Steady On!

heart to heart

2012-02-03T23:33:00.000Z

Hearts are one of my favourite digital images I absolutely LOVE drawing them!

Rolly Scrolly flutterby

2012-01-31T19:20:00.000Z

Rolly scrolly butterfly stamp......... flimsy whimsy.......

That's it January over! only Feb to get through before warmer brighter days, can't wait.

Little dress

2012-01-27T21:54:00.000Z

Just a little dress , it does't look much but it is sooo useful.

Trumpets

2012-01-19T22:33:00.002Z

I love daffodils always have a few bunches around at the the house at this time of year the colours just look so fresh.

I think the way the are so tightly closed then open in the warmth of the house is always lovely to watch. The mini daffs are so cute but I love the big fluted trumpets of King Alfreds . The gardens and roadsides are scattered with them around our town and it's not long before that blaze of yellow can be seen once more.
But for now daff digis....

Cup or Mug?

2012-01-16T21:39:00.000Z

My Mum has always preferred a cup but will now use a mug as she shakes so much it's easier.

She was the inspiration to this idea & for a long time now I've been meaning to post this digi stamp of a curly handled mug, I hope it's useful.

Many uses spring to mind and adding a bow or a tag to handle for a message or a name or filling with your fav tipple& adding steam or even filling with flowers ect.... best bit is adding your own decor to outside of mug.

I had fun with this one- hope you do =)

2012-01-15T11:54:00.000Z

Let's Make Cards Issue 48 on sale now - I've designed the free cover set-
Some lovely die-cut and chipboard motifs- and backing papers.

Happy New Year

2012-01-03T18:27:00.004Z

Happy New year! let's hope its a good one =)

Cage - bird- open door - ........ fly!

hope its useful or inspires

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T08:15:00.002Z

Merry Christmas to everyone thank you for all the encouragement and lovely comments ,

hope you all have a safe and Happy Christmas & wonderful New year. x

Azura A125

2011-12-07T21:13:00.007Z

I had a fandabbydoozy time on A125 really did and apart from having bunk beds!! it was all good... visited lovely islands in Caribbean and they are a great ENTS team.

Met the most lovely ladies in the craft classes who produced amazing work in each of the projects. I've tried to put a few images together of my fav which was tree decs , please forgive me if I've left anyone out , pics taken with phone so quality not great on a few.

As always a real cross section with almost all on this Cruise being very accomplished crafters & into very different subjects.

Two first time crafters both excellent and I really hope they were inspired to pop into that craft shop on return home as both very creative ladies .

A lady who was moving as soon as she returned home (she was a very lovely lady and a good crafter)

A lady from Stoke - yes thats you Sue! hope you will be cruising again as I know it was your first, that is if your sister can get you out of that craft room =) You made me laugh so much.

One lady who was a perfectionist and was fascinating to watch as extremely precise , wish I could be like that Trudy that's you ! =) amazing.

I'm always astonished when we all start with same and produce designs our own creative way, these ladies made me extremely happy as they all produced lovely lovely work.......

I'll sort out a few more soon

dark side

2011-10-25T21:52:00.004+01:00

Been really busy with digi work but have managed to get some drawing in here and there at the odd break because if I couldn't draw I wouldn't be happy at all so the smooth running of melford mansion rests entirely on my daily doodle.

Have Sof here as she has a reading week @ uni , been lovely to have her company.

Busy prepping all projects for classes on next cruise trip which is Carribbean and yes am looking forward to it =)......

I don't like the fuss of Halloween but am doing my batty bit for the dark side.....and that's sum total of my joining in I'm afraid!...... I give you a bat...

even in orange and black season I'll get pink in there some how........

key

2011-10-11T21:39:00.005+01:00

Sometimes it can take several goes at things and they still don't go right then suddenly it comes good, like mist clearing or giving your glasses a good clean , I don't often give up.... I just leave and go back to......... when the times right......

....bit like being given a key ..........

Have to say thank you for all those lovely comments makes all the difference.....

light as a feather

2011-10-04T22:12:00.004+01:00

Ok .......so as the start of dark mornings and dark evenings herald the long winter months the late burst of Sunshine has been very welcome if not a little crazy , vest tops in October!! not even I can recall that before in all my many years.......

Feeling a little sad as another year passes since my Dad died which means this blog is three years old!!

I found a little white feather on the steps this weekend which made me feel the need to blog........

A feather! now who will be able to use that I don't know but it's here ..........

rat race

2011-09-26T11:24:00.012+01:00

Had a brilliant time in London yesterday visiting Sof , we walked up to River behind borough and watched couples bungy jumping from huge crane by the side of Tower Bridge in the Rat Race .

So many people milling around & was captivated by the contrast between the new an old buildings. St Olaves--saviours grammar school is finally being renovated.

In amongst the busy city streets it never fails to amaze me how many little treasure oasis gardens there are.

Watched a butterfly floating towards one of them in a sky scraper sky line........ and saw the most beautifully delicate roses climbing across an old victorrian gate...... which inspired me...... to blog

put the boot in

2011-08-31T11:37:00.005+01:00

Last night ........started off sketching out red shoes and ended up playing around with boots!

You could add on beads and gems to embellish the fringe on these boots.

over grown

2011-08-29T22:14:00.006+01:00

Snatched a garden tidy up late monday & made a mark .......just!

The verbena is bindweed entwined ..no more....... holly hocks in.....seeds scattered...... honeysuckle tied up....... vine trimmed and looped over fence........ hence digi post

inspired by growth .........

No you can't colour it in but get creative have a go at playing around with backgrounds ........ =)

Bit of a nostalgic weekend .........

theres no place like home! ...........maybe I should draw some red shoes

not cross!

2011-08-24T17:18:00.005+01:00

Really am running out of Summer time......... so much DIY & painting left to do!

Not cross ..........digital stamp-

......enjoy

bo ho bangle

2011-08-02T10:44:00.004+01:00

I love the junk Bo Ho jewellery that my girls wear ....... keep finding beautiful bracelets bangles and ring around the house....... it's inspired some digi art ......

owly

2011-06-24T21:35:00.004+01:00

Congratulations to my lovely daughter Libby on gaining a 2.1

....Very proud indeed =)

Painting on tins

2011-06-12T11:33:00.005+01:00

Those of you who haven't tried Posca paint pens in your crafting.......

are defo missing out! Painting has never been easier.

This tin featured in Crafts Beautiful and was painted entirely with Posca pens...... no prima just caps off and go.......

Look for an old tin you would like to transform ............. have a go.....

Check out back dated Issues of CB for instructions and basic template on this project.

the image comes from a digital stamp design by urstruly.

2011-06-03T21:38:00.004+01:00

Busy busy busy here! keeping up ... just!

Libby all finished at uni ......where did that three years go?

Still in my shabby mode....... here in Suffolk.........

2011-05-31T19:35:00.002+01:00

having a floral moment.......

the sun

2011-05-14T18:51:00.005+01:00

Have managed to get quite a lot crammed into the last week and doing my usual multi projects on the go I went from job to job to let things like paint harden off and really in an effort to get everything up to a certain level. I figure if I start things then leave and go back to them it gives me time to develop ideas. Also just ordered a loads of product for next cruise which will include ceramics and stamps. I can't wait to visit Bergen & the fjords.

garden update ...... after much angst we have left the mowing (which took ages) to concentrate on cultivating. Now only mowed paths separate the long grassed areas but the pond area is much improved and all hail aldis and cheap shrubs cause it so coming together.

Mum back form Spain tomorrow can't wait to talk to her , Libs so close to finishing that degree and coming home -3weeks!!!.

Sof has secured a house for next year with other nurse friends in old Kent road South London -she goes straight into next placement with only two week break in August -can't wait to stay with her.

Have Callum here next week can't wait to hear who he's bumped into -last time it was Joey Essex!!

Todays image is the sun.....

Terry and I designed the pub sign for the "Sun at bredgar" in Kent and this sketch was submitted in the first ideas.

=) have fun hope this sketch is useful.

Azura 107

2011-04-24T22:53:00.005+01:00

Hapy Easter everyone! I'm posting a few shots of wooden eggs from classes on the P&O Azura 107 cruise. The first se day was quite rough and a few of us were not feeling all that

...erm well.

We were using Mitibushi posca paint pens on wooden eggs. Perfect medium as no prep required and the wide nibs were great for applying background colours on the eggs .

I have to say that this group of ladies were really very lovely, it was a pleasure to spend time together.

Love type

2011-02-03T22:53:00.003Z

More hearts as promised & I just love sketching out heart designs there is something most pleasurable in the actual shape. Todays post is love type.... coz I do! and I sneak type into most designs if possible.

These are freebies but should you want more black &white templates check out yourstruly. Am adding more all the time.

It's friday already so hope you guys have a great weekend what ever you are up to . I'm off to see Daughter no.2 at Nursing college in London with a mercy parcel .. teabags toilet roll shampoo bla dee blaa .. Yep good old Mum.....

& that'll be en route to see my Mum for a cuddle. =)

2011-01-26T08:38:00.009Z

Snowdrops are just so delicate and pretty and every year when I see them break through the hard ground and battle the elements I m reminded that Winter is on the way out.......

Snowdrops

bee happy

2011-01-10T17:27:00.005Z

Sitting here listening to my electro music whilst I work keeps me upbeat in these Dark January days & thats takes some doing in this cold old house. I really don't like dark wet damp days and here in uk this time of the year it's packed full of days that really don't quite get started. It's almost dark again before it's been properly light.

Listening to Chicane and drinking breakfast tea in the afternoon - snug in a sleeping bag with headphones on under a hat working on my macbook.... what ever floats your boat! and makes you happy......

I have posted a little bee template that can be made into all kind of things - but try colouring it up embellishing and using as a topper.

have fun and bee happy .

love hearts

2011-01-06T21:04:00.005Z

With the start of the new year the next first big image to get to grips with is the Valentine day hearts so here we are with my first offering - Love Love template.

This would be a lovely one to embroider or use on fabric with pens as it has flowing lines which could easily be adapted to have more twirls and curls....... or personalised with initials

With Christmas tinged with sadness this year with the passing of my Aunt and a family friend quite both unexpectedly ... it's been good to have Libs and Sof home . Even if it's been hectic and slightly dis-organised with huge de humidifiers every where drying out after the flood its been lovely to be together.

Both girls are going back off to uni this weekend which is always quite a flat feeling for me but I feel eager to get on with new start of the year as I have some interesting projects lined up.

Have the funerals early part of next week which is very sad but once again a chance to see relatives only seen at these gatherings.

Painting on a plate

2010-12-28T11:31:00.009Z

Recently on a P&O Baltic Cruise I had the pleasure of teaching a group of crafters a Ceramic Painting project.

This technique can seem a little daunting to those who have never painted before so my aim was to try & show just how you can make a simple process work really effectively. I was so so proud of all the lovely work that every one produced and wished I had taken photos to add to this blog feature. Because several of them were far better than my samples which do feature on the blog.

I'm not very good with names but work that stood out were painted by Jan Wells from Dorset and Sarah from Portsmouth both who created beautiful designs. Also a Gentleman from Wales with a fine steady hand I was very envious of .

I've been painting on ceramics with this medium for the last ten years and never tire of the endless ways to use the products and the fun at presenting them to people. Being able to encourage others to have ago is very exciting and when sharing tips etc makes it helpful for crafters to get into the medium and want to take it further trying on other items.

It shouldn't be confused with firing and pottery glazing this technique is purely for decorative purpose and having fun! ... although designs can be made a little more durable by baking in a conventional oven. Which makes items washable with care but not withstanding microwaves or dishwashers.

The project demonstrated onboard Artemis was decorating white ceramic plates using Carmine Red paint with stencils to achieve snowflake designs. Snowflake punches have been used on this design but subsitute other shaped punches such as floral . I've posted a step by step on here (as promised) with a shopping list , each item has been sourced and a link added so where anything is underlined if you click on it a new page should open with the help for you to purchase products.

You can get as intricate as you wish to with this process or keep it just as the basic stencil shape with added glitter glue. There is really no wrong way and every image can be embellished and worked up or left at a simple stage. Its an effective way of printing &decorating your own designs

Thin lines have been painted over the stenciled shapes to build up further patterns. Using a series of lines and dots. You can really make up your own designs as you go along. Or just add glitter glue on the centres or edges of all shapes

Shopping List

frisk low tack stencil film

Marabu Ceramica paint Carmine Red 15ml pot

duo dauber sponge applicator

paint brush number.00 detail round brush........ most art shops

mixing plate use lid of margarine or butter pot. any plastic will do.

Craft punch of your choice

water

Ceramic to paint- most kitchen shops white plates or mugs look out for mugs with nice flat sides and plates with rims are good for decorating too.

STEP BY STEP instructions

1 Cut a square of stencil film and slot into the punch shape you have chosen to use. Push right to back and take care to be able to see film on all sides around punch , this just helps to punch shape centrally.

2 Punch out using palm of hand and asserting full pressure on a stable hard surface.

3 Using the surround not the actual punched out shape peel off the backing and apply sticky surface down onto the rim of the plate.

4 Press down in centre lightly.

5 Take a very little dab of red paint and add onto a mixer surface such as a plastic lid. With the dabber let it absorb all paint as you push around lid.

6 Dab the sponge dauber over the stencil area , you really dont require alot of coverage -less is more - as if you intend to paint over with lines they will show much better if base is lighter.

7 Once all colour is applied peel up the stencil and move around plate stenciling on colour as you go.

* its low tack which means you an re apply lots of times. Jus take care not to smudge any fresh paint and by adding images 12 o'clock 3'clock 6 oclock 9 o'clock this will help to let each dry completely , before you go round again and fill in areas in between.

8 Once all stencilled shapes are in place and dry mix a little paint on the round rush and apply lines along length of each snowflake and dots .

9 once all line wrk dry add glitter glue or gem centres or edges.

10 BAKE in oven 170 for 30 minutes but do check manufacturers instructions as they vary between brands.

tips

-Always leave in oven with door open to cool off completely before you handle.

- Don't take out using gloves as although paint has been baked on to harden at this stage its still warm and there for soft.

- only a small amount of paint is needed to be mixed at any time . It dries very quickly .

- Clean all brushes and daubers with warm water and leave to soak for a while.

- picking up two colours from a pallette will produce a gradated effect and if colours choosen carefully ofetn a third clour can be made ie. yellow and pink wil fuse centrally to create a orange.

- Stencil film does not have to be punched it can be cut freehand so leave shapes and petals can be added to your design seperately.

- its worth pointing out that if the actual punched shapes are used to stencil with the area around them will be the colour and this works well if colou is kept quite pale . Negative -possitive.

- just using dauber on its own on the item produces a round soft shape of colour and can be worked into designs .

Glitter glues can be used to write on names which can personalise items when making as gifts.

cruising toward Christmas

2010-12-22T22:16:00.006Z

Today will be the last Christmas image as have new year items selected to post from now on. Many thanks for the mails to see why no posts or where I've gone! I've been craft instructor aboard Artemis on a Baltic cruise . I've met some lovely people and promised to upload the projects we covered on my blog which I will put together over the holiday once I have sourced products required with Links etc.

Today it's a curly reindeer ...............

Trip away marred by a coming home to find my hall ceiling on hall floor! =(

Quilling Christmas Book

2010-10-07T21:39:00.009+01:00

I've just received my copy of Elizabeth Moad's new book & really want to to pass on the link to this fantastic collection of Christmas quilling cards.

It has the most beautifully made Christmas quilling card ideas with careful step by step instructions and photos of each step.

My fav card is the bells on page 36.

Ding dong!

Congratulations to Elizabeth it really is a lovely addition to a crafters library.