The Arty Parrot

Chinese Triptych

2012-01-28T03:02:00.000-08:00

I don't know weather it is the book I am reading or the fact it was Chinese New Year last Monday but all things Oriental have been catching my eye again. The Fruit Pixie dose some wonderful oriental goodies and I have used some here to make this Chinese Triptych. Visit the Fruit Pixie blog for instructions.

Birdsong journal page

2012-01-25T04:21:00.000-08:00

Week 3 of the art journal caravan and the wordography was Soliloquy. I played around with gesso, palette knives and my new watercolours to get this background, great fun!! it reads - Bird song is natures soliloquy, all we have to do is listen - by me!!

Christmas layouts

2012-01-19T05:13:00.000-08:00

I must admit I have enjoyed playing with digital scrapbooking, something I can do in front of the telly in the evenings. Here are a couple of Christmas ones I have been playing with.

Fortune Journal page

2012-01-19T05:04:00.000-08:00

The next prompt I chose for the Art Journal Caravan was - If i could write my own fortune cookie fortune it would say ? I found an ideal digi kit form my fave designer Tumblefish and created this hybrid mixed media page.

My brain map

2012-01-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

The thought of mapping my brain was quite a scary one, hehe but I managed it in the end. This time using my favorite method, mixed media.

Art Caravan 2012

2012-01-11T05:21:00.000-08:00

One of my New Years resolutions for 2012 was to do a lot more art journaling. So I have joined Tangies Art Caravan, a year long art journaling course, to help me with that. It began on the 2nd January and so far I am loving it, although a bit bewildered by the amount of wonderful prompts and ideas Tangie has given us and also the really beautiful work that my fellow travelers have already done, most of it digital. I have decided to do a mix of both, just to be able to keep up with everyone, so my first page, a letter to ourselves, I have done digitally. Its a bit of an odd shape because, as you will see later, I have used an old book to alter to use as my journal cover. More on that when it's finished. The overall theme for this years travels is Cartography.

Handmade Christmas gifts

2012-01-10T05:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2012 is a great year for you. I can now show you the things I made for Christmas to give as gifts, Andrew did think I had taken it a bit too far when I made a toy for Millie, my sisters dog but she loved it.

The felt monsters were from a pattern in Mollie Makes magazine. I made 3 in the end, these 2 for my nephews and then one for Andrew.

More Christmas cards

2011-12-21T03:38:00.000-08:00

The fruit Pixie has some beautiful Christmas papers, the Blackmarket ones, though not my usual style, I really enjoyed working with and they have a wonderful feel and texture. Then the Bo Bunny Blitzen collection give a great traditional feel

Packaging decoration

2011-12-21T03:31:00.000-08:00

When Sarah from the Fruit Pixie sent me the Jenni Bowlin Christmas chipboard buttons the second thing I noticed, after how lovely the chipboard buttons were, was what a nice shape the packaging was, I had to do something with that. Here is what I came up with. All the items, except the beads and snowflake dies, but I am sure you have some similar, can be bought from the Fruit Pixie.

Christmas bottle top decorations

2011-12-21T03:12:00.000-08:00

I got the inspiration for this decoration form a cloths shop window in Westendorf Austria while we were on holiday. They had hung loads of bottle tops, unsquashed, in long lines in their window.I thought they looked great and thought of that when I needed a decoration to give to my Nephews ( I give them 1 each year so when they leave home they will have a set of decs for themselves) So here is this years HO HO HO decoration. All the things and the instructions from the Fruit Pixie.

Christmas cards

2011-12-21T02:58:00.000-08:00

I was a very lucky girl this year, I was allowed a Cricut Expression 2 a few weeks ago. Unfortunately the machine was faulty, it took quite a while but it finally got sorted out and I am awaiting a new one, but we did manage to struggle through our cards, and it was a struggle at times. Here they are.

December art journal page

2011-12-15T03:18:00.000-08:00

Well I got there at last. Unfortunately there were other projects that I had to get done this time of year but at last my December calendar page is finished. All the others will finish this month but I will go on to March to complete my year. Now where is my pen........

Christmas treat bags

2011-12-12T01:57:00.000-08:00

When I sent in my Halloween treat bag kit to Altered pages, who I design for, Jean asked me to make some for Christmas. So now you can buy the kit to make these cute treat bags in a Christmas theme from Altered Pages. They have plenty of wonderful vintage Christmas images to buy for all you Christmas ideas.

Christmas fairy

2011-12-12T01:49:00.000-08:00

We Have been looking for the right topper for our Christmas tree for ever, we have has a few but none of them looked quite right for our tree, a traditional red, gold and green tree. This year I made a felt angel for my friend in Australia and thought she would make a great tree topper so made her again in colours to match the tree and at last I think we have to it right!!

Little gifts

2011-12-12T01:42:00.000-08:00

I like to give my German class mates a little handmade gift at Christmas and this year instead of the usual chocolates I decides to give them a couple of the flavoured hot choc sachets you can get these days. The inspiration came to me when I was making Andrew a coffee from his fave Starbucks sachets. It was the last one in the packet and as I took the box apart I thought hang on, I know what I could do .............

Football birthday card

2011-12-04T03:47:00.001-08:00

It was my Uncles 87th birthday last week, here is his card. I remember him smoking players and have a collection of the cards he saved so the card was just right.

Advent house

2011-12-04T03:13:00.000-08:00

When I made the Halloween witches house class up for Bristol I thought it would make a beautiful Christmas house. So here it is, made with the beautiful Bo Bunny limited edition glittered papers. Everything, including the instructions to make it, will be on the Fruit Pixie blog ( eventually, Sarah is having trouble at the moment with no land line ) The lid lifts up so you can get you chocolates out!!

New baby in the Family

2011-11-25T04:50:00.000-08:00

We have a new baby in the Family, Tula Rose. I decide to make her a fairy to hang in her room and a little scrapbook for her parents, all ready for them to add her first photos.

New digital avatar

2011-11-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

I thought it was time for a change of avatar. I used my new found digital skill, such as it is, and a bit of good old cut and paste to make this new avatar for the forums I visit. I must admit I do love playing on the computer now, time just flies!!

November Journal page

2011-11-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

As a former nurse and member of the Red Cross, this page had to be about remembrance. Its a few days late as I had trouble tracking down a poppy!! But here it is.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T02:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! This is the digital piece I entered for a dress a pumpkin game, Have a spooky one!!!

More Halloween decorations

2011-10-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

I have made this pennant decoration and a treat cone from the Tim Holtz seasons paper pad. All the instructions and things you need to make them are at the Fruit Pixie blog and online shop. Have fun!

Halloween treat boxes

2011-10-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

I made these little boxes for my friends and teacher in my German class for Monday. I did the artwork digitally and then cut them out and made them up in front of the TV.

Spooky skull

2011-10-26T03:54:00.001-07:00

As Halloween comes around I love to look in all the shops to see what I can find to alter slightly and add my own arty flair!! When I saw this in Wilkinsons for 50p it was a must have. It was brown plastic to start with, I was so keen to get going I forgot to take the before picture!! If you would like to alter one for yourself pop over to the Fruit Pixie shop and blog to see how its done and get all that you need, except the skull, you will have to drop in to Wilkinsons for one of those.

Birthday card

2011-10-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

Today is my sisters birthday and this is the card I made for her, don't you just love that dog!! Happy Birthday Teresa!!!

Halloween treat bags

2011-10-12T04:31:00.000-07:00

My Altered Pages kit for October is a kit to make these cute Trick or Treat bags. If you would like to make these for your little monsters for Halloween visit Altered Pages ( link to the right) and you can find it under kits.

Get well card

2011-10-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

My Dad had the first of his cataracts removed today. Of course I had the perfect digi kit to use for his card. One of the first fully digital cards I have made and I must admit I am quite pleased with it.

October calender page

2011-10-05T03:22:00.000-07:00

A good excuse to get the spooky children out for this one, great fun to do too!!

Witches house class

2011-10-02T02:05:00.000-07:00

This was my Halloween class for Bristol scrappers. A witches house made of foam core with a roof that lifts one side so you can fill with sweets. The class took all day but everyone ended up with their own house decorated in their own style to impress and scare their family and friends!

spooky book swap

2011-09-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

I have taken part in a spooky book swap on Art 42. The book is 8x8 and had to be made to a spooky theme, so I chose to do a family spell book that has been handed down through the family from witch to witch. Hoskin is an old Cornish family name chose at random.

Button box kit

2011-09-20T02:48:00.000-07:00

My new kit for Altered pages is now available on the Altered Pages web site, link to the right. Great as a gift or to put a gift in. The kit comes with a template so you will be able to make any box size, just follow the same pattern.

September calender journal page

2011-09-16T02:46:00.000-07:00

Well better late than never. I did start this before I went on holiday but time just got the better of me, so it was the first thing on my list when I got back. The image is from the Tatty Button CDrom which comes with its own image builder so you can enlarge the images and make your own background papers and scenes using all the images on the CD. Hence being able to get Tatty to almost A4.

Kaprun Zentangle

2011-09-15T02:56:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying the challenge of my holiday Zentangles. This will be the last holiday zentangle this year now. This time I did it like a Zentangle diary, the day we went to the Hydro electric dam was a bit of a challenge though!! Can you guess what day we went? Sounds very boring but it was very very high and surrounded by mountains and glaciers, so quite a site.

Shrink Plastic paper dolls

2011-09-03T01:47:00.000-07:00

The great paper doll stamp set from The Fruit Pixie is the perfect size to use with shrink plastic. As you can see I enjoy Zentangles and thought it would be a nice idea to Tangle the different body parts and see what happens. I tried both clear and white shrink plastic and came up with two lovely art dolls. If you would like to have a go too the stamps are available from The Fruit Pixie and instructions will be up on their blog and Facebook page shortly. Have fun!

Another Journal!

2011-08-31T03:24:00.000-07:00

We are off again at the weekend for another holiday in Austria, can you tell we love it there??? So another journal to be made. Its the same idea as the other 2 as I like to have the pockets to put all my tickets, leaflets and maps in. This time though I have used a lovely digi kit by Holliewood studios.

St Wolfgang Zentangle

2011-08-08T04:20:00.000-07:00

I just about had time to complete my holiday Zentangle while we were in St Wolfgang. Well there was lots of walking to do and cakes to eat and hot chocolate to drink but I got there in the end. As St Wolfgang is in the Salzkammagut ( the lake district of Austria) we spent a lot of time on the boat that runs like a bus around the different villages on the shores of the lake, hence the waves. The criss cross pattern was the flooring of the boat and the swirly pattern was a part of one of the pergolas in the grounds of the Summer palace in Bad Ischl.

Lukes monster

2011-08-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago , at a family lunch we were all doodling when my nephew Luke drew a picture of this little monster. I thought I could make him, so I took the doodle home and this is what I came up with, just in time for his birthday! He loved him, now I have a monster order from his brother!!

August calender journal

2011-08-02T03:32:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a beach theme running through my work at the moment, perhaps it a need for some kind of summer!!! Here is my calender journal for this month. The images are by Tumblefish.

Another holiday journal needed!!

2011-07-21T03:56:00.000-07:00

We are off again to Austria on Saturday for another weeks holiday! Last minute decision, we are off to St Wolfgang this time, for our 3rd visit. So of course I had to make another journal and only had this week to do it. I made one along similar lines to my last one I made following a Prima online class with pocket pages which are great for adding maps and tickets etc. The images are from a fantastic digi kit by Beth Rimmer, one of my first digi kits I have used and loved it.

Never Ending space card

2011-07-21T03:32:00.000-07:00

I made this space never ending card for a certain boys birthday, love making these, so much fun. Hope he likes it.

Glamorous bookmarks

2011-07-19T03:19:00.000-07:00

The theme for this months kits for Altered Pages was Glitz and Glammor. Not really my style but after some thought I came up with these bookmarks. The kit is now available through Altered Pages ( link to the right ) which includes instructions and the things you need to make 2 bookmarks. You will learn 2 fun ways to use household bits and pieces to transform into these glamorous bookmarks, the techniques can then be used on other paper projects.

Steampunk cards

2011-07-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

The Fruit Pixie have started to sell The Octopede Factory stamps. I chose to play with the Steampunk ones , Lady Audrey,Winston and Gaeken. They are so much fun to colour and went so well with the Bo Bunny Timepiece collection paper pad. The Fruit Pixie has the best Steampunk department I have seen for any embellishments and stamps you might fancy. The instructions for these 3 cards are on the Fruit Pixie blog or Facebook page.

Steampunk paper doll

2011-07-10T01:30:00.000-07:00

I must admit I do enjoy making a paper doll, loved them as a child and just never grew out of it. So when I saw a swap for a steampunk paper doll on Art 42 and then the wonderful Bo Bunny papers and extras Sarah, at the Fruit Pixie had , I just had to make one for the swap and one for me. Sarah also sells either a die cut paper doll you just pop out and put together, even comes with all the brads you need, or 3 sizes of paper doll unmounted rubber stamps so you can stamp out onto any card or paper and construct your own. The Fruit Pixie also has lots of Steampunk type things, there is a steampunk section stuffed full in the shop, link on the right. I used the die cut paper doll for mine and you can find instructions for how to make them on the Fruit Pixie blog, link to the right. Go on have a play!

July calender journal

2011-07-04T04:22:00.000-07:00

A couple of days late this month due to my holiday but I got there in the end.

3 words, 3 papers, 3 buttons challenge

2011-06-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

The 3 words, 3 papers, 3 buttons was the final challenge for the Altered Pages sponsor month. For this little collage I used one of the great background collage sheets, I used iv. The alphabet was the Tim Holtz typeset die.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-06-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

Dad is 80 today, Happy Birthday Dad!!

Colour of money challenge

2011-06-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

The 3rd challenge for the months Altered pages sponsor month for Gingersnap was " The colour of money" I decided to make a purse, so I used the foreign currency collage sheet from Altered pages and using the tape transfer technique made an A4 sheet, wow did that hurt the arms, all that rubbing!!! Then I backed it with cotton and stitched the purse on the machine.

Holiday Zentangle

2011-06-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

We are just back from a lovely week in our favourite country, Austria. I usually take something to do on holiday but as it was only a week this time I decided just to tangle!! Here is my holiday on a page!

Metal book workshop

2011-06-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

The other weekend I attended a great workshop run by Just Scrapbooking, we played all day with different techniques including metal embossing with the cuttlebug, rusting powder and image transfers. It should of been a scrapbook but I put my own twist on it and am very pleased with it.

Fathers day card

2011-06-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

I made this card for my Dad for this years Fathers day. Its a never ending card made using papers, images and alphabets for the fantastic Crafthouse Press Men's Travel and sport CDrom which is available at a crazy price from Sarah at the Fruit Pixie. The instructions for making this card are available on the Fruit Pixies face book page. If you go the the Fruit Pixie following the link on the right there is a link to the page on the Homepage.

Bags and tags challenge

2011-06-16T03:52:00.000-07:00

The next challenge for Gingersnap sponsored by Altered pages this month was bags and tags. I made this travel tag from packaging from all those craft items that come in thick plastic packaging. I then collage onto the back of the plastic, both pieces, and then glued them together. I will be able to use this as it is durable enough to be knocked about a bit. Altered pages have some great travel document themed sheets, why not take a look.

Canvas bags

2011-06-14T03:49:00.000-07:00

I painted these lovely small canvas bags that are available at the Fruit Pixie, as well as everything else you will need to make them. Instructions are available on the Fruit Pixie facebook page.

Twinch book

2011-06-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

I joined a swap on Art 42 to make Twinch books. What a great idea to bind these little squares into a little book! I decided to do an Alice in Wonderland as I had some great collage sheets from Moonlight journey that fitted the bill brilliantly.

Packaging challenge

2011-06-12T03:44:00.000-07:00

The next challenge for the Altered pages Gingersnap challenge was to use packaging. Here is mine - Tim Holtz packaging for his new Alterations embossing folders, brown paper from a package with paint effect using bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard from packaging and then an image from the Beautiful blue collage sheet from Altered pages.

At the Mall challenge

2011-06-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

This month Altered pages who I design for, are sponsoring Gingersnap creations challenge site and I have been busy making things for the challenges. Here is my first piece for the At the Mall challenge. I love these retro American signs and posters, available from Altered Pages - collage sheets Its a sign and Its a sign 2.

June journal calender page

2011-06-03T03:58:00.001-07:00

Here is my calender page of my art journal for June. We are off on holiday this month so I went with a travel theme. Sorry its been a while to get this up but been having trouble with my blog.

Memories canvas

2011-05-29T03:44:00.000-07:00

The theme for the design kits for Altered Pages this month was Memorial Day. As a retired nurse and former member of the British Red cross I chose to honor all the medics and nurses who served us so bravely in such difficult conditions, and continue to do so today. If you would like to make one for yourself then the kit, with full instructions on using transparencies and distressing with ink, is available now from Altered Pages, link to the right of the page.

Circus ATC book

2011-05-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

I joined a swap with Art45 to make and swap ATC books. This was the first time I had come across these little gems and loved thinking my circus tent themed book up. This will defiantly not be the last one of this sort I will make, loved it! The sad part was letting it go.

ATC folder

2011-05-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

The Fruit Pixie has a great set of ATC size vellum envelopes form Woodware - the Woodware Vellum ATC envelope kit - You not only get 2 types of envelope but also a sheet of 6x6 sheet of velum for each colour, loads of velum things to play with.. I took some of the envelopes and some card and stamps to make this ATC folder. Instructions will be on the Fruit Pixie blog soon but for now look on the Facebook page for a link to the instructions.

Mens cards

2011-05-20T04:22:00.000-07:00

I have had the chance to try out an great CDrom form the Fruit Pixie, it's the Crafthouse Press Men's, Sport and travel. There are absolutely loads of things to use on there, all vintage images but some from the 40's which makes a change. At the moment its at a fabulous price too. I have quite a collection of CDroms and this one has to be one of the best for variety and the amount of content. Everything from decoupage to tags, backing papers, envelopes, inserts and images. Here are a few things I came up with but I am sure I will be using it again soon. Instructions will be on the Fruit Pixie blog but Sarah is having a bit of trouble with it at the mo so look on her Facebook page for instructions.

Par Avion canvas

2011-05-12T05:57:00.000-07:00

My kit for April for Altered Pages is this layered canvas. You can buy the kit from Altered Pages brand new website. The kit comes with full instructions and uses painting, collage and stamping techniques to create a layered canvas. Hope you like it.

Decision made

2011-05-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

I eventually made the decision as to which art doll went off to be swapped. She had to travel in style so I made her this little bag to travel to her new home in, and of course a tag round her neck to say where she came from.

Great offer from Altered pages

2011-05-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

As a member of the Altered Pages design team I have been asked to pass on this great offer they have at the moment. We hope to move to a new home, same place new look, soon so get it while you can!!

Offer - put in a postal order before our old wed site closes and the new one opens and receive a FREE magnetic frame kit including materials and instructions, the kit make 2 frames. Only one per customer, colours may vary. See them on the Altered pages home page, link in right column of my blog.

May Journal page

2011-05-02T00:58:00.000-07:00

Well its May already!! I have my May journal page all ready to go, April is all filled in . I didn't realise what an uneventful life I lead but I have enjoyed filling in April. Off we go with May!

Hats ATC

2011-04-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

This weeks theme for our ATC swap with Altered Designs Google group is hats. I made 2 this week, the images are from Altered pages collage sheet Red Hats.

Easter cards

2011-04-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

I don't make loads of Easter cards just for immediate family and close friends, here are this years designs, all from my Polka Doodles CD rom. I sat out under a sun umbrella in the garden last weekend to make them so they have defiantly got sunshine added!! Happy Easter !

Art doll swap

2011-04-21T03:38:00.000-07:00

I joined an Art doll swap on Art 42. I wanted to make a doll and then paint her. I made the body out of paintable calico then painted then with acrylic paint. I knew I would have a hard time giving her away, so I made twins!! Now I get to keep one, trouble was which one to keep...............

Gingham ATC

2011-04-21T03:32:00.000-07:00

This weeks theme for our ATCs in the google group I belong to was Gingham and Plaids. Here's mine

Prima travel journal

2011-04-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful hour the other afternoon with my favourite designer Fan Balzer on Prima live . I followed her free class to make this lovely Travel journal. I did treat myself to the proper Prima papers as I loved them, but you can do it with paper you already have, as long as its double sided. Each concertina page has a pocket with a journaling card to pull out and write on. I am all ready now for my Austria Holiday in June!

Alien card

2011-04-14T03:48:00.000-07:00

It is my Great Nephews birthday this week and so a great excuse to bring out the Colour my World space templates and make this cheeky alien card again. This time I used the scaly embossing folder to give him some texture.

Easter Tag

2011-04-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

For a while now the Google group I belong to have been doing a Holiday tag book, a tag for each Holiday, here is my Easter tag.

Favorite Quote 4x4

2011-04-07T07:47:00.001-07:00

For this weeks swap in the Google group I belong too the theme was Favorite Quotes on a 4x4 canvas. Here is mine

Tissue flower

2011-04-07T04:21:00.000-07:00

This little flower was so easy to make, I used the Inkylicious Sprinky colourz spray from The Fruit Pixie to colour plain white tissus paper, I used the wonderful Raspberry colour. Instructions and products available from my gallery at The Fruit Pixie.

Button heart

2011-04-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

I have seen these in shops but they are quite expensive. The Fruit Pixie do some great bags of buttons and all you need to do is add some wire. Pop over the the Fruit Pixie for my instructions on how to make them for yourself.

April Journal page

2011-04-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

I am a bit late getting around to making my monthly journal so decided to do my own year from my birthday to birthday, my own personal year. So here is my first month, April It was great working on something so big, the journal is an A4 one.

Altered jigsaw

2011-04-05T02:35:00.000-07:00

Here is my March kit for Altered Pages. the theme for the month was games and as a HUGE Sherlock Holmes fan the phrase " The game is afoot " just jumped into my head. The kit will be available from Altered Pages very soon and would make a great gift for any of the great detective fan, its great fun to, why not give it a go.

Mothers day card

2011-04-04T04:43:00.001-07:00

This was my Mums Mothers Day card for this year. All elements are from the Joanna Sheen Precious Pearls cdrom

Super Hero Birthday card

2011-03-31T03:13:00.000-07:00

It was my Nephews 14th Birthday last weekend, here is the card I created for him.

Stamped candle

2011-03-31T03:09:00.000-07:00

Here I have used one of the PaperArtsy stamps available from the Fruit Pixie to decorate a candle from the supermarket. Visit the Fruit Pixie blog for instructions and shop for stamps.

Bingo notebook

2011-03-31T03:03:00.000-07:00

This little notebook is something I have designed for The Fruit Pixie. I used one of original Bingo cards to make a little notebook, along with a Bingo number. All bits and pieces available from The Fruit Pixie and instructions are on the Fruit Pixie blog.

Proud new designer for The Fruit Pixie

2011-03-31T02:52:00.000-07:00

I am so proud to announce that I am now designing for The Fruit Pixie! If you have never visited the Fruit Pixie shop and blog and love the vintage look then you will love it. Sarah has a great eye for vintage ephemera and has a great collection of bits and bobs you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else, along side all the those crafting must haves!! So grab a cup of Tea and enjoy a visit to The Fruit Pixie ( link in the side panel )

Mixed media 4X4

2011-03-25T09:49:00.001-07:00

I made these Mixed Media 4x4 for a swap in the google group I belong too. Hope they like them.

Let them eat cake ATC

2011-03-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

This weeks theme for the google group I belong to is Marie Antoinette but I didn't really have anything so I went along the Let them eat cake route, which I don't think she actually said but it made a nice ATC

Corrugated card ATC

2011-03-18T04:46:00.000-07:00

For this weeks ATC with the Google group I belong too the theme was corrugated card. I have a thing at the moment for slide mount for some reason, so cut one from one of my new dies I bought form my friend Boo, out of corrugated card , The ATC looks better in real life, promise.

Zentangle bookmark

2011-03-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

After having such fun with the Zentangle journal page I just had to make my bookmark for the bookmark swap with the Google group a Zentangle one.

Mad for Zentangles!!

2011-03-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

As part of my E course to learn art journaling techniques I had to do a zentangle page. I love to play with tangles but had never done one as large as this, or used words in the design, which I love. I did a lot of this while waiting for ambulance transport after my physio appointment. Now I have a little book to keep in my handbag to tangle while on the move!! I apologise if I have made your eyes go funny.

Cat card

2011-03-11T08:11:00.000-08:00

Today is my friend Sues birthday. As you can tell by her card she is a cat lover. Hope you had a great crafty birthday weekend in St Ives!

St Patrick's day tag

2011-03-08T04:19:00.000-08:00

Here is my tag for the next holiday for the holiday tag book swap we are working on in the Google group I belong to. The images are from Altered Pages ST Patricks Day collage sheet and the background paper form the Joanna Sheens " Dancing with shadows" cd.

First steps in Art Journaling

2011-03-01T05:18:00.000-08:00

I have wanted to start an art journal for years but as I can't draw and don't buy any girly mags I thought it would be hard to start. I didn't feel the need to have a journal to express my feelings and don't lead an exciting life BUT I love to play with paint, images and lettering so I knew it would be perfect for me but where to start. I then stumbled across a E course called Between the lines which showed you how to journal in a way that I liked the look of and wasn't too expensive. I have been slowly working through it, the great thing is I can work at my own speed so I can work on other projects too, and have completed these pages I am really pleased with. I am loving it, at first I copied hers, but now I am beginning to get the confidence to start to try my own thing while working on my page. Well here are my first couple of pages.

Tab file book kit

2011-02-25T05:33:00.000-08:00

I have been using a lot of green this week. For my Design team kit for Altered Pages I have made this tab file pocket book using a masking tape binding. The theme for the kits this month was green. You might recognise the image I chose for my front cover!! Everything used in this book, except the rubber stamps is available from Altered Pages, the kit will be on sale very soon.

Green Moo

2011-02-25T05:31:00.001-08:00

This week the Moo colour was green.

Pink Moo

2011-02-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

This week the colour for the moos for our swap on Altered Design is pink! Here is mine.

Valentines Tag

2011-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

Here is my Valentines tag ready to be swapped for the Altered design holiday tag book swap. We have already dome Halloween and Christmas, I have 2 wounderful tags from my fellow players, now it is time for Valentines.

Yellow moo

2011-02-04T07:43:00.000-08:00

This month is Moo month with the Google group I belong too, a different colour each week. I am crafting on my lap with my leg up in a bright pink plaster, so Moos are just the right size to work on. Here is my yellow one. Remembered my Christmas present, a little compact camera ( my camera of choice is a digi SLR) so easier to use then getting up to my scanner!!!

Operation number 5!

2011-01-23T03:04:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I have to go in to hospital on Monday for another operation on my ankle, number 5 but who's counting!!! So I will be a bit quiet for the next couple of weeks or so, once I get the plaster off, another pink one I fancy, and can get up to my scanner I will show you all what I have been up to over the next few weeks. So bare with me, thanks

Wedding card

2011-01-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday our neighbours got married. It was nice to make a wedding card for a change, so I reached for my Joanna Sheen Victorian Romance CDrom and made them this card. Congrats to Marilyn and Mike!

Valentine Moos

2011-01-23T02:27:00.001-08:00

We have had a lovely couple of collage sheets at Altered Pages. I loved these little images and as Moos are going to be the prominent working size next month with the group I work with I thought I would warm up with a couple of Valentine Moos. Moos for those new to them are 1x3 inches, a challenge but very cute, have a go yourself!

Wine coasters

2011-01-11T04:54:00.001-08:00

My second kit for Altered pages is a kit to make your own coasters. I used the lovely wine labels collage sheets available from Altered pages along with the music sheets and some of my own stamps. the kit comes with full instructions and the collage sheets you need.

Love token

2010-12-20T04:52:00.000-08:00

This is one of my new kits for Altered Pages, a padded heart love token. I thought it would make a lovely wedding gift for the bride on her big day or choose another image and it would be nice for a new Mum or even your Mum on Mothers day. Look out for lots of new kits for sale soon on the Altered Pages website, link on the side of my blog.

Mermaid Christmas card

2010-12-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

I have been having hydrotherapy for my ankle over the past few weeks to keep it strong until my 5th operation in January. My physio Nicky makes it such fun. Last session we were trying to think of a name to call her and I came up with Mermaid physio, which she liked. Hence the Mermaid Christmas card for her. A bit out of the usual box but I think it works!!