Crafting, crafting and a gargoyle

I know you shouldn't open a statement with an apology, but rules are made to be broken aren't they? So, sorry, I have been really pants with updating this-the weather has been too nice to sit in front of the computer. But I'll make up for it (honest guv).

So, what's been going on then in the world of Li'l Pidge? Well, I have been stretching my wings and flying south for a bit. I took my new bag that I made with some of the material my friend Jill bought for my birthday on my new machine (which you will be pleased to know is still alive). I made a lining:
and included a small pocket with a little label and a magnetic clasp

and then made the cover, added a handle and then some of the lovely material on the covering flap:


I am SO proud!! I have been parading it up and down, and took it around on a quick tour of Devon (where we saw a great gargoyle)

and possibly the maddest scarecrow EVER (just check out the eyes!):


Back on the crafting front, I made a pair of gloves out of some bits of wool I had (dont look too close or you will notice a couple of holes that lead to no-where!):

They even have sparkly white glittery wool in them-a little scratchy, but sparkly, so its worth it. I am knitting a matching skinny scarf at the moment-I know, I should knit something summery, but I can only do a few basic stitches and this is my first attempt at switching wool (thanks mum for the instructions) so increasing and decreasing (and not creating holes that shouldnt be there) will have to be my next lesson!.

The postie brought my latest ATC swap from the CB Forum (who again published a photo of my tag book on their e-newsletter-gosh! I am so chuffed),
The ducks ATC was from Crafty Kayleigh 85 and the elephant from Purple pixie - how cute are they? The theme in March was of course "BBQ wild foraging stylee", (joke! I am a veggie of nearly 20 years!) it was of course Animals.

This is one of the latest cards I have made with my new Crafty Individual Stamp of the trees. I coloured it with distressed ink using a makeup sponge, then distressed the edges, tearing and sanding it down, then inked a dark brown around it image.


I mounted this on patterned paper then attached stamped acetate and attached with brads to get over the problem of seeing glue/tape through the acetate

I have also been experimenting with another new stamp from Crafty Individuals (loving their angel policy) and some mica powders, in dark and pale colours:

and a bit of grungy/rockabilly influenced red and black card:

So, that's most of the catch-up, and the new series of CSI is calling-so time to fly off.

Take care peeps, and happy crafting.

Li'l Pidge

Toothache motivates me to craft!

I know it's hard to believe-but 4 days of
toothache and I got my mojo back!
My dentist says its my widsom teeth playing up and to see how things go over the next week or so-wisdom eh? I knew it was in there somewhere! Anyway, between feeling
sorry for myself and the ironing I managed to make a monochrome flower shaker card for my friend Sam's birthday and the double heart card is mounted onto vellum and then acetate with a couple of beads and thread to keep all the layers together. Then to top it all I managed to make a R.A.K. A.T.C. (Random act of kindness artist trading card) for the organiser of this months Crafts Beautiful forum ATC swap (I wont post a photo yet just in case the person concerned reads the blog beforethe post comes!), then walked in the rain to the local post office to post them (I can only spend so long at home feeling sorry before I go stir crazy and need to get some fresh air!).

Then to top it all (the mojo was still active) I managed to finish my first proper altered art project. Inspired by the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors. They are EPNS cutlery coloured with alcohol inks and then wire, beads, threads and sequins wound around them and then I cut words from an old book (well, I copied them first as I really couldnt bring myself to cut a book up, even if it was only 40p in a charity shop-its a book after all!) which I mounted in a box frame that I also decorated.

For a first attempt I am really pleased, it has pride of place on the mantle piece, but now I have to think what to do with it (and all the other pieces of cutlery I bought at the thrift shops, let me know if you have any ideas!).

Anyhoo, pain killers and my bed are calling (with of course my copy of this month's CardMaking and Papercraft that I bought today) so happy crafting.

Li'l Pidge