Lucky me

Well I've not done much in the way of creating, as I'm STILL clearing up the left overs from the shop. The tag above just evolved as I was feeling a bit happy to see the flowers popping their little heads through the earth in our garden. 'Spring was in the air' hence the wording on the tag.


Well guess what's in this beautifully wrapped packet from my good friend Dyan at Art from the Heart (who was my inspiration years ago and still is)?


It was my raffle prize, won on a recent trip to Art from the Heart with my friends Polly, Steve and Sam. Sam kindly drove us to see Tim Holtz doing his demo at Dy's brilliant studio in Harrogate.

Just look at the fantastic 'goodies' in this stash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Dyan, Tim and everyone else involved for a great day, and a brill raffle prize. As you can see below, Tim signed the book too, what a treasure!!!!!!!!1111

Sue x

This is the result of my few hours of creativity on Sunday. I began by using my USArtquest pearlex paint pallette on some water colour paper to create a random wash background. I stamped and embossed CI large swirl stamp onto parts of the background then cut it into squares. I began working on them one at a time using loads of Crafty Individuals stash including stamps, (CI 161 text, CI182 large swirl, CI156 text words and border) and vintage photo images.

Some of the photos are a bit blurred, but you will get the idea. The paper flower on the sample above is by Hero Arts. I spotted them in Running With Scissors Craft Emporium, and just had to buy 3 different colourways, they were so yummy.

Again using CI images, Ithink from the people and places book. The flower is hand made from shrink plastic and gems.

Additions of black lace, a button and star gems on the one above.

Serendipity punched heart, liquid pearls and Mark Richards adhesive pearls. CI image and stamps for word and background.

CI stamps on scallop punched heart and background. Old embossed key.

This is how I thought I might use four of the tiles. It's one of my speciality frames ha ha ha. I 'invented' the technique whilst making a final piece for an exhibition of work I produced for my City and Guilds in Mixed Media about 8 years ago. It's made from broken pieces of lasagne stuck onto a flat frame and was featured in Simply Stamping magazine a few years ago. I'll let you know what else I come up with for the other tiles. I'm having a morning with some of my crafting buddies tomorrow and might thake them there to finish..............

Thanks to Tracey and Ruth for giving me a couple of tips to help me become a better blogger lol. I need all the help I can get, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day was it? Thanks again to both of you xxx

Very Vintage

This is my second attempt at my blog tonight. Things just don't seem to get easier somehow. I am really struggling at getting the photos on, the order is always wrong, they are always in the wrong place, I don't know how to move them, BUT 'I will not give in'. I have decided that everyone who knows me realises it's a challenge for me, so they will accept the blog 'as it is', so thanks! If two entries or double photos show, just pretend they are not there lol.

Well, I have finally done something creative at last. I had a lovely email from Jean and Malcolm of CRAFTY INDIVIDUALS which prompted me to grab all my CI stash and 'play'. The thing I love about their stamps, papers and beautiful photographic images, is that you can grunge them down or pretty them up. Well today I went vintage, (must be something to do with me being 'over the hill', cos I am really into this style at the minute). I've not decided if I'll make a frame, book or cards with my creations yet, but here's a couple of sneak peaks until I decide. Hopefully I'll get time to cmplete something tomorrow, so watch this space........................

Two weeks on........

Two weeks ago today I was a blubbering wreck. It was the day I finished at the shop, leaving behind the many wonderful customers and friends I made in my four years of owning 'Paper Paradise'. I did get a great send off though! All day long people were calling in with cards, flowers, chocolates, balloons, a beautiful vase of orchids, (my Dad's favourites, bless him) and plants. Bonnie kindly delivered a lovely 'buffet of sandwhiches, sausage rolls and buns, and my great friends Polly and Steve had a gorgeous cake printed with a photo of myself and Faye on it. Poor old Sam got roped into helping us with the drinks and washing up, but I know she didn't mind thanks Sam, I owe you one. The phone was ringing constantly and I returned home to numerous emails wishing me well, so thanks everyone, it meant so much xxxxx

One week ago today I was, once more, a blubbering wreck. It was the day Tracey re opened the shop, now named 'Running With Scissors', (check out her lovely blog on Paper Paradise web site blog links), and although I was desperate to sell the business and 'retire' I felt very emotional for some strange reason. I never expected to feel that way, so it was quite worrying...........

Today it's a completely different story. It was just a normal Saturday, the sun was shining, I strolled around the garden and noticed the lovely crocus and snowdrops blowing in the breeze and I thought 'yeah, I'm over it now. The take over has happened and I couldn't have wished the shop to be in any one elses hands. Tracey has flair, talent, a lovely personality and age on her side ha ha. Her family are so very supportive and have refurbished the shop beautifully. I went 'shopping' there on Thursday, which was an absolute pleasure. The shop was so airy and welcoming, with a host of new items to tempt me! It's time to move on and I really do wish Tracey every success with the new venture. She will be starting classes up soon and I'll be back teaching, which is my passion, so look forward to that.