Toot Toot

One for the boys....

Toot Toot stamp by Lili of The Valley, coloured with Copic markers.

Thanks for stopping by,

Carol x

I've Been Gone For Too Long.....

Well, after a long break, here I am again.

I hope you find something here that tickles your creativity. It's going to be a very eclectic mix of styles, projects and media. I've been through some major life changes and it gas all left me changed for ever. I had literally had a choice 'roll over and die' or create my way out of it. Creativity, good doctors and good friends have, quite literally, changed my life. So here we go....lets get this crazy creative journey back on the road!

Some of these things have been created over the last couple of years, some of them as recently as yesterday. I'm just going to mix it up and blog what still inspires me.

Thanks for stopping by
Carol x

Three For The Price of One

 

Wanted to keep these cards simple and to use this gorgeous, sumptuous, strokable velvet paper. It's just soooooo lovely.

The jolly Dana stamp is from Inkadinkado, so quick and easy to colour. Ideal if you've got lots to do. Maximum impact, minimum effort. The snowman and the teddies stamps are both from LOTV. They all fitted the circle nestability that I wanted to fit inside the Joy Crafts die.

A bit of gold or silver card, velvet paper, a swish of Glamour dust and a sprinkling of gems and there you have it. There are so many colors in this velvet paper I might do more! Pale pink, lemon, white, grey...........

Thanks for stopping by.

Iolanthe x

 

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Which Shoes Should I Choose?

Another card in hues of blue. I really enjoyed colouring this with my copics. My Mum said it reminded her of me as I have had a bit of a shoe buying spree lately.

Took no time to put this together. I used Nt Wit papers and stamp from LOTV. Martha Stewart border punch, Bo Bunny double dot ribbon a few flowers and gems and job done!

I'm entering this card into the. LOTV Challenge  to use ribbon or lace.

Last weekend I decided to sort all my plain coloured card stock into colour groups that match the copic colour groups. It really helped with colour matching. So now I pick my patterened paper, match my pens and grab the coordinating plain card stock. It took forever to sort blues from blue- violets etc, some were much trickier than you'd imagine, but it works great for me.

Tomorrow I might throw in one for Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by.

Iolanthe x

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Just Swinging By

 

Hi there, two blog posts in one week!

Wanted to keep it simple with this cute little teddy on a swing. He's from Lili of the Valley, my favourite stamps to colour. I've entered this card into the Crafty Little Fairies blog challenge 'cute n cuddly critters'.

Really straightforward this card. Image coloured with copics, cut with a netsie and mounted on a slightly larger oval. The hardest part if this card is getting all the little bits out of the Marianne lattice die. I always rub my intricate dies with a bar of soap on the cutting side, it really helps to release all the little bits.

Background panel embossed with a cuttlebug folder and edged with a Martha Stewart punch. All mounted up on some Bo Bunny double dot with a little ribbon and a few gems and job done!

Thanks for swinging by.

Iolanthe x

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I've been gone toooooo long!

 

 

Time to stick my head above the parapet again! It's been a long time since I've blogged for various reasons. Those of you who know me know why, and those if you who don't, probably wouldn't believe me anyway! Let's just say its been complicated and a bit traumatic. But I'm back now, battered and bruised, but wiser and changed. There's nothing like a glimpse of your own mortality to bring what really matters into acute focus.

Whilst I haven't been blogging, I have been crafting and I've learnt a new skill that I'm really excited by. I've been felt making from wool tops. So, maybe I'll share some of that too over the coming weeks.

I popped over to Our Creative Corner, to get me back into the swing. This month's challenge is called Forgotten things. The challenge is to use stash or a technique that has been forgotten about.

I've recently had some new craft storage delivered and whilst sorting through all my stash and organising it I found soooooo many things I'd forgotten about. Among them was this Spellbinders lattice die and this cute Lili of the Valley Stamp. So, I set about using them on this card. I'm having a bit of a run on the colour blue at the moment, quite a rare choice for me. Last weekend I sat in the garden in the sunshine colouring with my copics. Even used a bit of Frantage too.

Hope you like it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Iolanthe x

 

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Steaming Ahead With Bo Bunny

A card that I made some time ago. The image is stamped using Chipped Sapphire Distress ink onto smooth matt card stock. The image was then cut using Spellbinders labels 21. The edges were then gently inked through the stencil before removing it.

Finally the image was mounted onto a copper card stock.

The top of the background was embossed using a folder with cogs and gears - fantastic for this card don't you think? The bottom of the panel was from the Bo Bunny Mamarazzi collection. I just love these papers for men's cards.

A ribbon tied in a knot and 4 pearls, which were coloured using copics to match the ink, were added as finishing touches, after matting onto copper card and then on to the base card which is about 7 inches square.

Thanks for stopping by,

Iolanthe x

Kaisercraft Chest 3

The final part of the trilogy!  Again the chest is from Kaisercraft, painted with Eco Green Waterfall paint and covered with Kioshi papers. This version isn't quite as 'cutesy' as the castle as this recipient is a little older doesn't 'do' cute, they grow up far too quick don't they.

The papers and embellishments are the remainder of the Kioshi collection from Basic Grey.It's so easy to put something lovely together when you have all of the matching gorgeousness.

Anyway, niece number 3 was happy too, so 3/3!

Thanks for stopping by,

Iolanthe x

Kaisercraft Castle Chest of Drawers

Here we are again with another chest of drawers with matching organiser for niece number 2. This time a fairy castle from Kaisercraft painted with Eco Green Waterfall paint. I added some white to the paint to make my own slightly lighter shade.

All the papers, stickers, chip pies and brads are from the beautiful Kioshi collection from Basic Grey.

When it was finished it was so cute I didn't want to give it away! But I did, and the smile on that little girl's face was just magical.

Come back tomorrow for the last chest of drawers and matching organiser.

Iolanthe x

Kaisercraft Chest 1

This is a little set that I made for one of my 3 nieces. The chest is from Kaisercraft and is covered with Bo Bunny Alissa papers.

The chest was first constructed and glued together before being painted with a lovely dusky pink paint.

The papers were cut to size and inked with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.

The matching little organiser is one of 'Sarah's Binders' from Hot Off The Press. Again it is decorated with the same papers and 'blinged up' with matching stickers, rub-ons, a few pockets, tags and gems.

I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out, but not as pleased as the recipient! Isn't it lovely when you can see that someone appreciates our goodies when we give them away?

See you soon,

Iolanthe x

Time For A Change

Well hello!

I'm not going to tell what has been happening in my life over the past four months. Let's just say that those of you who know me in real life will know, and those of you who don't are better off not knowing LOL.
I will say that hospital figured large in my absence and I thought what better when trying to start my 'new life' than to give my blog a bit of a makeover before I get blogging for real again.

I think I like the new look, but don't be surprised if it changes again over the coming Days and weeks, now that I've worked out how to do it, (it has only taken me a WHOLE day and a lot of hair tugging!)

Although I have been missing from Blogland, I have photos of lots of projects that I've been busy with whilst I've been away, so there should be lots of posts in the coming days.

Happy crafting,

Iolanthe  x

Curtain Call box

The last of the retreat projects to share designed by Gwen Fletcher at The Stamp Pad.

A beautiful box covered and decorated with the fantastic Graphic 45 Curtain Call Collection. Lots of cutting and inking. I chose to ink with Walnut Distress but some used Black Soot Distress, which looked great too.

So, that was our fantastic retreat. We are so lucky to have our lovely Gwen and her team - Carol, Julie and Jenny, who looked after us all.

We can't wait for the next one in March. Why don't you join our happy band? More details here or ring The Stamp Pad for more info.

Back soon with more to share. Thanks for stopping by.

Iolanthe

Ornate Frame

Another fab project designed by Gwen Fletcher from The Stamp Pad. We learned another fantastic technique using paint, distress stains, crackle glaze and metallic mica sprays to colour the frame.

Lots of die cutting, embossing and inking on all the basic elements to create the finished display.

One of the most amazing things about this class was mingling with each other and sharing the stories behind the photos we had chosen. There were even some tears as old faded photos of loved ones brought back moving memories. It really brought home to me how precious even the most scratched and tatty old picture can be and made me more determined to scrap them in future. Mine is a picture of my wonderful Mum and the finished piece is now hanging on the wall in my craft room.

A close up of some of the many elements that we made. We also used some Prima Madeline paper, not that you would ever know after we had wet it, scrunched it, inked it and ironed it! Wow, that paper took some abuse! (By the way, we did stroke it first!) I just love the rust effect on the lock and clock - lots of ink and distress embossing.

Thank you Gwen for not only a fabulous class, but for the chance to share some lovely moving stories with each other.

Stop by for another project tomorrow.

Iolanthe x

Stamp Pad Retreat

Hi Blog buddies.

It has been a long time, I know but I'm back again with some projects to share.

Last weekend I was lucky to spend the weekend with my best friends playing. Oh, did we have fun. Fab friends, fab food and amazing crafting projects. What more could a girl want?

All the projects were designed by our amazing friend Gwen Fletcher from the Stamp Pad.

We mad this fabulous box. What a treasure. Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium papers, an aged brass effect door plate and handle and tons of walnut distress ink.

But, anyone who knows Gwen will know that she didn't stop there, oh no, inside the bad we had a book......

We learned a fabulous traditional book making technique, stitching the pages of the book together. definitely one that, as a bit of a book making fan, I will be trying again.

The book was full of tags, pockets and flaps and embellished with brads, ribbons, buttons and bows.

It is truly a keeper, one that will be treasured for many years. I know some of the ladies were planning to give theirs as a gift, well whoever gets them will really treasure them I'm sure.

Back tomorrow with another retreat project to share.

Happy crafting.

Iolanthe x

A Sozzled Warren!

Oh I just love this image, it really made me laugh. The idea of a drunken rabbit, love it!

The image and papers are from the September release from Craftwork Cards. A whole cacophony of Warren and his friends making Christmas merriment. These are really great when you have many cards to make.

Here he is again with his reindeer pal.

This was easy, fold back one edge of the card and add 2 strips of co-ordinating paper to the right hand side. The image was already die cut so just needed a sprinkling of Glamour Dust around the edges and over the ribbons on the parcels.

The image was then mounted on foam pads on top of the doilies cut with the latest Marianne die. Isn't that die just scrumptious. I think that is going to be one of my favourites.

Squidge some green Stickles over the candy dots and pop into the corners and job done.

Off to make some more.

Thanks for stopping by.

Iolanthe x

Happy Birthday

Another Nestie and Just Rite card for you today. This time a 6 x 6 easel card using Labels 13 and the Victorian Oval Frames stamp set.

The frame was stamped with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. The frame was then cut with labels 13. The sentiment which is a Clarity stamp was given the same treatment.

The background paper is from the Blue Awning Collection by K & Co and I still love it. 

I coloured the centre of a plain Prima flower to match the beige tones in the paper and added some small pearls to the corners. The leaves are cut with a Mariann die.

Tomorrow I'm getting glittered up to start Christmas. I guess I'll be wearing Glamour Dust for the rest of the year!

Back tomorrow.

Iolanthe x 

Thinking Of You

Another card focusing on the Just Rite stamps that co-ordinate with Nestability labels. This stamp set is called Vintage Floral Labels on the packaging it says that it is designed to be used with labels 13 However, I decided to team it up with labels 5 and I think it proves how versatile they are.

The stamped label and sentiment, which is from the same stamp set, were both stamped with black Versafine ink.

The background was created using white stamping card this was embossed and cut using Marianne Designables Swirls.

Mating the embossed panel onto black card emphasises the cut work pattern. Four small black gems in the corners add the finishing touch. I think black and white is just timeless don't you?

Another Just Rite/Nestie card from me tomorrow.

Happy crating.

Iolanthe x





The Kindness You Share Is A Blessing

A simple card to share today. The basic card is 5 x 7.

Showcasing the fabulous Just Rite stamps which match Nestability Labels 20. The label is stamped with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I always stamp first and then cut with the die. I find that taping the die down with two pieces of low tack tape keep it from moving.

The central sentiment was stamped using Espresso Adirondack ink.

The background paper is DCWV put through an embossing folder and the white core exposed by simply gently sanding it back. It feels like flocked paper, but be careful, it is very easy to sand too far and get holes! Not a good look!

The whole thing is then matted onto brown glitter paper with a piece of brown satin ribbon and 4 small brown brads.

Easy peasy.

Happy crafting.

Iolanthe x

Happy Birthday Dad

This is the card that I made for my dear Daddy for his birthday.

Very simple and straightforward.

The easel card base is 6 x 6. Backing papers are from Memory box. The stamp is one I bought ages ago and I have no idea who made it, but Dad loves fishing so I used it for the first time. It is coloured with Copics and the panel cut with the fabby Labels 22. I think this is going to become my new favourite.

The sentiment stamp is from a set by Lili of the Valley.

Really simple, but fun to make. I hope he likes it.

Happy crafting.

Iolanthe x

PS After many requests I have now added an 'email me' button (just above Popular Posts on the right hand side) as several people didn't have a Blogger Id to register comments. 

So, What Was In The Box?

Some people have asked me to post some pictures of the book that was in the box.

So here you go..........

My dear friend Gwen is such a lovely and talented lady that I really wanted to make her something special and since I have an addiction to mini books that was the only thing to do.

Hope you liked peeking into the box it was such fun to make.

Happy crafting,

Iolanthe x