The Other Fickle Pixie

My first ever Top 3!

2011-10-02T23:31:00.000+01:00

Hiya!

I got a lovely surprise today when I found out that my card had made the Top 3 in The Squirrel & The Fox's challenge 'Anything Goes'.

That has really made my day, thank you so much!

I've got my operation tomorrow, so I'm not sure when I'll next be around, but I'm hoping to be back reading blogs in a few days!

Leaves of Time

2011-09-30T22:48:00.002+01:00

There are some gorgeous images at Leaves of Time which are free to use for personal use. I downloaded a few, and had a go at a card with one of them:

I used a brayer for the sky and sand, and coloured the boat with promarkers. I was hoping to make this a CAS card, but I think it looks a bit unfinished. I might have found the perfect excuse to buy another Lavinia stamp:

I reckon this stamp would finish off the card perfectly! But finished or not, I'm entering this in The Crazy Challenge 'Colour Combo' challenge, and the Simon Says Stamp 'Anything Goes' challenge.

World Card Making Day!

2011-09-30T22:18:00.001+01:00

Apparently, it's World Card Making Day tomorrow, and Lili of the Valley are doing a give-away to celebrate. Please go HERE to find out more!

Digistamp Freebie from Just Some Lines

2011-09-28T22:10:00.001+01:00

Hi!

I made a couple of simple cards with a really cute flowers digi from Just Some Lines

I added some liquid pearls and glitter, and a bit of ribbon.

I'm entering these in the Heart Song Inspirations 'Use Ribbon And/Or a Tag' challenge, and the Simon Says Stamp 'Anything Goes' challenge.

Autumnal Colours

2011-09-27T22:51:00.001+01:00

Hi! There seem to be lots of lovely Autumn colours around at the moment, and a fair few Autumn challenges! I've had a go at some Autumn cards, using Sweet Pea stamps.

Here's one I made for the Sweet Pea Stampers 'Fall Colors' challenge:
Note: 'Fall Colors' is American for 'Autumnal Colours' ;-)

I coloured with promarkers, and used stickles on her wings. The punched flowers have gold liquid pearls for centres. The backing paper is from the DCWV Once Upon A Time stack.

Here's a card I made with another Sweet Pea stamp. I'm entering this in the Scrapbook Sisters 'Autumn Colours' challenge:

I'm not sure the midnight blue background really works with the Autumn colours, but I wasn't sure how else to portray a night sky! Maybe I should've tried to make it a sunset!

I tried again with this stamp, and used a lighter sky colour. I'm entering this in the 4 Crafty Chicks 'Fall / Autumn' challenge:

Beautiful New Heart Stamp!

2011-09-25T15:53:00.002+01:00

Hiya!

The other day I saw a beautiful card at Andie's Space, and completely fell in love with the stamp. So much for saving up for the NEC Hobbycraft Fair... I found the stamp online and bought it. It is really gorgeous, and will be perfect for wedding cards, anniversaries and valentines day! Ok, I'm trying to justify it, but it is lovely.

I've had a go at colouring and embellishing it, and keeping the rest of the card simple and plain, as it's a very ornate stamp. It has a red border, and I've left it without a sentiment, so it can be used for anything.

I'm entering this in:
Truly Scrumptious 'Clean & Simple'
The Paper Shelter 'Anything Goes'
Heart Song Inspirations 'Use the color orange and/or Buttons'
Allsorts 'Keep it Simple'

Here are a couple more I made, as anniversary cards, in blues & purples:

The Dark Side

2011-09-24T22:40:00.003+01:00

Hi! I made this card for the Cupcake Craft Challenge 'The Darkside', partly because I really LOVE purple & black together, and partly because it makes me think of the Tim Minchin song 'Dark Side', which makes me laugh!

I love the Lavinia stamps, but I haven't quite got the hang of the way Tracey Dutton uses Liquid Pearls with glitter. It looks stunning on her creations, but I only seem to get a blobby mess! But at least the liquid pearls lighten the card a bit, as there is a lot of purple and black going on!

I'm also entering this card in the Flutterby Wednesday challenge

Unicorns, I Love Them

2011-09-21T00:02:00.001+01:00

Hi! I made this unicorn card yesterday. I still need to work on using the brayer properly, but I love these backgrounds, despite the inky mess I end up with, all over me and the craft table! I used Lavinia stamps and Stampin' Up inks.

I'm entering this in the following challenges:
Papertake - 'Creature Comforts'
Crafty Sentiments - 'Happy Birthday'
Anything Goes - 'Anything Goes'
Stamptacular - 'Just Sayin’!'

More Fairies!

2011-09-20T23:49:00.005+01:00

Hiya!

I'm so pleased that I made a few cards in the last couple of days, I'm over-blogging today, to try to make up for not posting for ages...

Here's a fairy card - I love fairies!

I'm entering this one in a couple of challenges:

Lexi's Creations - 'A Card for a Child'

Top Tip Tuesday - 'One for the Kids'

And here's another fairy card, using one of my favourite images from Sweet Pea Stamps:

I love blues and soft browns together, and am entering this card in the Sweet Pea Stampers 'Favourite Colours' challenge.

On the subject of fairies, I saw a link on Coldwaters2's blog for some lovely fairy / pixie stamps here:

I might need to start making up a Christmas Wish List.

Inkadinkado Stamps Again

2011-09-20T19:30:00.003+01:00

Hi again! Here's another card I made with one of the Inkadinkado stamps. I masked the frame around it before brayering this time, to make a single layer card. I used Lavinia stamps for the flowers around the edge.

I'm entering it in The Secret Crafter 'ONE LAYER CARD' challenge, The Crafty Pad Designs 'DIAMONDS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND' challenge, and the Less is More 'Anything CAS Goes' challenge. I'm hoping the big white border will make it CAS enough for LIM :)

More Brayering

2011-09-20T09:34:00.002+01:00

Hi! I made this card with my new Inkadinkado stamp set, and my Lavinia cherry blossom stamp. I used stickles on the flowers to add a bit of sparkle.

I'm entering this card in By The Cute & Girly Challenges 'ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL' challenge.

Loving the Tree Stamp!

2011-09-20T09:11:00.002+01:00

Hiya! Here's another couple of cards using my new tree stamp. I've been trying the brayer out again. I find it really difficult and very messy, but I love the effect of brayered backgrounds :)

I'm entering this one in The Crazy Challenge 'Men Only' challenge.

I'm entering this one in the The Squirrel and The Fox 'Anything Goes' challenge.

I showed these cards to my other half, to get some feedback, and he said the stamp was a bit pointless, but the background was nice! Well, at least he likes my attempts at brayering, I suppose. I was lucky to get any sort of compliment. One night when the girls were round for a card making night, he walked in and said; "oh, good. You're all sticking bits of card to other bits of card.' He really doesn't appreciate our efforts!!!

New Inkadinkado Utopiary Stamps

2011-09-20T08:42:00.003+01:00

Hiya! Found myself on eBay again, and bought more stamps :-s Really fell in love with these stamps from Inkadinkado:

I've been playing around, wondering how to use them. I made this one first, and have entered it in the Less is More 'Anything CAS Goes' challenge. I hope it's CAS enough :-s

I have also entered it in The Crazy Challenge 'Men Only' challenge. I struggle with cards for men, but I think this one is quite masculine, despite the gold threads... it's so hard not to add bling!!!

Things with Wings

2011-09-20T07:48:00.004+01:00

Hiya! Finally managed to get some card making done, and had a good time just mucking about with stamps and inks :)

Inspired by all the challenges my friend Linda enters, I decided to have a go at Papertake's Things With Wings . I tried to enter last night, but my internet connection died, so I hope I'm not too late...

I'm still trying to get the hang of using a brayer, and sponging edges. I was smothered in inks by the time I finished this! I used Lavinia stamps, Stampin' Up & Adirondack inks and DCWV Once Upon A Time backing paper.

I'm also entering this in The Squirrel and The Fox 'Anything Goes' challenge, and The Paper Shelter 'Fairies and Elves' challenge.

Missing making beads and cards

2011-09-16T12:19:00.002+01:00

Haven't been on here for a while, mainly because I haven't made anything recently. I've been ill since the beginning of July, and can't wait to get my operation over with, so I can get back to making and melting things!

However, I am very lucky to have wonderful family and friends, who have been visiting a lot, and keeping me sane :) This week we had a girly card making night, where more gossipping than cards was done, but it was good to have such wonderful company :) I made a card, but it was a joint effort - Linda's design, and Lou inked all the edges!

Linda made a couple of very pretty cards:

Her blog is here: Crafty Distraction

I haven't made any glass beads for months, and I really miss it. These are the last ones I made, back in May & June:

So because I haven't actually done anything for ages, I've posted photos of cards Linda made, and beads I made ages ago :)

Crafty Distraction's Open House

2011-05-08T16:42:00.002+01:00

Had a wonderful time at Crafty Distraction's Open House yesterday. Had a go with lots of different Stampin' Up stamps, inks and card - gorgeous stuff! I'm going to have to put in another order soon.

I made a couple of cards and a couple of little notelets:

Thanks, Linda! It was a really great day!

Less Is More One Layer Challenge - Sentiment Focus

2011-04-10T21:58:00.001+01:00

I've been having a go at a challenge for the first time in ages - the Less Is More One Layer Challenge.

Inspired by Linda (Crafty Distraction), I dug out my tapestry stamps. I'm not very good at getting a clean result with them, as I tend to over-use them, but I'm quite pleased with this card. I cut a large stencil for the lettering, stamped with Card-io stamps, and used stickles on the flowers.

Craft Day at Linda's

2011-04-10T12:26:00.002+01:00

Had a wonderful time with Linda & Kelly at Linda's craft day yesterday! Made 3 cards with wire flowers:

Using my NEC purchases

2011-04-03T22:06:00.001+01:00

Finally starting to use my Lavinia stamps! I keep buying some every time I go to the Hobbycraft Fair at the NEC, but have never really used them before.

Definitely need more practise, but I'm quite pleased with my first few attempts :)

Stampin' Up!

2011-03-23T17:58:00.001Z

I'm very excited about Stampin' Up products, now my lovely mate Linda has become a demonstrator. I've fallen in love with most of the stamps in the catalogue, and have volunteered to help her with the workshops she'll be running, so I can have a good play with all the stuff :D Cunning, eh?

If you're interested in any of her workshops, interested in hosting a Stampin' Up party, or want to know more about it all, please have a look at her blog:

Or drop her a mail at craftydistraction@virginmedia.com

Yay, SHOPPING! I just hope I'll have some money left after the NEC Hobbycraft Fair...

Anniversary card

2011-03-19T23:00:00.001Z

Made an anniversary card for my parents today. 41 years... reminds me how old I am! :(

The image is a digistamp from Pink Cat Studio, and the backing papers are from First Edition's 'Desert Blooms' and 'Love Letters' stacks. A daisy border punch along the side, with more red ribbon on the inside of the card, to show through.

Some Mother's Day cards

2011-03-01T22:11:00.001Z

More glass beads!

2010-11-14T12:47:00.002Z

And...

Glass Studio!

2010-11-14T12:43:00.002Z

I've been obsessed with making glass beads since going on a course by Sally Carver, back in February. I went for another lesson last week, and we've set up a glass studio at the back of my parents' garage - I'm so obsessed! Just wish they lived closer than 12 miles away...

Can't stop making bracelets

2010-11-01T18:39:00.001Z

I've stopped making cards, and can't stop buying beads and making bracelets! It really is a curse to be at the mercy of these obsessions! Fun, though :)

Beads!

2010-10-21T22:30:00.001+01:00

Latest obsession is memory wire - picked up a bit from Hobbycraft the other week, to have a go, and now I can't stop! Here are a few of them:

Made a start on the Christmas cards

2010-09-14T23:17:00.001+01:00

Here are a few christmas cards, using Pink Petticoat digistamps:

And a few made with borrowed stamps from Linda ( I LOVE the cute sheep on wheels!)

Oh, and one using an Inkadinkado reindeer stamp:

Some cards from ages ago...

2010-09-14T22:56:00.002+01:00

Hadn't got round to getting on here, but I made a few cards a couple of months ago.

Here are a couple of anniversary cards, using a Pink Cat Studio digistamp:

Here's a couple of cards usinf Sketching Stamper images:

A wishing well digistamp from Beccy's Place:

A pretty fairy image from Steady On:

A card using a rubber stamp from Sweet Pea Stampers:

A cute bird from Ling's Design Studio:

And a New Home digi from GTC's Crafty Corner

Another LOTV card

2010-06-23T22:00:00.001+01:00

I love these LOTV stamps, and made this one for my Gran's birthday.

I'm a bit new and confused when it comes to blogging, and have only recently realised there are challenges all over the place! So this is going to be my first go at a challenge :) I'm entering Simon Says Stamp - Friends

Love these wonky squares

2010-06-22T21:21:00.002+01:00

Latest obsession is this wonky square layout - I'm hooked! Need some LOTV stamps, too...

Man cards are so difficult!

2010-06-19T11:27:00.001+01:00

Really struggled with Father's Day cards. Cards for men are so difficult, partly because I find it hard not to smother everything in glitter, and partly bacuse I don't think most men are that fussed about receiving a card.

Here are my sorry attempts for this year:

The last two were done on the craft robo. I really wasn't sure how to jazz up the ship in a bottle card. Oh, well. I don't like making man cards.

Craft Day

2010-06-19T11:19:00.003+01:00

Booked the day off work for a craft day at Linda's - had a brilliant time! :) Only managed to make 2 cards, but it was a good day!

The need for beads

2010-05-09T22:29:00.001+01:00

Not been up to much lately, except trying not to obsess about beads. It's like a curse. M U S T G E T M O R E B E A D S ...

I've managed to limit myself to just the 3 bracelets, and they're not full (looks defensive) so they really only count as 2 and a bit bracelets.

I really can't wait til I can go back for another bead-making lesson. Melting glass is fascinating, and beads are so purty :)

Other than obsessing about beads, I've made a couple of handbag cards, like this one:

I've also been having a go at making craft robo templates. I made a template for a weird wiggly card, in the Craftavan, and a few weeks ago I made a template for little triangle boxes, to put beads in (yeah, I'm obsessed) for a friend's birthday presents:

Other than that, not a great deal, but I have finally cleared the shelves above my desk, so I can put some of my craft stash there. Most of my card stuff is on and around the kitchen table at the moment, which isn't ideal...

Craftavan

2010-04-20T22:02:00.001+01:00

We made 25 cards between three of us in a weekend! Well, Friday night was written off, because we were too sleepy, but Saturday and Sunday morning was full of feverish activity, gossip, and the eating of pringles.

Here are some of my cards:

Just wish we'd had longer, and more time to play in the sea!

New Obsession!

2010-02-14T22:03:00.001Z

We had an amazing glass bead making lesson yesterday. It was so much fun, we didn't want to leave! We've made some pretty beads, and I made a mutant frog thing, which I'm pretty proud of...

The class was here: http://www.lampworkbeads.co.uk/page5.htm
Everyone should go and have a lesson here - it's brilliant! :-D

My beads:

Lou's beads:

Sue's beads:

Craft Robo, YEAH!

2010-02-10T20:23:00.001Z

Made a few more Valentine's cards using the craft robo, and a birthday card, too, which I think probably needs a border, but I still think it's cute :)

Craft Day!

2010-01-17T23:52:00.001Z

Had a brilliant Craft Day at Lou's today - meeting Nic's new baby, lots of gossip, good food and playing at craft stuff!

Last night I finally tried my Craft Robo, and made some heart borders. Here are the cards:

Also made this one, copied from a magazine idea:

Baby Card

2010-01-07T00:01:00.001Z

Just made a baby card for a chap at work, which reminds me I need to do another card, and hand over a present...

Anyway, here's the card:

Some more 'Not Sure About' cards

2009-12-14T22:42:00.001Z

Another two attempts at Late Birthday cards, which are better than the elephant effort, but the snail one looks a bit lost, as it's just a small stamp and I don't know what to add - ribbon? I quite like the cats, although again it's a bit plain.

Tried a few quick and simple christmas cards with a new stamp, too - an excuse to do some colouring in with the promarkers, and then smother it all in stickles, really.

Accidentally bought the heart stamps like the butterfly stamps I bought a while back and definitely do not regret :)

Half Finished Things

2009-12-07T22:46:00.000Z

I Still need tape. I've got bits of stamped and coloured in things everywhere, but I can't finish anything!

I made a couple of cards on Saturday, a new home card just because I like colouring in the image, and a late birthday card, which turned out all wrong and looks rubbish, so it probably won't get sent. At this rate I'll be sending Han a Christmas card before a late birthday card :(

I need 3D tape!

2009-12-06T12:22:00.000Z

I can't believe I am so addicted to this tape. I have even used up the horrible cheap stuff I got from the Range, that sticks to your fingers and disintegrates, and covers the scissors in foamy gunk. I nearly went into town to get some, but I'm not sure where would sell it in town, and if they'd be open on a Sunday, so I decided to stay at home and moan about it instead. Trip to the Range and/or Hobbycraft tomorrow, I think!

More bugs

2009-12-03T23:27:00.000Z

I love this image of bugs!

I have a baby card to make, and 2 VERY late birthday cards, but instead I watched Spooks, and made these 2 quick Get Well cards.

Finished Handbag, and Caught a Bug

2009-12-01T00:30:00.001Z

HURRAH! Finished the handbag card - decided to put a little Thank You inside, too. Quite pleased with it, and might have a go at making another at some point. I love the paper, which certainly helps! I used a bangle for the handle, which seems to work ok. :)

Also had fun colouring in a few 'Caught a bug?'s from DigiStamp Boutique - very cute design, which they are giving away at the moment! Made a quick card with one of them. Coloured it in with the ProMarkers I bought from the Hobbycrafts fair at the NEC - it's about time I started using the damn things, after buying so many... Then I added some blobs of stickles. I love stickles!

Pants

2009-11-30T19:20:00.001Z

Hmmph, so I spent hours yesterday faffing about with bits of paper and card, and managed to make 2 1/2 cards, none of which I am overly happy with. Oh, well. I think I have Post Crap Craft Fair Depression. All my enthusiasm has gone.

I have at least made the Christening card, and the person who asked for it seemed to really like it. I hope he wasn't just being polite. So here's the card. It's very simple, and not exactly how I intended, but I like the backing papers and the teddy charm :)

I also made the 'Happy New Home & Cats' card, which was a bit of a cheat - just a photo from the internet and a cat font. Made sure I finished it last night, to hand over today. Forgot he had the day off today... to spend in his new house with his new cats! It's very sweet - he's much more excited about being able to get his new cats than the fact he now owns his house :)

I made a start on the Thank You card for Sanj's mum. All I know is she likes handbags, so here it is! I need to finish it, though. It needs a little Thank You on the front, and I'm not sure whether to put some nice paper inside or leave it as cream card.

I wasn't sure about the handbag card idea, but I quite like this. I used Bling Blang Glitter Paper from We R Memory Keepers (got it for 25p, reduced from £1.75), and used this template from Mirkwood Designs, although I didn't bother with the gussets.

I really have to get to grips with the craft robo, now! I hate cutting out, and the craft robo could do it all for me! I'd just need to tweak the template, and it would cut away like magic!

But anyway, tonight I'm going to add some sort of thank you to the front, and work out whether the inside needs lining or not. I'll probably leave it as it is, so it isn't too bulky and hard to fold...

Where to start?

2009-11-28T20:45:00.001Z

Just about got rid of the lurgy that's kept me down for a week, and wondering where to start. I've got a list of cards to make, and it all seems much more daunting than fun right now.

The List
* 2 very late birthday cards (Hmmm, I've got an apologetic snail stamp somewhere)
* A christening card - got a photo to use, so shouldn't be too bad, but can't remember when they need it for. Had better do it tomorrow.
* A New Baby card - would like to wait for a photo to use, though. Something like these:

* A 'Happy New Home & Cats' card - need to do this one for monday
* A Thank You card for someone who I have never met, and have no idea what she likes, other than handbags...

Hmmm, writing a list hasn't helped. Now I have a list, and still have the same amount of cards to make. Lists are definitely over-rated.

Card Limbo

2009-11-22T23:44:00.000Z

I've not made any cards since before the craft fair over a week ago, and it feels strange. The weeks leading up to the fair was a frenzy of card obsession, and it has suddenly stopped.

I've got 2 (late) birthday cards to make, a christening card, and a couple of gift voucher cards to do, but I'm fighting off a cold, and feeling uninspired. Hope to try and get something done tomorrow night.

Blog Templates

2009-11-17T23:23:00.000Z

I'm absolutely fascinated with blog templates, and have spent far too long trying on different ones. I can't decide which one to stick with, now...

This is a great site - some very pretty layouts! : www.pyzam.com

I think I might have a go at designing a layout! I feel inspired. I think blog templates might be my latest obsession.

First post

2009-11-15T22:41:00.003Z

Last Friday was the first craft fair Linda & I have done together. It was disappointing that no members of the public seemed to know that the fair was happening, but at least it was a good practise run, and it was free to do! We sold a few things, too.

Here are a few stall pics:

There's a blog for The Fickle Pixie here, and here is our official website. There's also a Wedding section, here.