Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone. I know you will all be busy getting ready for the Festive Season. I am a bit late myself this year as I got the terrible virus thats doing its rounds and my ageing hips are really bad just now too, I'm blaming the damp and cold weather for that.  I managed a few cards yesterday and thought you might like to see them. After a lovely chat with my dear friend Kate who is also suffering too, she sent me 2 beautiful dies for Christmas and of course it got my Mojo working again. So Thank-You Kate. Hope you are all well and those suffering a bit get well soon.  Sending Best Wishes for the Festive Season and Hope you have a Great New Year too. Hugs Rita xxx

 

Christmas Card Club. Challenge 24. Snow Scene with lots of Glitter

Hello to Everyone, well here we are nearly at the end of our Challenges. So glad that all my cards are more or less done,  just Family ones to make now and that will be it for this year.  Challenge 24 was chosen by our lovely Kate who would like to see a Scene with lots of Snow and Glitter. I actually managed three cards for this one and I really enjoyed making them too. The first one was made using a Barbara Gray set of stamps from some years ago. I always like using this set. The second one was sent to me by a friend for Decoupaging but this time I kept it plain and just added Snow and Glitter. The third one is a stamp I bought on ebay many years ago and just recently came across it again in a box of wooden stamps that were going to the hospice. I really liked this Theme Kate and as you can see I loved making the cards too. One more Challenge to go Folks.  Hope you are All well and no doubt like me keeping busy. .  Hugs Rita xxxx

Christmas Card Club Challenge 23 Anything Goes

Well Hello again Everyone,  My apologies for missing the last Challenge as I was away from home and not enough time before I went away to do my card. Need to try and get more ahead of myself for next year. However I have made card for today and its Challenge 23  Anything goes.  Can you believe we only have 2 more and all cards should be more or less finished for this Christmas. 
My card for this challenge is of Christmas Roses and the roses were made using JND dies in his beautiful Crystal paper. The Holly and Ivy were john's dies too. The sentiment was one of Sue Wilson's from last year or maybe even the year before. Hope you like what I've done for my Anything Goes challenge. Enjoy the following weeks and no doubt like me you too are exceptionally busy.  Hugs To Everyone. Rita xxxx

Christmas Card Club. Challenge 21 : Nativity scene

Good Morning Everyone. This time around it is my turn ro choose the theme and I'd like to choose a Nativity scene, mainly because this really is what Christmas was all about. The presents back them were was Frank-incense and Myrrh. But not as religious as I was as a child, I still love Christmas Carols  and of course a good Christmas service.  My card for this challenge was an 8 x 8 card . i used a Woodware stamp and I really think its lovely. The background was done with Distress inks before I stamped the scene with Black Memento. matted and layered it up on to gold and black card.  Hope you all enjoyed my challenge for this fortnight. .  Happy Crafting. Hugs Rita xxx

Birthday Card with Foamiran Rose

Hello again my lovely Friends.  I actually made this card last week but as today is my friends Birthday I can now show you her card.  I have also had JND triple diamond dies for a few weeks now but this was why I thought they would make a really nice card for any occasion.  Made a flower arrangement using Silk Foamiran to create my roses and added some foliage die cuts to finish it off. The sentiment was one of Cloe's stamps from last year but I think she still has it.  My Friend was delighted with her card too.   Enjoy the rest of the week Everyone.   Hugs Rita xxx

Christmas Card Club Challenge 20: Icicles

Hello Everyone. Imagine its 2 weeks since our last challenge , the weeks are starting to fly past now so thank goodness most of my Christmas cards are nearly finished.  Lorraine has chosen the theme for this challenge and she would like to see Icicles. I really enjoyed making my card for this one. I used the latest La Blanche kit for my card and it was such a joy to do , the papers are always exceptionally beautiful, so I guess you may be seeing more. The base card is 8 x 8 matted with non-shed glitter card in silver then a burgundy layer before adding my final layer. so many elements to choose from but I love vintage look at Christmas so I chose little people for most of my add ons. My icicles I cut by hand and added to the top of my card.  'Tis lovely sitting here in my craft room today with the sun shining in the window.  Hugs Rita xxxxx

 

Birthday Card for a friend

Hello Everyone,  Hope you are all well since I heard from you. This Summer has well and truly passed for me. So much going on this year for us all. Today is a birthday card made for a friend using That's Crafty beautiful flower stamp. Whilst staying over at Annie's I took a liking to it and went ahead and created this card. A bit of masking here and there, then using my Izink brush pens I proceeded to colour it.  Just a wee tad off centre but I was really happy with the way it turned out.
Be back soon. Hugs Rita xxx

 

CHristmas Card Club Challenge 19

Hello Everyone. Just to say I have created a card for Anything goes this week as I noticed there was no theme. So this was a card made from JND dies and stamps. I spent the last week up north with my very dear friend Kate ( Cuilliesocks). The scenery on every corner we turned was quite spectacular. The knowledge by Kates lovely husband Alistair led us to so many interesting places. photos will follow next time as I'm on my laptop and not got access to my photos. Not used this laptop for over a year so I hope my card gets through.  Take Care and I'll be in touch soon. Hugs Rita xxx

WOYWW week 536

Hi Folks. Sorry to have missed last week as I was away from home for a week and this week is not much better, but Im scheduling this weeks post. A rather empty desk as it lies awaiting my next project. Hope you All had a Good Week and I will be taking time to catch up with your workspaces whilst I am at my Daughters doing my bit as a Cat-Sitter for a week. Enjoy your Crafting Everyone. Hugs Rita xxx

CCC Challenge 18. Snowman or Snowmen

Hello Everyone. Another two weeks have gone past and now we are at Challenge 18 in our Christmas Card Club. Valery has chosen our theme for this Challenge.
I have created a Box card from one of John Next Door dies that I find so versatile for lots of different occasions. The Church scene die was not JND but another die that fitted the box perfectly. I used a snow embossing folder on acetate, and added a fussy cut snowman to the front of the card before putting a starlit sky backing paper on to card and adding it to the back inside panel of the box. I added card lights to the back of the card to make the church windows shine.  Thanks Valery for your choice  this time and I enjoyed making my card. Hope you All have a Good Week.  Hugs Rita xx

WOYWW 534

Hi Everyone. Firstly Apologies for being AWOL last week as my Grand-Daughters Wedding was on Friday and time was running out for all the things I had to do. Really forgot it was Wednesday. This week has been busy as well but my Work desk is not too bad.  I'm at the other side of my workroom for a change, sewing a bag as a gift.  Weather has been very hot and certainly inside the house is not the best place to be. But needs must and so with windows open I set to work. Hope you have All had a lovely week and I'll be round later for a wee peek at your work desks. Hugs Rita xx

Christmas Card Challenge 18 :Two or More Patterened Papers

Hello Everyone. Well, another two weeks have gone by and here we are in the middle of August already.
Gran Margaret would like to see 2 or more patterned papers.  So I did manage to do a card using a Tartan paper and a lovely Red striped paper. I added to that a lovely big snowman that I decoupaged. Finished it off with some snow and a die cut sentiment.

 I am now looking forward to my Eldest Grand-Daughters Wedding  next week, you know it seems no time since they were all babies and now 3 of them will be married. The youngest one Molly got 100/100 for Art and that got her one of the A's needed for Glasgow School of Art. So proud of All 5 Grandchildren as they have turned out smart and lovely young adults.  Enough from me bragging now and I'll post Wedding Pictures in 2 weeks. I have a much looked forward break coming up in early September with Kate who is one of our ladies on CCC.     Hugs Rita xxxx

WOYWW 532

Hello Everyone. Hope your all fine and keeping busy, to those feeling poorly I send Hugs and hope things improve for you.
My desk this week is quite tidy compared to last week. Not long finished Wedding Invitations for my Grand-Daughters wedding on the 23rd August, so I really have has to catch up with Birthday cards etc, I have put a Ruby Wedding card at the foot of this post as some of you asked to see my flowers, these ones are made from silk foamiran and are lovely to do.  I has a Fabulous day with Elizabeth ( http://silverscrappers.blogspot.com/)  and her lovely husband Alan.  Hope you all have a Good Week.  Hugs Rita xx

Birthday Card for my Grand-Daughter in Law

Hi Folks. Well, is this not extreme weather for August, Sunshine then Torrential rain and Winds. Certainly Crafty weather anyway, so not going to complain too much.
My card today was made for my Grandson's wife and so using one of Sue Wilson's dies and using cream and pink card  with one of Inkylicious Sentiment stamps my card was made.Jennifer absolutely love it too.  I also finished a pair of 4ply socks for my cousin in Islay as winter time on the islands can be quite severe, plus she does love my socks.  Hope you All have a nice Week-End.      Hugs Rita xxxx

 

WOYWW 531

Hello Everyone, Apologies for missing last week as I was not at home and had no access to my PC. Anyway, here I am back again and would like to thank you all for the Welcome back comments. Lots to catch up on, but I'm sure you'll keep me right if I step out of line. Been card-making this week and ran out of flowers so yesterday I thought I better try and get some done. I should have clear my desk properly but as usual I put everything to the one side and made some flowers from silk foam. So guess what I'll be doing today, yes, clearing up properly as I really don't like working in a mess. Weather today on the West Coast of Scotland has been awful, but I got to craft so nothing to complain about really.  Have a Good Week and I'll see you next time. Hugs Rita xxx

CCC Challenge 16. Non-Traditional Colours

Hello Again.  Here we are at week 16 of our challenges and this time it was Sylvie's turn to choose the theme. Sylvie would like to see Non-Traditional colours for this one, so hopefully I've managed that.  I chose Black & White for my main card and using one of Imaginations Stencils and white sparkle medium on to a piece of Black card , sorry the sparkle doesn't show up very well.  I added a Peace die cut and layered the card up on to alternate white and black card.  The other cards were toppers from my stash and I thought it was a chance to use some of them up.  Hope you are all managing to keep yourselves cool as this very hot spell is set to continue.  Love & Hugs Rita xxx

 

Male Card

Hello to All my Friends and Followers. What a busy week this has been, but I got there in the end. . All Invitations I made for my Grand-Daughters August Wedding are finished and have now been sent.  My80 th Birthday was on the 7th July,  and My Son-in-Law Ronnie was 70 yesterday, although his Party is this weekend.  So here is his Birthday Card and as most of you know I don't do Male cards very well,  he loved it as he carves from wood and I put some mixed media on a panel at the side. Hugs to All . Rita xxx

 

WOYWW 528 Messy Desk this week

Hello to All WOYWW its been a few years since I have been able to join in with you all. But now after losing my husband of 60 years I found myself  having more time to enjoy my crafts again. Not sure if things have changed but Julia will keep me up to date. Here is my desk this morning after a busy day card making yesterday. Why do I always leave things till the last minute. Lovely to be able to meet you all again. Hugs Rita xxx

 

CCC Challenge 14. Baubles

Hello Everyone. Just to say I had a Great Holiday in Islay with my two girls, just what I needed.
So today is Challenge 14 at our Christmas Card Club and this time it was Elizabeths turn to choose the theme and she would like to see Baubles  or Anything Goes.  I managed to make a very quick card for this challenge using a Gold card base to which I added some craft card and a topper before adding my die cut bauble. Ribbon of course was added along with a bow to finish it off. Hugs Rita xx

Chrismas Flowers for CCC Challenge 13

Hi Everyone.  Nearly forgot this one.  But Hey Ho I managed it.  Kate has asked for Christmas Flowers this time around and as most of you know I adore Poinsettias, so it had to be that special flower.  My card is 6 x 6 pearlescent card and after embossing my sentiment I went about making my Poinsettias in Vellum. I stamped and embossed them in white before cutting them out and putting them all together.  The leaves were die cut and roughly painted with Izink Diamond in Gold, with the addition of a ribbon bow my card was complete.  Thank You Kate, I really enjoyed making this one. Hope everyone is enjoying life at the minute as the weather is so changeable  on the West Coast of Scotland we cannot depend on that, thank goodness for crafting time. I have been Knitting and Sewing.  Hugs Rita xxxxx

Christmas Card Club. Challenge 12 is Reindeer

Hello My Dear Friends, where has 2 weeks gone. It just seems like a blink since our last challenge. Good News is my Grand-daughters Invitations are finished and my eyesight has at least stabilized too.
Our challenge this time was chosen by Rachel and she would love to see Reindeer, one of my favourites at Christmas. My card for this challenge was a very old wooden stamp by Hampton Art stamps, Rudolph 4611 it maybe discontinued by now.  I stamped it on to Watercolour paper and coloured him using Derwent Inktense pencils. Then he was matted on to some cut off card I had been using on another project ,along with some red card. A few corner peel offs added and that is my finished card.  a busy week ahead so need to tidy my craft place.  Hope you are all well.  Hugs Rita xx

Christmas Card Challenge Lights

Hello Everyone. Sorry I did not manage Kates Challenge last time, but I will make it up. We have had 2 weeks of beautiful weather and last week I had the pleasure of having Kate down to stay.On Wednesday I had a craft day with Kate and Elizabeth and Annie my daughter too. You can't buy Friendships like this as we had such fun and laughter.So Thank You ladies for a Wonderful Day.
Today is Challenge 11 chosen by our lovely Margaret and she would like to see lights of some kind for this challenge. I used a Heartfelt Creation set of stamps and coloured them with Faber Castel Polychromos pencils. Matted on to Gold card and added to a 6 X 6 white card.  Have a Good Week Everyone. Hugs Rita xxxx.

  

   

The 3 Amigos

Birthday Card

Sorry for being away again, but just enjoyed some Special time with my 92 year old sister. So here are some cards I made before I went. so today will be just chilling I'm afraid. Busy week ahead so I may or may not manage a card, but never say never.  Weather still beaitiful even if mornings are a bit chilly.  Hugs Rita xxx

70th Birthday Card

 

 Bag for the above card

 50th Card

 1st Birthday card

CCC Challenge 9 Cosy Cute Christmas

Hello to Everyone. Total change to the weather now, quite a miserable week with dull skies, thunder, lightning and some sunshine.
Today is another Challenge at CCC and today it is Zoe's turn to chose our theme, and she would like to see a Cute and Cosy Christmas.  Since I have had a very busy week, I chose to recycle a beautiful card from last year.  It's such a shame we have to get rid of some beautiful cards,  but I keep some pretty ones to recycle again,  not handmade ones I need to add.  So with this one I added it to an 8 X 8 card to which I added a frame a ribbon bow and a hand made Poinsettia.  Hope you are all well and enjoying some crafting too.  Hugs Rita xxxx

Christmas Card Club Challenge 8 : Scene

Hello Everyone. Nice to have you visit my blog, it really makes our card-making worth while, and its much appreciated too.
Well the weather here in the West of Scotland has been sunshine every day for well over a week, and all the gardens are beginning to come to life again. Spring has certainly Sprung.

 So here we are again creating a card for CCC and this time around our theme has been chosen by our lovely Shaz and she would like to see a Christmas scene.  I have actually made two cards this time, the first one is a shadow box card and I have used a Dufex Print ( remember them )  at the back of the box and then used a lovely cut and emboss folder from JND called Trees. I left it white so I could add one of my vellum poinsettias to finish it off. My second card was a topper I found in my box of stash and I thought this would be nice as a scene card too. Another lovely embossing folder layered and matted witg Silver mirri card, to which I added my die sentiment at the bottom edge.  Lastly just to Thank Shaz for a lovely choice and I really enjoyed making my cards.  Till next time Enjoy your Crafting.  Hugs Rita xxx

 

Anniversary card

Good Morning All.  This card was made for a friend on her 10th Wedding Anniversary . I really have fell in Love with these new dies from JND he has always created the most unusual Stamps and dies and the ones I have used to make this card are all from John.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  Hugs Rita xxx  Back to my Grand-Daughters invites now..  Hugs Rita xxx

Floral Framed Card

Good Morning All.  This was the card that I made at the John Lockwood workshop in Sutton in Ashfield last Saturday. The dies we used are so easily cut and the frame fits to perfection. It was then put on a twisted easel card.  I will put a photograph in it later , but I stamped a piece of card using one of Nellie Snellen stamps in white ink, and inserted it inside the frame. The flowers and Foliage were made again using John's stamps and dies. Coloured with Inkz and Crystal paper. ( Flowers Makers Dream to work with ).  We had so much fun and the most wonderful lunch provided by Janet Humphries and all made by Janet herself. Wish I was nearer and I would be a regular at her classes.  Enjoy your Crafting.  Hugs Rita xxx

 

Christmas Club Challenge 7 ; Theme is Santa

Hi Everyone.  Time again for another challenge on our CCC, and for My Theme this time I chose Santa.  Personally I do love nice faced Santas and for my cards I hope they show that. The first one is 8X8 and verging on Vintage as I do love that too. The image is from a Joanna Sheen CD from a few years back. I used Tartan paper and part of some packaging that I colour washed with white ink. Finished it off with hand crafted foliage and a pretty poinsettia.. My second card is a 6X6.  I cut an aperture on the card and then added a scalloped edge in red card to highlight the image, again the Poinsettias were made by myself. Hope you all enjoyed my challenge this time round. Have a Good Week.  Hugs Rita xxx

 

 

Stunning Hydrangea Canvas

Hello Everyone, as most of you know I took a trip to Derby recently to see my nephew and also too in one of John Next Door's workshops. This canvas was our afternoon piece and I just loved working with all John's Izinks and Dies. I think you'll agree the colours are so vibrant and beautiful. The day itself was made nicer for me as my niece Michelle accompanied me to the workshop. Janet from JHD crafts provided a fabulous lunch with all home cooked foods and baking. If any of you get the chance to go to Sutton in Ashfield you will be given a warm welcome. So here is my finished canvas and its so pretty in real life.

  

See you all on Sunday where its my turn to choose the Challenge at the Christmas Card Club. 

 Hugs Rita xxxx

Thank You Card

Hello Folks,  Starting to get excited now as it will soon be time to go on my trip to a workshop with John Lockwood and Martine Smith.  I made this card last night using John's Camelia flower Die set and the leaves were all from JND as well. I have to say they all cut so beautifully as I have been a follower of his work for a long time now  The Stamp was from Nellie Snellen and the quality again was pure perfection. The sentiment is an old one from Inkylicious but it covers a lot of reasons to send a card.  I really enjoyed my afternoon back to making my flowers again.  Will show you my makes when I return as I'm staying with my lovely nephew and his wife for a few extra days. Enjoy your week.  Hugs Rita xxx

Christmas Club Challenge 6: Festive Food

Hi Everyone. Well, hasn't the weather turned again, the Wind and Rain has been awful this week. The spring flowers have been battered and washed down Im afraid, and the garden looks a mess
I'm cosy and dry in the house, but nearly forgot it was Challenge 6 this week. Our lovely member Lorraine would like to see food and of course its not a stamp I use at all.  But came across a set from a magazine that was left behind after Annie took a box load to our local hospice. I was lucky it had a Christmas Pudding stamp among the others so I tried my best to use it on my card, but not my favourite Santa face.(I go for a nice smiley Santa. ) I used my Polychromos pencils to colour it and added some shaved ice to give it a snowy look. Some Holly and Mistletoe and it was done.  Hope it passes muster Lorraine. Wishing you all a good week.  Hugs Rita xx

Scene card

Good Morning All.  I found time today to have a little play with my JND new Stamps, Inks And Sprays, Its a long time since I used inks and stamps let alone sprays, but John Next Door gave me inspiration to get going again. His new stamps and Izink pads and sprays are great to work with along with all his new dies. I started out just playing and finished up with a card.  I really need to get back in the groove. So I gathered myself together and booked a workshop with John and Martine Smith who makes the most beautiful flowers. So I'm going to Derby at the end of the month and I am now looking forward to my trip. Hope you like my finished card.  Enjoy your Weekend everyone.  Hugs Rita xxx

Glue Gun Canvas. Trees

Hello Everyone, I know, Im trying hard to find my mojo and with the help of my lovely Daughter Annie, our dear friend Astrid and I learned this a few weeks ago at a Crafty Day at Annies. It was so much fun to do and once you got going it just got better. We were filled with excitement as to how our makes would end, so here is my finished canvas. Now I want to try a different one, so need to charge up my glue gun again. Give it a try and just enjoy. Have a nice week.  Hugs Rita xxx