Li'l Pidge Designs

Embellishments for pennies

2012-02-07T18:24:00.000Z

So, in an attempt to keep using up my stash (rather than saving it and stroking it) I thought I should use some of my 2 part moulding compound (especially since I have had it for well over a year and it DOES have a shelf life!! In fact, I find that I keep the nice stash and some of it goes off-take my crackle paint, that dried up until it was a solid mass, same with my silver clay!!! These are not cheap items, so now I intend to keep Using It Up, it you haven't taken the pledge yet, pop over to the UIU blog and check out the projects we are all making in an attempt to use stuff up).

So I decided to make a mould out of 3 metal embellishments I have been saving (too nice to use....hmmm, I'm seeing a theme here!).

Once the moulds had set I went about looking for what I could use to cast them from. I tried UTEE but with no melt pot I tried melting it in a tin foil dish heated from a heat gun, that didn't work so I decided to use hot glue (well I use it for everything else, so why not!!).

I melted the glue into the mould and with my asbestos fingers I smoothed it out to try and get rid of any air bubbles and let it cool and set.

When cool, I painted them with black acrylic and then used black, copper and gold waxes to add highlights and a sort of metallic finish.

Then to seal it all I added a thin layer of matt studio-medium gel to make sure the wax doesn't wear off.

And in less than an hour and for only a few pennies I have some lovely embellishments to play with!

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

A miracle?

2012-02-04T18:21:00.002Z

The reason for the title? Well, yesterday I decided to book a day off work and took myself off to Exeter to the Craft Fair. Since I signed up to the Use it Up challenge I haven't bought anything, so I made a list and the miracle was I actually stuck to it...yep, this is all I bought!

A couple of journals as I only have 1 and its only just got enough pages for Kate Cranes 366 challenge. The brown one I plan to use as a mop up and experiment book and the black one for 'projects'. I bought a couple of stampotique stamps and another Octopode one, all from the lovely Laura at the Artful Splodger, and on another stall some fab steampunk metal embellishments and finally another distress stain as I nearly finished mine.....see, how good was I?

And just in case you haven't heard, an inch of snow in the UK so its ground to a halt (I know some of you will laugh when you see this, especially those in Canada when I see your photos of snow over the tops of your cars!!)-this was the ice on my car this morning at -7...so pretty.

Only a quick post as I am watching the Rugby as I type.....and its getting close and I keep getting distracted!!! Oh, and a big HELLO to my new follower LouP.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW and 366 challenge

2012-02-01T06:45:00.003Z

Ready for the mantra?......Wednesday? Already? Where has the week gone?!!!

Well, after last weeks spell of sickness (me deciding to clean the craft room!!) it is now clean and tidy, yep....and after each session I put everything (apart from the scraps box which is reducing as I make cards for the Use it Up challenge) away unless it needs to be left out to allow something to dry.

I must admit, it does feel better. As a left hander, having space for my left hand to actually move is fantastic!!

So this week at the back of my desk is my journal for February's 366 Challenge (pop over to Kate Cranes blog here to read all about the challenge) and I am making a couple of valentine cards with red air drying clay hearts and keys (the idea being you stole the key to my heart.....ahhhhh!)

This is my finished journal page for January. It's my first one and I must admit I have had an absolute blast doing it, and it uses up yet more scraps (hurrah!!)

This is my empty page ready for February...I wonder what the month will bring?! (well I know I will be another year older soon, but apart from that the month still holds wonder and anticipation (anticipation of cake!!).

So, if you would like to join us for a legal snoop around desks all over the world, please join us at the lovely Julia's blog here (as featured in this months Blog of the month in Craft Stamper magazine, well done Julia, well deserved as we all love doing this every week!!).

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Happy Chinese New Year and check me out!

2012-01-28T22:02:00.001Z

Happy Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon. To celebrate there was some festivities in town, drumming, ribbon dancing, chopstick lessons (!) and Lion dancing.

The Lion dance is usually performed as a ceremony to scare away evil spirits and to summon luck and fortune.

We had a lovely sunny (but v. cold) day so they did it outside, they danced for at least 10 mins throwing sweets and water at the crowds as they danced, a fabulous display.

When I got back home my subscription copy of Craft Stamper magazine was on the door mat, and look.....

Yep, there is the blue Christmas card I made my hubby in full technicolour glory....how chuffed am I? I did a chuff dance around the kitchen! The piece was inspired by Kate Cranes piece (the orange picture in the corner) and used a stampotique stamp I bought from the artful splodger when I was at the NEC, such a great stamp.

Anyway, I'm off to stare at the magazine page for a bit longer!!!
Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2012-01-25T07:08:00.000Z

Right, I blame each and every one of you....you know who you are.....yep....you are guilty as charged!!!!

Last week during WOYWW as I went around various blogs, nosing at desks (and some floors!) there was a disturbing theme emerging. Now, I don't tend to follow trends and don't even think of myself as easily led......but you lot have infected me!!!!!

What am I on about.......tidying!!!! that's what!!!!!

Blog after blog people were showing their desks.....and almost all of them seemed to have been sorting out their craft space...now, to begin with I thought 'aww, how sweet', then it started to grate.......'more tidy desks......' until finally I couldn't take the pressure any more!!!!!

I have started sorting through stash and clearing out!
Now, I would like to put a photo of my cleared and sorted space, but as I don't own a time machine (yet) I cant.....that will take a few days to tidy.

The back left of my desk is my new (to me) £5 unit i bought at the flea market and is holding my ink pads, dye sprays and stains. Everything else is dumped awaiting inspiration!

and behind isn't any better either! Now, the room is so small, you cant actually fit a single mattress in there (presume it would be a nursery in a home with kids and no crafting freak) but i am so lucky to have a room dedicated to craft and my piece of heaven!

So, if you fancy a pop around desks all over the globe, check out Julia's blog here .

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge x

Cider, folklore and a UIU

2012-01-24T20:31:00.000Z

Wassail, wassail all over this town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown,
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree
With the wassailing bowl we'll drink to thee.

This weekend saw us taking part in an annual tradition down here in the West country, the Wassail. I have been to wassails in various parts but this was the first one in Wales (Chepstow) and each are different-this one was fabulous, so many people turned up with a kind family opening their house to us strangers with homemade cider and food.

Its an ancient tradition of blessing the apple orchards and making as much noise as possible to scare away evil spirits and encourage a good years harvest. Mummers dance and musicians play....a great day.

All the homemade costumes, such crafting effort and so well executed-fabulous.

All the horse skulls danced in the night as we all marched over the bridge back into Wales...and a few more ciders!!!

I did manage to get some crafting done...this is another Use it Up from my scrap box (seriously, its like the tardis....I haven't even come close to the bottom!).

The saying is stamped on cloth coloured with distress stains, the background is stamped with a dylusion stamp and then I went around the edges of the stamp with black and white inks, added raffia, a leaf and a bee that broke off a hair band I made a couple of years ago.

Such a cute bee, I must admit I do like insects, there is just something about them (so long as they are not HUGH spiders in the bath....that's just effort to remove them!).

Anyway, off to have a mooch around blogland.

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge

WOYWW

2012-01-18T07:13:00.003Z

It's Wednesday again! I swear the weeks go by quicker as I get older! Anyhoo, on my workdesk this week is my journal page for January and at the back of my desk are a couple of tags that I made at Coven on Monday evening (a weekly get together with friends for crafting)

I have been playing with my resin again, this time I used a chocolate mould from poundland to create a domed circle pendant which I embedded a New Zealand coin and attached a metal bail on the back to hang it from.

I was pleased with the result, the only issue I have is that I tend to be an impatient crafter so having to do one layer of resin, let it dry for 24 hrs, add the coin and another layer of resin before leaving for another 24 hrs is not something that comes naturally, but I am pleased with the results.

I would also like to say a big Hello to my new follower Sandra.

So, if you fancy a legal snoop around desks from around the globe, feel free to join us by popping over to Julia's blog here

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

A sunday quickie

2012-01-15T20:57:00.002Z

Hello, only a quick post as Shelock is due to start soon!!! Today I went to the Shepton Mallet Giant Flea Market and was VERY restrained! (mainly because my version of a bargain is very different from the stall holders view of a bargain!!). I did manage to get myself a cute cabinet to put in the craft room (I'll post a picture soon as its TOO dark now) for £5, 2 drawers, glass fronted shelves and a wee shelf-perfect for mica and sprays-and that was it!!!! January is a lean month...hence the UIU (use it up) pledge.

Talking of 'the pledge', this card is actually made from wrapping paper that my hubby bought! It was covered it LOTS of mini pictures which I cut up, mounted and stuck a random selection on the card.

I have also entered this fabric postcard in the December Cloth Paper Scissors challenge. You had to make a postcard where there was at least 50% fabric and because I backed it with stiff pelmet vileen and calico I could actually write on it, just like a postcard. You can check it out here

Anyhoo-sherlock beckons....

Happy Crafting
Li'l pidge

Use it Up and a crafty top tip!

2012-01-12T20:41:00.001Z

So, one of the benefits when I work from home is seeing sights like these-goldfinches on my feeder on the garden, a lovely distraction from all my paperwork.

In an effort to keep to my Use it Up pledge I decided to make a card from only my ever expanding scrap box on my desk-now this isn't that difficult as it does contain a bit of everything!!

The Tim Holtz papers were already cut to size (hurrah), the fabric already stamped and all I needed to do was grunge it up a bit-perfect! How did I not notice these went together and were just sat there (it MAY have had something to do with the fact I couldn't see them for the ton of stash dumped on top!!)?

This tag was also made with left over stash (but made at Coven night), the tag coloured with distress stains (I am so frigging loving this product). Tracy brought in some mushrooms-so in an effort to get more with less I decided to cut it in half! Is there anything that Tim Holtz scissors won't cut through?? I have even cut through one of his glazed dolls before with them!!

That's another couple of makes from old stash (the gorguss die cut above I have had for over a year!!).

Top Tip Alert!!!

If you are looking for cheap supplies and are in the UK, then I have a tip for you....poundland!! Yep, forget the craft dept and head for the hardware section. For £1 you get 3, yes 3 rolls of very sticky double sided tape (yards and yards of the stuff for only a quid-bargain!!).

If I come across any other bargains I'll let you know!

Happy Crafting
Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2012-01-11T07:05:00.000Z

So, what's on my workdesk....nada....(well a ton of scraps but no projects). In an effort to be more crafty I have actually finished off my UFO's!! So, now I can actually start the new scrap book I wanted to do and make things for my UIU challenge (and newest member Ladyof LostTimes whose fabulous idea it was-welcome!) and play with my art journal.

If you haven't a scooby what I am yabbering on about (and let face it, sometimes even I wonder!!) then pop over to the lovely Julia's Whats on your workdesk Wednesday blog (there is a link over on the right) for our weekly legal snoop around desks all over the world (including some places that are warm and sunny..SO -jealous!!).

Happy Crafting
Li'l pidge

Use it Up!

2012-01-10T19:12:00.000Z

The first full week at work....and boy is the week already dragging!! Though the week has already been brightened by the first Coven meeting of 2012 (and the planning of which shows we want to attend, crafty retreats etc!)-I really miss my weekly get together for a night of crafting with the others-it was a hugh relief to see them all and put the world to rights!!

So, what's on show today? Well, this is the card I made for my Mum's birthday (hello mum!). As ex Navy she travelled when she was younger, but she is amazing as she still travels having been to New Zealand, Peru and Romania (mainly walking and hiking up mountains!!) so I thought this Tim Holtz paper would be perfect.

I added a triple embossed Buddhist (as we both have a fascination with eastern traditions) tag, flowers and a crystal pin-I can finally blog this as its her birthday today so it should be safe to blog now!!

As well as joining Kate Crane's 366 challenge I have also joined the UIU (Use it Up) challenge (blinkies are on the right hand bar)-you know the scene, pretty shiny crafty stash calls out to you 'help me, please save me from this imprisonment in the shop' so in an effort to HELP the poor innocent stash you take it back to be loved and stroked in your craft room.....but alas, loving and stroking isn't enough for you! Before long, another love comes along, prettier, more strokable stash and you begin to covet that-and your original stash becomes buried and you forget all about it!!!

Well, something like that! So, I know I will buy stash, but in an effort to only buy things I KNOW I will use I am going to try and Use It Up!!

This is my first UIU:

The container is an old microscope slide container that I coloured with alcohol inks and stamped crows on it, some old bead trim I have had for AGES, an old button and some fabric roses I found in my button tin (didn't even know they were in there!!). Inside is lined with old music pages and the skeleton is from Poundland (about 5 for £1) back in October with red crystals added to her eyes. The glass jar was bought from Paperartsy at the NEC and I filled it will seeds from the kitchen (I think fenugreek)

I added a cotton reel wrapped in fancy wool as a stand and there you have it......my first UIU.

Also, a big Hello to my new follower, Laura, from the artful splodger. I met Laura at the NEC, she sells the most amazing stampotique and Octopode stamps (as well as many other lovely pieces).

366 Challenge

2012-01-08T21:10:00.001Z

Wow, 2 posts in one day (don't get used to it..its like a leap year.....only happens once every 4 years!!). So, a day crafting (yep, you guessed it, no housework or ironing) and surfing the net,which is where I came across this link and their 366 challenge-I was intrigued, I had been a big fan of Kate Crane's work for some time and when I saw this (a small piece of art/journal every day in 2012) I couldn't resist. I had already made a January page with wee squares as I had seen some on blogs, but never knew what you put in them.....words, pictures? Well, thanks to the flickr group I now know you can put whatever you fancy in them!!

So, the page I made is bright and cheery....January is bleak enough as it is, so I thought I would add a splash of colour (neither yellow or orange are colours I have an infinity with, but somehow they just felt right-odd isn't it?).

If you pop over to her page be ready to be amazed by some stunning work.

Now off to carry on watching Sherlock Holmes.......loving the new series!

Happy Crafting
Li'l Pidge

Sew little time....

2012-01-08T11:36:00.001Z

Morning all, just a quick post as its Sunday so a day packed full of housework, ironing, cooking and maybe some crafting (oh who am I kidding....we all know as soon as I go upstairs to get the ironing the craft room will call me and before I know it, it will be getting dark and the only way I will realise is because I need to put the light on in there!!!).

So, this is a card I made for my mum-in-law (my Mum's is this week so I will post that after she has opened it!!), she is a great seamstress (spelt?) so I glued some tiny shirt buttons to the stamped button card and wound some thread around the holder, stamping a stitched border around the edge.

So (or should that be 'sew'...sorry, a poor pun, but one I couldn't resist), I'm off to 'iron'.......

Happy Ironing!!
Li'l Pidge

1st WOYWW of 2012

2012-01-03T14:30:00.002Z

The first WOYWW of 2012, I hope you all had a wonderful time, if you had time off, I hope you had the opportunity to spend some of it crafting.

So, on my desk is proof that I DID NOT make a new years resolution to keep my craft room tidy (why make one you know you will break on day 1).

I can't show what I am making as its a card for my Mum's birthday but yes, it does involve a glue gun (I seem to use this an awful lot these days, not sure if its an addiction of whether embellishments are just getting too heavy!!).

Anyhoo-I hope you all have a crafty 2012 and please pop over to Julia's blog (link on the right) for a nose around desks and crafty spaces (and sometimes floors!) from all over the globe.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

So, who feels like this today?

2012-01-01T16:59:00.000Z

Happy New Year to one and all, 2011 was a mixed year, lots of crafting and some great Coven trips, some wonderful weddings and the birth of my new nephew. It was also tinged with some sadness, pain and working TOO many hours....so bring on 2012.....I am ready and waiting!

Now, down to business. This is a card I made for my cousins 21st which was new years eve, I made it with my new octopode stamp I bought from the Artful Splodger when I was at the NEC a few months back (such a nice bunch at the stall....I went back 3 times...mainly to chat, though I did buy a 'few' bits and pieces).

I coloured the hare in with pro markers, adding a 21 to his hat...

I added a blood shot eye and a little glossy accents on the beer froth in his glass.......how many of you are feeling like this today?!

This is the Christmas card I made my hubby this year. I stamped it with a stampotique design onto a vintage book page, adding a grunge party hat, some distress stains smeared around the edges and some sequin waste dabbed with picket fence stain and used this to stamp onto the card, adding a few circles made from a bottle cap dipped in distress stains also

Time off work has allowed me to spend some time crafting (woo-hoo!!) so I played with my new resin kit I got for Christmas. This is totally new to me, so I thought I would have a play and see what I could do.

I started by measuring the resin and hardener (windows open as its hazardous AND with a face mask on....I thought I looked like a doctor or dentist, hubby suggested mad murderer!!)

I wasn't sure what to use as measuring cups, they need to be small and disposable.....then I found in poundland 40 plastic shot glasses ready for the party season...perfect!

I then set out my moulds (the blue one came with the kit...the black ones were chocolate moulds from poundland) and bits and bobs.

Once poured then the waiting game begins. Now, I CAN be patient....honest....but waiting overnight for each layer to set is something I will need to work on (or find a work around!!)

These are my first 2, the one on the left is embedded with angelina fibres and different glitters the one on the right, just glitter.

Then I decided to embed some watch parts in the resin and backed it with a page from a dictionary (the word was 'time' I thought it was appropriate).

So for a first proper attempt I am really quite pleased, only a few air bubbles (micro ones around the diddy cog)....now I just need an excuse to wear it.

I hope that 2012 is great to you all and that after the 'plink, plink, fizz....' of today that you all have a great new year.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Ho Ho Ho....

2011-12-28T18:15:00.000Z

I hope you all had a wonderful festive period, with 4 trips to different family homes on Christmas day alone I am really looking forward to some time at home (not to relax....but to craft, I am having withdrawal symptoms!).

One of my recent makes was this delightful deer I made out of felt.

On the back I embroidered "Ethan 1st Christmas 2011", why I hear you cry? No, it wasn't some random thought, this was made especially for my new nephew (only 4 months old and cute as a button) to be hung on their tree.

Isn't he a bonnie lad, only 4 months old but already with a little personality!

My next make was this folder I made for my Nan in New Zealand. I have no idea what to buy a 87 yr old for Christmas so I decided to make her a folder and a dozen mixed cards.....I even included a 'with sympathy' card (well I wanted to cover all occasions!).

The final make is the Christmas card I made for my hubby. I used my stampotique stamp, stamping him on a vintage page and colouring him with inks. I added a party hat and some stickles for a little festive bling! I coloured the background with stains and painted some sequin waste with picket fence stains and used this to transfer the print to the page.

I finally added a strip of music score to the bottom and added a Ho, Ho, Ho-I think he's sweet!

I took this final photo in my new photo light box that my parents bought me for Christmas-no more shadowy photos or having to wait until I am at home during daylight to take the shots (once I have sussed the proper way of using it!!).

Happy Crafting

Li'l pidge x

A couple more tags

2011-12-22T19:25:00.001Z

Finally I have had a few minutes to myself and managed to make the next 2 of Tim Holtz tags (I am SOOOO behind on these!)

Yet again I didnt have a lot of the supplies, so instead of kraft paper I used some normal TH papers, I stamped a greeting on the right and embossed it with clear embossing to help it resist the distress stain, I stamped a holly leaf of the top left and coloured it as TH did.

The deer is only card distressed and the bell was silver but I coloured it with butterscotch alcohol ink.

On the next tag I stamped the background (no felt so I couldnt make my own coloured ink pad like TH) inking different parts of the stamp with different colours (using dew drops as they have a great narrow point to them so it makes them great to colour in detail). I distressed the edges of the tag adding some foliage and furry red berries, adding some more coloured bells suspended on wire.

I am loving the tags and the way it makes you think differently about your stash....finding the time to make them however is a different matter all together!

Now, off to dust, wrap some pressies and maybe some ironing...all before bed!!!!

Happy crafting
Li'l pidge

WOYWW

2011-12-14T11:03:00.001Z

Its a simple question I have for you.....How come I have an entire computer desk to craft on (yes it is a small computer table from a swedish store....but its still a table) yet I only appear to have a space the size of a postage stamp (and I mean a bog standard stamp,not one of those fancy larger Chrimbo ones you get this time of year!!) to craft on?!?!?!

So, after following Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas (which is now finished but you can find all of them, and previous years on his blog, www.timholtz.typepad.com) I have finally managed to start on mine, so here is my first one of twelve.

I dont have much TH products (honest, I dont!!) so had to make it using none of the actual products he used!! I didn't have a snowflake enbossing folder, any of the dies (I cut the banner from music paper and the pine cones are real!) and I used a left over Christmas message instead of his Noel.

But all in all I was really pleased how it turned out, I like to be inspired by TH (lets be honest its not difficult) but his products can be a tad on the pricey side here in the UK so I tend to use his ideas as a starting point-a good example is the ribbon, his, whilst lovely is a few quid over here so I used really cheap ribbon from the fabric shop which was only a few pennies a meter-not the same, but I think it works.

If you fancy a legal snoop around some very creative workspaces then please pop over to Julia's blog (link over on the right) for WOYWW (What's on your Workdesk Wednesday).

I have a day off so intend to squirrel myself away in the craft room and get very inky and messy-its better than medicine!!

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

A quick raven card

2011-12-08T20:05:00.001Z

Just a quick post, this is a birthday card I made for my goth friend Nigel (and honourary Crafting Coven member-he's actually the hubby of coven member Becky, but as a stone mason he is surely a master crafter?!).

I couldn't resist the octopode stamp and the skulls from bombshell stamps (both NEC purchases). I thought the purple was a perfect goth colour. As its now past his birthday I can finally post this make (hope he like it).

Happy crafting
Lil pidge x

WOYWW

2011-12-06T21:53:00.001Z

Let's be upfront and honest, this isn't my desk and the photo wasn't taken today!!!! The desk is my entire dining room table (fully extended-so it seats 8) and it was taken on Saturday-does that make me a bad person?

The reason is, I had my 2 nieces over for a days crafting on Saturday, we made cards and gift tags and got very inky and a little covered in glitter glue!!!! This is the disaster zone afterwards.....I bet you can guess how long it took me to take it all back upstairs to my craft room-but oh what fun we had!

It's always lovely being able to share your crafting with others (it can be a lonely existence when you craft) and even more so when its with family!

On a sad note, Sarah Lawrence died suddenly last Friday. A fellow WOYWWer. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

So, if you fancy a nose around some desks them please pop over the Julia's blog (link over on then right).
Happy Crafting

Li'l pidge x

ooh...a market

2011-12-06T21:41:00.001Z

Only a quick post...the other night I took my hubby to his gig in Bath (he plays bass in a couple of bands) and whilst he sound checked I decided to have a nose around the Christmas market in Bath. Wow...SO pretty...its held in the street surrounding the abbey and there are about 140 wooden huts selling food, crafts and local products (and the inevitable imported tat!!)

I was SO impressed with myself as I spent NOTHING!!!! The gig was free, parking was not too bad and a couple juices at the pub...so a lovely cheap night out-the first one I have had for SO long-and the bands were great also.

If you get the chance to pop into Bath then its worth it before the market goes (some time next week I think-google it...there is a dedicated website!).

Anyway...a quick post....off for an early night as I am exhausted.
Happy Crafting
Li'l Pidge x

Some new techniques

2011-12-01T16:38:00.001Z

I have made a few cards recently trying out different techniques. This is stamped using 2 ink colours onto fabric and mounted onto some card which I sanded back around the edges. Not sure how to attach the fabric without it showing through so decided to use brads.

I'm loving the stamping onto fabric, its so tactile and adds another dimension to your card making.

Now, my first love for many years is photography, I loved transforming my bathroom into a dark room (complete with a red light...goodness knows what my neighbours thought I was doing!!) but after the initial flush of success with digital I found I was getting bored. So, after flicking through my dad's camera magazines I noticed someone creating scenes with every day objects and 00 gauge railway 'people' (had to use '' around the word people....they're not real are they.....I mean, they don't wait until my back is turned and play around with my crafting stash do they? They'd better not....my hubby knows what happens when I find him ferreting in there looking for a pair of scissors!!).

So this is my first attempt. The 00 gauge construction workers have been placed on some black kale (tastier than it sounds...honest!!!). A nice different male card I think, do you?

Next, this is a card I made for my Dad's birthday. The frame is a copy of a medium format negative, the background paper is a downloaded from some clip art I found. I couldn't find any vellum (I wanted to somehow 'dull down' the background) so I used the backing sheet from some rub-ons I had and mounted a clip art of a retro camera.

So, a few different techniques...I need to decided on one as I have my 2 lovely nieces over at the weekend for a crafting day...not sure whether to do some altered art or Christmas cards (get them to make mine.....oh, now that is a good idea!!).

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Woyww

2011-11-30T09:12:00.001Z

It's Wednesday again!!! Today on my workdesk...yep, finally I have relented.....but only just!

Yep, you see correctly....don't adjust your glasses....I have made a Christmas card!! I hope you were sitting down whilst I made this announcement!

Now, it is only one and it because my family in New Zealand have already have their pressies (thankyou Uncle Murray for upping your baggage allowance and taking them back!!) and last posting is 5th December so I need to get it in the post!!

I love the TH deer, a big thanks to fellow Coven member Becky who lent it to me (a great benefit of a crafting group is the sharing of expensive shash!!)-its SO cute.

I used some free 'Minds Eye' papers I got with a magazine, adding stickles glitter to the trees (leaving one plain for contrast) and then glittered around the edge of the deer.

Any hoo, just a quick post....need to crack on....if you fancy a nose around Julia's blog and see lots of other crafty desks around the globe there is a link on the right, and if you keep getting directed to a christian holiday website instead of mine....what a cheek!!! Hijacking my blog address....you can't trust anyone these days can you?!?!

Happy Crafting
li'l pidge

WOYWW

2011-11-23T06:44:00.001Z

Another Wednesday....I am not sure if this is an age thing....but I am sure that the weeks didn't whoosh past this fast as a child! So this week I have been making yoyo brooches, it wasn't until I looked at my very small basket of them that I realised they were nearly all the same colour family, so I thought I'd better make some Christmassy ones...and what could be more festive than black and white skulls with a red accent?!!

Only a quick post as my warming morning cuppa is calling....the first frost of the year here is the South West of England...brrrr.....I am wishing I had set my heating to come on.....so job number 1 is resetting the boiler timer!!!

If you fancy a legal nose around desks across the globe pop over to Julia's blog (blinkie on the right).
Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2011-11-16T19:41:00.001Z

Oh my, Wednesday again?!!? Another week closer to 'you know what'! I still haven't made any Christmas cards yet either-I just cant bear to bring myself to make them...it makes Winter seem too real and its only Autumn!

So, what's on my workdesk this week then? Well, I have been playing with my journal again but this time using my new stamps and distress stains.

I painted the page with distress stains and used my new dylusion stamps and a stampotique one (such a cute character). I added inky circles made with a spray lid and colour round them and the pocket watches with oil pastels.

I don't know if there is a right or wrong way to do this, but I am just having a go (not got any workshops down in the south west of the UK that I know of, they all seem to be up north! HEY, if any of you run workshops then the west of England are crying out for some...).

I am pleased with the results, and its a quick and very cheap way to experiment with techniques with the added bonus of getting some things off your chest!

So, if you'd like a nose around some other desks please pop over to Julia's blog (WOYWW link is on the right).

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge xx

Vodka and Lavender...now there's and odd mix

2011-11-13T21:01:00.001Z

Now, things haven't taken a turn for the worse.....a couple of days away from the office has not turned me to drink....this is my latest creation!

After a fab holiday in Majorca last month I became hooked on the local hooch called Tunel. Now this green alcoholic digestive was delicious so I thought I would have a go at making some.

I have filled the bottles with fennel stalks and greenery and in a few weeks time I plan to add some sugar.....I have no recipe and not much clue....I'll let you know how I get on!

In order to make the most of my day off I made lots of lavender hearts filled with stuffing and a generous handful of dried lavender from my garden. They are meant to be quick to make, but this little lot took me the best part of the day! I didn't realise I was THAT slow on the machine!!

They are so sweet though, and I added a ribbon loop to hang them with a vintage button and a lovely piece of 'I love handmade' ribbon stitched on the back.

These are going to be included on the Christmas craft stall the coven are doing in December, and if they don't sell.....well pressies for family and friends and the rest will get put to use in my wardrobe!

I have also picked some sloe's this weekend, so I am off to start the sloe gin (I don't have a problem...honest!!).

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge xx

Lest we forget.....a calendar

2011-11-11T21:39:00.001Z

I am REALLY enjoying my 2 days off....I promised myself no housework (now, those of you that know me will understand that this is very difficult (lol)...) but just crafting.....

Yesterday I spent ALL day making my Nan's Christmas pressie....now I cant show it yet (I doubt at 87 she reads this but I don't like to assume)...but I hope she will like it. I have to be REALLY organised as I have family in both the USA and NZ so I cant do a 16:00 Christmas Eve dash to buy all my pressies like some do!!

So, in a bid to clear out older stash I finally altered this calendar...

I coloured it with inks, distressing and sponging through some sequin waste adding some foil on the edges and sprinkling water to create a little more interest.

I stamped Tempus Fugit (time flies) and embossed on the bottom and added a stamped pocket watch onto a tomato puree tube which I added some grunge wings to and covered the watch face with sepia glossy accents.

I glued on a press stud and a Tim Holtz metal book corner. Then to decorate the back I embossed another piece of tomato puree tube with a TSS mould, adding some black acrylic and sanding back. I added a couple of chipboard cogs, a couple of which I added some glossy accents to add a bit more dimension.

I know its nearly the end of the year...but thankfully its a perpetual calendar so its not a lost cause!

I made lots more but its now dark so I need to wait until its light to get some decent shots (I'll blog them later).

One thing I have made recently is some air force inspired cards...since its 11/11/11 I thought it may be appropriate to share them.

I know a lot of forces personnel (my childhood home town used to have a RAF base) and I always think of those around now.

Lest we forget....

Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2011-11-09T22:12:00.000Z

Another Wednesday closer to Christmas and still no cards or gifts made! Only a very quick post as I have not been home from work long and its already bed time!

So, Whats on my work desk this Wednesday then? Well, I have stamped up some of my new stamps (after spending ALL Saturday evening mounting them) all ready to colour and I have made some fabric brooches. These are made from a selection of fabrics and vintage buttons-all ready for a Vintage Fair in Bath in December (the Crafting Coven are doing a stall).

On the left are a few more pieces of fabric I have stamped and distressed and the ribbon under my scissors is some lovely red and white ribbon with 'I love handmade' written all along it. I thought I would make some stuffed lavender hearts and add some ribbon as a feature tag.

Anyhoo....only a short post, if you'd like a sneaky peak at over 100 desks across the globe then pop over to Julia's blog (link on the right) for a good ole nose around!

Lucky me...I have 2 days leave owing I am taking....so hopefully I will get some serious Christmas crafting this week...watch this space!

Happy crafting

li'l pidge x

NEC haul

2011-11-06T16:19:00.000Z

Back from the NEC...a great couple of days with the girls from the Crafting Coven (our weekly craft group). So, does this photo of my stash represent my shopping list? Well......yes, its not far off....there may be one or two additional items that MAY have crept into my basket!

Obviously, the 3 large MDF bird house money boxes at the back were not on my list, nor the paperartsy pen nibs or their mini glass bottles! But the stamps were on my list (but not the wooden ones...but they were 6 for £5 so such a bargain!) as were the colour wash sprays (going to try them on fabric) and the stains (for paper obviously).

I met some lovely people, especially the Artful Splodger team....I ended up going back 3 times and buying Dyan Reaveley stamps and Octopode stamps ( and I met the lovely Octopode designer...such fab stamps).

So, I had the joy last night, sat in front of the TV with a double of The Big Bang Theory (I love that show) and then NCSI mounting all my new stamps onto kling-on....it takes ages but it does give a really good impression when stamping.

Now I just have the problem of where to store it all...

Happy crafting
Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-11-02T21:15:00.002Z

Wednesday? Again? Surely not!! Yep, its another week closer to the dreaded C word.....and another legal snoop around desks from all over the world over on Julia's WOYWW blog. But I have made my first Christmas 'thing', admittedly its only a tag (made with one of the mini fir cones I picked up on a recent walk).

The only other item on my desk (apart from the tons of scraps and stash I haven't cleared away!!) is my list for tomorrow NEC!!!!! Come back next week to see whether I stuck to it!!!!

Happy crafting
Li'l pidge (who is a tad excited about going to the NEC with the crafting Coven!!)

Using up the stash...part 2

2011-10-30T15:21:00.003Z

Hello, if you are in the UK then I hope you enjoyed your extra hour crafting (or the extra duvet time)!

In an attempt to trying using up my stash I have been stamping on fabric (inspired by the card Karen sent me for the WOYWW anniversary PIF). This is stamped with stayz-on and I have added a little yellow the bee with some permanent markers, I aged it with my distress inks and frayed the edges a little them spritzed the lot with my perfect pearls spray in heirloom gold.

I attached it to some torn patterned vellum and used brads to attach it to some pretty blossom paper.

I stamped these the same way (using my new Tim Holtz stamps-these are the first ones I have bought as they are usually SO expensive, but Craft Obsessions had a good deal on them so I couldn't resist!), after aging with DI I then dropped some reinker and blotted it , finishing with my perfect pearls spray again to bring it all together (I love the way the ink moves when you spray it).

I mounted the whole lot onto some of Tim's papers (I do like his paper stacks) and added a vinyl butterfly onto some old plastic packaging waste and bent the wings up to add some dimension.

I still can't bring myself to think about Christmas....maybe my trip to the NEC show will spark me off (or make me SO fed up of looking at Christmas stash that I may loose the will and buy my Christmas pressies this year!!!). If any of you are going tot he NEC, I hope you have a fab time, and dont forget I am still taking bets on how different my haul will look from the shopping list I have!!!!

A big welcome to Marjo my new follower who also takes part WOYWW-Hello!

Happy Crafting
Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2011-10-26T20:21:00.000+01:00

My first WOYWW for a while (see previous post for the many excuses I came up with!!). I have missed you guys and gals...the week just wasn't the same without the excuse to behave in the nosiest (is that even a word!!) manner and hop around desks across the globe. If you are wondering what I am blathering about now, hop over to julia's desk (WOYWW blinkie on the right>).

So, on my desk this week is a new journal page. Now this is a new thing for me, I have only completed 1 page before...but it seems like a good way to experiment so what that hell?

I have stuck a page from an up cycled book and gesso'd over it....its like watching paint dry!!But at least it gives me time to think about what to do to the page next.

Also on the desk are my new oil pastels (well, pre loved but new to me) and some fabric I have been stamping up and colouring. I don't know about you, but I buy stash..sometimes it is too pretty to use and you just want to look at it and touch it (I know, it sounds perverse and a bit fetishistic-but I cant be the only one, surely?!), other times its SO useful you run out and wish you'd bought the entire stock...but often (though not as often as I used to, I think I am getting either more discerning or maybe just fussy!) the stash stays in the drawer...or sometimes even in the paper bag you brought it home in......sitting there.....unloved.....unwanted..... so you pass it onto a fellow crafter you may have a use for it....then bugger me......you find a project it would work perfectly on and I have to go out and buy it again!!!!! But not this year....I have a list....(I know I had a list in March when I went....but having never been before I was unrealistic and hadn't realised all the lovely goodies I had problems sourcing in the past would all be under one roof!!).....and I am running a book as to how many items over and above my list I will purchase......ladies and gentlemen...place your bets!

Happy crafting
Li'l pidge x

I'm back

2011-10-23T18:24:00.000+01:00

I cannot believe its been almost a month since my last post...so much has happened: first we went on holiday to Porta Pollenca (Majorca), clear blue sky and sea....wonderful. Then I was away with work and working, working, working......all work and no play makes me a very tired and cranky wife!!

So, I decided enough was enough and crack on with the crafting (what with the coven outing to the NEC craft show coming up I thought I'd best experiment with the goodies I bought last time in case I love them and need to buy some more!!) and try different things for me.

So, first up is an altered canvas. I printed a photo I took of Exeter cathedral onto calico that I ironed onto freezer paper! Now, I am LOVING this stuff. Its from the states and is made to wrap food for the freezer, but you can iron fabric onto it and it become slightly adhesive and 'grabs' the fabric, then you simply feed it through the printer as though it was paper!! Hey presto, printed fabric. All that money I have spent on special fabrics and even thinking of buying digital grounding to 'key' fabric and all I ever needed was some freezer paper (if you have any other uses for this please let me know....I am a convert)!

Then I distressed it with some DI, I outlined some parts with a black micron pen and darkened some areas with oil pastels (these are new to me, thanks to Coven Jill for passing on some of her pre loved ones) then I used multi medium to glue it to the canvas.

I cut out the door (a horrible modern door with no entry signs on it,so not in keeping with the rest of the building) and used some old text and a picture of a knights visor, stamping over with DI.

I then used some metal contact paper (metal sticky backed paper about 2" deep from the hardware store, I think its used for joining pipes) which I embossed by hand with a Ten Second Studio mould and coloured it with my new Snow Cap alcohol ink mixed with some other colours (see, I am trying to use SO much of my stash!) finishing it with a dyed style stone.

Next (thanks to hubby for allowing me a WHOLE weekend to play...I am happy and VERY inky) I decided to get out the pelmet vilene I carted back from the NEC in March but still haven't used and made a postcard with it. I dyed some plain fabric, sprinkling it with salt to remove some of the dye then stitched it to the vilene to make it nice and sturdy to do some free machine embroidery. I added sheer fabrics, stitching and burning back with the heat gun, added some foils, dyed scrim, wool and silk fibres.

I then made a wee fish by sandwiching some mini sequins between angelina fibres and ironing them to make fabric, then I encased it in dissolvable fabric, stitching the fish design then washing it to dissolve the fabric leaving the shimmering fish.

I made some wire spirals and added sequins to represent seaweed. Finishing it off with a nice piece of clean calico for the back and stitching all around in metallic threads.

So, a couple of new things from me, a bit experimental (I think I will try the canvas again as I enjoyed making that) I just need to practise a bit more and think of ways of incorporating the techniques into cards and tags also (one question...when you have made all this stuff what do you do with it? Its starting to fill up my craft room....and I need to space for more new stash!!).

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

A couple of girly cards

2011-09-27T22:04:00.002+01:00

Now, those of you who know me will know I am not a girly girl. Yes I may wear a dress sometimes but usually teamed with crocs/wellies/trainers or at least one muddy knee!! But I was determined to crack on with another donation so made some girly cards to sell in the office (I tend to make at least 3 of each design to sell for charity)-and it worked. I have just made another £50 donation, this time to SENSE the deaf/blind charity-so a big thanks to everyone at work.

Even though it's not usually my thing I must admit I love this little fairy, she is TOO cute (thanks to Becky for lending me the stamp).

Anyway, just a quick post as its late and my bed is calling.....can you hear it?

Happy Crafting

Li'l pidge x

WOYWW

2011-09-21T21:27:00.000+01:00

Hello WOYWWers! I had a few problems leaving comments on some blogs last week as the comment form only seems to give google/aim...etc and doesn't default to the BLOGGER form or give you the option to include your URL, so sorry if you didn't get a returning comment from me..I did try!

So, this week on my desk....well I have just finished making a wedding card for the lad who works for me (you never know, he may read this so I wont post it until after his wedding in Oct) hence the spellbinders pearlescent waste (by waste, I mean more stash for my scrap box!). Also, my collection of tomato paste tubes for metal embossing is coming along nicely...just need to make something with them all now!!

This is the birthday card for one of the Craft Coven members (Happy Birthday Tracey) you may have had a sneak of in a previous post. I made a book of spells card, embossing the front with a distressed mesh finish, adding some foiling, a witches potion embellishment, torn holographic paper then I made a creepy embellishment, a spells tag, flower and a TH pin.

The central embellishment started out as a plastic white key hole plate! White-honest!! By the time I added thick black acrylic paint, metal rub on waxes and then some lovely thick matt medium gel it was totally grunged! I then added a couple brown metal brads and stuck a wobbly eye in the middle staring out at you!!

So, please feel free to pop over to Julia's blog (blinkie over on the right) and have a nose around some other desks.

Happy Crafting

li'l pidge x

A couple of cards

2011-09-18T18:30:00.000+01:00

Not much crafting this weekend as my brother is home from Ecuador for a few days before he heads back for another 12 months away (he works here: http://gviphoenix.blogspot.com/) I miss him terribly but its such a worthwhile cause. I did manage to get some colouring done (promarkers and stamped images are a great thing to chuck in a bag and do some impromptu crafting!)

I love this little sock monkey stamp-so sweet. I matted and layered it, mounted it on a card and added a sentiment with some distressing around the edge.

This card I made a couple if weeks ago for a friend who is also a Terry Pratchett fan (as am I). The blind rat stamp is from the Discworld shop in Dorset) and I used some TH papers which I distressed, inked through some sequin waste and added some ink splatters.

A stamped spider in the bottom left, four black card candy's and some raffia finished off the card.

Happy Crafting and good luck bro!

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-09-14T06:59:00.000+01:00

After a few weeks absence I'm back! Desk is still a tip, but look, a space!!!! The space is because I have just finished making a birthday card for one of the crafting coven (cant post it on here until after her birthday though) and I've not started the next project.

On the far right is an altered frame I made, adding lots of vintage buttons with my new glue gun, I've yet to make a sewing themed picture to put inside-that'll be ANOTHER project to add to my list (and I've still not started any of the dreaded C word makes).

If you have NO idea what I am wittering on about, check out Julia's blog over on the right-What's on your Work desk Wednesday....a legal nose around others spaces!!!

Happy crafting
Li'l pidge x

2011-09-12T18:42:00.000+01:00

I have been very lax in blogging recently. First I was on holiday (camping in a wet field in Devon so couldn't craft) then I was really excited to meet my new nephew, Ethan....all together...1,2,3....ahhhhh..... isn't he lovely. A big well done to his mum, Lucy and Dad, Scott.

After being on holiday we came back to find LOTS of our chilli peppers had ripened (we have so many unripe ones and it doesn't look like we are going to get anymore decent sun, so any top tips to ripen them please let me know!). I was going to dry them but decided to pickle them (I love pickled chillies with cheese.....yum!).

I haven't really made much as my mojo seems to have taken a late summer holiday, I tried making some bits but they were rubbish and things just don't seem to be flowing.

I finally made a couple of cards

I had already coloured the images so there isn't much to these cards that could go wrong...I just hope my mojo decides to make an appearance soon as a couple of cards in 3 weeks is not very good!

If you see a mojo, probably sipping scumpy in a sunny beer garden tell him to get his backside back here (weird, I always see my mojo as male, even though I am female........what does that say about me?!?!).

Li'l Pidge x

Why Bristol is great for Craft

2011-08-21T11:54:00.002+01:00

Before I start the debate, here is one of the tags that I made from scraps. The flower is made from scraps, the suede hanger is a scrap from making my necklaces the other week and even the dyed lace is a scrappy left over piece.

I added some of the foiling around the edge (I am so loving the foiling at the moment). But then I discovered a black box frame and the tag fits perfectly! What a great way to display my tags (I thought I could change them regularly).

I also found a folding ruler in the shame shop and broke it down into pieces (using TH scissors, I must admit I use these as proper tools and so far they have not failed me). I then dyed the ruler (which was BRIGHT white) using alcohol inks and glued them around the frame.

I am really please with the result and have bought a few more frames and am going to decorate them as I am planning to do a Christmas stall (somewhere....have no idea yet)

So, back to the title. Why Bristol (UK) is the best place for craft? Well, mainly because there are SO many free museums (the new M shed, art museum etc), add to this there is ALWAYS something going on for free (or very little money) and they nearly always have an arty slant to them.

Take this weekend for example, there was the Bristol Motorcycle event in town, lots of Harley's, vespa's etc-so many photo opportunities-free.

Then there was the See no Evil event in Nelson Street. This was a free day long event, pop up shops, bars, road closed so astro turf, flower beds and deckchairs could be laid out. Artists from all over the world have created some stunning art on the side of the dirty grey buildings.

They even brought out a piano and decorated it with line art.

There were so many different styles...How can people say this is not art?

Another reason Bristol is cool for craft? The old police station has been converted into artist studios. I came across this guy doing resin work. He has managed to capture fag butts in a jar complete with smoke and added marbles, seed beads and glitter

Then outside the police station, they decorated the wall by blasting away the dirt creating patterns, but what caught my eye was this yarn bombing!!!

And last but by no means least...the gorilla trail. 60 full size gorilla's that have been decorated have been placed around the city until 7th September. This is brilliant, it has brought people together, locals and tourists. I talked to SO many people over the past couple of days hunting these beauties down...they just start conversations. (the people NOT the gorilla's!)...I know Bristol was previously voted the most smiley city but I think they may now win the most chatty!

The downside? I now have hundreds of photo's to process at home!!!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-08-17T09:24:00.000+01:00

Fingers crossed that this works this week...blogger has not been working too well recently-the server keeps rejecting my pictures!!!! Sorry for those who couldnt see last weeks desk and tags.

So, What's on My Workdesk this Wednesday?! My red box of scraps is on the right of the shot-yep, still ever expanding...but at our weekly Coven craft night I only took blank tags and scraps (and some inks and a few embellishments I keep in my crop bag) and managed to make 3 tags!! Just from scraps, I was very impressesed (one of the tags, not quite finished is in the middle of the desk)

On the right (on top of my scrap box) is my homemade stamp-a-ma-jig (no way I was paying over a tenner for one)-not tried it out yet (the wooden T square and thick plastic sheet) but it cost me nothing! Next to that is a striped pink paper bag-in here is half a meter of freezer paper. I love the idea of printing onto cloth but a box of freezer paper is over a tenner and if it doesnt work on my printer then thats a tenner I could have spent on crafting goodies...so half a meter will be enough to have a play and decided if I want to invest in a box-fingers crossed my new printer likes it!!

In the middle is my tattered floral leather and suede flower I am making and some lavendar. I picked it from the garden and once its dried I separate it out in the takeaway container (which eventually gets put through colin!!). This bunch produced a whole zip lock bag of flowers. The idea is that Christmas pressies this year will be handmade, elderflower cordial (already made), greengage jam (already made...but need to stop eating it!!) and homegrown lavendar hearts! (and maybe some sloe gin later in the year).

On the far left bottom is a new glue gun and clamp set my dad bought me at the weekend. I have been using his old (over 20 years old) glue gun, but its so stiff I find it difficult with my hands and then the rubber tip broke off so now I keep burning myself! So time for a new one. BUT, it takes 8mm glue sticks and I cant find any that size round here, if anyone has any ideas (the make is Arrow, I'm told a very good USA make) please let me know.

So, feel free to pop over to Julias blog (there is a link over on the right) nad have a nose around desks across the globe!

Happy crafting
Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2011-08-10T07:53:00.002+01:00

Good morning fellow WOYWW's (or should that be WOYWWers?). Today is the day for a good ol' nose around some desks across the globe....some tidy (not like mine), some messy (like mine!!), but all very inspirational.

So this week I have finally gotten round to making some stamps from my TH dies. I cut them from craft foam (25p a sheet in a craft sale) sticking 2 layers together. So far I have cut the on the edge Houses and the sewing Mannequin, I have only tested them on a piece of scrap so far (that's on the right) but they seems to stamp ok....I cant wait to have a proper play.

Thanks to all the ideas for what to make with my ever expanding scrap box, this tag is made only using scraps (and small ones at that).

I used some TH papers (I cant bear to throw away the smallest scrap-not only because they are so lush but so darn expensive...but worth it as the quality is fab) the smallest scrap of music paper, old pink lace that I dyed with TH re-inker to grunge it up. I added some bronze foil around the edge (SUCH a bargain at a craft fair back in the Spring, £1 a roll of foil...I use it SO much but have hardly used even 1 foot off the roll so far! (and I didn't only buy 1 roll at the time!!))

I then die cut (yep, on Colin again) a flower from scraps adding a some old buttons... the suede lacing to hang the tag is even a scrap leftover from my necklace making session!

So, with the amount of scraps I have it looks like I have LOTS of tag's to make....and with the REALLY small pieces...perhaps I should start making inchies!?!

Please pop over to Julia's blog, there is a blinkie over on the right, and have a nose around some other creative spaces.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

2011-08-09T19:43:00.000+01:00

I cannot believe where the time has gone....my niece is a teenager!!

This is the card I made for her, its A4 in size with a printed acetate overlay to create a mock magazine cover, I inked through sequin waste and added a rub on flourish over the photo

I decorated it with tattered floral flowers cut from grunge covered with book pages and some on my acetate with alcohol inks and tissue paper (from my earlier tutorial) adding a flocked brad in the centre and a metal contact paper covered flower coloured with alcohol inks.

I added some stamping and job done!!

I was really please with the result-especially since teenagers are notoriously difficult to buy/make for!!!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-08-03T17:18:00.002+01:00

Another WOYWW and 2 completed cards-result!
So as you can see my scraps box on the right appears to be growing not shrinking, even though I have had a clear out and gotten rid of those scraps that I think MAY be too small to usefully use!! Any ideas?

This is the card design I finished, I added a little stickles to some of the strawberry flowers and some glossy accents to one of the stamped berries and added a wee shrinkie berry-too cute for words!

So, feel free to pop over to Julia's blog (blinkie on the right) and have a good nose around some other peoples work spaces.

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge x

An altered box

2011-07-31T21:04:00.003+01:00

Not much time to craft this weekend as I was at my friends wedding, such a beautfil day (and yes I did make part (not all) of their wedding pressie-fingers crossed they like it). However I did get time to make this.

This is an altered (and very grunged) box left over from my TH alterations box I made back in February. I coloured the box with worn lippy, fired brick and wild honey distress ink, adding some vintage book pages and music sheets. I dribbled and flicked some black ink over the sides, added a TH die cut (via Colin) row of houses cut from grunge paper covered in more vintage book pages. I painted the houses with distress crackle Rock Candy to make them even more grungy. To finish it off I added some bronze foil around the top.

I lined the inside with TH papers I had left over from my configurations workshop and added some paper artsy branch and crow images. I them covered it all in matt gel medium to protect it.

Perfect as a gothy housewarming gift for your 'change of address cards' or even notepaper.

I plan to enter this into the following challenges:

The Artisitic Stamper- HOT HOT HOT
http://theartisticstampercreativeteam.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-challenge-feeling-hot-hot-hot.html

The craft barn - Tim Holtz
http://thecraftbarnblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/tim-holtz-week-challenge-wanna-play.html

and try it on a tuesday - alter a pressie
http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/

Also, welcome a new follower Marita.
Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-07-27T07:42:00.000+01:00

Wow, taking part in Julia's WOYWW certainly does make you realise how quickly the week flies by! On my desk this week-lots of inking. I made some more acetate coloured with alcohol inks and tissue paper (my first ever tutorial is on an earlier posting) and have cut TH tattered florals from them, adding some gesso'd die cut (Colin is getting a good workout) vintage book pages. These are for some large flowers need to decorate a 13th birthday card for my niece (13!!!! forget Wednesdays flying by....where did those 13 years go?!)-which is just peaking off on the right of the picture-a large A4 card, but I'm not going to mention that anymore until after her birthday.

I have also flocked a mega large pink brad and the very small flower and moth is some metal contact tape I 'recycled' from my Dad's shed!! I coloured it with alcohol inks again (boy are my fingers and old crafting jeans looking colourful!!) and overstamped the moth with the accompanying stamp (a lovely paperartsy product). The small flower was a boring plain cardboard flower in a colour I didn't like-it's now a lovely rainbow and metallic hue!

Welcome also to new follower, Von, who has left many a nice comment-welcome Von.

So, if you're at a loss what WOYWW is pop over to Julia's blog (there is a large link on the right) and have a nose around the many and varied desks-its like legalised stalking and quite voyeuristic!!

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

2011-07-25T18:41:00.000+01:00

After an evening browsing the net I decided to enter some challenges as a way of forcing me to think and make items outside my comfort zone.

So, first up is this tag. I cut the tag with Colin, inking it with distress inks (I now have black soot fingers-hurrah, proper crafting!!). I then spritzed some water on a script stamp and stamped on the tag to remove some of the colour, overstamping with a compass style design stamp.

I then added some metal on the bottom half of the tag. This was a recycled tomato puree tube (I cant get enough of these...I have even started asking friends to save them for me!) which I used a Ten Second Studio embossing mat with to create the word TIME and the clock faces. I used black paint over the top, wiping some off to expose the decal.

I added a couple of eco green craft cogs which I covered with black rub on wax then glossy accents.

I ran versamark around the edge and added some bronze embossing powder and added a stamped sentiment on a spellbinders label adding bronze embossing and black soot DI to bring it all together, finishing it off with a spritz of gold mica and water so blend the DI a little bit more.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Back to Black - at Sunday stampers on http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/
Steam Punk - at http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/
Anything goes - at http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/

So, if you fancy popping over to any of the blogs above I recommend it-they have all inspired me to actually try something new and actually enter a challenge (not something I often do).

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

2011-07-24T18:01:00.000+01:00

So taking some time today to browse the web and I came across a cracking challenge blog 'shopping our stash.blogspot.com' which encourages your to use the stash you already have rather than having to buy new, and lets face it, unless you are totally new to crafting then you no doubt have a TON of stash. I have been crafting since I was about 7 years old, now I am 40 and live in a 3 bedroom house with my hubby....well you can guess just how much stash I have amassed over the years, what with that, my hoarding tendencies (is that me or are all crafters the same....I can't walk past a skip without having a little rummage!) and my love of charity shops and car boot sales (though not as many these days as getting up early on a damp Sunday morning suddenly has very little appeal-I wonder why?!).

So I decided to have a go. A few years ago I bought some sheet music in a charity shop and although I have used a couple of pieces I worry that sheet music will become too expensive and I wont be able to buy anymore! Seriously, this is how crafting gets to you!! But I decided to make a tag.

I glued the sheet music to some scrap card (seriously this is great card for putting through Colin and generally grunging up, £2 for about 1 kilo of scrap card from the card making industry lots of bit left over from apertures etc-you never know what your getting, but this time I got a lot of gold card so bonus!). So, I glued the music paper to some card using some multi-medium and smeared over white gesso adding lines of gesso with the edge of an old credit card (well, a promotional Love Film card!). When dry I die cut a tag and added colour with distress inks and inked through some sequin waste. I then spritz a little mica and water to blend everything together and add a little sheen.

Next I hit my hoard of ribbon (admit it-we all have one,if not two secret stashes of ribbon....we know we;ll never use it but its SOOOO much just to touch!!), or at least my wired ribbon. Now, I was suckered into buying an entire box of these at a show some years ago (I am MUCH more discerning these days) so I have a large collection of different thicknesses and colours. But they do made great ribbons and look great on tags. So I decided to make a couple. I added a couple of TH tattered leaves that I scrunched up, distressed and spritzed with water to blend the inks and coated them in gloss accents for a bit of shine.

Finally I used some gold vellum (again, I bought this about 7 chrismas' ago!) and die cut a bumble bee, colouring in the body and adding some stickles for a little bling.

So pop over to shoppingourstash.blogspot.com and use up your stash....it'll make room for more when I hit the Autumn craft shows!!! (I KNOW it defeats the object, but anything that uses up stash is good).

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge x

2011-07-23T22:08:00.000+01:00

So there I am, enjoying a day off....BT trying to fix the internet that hasn't worked properly for 3 days (yep, 3 days........how I ever managed to survive...!) and me crafting, cutting and embossing away on my big shot (who I have now named Colin, Colin the cutting machine!) when.....ping......the handle fell off and the itsy bitsy screw pinged behind the cupboard! Bugger! So I had to take all the drawers off the cupboard (do I really have THAT many stamps......boy they're heavy..) and there was the offending article. Easily attached back on and started putting the stamp drawers back on top when...ping...AGAIN!!!! But this time it wasn't Colin, no, it was my back!! Aaargggg.......I yelled like a dog having its knackers cut off, dropped the drawer and fell to the floor.......crap, my back is the one part of me that isn't falling apart! So, having had advice from my Mum (thanks mum-I knew having family in the medical profession would come in useful...and not just growing up with yucky bed sore pictures from the BMJ on the coffee table whilst she was studying!!) and then the doctor (and LOTS of pain killers) I decided that a little light crafting was called for (not the sewing I had intended to do) but I kept having to get up and move about a bit 'cos of the pain so decided to finally take some photos of some finished projects...

This is the cover of the scrapbook I made of my 40th Birthday celebrations (party, weekend away at SPA, meal and then my fab PaperArtsy weekend with the Duke of Distress).

This is the close-up of the cover, I made the flower using the tattered floral die and added some foiling randomly on the edges

This is one of the double pages, of my PaperArtsy weekend away with Tim Holtz. It was great making it a few months later (my Birthday was in Feb) as it brought all the memories back of all the lovely times I had.

In an attempt to try and boost my Vit D I decided to take my book outside and read for a bit and when the sun came out it hit the clematis that has flowered for the first time. Its growing from a pot up some lattice work on the balcony, it's so pretty I just had to share it with you guys.

Anyway, time for another very slow stretch to stop my back seizing up, then back to making some cards.

I hope your all having a great weekend

Happy crafting
Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2011-07-21T07:47:00.000+01:00

Sorry I'm a little late for WOYWW, that's because we had a craft coven outing yesterday to visit another craft group, the Moonrakers, who were having a class on making bead decorated felt. Its a great way of using up those small pieces of felt that we all have stashed away. You keep them on the kebab skewer until you are ready to thread them through something (necklace etc)-I was thinking of making some cufflinks out of them!

I picked this up a couple of weeks ago but haven't blogged about it yet. This is the blown paperweight I made!! Yes, MADE!!! Liquid Glass, a glass studio were doing demonstrations at the contemporary craft fair back in June and I made this!! I had to pick it up from the studio once it had cooled (what a great place to look around....I feel a day course in glass blowing being high on my to do list!). Its purple and green swirled and has pride of place in my lounge!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

Hurrah, a day off...at last

2011-07-15T18:55:00.002+01:00

Work owes me 2 days time in lieu so I decided to take Thursday and Friday off with the sole intention of crafting (as the weekends have been busy and I am getting SEVERE withdrawal symptoms)...didn't quite work out as planned as I ended up working yesterday, but today (apart from a couple hours working ) I did manage to have some ME time!!

So, what did I do....certainly no lie in as I was up by 07:10 (on my day off!!)-pottering in the garden for a bit I couldn't resist taking a photo of one of our chilli plants-I have no idea what type they are (the seedlings were bought in a tray of 6 and there are about 3 different sorts of chilli plants growing!!). These chilli are turning a very dark purple/black I hope they are hot as we both love chilli's (especially the pickled ones I made a few years ago-perfect with cheese.....mmmmmm.......!)

Whilst out in the garden I spotted this, not sure if its a moth (I know you can get certain moths in the daytime) or a butterfly, eitherway this little beauty decided to pose for me on my crocosmia Lucifer whilst I took a photo! Isn't it pretty?!

Now, for the past few months I have been lusting over other blogs, especially journalling ones and I decided to take the plunge. This is my first ever page, I painted the pages with acrylic, inked through sequin waste adding some gesso and wiping it over with a baby wipe to expose some of the page below.

I added some text over white acrylic, stamped some titles and added a little red glitter (well a girl needs a little bling). Not perfectly happy with the end result, but as its a new process it's all about the learning experience!.

Talking of learning experience I decided to use up some of my fabric and thread stash and decided to have a go at making a cuff. I used green felt as a base and added another piece inside to cover up the stitching. I added some mini sequins and used velcro as the closure.

Here is my chubby wrist displaying my new make. Its got lots of dyed wool slub etc included and is every colour under the sun so should go with most of my wardrobe-and if it doesn't? Well, I'll make another one, it's not like I don't have any stash!!!!

Off to clear up the dining room of sewing machine, threads and a LOT of spilt sequins before hubby comes home!!

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge xx

WOYWW

2011-07-06T07:50:00.000+01:00

Another WOYWW and a great excuse to have a nose around people's crafting spaces (its a bit like spotting your neighbours house is up for sale and going on the estate agents website to have a nose at the photos!! Or is that just me?!)

Something a bit different for me this week, I am making a couple of coasters for a friends wedding. She loves bee's (don't we all? Hmmm.....honey, Meade etc) so I decided to make her coasters with a bee in the middle on some vintage text with some distressing (of course), stamping and a little bit of smeared stickles in the corners to add a light touch of sparkle.

To ensure they can withstand a hot cuppa I apply 4 layers of yacht varnish-it takes AGES to dry but the coaster I made for work has been abused for more than a year and is holding up fine so I know it works.

On the left are my new stamps from Snazzy Stamps and Scrapbooking, they are Ecogreen stamps or different wings made form recycled rubber. The rubber is green instead of red but at the demo I saw they abused them like I do my red rubber stamps (ironing fibres etc over them) so I am looking forward to playing with them.

So, please pop over to Julia's blog (there is a link on the right) and have a nose around.

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

From the messy desk comes...

2011-07-05T20:01:00.000+01:00

First of all, for those of you in the UK-wasn't it a cracking weekend? Warm and sunny AND on a weekend, how rare is that!? Sorry, but we so often seem to have the nice weather during the week when a lot (I know not all....how else could I get to the craft shops at the weekend!) of people are working.....it does sometimes feel like a conspiracy!

So, back on to craft, my last WOYWW post showed a VERY messy and inky desk, and this is one of the items I was making.

The necklaces are made from microscope slides with memory frames. Between the glass slides I have distressed some vintage book pages stamping a watch face slightly off the page and some flying birds. I added some lace and the words "Time Flies" cut from an old dictionary. I also added a watch cog which I had to file down (on a piece of oak block, nice and hard so the file doesn't burr the wood too easily) to make it wafer thin so the slides still fit within the frames.

As the front of the necklace is quite busy I like to keep the back slightly more clean looking. I stamped the clock face off the page, adding glossy accents for a small amount of interest and stamped some flying birds, all of it on a distressed vintage page.

I have another design to show you, but its getting too dark to take a decent photo, and I have spent all this week working on a new computer training programme so my eyes are shot away hence I am going to keep this post short.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

2011-06-27T10:32:00.000+01:00

Wow, what a lovely day yesterday, sun shining and not a cloud in the sky, fab (though typical that I am stuck with a throat that feels like I have swallowed some of Tim Holtz sanding papers!), got to finally see my Dad and remembered to take a photo of the father's day card I made him.

I thought it was ironic that I used some of Tim Holtz papers that had an advert for money loaning on the front (takes me back to being a teenager!!). lots of distressing and I coloured the hammer brad with some caramel alcohol inks to blend in with the whole distressed look.

Only a short posting today

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

yeah blogger is working again

2011-06-24T13:02:00.000+01:00

Better late than never, but it looks like I can post pictures again-hurrah! So, this was the mess I was talking about on Wednesday.....by mess I mean artistic workspace!!!!

only a short message as I just want to check that everything is up and running ok,

happy crafting li'l pidge x

WOYWW

2011-06-22T15:16:00.000+01:00

Sorry but no photo-not sure if anyone is having 'issues' with blogger but I am unable to upload ANY photo's today......gggrrrrrrr.......but as I had previously blogged my PIF (see previous post) I thought I would go ahead and add my name so you can see what the lovely Karen made me.

So, what WOULD you have seen on my workdesk? Well, it is an absolute tip at the moment. I spent quite a lot of time over the weekend making some more of my altered microscope necklaces, cutting up lace, filing brass watch cogs so they will be paperthin and fit between 2 pieces of glass and also some free machine embroidery on some pieces...so lots of ink, fabric, glue and metal shavings...like I said a bit of a tip (but so VERY creative......or at least that is what I tell my OH!).

As soon as blogger is fixed I will upload some pics of the finished projects, until then why not pop over to Julia;s WOYWW blog and have a nose around some workdesks?

Happy Crafting

li'l Pidge x

What a great PIF

2011-06-20T18:08:00.000+01:00

Not been about for a while as I have been on holiday down to Devon in a field, but now I am back with a mountain of washing and itchy crafting fingers!

Luckily the lovely Karen sent my PIF (pay it forward) from Whats on Your Workdesk Wednesday 2nd anniversary by fedex! I've never had anything from fedex before-40 years old and I suddenly felt very grown up!!

And what a PIF. I opened the box to find...

Miffy sweets and pink hot chocolate (ooh, that was a nice surprise), a lovely decorated envelope (I am so glad I am not the only person who decorates envelopes) and a package....ooh, so very unladylike I ripped open the package (whilst stuffing the sweets in my mouth!)

and this was the lovely card. The saying is stamped on fabric and I think the butterflies may be on clearly art (which I have bought but not used yet so I may have to have a play soon).

In the parcel was this beautiful frame with a tim holtz die cut and embossed butterfly. It doesn't show in the picture but the frame has a lovely glitter applied which just catches the light. The frame has pride of place in my craft room and I took the card on holiday with me to have in the caravan and be inspired by.

Thanks Karen for a lovely PIF.

Also welcome to a new follower, MissLDEarts-hello!

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge x

WOYWW

2011-06-08T17:06:00.000+01:00

Wednesday again! How did that happen? How come the hours at work don't go this quick, is it some kind of witchcraft?

So something a little different this week, I am making brooches to try and sell during the summer

Making yo-yo's, sitting them together and adding a little embellishment in the centre, maybe some beads or perhaps a pretty button.

Last weeks PIF is in the post to sunshine girl and Karen in Canada has couriered mine! (how lovely is that), I'll post a picture when it arrives.

So, off to Julia's blog (blinkie on the right) to have a nose around some desks! Go on, you know you want to!

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge

2011-06-05T20:41:00.000+01:00

Instead of paper crafting the past 2 weeks has seen me furiously making elderflower cordial! At least twice a week off I go, carrier bag in tow across golf courses, footpaths and hedgerows picking elderflowers. I try to make enough to keep me in cordial for a year (about how long it lasts) and to give as gifts. It's lovely hot, cold, over crumble but especially with a Gin and Tonic ;-)

At the moment I am furiously bottling, but in time I make pretty labels, add some raffia and hey-presto a lovely gift for someone.

IF I do get a chance to craft then its mens cards, fathers day is just round the courner in the UK and if I'm inspired to make a male card then I need to make a couple each time as its always difficult to make a male card (why I don't know all you need to choose is: sport, beer, cider, music...but still I struggle).

So following my theory that it needs to be one of the subjects above I made a golf card using some vintage designs

and then my inspiration deserted me! Luckily I had a weekend back at my parents planned, an evening at a spa with my mum (lovely, with roof top thermal pool-nice and chilled) and then my mum and dad took me to their local lavender farm.

Isnt't it amazing? I have never been to a lavender farm before, I'm not sure what was more heady, the scent as you approached or the fields of bright colour...totally breathtaking.

Instead of paper craft I may have to get out my scrap bag and sewing machine and make some lavender bags (am I the only one who has both fabric AND papers (ooh, and maybe ribbons) that are TOO nice to cut up and use, so you end up just taking them out and looking/touching them? Even as I type this it is sounding SO wrong!!).

All this talk of fabric has set my palms a sweating....off the do something with cloth!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW and a PIF

2011-06-01T08:11:00.000+01:00

The 2 year anniversary of Julia's Whats on Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW) brings with it a Pay It Forward (PIF) where you make a gift with WOYWW worked into it somewhere and post it to the next person on the list.

So, this week I am mostly making Father's Day cards (well, male cards I don't like to make too many with Father's Day written on them as if they don't sell then the charity doesn't get as much money. I leave them all blank inside so you're free to write whatever occasion you'd like).

so the desk is covered with male papers, peel-offs and dark colours (oh, and I spot a grunged tattered floral flower is still on my desk on the piece of white card), after 3 days off work (WHY can't we have more bank holidays?!) the craft room (and floor) looks like a bomb has hit it! Just as a crafty space should be.

So, please pop over to Julia's blog (blinkie over on the right) and have a nose around some creative spaces (I like to play the game "find the tidy desk"-sometimes I have to look VERY hard, great to see there are some likeminded and very artistic people out there).

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

Hurrah! A damp bank holiday

2011-05-30T10:24:00.000+01:00

Ooh, a wet bank holiday-what a joy!!! Is it only crafters that think this way? Instead of day trips I get to stay in and craft guilt free (well almost, I need to dust and do some ironing today as well as crafting to stay truely guilt free!).

So this extra time means I can take time on the net also, so I have decided to enter into some more challenges. This is the first time I have entered The Stamp Man Challenge blog, I have lurked and watched it for some time and seen some great makes so thought I would enter (well, why not).

The challenge is recipe and there is a grid like bingo to choose 3 subjects from I have chosen:

Stitches

Red

Sparkle or bling

The tag is coloured with fired brick and rusty hinge distress inks, stamped background and fake stitches added around the edge. The body form die is cut from a stitching book and gold and red netting added with raffia and a button. I made a red flower from Tim Holtz tattered floral die and distressed and hand cut a leaf, finishing the whole lot off with a touch of heirloom gold mica spray for an extra touch of sparkle.

I am going to try to add a link to their blog over on the right (fingers crossed this works!!), so grab a drink, settle down and have a good old nose around blogland...go on, you know you want to!

I'd also like to enter this into Sunday Stampers for their RED challenge over at http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-05-25T21:39:00.000+01:00

Another WOYWW. This week my desk is its usual cluttered mess, I am making some Bombshell stamp cards with a lil devil and flaming eye ball. I coloured the images with pro markers and masked the eye to position the flames behind, adding glossy accents to the eye.

When I make a card I try to make at least 2 or 3 at a time, that way I can take a couple to work for the charity box and make sure that at least I have some cards at home...its SO embarrassing that I make cards etc but rarely have any at home sometimes forcing me to buy a card!!!

So, pop along to Julia's blog and find out what the WOYWW is all about...and have a bit of a nose around some fellow crafters workspaces all across the globe.

Happy crafting

li'l pidge x

A challenge

2011-05-23T20:16:00.001+01:00

So, over on theshabbyshed.blogspot.com, home to the lovely Kaz that I met at the Tim Holtz paperartsy event she has a gorgeous tag for a challenge run by Hels (http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/. After being a watcher on her fabulous blog for an absolute age I thought I would finally enter one of her challenges. No-where near the standard of the other entries, but I really enjoyed making it.

The theme is Diamonds and Pearls. I embossed a tag, smearing rangers paint dabbers in white, black and pearl then a little acyclic in teal and removed most of it by dragging a damp baby wipe over the tag. I added a little teal foil, stamped the face and cut it out, adding a grunge crown. I added a pearl necklace and decorated the crown with pearls, adding a flower with a bit of bling in the centre.

If you got the chance check out Kaz and Hels blogs-they are both inspiring.

Anyway, Mars Attacks has just started on TV (I cant help cheesy sci-fi, its SO addictive!!) so best fly.
Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

My first tutorial

2011-05-22T15:01:00.000+01:00

So, last weeks WOYWW has 2 mysterious sheets on my desk. I have been having a play with my alcohol inks. At a recent craft show it was demoed and I thought I'd have a go and instead of using the pieces as backgrounds I'd run them through my new die cutter (still loving the big shot-if your in 2 minds about buying one or the Vagabond-go for the big shot....I've cut metal, leather etc all with my rheumatoid arthritic hands no problems, and its a FRACTION of the price...thought the vagabond does look very cool-not being a pink laydee I wish they'd make it it just black, or maybe purple...ooh, purple and black, that's be nice....I digress!).

Anyhoo, I thought I'd take some photo's and try my first tutorial, please let me know that you think.

Step 1

A sheet of acetate (I used old OHP sheets from a dumpster dive!! Too tight to pay for acetate).
dribble glossy accents (I used glossy accents and 3D art gel as I had some old stuff lying about) around the edge of the sheet, then scribble all over the sheet making sure the glossy accents overlap

Step 2

drop alcohol inks onto the sheet. I made 2 sheets, one in natural hues, browns, golds and greens and another sheet with teal, purples and cerise

Step 3

When you have covered the entire sheet with alcohol inks add a little glitter, maybe some chopped angelina fibres

Step 4

Crumple up some tissue paper and spread all over the sheet, pressing to down to get good adhesion. You may want to wear gloves or use some old plastic packaging to poke the tissue paper down as my fingers got VERY stained the first time I tried this!!

Step 5

Wait 24 hours to dry

Step 6

Use! I put mine through the big shot, but you could punch it or use it for some nice matting and layering

This is the finished card. I have NO idea what is wrong with blogger, the card is saved in portrait and on the screen but when its uploaded it seems to change direction! If anyone knows why, please drop me a line and let me know any ideas?!

I hope you enjoy my first tutorial.

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-05-18T07:16:00.000+01:00

ANOTHER week gone?!.....some would say (misers may say the year is going so quick that Chr***mas is almost upon us-sorry too early to actually say the C word!)...however, trying to be a bit more glass half full some would say, hurrah..summer holidays, the schools off....a much quicker commute to work in only a few weeks!! More importantly its almost Julia's WOYWW Pay It Forward in week 104 !

What am I whittering about? Have a look on the blinkie on the right and check out all the other workspaces you can have a good old snoop around! (admit it...we all love a snoop!)

So, my ~~mess~~ desk is covered today! I'm not going to reveal what I am making yet as I am going to try and do my first tutorial when its finished! In the middle is my first tattered floral flower I made last night, I've now glued it to the lid of my kilner jar filled with liquorice! Well, a plain glass jar is SOOOOO boring!

Feel free to have a snoop around Julia's blog...I know I am!

Happy crafting

li'l pidge

Arrrgggg...what's going on with blogger

2011-05-17T18:09:00.000+01:00

So, I have quite a few weddings this summer so cracked on with making some cards with my new nesties....I took some lovely photos but blogger doesn't like them! They are oriented OK but blogger keeps moving them!!!! Sorry but you'll have to wait for the photos.

So, what have I been up to? Well my Tattered Floral sizzix die arrived this week (SO excited) so I have come home early from work, hubby is at band practise, so I can PLAY for a couple of hours...I have lots of different materials to try and cut them with......so this will be a really quick update as its taking up my crafting time!

Later this week I am going to my first Stampin Up party (held at Coven HQ)...flexing the plastic, eating some good food and maybe a glass or 2 of the grape of the gods....I cant wait!

Anyway, best go....crafting to do!
Take care
Li'l pidge

WOYWW

2011-05-11T17:48:00.000+01:00

Wow! (or should that be WOYWW!!) its been another week? Still not very well so not too much crafting going on, but I have managed to make a card from my ever expanding scrap box (the bird is cut from an old tomato paste tube, gotta love recycling!).

So, with an eye on using up scraps I thought I'd have a play with my new scalloped circle nestie cutter. After cutting out a medium scallop I then cut through one edge and tore all around the edge, leaving the centre. I then curled the thin scalloped torn edge around itself, letting it unfurl a little then turned it over a flattened it a bit to bend the petals out and voila! A pretty rose from scrap. Its quite bulky so I'll try it out on some thinner paper,

Here's a close-up of the card I made from the scraps. I didn't use the rose as it adds a bit too much bulk for the British postal systems.

I have made my PIF (pay it forward) for week 104 of the WOYWW and its not on my desk so don't bother zooming in!

Feel free to pop over to Julia's blog and check out some other desks...its always nice to have a nose round!

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Not much crafting

2011-05-08T17:49:00.000+01:00

Not much crafting this week. I was lucky enough to go and see The Leisure Society play a gig, such an amazing group with a unique sound. I tried downloading a video I took but blogger doesn't seem to keen on it! So here is their official one.

.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8HAmWbqgvs&feature=player_embedded

No crafting as I have been so busy at work after my week off-still there at 7pm on a Friday is not much fun I can tell you...a lonely office when its sunny outside! I did however get the delivery of my nestabilities from Crafty Paper Devil - they turned up 3 days after ordering, what great service (I borrow fellow coven member becky's nesties but no more as I now have my own to cut to my hearts content!) all I need now is the sentiment stamps I ordered from Lili of the Valley (why does it seem to take an age when you REALLY want something?!!?) and I'll be as happy as a pig in ****!

The only crafting I did get done today was to make this magnetic storage for my nesties-that took it out of me though. Bad day with my rheumatoid arthritis today, feeling so shattered I have spent most of the day in bed feeling like I have the flue, hopefully things will pick up-I'm sure they will, they usually do.

Off for a mooch around blog land for a bit then an early night.
Happy crafting

Li'l pidge x

WOYWW

2011-05-04T07:34:00.000+01:00

I can't believe its already a week! Last week my and my OH were lucky enough to have a weeks holiday in the sunny south west. When the sun is shining, you really can't beat the south coast (the moors on a dark dank august day also have their attractions-but I must admit not as many as a nice sunny day!). SO a week in a caravan, nice but difficult to craft, which is why on my WOYWW you can see I have been busy with my promarkers. Stamping tons of images on waste card at home, I then packed them and my pens and sat happily colouring away.

On the right is my scrap box-now overflowing, so I need to set my self a challenge and make a couple of cards just with the scraps! Hidden at the back is my new Tim Holtz die, I think the wee houses can be used for so many things....now I just need the time to craft and experiment!

Please pop over to Julia's blog to see other WOYWW (there is a link on the right) and be inspired at other crafters desks-some of which are tidy!!

Happy crafting
li'l pidge

WOYWW

2011-04-27T08:53:00.004+01:00

Now, this is a much better WOYWW than my last!!

On my desk are a couple of things I am working on. On the left is a pot I have made for my parents-its a re purposed vitamin container and the lolly sticks on the desks each have a location printed on them. These go into the pot....why? Well, my parents can take a while to decide where to go out for the day so I thought I would help them with these decision sticks!! When they cannot decide they can pick a stick and see what the suggestion is for the day!!

behind that and to the right is a chipboard scrap book I am making celebrating my 40th birthday (party, weekend away and Paperartsy Tim Holtz event), the page you can see is the weekend away my husband organised complete with a hot stone massaged (the photo top right). It seems like so long ago-I think I need another (hint to hubby if you're reading this!!)

In case you are wondering what all this WOYWW is about, check out Julia's blog (there is a link to the right) and before you know it you'll be hooked...people from all over the world are!!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

2011-04-27T08:30:00.003+01:00

YES! I finally have my craft room back AND hot water (boy, the first bath since boxing day was certainly welcomed! We do have an electric shower so no, we didn't hum since Christmas,but through all that snowy weather in Jan and Feb it really isn't the same as a deep, long, hot, bubble bath!!).

So, back to some crafting. This card is a gate fold card, but to find out who it's from the recipient has to undo the corset card! I am loving the paper-the background is quite glossy and the pattern is slightly raised and matt, adding some great texture.

Can you guess what the paper is?

Did you guess? It's wallpaper!!! How cool is that? I'll share a crafty secret with you....pop along to your DIY store and in the wallpaper department there are some great papers....ask, you'll be allowed to cut off some samples and hey presto unusual paper for free!!

So, what have I been up to this Easter? This weekend saw the wedding celebrations of friends of ours Chris and Helen (congratulations you guys) . They love the 50's rockabilly styling and got married in Vegas. Helen looked stunning with her bright red hair and Vivian Holloway white wedding dress-simply stunning.

So I designed this card for them. On pearl card I stamped in white, very pale grey and red (stamping it off the paper first to lighten the stamped image) with some 50's inspired stamps.

I then stamped a sailor Jerry inspired tattoo heart and stamped their initials with stamps that look a little like the CBGB font, adding a couple of scroll peel offs and matt and layered it on red mirror card and holographic card for a little sparkle, finishing it off with some organza ribbon.

In case you were wondering, I coloured the image with pro markers.

I hope you are all crafting and if you are in the UK and enjoying the nice weather-remember you can craft outside!!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2011-04-13T07:24:00.002+01:00

Happy WOYWW (whats on your workdesk wednesday), where has the week gone?

Its certainly been busy, hence not as many posts...Saturday saw me and my OH go to the seaside, sun and a warm sea breeze in April-I could get used to that! Sunday saw a crafting coven outing to the Shepton Mallet Craft fair. Not as busy as usual, I'm guessing 'cos Ali Pali was on in the same weekend down in London, but I think we all managed to bag a few bargains.

As you can see there is NOTHING on my workdesk!! Not even a desk! This is because after the boiler decided to break on boxing day (no hot water since then...its been fun!) we were finally able to get a plumber to fit a new one....only problem...the pipes are under my craft room!

There was no way round it, everything had to be VERY quickly packed up and moved until the work is done!!! Hopefully I can move it back in at the weekend...after all, I NEED to craft!!

If you haven't come across WOYWW, pop over to Julia's blog (there is a link over on the right) to check it out...

Happy crafting (for you, not me for a few days!!)

Li'l Pidge

A few more cards and a new follower

2011-04-08T16:49:00.001+01:00

The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that these cards are made from the images I had stamped on last weeks WOYWW-that means I finally finished something!! Usually the half finished images end up in my scraps box for AGES, but these images are so damn cute that I couldn't resist finishing them. As well as adding colour from my distressing inks (with my fast becoming favourite product, my ink dusters) I added some colour with pro markers and spritzed some mica to add a little sheen

Both backing papers were plain and stamped with another lavinia stamp, just to tie everything in together, how cute are they?! (this is about as cute as I like to get...!)

Also a big Hello to a new follow, Karen, a fellow WOYWW, hello and thanks for following.

So, as I am sat in the sun (hurrah!) in the back garden typing this up and the strain on the old eyes is a bit much (lets face it, a netbook isnt really made for using outside in the blazing sun!!) but too much time inside in the craft room when its this nice does feel as though I am missing out a little too much (if it stays this warm I may be tempted to do a little wet felting in the garden or maybe some cloth dying....also freaks the neighbours out seeing me hitting a ball of wool covered in soapy suds!!!).

Happy Crafting

Li'l pidge x

From a sunny WOYWW

2011-04-06T16:57:00.004+01:00

Hurrah! WOYWW and its warm and sunny here in the UK! The warmest day of the year so far! So what's on my desk this week? Well, I have been playing with my new Lavina stamps and the ink dusters that I bought in the NEC, I have also been experimenting with solid blocks of colour (the card with the yellow block and black stamp) and trying out one layer cards (cheaper to post which sometimes needs to be a factor) Here is a close up, I love the row of fairy shops, I masked them to create a continuous row, not sure how to finish the cards off yet, but I will make sure I post the pictures.

Anyway, I recommend a trip over to Julia's WOYWW blog to have a look round some fellow crafters desks from all over the world!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

2011-04-05T18:44:00.005+01:00

I knew it.....I knew the big shot would change my life!! Now I don't think this is an overstatement...I have tried embossing and cutting EVERYTHING, I have been through my recycling bin and fabric scrap box!! You have been warned, you visit the nest, expect to be frisked for goodies that can be put through the big shot. In fact, it's become a member of the family...so I have decided to name it...Bertha! Yep, big Bertha the big shot!!! So this weeks play... This is the card I made for my Mum's mothering Sunday card. The background papers are torn and distressed and I have added a small piece of vintage text that I gesso'd and distressed and then over stamped. The bird is cut out of dove grey glove leather over stamped. I then made 2 eggs out of air drying paper clay which I painted and glazed for a high gloss, then made a needle felted nest to home them in! As you'd expect I then assembled the whole lot with my glue gun. I use my glue gun so much its knackered! I 'borrowed' it from my dad and its over 20 years old and now the rubber tip has finally broken off so there is now an exposed metal point-which gets VERY HOT (I am speaking from experience here!!) so I think a trip to Axminster tools is overdue!

This card is an order from work for a male's 21st card. The brief was he was a member of the Real Ale Society and a fan of Radio 4 comedy, not an easy combination but I think it turned out ok.

The background paper is BRA (Bristol Real Ale) and embossed some acetate to represent the head on beer and a I added a customised train ticket from Bristol to Mornington Crescent!!

Like I said, I am falling in love with Bertha!!!!

Off to play some more.....

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-03-30T18:36:00.004+01:00

Welcome to another WOYWW, I cannot believe its nearly April-where the hell is the year going? The lighter evenings are certainly a blessing though-its so nice to drive home in the light and soon it'll be light late enough to be crafting without the curtains shut! Yes, Spring is here and she is dancing her merry dance around the plants (and weeds)! And the drivel above is a good example of why I rarely drink coffee-a cup at work today instead of my usual calming ginger and turmeric tea (believe me it does taste better than it sounds) means my head is thumping and I am hyper!!!! So, whats on my work desk this Wednesday? Well, I missed last week as I was at the NEC (having such fun and now owning a die cutting machine) so thought I would play. I have bee gesso'ing some old book pages ready to use for various projects and on the far right my red scrap box is starting to become unwieldy again so I think I need to set myself another challenge to make a couple of cards just from the scraps. In the middle/back is my orange ribbon flower (NO idea what to put that on) that I made from wired ribbon that I curl round and shred one edge to produce a pretty frilly edging. On the right is my new wooden storage caddy that is a bit like a lazy Susan (I wonder why they named it that?) that I bought at a car boot sale for 50p and it fits all my new cosmic shimmer sprays perfectly (a bit more luck than judgement that one!)

To help me remember which dies and embossing folders I already have (I MAY have had to buy a few at the NEC once, or maybe even before, I bought the die cutting machine!) I thought I would make a tag book using them. The Tim Holtz embossing folder has been accented with sepia glossy accents to add some dimension and the cotton reel had thread wound round it

The swallow is cut from very thin metal and coloured with alcohol inks and the bumble bee is layered with card stock and vellum to help the wing flutter.

For a first attempt and a quick and easy way to remember which ones I already have I was quite impressed.

Any hoo-if you get a chance, pop over to Julia's WOYWW blog for a good old nose around some other desks...I know I am!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

A couple of cards

2011-03-28T17:21:00.002+01:00

I have to come clean (not easy, when you have as much ink on your fingers as I tend to!) neither of these cards have been made this weekend (I have been busy playing with my new toys). This card I made last week for mother's day, I love the martha stewart punches, they just add a nice delicate touch (without the hassle factor). For added dimension I used some leaves, angelina fibres, flowers and some shimmery ribbon. This card was made for someone leaving at work who plays domino's. The domino was already coloured a tan colour so I used this as the basis for the rest of the card.

After a few days away I have LOTS of sorting out to do so no coven tonight (sorry girls).

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Who says you loose an hour in bed?

2011-03-27T11:23:00.002+01:00

Today the clocks went forward-the day you loose an hour sleep-not so in our nest! Stayed in bed an hour longer (hee hee I love trying to beat the system!!). After the last few days I am knackered. Fellow coven crafter, Jill and I went to the Birmingham NEC for 2 days of Stitching and Hobby craft...lots of talking, walking, gawping at lush fabric art, walking, shopping and some red wine! I have gotten into a bit of a habit when returning from a craft show-I dump all my stuff on the dining room table (its easier to take a photo for the blog-that's how I justify it!!) before sorting it all out, in a vain attempt to keep my teenie weenie craft room tidy(ish). AS you can see I finally got a die cutting machine (my birthday pressie from my hubby, even though it was over a month ago, I wanted to wait until any show offers and to actually try one out with leather and thicker products to check my arthritis in my hands didn't stop me from using it-and the fact its sat on my table tells you-YEP, it cut through all that stuff easily, and SO much cheaper than the vagabond-so more money to spend on dies etc!!!) I had a fab couple of days so now I am off to play.... Happy crafting Li'l Pidge x

Busy weekend

2011-03-21T17:10:00.003Z

So, busy weekend down at the nest...in a vain attempt to reduce the amount of fabric stash I have (no matter how I try to hide it, my OH still manages to find it!!) I thought I'd better make something (especially since I have the NEC stitch show coming up!).

So I thought I'd make some stitched cupcake cards...

Aren't they sweet?

In a vain attempt to use up stuff (my scrap box on my desk is becoming unmanageable and looks like it may be sprouting off spring!!) I decided to use my new paperartsy stamps and dies (thanks Becks for letting me use your cutting machine) and some of the scraps...

I was surprised how easy they were to make, some distress ink, a nice flower and a Martha Stewart punch to add a bit of 'zing' to the scrap box and voila!

Happy days as my mojo is back...talking of which I need to pull my finger out and make some Mothering Sunday cards (for those in the UK, for my nan in New Zealand thankfully its later in the year).

Happy crafting

Li'l pidge x

WOYWW

2011-03-16T20:24:00.004Z

After missing last weeks WOYWW (I need to stop working SO late so I have time to craft) I was determined to post today!

So, here is what is on my desk this week. These are the new stamps I bought at the Paperartsy event with 2 matching dies. Even though I don't have a die cutting machine one of the coven let me use their cuttlebug to cut out the dies, both out of paper but also out of some wonderfully thin glove leather, which I then over stamped with stayz on (the bottom middle bird). I think I am going to enjoy playing with these new toys!

This is what was on my WOYWW a few weeks ago, this was a blank I boight some time ago and decided to turn into an Emergency Craft Fund money box for fellow coven member, Becks, birthday.

I gesso'd the box, adding coloured acrylic then stamping on tissue papers, adhering with Modge Podge, adding a dimensional mushroom for additional texture. I distressed the entire box, adding crackle glaze and a couple of coats of varnish for durability.

I love these stamps from Lavina, my hubby bought me them for Christmas and I have been waiting for the perfect project to try them out on.

So, if you fancy having a nose around some other desks, check out Julia's blog, there is a link over on the right.

Enjoy

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-03-02T21:57:00.002Z

So, finally I have some craft on my desk. After my spending spree and workshop with Tim Holtz and Lin and Leandra I thought I would use one of my new Ten Second Studio impression boards, but instead of using the black metal I bought, which is quite expensive so I plan to save it for a special project, I used a cleaned out tomato puree tube my mum saved me. I then painted it with black acrylic and sanded it back to expose the clock design.

I'm quite chuffed how it turned out.

If your havn;t checked out Julia's blog, Whats on your workdesk wednesday, there is a link on the right-I recommend a good old nose around, always something interesting going on.

Happy crafting
li'l pidge x

ooh, new stalkers

2011-03-01T21:46:00.002Z

Ooh a good week so far, I'd like to say welcome to my new 3 stalkers (yes 3!), Becky (one of the crafting coven), Jayne and Sam - HELLO!

No crafting tonight as I have been sat here waiting since 18:00 for Comet to call and run through a service check on the netbook-no call, so I am off to bed soon so thought I'd do a quick blog update, and what a pleasant surprise to see you.

I hope you enjoy sharing my trials and tribulations, often crafty, but not always!

and as Kate Bush once said, "please be kind to my mistakes" ;-)

Happy Crafting
Li'l Pidge x

2011-02-28T17:16:00.002Z

Ooh, I am a tad excited..over on Tim Holtz blog he used a picture of my mess (all the goodies Tim, Mario and Alain supplied at last weeks event, plus a good handful of some vintage pieces I brought with me)....

So, I have finally finished the configurations box. It was great fun choosing items to put in it.

On the right is the champagne cork from my 40th celebrations with a tape round it showing 11 (my actual birthday)

Below, in the glass jar is one of my MOO cards (if you haven't discovered these guys yet, go to moo.com they make some great business cards etc) with a photo of my steam punk micro scope slide necklace that I got Tim to sign.

and now for the announcement we all new would come.......

My name is Li'l Pidge and I am a craft addict!

Oh the shame.......3 trips to the onsite shop and then the lovely Edwina gave me a lift not only home but to LB Crafts in Olney!!

Here are the goodies I bought,

lots of Ten Second Studio items as they are SO hard to get hold of, and rarely at any of the craft shows I go to.

Then some more Tim Holtz stuff, including the ATC die you can see that I won from Tim himself (how lovely is that).

Now for another confession, I won a die, I even bought 2 at the event (!) but I don't own a machine!! My lovely hubby said he'd buy one for my 40th, (did I mention it was my b'day a couple of weeks ago....dragging this out I know) so best I'd better pull my finger out!

Anyway, off to make some tea!

happy crafting

li'l pidge x

Back, happy but knackered!

2011-02-26T21:00:00.007Z

I cannot believe it's over! After all these months of waiting I am back from my first PaperArtsy session with Tim Holtz! Boy, it went fast...it was like speed crafting!

Tim was gracious as we all queued to have our photo taken with him!

I met some lovely ladies (hello!), went for a Chinese (£4 for a boiled rice!! became my mantra!) and got very inky and had an absolute blast.

Lin and Leandra's class was such fun, playing with metal, paint, inks and sprays (boy did it go everywhere!) and this is what I made:

I love the Ten Second Studio metal working tools as they are so easy and natural to use and the grunge paper hinges were so easy to colour with bronze goop (is that the technical term!?!)

A quick break (and maybe just a little shopping in the on site craft shop) then it was on to the Tim Holtz class. After such a great morning there was much anticipation.

When we took our seats...look what greeted us!

A configuration box, papers, feet and a zipper bag filled to the brim with goodies!

Tim showed us the configuration box he made, so we had plenty of inspiration

When we went to tea break (one of the ladies had her leap year birthday celebrations at the event and brought homemade cupcakes for the entire group, how lovely was that) we returned to find a fabric sack on each of our places, filled with bits and bobs, some vintage, some Tim's products (and I added a few of mine I brought from home)

I have nowhere near finished it yet, I included a 40 from grunge painted black (to celebrate my birthday (again!) in the middle is one of my MOO cards I got Tim to sign then placed it inside one of the glass bottles....I just need to finish it now.

The next morning, instead of heading back on the train, I met a fellow crafter (hello Edwina) who came from Barry and gave me a lift home (how nice is that), even nicer, it was via LB Crafts in Olney (can you overdose on craft?)

So now it looks like a bombs hit the house as all my goodies are all over the place...I'll take a photo to share all my goodies.

If you ever get the chance to go to a PaperArtsy event, I recommend it, its fast (NO chance to get bored), you learn new techniques and get to meet some great new people.

And a big hello and welcome to my new follower, Kaz, who I met at the event, HELLO (grin)

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Not a WOYWW but Paper Artsy and Tim Holtz

2011-02-22T18:06:00.005Z

So, yet again no WOYWW, but I have SUCH a good excuse as I am off in a mo to the PaperArtsy event with Tim Holtz! I have been so looking forward to this, after a year of more medical tests and injections than I ever thought possible and 5 months trying to do 2 full time jobs (hard enough as it is....add to that days of feeling so low and sick that I don't even craft!!) finally its here!

So, over the next couple of days I am hoping I will meet lots of new like minded people, what a great opportunity to swap ideas, techniques and hopefully contacts.

Someone came up with the great idea of presenting Tim with a collection of inchies to celebrate his time here. Well, that sounded like a great idea....

Then I realised, I had no idea what it was!!! So, off for a bit of surfing....and found out its a 1" by 1" piece of art..

So here is mine (this is what was on my desk until 10 minutes ago when I packed it!.

Its on vintage music paper, with a martha stewart punch of a branch punched out of thin metal and coloured with alcohol inks, the nest is made with raw wool and needle felted and the bird cut out of grunge paper. I added some vintage text and some rock candy distressing.....voila!

Anyway, expect LOTS of photos when I get back.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW

2011-02-15T19:22:00.008Z

For this weeks WOYWW, it's more of a case of WNOYWW (what's NOT on your work desk Wednesday). The gift on my desk last week is a bit more progressed, and I wouldn't want to give away what it is in case the recipient reads this blog!

So, this week its what is ABOVE my work desk....

This beautiful letter M (whilst everyone knows me as Kyla, my parents christened me Michaela) is a present from my mum. Its on a canvas and is made from lace, ribbons, feathers, sequins, beads and not to mention a scrabble tile (one of my favourite embellishments). My mum bought it when we popped out for lunch at a local farm and craft shop-it now has pride of place above my desk-perfect for inspiration, even if I didn't make it!!

Hope you don't mind me not showing you my desk this week, I'm off to have a peek around some other crafters desks.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T17:08:00.004Z

Happy Valentines day. My lovely hubby made me a 1980's inspired mix tape (but on a flash drive) with songs such as 1-2 crush on you by The Clash and Milkman of Human Kindness by Billy Bragg...such a lovely hubby!

So, I decided to start using up some stuff that I 'found' when I cleaned up the craft room (how did all that stuff fit in there?).

This card is made using some Ten Second studio metal sheet which I embossed by hand (the old fashioned way-until I get the Vagabond Machine that is!! Hubby promised it as my 40th pressie when its finally in the UK!!) and coloured with alcohol inks, mounted on gold textured card, finishing with a large flower embellishment.

My biggest news is that, last weekend the Coven threw me a 40th Party (at the wonderful Jill's flat) It was a great night, lots of food, drink, laughter and some balloon sculpture (don't ask!!),so a big thank you to you all (and to my best friends who had to travel back to the 'sticks' on public transport after many cans of cider!!).

This was followed by my hubby whisking me away to a posh hotel in Devon where I had my first (and hopefully not my last) hot stone massage! It was wonderful, very relaxing and amazing on my poor old joints!

This was followed by a lovely bouquet of flowers he had arranged to be delivered to the hotel room (good man...after more than 20 years I think he is doing well!)

I got some lovely presents, crafting money from the coven and money from family (ready for my Paper Artsy event with Tim Holtz where the plastic is going to be well and truly flexed!!), lots from hubby, cup cake goodies, threads and a wonderful handbag from my parents.....but, I think the best one has to go to my lovely brother (who is about to leave the UK again, but this time for 18 months to volunteer for the GVI projects in South America teaching children in deprived areas as well as generally helping out digging water tanks etc).....my favourite drink, an entire mixed case of red wine.....

Thanks bro....and Happy Birthday (my brothers birthday is today.....ah, a valentines love child!!).

Well, I'd best go as I need to unpack and put away my goodies....where has my 3 days off gone?

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

A special WOYWW

2011-02-09T18:32:00.003Z

So, what's so special about this weeks WOYWW?

Well, it's my last one in my 30's!!! By next WOYWW I will be 40!!

So, I will be officially old enough to know better!!!

So, back to my WOYWW picture...today was not a good day at work so for a change I decided rather than working until 7pm I wold leave early, lock myself in the craft room and get messy!

I can't say what it is as its a pressie for a dear friend, but once it's finished and they have it I will of course share!

Happy WOYWW and please pop over to the blog for a look around the other desks.

thanks and happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

So, Whats on My Workdesk Wednesday

2011-02-02T20:24:00.002Z

NOTHING!

That's because I have finally finished tidying my craft room (always a sign of my head not being in a good place-especially if you know my views about a tidy craft room!).

For me, this is VERY tidy. I have my small scrap box on the right of the desk where all my useable offcuts go ready to be crafted into something new and fabulous!

These are my lovely new drawers (the black ones with the labels still on)holding all my stamps and paper

and my amazingly tidy bookcase!

Now, I need a day to get inky and mess it up again!!

If you haven't already, please pop over to WOYWW blog and check out all the other crafters spaces....enjoy

Li'l pidge

The things I do when I can't sleep!

2011-02-01T20:43:00.004Z

So, Saturday saw another coven outing (our weekly crafting get together where the men reckon we are witches and gossip rather than craft...I must admit sometimes there is more gossip than craft, but its a great night away from reality so who cares!) to the Exeter craft fair.

A great day out, not much buying (I'm saving myself for later in February when I go to the Paper Artsy Tim Holtz event!!-yes you read that right, Tim Holtz-yeah! A whole day dedicated to getting inky and grunging I cant wait) though I did by a handbag! Only I could buy a bag at a craft fair-but the good thing with handbags is that they always fit!!

So, after a lovely day out with the girls I ended up waking on Sunday at 01:30, wide awake, what a mare! And why did I wake? First of all cos I was disappointed that the craft fair had very little in the way of storage, I mean I can't be the only one who'd like storage for 12x12 papers in a DRAWER rather than a box where you cant dump a ton of junk on top of it and STILL get to the papers (if you work for a storage designer, please call me....there are things that NEED to be designed for crafters rather than the quite frankly rubbish storage that seems to be swamping the crafting outlets-I mean WHY do they do such big embellishment boxes? You could store THOUSANDS of ruddy sequins in one of those little boxes and HUNDREDS of buttons, I know I have a lot of stuff, but purlease give me a break and make some boxes designed for hoarding crafters (not sure there is another type of crafter!). So, I decided to tidy the craft room....(when the sun finally decided to grace us with its presence)

and so I started to pull everything out...

and then it spread to the bedroom....then I decided to drive to Tesco's to buy their A4 4 drawer units (£14, with a 3 for 2 offer, 12 drawers for £28 not bad) so that I could organise stuff.....

It felt like the stuff was expanding to fill the house....and then I remembered I had been asked to make a 21st card for a lady at work so I decided to stop cleaning and crack on with the card.

I stamped the image, colouring with pro markers and adding some shimmer with a sakura pen. I then stamped and distressed around the edge of the image, mirroring the stamped border around a red card base, finishing with a peel-off number 21 and a red and black ribbon that I singed slightly on the edges with the heat gun.

So, no more crafting until I finish the craft room (nearly done but Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is on so I think I'll call it a day until tomorrow!).

Red wine and TV-now there is an antidote to a crappy day at work and a craft room that looks like a jumble sale!!

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

WOYWW

2011-01-26T21:39:00.002Z

I can't believe its been a week since the last WOYWW! Where is this year going?

So, what's on my desk this week? Well, its the usual mess but not much crafting is being done (too busy at work again) but I am making a few Valentines cards hence some red foiled hearts...but I am at a craft show this weekend, so hopefully so new purchases to play with!

Only a quick post as its late and I have only just got back in from work.

Hope to blog soon.

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge x

Playing with Promarkers

2011-01-25T20:03:00.001Z

So, I have been spending some time playing with promarkers. After watching members of the crafting coven colour so expertly (Trace and Becks take a bow-you know you are both colouring masters) I think I am finally starting to get some results that I am pleased with.

To this coloured image I distressed the edges, tearing and distressing some glazed and glittered paper across the card adding a little raffia for texture and some mini brads. I love layers and texture.

I think I need to practise more, but i am seeing an improvement...its just like being a kid again and colouring in!

After a crappy day at work (and today was VERY crappy) there is nothing better then a bit of crafting to ease the days stresses away, so I'm off to craft!

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge

WOYWW and swapping

2011-01-19T21:17:00.004Z

A slightly different WOYWW this week. Saturday evening saw me go to one of the regular swap parties my friends hold no, not that sort of swap party but we take round clothes, toiletries, craft stuff, husbands stuff....basically anything. You all get a good gawp and if anything takes your fancy then its yours! No cost, you have a bit of a clear out at home and maybe take some nice new things home!

Add in some nibbles and some wine and before you know it, its a great night out! Thanks girls, I had a blast (and some great cosmic shimmer spray, a skull oyster card holder and an encyclopedia which has some great craft potential! Add to that some T shirts etc, and it's a great haul). The trick is not to take home as much as you brought!!

Then, the next day the crafting coven went for a day out (a bit fragile from out night out) to the Giant Flea Market. God it was cold and wet, I felt so sorry for the stall holders who had pitches outside.

I was very restrained-£900 Lalique vase? £50 postage stamps? No, a pack of vintage photos of Paris-30p!! A broken wooden ruler - 30P! and the large white wooden ruler, £3! Bargains.....I have SO many ideas what to do with them (all altered art ideas) I'm not sure where to start-but I am looking forward to it!

So, happy crafting and I hope you get a chance to browse through other WOYWW blogs.

Lil' Pidge x

A more productive use for a sewing machine

2011-01-17T18:46:00.004Z

Those of you who either know me or read my blog regularly will now that me and sewing machines don't really see eye to eye. But, the sewing machine killer (yep, that's me) finally conquered her demons when I bought a 2nd hand Janome XC33, more expensive then my earlier models (but still a good price) and suddenly I was making things.

Now, I made a few handbags and skirts, and whilst the end result was pleasing the actual process wasn't much fun. I ended up stressed and often swearing at the material, needles, machine and if my poor hubby happened to walk past him...well, I think you can guess.

So, after a course at Urchfont manner on machine embroidery I decided to have a crack at my first proper piece.

But, what should the subject be? Well, I had no idea what to get my parents for Christmas, so I thought I would make them something.

They both love Budleigh Salterton in East Devon, so I took a photo and printed it on special paper from Ario (I love their unusual products) and started to stitch....and stitch....and stitch...

I stitched for 3 days, layering threads, silk rods (dyed from Steff Francis who does wonderful colours) and even some angelina fibres for the reflections. I decided to keep some of the sea unstitched to show that it started out life as a photo.

And this is how it turned out:

Because of the pressure on the fabric, it puckered slightly at the edges so I decided to frame it (not easy considering how thick this piece is)

As you can see, I used many, many layers, keeping some of the silk rods and more textured fibres slightly looser to add depth and texture.

When my parents opened it at Christmas their faces said it all, even my family in New Zealand recognised it as Budleigh Salterton when we showed them over skype!!

All in all, I must admit, for my first attempt I am pretty pleased with myself. If it wasn't a gift for my parents (where I can visit it often) then I don't think I could have actually given this away!!

Now I just need to get inspired for another one.

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

2011-01-12T19:12:00.004Z

I can't believe it's been another week! Here is a photo of my desk today ready for WOYWW. If you haven't come across this before, pop over to the blog (there is a shortcut on the right) there are loads of confessions of messy desks, and quite a few clean ones (not sure if that's the sign of a sick mind, I mean, a clean and tidy craft desk...how sick is that!!).

So, what's on my desk today?

The box is a cat food pouch box (out of my friend, Becky, recyling bin!) which I am applying a couple of layers of gesso, then I plan to decorate it and use it to sell my cards out of for charity.

On the left are some air drying clay hearts and keys I made ready to make some valentines cards, I am colouring them, distressing with coloured waxes and then plan to apply some Judikins Diamond Glaze to seal everything.

This is the Buddhist card I made for my mum's birthday this week, I bought the Kanban set at the last craft fair I went to back in the Autumn adding a gem brad and a gold rub-on sentiment.

This is the neclace I made for my sister-in-law for Christmas. The charms are purchased, but I made the dog tag with her name on with PMC silver clay, using letter stamps in the style of that great rock and roll music establishment CBGB's

and finally these are 2 of the scarfs I made for Christmas presents that I promised I would share with you (the yarn was a previous WOYWW entry)

Well, I am shattered, so I am poking off early to crash on the sofa.

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge x

2011-01-05T20:47:00.005Z

Arrgggg.....just as I thought 2010 was over, the crappy year with illness, then broken loo and Boxing Day boiler breakdown...2011 comes along! First day back to work, straight into 3 meetings (I mean, 3, seriously....when are you meant to actually get any work done?) then on the way home, sat stationary at red traffic lights when some idiots decides to drive into the back of me! Luckily we were both ok, not sure about the car as its pitch black outside, but took their details (whilst quietly snarling under my breath) and called to report it to the police and will wait and see what the insurers say.......so, came straight home and decided to craft!

So, WOYWW, well as you can see, there are a couple UFOs (UnFinished Objects) on my desk. The first is my Keri Smith Wreck This Journal book I am working through, the page on show is where you collect stamps from your mail, I luckily got a card from my friend Rachel in the states with a lovely stamp, so thought I would add it to my book.

On the right is my scrap box. This is where I dump all those scraps that are too good to chuck, and sometimes some odd flowers etc that I cant be bothered to put away in their proper home, then I set myself a challenge to make something using only stuff from the scrap box!

The sad thing is (please tell me I am not the only one who does this) I have started putting a few 'choice' pieces in the box, cheating I know, but hey, I'm only cheating myself and I still get something made!

and this is the card I made from those 'scraps'!!!!
Rant over!!

Happy Crafting
Li'l pidge x

I know, I have been rubbish

2011-01-04T11:55:00.007Z

What can I say? I could say I've been ultra busy at work, working ridiculous hours. I could say I have not been feeling too great. I could say I have not had much time to craft let alone blog. I could even say I have been curled up on the sofa whilst the snow falls....wondering why the hell the boiler decided to play silly beggars on Boxing Day and stop giving us hot water.

I could say all of these....and they would all be right, basically life has been taking over, as it often does when its Christmas, you try to make your cards and presents and then the sky decides to deposit a ton of snow which lasts for a couple of weeks!! But that is no excuse for not updating my blog and taking part in the challenges I started to really enjoy back in the Autumn (which seems SO long ago now).

So, my new years resolution is to blog more.....(I'm hoping its easier than giving up alcohol!)

Starting as I mean to go on....

I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to make everyone a handcrafted gift, so to make up I tarted up shop bought goodies with homemade tags.

I spritzed and stamped some background papers, using stamps and sequin waste and then added a seasonal ribbon across the length. Next I added gold mesh material and pink organza and heated these briefly with a heat gun to shrink and distress it.

Next I ironed a sheet of multiple coloured Angelina fibres which I then tore into pieces, gluing to the tag, along with some punched green foliage and a tag backed with card coloured with alcohol inks. I finally threaded through some frilly fibres and added a button. The whole lot was secured with a hot glue gun (I get through so many glue sticks I think the local hardware shop may be thinking I have a problem!).

Hopefully the recipients liked them. I certainly did.

Happy crafting
Li'l Pidge x

2010-11-17T21:01:00.002Z

After several weeks of attending Hyrotherapy sessions on a Wednesday I am finally home so am able to take part in What's on your workdesk wednesday (WOYWW)!

I have not done any proper crafting for some weeks due to work, but I have received my order for some Christmas pressies I plan to make...here are the latest batch of dyed wool that I plan to turn into scarfs

There isnt really room in the craft room...so I have now spread to the dining room table!!! (only until they are made as I need to spread out 1 1/2 metre pieces and sew them, so I need to space-HONEST)!!

I will post a piccy when I have made them.
If you get a chance I recommend checking out some of other desks over on WOYWW, there's always something interesting.

Happy Crafting
Li'l Pidge x

LTD Challenge

2010-11-16T19:28:00.002Z

Oh it's been far too long since I last blogged. Time seems to have increased speed over the past few weeks-what with being away for a week with work and working some silly long hours recently, crafting time, let alone crafting time has been sparse.

This weeks LTD Challenge is friends....well, this card is one I made for my fellow Craft Coven member, Jill, to welcome her to her new home. The bird and cage are chip board shapes that I painted, stamped and glazed with glossy accents, the padlock is made from friendly plastic and I added a wooden heart button in the top left of the card.

My crafting mojo has taken a slight step back, but I picked up my copy of the latest Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine...so a glass of red wine and a leisurely read through will I am sure bring it all back!

Happy crafting
Li'l Pidge x

Vegan and Zombies

2010-10-31T13:42:00.004Z

This is my Halloween make for the LTD Challenge....egg cosys!

Only in Bristol would you spend a Saturday like this....a few hours at a free Vegan fair. 3 course meal for free, vegan tombola, free talks and films.....followed by the Bristol Zombie Walk! Over 2,000 zombies walking around the city centre ending up at an outdoor impromptu gig (and a couple of beers and some strange looks on the bus home).

Here are a few photos of some of the Zombies....

And the zombies kept coming...

Happy Halloween.

Li'l Pidge x

Lots to Do Challenge

2010-10-29T07:35:00.002+01:00

Another quick post....I made this for the LTD challenge, my first easel card! I needed a quick card so used peel-offs and I already had some angelina fibres ironed into a sheet so I punched a moon from it for a bit of shimmer, echoing this with some holographic card for matting and layering on the base.

Happy crafting

Li'l Pidge