Stampotique saved my mojo

 My mojo had just up'd and left me, I had got some wonderful crafting surprises for xmas, two of Linda of LB crafts mystery boxes, but nothing would come to mind, no matter how long I sat in the craft area . .  nothing . . nada, I even balanced the cheque book (scarey), had it gone for ever, was this it . . . , but no Stampotique Designers Challenge came to the rescue with a new challenge "What's your wish for the new year" with some inspiring work from the DT.  This is a stampotique stamps only challenge, so had to think creatively, now I love this stamp and I realised that 2012 could only be better for everyone if we all smiled more . . .

. . . dont you agree, used one of my new Twilight Journals, pack of four in a tin with the book cover artwork on them and including sayings from the books, supposed to help me write that one in a million novel, but I reckon that would be a long time coming, so thought an art journal would be good, should keep me busy for a while, LOL

this shot shows the opened book complete with a  "Twilight"quote and a mask imprint of the circles I used with watered down white fresco finish paint, am trying to think of something subtle for that page.

Anyways, I shall love you and leave you with all the Best Wishes for 2012, and dont forget how powerful a smile can be . . . 

Christmas Cards 2011

How I wished I was organised and started my cards earlier, have managed to do some for close family and friends, just gotta do my two boys and that will be done for another year . .  phewee ...  who knew making xmas cards could become such a chore . . LOL

  

  

Wishing each and everyone of you who visit me during the year that you . . 

Have a very Merry Christmas

and the new year brings us all we could wish,

for our families and loved ones

Jo Capper-Sandon

Jo was kind enough in my time off work to arrange a class for me to attend, she had us working on a project which she had designed for the Crafty Individuals Christmas Challenge (see here), a Christmas squash book . .

This is it all tied up

Then beginning to open up

Totally open

and the back

I was so pleased with it I decided it would be my OH xmas card, but then I want it back LOL.

Jo is a gem of a teacher and I met some lovely ladies there too, Jo even kindly waited for me to arrive as I took the coastal route to get to her (oops), very scenic it was though. Christmas had also arrived early with fully decorated tree and mince pies to snack on, and xmas vids on Sky to sing along too. Jo was also very lucky I was on my best behaviour, as I could have sat there all day crafting and chatting, (next time LOL).

To see more of Jo's brill work pop over to her blog here.

Tim Holtz Christmas Tags 2011 - day 4

Here we go, couldn't resist day 4's tag, had to do some replacing of items, but did me best.  Again colouring could have done with a bit more practice, and as for my Rock Candy it was in a sorry mess when I opened it up, I admit I haven't been paying it enough attention and it  was in a sort of gel like state when I opened it, so I smeared it on with my fingers, LOL.  Got some of the effect anyway.  (Note to self I am a bad crafter I should treat my lovingly bought products with more TLC) ...LOL

For those that don't know, (where have you been) pop over to here to see the original tag

Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas - Day 2

This is my second year of following and last yea,r I could only wish to be able to have the time to take part, but here I am, I've done one, it may be the only one I manage as back to work Monday, but I really enjoyed doing it, had to veer slightly off season as I only have Halloween Kraft Resist, and not sure I got the inking of it quite right but I persevered and here is my attempt, to see the original Tim Holtz, pop over to here.

Didnt know which photo to pick, flash showed off the colours and dark matched the tag style, so you got both. LOL

December Calendar Challenge

pheweeeee, I've done it, a year long challenge organised by the super dooper Kate at the Kathryn Wheel for the second year I think.  It's been a good challenge, not too overly demanding of your time, and even though as I'm sure like everyone this year has bought some challenging moments, we have survived.  I must admit to failing towards the end of the year of writing in the squares daily and having to really test the old brain cells to remember what I'd been doing, notice the two gaps in November, no idea on those days at all (LOL).  Through this challenge I've found some great art from other participants, which I will continue to follow, so without further ado, I present the very last month DECEMBER

no real plan when I started this one, just tried different things to add that seasonal feeling, nice cheery blocks of xmas paper to write on, some of them may be a wee bit challenging to actually write on, LOL, and here is my finished November page

to all those who have been kind enough to visit this year and to leave comments, I thank you and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and lets hope 2012 brings the whole country a better year.  And to Kate who has also had a very challenging year,but continued with the challenge and creating her great art, oh and two fab DVD's, thank you so much.

Mwah !