Childhood page

Right from the beginning of September I wanted to make a childhood page for Dawn's Journal Journey's challenge and all through September I racked my brains about how to!!! Then, in a clear out I found some cards that I bought as a set from a shop closing down in Morecambe about two years ago. The images were so nice that I intended taking them home to scan and resize - that of course was while we were in the process of moving so they were put away and forgotten until last week. So, having not just scanned and re-sized, I changed them to black and white images too, courtesy of a brilliant programme called Print Shop(not quite as complicated as Photo Shop) was pleased with the results and knew straight away which image I wanted to use.
Here's what I came up with - onto a mop up page

I coloured part of the picture with watered down distress markers,then a few scraps torn or cut, a doily, torn washi tape, a lacy heart made from a Christmas tree die from a magazine(this months Simply Cards and Papercrafts) bought especially for that die - I have also found that as well as cutting off the trunk and the star to make the heart some of the cut out pieces fit together to make a butterfly. 
So hopefully not too late!

Yesterday had a fabulous day out at Happy Stampers in Port Sunlight - meeting old friends and putting faces to a some bloggy friends - great to meet you at last Ann and Kath. It really was great to have a good catch up with the old,(ok, less of the old)young Esther who I sat with in the sunshine and had lunch! Esther hasn't blogged for ages!(he hee! nothing like naming and shaming!xx) It was also good to see that Gez finally made it, although we didn't have long to chat(maybe next time)! A great day, inspiring demos, spent too much, tiring but nonetheless great!

Thanks for looking,
Chris

Pears tag

I love Autumn, not just for the cooler days and the lovely colours but because Williams pears are back in the shops. Considering my blog name you'd think any pear would do but actually, although I will eat other pears, I look forward to the lovely, tangy, juicy Williams variety being available.
So to celebrate eating my first Williams of the season(4 so far) I've made a tag!

With limited resources up here at the caravan I've smooshed, inked and stamped in greens and oranges, stamped the background then stuck on some scraps torn randomly. The TH pear was stamped onto a piece of watercolour paper leftover from something else.
The pear picture at the top was cut from a sheet of Graphic45 Domestic Goddess paper, the flower and leaf at the bottom was from some old paper that I used up in my Small Tattered Floral strip, inked with distress inks and added to a medallion from an old necklace. The cord is from a label that my son gave me(well trained eh!)All tied together with ribbon, bandage and twine rolled on distress markers scribbled onto my mat and spritzed.
I do love using bits up!

I would like to enter a few challenges too as there has been some great inspiration around!

Sarah Hurley Challenge 84 Autumn glow
Ali-craft monthly blog challenge 4 Autumn 
Tando Creative challenges - Let's leaf it 
Frilly and Funkie challenge blog - Eat, Drink and be merry
Vintage Stamping challenge-Anything from your garden

Thanks for looking, Chris

WOYWW

Wednesday and not long to the weekend and a visit to Happy Stampers but for now I'm here to show you whats on my desk?table this week. For the 'why' and 'how' I'll direct to our leader Julia who will guide you towards the workdesks of the world.
On mine - yes I'm at our caravan again following a brief trip back home - I've started on Christmas cards - at last - you can see the first one which I'm allowing to dry just to test how the stickles dry.

  Sorry about the glare from my mat, I'm using a TH Christmas tree and an almanac stamp I got from a NOZ visit while in France.
I can't show the Birthday cards that I've made under the stamps as I know that both recipients occasionally look at my blog - another day maybe.
Just a quick look at the view - misty and mysterious!

Can you see what's happened to the big conifer in next door's garden - it's been hacked along with my Buddleia. Our warden has obviously been out and about with his hedge trimmer!!
Fortunately Mr Robin still likes to sit atop it singing his heart out!

So, that's about it for today - we are off back home before the weekend - can't miss Happy Stampers - if you are going I'd love to meet up! I'll probably be lurking around the Paper Artsy stand!! 
Thanks for looking, Chris

Final few pages

One of my journals is very nearly full - I can hardly believe its over two years since I started this particular journal at an Introduction to Art Journaling workshop with Lindsay Mason way back at the start of February 2011. We had some laughs that day!
The journal is a Rymans one that Lindsay provided for each of us and it has been a faithful friend for all that time. Around that time I had two other journals on the go - a small A6 one and another A5 one with watercolour paper but this has been the one I've turned to mostly - I love it so much there's already a replacement waiting to be started (although I now have a variety of journals of different sizes and with different papers)
Here is one of the latest pages 

This page came about simply because I was sorting through some old scraps(with the intention of throwing them away)They have been in a little pencil case for ages but when I found them I just couldn't do it! The white butterflies are from some cup cake holders(Sainsbury's I think)The tape and stamps are fairly new(TH). The stick on moth was also found during my sort out - tucked inside a folder - a whole book of crowded attic idea-olgy stickers with only a few used - how did that happen? I'm going to be using more of these now I've found them.

Now the funny thing is - when I saw the challenge at Our Creative Corner I scratched my head and decided this was one challenge I wouldn't be doing - I mean, I use all my stuff right? I don't forget what I have - I may mislay it but I know it's there - ahem! I'm saying no more till the craft police arrive!!!
So, yes, I am going to link to this challenge:-

Our Creative Corner - Forgotten Things

Thanks for looking, I'll be back with some more pages soon, Chris

Bargain trunk!

Thank Goodness for rainy days - well sometimes at least! Following my bargain hunt the other day I really was keen to play! Fortunately the rain that was forecast did arrive - big time, and I was able to get moving! Well, eventually - I have had a bit of a re-arrangement of my supplies up here at the caravan! I also had to admit that some of the stuff I brought up had only been brought up because I wasn't using it at home - it will never be used so I now have a bag of bits and pieces for the charity shop. Okay, give me a week and I'll be wishing I hadn't done it!!!
So, first bargain - the little trunk,(here)which I think will eventually become a pin cushion holder(not sure yet)

 As usual I forgot to take photos as I first painted it in a mixture of bronze and pearl white acrylic paint, then stamped it using Caramel (Adirondack Earthtones)with (TH) Attic treasures stamps.
Yesterday there was a slight improvement weatherwise so we went out for lunch and a visit to Leighton Hall(a lovely mansion  house not far away), enjoyed a tour around the house, entertained by an expert and amusing guide and then on to the lawn for a flying display of hawks - a lovely afternoon!

When I came back I set to making the corners from a new decorative circle die I have(more of that another time) However, the light beat me and I had to wait until today to take photographs. So what happened? We had a mist all morning and it was quite dark and didn't really brighten up when the mist lifted so I took a leaf out of some other folk I've seen who photograph outdoors - brilliant idea!
So,onto the bench on the decking - behind the two photos above is the Rowan tree that produces orange berries(they never go red and the birds don't seem to like them sadly)
Then round the back of the caravan my favourite spot - the rockery - so here are two more views.

 I must say I really did have fun making this and have decided to enter it in 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge-Stamping on anything  but plain paper 

Thanks for looking, Chris

WOYWW

I've left a fairly tidy desk behind and we are up in Carnforth again with my lovely views - there's one for you at the bottom of this post! I expect you'd rather see what's on my desk - it being Wednesday (yes, Wednesday already!)I did wonder if Julia might not be here today, as you will know if you saw her post yesterday - she was a day behind! Julia of course - the leader, the head honcho, the one who encourages us to show our all!!
So here is my table - we came up this morning then went into Kendal for lunch and a little retail therapy!

Two little items from the works - tomorrow's project(rain is forecast)

Some lace, ribbon, wool tops and some fabulous Blue Faced Leicester  fleece
dyed in glorious colours I'm going to do some needlefelting again
(dumfing if you look at Jo's Twiglet blog here)

Look what I found in TKMaxx, I love this train but there's always been something else I'd rather have, but for £7.99 why not? I also found magnetic sheets for storing metal dies for only £3.99

My whole spend for all these goodies was just over £23 (hubby also picked up an bargain Italian guide book at the bookshop down the road) We then went off to food shop at Booths and guess what - lots of reduced yummy food so we have stocked up the freezer too and with what we saved there it just about makes those goodies free(well, almost!!)
So I plan on being busy for a few days! 
As promised, here is the view as the sun was going down - no red sunset - you know the old saying!

There's a late lamb in the picture with mummy!

Thanks for looking, I'll try to visit either tonight or tomorrow, Chris 

New Look? Help!!!(title edit - YAY!!!!)

Well, I tried! Here is the journal page I finished today.

I've had the set with the pear on for ages and used the pear in projects in the past although I must say I use the dragonfly more! However today I decided to make a page with the intent to use it on my blog as a header! So far so good! I started(as per usual) with a mop up page - a lot of smooshed around turquoisey paints - then with addition of some stencils(Dylusions)some background stamps(TH and Artistic stamper)a Tim Christmas word and quote. The pear was stamped first with Pear Tart(Memento)-didn't show up so overstamped with black then coloured with a selection of green distress inks. So - reasonably happy with page. Then turned to pear stamp again - I've been meaning to make a little book with said pear so stamped onto some Amazon packaging - decide that this would replace my pear image at the top of my blog

 or this one?

So - off to blogger - now I don't know why, but I removed the original pear quite easily, but will it let me put on a replacement - will it? No!!

So what you see is what you get for now - I may or may not try again tomorrow, but blogger is not going to stop me watching Doc Martin, so I'll say Thanks for looking and I'm off to the tv, Chris

Yes, as you noticed I did it - won't tell you how long it took me to remember how I did it last time!  

A few journal pages

It's mainly "Thanks" to Alison that these journal pages are here! They have sat around in my 'nearly full' A5 journal in various stages of unfinished! The posts that Alison has done for Paper Artsy this week reminded about some stamps I've not used for ages so out they came and "Voila!" here they are! In no particular order!

I did try some of Alison's techniques which has led me to start something else but I won't be finishing that till I get back after the weekend! We are off with eldest grandson to see some Eddie Stobart trucks up in Carlisle! He's just started High School so a well earned weekend away is his choice!

See you soon, Thanks for looking, Chris. 

WOYWW 223

Wednesday - again! The days just seemed to melt into each other this week - we've been here, there and everywhere and in between a bit of crafty time, men coming to give quotes for new windows and a bit of social activity…in other words a lovely week!
So, along with crafty folk all over the world we are here at Julia's to show our desks(for details of how to join in see here) 

Not a lot on my desk, something started and a few things around waiting for the 'umph' to get me going. Also I see on the left the very edge of my two new notebooks and a Paperchase voucher that is going to be used later today - we are off for coffee with number three son! On the right two A5 journals and my Eleanor of Aquitaine book - still reading the book I started way back in June(although I have read others in between)

Oh! just remembered - the 'experiment' last week?

Back to the drawing board methinks!!

Actually - looking at this again - give up - lifes too short!!!

Thanks for looking, I'll be back after coffee and a bit of retail therapy!

Chris

August into September - already!!

My, doesn't time fly when you're having fun! I actually had my September page all ready on the first, then as no link was set up on Kate's blog decided to leave it a day or two, then ……well, here we are it's the 9th and I'd forgotten all about it! So September is well and truly on it's way to the beginning of Autumn…….

……and here's my page. I don't often feature fairies but I do have a lot of Lavinia stamps and thought that they would go very nicely with my new Dylusions mask. The page had a good spritz with water before spraying with Dylusions ink spray, then mopping up, some ghosting using more masks and water, a little bit of stamping using Artistic Stamper background stamps(You can see the results of my mopping up here)
August was a fun month spent with grandchildren much of the time and of course my chance to attend a workshop with the master himself - Tim Holtz! 

I am linking to the wonderful Kate's blog and looking forward to seeing lots of other calendars, although sadly not so many now as a lot of folk choose to only post on Facebook. I do hope that some of you decide to do both as Facebook is a no no for me!
Thanks for looking, Chris  

Enough of the rules!

As you know I love Lindsay Mason's stamps(both the Off the Wall range and her Doo Lally Pip range)and often use them in my journals so it's probably no surprise that I've used Princess Tippy Toes to add to a mop up page that looked like this

Dylusions sprays, Dylusions mask, artistic stamper background stamps

I love the phrases she uses in her 'I've had enough' set and this is the journal page I came up with

The leaves are from another set - 'Hopeful Harriet'

Sometimes you just have to be naughty and today despite the Type 2 diabetes I really enjoyed my Chunky KitKat!!

Thanks for looking, Chris

WOYWW 222

If you want to know what the title of this blog means then go here to Julia's blog and all will be explained.
Okay so now you know I'll show you where I'm working playing for the next few days.

An evening shot, we came up at lunch time then went out for the afternoon. A lovely walk along Morecambe prom, enjoying the last of the Summer sunshine. Autumn is well and truly on it's way.

On my table is an experiment - I saw a punch on tv yesterday and wondered if a bit of clipping might turn my favourite lace punch into a flower punch - not yet it won't - back to the drawing board! There's also my journal with a page I'll show soon. At the back are two hearts that my granddaughter and I are playing with - left to dry from my last trip up here(which seems like ages ago) 

To think, this time last week we were getting ready for a workshop with the one and only Tim Holtz - I have already posted pictures so won't bore you here - but it was THE most fantastic day!!!

Just as I was taking a photo of my desk I realised the sun was setting.

Looking out of the door from my chair

It's going - taken through the window

It's gone - I went out on the decking to take this

So as I said earlier - Autumn is coming - in the Summer the sun sets further over to the west on the other side of the tree.

Just one of many glorious sunsets we've had this Summer

 Thanks for looking, I'd better get a move on if I'm going to visit anyone today!!
Chris 

A whizz of a day!!

So, you know where I've been, you know what goodies I got, so what did I do with them?

It's big and beautiful and I couldn't wait to get started!

I could only journal one thing and that is about the fantastic two days in spent in Coventry - the first night meeting friends from blogland and the other - a workshop with the amazing Mr Holtz!! 

The day went so quickly and was so full of fun I hope this page gives a sense of the way I felt (and not just on the day!!)

A spritz with water(not quite enough I think)then Dylusions sprays, water sprayed through stencils,a few splats of Distress stain, some stamping using Artistic Stamper background stamps. The swirls and house use some paper that has been around my work mat(plus part of the whiteboard used by Tim) and the letters the Alterations Alphabetical die (another purchase from Thursday)

Thanks for looking, Chris