Sunday 13th May 2018

I can't believe it's been 3years since I have updated this blog.  That's terrible!!!  All I can say is that 'life has got in the way' and have been too busy with other things, and some health issues.  

However, I am going to try to do my best to 'revive' it and include some of my other crafts that I seem to be focusing on more lately.  Knitting, crochet, and a new one...sewing.

I have always knitted and  crocheted...since my first child was born, and she's now 48!  But I can honestly say, that this year I have been really blown away by all the lovely podcasts and various channels on youtube, that have inspired me to branch out of my 'comfort' zones and experiment with new 'natural' yarns, which up to now I've seldom used.

I could fill this entry with lots of pics of garments I've made, but have decided to do it gradually, as I am also slowly uploading them to my Ravelry page. I'm Ellyp49 both on Ravelry and Instagram, although I don't use Instragram very much.  I'm only just realising you need to hashtag everything for like minded  people to see your creations!! haha!

I have several projects on the go, something I need to remedy, as I tend to start things before finishing others.....so my aim for this year is to finish what I start before starting anything new!...well I won't promise, but will try!!!

This is just a brief introduction to this years hopes for my future crafts.

I will post again soon with some pics of current wips and some finished projects.

Bye for now!!

Elaine

xxx

Hello Again,

Isn't it strange how we sometimes come full circle back to the thing we first started out with....by that I mean, when I began crafting, my passion was parchment craft.  I haven't really done anything with parchment for some time, as I discovered mini albums, digi stamps, paint fusion, ribbon roses  and all sorts of other wonderful ways to create.

I  have always loved parchment and am a great admirer of some of the incredible work I've seen on various websites. 

Well, I've rekindled my love for the craft.  It can be time consuming, but I've found that when I'm working with parchment I am so relaxed it's unreal, and so for now at least I'm loving it.

The piece I've finished today is a gift for my sister's birthday later this year.  The pattern is by Kannikar Sukseree called  'Stylish Collections' and can be found here.

She creates some wonderful patterns and I fell in love with this one.  I'm a bit rusty but can only get better with more and more practice.

I used blendable pencils on the reverse of the parchment to add a little colour to her skin, but the hair was coloured from the front.

I added a piece of lilac card stock behind the parchment, and I made up the lace frame myself using various tools.  I used a piece of black foiled card stock to create the outer frame.

I really enjoyed doing this one, and there are three more in the set, so who knows!

You can view some of my past parchment work on my Youtube Channel
Thanks for watching.

Happy Crafting!!

Have a lovely day!!
xxx

Am back again!!! lol

Well here I am again, after

another long absence.  Try as I may I don't seem to be able to keep up regularly with blogging.  If anyone can give me any tips on making sure I add at least one post a week I would be grateful!!.....I've decided to put a reminder on my phone...that might help!!

Anyway, I have been busy crafting, even though the blog has suffered.

Parchment craft was one of my first loves, and if you would like to see some of my past work, then I have added some pics to pinterest which  you can access by clicking here.

I was away at my holiday home  and managed to watch Barbara Gray Clarity Stamps, on Create and Craft.....she was demonstrating her new groovi plates. (this link will take you to the relevant page on her website).

  Well...I was hooked!

I have a lot of parchment tools and equipment, but I just had to order her groovi plate mate and a couple of the christmas plates to try.

I have to say they are great!!!  If you have thought about giving parchment a go, then I would highly recommend you have a look at this equipment, as it is very easy to use for those who would like to 'dip their toe' into the wonderful world of parchment craft.

I went ahead and put together a card....(my first xmas card for this  year!!)...so that I could have a go at these super plates.  I love them!!

The central design is from one plate and I used another plate for the four corners.  I added some detail myself in the 'traditional' style embossing white dots and cutting some hex shapes.

I also used one of Barbaras groovi border plates for the scolloped edge and then used the large and small sun tools to add some extra details.

I coloured the central image from the back using spectrum noir pens, and added some red to the front of the berries, after they were embossed, to make them stand out a little.

  I then added the design to some red card stock, using vellum glue  under the corner leaves to secure it, but am a little disappointed that even tho it says on the tin that the glue won't show, it does a little..

....anyway, am not to be put off as I think it's turned out quite nice.  

I decided to  enter it into Barbara's July competition 'Anything goes'

Hope you like it.

Have a super weekend!

xxx

                                         

Hi

Today I have another card using an image from Simply Betty Stamps again.  I have coloured her with copics and have used  several spellbinder dies on this card.  I went with a red, black and white theme and I am pleased with the result.

Also I added some wink of stella to her dress to give it a little sparkle.  I love to colour but sometimes it's so hard to find the time to do just that!...as am not the quickest  person when it comes to putting cards together.....that's why I enjoy crafting so much...we can go at our own pace!

Well hope you have a good weekend.

Happy Crafting!!

xxx

Happy New Year!!

Well I have finally managed to get another card together.  Have been poorly with chest infection, gum infection and bad back...geez, what a start to the new year.

Anyway, surely it can only get better!...fingers crossed!

My card today is using an image from Simply Betty Stamps.  Have only just found her website and have to say I love all the images.  Great for practicing skin and hair techniques.

I have coloured this one with copics.  I used a spellbinders ribbon card die for over the image and added some flowers from WOC.  A ribbon bow and some flat backed pearls from my stash.  The backing paper have had for a while and can't remember the name.  This one is for a friends birthday at the end of the month.

Hope you like it.

Copics.

Skin E00 E21 E11 E04

Hair B01 B05 E35 E37 E79

Have a Crafty Day!!

xxx

Hope everyone  had a lovely Christmas Day.

I recently bought some faber castell polychromos blendable pencils so I thought I would give them a try this morning.

My image is from "My Besties"

Not turned it into a card as yet, as I think I will colour up a few images at a time in future, before adding them to cards.  Maybe it will be my New Years resolution, as sometimes it can take me a while to decide on how to make the card up....but if I colour up several images at a time...maybe it won't be so hard to decide on the structure of the card.  Anyway, think I will give it a go and see how I get on.

Hope you like her....have a crafty sunday!

xxxx

Hi Everyone,

Can't believe that I won the "My Besties Christmas Hop'.  Wow wow wow!!!  Such super prizes, but truthfully it's more the winning as I seldom win anything!!...lol

Anyway, a big Thank You to   them all over at My Besties.  Now I have to find the time to colour them all up!  It's such a busy time for the next couple of weeks, so there may not be lots of cards posted as most of mine are already in the post on their way!

The one I'm sharing today is just a simple one but  I love this image, and have a friend who loves poinsettias so this was made with her in mind.

I took the inspiration for this card from Sandy Allnock, who in my opinion, is an incredible colourist.  I used the hero arts stamp 'poinsettias',  stamped it a few times but only coloured one of the flowers to give a dimensional look.

I used my copics, and some background paper for the mats, some flat backed pearls, a small piece of ribbon and with a simple greeting that was it!

I do hope you like it!

xxxx

Copics used

R89 R39 R37 R35 R14
Memento Ink for stamping

                                                              I