More from the Lake District

Here's another layout from the top of Haystacks. This is the steepest hill I've climbed so far and the descent, to my mind, was far worse. Plus I was bitten by a moorland pony! Pity the camera wasn't to hand for that.

Paper: Bazzill, Colorbok; die cut circle: Nestabilities; film strip: Tim Holtz; other die cuts: K&Co; ribbon: American Crafts

Top o' Haystacks

We had a fabulous trip to the Lake District in October and here is one of the first layouts. This was taken at the top of Haystacks. I used a technique I always admired from Anne Parry, when Scrapbook Inspirations was around. She used to "extend" a photo by painting the rest of the background in.  I attempted this with my Twinkling H2Os.

Materials used: paper: Basic Grey and Green Label; fabric leaves: Prima; tree cut from Hello Fall paper; letters American Crafts Thickers; paint Twinkling H2Os.

Items of Desire: Monty Don's shed

Here's an unusual subject for a scrapbook layout. But I am so proud of my shed, now that it has been renovated and "electrified." I even have a special wooden box for my compost, like Monty.

The second layout is one of a series I'm creating about the garden, which has undergone something of a transformation n the last year.

Finally got crafting again

After months of weeding and digging rather than crafting, the cold weather has driven me to my den and I created a couple of scrapbook LOs: one on our joyful visit to the Olympic stadium for the opening of the Paralympics, and the other on the squirrel who's been thwarting all attempts to keep him away from the birds' nuts.

Ice Cream Colours

It's been a long time since I made any cards or did any scrapbooking. The garden is all-consuming. But here's a card I was finally inspired to make, and it fits perfectly with the "Ice Cream Colours" challenge at Fashionable Stamping.

The stamps used - butterfly and flowers -were free with Craft Stamper. The butterfly is stamped on acetate and layered x3 with its wings bent

Simon Says: Anything Goes

It's an Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says. Here is my card.

Materials used: stamps: Alpha; paper nibs: Paper Artsy; washi tape: Tim Holtz

Simon Says: Anything Goes

An "anything goes" challenge is a joyous two words!
It's the challenge over at Simon Says.

I used several different techniques for this card: applying ink pads direct to card; shrink plastic (tile in the bottom right hand corner); stamping  (stamps by The Artistic Outpost) and trying out my new Nestabilities dies. There's even a strip of alcohol inks!

Easter

I love Easter: it coincides with spring and everything feels so fresh and joyful. A new challenge to me, Pan Pastel UK Blog Challenge, wants to see our Easter projects.

My card uses a vintage image, embossed Nestabilities die and assorted flowers including a gorgeous layered bloom by Prima.

I made another and used Diamond Glaze on the eggs to raise them off the page. Soft colour effect achieved with chalks on embossed paper.

Mother's Day

I'll be taking my mum to the Corbyn Head Hotel in Torquay today for their wonderful Mother's Day lunch. Here's the card I've made her - I used some papers and a design in one of the cardmaking magazines - and a scrapbook layout which has hidden journalling. I hope you enjoy Mother's Day whatever you are doing.

Granny's Photo Album

Gingersnap Creations is looking for our interpretation of "Granny's Photo Album." I'm making a scrapbook for my mum's milestone birthday and I've made this layout in memory of her parents.

Paper & letter stickers: BoBunny, rose and plants stamps: Elusive Images; flowers Prima

Feathered Friends

Feathered friends is the challenge at Sunday Postcard Art. Here is my postcard.

One Layer - Script

Stamps used: Elusive Images

It's the tough "one layer" challenge at Simply Less is More. I stamped and embossed in gold and green and painted the leaves and flowers with Twinkling H2Os which have a lovely mica finish.

Spread Your Wings

Spread your wings is the challenge at Allsorts this week. My card features a winged angel, created with glass paints and sprinkled with Stickles glitter. She rests on a background created with citrus alcohol ink and a doily.

Take a Word: Masculine

Take a Word's challenge today is Masculine. After looking at some of the work posted, I nearly didn't put mine up --- but here goes anyway!

Words of Wisdom

Gingersnap Creations wants to hear our words of wisdom. I love this quote from Iris Murdoch. It's a good philosophy to live by!

Caramel, pale lemon, duck egg blue and a touch of gold

Those are the ingredient colours at Daring Cardmakers. My caramel is not too visible in the picture but the threads include both yellow and caramel.

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is the challenge at Daring Cardmakers. Here is my card.

Stamp: Cherry Pie; jewels: Webster's Pages; paper: HOTP; flower: Prima

Allsorts: Anything Goes

Yet another new challenge for me - Allsorts - where there is an "anything goes" theme. My card has a background of Adirondack color wash and the girl stamp is by Tatty Button. I added some texture with the vinyl letters (American Crafts) and the "balloon" jewel.

In the Garden

I've found a great challenge that I've never done before, the Sir Stampalot challenge. There is a new challenge on the first Sunday of each month. I'm a bit late for Feb but here goes - the challenge is "In the Garden."

I used a combination of flower stamps from Elusive Images and acetate images.

Klaxon!

I am home page artist for the Gingersnap Creations Glorious Greens challenge. I am thrilled!