What's on Your last 2011 Workdesk Wednesday???

Well hello everyone! I've been AWOL for a week although it feels like just moments. As always the festive day is gone in a flash and now it's that funny in between week. Still a holiday mood, yet already so much to do, but you can't quite get going either! Not a lot going on in my Blog World but it's full on at Crafty HQ. I have five major projects to complete by Saturday including January's My Mojo Monthly and a photo tutorial! And I gotta go to work! Sigh...

I didn't realise it was almost Wednesday until very late last night! So just one quick piccy to share... to show you a bit of loot and to join in with the last WOYWW? of 2011. I was rather off colour Christmas Day but perked up for a moment at the sight of chocolate and crafty goodies. I'm contemplating putting the buttons in the Melting pot and having a private fondue party... and the white book? Well, it's homework for my sanity!

As said, the new My Mojo Monthly is just around the corner. There's still a few days left to join in with December if you're feeling creative! I'll keep this very short and sweet today... Just wanted to pop by and say hello. I've got to get into serious 'No Faffing Around Gear' if I'm to survive the week and still enjoy some New Year Frivolity! I hope you've had a really fabulous Christmas and are still languishing in the seasonal after-glow.

Enjoy the New Year Celebrations. 

Do it your way and I'll see you all in 2012!!! 

Sarah.

What's on Your Festive Workdesk Wednesday?

A big festive hello to all fellow WOYWWers and anyone calling by! Well, it's my last show and tell before the Big Day descends with a desk that's looking as ready for Christmas as I am! I lost three months somewhere... Shouldn't it still be October? We're all off to my sister's in Wales and mum and I are head chefs at the banquet fayre!

Every Wednesday, be it Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter you can join in The One and Only Big Desk Snoop by linking up at 'Mrs. Top of the Crop Hostess' Julia's place. I'd just made a quick card but still managed to get in a mess...

Last week I showed just the corner of my Seasonal Gothic Arch and today I managed to get a better picture although it's a tough model to work with! As said I made it at a workshop with the lovely  Lin Brown from LB Crafts (that is no more...) I actually went to Holland to do it and we worked from 9am until midnight!

I really love blue and silver together and this design has a bit of everything I love. Stamping, metal work, beading and sewing... It was a very intensive labour of love on that long day, yet a real joy too. It's a few years old now but I do enjoy getting it out for the holiday season. It's actually above the lounge fireplace...just moved it for the piccy! I've added lots of my own layers and details and still like to feel the textures!

I'll keep it short as I'm sure you are all rather busy! I have to work the next two days so my table-hopping will be a little sneaky and sporadic but I'm looking forward to seeing what you are all up to! I'll leave you with a great big Christmas smooch, a twinkle from my fairy and wish you all a really great holiday time!!!

Cherish that which you hold dear...

A Festive Farewell, Sarah.

Less is more - is it really.. in December?

Well, possibly not when I look at my Festive 'to do' list or bank account but there's always a little simple bliss to be found in making a card! I'm winding down the crafty antics this week but really wanted to join in at Less is More. I goofed up last week making a rather dimensional card for the one layer challenge so I need to make things good!

This week the theme is music and I decided to step away from the Festive frenzy and go for something different. Could even be an early Valentine! I die cut two hearts and painted one in white and then embossed it. The second one is stamped with some Mr. Holtz music using White Stazon over which I applied Fired Brick Distress Ink.

I ran a piece of metal through my Dynamo to create the Lovenotes sign, added a swoosh of paint and then sanded to reveal the silver.

I mounted everything on SU Confetti White (Thanks Mandi!), added some random stitching and distressed the edges. I like the combination of elegant and slightly shabby, even if I do say so myself!

Here's my slightly more than one layer effort from last week. Still love it and it's off to a good home. Well, that's my last of card until after the Big Day!

So I'll just wish all my fellow Limettes and our Top Ladies, Chrissie and Mandi a truly fabulous holiday and an inspirational New Year!
Have a good one...Sarah.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Monday...

Good Morning,
How's life with you? Festive panic, elation, retail frenzy or Holiday Cheer?  I think the emotional roller-coaster of hyperactivity and euphoria just 'go with the job' at Christmas, but I always get there in the end, so I'm going to chill and work on being slightly mad but very merry! I'm starting to wind down the crafty antics this week but I'm in today with the new theme over at Simon Says Stamp & Show. It's a Tim and Tags FORTNIGHT so LOTS of time to show off your tagged beauties, Tim inspired creations and seasonal makes.

I fancied a cocktail of Mr. Holtz and Wendy Vecchi and had great fun creating my tags. I just sat down at my table and pulled together an array of my favourite crafty goodies and techniques.

I cut a large tag from scrap Kraft like cardboard, painted it with my Pool and Snow Cap Dabbers, and then embossed it with Spots!

I sanded the dots to create some contrast in colour and then machine stitched twice around the edges. I also distressed the edges and added a little Vintage Photo Distress ink.

I painted my Art Part Leaves white, tinted the edges with Rusty Hinge  adding sparkle with a little Stickles.

I stamped Wendy's flowers onto Glassine paper which I'd pounced  with Snow Cap and Pearl Alcohol inks. I crumpled the flowers, swiped them Rusty Hinge and stamped a few more dots for fun!

I layered them up and added washers and  Idea-ology sprockets and spinners as metal accents.

To finish, painted Grunge board Letters, sheen by Glossy Accents, and a lovely Scallop, lace and ribbon!

I thought I was done but started playing around...as you do!
Here I stamped and clear embossed Tim's Season's Silhouettes in Barn Door and then blended Peeled Paint ink over the top. More distressing, stitching and a Glassine frill along the bottom. I used my Dynamo and Copper tape to create the mini 'wonderful' sign.

The painted Wendy Flower is stamped and adorned with a sanded Muse token.

I used an inked and stamped Art Part book-plate to frame Rudolph and gave him a nice winter coat of Picket Fence  Crackle Paint! I also dressed him up with a little chain and added a little blingy thingy nose! And if you ever saw him, you would even say it glows...
The book-plate rests on the flower and sticky pads creating depth - just enough space left to add a little ribbon, lace and ric-rac for extra interest...!

Tags are always great fun - all year round. Ideal if you just have a little time to play and for all those Holtzoni's out there, it's a fab chance to show us what you got up to with the infamous 12 Tim Tag frenzy! Plus there a great $50 spree and The Top Three Artist's Title to be won! Need more Tag Therapy - Check out the brilliant DT blog and see my teamies masterpieces!

 So I'm all done and all tagged out and feeling a little more festive just from talking about red noses! I really hope you will all have a truly WONDERFUL time! Whatever you do and however you celebrate this Christmas... I think we could all use a little peace, joy and good will. So do have a very good one! Until the next time...
Sarah.

A Saturday Flutterby...

Hello to everyone and this final weekend before Mr. and Mrs. Christmas come calling. I'm glad to say the house is now in full festive attire and a sprinkling of snow yesterday definitely helped improve the mood. I know it's all slushy now, but it was a nice way to walk home from work and think about the holidays...and all the shopping I still haven't done!!!

Just sharing a few very quick and easy cards... Just some simple but modern designs created with my circle punches. I've only made a small number of cards this year but I have a few friends that don't really like the traditional sort so I had to think and make quick! So I dug out my punches and some off cuts of Chrimbo design paper...

I love playing with circles as there's so much you can do with them. I really like this polka paper and the unusual blue tones - kind of snowy and a little bit festive... I just punched lots of different circles, punched again to create a few retro hoops I inked the circle edges! I literally just threw these on the card and went with how they fell! Wish I was always so speedy.

Just played around with the layouts and stamped my sentiment  in a similar coloured ink. Job done!

So if you are still on your card marathon, maybe this is a quick idea for you to play around with. You could use any paper - old music, old cards, gift wrapping...!

I've also finished my DT pieces for Simon Says Stamp & Show which I will share on Monday! Here's a sneak preview! Now I'm off for a swim and then a bit more shopping in my lovely home town of Ludlow! Hope all is going well with everyone out there... Keep Calm and Stay Merry! See you Monday...
Sarah.

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday???

Things are looking deceptively peaceful at Casa Mia but it's a censored shot which nicely omits a weeks worth of dirty stamps. To crop or not to crop...! Reckless or OCDer, join in with the desk-confessional at Julia's. A bit of homework meant I had a getting festive, non-crafty weekend so I just downed tools and headed for the light. First Saturday out in ages! My, my, to be amongst civilisation again! Got my whole house clean too, which is both a miracle and complete mystery...

Women are obsessed with cleaning their houses just at the moment it's about to get messier, dirtier and more chaotic than ever before. It seems I MUST scrub, dust and hoover from loft to cellar before I can allow myself to adorn the floors with pine needles, rebel tinsel and thirty-five M&S bags...

As vowed, no card marathon for me! Doing all that retail style and savouring time to create just a special few cards for the family.

This was my 'Snowflake' card for Less is More. Have just realised it's a one layer week. Major duh! Oh well... Fancied an 'all winter white mood' using my fab new SU card from Mandi. Really liking the look of Confetti White - it just softens things slightly. I dug out my Mr. Tim Rosette die, snowflake and letters and Cor blimey, I even managed a bit of sparkle with some Stickles!

I've also unearthed my Festive Gothic Arch... I made it with Lin Brown many moons ago in Holland and I still love it. I'll try and get a better shot next week but for now I'll just leave you with a glimpse of my all time favourite angel...

lf you haven't had a chance to look at the challenge for December's My Mojo Monthly, please pop round... It's all about the metal! Here's the inside of my little peppermint tin which is just one of the featured projects. If you've created anything with metal recently, do feel free to join in! I'm looking at all the tinsel and glittery stuff winking at me and I'm still wondering when the festive gear will kick in...

Might need a bit of the white stuff... Anyway I'm off for a nosey to see what you're up to. Thanks for calling by. Happy WOYWWing!
Sarah.

Entering my card for:
Paper and such design

O Christmas Glee, O Christmas Glee...

Good morning from a frosty England! A bit of chilly weather, boxes of decorations out the loft and a shopping expedition...Yes, I'm inching my way into the Christmas mood. I was all set to buy my tree yesterday except it rained so badly we abandoned ship! Today, come hell or high water as they say, I am going to festify my house... It's Monday and that means it's also time to share my new piece for Simon Says Stamp & Show! A star is born...

This week it's 'Through the Looking Glass. It's all about creating dimension, so I couldn't be happier. I decided to play with all my favourite products and techniques and also take a little inspiration from Mr. Holtz. I just haven't had time to play with the 12 tags party so this was my chance to dip a toe in the water.

I created my star using Ranger Metal Foil which I stuck to six strips of card. I embossed the whole strip with the Textile folder moving the folder along the strip to emboss the whole strip. Don't be ultra fussy matching the pattern, because once it's all inked, folded and glued, you won't notice the slight differences. Then it was a good session of splodging and pounding with Alcohol Inks.

The six strips were then folded, shaped and glued onto a cardboard circle with Glossy Accents. Then I started on the centre decoration. I stamped the sentiment from Joyful Song onto thick cardstock, painted over top with Rock Candy Crackle paint and then when dry, added Vintage Photo Distress Ink to enhance the cracks. Following Tim's idea, I pounced a mix of Green and Copper Alcohol inks onto Kraft Glassine Paper, scrumpled it up and swiped Distress Ink over the wrinkles.

I cut my own holly leaves by hand, added an off-cut of vintage lace and then created two hat pins.

I coloured a few of my pearls with Red Pepper Alcohol ink for a berry nice effect! I finished everything off with an old necklace chain and jump ring to be able to hang it. Here's a side shot to show you a bit more of the shape and metal detail... I really, really like how it came out. Simple but full of texture, colour and detail. You just can't beat a bit of vintage charm, especially at Christmas...

This weeks 'Through The Looking Glass' challenge theme is a really great chance for you to show off your Festive makes!  Think depth, dimension, things you can see through. It could be a special card, a full-on tag, a Configuration Box, Art Parts, a keepsake, an altered matchbox...

I'm sure you will wow us! Do take a look at the truly amazing creations from the Design Team - they are Fantabulous! The Top Three Tiara and $50 prize are out there for the taking...so time to be getting crafty, creative and a little Christmassy!
Thanks very much for calling by! I know these are busy times for us all...have a really great week in all you do. Sarah

Just one for the weekend...

Just a quick hello from me before the weekend kicks in big time. I've have a busy week working hard to get all my long list of projects done. Almost there and last night I even cleaned the house - huge fanfare! Saturday, I'm off for an intensive dose of festive retail therapy with hubby and I'm really in the mood for a day out.

I'm admiring everyone's seasonal creations and the Tim tag frenzy sweeping the planet. Wish I had more time to join in, but one is better than none. This dotty lady is just a bit of fun I had playing around with Tims 5th tag and my Wendy Vecchi stamps. My turned out a bit messy which I ended up quite liking as it looks like a real strawberry snowstorm!

I used a corner scallop stamp to create a layered tree, adding a ric-rac trunk and a flower star complete with bolt! I inked up a scalloped edge Art Part for the snowy ground and added some twinkle with sequin trim. I'm into using non festive sentiments for my Chrimble makes at the moment and think this one works well at any time of the year!
Just a bit of funky fun and colour, and why not? Have a great weekend!

PS. Congratulations to Gini who won the stamps on my WOYWW giveaway!

WOYWW? Glitter, Guilt and A Giveaway!

The Magic Elves definitely cranked up the glitter motor... Boomph! December! I'm a full-on festive lover but just 18 days until Christmas. Eeek! I'm hoping a good dose of tinsel, pine needles and Shopology will get me on track. Thou shalt not panic and fluster. Have even decided I won't be making a huge stack of cards either! Just a few special ones here and there. I've worked hard on Design Team work and my blog all year and with over 70 folk on my list, well...the rest is up to Oxfam. I'm guilt-free and a wiser woman (well, this morning). The trail of debris there is my attempt to "be all done" and free this weekend. Fancy displaying your wares too? Join in with WOYWW? at Julia's. 'Tis merriment galore! Furthermore, here's a bit of this and that...

Despite the above appearances, a smudge shy card emerges. This week at Less is More, it's "green" and my very original take on that is a tree! I used a Wendy Vecchi corner scallop stamp, just cut it down and layered it up! A dash of red and another non-Chrimble sentiment. Me rather likey, but not enough to make 70 of 'em.

A few weeks ago I showed you some pages I made for a swap and here are the gorgeous three I got back. Just beautiful. Huge thanks to Lynne, Marjie and Michael!

 Last week I was up to my ear's in projects for My Mojo Monthly December. I'm glad to say it's all up and running with lots of tin and metal fun.

Here is one of my ideas using an old rusty tin lid. See the whole story and more here! There's also a great interview and amazing artwork from Linda Cain.

And lastly a little giveaway. Seeing as I've escaped the card making guillotine, I won't be getting these out this year. So many of you are doing great stuff with your festive makes. Maybe you can adopt them? Just let me know if you fancy them! I'll pick a name on Saturday so I can get them off in time. A nice stamp set for cards but also tags and wrapping. Right, that "all done" needs chasing. Thanks for the visit. Happy WOYWWing! Sarah.

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines...

...is the title of a rather wacky film about a 1910 flight race with an equally zany and like-named theme tune. Taste and childhood aside, I have seen it, and was soon humming the melody whilst creating my new piece for Simon Says Stamp & Show! Monday brings the wonderfully inviting new theme of Elements of Time. From the impending festivities to your favourite memory, just think of how many ways you can play with such a theme. This is what I came up with...

I still had an empty Configurations Box left over from my Houses project and thought it was the ideal candidate for a makeover. With a good dose of Distress Stain and Rock Candy Crackle Paint I was able to create an antique wood effect for my vintage cabinet. I lined the inner box with torn dictionary pages and white-washed them with Picket Fence Distress Stain.

Then the real fun began with bringing these three airborne Gents into being...

This guy is The Head Dandy so he gets to wear the big Wings! Big cheers for Glossy Accents holding them on!!!

I used three of Tim's Pocket Watches tinting them with Alcohol Inks. I inked and stamped each Gent onto white washed paper, glued a length of Ball Chain trim around the edge  with Matt Medium and added off-cuts of Sprockets.

In an ancestral mood, I added three typed words and used a Swivel Clasp to suspend each watch.

I adjusted the chain lengths which is possible with a bit of 'snip and squeeze'... Fiddily, but doable and worth the effort.

I die-cut several Weathered Clocks from Grunge board, coloured them with Distress Stain and Embossing Powder before gluing them onto the back. I wanted differing depths and with patience, super glue and ultra tiny snippets of foam pads I got there!

I made two tiny holes in the inner box top, through one of which I threaded some fine wire. I passed it through the jump ring at the end of each watch chain before going back through the other whole and securing firmly. I staggered the distances and widths to gain more interest and dimension. You will have to do a bit of tweaking to find the right 'hanging' position of each watch. Luckily all the wire and hole work can't be seen because of the outer lid!

I raided my metal stash and came across this odd handle. It was just destined for the top!

Just added a few extra details with inked and sanded Time Pieces, Spinners and a rusty metal corner.

 And finally...a  length of Ruler Ribbon brings some fitting numbers into the picture and you can also see the feet which are just four old drawer knobs. I am loving that crackle effect, but my pot no longer runneth over! I have to say I was amazed at how well everything went and I had a great two days seeing it come together. I hope you can see that there are lots of ways to play with the Elements of Time theme, Idea-ology and your Configgy boxes!

My fabulous Design Team buddies have created some truly wonderful interpretations on this theme. Take a look here! I just love seeing what we all come up with each week and I'm including you in that too! Come on, make a bid for the Top Three and check out that fabulous $50 spree. Ooooh,  just in time to buy yourself a Christmas treat!
So I'm all done. It's high time I legged it! I'm on a mission to crack my deadlines and get busy with a little festive decorating.
(You know... one toe on a table corner, garland hanging from ear, mouth full of drawing pins...left a bit!!!)
Thanks for being here. Wishing you all a really great week.
Sarah.