Elusive Images Christmas Theme Plate 2010

A few years ago I bought a glue pad and refill. I hadn't used it until I made this card. The glitter stuck to it well. I enjoyed making it and I'm not going to put my glitter away this year, girls love sparkly things.

Debbie

Christmas cards accomplished

Today I finished my last card. I just need to deliver them.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of making cards etc for the Elusive Images Design Team. I've made some lovely friends and learned such alot this year.
I'm going to post a few cards that I've made over the next week or so.
Stay warm
Debbie

Quick card

Hi again. I think this is the quickest card I've made in quite some time. I've downloaded the freebie christmas give away paper from the Graphics blog.
Pop over and join in with the fun.

Debbie

Online Party over at Graphicus

Morning to all. Due to the poor weather conditions the Graphicus open days have been cancelled. Anyone who has been to a Graphicus will understand why people travel miles to be there. So with the magic of the interenet they are holding an on line party. Pop over to have a look at what's going on.
I made these table cards as part of my design team sample submission. I stamped out the christmas trees coloured them with copics, added gems aand cut them out. The names are computerd generated using word. I trimmed the cards to sized and drew two lines with a gold krylon pen.

Stay warm and safe
Debbie

Lazy blogger

I thought I'd post a photo of a card I made as a Elusive Images Design Team sample. I was bowled over when I was told a lot of people had commented on the card. I recieved the Village Life stamp plate stamped out the images in black onto paper and then pondered over what to do with them.
The church seemed ideal for a wedding card. The ideas just flowed. Out came the cuttlebug, the nesties, embossing folders copics and chalks.
Hope you like it.
Debbie

Elegant Ladies from Elusive Images

Elusive Images have 3 new stamps plates featuring Elegant Ladies. I'm one of the very lucky people to be on their design team and honoured to be able to work/play with them making samples.
When I recieve new stamps I usually stamp the images in black and then look at them for a night or two waiting for inspiration to arrive. Not with these stamps. I new exactly what I wanted to do.
We are all guilty of having an enormous stash of goodies hidden away from prying eyes. So out came my large bag of fantasy fibres and large tub of flat back gems.
Stamp the image of the lady from the Portrait of a Lady on to white card and colour her face, neck and arms with copic E50 and add shade with E51. Carefully go to the cupboard that stores the iron YES the iron and turn it on (if you like me find it difficult to turn it on). Ink up the stamp again with a permanent black inkpad and lay the fantasy fibre over the stamp. Lay non stick baking paper over the fantasy fibre and press the iron on. Make sure you turn off the steam. The black of the ink will start to show through to the baking paper. Trim the dress and glue onto the lady that has had the face coloured.
For the background shade the bottom third with green and the top two thirds with blue. Stamp trees from the Essence of Nature stamp plate with Memento London Fog and Adirondack Citrus green so they blend with the background.
Cut a paper arch shape as a template. Ink up the borders from the Portrait of a Lady and Belle of the ball with pink ink and stamp around the arch. Place flat back gems at random on the arch. Place the lady in front of the arch. Add a bow and finish by layering onto black and magenta card.

Pop over to see what the other girls from the design team have been creating. The links are on the side of my blog.
Thanks for popping by
Debbie

Moving into rented accommadation

Sorry it's been a while since I last posted.
Update on DD moving to a rented house. I'm sure we'll laugh about it in years to come. She was so excited as the group of girls had chosen this house to live in (first very, very grown up decision). We started to unpack the car and hubby, Boyfriend and DD carried large amount of STUFF into the house. It's a massive victorian terrace. When I walked through the house and up the stairs I noticed it wasn't MY clean. All mums will understand. DD had been left with one of the two smallest bedrooms as the other girls were already there. We set about moving furniture for more space and more homely. She couldn't put any stuff into the wardrobes because it all needed to be washed out. Well I could go on for hours but won't.
I didn't sleep well Saturday, Sunday or Monday night so put it down to worrying. I phoned DD on Tuesday evening and she sounded much happier and the conversation began,'It's much better here now because the landlord has been today and removed the sofas and the full house has been DE-FLEEd. OMG I'm so angree as it had been evident that the house had had nothing done since the last students left. They had also had a cat. The girls have been out and bought cleaning products and have been cleaning to make it liveable. I'm sleeping a little better now.
I've been making cards like nobodys business. I love being back at work as a few of my friends ask me to make cards for them that are the cards they can't find in the shops. One has asked me to make a card for her parents golden wedding ann, sadly her dad only has a few weeks to live. Another is at a 50th birthday for a freind who has an aggresive brain tumor. These are tainted celebrations so I find it very rewarding when I can make a card fitting for the occasion.
Hugs
Debbie

Elusive Images Blog Hop

Hi to everyone who has visited my blog over the last few days. Thankyou to all the peeps who have left comments and become followers. The comments mean such a lot to me. THANKS.
I'm one of the tricks as I don't have any candy to offer so take a look at the other ladies from the EI design teams blogs as you may find some there.
Tomorrow will be a day of mixed emotions as my DD is going back to uni. I know I'll miss her greatly but I will be glad to be able to sort the house out.
This photo was taken in the garden just before DD went to uni last year.
Hugs
Debbie

It's spooky darling

Here's another spooky card made from the new EI halloween stamps. The card is an 8x8 so I had alot of space to play with. I used stormy sky and peeled paint to colour the background. The trees are from the Areboretum stamp plate and shadow stamped for depth. The flying witch in the background has been masked from the rectangle witch with the moon. The bats are stamped randomly around the trees. I mounted onto black and lime green. The pumpkins have been stamped onto orange card, cut out and fixed to the card with foam pads. To finish the project I stamped the bats onto the corner of envelope.


I finished my mirror project from the retreat and added a couple more of my own. I can't believe my hubby put them up quickly, he was impressed.
I know the EI girls are posting spooky creations all week, so don't forget to check their blogs.
Hugs
Debbie

Elusive Images Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to my contribution to the Elusive Images Blog Hop. I'm sure you're going to find lots of inspiration when visiting the design team members blogs. There's a little blog candy being offered so be sure to check them all out. They are listed at the side of my blog.
The leaves are beginning to turn the beautiful autumnal colours of orange, red and brown. Wonderful colours for inspiration when crafting. Halloween is becoming bigger in the uk and families enjoy the preperation of decorating there homes. I must admit even though my children are older now I still place the broomsticks next to the front door.
The new Elusive Images Halloween stamps are wonderful for the season. I have had the best fun working with them.
stamps
The stamps are also avaliable from Elusive Images stockists


List of crafy goodies I used to make my card

Halloween unmounted stamplate from Elusives images
8x8 card base
Backing paper from GG paper pack
White and brown cardstock
Gold Krylon pen
Brilliance Tiramisu inkpad
Clear embossing powder
Stickles Frosted lace
Distressed Inkpad – Spiced marmalade, Vintage photo
Tim Holtz Mask haunted
Copic marker C3, R05
Started by masking the corner of the card with the Tim Holtz mask and distress with spiced marmalade and Vintage photo. On a smaller piece of card stamp and emboss the cat on the fence. Colour in to highlight the image. Stamp the pumpkin, colour and cut out and fix with foam pads. Cover the base card with paper.
Mount onto black card and edge with a gold Krylon pen. Fix cat image to the distressed card and then base card.
Be sure to visit the ladies blogs as the candy is on offer till Friday.
Have a fab week
Hugs Debbie

Where's the time going to...

I can't believe a week has passed since 40 ish lovely women spent a whole weekend crafting and eating. We were over at Darlington with the crew from Graphicus who had organised a fab time for us. It was lovely to see peeps from last year and meet some new retreaters. It was such fun. This photo of us all on the staircase before we left.
I'm starting to save for next year already.

Oh what a wonderful time

I went back to work on Wednesday of last week but really didn't mind as I knew I was off to the Graphicus retreat on Friday afternoon.
http://www.graphicus.co.uk/pages/default.aspx

I went last year and had the most wonderful time, I learned so much so was counting down the sleeps. From stepping into the room full of people busy prepping projects until leaving on Sunday afternoon I enjoyed every moment. We worked flat out painting, sticking, stamping, glueing, threading, embossing, chatting, eating, laughing. What more can a crafter want. The thing I enjoy most is the company of everyone there. I've only finished one project but haven't a photo yet. I enjoyed the mirror project and will finish it at the weekend. I think Ikea may cotton on, I hope they don't put the prices up.

New years resolution

I'm always making new years resolutions that I never keep so this year I made a couple that I was going to keep. I decided that I wanted to replace a patchwork quilt that I had made a few years ago after my Mum passed away. I wasn't the best quilt but I have been very proud of it. It' was starting to look a little tired. I've joined a quilting class at a local craft shop and the lady that's teaching the group of eleven of us is very helpful. Most of the people know each other so we have a giggle while hand stitching, YES hand stitching. I'm nearly finished my third panel and I have a few more to make before it's a double quilt. Here are the pics of the first two panels.



Just been thinking about the 6 weeks holidays. I wanted to blog what I've been doing each day. I have crafted a little each day but can't post pics yet as most of them are projects submitted to the Elusive Images Design Team. So pop over to have a look to see what these clever ladies have been creating. http://elusiveimagesdesignteam.blogspot.com/
Thanks for popping by
Debbie

Hols over and washing done

We had a lovely holiday and we missed the majority of the cloud bursts. I must say that a week away definately recharges the batteries. We stayed in Hawes and travelled around the area, seeing some beautiful countryside. I love to sit on an evening just taking in the views.

As you can see Archie took in the views aswell. He settled really well.
He enjoyed his visit to Graphicus on the Tuesday of the holiday. We popped in to drop off my sample cards for the Design team.
Here's another couple of my samples I sent in when I applied.


Reminder to me (This is day 25 of the hols)
Have a good evening
Debbie

Busy day today

Day 13 has been my D Hubbies birthday. He has recently passed his driving test and we had bought a car. So I bought him things for the car. He was as pleased as punch. I didn't buy a birthda cake I made orange and orange/chocolate cupcakes. Yummy. We've had a barbecue and he was left to it.
I've been finishing off my Elusive Images Design Team samples this morning. Jack my son asked me at lunch time to make a card for his lovely girl friend Jess (tomorrow). It wasn't quite an Aarghh moment as I had already thought what I was making.
Enormous pile of ironing that needs attention tomorrow.
Night Night Debbie.

Busy weekend

This is one of the cards I sent in to apply to join the Elusive Image Design Team.
I used my scalloped square nestie to cut a mask. I chalked the edge with a light green and stamped the flowers with a greeny olive colour. The wording was done on the PC. I made a similar card when a friends husband passed away.

The weekend has been filled up with shopping, washing, taxi ing. Getting the washing out on the line is important at the moment. Our house backs onto a secondary school. Anyone remember Chris Rea singing Stainsby Girls, well it's going to be demolished soon. There's a brand spanking rebuild. So dust is going to be a problem over the next few weeks.
Off to add the finishing touches to another card.
Debbie
xxx

Day 8 of the holidays

Today my big boy has been looking at chemistry stuff. I on the other hand have been on printer heaven. I brought home my Essence of Nature cd from Graphicus yesterday. So in between making samples for the design team I've been printing off papers and lots of other exciting things. I feel it's difficult to say that I have a favourite as the papers are all stroky and feely.
Glenda, Lesley and I were talking about art and children yesterday. Here are a feew examples of the artwork I've been involved with. These are the work of 9, 10 and 11 year olds.

Day 7 of the holidays

Today has been a good day. The weather stayed fine and after dropping DS at the hospital, today looking at blood, drove over to Barnard Castle. I love the drive as the scenery is mind clearing. The farmers had started cutting the fields so there was a multitude of different colours. There was a buzz when I arrived at Graphicus. The new Essence of Nature cd had arrived. I had intended to stay a while and have a good look around so volunteered to get involved in the packing production line. I kept thinking of peoples faces when they browse through the cd. Having had a brief look around mine 'It's the best so far'
I'll leave tonights post with one of the cards I sent in for my Elusive Images Design Team entries.

Hubbys birthday card in the making

I bought this stamp yesterday and love the image. It can be coloured in a variety of ways. I coloured this one with distressed inks, brushed corduroy and antique linen.

Day 6 of the holidays

Today I can unzip my lips. I've been bursting with excitment to let the whole world know that I've been chosen to join a wonderful group if people on the Elusive Images Design Team.
http://elusiveimagesdesignteam.blogspot.com/
I feel so honoured to work with such a talented bunch. I fell in love with stamping about 6 years ago and fumbled around for quite some time. As time has passed I've become more confident and not been put off by the odd mis-stamped image.
I bought my first stamp from Elusive Images about 6 years ago and love the their designs. My stamp collection started to grow after watching Glendas demonstrations on the TV.
Glenda and the team never cease to amaze me when my Graphicus Guild newsletter drops through the post box. The newsletters are a constant source of information and inspiration. I think this is how my skills have developed.
I'd like to say a huge thanks to Glenda and the team. So keep popping back to see what I'm up to.
To finish with an update on the works expeience, DS has been helping to culture poo, spit and pee samples. Urghh. He thought it was brill but a off putting just before lunch.
Debbie
xxx

Day 5 of the holidays

Something exciting is happening, will post more info later in the week.
Today my baby boy, now 17yrs started his work experience. He seemed to like it. He wants to be a doctor and needs work experience to be able to put it on his University application statement. He's hoping to get some more voluntree work from it.

Day 4 of the holidays

Today I set out on a mission to get rid of the bamboo that's hiding in the picture.
The border was planted in 2006 and boy has it spread. Hubby dug, I pulled and chopped. We have only cleared a little bit of it. The roots run all over the place.
When we've finished I think we'll have reclaimed 2 thirds of the border.
An early start tomorrow as Jacks doing works experience at the local hospital.
Debbie
xxx

Day 3 of the holidays

Today the weathers been good and it's been a productive day. A friend from school gave me a gift on Wednesday of a lovely note book. I got it out this morning and have started to record cards made in the front and ideas in the back.
I've had a really relaxing day cutting and colouring, will post my efforts at a later date.
I bought this Joanna Sheen stamp the last Graphicus open day. Think I'll colour another to put on the top of my laptop. The stamp stamps so well and colour with copics and promarkers. I love the copic E50 and E51 for skin colours.

Day 2 of the school holidays

This morning I took off to a friends house for a coffee and a crafty chat. I'm not an expert on blogging but I managed to help her with a few things. I made this card a few days ago for a friends 50th birthday. The flourish is from Papermania and the butterflies are the Martha Stewart stamp and punch. I love the simplicity of the butterflies. I added a little diamond stickles to the butterflies. The 50 was cut on my craft robo and the oval is a nestable. (note to self I need more nestabilitites)
Off to put some finishing touches to a christmas card I'm working on.

Day 1 of the school holidays

Well today has been a lazy day. The weather has been drizzly and I need to get out to do some weeding. Oh shame. So I played with some new stamps and did a little housework, only a little.
Tomorrow will be a more productive day.

Sad day

Today I've been to the funeral of my Aunt. She was married to my Mums brother and was the last of that certain type of relative. She was such a character and a wonderful lady. She had brought up my two cousins on her own as my uncle died very young. She was so thrifty and a wonderful artist, painting a whole dinner service. The service was very nice.
Tomorrow is the last day of term and I'm looking forward to a sleep in on Thursday.
Debbie

Wedding card and box

I made this card and the exploding boxes for a friend at work who wanted a special card for her sister and new brother in law. She had told me that the bridesmaids were wearing beige dresses. I distressed the edges with antique rose. The box is for little memories from their day ie confetti, name plates etc. I enjoy making people smile. I'll be busy making another for another friend whose son is getting married in September.
I have a busy weekend, car is going in for a rrecall this morning then shopping. Off to see Jason Manford this evening. A long dog walk tomorrow and some h*******k tomorrow.
Counting down the days to the 6 weeks hols and then part time Yeah!

Mermaids from Graphicus

What's in the box

I couldn't wait any longer I had to post these.

Me receiving my goodies

I'm a winner

Today I was the lucky recipient of what I'd say is a treasure chest of crafting goodies.
Graphicus was 10 years old and I made a shadow box with cupcakes on it. This was entered into a competition and I won. YIPEE!!!
It was an open day today and I collected my prize. I waited till I got home and was astounded at the amount of the crafty goodiness inside. I'll be playing for weeks.
I also made a few 'I need purchases'
Joanna Sheens Housework Diva stamp and Tim Holtz Vintage shabby 12x12 papers.
Here's what I've put together tonight.

Blog Candy

There are some delicious stamps over on Jak Heaths blog being offered as candy. Pop over and take a look.
http://www.jakheath.com/

A few cards. I've been playing. I'm spending hours colouring in.