Sunday 9 November 2008

Christmas Cards, knitting and marmalade-all with a hangover!



Finally I have made a start on some Christmas cards. It is SO difficult to sit down and concentrate on just one topic-I usually end up flitting between projects, and finishing very little! I am loving both the pink and turquoise with a bit of glitter to add that sparkle and sakura glaze pens to add a little glossy definition for the darker colour on the baubles. I can't believe that we are only about 6 weeks to Christmas-madness, where has the year gone? Now, I'm told its an age thing, but I refute that!


I also made some white on white cards, with an embossed tree dusted with mica powder, and a double sided peel-off greeting with white holographic glitter applied all over.

I also finished my very first knitting project, a green scarf that doubles as a dishcloth! (well, there are a few holes, but then it is my first attempt). I embellished it with a row of green sequins and a large button. I wore it out for the first time yesterday-warm and toasty!
I also managed to make some marmalade with ginger and whiskey-nice! I decided since my dad loves all 3 ingredients I would make him some for his upcoming birthday, and decorated the jam jar with some pretty papers-nice! I cant wait for the tasting....mmmmm hot buttered toast.....



Not bad crafting for a wet and windy Sunday, especially since I am a little fragile after last night's party at Jill's (my friend who runs our weekly crop)-a great night which meant we all got to show our OH where we spend a few hours every week gossiping/crafting.well, the two go hand in hand don't they? Oh, and talking of our weekly crop, look at these gorgeous mini mosaics Tracy brought us all-aren't they cute? I cant wait to make something with them.


Phew, I need a lie down now........
Li'l Pidge

Sunday 2 November 2008

Scrapping, swapping, shrinking and gigging

Its been a busy couple of weeks in the Li'l Pidge nest. First, I have made my first ever skirt (no photo though, I'll take one later and post it), and I have been busy on the scrap book pages. This is a double page spread of Rotorura and Wai-O-Tapu in New Zealand. I stitched zig-zags around the chocolate and blue border panels, mounted lots of fabric flowers with various jewelled brads, added an acetate pocket to hold the leaflets and used Rangers distressed inkpad in Broken China to colour some chip board shapes, added glue and 2 differently coloured glitters to represent the water gushing up.


This week also saw the Oct STC swap from the CB Forum. This months theme was Decoupage. A big thanks to Shelleyhope, Copse (for RAK ATC and organising the swap) and Paulrw (who, would you believe it actually received one of mine-spooky!). Mine are below, including a Halloween sticky notelet to say thanks to Copse for organising this months.







This is something new to me. Inspired by some of the blogs I have been reading I thought I would cut out some flowers and cult up the edges before sticking them onto the card. The large background is actually self adhesive wall border paper from the local DIY store, it matches my free flower stamp from a previous issue of the stamper magazine. I must admit I quite like the effect. I added a little yellow stickles (I love their glitter glues, they are so fine and easy to apply) in the middle of the flowers.

I also received this all the way from Canada, a lovely thankyou card from Freehartz for participating in her Halloween, bloghop. Your welcome, its was a great evening. I hope you enjoyed the actual day itself.



This year saw us celebrating the next day, which is the Mexican Day of the dead festival. My OH had a gig with 4 acts, 3 of which were 1950's garage and a one was a one man band who played drums, guitar, harmonica and tamborine all whilst singing! It was a great night out, and to celebrate (I wore my new skirt!) I made a sugar skull inspired necklace from shrink plastic. Coloured it with sakura pens, pencils and markers and sealed the lot with diamond glaze. I added a few rings and beads then threaded it all on a cording.

I also had a go at making a ring. A black cat on an orange background. I must admit I am trying SO many new crafts at the moment (I am blaming the Crafts Beautiful forum as I keep seeing new things to try!). The house is starting to fill up, so I think I need to turn my attention to making Christmas presents instead. Speaking of which....best get a wriggle on...

Happy Crafting

Li'l Pidge