News flash from rainy West Yorkshire - another lovely follower (also from West Yorkshire) has joined my merry band! A warm welcome to Jo from http://mypaperprojects.blogspot.com. Jo has some beautiful projects on her blog, and she is also a Stampin' Up demonstrator - if you haven't seen the SU products, do take a look via Jo's Blog - they are fabulous! Thanks Jo. Love, Sylvia xxx

SOMEBIRDY SPECIAL

COPICS COLOUR CHALLENGE and

JUST MAGNOLIA CHALLENGE

Hi to everyone on this lovely wet Sunday morning! (Well, it's wet up North anyway - hope it's better where you are)! I am now going to make my first attempt at multi-tasking in the "more-than-one-challenge" category. Beautiful Tilda and her little birdie are heading off first of all to the http://copicscolourchallenge.blogspot.com/ which fitted in nicely with her new Coral dress, Pea Green shoes and Orangey-red hair. As Tilda had taken such a lot of time to get dressed up, she decided to pop in and see her little pals at the Just Magnolia Challenge, where she has to be centre of attention on a lovely sketch layout , http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/ . When she arrives, she intends to give the little birdie in its glittery cage, to Somebirdy Special. (Just sat here wondering - is it time I grew up)??

Thanks so much for popping in to see Tilda and Me - Hugs, Sylvia xxxx

Papers used are MME Bloom and Grow. Bazzill cardstock, Copic pens, Glamour Dust on the cage which doesn't show up too well in the photo, MS Doily Lace punch.

PEACOCK FANTASY

Thought I would share this little bit of Fantasy with you , which I made today using shrink plastic, just for a change. It's a bit fiddly to work with, but great fun when it starts to curl, at which point I usually come out in a hot sweat (or maybe that's just my age). I love this Elusive Images Peacock Lady stamp from Glenda Waterworth, and have set it onto a very simple background so as not to detract from the image. (To be honest, I just couldn't find anything in my stash which looked "right")! Parts of the headdress were coloured with Sakura Gelly Roll pens. The piece was edged with gold Krylon then finished off with a coating of Diamond Glaze and a light sprinkling of Glamour Dust whilst wet. The turquoise Bazzill card was wrapped with gold thread, and two tiny beads were added, also on gold thread.

Thanks for popping by - Hugs, Sylvia xxxx

 

Welcome to Lyn at Spyder's Corner (http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com) and Anne at What Can I make With This (http://whatcanimake.blogspot.com) who have joined my other lovely Followers. Thank you! Also, a warm welcome to Gini (http://giniowen.blogspot.com/) - the latest recruit to my lovely Followers. Hugs, Sylvia x

SWIRLS

Here is my card (again)! for the "Swirls" challenge at http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Firstly, I must apologise to the lovely ladies at Penny Black Saturday Challenge, for accidentally deleting my previous post for this card - oh dear, another senior moment! (And apologies to the other lovely ladies who had already left sweet comments).
The card is Bazzill Bling Blind Date, and the image is from a sheet of Penny Black Stickeroos, which I "re-discovered" amongst my stash, after reading about this week's Challenge. The swirly paper is from the Basic Grey Euphoria collection and I added a stamped swirly greeting from HOTP. The MS doily lace border punch is my latest crafty purchase (love it) and this was its first outing! Stamped some swirls, attached a hand-written message on the bag, and a charm from elaine at http://paperie.quixoticcards.com to finish. Thank you so much for looking. Hugs, Sylvia xxxx

DRAGONFLY DREAMS

This is my first attempt at "altered art" , and definitely out of my crafting comfort zone! The 5" square box with it's flat central recess was just crying out to be used in some way and I thought it might be OK for the Dazzle of Dragonflies challenge at http://bigartadventure.blogspot.com/ with Linda and Rosie. The box was originally white, and orange inside the recess (had a bottle of perfume in - birthday prezzie last week)!! - I painted the outsides with Mauve Shimmerz, but wasn't happy, so added some gilding flakes then went over these with a brayer and Kaleidacolor "Flannel" ink pad, which helped to adhere the flakes as well. Painted the recess black, then cut a meadow scene card I made ages ago, into strips, brayered with the same ink pad, stamped some tiny dragonflies, added a bit of glitter, and Shimmerz on the wings, attached the pieces at angles into the recess, then added the entrance ticket (freebie stamp from Craft Stamper mag.). Again, the (rather too large for the box) dragonfly was something I made ages ago from Fantasy Film - the colours didn't really go with the box, so I added some Alcohol Inks. I had no idea where I was going with this when I began yesterday, and it sort of evolved, and I thoroughly enjoyed doing something "just for the sake of it", if you know what I mean!!! Thanks for looking - let me know what you think ........!!!!! Wishing you all a wonderful, magical week. Sylvia xxxx

THE CRAFTY PAD CHALLENGE

Men's cards are definitely NOT my favourite to make, (why can't men be happy with fairies, flowers and glamour dust)? but this is for a golfing friend. The sentiment stamp is from a set which I bought from the lovely Debbie at http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com/ I originally punched holes where the buttons now sit, but when I saw the challenge at the Crafty Pad, ( buttons required) I thought aha - these tiny old buttons would look better than the holes, and they do look a teeny-weeny bit like golf balls (if you screw your eyes up really tight)!! So, this is my challenge card for The Crafty Pad, if I am not disqualified for doing a bit of last-minute "altering"!! (The trousers and cap have been paper-pieced).

All comments appreciated, especially sweet ones! Love, Sylvia xxx

DOTTIES WORLD - CHALLENGE CARD

At last another card! Went to Keswick for a few days last week (birthday treat from hubby - had fabulous weather). Anyhow, I'm back in the swing of things, and this card is for the challenge at Dottie's World, which has a summer theme - anything with sun or sunshine !! I have used the Daisy Pixie from the new digi downloads at http://www.charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk/ - they are absolutely gorgeous - if you haven't already had a peek at them - please do, but be warned, you may find it difficult to resist! I have coloured her with Copics, and also the punched flowers in the corners of the card. The papers are Basic Grey - Lime Rickey, stamped sentiment from http://www.elzybells.co.uk/ , daisy charm from http://www.paperie.quixoticcards.com/. A sprinkling of Glamour Dust, and everything else from my stash. If you're passing by, I would love to receive your comments. Thank you, Sylvia xxx

JUST MAGNOLIA CHALLENGE

The theme of this week's Just Magnolia Challenge at http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/ is "Summer", and this is my take on it as I always associate Roses (my favourite flower) with Summer. As I don't have a particularly "summery" Magnolia stamp, I have used this one - OK, so she is wearing a little cardi, but up North where I come from, children have to wear a cardi when they play out, even in Summer!!! To those of you who are passing by, I would love to receive your comments. Crafty hugs, Sylvia xxxxPS: Tilda coloured with Copics, papers are "Madeline" from K&Co. Charms from http://paperie.quixoticcards.com/

Wow - I was so surprised to find that my name had been picked out as the winner of the Artful Achievements Challenge prize - thank you!

ARTFUL ACHIEVEMENTS CHALLENGE

Artful Achievements Challenge Card

I absolutely love the work of Leanne Ellis and couldn't resist having a go at this week's challenge at
http://shelley-artfulachievements.blogspot.com/
Leanne's stamps are available from http://www.sugarnellie.com/
I have used Basic Grey Wisteria papers, and coloured the image with Copics. The "Believe" charm is a recent purchase from Quixotic Paperie (http://quixoticcards.com/), other embellishments from my stash. Thanks for stopping by, and if you have the time I would love to receive your comments! Love, Sylvia xx

This Week's Forever Friends Challenge Card

This week's Challenge at http://foreverfriendschallenge.blogspot.com/ - working to a sketch by Sandra. With Father's Day in mind I stamped the DIY Forever Friends bear, heat embossed then coloured with my (very limited) collection of Copic pens - I really must buy some more colours - the greys would have been useful for the metal tools etc)!! The background pieces are silver mirri card, embossed in the CB. Very difficult for an amateur photographer like me to get a decent shot of the mirri - after trillions of attempts, it was pure luck that it turned out looking silver, and not black! The washers I bought from a hardware store ages ago for a man's card - very cheap embellishments! The little hammer brad at the top is from the New Woodware tool brads, which I used to attach the silver curly thingy!
Thanks for stopping by, and if you have the time I would love to receive your comments. Love, Sylvia xxxx

Many thanks to Linda at http://lindyloo6.blogspot.com/ for sending me a Friends Award, which I am happy to share with those who have been kind to me during my new venture into Blogland!
Rozzy at http://rozzyb.blogspot.com for her support and kindness both at Trimcraft and in Blogland.
Claire at http://hopejacare.blogspot.com for her encouragement and inspiration.
Liz at http://laceribbonsbuttonsandbows.blogspot.com for taking the time to tell me how to sort out a problem on my brand new Blog !!
Love, Sylvia xxx

Dottie's World Sunday Challenge - Coffee & Cream

At last, another card! This one is for Dottie's World Sunday challenge (hope that means it lasts all week, and not just for 24 hours on a Sunday - otherwise I'm a bit too late)!! Anyway, the challenge is "Coffee & Cream with Spots or Stripes" (phew), plus a digi download from Charmed Cards & Crafts. This is Mikey, coloured with Copics . The striped & spotted papers are from the Basic Grey Wisteria range, and there is actually quite a bit of cream amongst the stripes, which doesn't show up too well on my photo. The brown and cream background cardstock is Core-dinations. Hope you have all been enjoying the sunshine -let's hope it lasts a while! I would love to receive your comments, good or bad!!

Hi - This is my card for the Forever Friends Challenge at www.foreverfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.com This weeks it's Buttons and Bows. I have used Basic Grey papers, and coloured the image with Copic pens. Thanks for looking.

Love, Sylvia

I have grown very fond of Tilda - this is the same Tilda stamp as my previous card, plus the wagon stamp (I cut off the Easter eggs though)!!, punched leaves and flowers - everything coloured with Copics (except the sky background which is blue chalk applied with a cotton-wool ball). Papers - freebie downloads from www.shabbyprincess.com Thank you for looking.

I have recently discovered "Tilda" and I love her! On this card, she is coloured with Copics, and the balloons stamp is from the Clare Curd Chic Party set. Flowers have been painted with Shimmerz and the backing papers are from the Papermania Blueberry Hill pad. Thank you for looking!

Desk calendar made with Zutter Bind-it-All, outer cover papers are Basic Grey Ambrosia. The 3-d central butterfly is sprinkled with Glamour Dust, but it doesn't show up too well on the photo. The calender months were freebie downloads, cut out and inked, and each page finished with a flourish stamp (HOTP clear stamp set). This was made a few months ago (!!) and it's been jolly useful. Good idea for a stocking filler this Christmas?? (It's never too early to start)!!

Exploding Box!

Hi - This is my first attempt at Blogging, so here goes!!

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Exploding Box, decorated with 3-d flowers which were made using Elusive Images "Big Flowers" stamps - this was a demo. piece I made for one of my classes. Hope to add photos and journaling some day, and actually make use of it!

Thank you for taking a peek at my new Blog, and hope to chat again soon.