it. Finishing off with a sparkly heart.
I hope you like it and give Bokeh a try, that’s all from me today
Until next time
Ttfn
Charlie.x

Friday 6 March 2015

Hedge-Hugs

Happy Friday Dear Reader! Its nearly the weekend and for me this weekend that means crop day Smile i love going to crop i don’t always get much done but boy do i have fun!

So what do i have to share with you today?
A card or two made using the Hedge-Hugs stamp set from Lawn Fawn

2015-02-05 14.05.29

{both cards were coloured with watercolours}

2015-02-05 14.05.14

I coloured both of these cards with my trusty old faithful Newtons’ and sent them out to dear friends one to cheer up someone who had been feeling very poorly lately and the other to a friend who does such a lot for me and is such a great friend and i wanted her to know.
2015-02-05 13.56.45

I love my Newton’s i have had them since i was taking my GCSE Art and used them throughout my A level Art also, but  i think it maybe time to get some new brushes as these are starting to look a little worse for wear.  I would recommend them to anyone who likes to watercolour beginner or otherwise there are enough colours and you can replace the pans with any colour you like; you can get bigger sets my daughter has a huge set with loads of colours in {I'm a bit jealous lol} but i have always found this set enough for me and i have only replaced the white once in the whole time i have owned them, as i like to make the paints opaque sometimes.

Well that’s it for today, i am going to get myself packed ready for tomorrow, have a great weekend what ever you are up to.
Until next time

Ttfn

Mrs. C.x

Wednesday 4 March 2015

WOYWW? March 3rd 2015

HAPPY 300th!! What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday, Dear Reader!

Wow!! that is a mile stone! i love taking part in WOYWW as i am as nosy moo and this gives me a good excuse to have a snoop about.  Plus who else could understand working in an increasingly smaller space whilst performing the scoop and dump than fellow crafters. And the WOYWW’ers are a lovely bunch of people too. 

Thank you to all who left messages about my girls last week the big one was feeling much better by the afternoon and the little one was feeling very pleased with herself for going into school without big sis and i didn’t have to sit through Frozen once – bonus!

So on to my desk, well you have a two-fer this week as you have my desk now and my brand spanking new desk in my brand spanking new craft room!! eeep!!

2015-03-03 15.43.192015-03-03 15.43.25

Now this was my original photo for today taken Tuesday afternoon so that i could be ready; i knew i wasn’t going to be up to much so not much would change.  My smash books are out as i was looking through the pictures, H had made me a blu-tac man so that i wasn’t lonely while they were at school {she’s 4} he even has a belly button!  There is also a lot of new Lawn Fawn stamps and dies as i went to Stamperama on Sunday and was pleased to find these on one of the stands. 

Stamperama was a bit of a disappointment though unfortunately, it is the first time i had been in about 4 years and there was very few stands there aprox no more than 20 so not as big as it had once been which was a shame, but we got what we needed and was back in the car within the hour and on the way home.

Now back to the desk, Mr C came home and decided that he needed me to empty my shelves as he was going to move them out to the new craft room……
2015-03-03 18.11.58

resulting in this big mess! Blu-tac man may have got a little squashed in the process.

But this mess did mean that i can share this photo with you as my worktop was delivered and installed yesterday and now my shelves are up so i can start moving in the non-perishables into my craft room! Yippee!!

2015-03-03 20.14.42

My Hubby has re-used my shelves instead of buying new as i like that they have been in every house I’ve lived in since i left home and held my craft stuff in all of them, i suppose i could call it up-cycling as that seems to be the buzz word these days.  I don’t actually need the lamp as my daylight strip light is more than sufficient but it would feel odd now not to have the lamp on the desk.  This is how i have left it for Tuesday night and i shall keep loading up the storage as the week goes on and as soon as we have a nice dry mild day i shall have the plumbing finished as we need to drain the system {so they tell me?} and it will be warm and i can be out there permanently paper and all! :)

If you would like to see the other stages of the build you can find them under the tag build at the bottom of the post.

Until Next time

Ttfn

Mrs.C xx

Tuesday 3 March 2015

Build Update {Carpets, Units and Desktop}

Good Morning Dear Reader; i do hope that you are well its lovely and bright today love all this sunshine, can’t wait for the warmer weather to come.
Lots of exciting bits happening in the craft room this last week; the floor, carpets, base units and Mr C, has just delivered the worktop :)
2015-02-20 17.51.25IMG_20150221_1551512015-02-26 16.18.582015-02-26 16.52.21
{the floor was boarded out with MDF and then carpeted in a navy and the skirting boards to finish}
2015-03-02 09.20.532015-03-02 09.20.58
{the base units are kallax from IKEA, to add extra plugs I've added a switched socket to the wall; i got my priorities sorted and make sure that my stereo is in its new home ;)}
2015-03-02 11.16.03
Look at all that worktop space! I can not wait to get out there and get crafting the worktop is 2 and a half times the size of my current workspace.  This evening Mr C is going to secure it all and then next on the list is shelves i think i shall be in before Mr C’s original goal of the beginning of the summer holidays.

Until next time
Ttfn
Mrs C.x

Sunday 1 March 2015

The Creative Blog Hop!

Hello Dear Reader; i hope this finds you well? I can not believe we are in March already; i am so ready for some lighter days though.  I am hoping that the predicted forecast for today comes good as it would be lovely to have line dried sheets rather than tumbled for a change. Simple things like that make me happy.

So my lovely friend and fellow crafter Jeannie nominated me to take part in a blog hop that she had been nominated herself for; now apart from panic somewhere along the way i did agree …as i love to share my crafty-ness with you all.
Jeannie is a complete enabler; she has got me hooked on Lawn Fawn stamps and new to me mediums of colouring, and then she sends me YouTube videos to temp me with more sets! lol

The cards i am going to share with you today are using stamps from Lawn Fawn; i really like their range its fun and cute and they have matching dies available so no need to fussy cut, bonus!  The cards that i am sharing with you i actually sent to Jeannie and her lovely daughter Bella last month.
2015-01-28 18.24.35
{this one was coloured using SU Blendibilities pens, the clouds are actually the top of the SU cupcake punch!}
2015-01-28 20.00.52
{this was coloured using spectrum noir pencils and blending fluid with paper stumps}
I hope that you like my cards i am really enjoying playing with these stamps as you can change the colours up and make them for all different occasions.  I had to have dinosaur stamps i buy them when ever i see them as my dream as a child was to work at the Natural History Museum in London and my Grandparents used to take me multiple times a year and now my youngest is Dinosaur mad so we have lots of dino bits in the house. :)
Now for the scary part of the blog hop the questions;
1.) What are you working on now? At the moment we are in the process of building my craft room so a lot of my supplies are boxed up so that that can happen, but i have been playing about with some bits and pieces and even got my old watercolours out that i have had since i took my A Level Art; and used those to do some ‘no line colouring’ with some stamps.  This week however i shall mostly be tied to my sewing machine altering some black sheets into a Hermione costume and an old summer top into a Mrs Pepperpot costume for world book day.
2.) How does your work differ from others in your genre?
Erm i don’t think that it does particularly; I’m quite eclectic in that as well as paper based crafts i also sew, knit and more unusually make bobbin lace by hand so i can be working on a myriad of different projects at a time dependant on how i feel that day.  I do love to help my friend who does craft shows to create show pieces for her such as my exploding butterfly book, she gives me a vague brief and then i can just go to town, i love that freedom of what ever comes out of my hands at the end.  I also will try most things at least once, i may never do them again but i am willing, although most trends i have seen before as i have been a rubber stamper for 20 years now. When we moved 5 years ago we counted i had over 10,000 stamps and had 2 more boxes left to count!! But do you know what i hardly used them and the sheer quantity often left me overwhelmed so i sold the lot and started again.
3.) Why do you create what you do?
I think it is because i know no different, in my life i have always been surrounded by creative people.  My Mum used to make my clothes when i was younger all my school summer dresses were made by her and she also would sit and colour the colouring books that are patterns of tessellating geometric shapes.  My Nan knits, sews, and makes lace and taught me to do all three, and my late great nan used to knit, sew, water colour and taught me to bake.  Even my Granddad is creative he is a fantastic with his hands able to fashion what ever you need from few supplies from the hardware store,  and then create the most gorgeous wedding cakes.  So creativity is just normal for our family, i got my first rubber stamps at 8years old and i was off! I am an abstract person when working with paints or clay so rubber stamping was a boon for me as i didn’t have to worry about drawing perfectly.  I enjoy the creative process and luckily for me my Hubby gets it as he is also a creative, when he first left school he made his money painting murals on children’s bedroom walls; he now is more creative in the garden.
4.) How does your creativity work?
Well……there’s often a lot of mess, tea and procrastination!
I don’t have a set way in which i create i usually sit down to have a ‘play’ and see where it takes me sometimes it ends up in the bin and sometimes it becomes something that i would send out to a friend.  I used to make cards to sell and would often make over 500 in a week {when my eldest was a tiny baby and slept a lot} but i found because i had to i didn’t want to which is why now i don’t take orders for Christmas cards.  I make Christmas cards all year when i am in the mood to sparkle for the next 6 weeks, lol and i pop them in a box and then friends and family buy them from there, i don’t make a lot from it but it does cover the material costs and i don’t end up drowning in cards!  A lot of the time i sit down to make a card if we have an event coming up or if my family want a special card to send to someone; otherwise i tend to scrapbook my preferred format at the moment is pocket style as it comes together quickly with little supplies as you like plus you can always go back and add embellishment at a later date but the memories are down and in the book.
Cor i do waffle a lot! So i shall leave it there i have to nominate someone else to take part next week and i would like to nominate my crafting bestie Sue McDonald she is a fantastic scrapper and i am sure will have plenty to show you.
Until next time
Ttfn
Mrs.C.x