March Challenge

Well you dont seem to hear a lot from me lately do you?
Fact is I am BUSY!!!! I have a craft fair the weekend before Easter, some comissions which I dont photo, as its not fair to put someones card up without their knowledge, and the DT work is keeping me extra busy as well, so its all go on this end!
The loads of DT stuff will be up as soon as I know things are going to air, and I do have one comission that I will share at a later date, including the cut files for it, svg, mtc, dxf AND fcm formats, approval having been given, but not yet.
Today is the start of the new challenge over at Kraftyhands, and a chance for all my American followers to get a head start!
March in the UK has lots of  important dates, St David's Day, St Patricks day, My Birthday, My Mum's Birthday, My Brothers birthday, 3 Aunts Birthdays, My Sons Girlfirends Birthday, 2 Cousins Birthdays, sometimes Easter, the beginning of the Formula One Season, and last but not least, Mothers Day!!!
This year its on the 15th, so not long to go, and the theme for this months challenge is One for Mothers!
Not necessarily Mothers day, but a MUM card if you please!
So Mine comes from the CD Summer of '59, a lovely, light fresh CD, based around those Big Skirts with loads of layers.

This is more or less direct from the CD onto 250gsm card stock. A bit of lace from my stash, as they always had that final layer of Laced edged Tulle didnt they? Cosmic Shimmer Pearl Drops, some square light green gems from my stash, and some glossy accents for the final layer of decoupage, to lift the ladies from the background a bit more. The sentiment is included on the cd, and uses a Stampin' Up punch.
Currently I am running my designs through my eldest sons girlfriend, Sam (21), who has never seen this artwork before and was very taken with it, her words, "It's really light and different, I love it!"
So what can you create for the One for mothers Challenge over on the Kraftyhands Blog? While you're there dont forget to grab your free Bently Bonus artwork, the boys have a new Pup, and every so often have Bently Bonus's up for grabs, free artwork from their cds or individual designs, and I hope to pop along to your blogs and comment

Hugs

Lou

My samples for todays shows.

Well the next show is on at 4pm, hopefully we will see more of the samples that the team at Kraftyhands have produced, so heres my samples, lets see if we can spot them!

I know I have spotted 4 of mine, have you?

The next show is at 4pm,

Hugs

Lou

hmmn! I missed one!

Well I have no idea how I missed this bunch!
Okay The CD is being launched on C&C on Thursday at 12 noon, by the Boys from Kraftyhands, BUT you can pre-order your copy right now, by heading over to the Webshop


So here's what I didnt post!
Dont know how I missed them, as there's enough of them, and one is missing from the photos, it was having surgery at the time!

And here's where Mike stole my thunder unknowingly. When I caught a sneak peek a few weeks ago, at Krafty Towers, I wanted to do a Handbag. Mike wasnt in the office, but Ian was, and I know they didnt know what I had immediately thought of. But Mike put them on the CD so there was little point in me going along and producing another version, so this is where I got creative instead.
There are actually 8 of them, like I said one was having surgery at the time, having its beauty spots put on. And it wasnt anywhere near dry!
Using different sized papers in your printer, and using the snapshot tool in adobe allow you to get creative with the sizes. So dont be afraid to try it out!
Basically I used the snapshot on the handbag only and printed it onto A3, then did the full page on A3 (the one thats missing), then the handbag only on A4, then the full page on A4 and so on, all the way down to the full page on 4x6inch photo paper.
Each has been decorated differently, and each of my teamies has had a different take on these to me, so its time to get creative with those handbags, as I dont think one of us has duplicated a handbag by anyone else. We have each had different views on these, mine are curved tops, others by my Teamies have squared tops, each is decorated differently, and its amazing, given that there is supposedly a limited amount you can do with these, that we havent duplicated!
I did say supposedly, as bear in mind I actually did 9 handbags, one is on the front of the book! Admittedly I was starting to run out of ideas, but like I said, we havent duplicated, even with me doing 9 of them! So the only limit is YOUR imagination, and if you need inspiration, you can always find it on the Kraftyhands Blog, and webshop gallery.

hugs

Lou

Summer of '59 Seven,

Hmmn, number 7 whats it to be?.......................................

This one I think, but before the photo, recognition where its due:
FG thank you for the idea about the Skirt!

Apparently, there always used to be a lace trim around the base of these skirts, Which I wouldn't have known about if FG hadnt told me, so thanks, FG.
For some reason I was asked to do this version of the Rocker card from the CD  dont know why I didnt do the Red one, but I'm not complaining!
So I got to play with Pink.
Everything is on the CD. The topper, the card base, the mat, even the cover for the back is on the CD, Nice job Boys!
All I did was add the frills, and highlight the scallops, both by edging with a darker colour, and by backing with a colour that matches the main image. The lace is from my stash, and the ribbon and buttons from the Kit that goes with the CD. The only little touch I added was to spray the main topper with Crafters Companion Silver sparkle, before mounting the decoupage on.

This is where its from:

Launching on Create & Craft 30th May at 12noon & 4pm

So try to catch the shows next week, and snaffle yourself a CD full to the brim with some lovely ideas!

Hugs

Lou

Summer of '59 Six and Challenge reminder

You know what in the box, it doesnt look as though there is that much, but there must be as I am showing different ones each day!
But before I begin, just a quick reminder about the current challenge over at Kraftyhands Challenge blog, Flower Frenzy, and if you use Kraftyhands artwork then you stand to win £20 worth of PHYSICAL crafty goodness of your choice!
Here's todays offering:
Warning photo heavy, sorry!

 Okay lets see how the layout goes............
Front cover and base cardstock: Cream Pearlised card, wrapped with Ribbon from the guys at Kraftyhands. Little handbag from the CD printed onto 4x6" photo card, as is the front image.
The letters and flowers are made with Paper Clay by Martha Stewart.

First page, sentiment from one of the sheets, some scraps of paper, saying Memories, as this is intended as a gift. The chair is a design by Silhouette online, and I covered the seat with a Scrap of purple dotted ribbon from the boys at Kraftyhands. Some little pearl drops to finish the chair, Main image is one of the card backgrounds, as is the backing paper on the facing page, and under the image. Then I added a little card with one of the unshaped images, from the CD, using the same ribbon, and pearl dots. The Main image forms a pocket on each page. The pink bow is again Ribbon from the Boys, and the little shoes are embellishments from my stash.

Next page, please note each time I have taken the theme  from the main image on each page.
Again scraps from my stash for the mats, dotty paper from the CD to match the frame around the image and one of the Ladies Walking papers. The Yacht is from Silhouette online, and again a small card with one of the images from the unshaped card toppers set. The Button at the bottom, is another of the Kraftyhands boys embellishments designed for the CD.

This one is using one of the Ladies Walking papers, one of the Beach Hut papers, again one of the images from the card set. Some scraps from my stash for the mats, and the car is another Silhouette online store file.

This is lovely, I love this chandelier! Unfortunately I cant remember where this file came from, oopsie!
But again dotty papers from the CD to match the frame on the image.

Another Silhouette file for the palm trees, good job I have a subscription! Beach Hut papers, and some scraps from my stash.







Last page
A lovely dressing table, again from Silhouette, Dotty papers and some scraps. Both buttons came from the Embellishment kit for the CD, as did the ribbon, but you'll have to figure out where the other button and ribbon are, 'coz I aint tellin'!
I know this seems quite plain inside, but the intention is for the recipient to fill it with notes and keepsakes themselves, no good me shoving loads of stuff in, when it might not suit the person on the receiving end! I have just provided a starting point.

This is where the majority of it has come from:

Launching on Create & Craft 30th May at 12noon & 4pm

so I hope you'll get your copy while the goings good.........

Hugs

Lou

Summer of '59 Five

Okay, so where have we got too?
This one I think..............not the worlds best photo, and not helped by the fact that the Tag is printed onto Pearlised card. But it'll look good on TV!

This is Plain, basically This was the other half of the ladies with the Black Handbags, as this was intended originally as their card base, sorry Ian and Mike!
So the tag was printed on the Sheet of A3 that I used as the base for the black handbag card, and it matches perfectly with the design underneath which was printed on A4.
Printing on different papers does give very different effects. Both images are printed onto white card, but the tag is pearlised and paler, than the base which is vibrant pink, and not pearlised.
Now again, I didnt actually do much to the image, just the different sizes and papers. Mount the Tag on some foam pads,  added a sliver of ribbon left over from the Black handbag card, and added 3 gold pva pearls to the bottom Right corner.
Again a simple card, you dont have to do much to the actual images at all, its all about how you put the cards together, all I and my Teamies can do, is provide you with ideas on what you can do with them!
Here's where its from:

Launching on Create & Craft 30th May at 12noon & 4pm

Hope you can catch the shows,

Hugs

Lou

Summer of '59 Four

Okay, this time its a card, one of the sets from the Cd Summer of '59 which will be Launching on Create & Craft 30th May at 12noon & 4pm. I was working with the red sets, so here's one of my takes on the Ladies who lunch.

This is A4 with a bowed Acetate front, embellished with some Handbag Borders I designed in MTC and are available via the MTC Gallery of @6000 free cut files.
I like to play with size, so bigger smaller, what ever takes my fancy is what is made.
Now the base image/cardbase, is printed on A3, and the Ladies themselves were printed on A4 photo paper, from the set, I think this gives better proportion for me and the card I designed.
I decided on a handbag border, to take the theme  from the woman in Red, and other than different sizing, and the border and acetate this is how the card kit makes up.
The border has been cut from 350gsn plain black cardstock, and I used the Zingster to also draw the definition on the bags. Added some tiny gold Cosminc Shimmer pearlescent pva dots to match the gold colour of the pillars, some Ribbon that the boys sent to go with the kit. Add the sentiment, mount Acetate on either side, and the mount to the front of the card, layering it on the same black card as the handbags.
Striking is the result!
I think this has to be one of my faves, along with the clock, as I like that one too, and both have been really simple to make.
Here's where its from:

So I hope you can tune in and watch the shows.

Hugs

Lou

Summer of '59 Three

Okay, I promise this ones a card!
This was on of my set pieces. We each got assigned a colour to work with this time, and my colour was RED.

But of course as I said in the first post for this CD, I wanted to bring back some of the cards that seem to have fallen from favour lately.
 I used to work in the Centre of London, and there used to be an old fashioned Tea-room facing Piccadilly Circus. Its been there for years but as I havent been up to Town for years, I dont know if its still there. But it was all marble and Chandeliers, which is what this image reminded me of as soon as I saw it, so for me these two ladies are passing as they enter and leave the tea room.
So a Diorama card for my set pyramid design.
I used the Sweet treat papers from the CD, and added a cut out frame in co-ordinating papers.
I glazed the cakes on the front, and added some ribbon, and again, a simple easy, effective card.
Here's the CD info:

Launching on Create & Craft 30th May at 12noon & 4pm

Summer of '59 Two

Here's the second of my samples for the Boys at Krafthands Kreations.
The artwork will be Launching on Create & Craft 30th May at 12noon & 4pm.

 Okay, not exactly a card!
This is one of the pyramid layers, blown up to A4 size by using the snapshot tool, and then mounting it onto a clock face.
The numbers were made using Martha Stewarts paper Clay, and the Alphabet mould, I lined the edges with a Spectrum Noir TB 9 pen, to provide definition of the edge, and added some glitter to the birds, shoes and hand bag.
And thats it!
Simple to do, pretty and functional!

Do try to catch the shows, the artwork is stunning!
Hugs

Lou

Summer of '59

Okay 

I'm too young to remember 1959!

But when the Boys let me have a sneak Peek of the artwork I fell in love with it!

Now I think you can see why.

I think the boys just keep going from strength to strength with their CD's.

Here's where its from

and will be on your screens on Create & Craft on 30th May at 12 noon and 4pm.

So this card was one of the pyramid cards. Not one of my set ones, which I dont fiddle with too much, but one of my free-style ones.

I wanted to use different shapes this time, some we forget over time, until reminded, so here's your reminder!

Base cream Card stock, scored at 5, 10, 20 and 25 cms.

Backing paper from one of the Women walking sets, to match the colour of the dress. Some gorgeous strips of pearlised Cream wire embossed card stock from Anna Marie Designs, wrapped with Bakers twine, and placed on top of the backing paper.

A design from the MTC gallery cut files, cut onto one of the dotty backing papers printed onto card stock. 

Then the pyramid design was placed on top. 

The bunting is from the CD as well, and I chose the green as a contrast to the blue, and picking up the colour of the palm trees.

Last but not least was the sentiment............On the last CD, A Man About Town, the boys included as many variations of male sentiments as they could come up with, and they have done the same this time but female relative versions.

So I printed them off in the co-ordinating green, and then mounted it to the front.

And job done.

I do like this CD even if Ian did steal my thunder and include handbags!

There'll be more coming over the next few days, both from myself, and my fellow Teamies, so keep your eyes open, there's some stunning sneak Peeks coming your way!

Hugs

Lou