Happy New Year to you all..........

Wishing you all the very best in the forthcoming year.
May it bring you health, wealth and happiness ...........or lots of craft goodies :D

Do you all have lovely plans for bringing in the New Year?
me and my lovely hubby are going out for something to eat, which we kinda left to the last minute to organise LOL :D

Anyhooooo hope you all have a fabby night whatever you are planning and see you all next year :D

And a little treat for you all - head over to Scrolls Work stamps who are celebrating their first anniversary with a 35% off sale - wowser!!!!

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

decorate your decorations..........

Are your Christmas decorations looking tired? don't match your decor or you just fancy a change??

Well get yourself some INKA GOLD from Bubbly Funk and give them a new look before you put them away this year. Give them a new lease of life and create an orginal look for your home.

Inspired by my TH tags of Christmas I bought some cheap silver coloured baubles and applied the inka gold with a dry baby wipe. When dry I buffed and then gave them a second coat.

When evenly coated and lovely and shiney I added embellies - you could use anything - crystals, stickers, flowers rub-ons etc....

They look stunning in real life and look much more expensive than they did originally.

Why not have a scoot around the sales and see if you can find some bargains then transform them in to a lovely co-ordinated set for next year :D

And if you do them now you will avoid that pre Christmas panic next year :D

Hugs'n'snogs,

Julie xx

2010 favourites award ceremony starts here ...........NOW!!!

I got to thinking about my crafting year and what teh highlights have been - fave products I have discovered , events, etc...........

So for anybody who is interested this is my top ten of my 2010 crafting journey :D

At Ten...........
discovering utee and all the things you can do with it thanks to Suze Weinberg :D
I have enjoyed experimenting and even the singed fingers when I just 'forget' how hot it is again LOL

At Nine...........
rediscovering my love of stamps thanks to the girlies over at Zuzus and Moiras amazing selection of stamps (which seem to be sneaking in to my home LOL :D )

At Eight...........
Meeting Claudine and falling in love with Sticky backed canvas!!!
Such a cool product if you haven't got around to using it yet!! Check out my post HERE :D
My fave technique has to be the image transfer which works fabby with scrapbook papers :D

At Seven............
Rebekah asking me to design aproject for her Birthday blog hop and having so much fun with everyone :D
HERES my project if anybody wants to see it

At Six.....................
Discovering altered art thanks to Moira, Ginger, Zuzu and Gillian!!!
The car boots and charity shops are my new fave haunts and I love finding unusual things to alter like my alarm clock, pocket watch and bottle - check out my ALTERED ART BLOG TAB to see them and other projects :D

At Five...........
taking part in the Tims 12 tags of Christmas for the first time ever, and learning some fabby new techniques along the way.
CLICK THIS BLOG TAB if you would like to share my journey

At Four...........
Being asked to be a guest designer at the PINK BOOBY 5 CROP and getting to teach and meet lots of amazing crafters.
I had so much fun and can't wait until next year :D
I even had fun when I was thrown in at the deep end to take over Cals class - thanks guys LOL
Lots of money was raised and lots of money spent with worthy causes supported :D (scuse the pun LOL)

At Three...........
Being part of three amazing design teams!!!

Happy Daze
Bubbly Scrumptious
Scrolls Works stamps

All of the teams are amazingly talented and I get the chance to work with fabby new products.
I feel so honoured to be part of them all and would like to say a HUGE thank you for making me part of them :D

At Two............
Meeting Tim Holtz, the lord of all that is grungey and distressed!!!
Huge thanks to Moira for inviting me to Stitches in February :D I had a bit of a trial getting there but it was so worth it!!!
I got to meet lots of fellow crafters in real life, flesh and blood, the works LOL :D
But I also met Tim!!!
I don't think Moira realised what a profound affect it would have on my crafting (and my bank balance to be honest LOL) !!!

I never really 'got' the whole Tim Holtz craziness until I watched him demo - poor Moira couldn't drag me away LOL

So heres the BLOG POSTS which cover the visit to snowy Birmingham and the NEC.

And in First place..........
Creating my own technique :D
I was in love with Viva Decor Croco from the moment I tried it and couldn't help experimenting to see what it could do :D
I was amazed and in love when I realised I could make a piece of chipboard look like dichroic glass :D
I searched the internet for any techniques and couldn't find anything that uses the same technique as mine :D
SO HERE IT IS if you aren't bored of seeing it already LOL :D
and a few projects I have made using it HERE :D

So what have you all been up to in 2010???
Why not share your top ten with us all :D

I wonder what 2011 will bring to my crafting life????

Hugs'n'festive Boxing Day+1 snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day eight - do-over :D

Ok, as mentioned I want to re-do the tags that aren't in the same vein of my usual style so this is the start of my do-overs LOL

Here's my original day eight

I'm gutted I didn't keep the little detailed areas - but they were a pain to place LOL :D

Who would believe it was the same tag???
It just shows how all the techniques can be adapted to your personal style :D

Oh and you will be pleased to know that I feel much better today and heading back to work tomorrow :D
YEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY:D

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

....are you following and playing along??
Check out his blog HERE daily for fabby inspiration and new techniques :D

If you decide to play along visit ARTYJEN and share your tags with others who are joining in with the chance to win a prize from Jennie at The Artistic Stamper - the winner will be chosen at random and the more you enter the more chances you have of winning :D

*****This post will hopefully remain at the top for now so please see below for the latest post*****

TH12TOC - day twelve :D

Its the final day and I feel so sad that this is the last tag :(

T!ms tag today features his movers and shapers sizzix dies, which I have been looking at for a while, but wasn't sure how to use.
If your the same check out his post today as the video tutorials are excellent and really put it all in to place for me ..............my wish list is now groaning under the weight LOL

Well, today was hard work!!!
Guess what.............no dies LOL but you already knew that :D

So I happened upon some grungeboard sheets I had forgotten I had bought when I was tidying last night so I decided to hand cut the bauble :D
I drew myself a template and then drew it on to the grungeboard, the cut it out with a combo of my craft knife and my tonic scissors - was pretty pleasedwith myself at this point :D
So I decided to stick with my muted colour tones and cut a tag from a piece of Websters pages paper. and inked it in bundled sage and broken china DI.
I addedbuttons to the bottom and lace down the side and added distress stickles in bundled sage and rock candy.

So back to the bauble!!!
It started as a disaster, continued as a disaster for a few attempts but I recovered it in the end:D

I inked it with the broken china ink and edged it with walnut stain and added the crackle as per T!ms instructions - I used the grainy textured side by accident when I cut out my bauble and it looked horrible and didn't crackle properly.

So what to do?

I covered it with my trusty pearl paint dabber and dried it, sanded it back a bit and tried inking with the DI - of course you couldn't see them so I dried it off and got my alcohol inks out - they work lovely on grungeboard when it has been painted with a metallic acrylic - pearl works fabby as its nice and white which is why I bought it after seeing T!m demo in Feb :D

So I dabbed on Willow and stonewash ink and added more crackle glaze. when dry I highlighted with a bit more ink and some rock candy stickles.
I didn't like how it was looking so I decided to back my cut out word with paper and glossy accents the whole thing - disaster!!!
It looked awful!!

Next step - back to the craft knife and I cut all the GA and paper away from the word and sharpened up the edges. It took awhile and my finger is now sore from pressing down but it looks much better :D
I stuck it on to my tag and added a sticker with a little crystal headed pin, and added fibres to finish off.

I really love how some of my tags work together but a bit disappointed that I didn't do them all in the same colour tones.
So when I get chance Iam going to re-do some of them so I have a matching set :D

Well thats it for this year :(

Its the first time I have played and still can't believe that this time last year I only owned three distress inks and had no idea how to use them LOL :D

Wait until I see T!im again in Feb, and see how much it costs me next year LOL

So whats on my wish list???

More sizzix dies and embossing folders including movers and shapers and base plates
A tint attacher - wanted one for ages :D
An I-top brad maker and the bits to go with it (T!m used one on last years tag)
Lots more stamps,
Facets
More tissue tape
The remaining DI I haven't got yet
The distress stickles I haven't got yet either

I could go on forever LOL

If anybody happens to bump in to Santa please remind him I have been a good girl this year (as always ;-D )

Thank you to everyone for your kind words regarding my tags and for your concerns over my health - I'm still not well, and have a feeling I may be back at the docs tomorrow for more antibiotics :(


Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day eleven ....

I can't believe there is only one day left!!!!
Well todays tag involved making your own stamps from TH alterations sizzix dies.
I don't have any of the on the edge dies and already have stamps of the ones I have LOL
I didn't want to use my Snowman die again as it was just going to look too samey as yesterdays.

So I remembered about my Christmas set of Fancy Pants stamps which hardly ever get used appart from the occassional snowflake!!!

So I stamped on to a piece of Websters pages paper with a snowflake border and versamark ink and embossed with clear fine detail embossing powder.
I then inked over it with bundled sage and broken china DI, distressed my edges and inked them lightly with walnut stain.

I had to handcut a tree out of a piece of chipboard, then inked it with my bundled sage.
I used my pearl paint dabber to create a snow effect on it then gave it a quick spritz with white mica mist.
I used a piece of twine from a clothing tag I had saved and tied it around the base of the tree.

When I placed my tree on my tag I realised that it was a bit small and looked lost on my tag so I added the word stamp (again from the FP set) in olive archival ink and added buttons with glossy accents.

I added some fibres and a tag I had already made with my dichroic glass technique, then pinned on a snowflake charm.

I kinda like it and it goes really well with the other websters page tag I made :D

So I decided to link this to the Simon says stamp and show blog challenge this week which is .............show a holiday greeting :D and what a cute greeting it is :D

So what will T!m, Lord of the Tags have in store for us tomorrow???
I have a feeling it might be a alcohol ink technique as we haven't used them much so far............whats your guess???

Wow, its nearly over :(
Hope you all stay in touch :D

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day ten ....

Day ten already :-O where did those days go???
ahhhh they were snot filled yukky days, which T!m helped me get through :D
I feel so much better since half way through this tag I answered the door in my PJ's and dressing gown (yes it was 3pm but I'm ill!!) to be told by the delivery man "Julie, you look awful!" ..........LOL , how to make a gal feel good eh???

Shhhhh but don't tell four but this is my new fave LOL :D
I have the die woohoo, I have the embossing folder double woohoo :D I had the spare packaging - its my day :D
This was the easiest so far helped by the fact that all I had to sub was the stamp, brads and a scarf :D

are you all still enjoying?? I tell you, its the only thing getting me up in the morning and keeping me sane :D

Well after my posting yesterday about my issues witht he rosette die I ahd a few comments that it seemed a common problem!

So I contacted sizzix to see if it was a fault that had already been reported or not and got this response......

Thank you for your email. We haven't come across and faulty Rosette dies so far so I would just like to give you some tips on using your die first of all.

Of course if you still find that after following these tips that your die is still not working correctly then please get back in touch as we can then issue a returns form for you.

The Rosette die is a Sizzlit die therefore should only be used with paper or very thin card.

Any material other than this may put too much pressure on the die which may then cause your problem.

Another tip is to go against the grain of the card as this will mean that the crease lines are stronger and less likely to tear. An easy way to do this is to turn the paper on a slight angle when feeding it through the machine.

By folding the crease line away from the groove will also keep the strength within the crease fold.

I will try this and let you know guys, but can you let meknow how you get on too and any solutions you come up with :D
I thought about adding an extra piece of paper in the sandwich so it doesn't cut as deep - but we will see how it goes...

Right off to add a link to ArtyJen who is hopefully enjoying her birthday trip, and the artistic stamper :D

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day nine ....

Well how pleased was I when I checked T!ms blog this morning and discovered that his tag today featured the rosette die that I made the decision to buy this week LOL
Believe it or not it only arrived yesterday morning :D if anybodyis after one they are still available at Country View crafts at a fab price and free P+P!!! Excellent service too - I only ordered it on Monday night!!!

How amused was I when I couldn't find the cutting mats I have to go with the extended dies???? NOT!!! I have hte base plate but where are the mats? who knows!!!
I ended up using my normal bigz die one and the little ones that go in the sidekick LOL - bit tricky but it worked!!

Now that rosette isn't as easy as it looks - I think mine was cut too deep on the folds as it snapped :$
Soooo repeat of the big shot performance and I managed the secon time LOL

I used different paper though - it was TH from teh seasonal pad but the one in blues an reds.

My tag was randomly stamped with various stamps and then coloured with broken china and whitamica spray - it looked too blue so I did a second wash of frayed burlap and the white mica.

I distressed the edges and then added some Fired brick highlights - repeated this on my rosette and gave it a quick spritz :D

I didn't have the letter die and couldn't decide on letters so in the end I inked some chipboard letters with the broken china, mica misted and then glossy accented.

Added fibres, some organza and a few of my fave buttons :D
added a button and crystal on a safety pin to the fibres and some distress stickles to finish off.

I decided to dry my stickles with my heatgun and remembered while it was drying that organza melted with them - so gave that a quick blast too :D

I think this is my second fave so far :D

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

P.S Happy 50th Birthday Coronation Street :D

Wave to Santa

For thsi weeks project on Bubbly Scrumptious I created a cute little Christmas decoration based on T!ms day 8 tag :D

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day eight ....

Woop, wooop, woooooooppppp - I had the mask today :D
Ok I didn't have the other elements, but the mask is the essence of todays tag :D

It was all going so well..... I decided to add the little extra sections so that my sledge was more detailed and was feeling really clever with myself for thinking about brayering it down so it was completely stuck............. but I forgot the masking tape!!!
I remembered funnily enough right after I started swirling on my red ink - doh!!!! nice big corner on my tag!!! oh well,never mind I thought - I will either cover it when I ink or cut it off.

So I get my masking tape out - job done :D
finished all my stamping and come to remove it - oh oh............it ripped the top surface off part of my tag :(

Do I start again??? Ithought about it but naaaahhh.... I stuck it back down with a little bit of GA smoothed on with my finger :D

So on to the next part where you swap tha masks - no probs, all lined up nicely and I
cut a circle from eclipse tape to make a nice big moon.

When I finished my inking I removed the circle and used the piece I had cut it from to mask my inkey tag........see, I took it all in T!m ;-)
I gave it a nice bit of splodging with my paint dabber and added some rock candy stickles.

I didn't have the hardware but the tag I had cut out was smaller than T!ms anyway so I decided against trying to improvise as there isn't enough space.
I just added some more rock candy to the sky, cut out some roof tops from chipboard, did the cotton bud smoke like on day one (which I missed off LOL) and added some fibres to finish.

I really like this tag :D
and as the great man himself says ............."Enjoy the journey"

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day seven ....

....of the improvisations LOL :D
Well when I looked at todays tag I thought - hmmm thats not so hard - ok I don't have everything but I can give it a go - I think thats teh name of the game really LOL

Ok so heres my effort for today....


Well I couldn't find my sticky canvas and I forgot to stick my petals to grungeboard, so that was a good start LOL
I made my own spray mists with DIR in barn door and fired brick to colour the petals.I gave them a quick spritz with mica spary in white and added some fired brick distress stickles.
I glued them all down then added the leaves and twiggy bits from a bought poinsetta spray.

I don't have the woodgrain texture folder but liked the idea of using the bingo one and positioning the 25 in a convenient place ;-) ....see that was a strategic move, not a happy accident LOL

I coloured the tag allover with antique lined, highlighted the numbers with walnut stain and inked the edges with barn door.
I highlighted the 25 with the red ink and stuck a frahment over it with glossy accents.

My letters have a shiney surface so I spritzed them with the left over misters and dried with my heatgun then added glossy accents.

I have to say that flower was pretty tricky - but I think it was my own fauly for not doing it properly LOL

I t wasn't my fave tag to begin with but I'm quite pleased at how it turned out :D

Well lets see what challenges tomorrow brings :D

While I was blog hopping earlier I came accross a comment of wonderful it was to work on a project that so many other were working on at the same time - I agree :D
And I also think it must be pretty wonderful to be as talented and powerful as T!m.... who hasn't got a wish list as long as their arm yet????? LOL

Hugs'n'still snotty snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day six :D

Well this little baby caused me a few problems LOL :D
This is TimsWell I didn't have the embossing folder, die or the stamps but I did have some ntissue tape - but not the right one LOL
so heres
it turned out really dark so I decided to try reverse painting and lifted the colour off with a waterbrush. then painted in little trees with a colour lifted off a DI inkpad.
By this time there was no sign of my stamping and the snowman was very dark!!
I decided to coverhim with pearl paint dabber androck candy stickles..
I the decided to spritz with a pearl spritz - but its a bit heavier than planned LOL :D
I stapledsome lace on and my snowflake was covered in pearl paint, 3 layers of utee, rock candy stickles and a bit of bling.

Attempt two

I kept my colours a bit lighter this time but still couldn't see my stamping after I had inked the tag so I stamped over it LOL
paint dabbered the snowman again andadded dabs of it to the tag.
I attempted the swag but you can't really see it becausemy plaque is a bit larger than I thought LOL
I gave up at this point and decided I would do the technique required for The Compendium of Curiosities challenge on Studio L3
So I rock candied the plaque as per page 47 ;-)

So I give up T!m - well at least for now LOL

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

Icy Madonna

Thsis has to be my fave xmas Scrolls Work stamp as its just so beautiful and crisp.
If you want to get your hands on one its called Madonna & child (#8052)

I created the tile and then was stuck at first as to what I was going to mount it on to - its too heavy for a card and needed to be a piece of art.
It was at on my acrylic mounting block while I did something else and it hit me that a block was perfect.
I had a brand new block so attached it with The Ultimate glue and put some heavy items on top to make sure it stuck fast while it dried :D

Ok, so do you want to know how I made the plaque??
Heres a close up first :D
I started by stamping the image in black Stazon on to a piece of acetate a little bit larger than the image and put to one side to dry.
Next I cut a piece of chipboard (greyboard) to the same size as the stamped image.
I treated it with my faux dichroic glass technique as described HERE with platinum Viva decor croco and alcohol inks in shades of blue green and purple.

When dry and cool I covered the glazed chipboard in a thin layer of glossy accents just squiggled on, then took my acetate image and placed it over the top wiggling it gently and pressing down gently so that the glossy accents was sandwiched evenly. I then put my stamp block on top and weighted it to make sure it dried flat.

When the glue was dry I trimmed away the excess acetate with my TH tonice studios scissors, which are nice and sharp and non-stick so any wet glue just wipes off cleanly.

I sealed the edges with silver coloured Ranger memory foil tape using THIS TECHNIQUE :D

It was curling up at the corners a little which is why I weighted it when I stuck it to the block but dried perfectly :D

Wouldn't it make a lovely inexpensive gift? I love how its freestanding and quite modern looking :D
The pics really don't do the technique justice as its so sparkly and pretty in real life.

Hope you like it :D
Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie

TH12TOC - day five ....

Well I didn't have any of todays elements except the inks so I totally improvised LOL :D
Here's T!m's....
I decided against numbers because I didn't think they worked with my Scrollswork stamp (its Holly again :D)
I inked my tag as T!m describes HERE and did the edges the same.
my chippy heart was painted with green acrylic paint then given a coat of rock candy crackle glaze. When dry I rubbed aged mahogany DI in to the cracks and highlighted the edge with my pearl paint dabber.
The twine is from a clothing tag and the little charm is coloured with Viva Decor Inka gold (you may have noticed I love Inka gold :D)

Still incredibly snotty here and gonna pay a trip to the docs tomorrow me thinks - my sinusitus is BAD!!!

Hugs'nstill snotty snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day four ....

....and my favourite so far!!! both of T!m's tag and mine :D

Thats mine above and here is T!m'sI used Websters pages 6x6 paper pad I bought from Happy Daze, and a TH fragment instead of the facet (which suprise, suprise - I didn't have LOL!!!)

For T!ms instructions head over HERE

I agree when he says it will take a few attempts to do the effect on the facet - but the trick is keep blotting. I thought I had blotted enough but I wasn't so started it again a few times before I realised :D

I love this one so much I am entering it on the Simon says stamp and show weekly challenge :D
Have fun everyone,
Hug'n'snogs,
Julie xx

Ruffle your feathers....

This is one of my pieces for the Scrolls Work stamps design team.
I stamped Small ruffled feathers (#4074) on to a piece of fibre paper with black archival ink and coloured in with promarkers very lightly then highlighted with sakura glitter pen.
I glued this on to a domino with a glue stick and cut round with a craft knife. I sanded the edges with an emery board then inked with black acrhival ink.
I pressed it down in my versamark ink pad then coated in utee and heated. While hot I sprinkled on more utee and heated again and repeated this until I had a nice thick glaze.
While hot I pressed in the stamp and left to cool.
When cooled I removed the stamp then heated the face area until it was smooth again.
Next I coloured a piece of grunge paper with vive decor inka gold in platinum then stamped in the black ink with Wings -2 (#2502).
I pressed this in to the versamark and coated in utee giving it two coats.
Again while hot I pressed the stamp in to the utee to create texture.
When cold I craked the glaze by getly bending then glued the wings on to the back of the domino with Crafters pick - The Ultimate glue from Happy Daze.

Next I bent a flat filigree charm gently against the bottom of the domino nad glue on. When dry I added charms and beads.

lastly I added a glue on bail ready to hang on a chain or even on a keyring or bag charm.

Hope you like it,
Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day three :D

I really love todays tag and really happy with how it turned out :D
now heres T!msI didn't have the branch or the trim but love how my tissue tape flower turned out :D have to say it was pretty darn tricky!!!
And my tag is wayyyyyy smaller LOL :D

Still chocker with this cold and madethe huge mistake of blowing my nose on the tissue I had olbas oil on before - ouchie!!!

Oh and I forgot to mention THESE!!!
If you are struggling walking on the snow and ice believe me - these are £15 well spent :D


Hugs'n snotty snogs
Julie xx

I believe in Santa.......do you???

This is a little shadow box that Moira from Happy Daze sent me to play with awhile ago, which has a nice smooth surface perfect for stamping and inking.
Through out I used the gorgeous Scrolls Work stamps :D

I started by dabbing on Ranger paint dabber in pearl on to the Sheet music stamp and stamped all over the outside of the box.
I then inked the whole box with Bundled Sage and Forest Moss distress ink pads and a Ranger blending tool making the edges darker.
I then randomly stamped Pinecones (#8057) in olive archival ink over the lid.
I stamped Holly (#8050) on to a piece of scrap card stock twice with the archival ink.
The first image I cut the main image away from the circle border the coloured by lifting colour from my distress inkpads with a waterbrush pen - it give a lovely water coloured effect.
When dry I added the red stickles to the berries.
I stuck here dire3ctly to the lid of my box using the ultimate glue.
Next I cut the banner sections taking more off the second one to create a decoupage effect I inked them then layered with 3d foam and stuck to the lid of my box.

I painted the inside with Viva decor Inka Gold in green lava watered down a little with my water brush.
I used a little to highlight the edges of the box too and to cover the areas I couldn't get my ink in to.

I then stamped my sheet music stamp again in the archival ink on ascrap piece of paper which I tore to the size needed to fit in the box. I inked it with antique linen distress ink and stuck to the back of the inside box.
I glued a bunch of florist holly and berries in the corner with the ultimate glue and added a little battery operated tea light behind the stamped girl.

It makes a very pretty ornament with the light flickering away :D
Hope you like it,
hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

Christmas tags with Scrolls Work stamps

Hi everyone,
I loved Tims tag so much yesterday I had to play again with my lovely Scrolls Work xmas stamps :D
So for this one I used Happy Holidays (#8oo8) Sheet Music (#7104) Bells (#8056) Lady flourish silhouette #1 (#2557)

I used the custom inkpad technique for the bells as Tim demos HERE`
The lady flourish was just inked on the swirl sections around the edges of the tag
This tag is exactly the same except I used antique linen distress ink on the background - I think I prefer this one as you can see the colours I have used to fill in the stamp better.
I again used my distress inks and picked up the colours with a waterbrush pen.

Thanks for looking,
Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day two :D

So heres Tims second tag

and heres mine :DI used gorgeous Scrolls Work stamps that Jacque kindly sent me :D
I used Madonna and child, Sheet music and Seasons Greetings.

I don't have a lot of distress re-inkers but I really like how it turned out:D the little ponsettia flower is Prima and the joy charmis by 7gypsies.

To see how I created this visit Tims blog HERE

I didn't have any of the cut and dry felt but remembered I did have some felt that is used for prevent scratches on floors by furniture that I had picked up in Aldi :D

It has taken my mind off out crappy I am feeling with this blasted cold, which has now set off my chronic sinusitis BIG style :(

Hope you like it :D
Hugs'n'snotty snogs
Julie xx

TH12TOC - day one :D

Yesterday saw the start of Tims 12 tags of Christmas so I thoughtI would have a go for my Bubbly Scrumptious project this week :D

Now I know its defo not in the league of Tims stunning creation .....

I didn't have most of the items but as Tim himself says the idea is just to give you the inspiration to create your own work.

I started by using the TH alterations sizzix embossing folder set with the snowflakes and snowman, and ran my tag through the snowflake option.

I inked my tag with weathered wood and stormy sky distress inkpad then spritzed lightly with water to give a speckled effect.

I then smeared on rock candy stickles all over then when dry highlighted the debossed snowflakes with frosted lace stickles.

My fence was a torn piece of corrugaeted card painted with pearl paint dabber, covered in glossy accents and sprinkled with Martha Stewart glitter.

My house was cut freehand from two pieces of chipboard in a very random fashion.

I inked the body of the house with Rusty hinge then embossed with Rusty Hinge distress powder.

The roof was inked with stormy sky then embossed with Soot Black distress powder, then highlighted a little with the pearl paint dabber.

I highlighted the snowy areas with glossy accents and added the Martha Stewart glitter then when dry added frosted lace stickles.

The trees stapled on I bought online and are meant to be used as cake decorations.

I then stamped the TH stamp Christmas Miracle on to a piece of scrap cardstock in black archival ink. I cut out the word "believe" and the little calendar page then inked with antique linen, barn door and forest moss distress inkpads.

The word "believe was stapled to the edge and the little calendar was attached with a memo pin.

The last thing I did was highlight a few edges with the pearl paint dabber and added a piece of lace to the tag hole.

Its not as pretty or as technical as Tims, but I'm happy with it :D

Hugs'n'snogs,

Julie xx

P.S. I have just spotted a link to some fabby Christmas tickets to print if like me you don't have Tims stamp HERE

P.P.S if you have a go why not share your creations on ArtyJens splinter group HERE :D

Its nearly time.............

for Tim to show his 12 tags of Xmas :D

Get stocked up now ready for it all starting on the 1st of December at Happy Daze :D or Bubbly Funk :D

Heres last years to get you in the mood :DAnd if Santa is listening an i-top bradmaker and a punch or two , and a tiny attacher would be lovely under the tree this year :D

Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

I'm busy working ....

..........honest I am LOL :D

well, ok...... I might be watching X-factor too LOL:D
so who do you want to win???
Rebecca or Katie for me :D Although I do think it will be One Direction to be honest!!

On to serious crafting stuff - I have been playing with a new glue that Moira is stocking at Happy Daze today and its fabby!!!!

Intoducing "The Ultimate" from Api's Crafters Pick:D

Crafter's Pick "The Ultimate" glue is a multi purpose adhesive that metals, plastics, ceramics, vinyl, fibreglass, painted wood, paper and other porous and non porous surfaces!

Durable, dries clear, water based, NON-Toxic and child safe this product was created with your crafting needs in mind.

Usable as a liquid glue or as a contact cement. To use as a contact cement coat both surfaces, allow to dry clear & press together.

This glue is truly amazing and deserves the name The Ultimate

I have to say i wasn't sure at first as its quite thick and gloopy - but boy does it stick!!!
I have been using it on a domino and metal embellies and its holding as tight as tight can be :D

Go and visit the blog HERE to see what the very talented Louise Crosbie has done with a jewellery box using this fabby product :D

Hugs'n'snowy snogs,
Julie xx

Christmas Domino Jewellery ideas

Hey everyone, are you stuck for ideas for those little Christmas gifts??? How about teachers presents or stocking fillers???

Altered dominoes work out really reasonable, especially if you manage to find some in charity shops, the auction site or bargain shops.

I created these ones for this weeks Bubbly Scrumptious post :D

First I select the design from the patterned paper and cut to the size of the domino, then glue down with the glossy accents.

I use an emery board to soften the edges, then coloured the edges of the domino with inka gold.

I drilled the holes ready for the necklace findings but if you don't have a drill you can buy stick on bales or even glue a bead on to the top with a strong glue (epoxy works best or a glue gun).

I added two coats of glossy accents - don't be tempted to put it on too thick as it will never dry and will remain cloudy.

While its wet sprinkle in glitter of your choice - I really love the effect of the clear one on this set as it seems to give a textured effect like crystals :D

You can also add charms, buttons or any other embellies you like while the glossy accents is wet.

Once your happy with the finish you can start adding your jewellery findings - you can pick these up cheaply on the auction site in small quantities.

I coloured my charms with inka gold applied with a paint brush and when dry buffed it with a tissue.

Heres a few more example to inspire you :D

Hope you like them,

hugs'n'snogs

Julie xx

I'm a Fairy in disguise :D

Hahhahahahaha the lovely Leanie created this for me :D

Why???
because the UK Scrappers "its a Scrappy little Christmas cybercrop" is finally here :D
Why not get over there and register to join in the fun and games on the 3rd - 5th of December :D

Have fun :D
Hugs'n'snogs,
Julie xx

Christmas Countdown spinner

Hi everyone :D

This was originally intended to be a piece for Vanilla Sugar but I didn't get it finished before I jetted off to the Dominican :D -Sorrryyyyyy Caroline!!!

So I have used it for my piece this week on Bubbly Scrumptious :D

So how did I create my countdown spinner???

I used Websters Pages Sweet Season throughout :D

Well, my buzz and bloom chippie didn't have the words on it, but other than that it was identical.

I started by covering the back of the back plate with the sweet sprinkles paper.

I covered the front side with the inka gold by watering a little bit down in the lid and painting it onand buffed when dry with a tissue. It did take two coats but it does cover the chipboard better.

I used the spare insert shape to cut out thegreen paper then glued down with glossy accents.

I printed the numbers on to the Safmat, cut out and stuck around the green sections. I actually used an advent kit from two peas but had to cut them down to fit them in so I could have used normal fonts on a word document.

Safmat is fabby as you can create your own rub on like stickers using your printer - fabby for hybrid scrapping :D

I covered the front section of my spinner in the Sugar plum tree paper, then used the second piece to create a 3d effect by cutting out the trees and layering up with 3d foam.

I did the same with the die cut sheet.

Next I added the Prima flowers and embellies and highlighted the decorations on the tree with the glitter pen.

I was a bit puzzled how to put it together at first but asked advice while I was at the PInk Booby crop and was given the perfect solution.

I used a spare post from a scrap book :D to cover the screw head I popped on another Prima crystal centre :D

Hope you like it :D

Hugs'n'snogs,

Julie xx

I'm back!!!!!

Hola :D

I am back from the Domincan Republic minus a bit of blood thanks to lots of mozzies feeding on me :( which resulted in a visit to the hospital!!!

We still had a good time though and my lovely hubby finally did the Padi diving course and thoroughly enjoyed himself even though it was hard going at times!!!

This week I have created a canvas for Bubbly Scrumptious that is to be given as a christening present.

I have to say its just the most gorgeous baby pic so it was quite easy to create a piece of art around it :D

I painted the canvas with acrylic paint applied with a baby wipe - this is the first time I have tried painting like this and I love the effect. Its much softer than using a brush or a sponge and you can create nice swirly patterns in the paint.

When it was dry I inked the edges with frayed burlap distress ink.

I sanded the piece of die cut paper to soften the colour then ripped a couple of holes in to it. I curledthe edges back and inked with the distress ink, then stuck patches of scrap paper behind.

I highlighted the edges of the canvas and paperwith inka gold in old silver

I stuck it down overlapping
the edge of the canvas to create a 3d effect rather than just covering the front of the canvas.

I used Fancy Pants stamps and coffee archival ink to create swirls on the corners making sure itwent over the patterend paper to create depth.

I painted Ranger rock candy cracklepaint to one corner and blasted with my heatgun to create some texture,then inked with the archival ink pad.

I then added lace and flowers and spritzed with cosmic shimmer mist in copper.

I added prima canvas letters and a few buttons along with a mix of flowers to finish off.

Hope you like it and also the recipient,

Hugs'n'snogs

Julie xx