Crafting Marathon

I have been on a crafting marathon the last couple of days, Quite a lot of it I can't show yet, but I thought I would share a couple of things I have been working on. Firstly a birthday card for one of my cousin's little girls. I struggle a bit with girls, as I mostly have stamps geared up for boy's. However I have improvised with the now retired "Easter Blossoms" Stampin Up stamp set. Although the little girl has a basket of eggs I think she is quite summery so I think I have got away with it???

This isn't my usual style, but I based it loosely on the card on page 53 of the new stampin up book (thanks to my friend Sarah who kindly gave me a copy), I quite like it, but it does look less larey in real life, my flash has made the colours look a little crazy.

Ok any one who knows me well, knows I love HALLOWEEN and I am definately in HALLOWEEN mode. I have lots of projects on the go, but here are a couple that are already finished.

Here are a couple of Mummy holders (for sweets, spiders, pop corn) I have made them from small squash bottles, I have cut the tops off, a bit of glue some bandages and some card eyes and here they are, my husband added the finishing touches of their noses which are white decorative marbles he pinched out of a vase and pushed under their bandages (quite a good idea, but I didn't tell him that). I am going to add to the collection, but it is dependant on the boy's drinking some more squash! I have another project on the go that requires them to drink milk so lets hope they are thirsty! Just need a project now that requires me to drink wine lol.

Finally here is a mini pumpkin wreath I have made by threading scrunched paper onto a wire and finishing off with some leaves and tendrels. I am hoping to decorate a whole tree with decorations like this so I have lots more to make, but it is dependant on me receiving one of the new Stampin Up HALLOWEEN stamp sets for my birthday (but before my birthday, hint, hint Gary), for me to finish some of them!

Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave me a comment and stop back soon for some more creepy creations!!!

H

Beekeeping At Quarr Abbey

I am very jealous as Gary has been for his beekeeping taster session at Quarr Abbey, before he starts the full course at the beggining of next year. Here are some of the photo's he took  whilst he was there.

Ok, I am no expert, but what I have learnt so far is that these are all worker bees (female) as the drones (males) have all been pushed out of the hive by this time of year as they have done the dirty deed with the queen and are now useless and just slob about the hive wanting to be fed by the girls!!! On this super (the wooden frame) you can see the comb, some of the cells have wax caps, which means there are either eggs, larvae or pupae in them and the others are filled with honey. These bees have just been smoked, which falsely leads them to think there is a fire and instead of fleeing they try to gather their golden treasure (honey) and because they gorg so much on it they become dopey and laid back. I must admit before I started reading about bees I always thought the smoke sent them to sleep!

Gary is not in the picture as he is taking it, but he was wearing a fetching bee suit as well and a pair of yellow marigolds. We were very excited on his return and went to The bee Garden to look at what equipment we were going to need. We are now the proud owners of a smoker, so there is no turning back!!!! With no Bees yet to smoke the boy's went round seeing if it would work on numerous insects including slugs!

Boy's and their toy's!! I feel a new craft coming on, candle making is going to be a must.

Thanks for stopping by

H

Lavender Wreath

I am finding it really hard to find the time to blog during these holidays, we have had so much going on and family staying. Today I actually managed an afternoon on the allotment followed by an evening of crafting, which has been bliss.  I have been getting the plot ready for autumn, clearing the beds and lifting and storing some of our harvest. There is a plot near by which has no tennant at the moment and has the most gorgeous lavender bushes, I picked a beautiful basket full and this evening attempted my first Lavender wreath. I think it is one of those things that takes a little practise and I should have probably started with a slightly smaller one, but I am pleased with the outcome.

It's late so the lighting isn't very good, but you can see how it has turned out. I love it when I can combine my hobbies! I have been flicking through a book called the outdoor decorator, which gave me the idea. Hope you like it. Needless to say I am now smelling a little old ladyish!

For a progress report on the competition pumpkin have a look at "view from the gate", by clicking on the tab at the top or the photo to your right.

Thanks for stopping by

H

Mini Christmas Wreath

I saw a gorgeous wreath on pinterest the other day which was made by pushing lots of fabric strips onto a wire coat hanger bent into a circle. It was really beautiful, but she did say it cost a fortune in fabric as you need loads to completely cover the wire enough. I wanted to see if you could make a similar effect with paper, this is only my practise run so it is quite plain and simple, but I think it does work well.

Definately an idea I can play with I am sure you are going to see more of these!

There will be no crafting this weekend as we are off to family camp with the beavers, fingers are crossed for nice weather and I will be back on Monday with some family fun photos.

Thanks for reading
Hx

Chabby Chic Ornament

I had a little wooden tray with 3 candles in, but the candles had been used, so I threw them away. I was about to through the stand out, but decided it was a bit of a waste and thought I could do something with it. This is what I came up, it has no real use, but looks attractive on the sideboard!

The frame is a little bashed about, but I think that adds a little character. I have a four squared one also, which I have an idea for so watch this space.

Thanks for stopping by
Hx

Fishing

The children were staying with my sister last week and so I stupidly offered tog go fishing with Gary, something I won't do again. It was a sunny evening and I thought  I could sit and read my book (The bad beekeepers club, by Bill Turnbull), we went down to Sandown where the tide was out, it was pleasant for all of half an hour until the sun went down, in the following hour I had donned all three layers of clothing, my hat, my scarf and finally it was too cold for me to hold my book, complacently I had not picked up a pair of gloves. Gary convinced me to reel in his rod, which I did, by this time I would do anything to try and keep warm. I reeled it (apparently wrong as I had gone over the spool) only to find I had caught my first and last ever fish! all be it a tidder!

And here he is a tiny Turbout, anyway my fish caught, all my layers on and hands too cold too to read I wanted to go home, which didn't please the other half! We stayed just long enough to catch sight of the moon over Sandown bay.

Fishing is well and truly off my list of favourite past times and I will happily stay in the warm with a cuppa tonight crafting whilst he goes off to freeze and die of boredom.

Thanks for stopping by
Hx

Fishing Birthday Card

It's Gary's birthday next week and I wanted to make him a fishing inspired card. I bought a really nice clear stamp set a couple of months ago, which you may have seen me use on some smaller cards, this time I have done a full size card and I am really happy with how it has come out.

By the way it's the photo thats wonky not the card! Again these outline stamps come out really well using the blender pens, I have also got water colour pencils for the hands and face. This actually looks a little like Gary, which is why I had to buy the stamps, what do you think?

He never looks his best when he is fishing bless him!!! and for anyone who knows Gary, they will appreciate that he is never happier then when he has a fish in one hand and a beer in the other, the balance obviously isn't right in this photo as there is no beer, hence the lack of a smile!

Hope you like the card, thanks for stopping by.

H