Beautiful Boy...

June will be my last DT post for 

CHPPC, so I wanted to make it 

something extra special :D

I have really loved working on this DT

but I have a loooooong "to do" list this

summer and something had to give.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank 

Hazel and her team for being so lovely XXX

CRAFTYHAZELNUT'S JUNE

 PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

First page from 

Baby's "1st cuddles" memory book

(face obscured digitally for privacy issues)

 I have made similar books for my nieces, but

was excited to make a "boy" book for a change.

Fortunately I found this gorgeous paper pad by

"Cavania" via First Edition Paper Company

called "It's a Boy" :D

 The pad includes a sticker sheet and  2 pages

of tags.

I bought the 12x12 pad and cut down pages for an 

8x8 album, don't be afraid to cut down "picture" pages

they make lovely layouts just the same :D

I cut around the shoes and bunny with a craft knife

 to slot the photo behind them,

and cut the words "New Born" from 

the page of words to make the legend :D

I would like to enter this project in the 

following challenges;

Use Your Stuff # 360 Mood Board (blues and yellows)

Crafting From the Heart # 244 Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 28th May~Anything Goes

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge # 432 Anything Goes

Bloomin' Birthday

So glad April is over. 

Sorry I haven't been around but it has been a 

month of trials....

Managed to cave in to the worst "flu" I've ever had on 

the same day Mum took a turn for the worst...

She passed on the 5th and the funeral had to be

sorted quickly as little Sis was full term with her

baby boy.

Baby was due the day of Funeral!!!

Fortunately all has passed well, and Baby 

hung on til 20th bless.

It was also her daughters Birthday...

 the same weekend Mum passed!

My DT project for MAY at

CRAFTYHAZELNUT'S

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

is the card I made for my little niece :)

I was supposed to be posting a review about

the Stazon ink pads, so I used one

(Gothic Purple)

to stamp my Gorjuss image onto watercolour paper.

I felt it would make a softer outline for the watercolour

paint effect.

(Gorjuss stamps by Santoro)

I used one of the small collectable stamps for the 

money pocket on the inside...

which I also watercoloured.

I really am pleased with the overall look of this card,

matching the colours of the papers

(Spring Delights from Paper Boutique) to paint the image,

and the stazon didn't move at all!!! :D

So here's to a less stressful May XXX

I would like to share in the following challenges;

Sweet Stampers Challenge #31 Celebrate/Birthday

Colour Crazy Challenge # wk 16 Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #279 AAG

Crafting From the Heart # 242 Anything Goes

Nurturing Nature.

My April creation for

CRAFTYHAZENUT'S 

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

The fabulous thing about having a stash of patterned

papers is the ability to up-cycle past makes.

*That doesn't prevent me adding to the stash though lol*

Saw this little booklet in The Works and had to buy it!

Dug out an old project that had gotten a little battered
(OMG 2014!!!!)

and stripped it back before re painting.

Selected some collage pieces from the booklet...

then remembered a conversation about making my own 

"Paper dolls" from old family photos.

The image of my grandparents holding one of their children

was perfect to add to my "Happiness" altar :D

*inspired by Carrie Schmitt LB2019 wk 07*

Spring is a time of "Nurturing" for me...

a time to "start as you mean to go on"....

encouraging, hugging, and appreciating all the 

blessings in your life :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this project in the following challenges;

Through the Craft Room Door # wk 26th March Anything Goes

 Crafty Creations Challenge # 387 Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwndown # 428 Pastel Colours

Try it On Tuesday #  19th March~Say it with Flowers

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge # 423 Anything Goes

A Man in his Element...

My project for  March at

CRAFTYHAZELNUT'S

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

another scrapbook page :) as I have

promised myself to get more done this year.

 This time I used photo's of my Dad who passed in

2010...and his dog Sadie who only passed in 

December aged 18yrs.
Apart from a trip to Oz in the 60's and a stint in Germany
for national service, the only travelling he did was "on foot".
He was known all around the local area for his lengthy
 rambles... right up til the year he passed.

Blue skies always make me smile and think of him.

I used a compilation of 2 paper sets from

The Works

 *close-up of where the papers combine.*

The simple embellishments are paper "scraps" 

I've had for ages

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share in the following challenges;

Inkspirational Challenge # 181 "Use Your Stash"

(paper scraps over 10 years old....and boxes full of  photos)

Always Fun Challenges# 99 Travel (hope walking counts)

*and one of the papers pads is called "Travel"*

Penny's Papercrafting Challenge# 418 Anything Goes

Crafty Creations Challenge # 385 Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door # Wk 26th Feb Anything Goes

Little Red Wagon # 486 "Love it!"

 (My Dad...and walking in the country)

Classic Card

My February project for

CRATYHAZELNUT'S 

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

Haven't made a card since Christmas lol

So for my "very grown up" 8 year old niece

(who is an avid Harry Potter fan) , I wanted

to make something classically Magical :D

 Graphics 45 "Enchanted Forest" collection are the 

perfect papers for that "ethereal" feel...

and the addition of micro beads gives just 

enough "bling" for a classic look . 

(Close up of the yumminess that is Graphic 45)

Inside I made a pocket with another topper

to put money in....

I know it seems a little young for cash, but

here only request was to go to the Harry Potter

shop in a nearby city.

Gotta love a girl who knows exactly what she wants :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this card in the following challenges;

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 29th January~Anything Goes

Always Fun Challenges # 95 Anything Goes

Fab n Funky Challenge # 425 Fantasy Figure

A Bit More Time to Craft # 85 Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge # 415 Anything Goes

Focus on the "Happy"

Every year people all over make pledges to themselves

on how they intend to improve their lives.

They often set their goals way too high and end up feeling

like a failure by the end of week 3.

Me, I keep it simple... this year I will

Focus on the "happy" :)

My project for 

Craftyhazelnut's

 January Patterned Paper Challenge

a scrapbook page of friends 

who are no longer around...

I combined papers from 3 12x12 pads from the Works

(yes £3 for double sided 12 x 12 more card than paper pads)

 choosing a bright sunny sky for the main background.

 The faded wallpaper look to the second paper 

suited the age of the buildings we lived in at the time.

 Don't be afraid to cut elements from large sheets

to use as embellishments...

 and I even added shiny/sparkly butterflies...

because they added to the "smiliness" of the 

memories :)

Wishing you all Joy and Fulfilment in 2019

Blessed Be XXX

sharing with the following challenges;

Crafty Creations Challenge # 381 Anything goes

My Time To Craft # 387 Something New

 (resolution and paper pads)

Always Fun Challenges # 91 Something New

(resolution and paper pads)

The Corrosive Challenge # 12 Anything Goes

Rustic "Advent"ure....

CRAFTYHAZELNUT'S DECEMBER CHALLENGE

(always using patterned papers)

couldn't really be anything else but Christmassy :D

 I have grown up boys so wanted an Advent calendar

that was more suitable than "Spongebob" or "Unicorns".

I found this mdf  25 draw set in "The Works".

£15 might seem a bit pricey, but it is going to last many years.

 I used matt emulsion tester pots for neutral/earthy colours...

 painting all the draws and main frame. I also used a paler

shade to edge everything(though it doesn't show up well on here)

I chose a "log pile" patterned paper from DoCrafts/Papermania's

Festive Flora and Fauna collection to face the draws.

 Adding discs of subtle coloured pattern papers  where the 

numbers would go.

 I originally stamped the numbers onto each disc...

but they seemed a bit "flat"...

 even with distressing and inking...

 Then I found these fabulous lazer cut wooden numbers...

 and they really added to the "woodpile" feel :D

Each disc also got a coating of Martha Stewart glitter paint

to give a frosted feel.

And then of course...

Choccies!!!! Because they are never too

grown up for chocolate :D

*I will be posting about the paper covered Deer soon*

Enjoy :D and have a wonderful Holiday Season XXX

I would like to share in the following challenges;

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 27th November AG

Try It On Tuesday # Winter Wonderland

Artistic Inspiration Challenge # 210 JFF

Crafting From the Heart # 230 Anything Goes

Always Fun Challenges # 86 Anything Goes

Crafty Creations # 379 Anything Goes

Faded Memories or Bright New Experiences...

Whichever way you look at them, the things you put into

 a handmade journal stay with you longer.

My November project for

CRAFTYHAZELUT'S

 PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

CD Journal

Moving things outside meant I came across a lot of old projects

that never got finished.

 One was a CD journal(maybe 10 years ago??)

I only had the 3 panels, so I set about making pages 

for it using scrap watercolour papers

 (just drawing round the cd and cutting out)

 Next a collected a few patterned paper scraps to

rip up and add interest by gluing onto the back

 of the watercolour pages...

 and gessoed both sides for future use. 

I also cut out 4 circles of lush Vintage paper

(again only £3 for a 12 x 12 pad from The Works)

to recover the cds. I set aside the cd with the butterfly

 on for future use.

 Once dry I threaded all the pieces onto a ring...

 the inside pages all ready to be worked on.

 For the front cover I printed out some 

inspirational words and glued on, before using

 Posca paint pens to make them stand out more.

 As you can see, I couldn't resist some random stamping

 on the pages :D

and a few strands of ribbon for added charm.

If you don't like getting messy (like I do) you could simply cut 

circles from the different  papers in the pad you are using...

double sided would work best as they are thicker and stronger :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this project for the following challenges;

Polkadoodles Crafting Challenge #wk 43 Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 30th October

Crafty Creations Challenge # 377 Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart # 226 Anything Goes

A touch of my Dark Side...

I usually get my desk diary from 

Wonky Broomsticks as it runs from October,following

 the pagan year and including lots of yummy extras. But 

Kate couldn't bring herself to work on it this year

 after the sudden loss of her Mother(which is totally 

understandable).

Instead I have bought a regular desk diary...

so it needed a bit of a re-vamp.

This is now my creation for 

October's 

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge

I found these yummy "dark" papers at The Works

for under £5...and yes they are 12 x 12 AND double sided!!!

I cut a piece of the grey/blue floral as a base layer...

used Soot Black TH distress ink to stencil ornate

corners....

dug out my TH ephemera pack, and selected a few

suitable pieces to layer up :D

all the pieces are "grunged up" a little

and the time on the clock is ...

20:19 (couldn't resist lol)

Hope you enjoyed this little project :D

I would like to share it in the following challenges;

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 25th September Anything Goes

Crafty Creations Challenge # 375 Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More # 311 Anything Goes

Fab n Funky # 409 All Creatures great and small (Raven)