Tags for the teachers!

Last minute.com strikes again!!! I went back to work today, without much of a voice, but wanted to see out the last day of term and the Xmas Party for the children. After work i got started on a bunch of tags for the teachers and helpers. Another job crossed off of my very long list.

 A simple design, stamped and then coloured with Copic, embellished with a touch of Glossy Accents and some fine glitters.


CraftyHazelnuts Christmas Challenge- Anything goes

Recipe for salt dough Christmas Decorations

Full of cold, can hardly talk, pounding head, rotten cough. Spent the day dosing myself up with Lemsip and stinking of Olbas Oil. A bit of craft therapy to relax and I have had such fun. Still go to personalise the backs of these then string them.

I followed a basic salt dough recipe

1 cup plain flour

1 cup salt

1/2 cup water

extra flour for rolling

rolling pin

assorted cutters

baking tray

foil

Pre-heat the oven to 100 oC

Mix together the flour, salt into a bowl. 

Add the water and form mix until a soft ball is formed. 

Roll out on a lightly dusted surface and cut shapes as required. 

Consider the thickness of the shapes, I did a mixture of some chunkier ones as well as some which were thinner. I will update with more information but I will say, I did break off the point of a star being too enthusiastic with decorating it! Try not to overwork as I found it got a bit tacky and difficult to work with.

If you are making decorations to hang, don't forget to make the holes!!! A drinking straw is great for the job!

Place your shapes onto a prepared baking tray, I lined mine with grease proof paper and covered with foil. Heat for 2-3 hours.

To decorate.

I used a basic children's ready made paint but needed several coats. Once dry, I inked up a few of my favourite stamps and lightly stamped over the shapes. I used Memento inks which did smudge slightly so I would probably go for Staz-on next time. Embellish with Liquid Pearl, Perfect Pearls, Glitter, Metallic rub-ons......the choice is yours. 

I found it quite effective to varnish then sprinkle glitter lightly over the shapes.

I am stringing these as in my previous post, with natural twine, a little lace and some gingham ribbon.

First completed salt dough decoration!

Well, I have had limited success with the salt dough decorations! I took a couple,painted them....several times, then attacked them with inks, glitter, metallic rub ons.....etc. I decided to try out some Glossy Accents but I was either too impatient and rushed in too quickly, or the Glossy Accents had some funny reaction to the paint- it all clouded over on one side of the decoration so I scrapped that one! The little star didn't look tooooo bad, so I just went with the flow.

I now have loads of little shapes all over my work desk, all painted and ready for attack with my inks...oooo....might try some perfect pearls too! 

Attempt at Salt Dough Christmas Decorations!

Yep, as if I haven't got enough to do...I had this mad idea to attempt to make some Xmas decs using salt dough. I did try some a few years back, but as usual, I left everything to the last minute, tried a microwave recipe to save time....and mucked the lot up completely!

Fingers crossed, I will be a little bit more successful this time. We all helped make the dough and cut them out last night and they don't look too bad. A few wonky, lumpy, bumpy ones, but hopefully that will add to their "homemade charm!" LOL

After being awoken by Amelia at 2am this morning, then spending the rest of the night coughing, I was in no real fit state to work today so I thought I'd paint a few little decs as I sip my Lemsip.

I have so many ideas at the moment, perhaps I need to start thinking of NEXT Christmas already, instead of leaving everything to the limit! He ho ho ho!

Anyways, here's a taster of what I am doing in their naked state!

Reindeer Flight!

I have had this die for some time now but I can't think of actually using it before! I had only ever got as far as  making up some distressed card using inks and glimmer sprays, then stamping and inking a few little reindeers......which have sat in a box for well over a year! UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON!

Simple card, attacked with my sewing machine and finished with some metallic sheen.

Woolly hugs on their way.......at last.

It's been an awful, awful day. So much to do on my "day off!" Was awoken by Amelia just before 4am and didn't really get back to sleep. I have an absolutely pounding headache, I argued with Jack and shouted at Amelia when she tried to smuggle in toys just as her school bus arrived. It's nearly 11.30 am and I have achieved hardly anything! First things first, I need to take some painkillers before I topple over.

One tiny little thing I can cross off my list is the posting out of my Woolly Hugs squares! I will hang my head in shame to say I started these way, way back in March, possibly even February, I am absolutely disgusted with myself considering how quickly I actually knit. I probably spent a day or so actually making these, the rest of the time was spent forgotten and stuffed in a cupboard while my chaotic life took over. Even when they re-emerged, it took me ages to dig out a large needle and sew in the ends!

STILL< they are done, dusted and in transit to a new home, where they will be lovingly assembled with like-minded little squares to provide love, hugs, remembrance and warmth to those in need.

Colours are awful, sorry....I was not going to wait any longer for a bright and sunny day day to take photographs! LOL

It's Snow joke.

I have had a "day off" today so I ventured into my little craft room to make a start on my Christmas cards.

Unfortunately I spent more time moving stuff around, putting things back in their right place, stuffing bundles of "Ebay clothes" into the big cupboard in an attempt to not feel quite so claustrophobic. It didn't really help with my creativity I am afraid.

I tried to come up with a simple card, quick and easy to make, that I could make up in bulk rather than send out shop bought cards this year......judging on how it turned out, I think I'll be going card shopping at the weekend. Not a happy bunny!

I made up a backing paper using a music stamp, distress, inked and sewed around. Layered on a snowflake, wrapped in ribbon and twine. Added a few little details and whoopie, 1 more card in my Xmas box!

This card was made using a charm to meet the requirements on the current challenge over at 

Crafts by Carolyn. come over and join the fun!

Tag, you're it!

Hi everyone, long time no bloggy! It's been a funny old time in the Dingle household, Amelia has been in hospital for an operation and it has taken almost two weeks to get her back to school, me back to work and ANY sort of routine back into place.

Still, I have ventured into my little craft room and thought I'd ease myself back into crafting with something really simple and easy to pick up and put down. I had the tags and hearts already cut so all I had to do was play with a few inks, attack the hearts with an embossing folder and finish with some metallic rub-ons.

Not sure what I am going to do with these YET but I may try some different colourways today and even make a matching card!

xXx

Hectic Half Term Holidays!

Half term has been a bit of a mixture of emotions. We had a lovely meal out for Amelia's 11th Birthday, ate far too much I am afraid but what else are birthdays for?

Yesterday the postman delivered a proposed, amended statement for us to look over ready for transition to Secondary School in September next year. I am afraid the thought of the whole statementing procedure has opened up some very bitter wounds. It's not like we have had any choice in what school she can attend, well not unless we fight to get her out of Medway and into Kent somewhere. 

We also received the letter from the hospital giving us the date for Amelia's operation, not exactly a good news day but hey ho. 

We finished off our Saturday with a visit to the local fireworks display. It is something we haven't done for years and years because Amelia just couldn't tolerate it all. It was still quite a draining process rather than a fun evening out with the family but we did it, despite the fact that I had to stand holding Amelia's ears with her wrapped up in scarves hats and hoods to muffle the noise! 

We got home and finished the evening off with a nice hot curry and a glass or two of wine. 

Cheers!

x X x

My first ever Saturated Canary Card...for Amelia!

It's unbelievable to think that I am typing here today about our darling Amelia's 11th Birthday. It has been a long struggle at times, especially with her education and healthcare but hey ho, I can always hope that life will get easier.

I haven't done any crafting for ages, the stress of life and work often leaves me in a useless heap on the sofa at the end of the day, not exactly in the right frame of mind for any creativity. I keep telling myself to get off my backside, venture into the depths of my craft room clutter and dust off my mojo...but it just doesn't happen. (Blush!)

WELL, until yesterday when I HAD to make a card for Amelia and also set the November Time to Create challenge over at Carolyn's.  Now I cheated a bit as I have been admiring the images over at Saturated Canary for some time but unless I was actually crafting, it seemed madness to pay out for yet more stuff. SO, I downloaded some freebies a while ago but only ever got as far as colouring in a few faces! Knowing that I had to actually finish a card for today, it didn't take me long to decide what image to use. 

I so enjoyed making this yesterday, despite sitting in my little craft room for a short while surrounded by sky high clutter! ( I have left my basket of Copics and a few images downstairs next to me, just in case inspiration strikes again! )

I used paper from the Spring Feast  Collection by First Edition

Flowers cut with Sizzlets Decorative Strip- Tattered flowers

A bit of sparkle with a glittler gel pen and some glitter

and

Lots of ink!

As I mentioned earlier, I made this card to help set up the November Time to Create challenge over at Crafts by Carolyn's forum. It's an easy peasy challenge. All I am asking you to do is use "Vintage Florals" in your creations, so come over and join in the fun! x

I am also entering this card in the Saturated Canary Challenge 29, a shaped card. Quite a challenge for me, I am usually stuck in a 6x6 inch square box!

Hope to "see you again soon" with some long lost mojo!

x X x

Amelia's visit to the O2 arena!!!

Yesterday afternoon I had a phone call from Amelia's new teacher!! OH NO, I thought, day 3 and what has she been up to?

I was so wrong to be concerned, her teacher told me that Amelia had really enjoyed the class visit up to the O2 arena the previous day where they all watched some of the Paralympic Women's Wheelchair Basketball.
Her teacher then asked me if Amelia had told me much about it. (She hadn't.)

Well somehow, out of ALL the spectators at the arena, my little AMELIA managed to get herself in the middle of the court at half time of the Australia v USA game where she did a bit of breakdancing! LOL

I am not really sure if there is a better way to link but you can she here HERE by skipping forward to about 5 hours 21 minutes in the lower right hand corner!

Card for a teenage boy!!!!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS! Yes, a teenager! I cannot believe my"baby boy" is now 13. 

I have had this image by Mo Manning for some time now, perfect for my computer mad son!

We had a lovely day together, ate loads of cake...

then went for a lovely meal where we ate loads more!!! 

Ooops, oh well, it's not every day your son becomes a teenager is it? 

This card meets the criteria for;

DP2 challenge 151- Anything goes

Our arrival in Melton Mowbray!

The journey was good, we stopped off for a bite to eat at Rutland Water to pass some time and then settled in to our "home" for the next 2 weeks! The Old Guadaloupe Farm House is gorgeous!

We unpacked the car, got accustomed to our new surroundings (running around like lunatics as we investigated the rooms and views) then set off for the sunny sights of Tesco's where we spent a small fortune!

Once back we did some unpacking then tried out the pool table!

We finished the evening off with a nice curry and a bottle of wine, we felt really at home as we sat around the huge farmhouse table. Later on we just had to try out the hot tub and relaxed in the bubbles to watch the sunset over the hills.

I didn't mind being woken at 7.30am, especially when you can open the curtains to views like this!

Weather forcast is not that great today, not really sure yet what the day will bring but I am sure scrummy food, wine and family fun will play a big part in it all!

x X x

Another wrap bracelet......

 ...and some waffle.  Not been up to much, been like a couch potato most of the time and been sat enjoying the Olympics! Last night I was productive whilst I watched and made another wrap style bracelet using some newly acquired stringing materials! I am quite happy with the result but think a pewter coloured beads instead of the little silvery ones would have been much more effective. (Perhaps I will have to add those to my next wishlist!)

My hydrangea is in full bloom and providing some much needed colour in the top border in the garden. 

.....and Amelia has been composing!!! LOL

Not long now before we head off on our holidays, cannot wait. Wellies and waterproofs at the ready.

x X x

First attempt Chan Luu inspired wrap bracelet!

Day 3 of the school holidays and I am still sane....well as sane as I was beforehand! Jack and Amelia have been bickering as usual but I am trying not to let it get to me. Yesterday Jack went to a Pool Party and today he went Go Karting, rather him than me, he must have been boiling in that race suit! LOL 

This afternoon it has just been too hot to do much at all so I sat down and attempted to make a wrap bracelet that I have been wanting to try out for a little while. I have SO MANY beads in my Ebay wist list but I thought I'd be a good girl and make up a trial bracelet using a rather mish mash, random selection of beads from my beady boxes. I am quite pleased with my first effort. Pleased enough to order some more smaller beads! Wink, wink!

x X x

More Shamballa Style bracelets!

I have been busy trying to get all my Key Children's work records up to date and reports done, at last I am nearly done, just a few odds and ends to do before the end of term now!

Today I have cut a few lables and die cut shape to pop on ebay as I have been using up my Paypal funds on some new goodies. A few used stamps, some of which turned up today...but mainly beady stuff! I cannot wait to try out some of my lovely new beads.

I have made up a few more Shamballa style bracelets and I am "test driving" one of the first bracelets I made, well, I need to make sure they are wearable! I have my eye on some lovely beads that will also need test driving too!

x X x