There'll be Bluebirds Over...

Ruth's set of Marianne Creatables

Plans can go awry. The craft group had in mind to decorate the second mask, but as one member was ill, we postponed that, and an on-the-wing card was churned out for us by Jeanette on her Grand Calibur using dies.

Beautiful glitzy paper was tried but proved very fibrous to cut. However, perseverance paid off and we got a result, though foil card was easier to work with.

Using Marianne Creatables dies, the birdcage and bird on branch were put through the machine and, with slender pieces of foam pad, laid on embossed backgrounds. The door on the cage actually opens, which is a nice touch. Looks like the bird flew free!

Bluebird

Yes, that did take all evening! We did an inordinate amount of talking compared with crafting, but hey, it was fun, and Ruth and I are known as Craft & Chat!

Parliament of the Masked Owls

Well, here they are, the rest of the owls, it's taken time to gather them from where they flew off...

Russian Doll Owls

Baboushka Owls

Matrushka Owls

Slider Tree Trunk

Peek-a-boo

It was a good kit and fun to make them up.

At the last Craft group we did something away from cards and tried to decorate Venetian Masks.

Plain Masks

Professionally Decorated Masks

They are white polypropylene and the idea is to paint and stick till they are all glitzy. This first attempt was a laugh. Three of us tried decorative silver spray paint into a carrier bag to contain the mess. We were gasping for breath and had to open the door to let air in or we would have been high on fumes! One was sprayed with gold Spray & Sparkle. Trouble was that they ran into rivulets. By far the most successful was Decopatch, so we are ALL going to do it that way the next time the Project is Masks. Sticking gems or flowers on improved matters, but mine is still to be finished to hide faulty parts.

Plain and partially-finished Masks

The only problem is how we are going to stick them on cards - LOL. Bye for now.

Happy Christmas from Scotland to our Crafting Friends

To this acrylic tree I added a wee light in the base, then hung different snowflakes, purchased through eBay, from the branches and photographed it in our recent snowy Scottish weather.

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas.

craftyalice

Bute Craftathon: Day 3

Did Alice have a peaceful night. Absolutely not. As well as snoring I talked in my sleep as well. Alice had visited the little girls room during the night and had heard me all along the hallway and through the closed door. By morning my snoring strip was standing on end so obviously had not done its job.... or even half its job. "Oh no," poor Alice and one more night to go. I have to say that in no way did she complain. We laughed at the weird noises that little craftywhippet could make.

Morning

Downstairs again to the craft table, still ready to craft but wilting. 

Next Project was Ann’s distressed clock. "Whoo hoo" says Jeanette,  "I love distressing." We embossed, and stamped with Versamark, added embossing powder, heat gunned the image and filled in the gaps with the distressing pad plus the edges of the card.  Bill, a friend of Ann’s, was catering director for our stay and not only did he supply us with teas and coffees but brought music as well.  So now we were singing the compilation playlist that Bill had made for us (something for everyone’s taste) while we were crafting. That spurred us on and was great. Bill joined us crafting for the first time and he excelled. I had hoped when the photos were taken I could end up with Bill’s as it was better than mine!! As for Jeanette....well she was well distressed!!

Next was Jane's project. This time a Christmas easel card using 5x5 scalloped square card (which is now on my list of purchases for the craft exhibition.)The papers were attached  having been pre-cut to size by Jane. Well done that girl. The Forever Friends decoupage was made up and glittered. After the holding spar was in place we added the lovely decorative snowflake and brad for the finishing touch.

Time to stop for lunch so I left out my second project so that they could all start while I cleared up after lunch. To hear that you would think there were plates but we do quick and easy (to Ann’s horror) using good old kitchen roll instead of plates to save time washing up. Really it was only mugs etc.

Don't sit on Pip!

Afternoon

I came back downstairs, wishing Ann had a chair lift, to find that everyone was finding my project dreadful to cut out as the lady was so small and detailed. It was voted that I should join in making it as well.  As I started cutting I began muttering "what idiot thought of this idea, cut this out easily, I don't think so."  I gave up cutting the last bits. Sorry girls, it was time consuming and for Ann and Alice who had developed colds and watery eyes they couldn't even see the lady let alone cut her out. However we finished our 7 for the photo.

After each project the table was tidied before starting the next one so it was tidy for a short while.

Stormy Tuesday

Jeanette’s was next. Bill had returned  by this time to help us out again and we made Wedding Anniversary cards with gold or silver foiled words. Jeanette has a foil-it machine and it makes all the wording wonderful, and she included an insert. This was a project that didn't need distressing, poor Jeanette. When we were upstairs she looked pensively at the wallpaper and said "that would be nice distressed." Come on!! She only has one ink pad at the moment but did have access to Jane’s and Ann’s full boxes of distressing inks.

Back to another tricky one again, Jane’s second project. We had to (have a look at the card) use a glue pen to glue the word Peace, after trying to figure out where the word was  in the first place before adding glitter to the word Peace to make it stand out. Funnily enough, upside-down or not, Peace was the same.  Very clever. It was assembled with all the prepared pieces to complete the card. By this time we were asking how many we still had to do, bearing in mind that each crafter brought two projects. Wonderful idea....not.

Evening

After dinner we made Alice’s stacker card. Pyramage patterns on top of a distressed  front and matching ribbon down the side edge. Jane and Jeanette were still going strong, (after all, they are younger!), the rest of us were drifting into automatic pilot. 

Twelve down and two to go. The last two were going to be made in the morning then we would pack up, go for lunch in Rothesay and be ready to head for the ferry and the drive back to Glasgow.

The photographer photographed

Up the stairs again to have a cuppa and head for bed. The idea of doing late night clever things had long gone and really all we wanted to do was sleep. But...the little snoring strips had to come out again. As Alice had a cold I suggested that she have one as well as they are also good for clearing sinus problems. After I put mine on it felt much more in place. Much better. 

Alice put on hers and out went the light..... but did they work this time?????

It's Coming up to that Time of Year Again

Only three of us met on Thursday due to the others having commitments: Ruth, Jane and me.  We had decided to do glitter stencilling  for our own cards - Ruth was making Christmas ones, Jane was trying out stencils she'd never used before and I was doing a mixture of Christmas and baby.  Of course it was at my house that this was to be done - messy? - us! In true crafter's style I am now the proud owner of a very expensive (not!) glittered bathroom floor...

After some glittering, I moved on to framed punching with ribbons - what's that you ask? Well, it might be our future YouTube video - who knows...

The Craft Fair starts this week putting us in mind that we have to make some cards for Christmas (only 66 days) including doing the glittering with stencils, which the CraftyChums have already videoed: Part 1 and Part 2.

By the way, I used one of the Flippin Men (see the two videos) series to make this 'Birthday Contemplations' card, whilst Ruth made the Flippin Women 'Stretch Out the Celebrations' and 'Fatbusters':

Craft Report

Sorry you didn't make it this morning, Jane, we missed your input.

We certainly did, my partner in craft.

A good start was made by my leaving my zipper case of card and Val's PG CDs at home, meaning we had to waste still more petrol (I love the petrol sign) in going back since Norman had already left.

No problems. You had left the all important card and Val's music in your study. Fancy forgetting that Alice. LOL (That is what you get for cheeking me yesterday about forgetting mine)

I used Ruthie's Media & Pastimes and Lace Hearts boards: embossing two white linen shirts.

Sounds like good material instead of card.

and one shocking cerise pink scalloped hearts, some black then graphite TVs and just now realise I didn't have time to do the black waistcoats! Ruthie - please may I borrow the board?

You may do that.

Mary actually sat down for some of the time and was busily producing as usual.

Mrs Pergamano here she comes.....showing me how good it was until she found the smaller pen was better!!

She said that I would be able to buy a 1" rolling pin in the Early Learning Centre for curling the Bookatrix shapes

Something a similar size would do the same job I think.

- Becky had embossed some of her own ready for a card. Mary isn't called the Flying Web-Searcher for nothing!

That makes her sound like a cobweb hunter....no, that was Francis yesterday.

Lynn showed us her in-production scrapbook for Gemma and we admired her young-looking Dad and the handsome Colin.

It was very impressive.

Meanwhile Val was busy with black embossed rubber-stamped flowers, filling-in with Twinkling H2Os and watercolour pencils with water-brushes.

I am glad you said filling in. At first I thought the flowers were black.

Ruthie tried plain rubber-stamping before using the pencils, but of course it smudged a teensy bit:

How kind. It smudged more than that I can tell you.

however, the result looked very promising and she was enthused to think of purchasing some.

Indeedy.

When she heard I had a spare tin she was a happy bunny. Unfortunately I forgot to give her some watercolour paper to try for a different effect.

How remiss of you. Did we run out of time or something.

Val then made peel-off on acetate multi-coloured butterflies which looked gorgeous despite them being ~ shudder ~ insects.

They are not called shudder insects but beautiful butterflies.

We were accused yet again of purloining when there was no trace of one of the metal 'badges' that everyone had been given - well, who would pinch one that said Mary on it?

Search your bags everyone, Mary has something missing again.

Val had no extra rulers in her possession, our drawers and bags were turned inside-out,

Well the bags were

when we suddenly thought of the Scrapbook - sure enough, stuck to the plastic cover was? - you've guessed it.

Lynn was trying to steal it and call herself Mary.

Looks like Mary will be needing indigestion tablets again after eating still more hoomble pie, as our Yorkshire Arthur would say.

We listened to part of the Praise Gathering 2008 rehearsals, are you prepared to come along, Jane, to support your three friends?

She will still have concussion after shopping in Glasgow and no money left.

When we left, Ruthie took one of her spontaneity turns and we whooshed off to S for Stamps for a somewhat fruitless visit: no Twinkling H2Os and the lace was extortionate.

It was hardly worth the effort. I didn’t get what I was looking for. Alice was keen to buy more boxes but I sat on her and said NO in a firm voice.

Nothing daunted we called in at Stitches where we got four different designs of lace, to experiment after watching your video (9). Who should wander in but Lynn, wondering what we were buying...We spent the grand total of £1.11...which really must have increased the profit of the new owner Paula, a graduate of the Art School and a dab hand with cutting centimetres accurately - just what we're good at - not.

Every day in every way I am getting better and better: 2.5cm = 1" so there. You should have heard Alice discussing the measurements with new owner Paula...with such expert precision - 70 centimetres please divided into three bits (so that Becky could have some) and she did it. That is what keeps her in business.

We're looking forward to your Exploding Box being demonstrated.

Keep in touch.

Love Alice

How many names have we got now?

Love Ruth

Lots...but they are all printable.

Sounds like you had a good morning.

Jane x

Lofty ideas

Hi Ruth,

Do we have a photo of Alice being pulled up into Jane’s loft ? I just can’t go there! We didn’t need a rope after all, LOL. She climbed steadily first up the ten front steps outside the house and then carefully up Jane's stairs to the top landing, not standing on the cats Buttons or Missy en route and then made the triumphant ascent into the attic . We were like kids let loose in a sweet [candy] shop. We had a very non-stressful filming time with Jane making a wonderful Glitter Lace border on a card. Simple, but so effective. Wait till you see the movie [Video 9 on our YouTube]. It was the most relaxed movie we have done, with a bit of banter now and then. Once Jane got used to the camera we just ignored it and had fun. I think you will all enjoy it. Alice then made the descent, with Jane going first with the bags, then Alice, then me. I think both our legs resembled jelly for a little while.
Hope you were successful this morning...
We were getting excited about what can be done next as Jane has such new ideas.
We had a good morning as well, just the four of us – Mary, Lynn, Rosemary and myself. Mind you, I think we made enough noise for 7.
What is new about that?
Lynn stamped and got ‘distressed’ (cards, not herself), Rosemary embossed shirts and golf bags and cut out dies on the Cuttlebug – did several things as once and got confused as to which to she was doing last and next!
No - surely not. These are called senior moments, Rosemary.
I finished off some cards – very tame!
I think it is good to finish cards and very satisfying, otherwise you end up with a box full of nearly-done. I tend to jump to something new with a casual, 'I will finish that later'...and then don’t.
And Mary helped everyone out, as usual, particularly punching out wee flowers and leaves from all the leftovers from the Cuttlebug.
That is very visual, I have to say and most unlike Mary to be economical with little bits. I hope no one took away anything that wasn’t theirs... 3 rulers, for example, Val? Remember Mags was good with “bits"?
Oh yes, and we helped Mary eat a box of truffles. She started by saying we could eat the top layer so she and Arthur could eat the bottom layer, but by 11.30 we were on to the bottom layer as well! They were very yummy – see what you missed – well perhaps it’s as well ‘cos we would have had to share them round more people and really that wouldn’t have been so good!
Ha-ha! Did Mary really think that you would stop when the top layer was finished? Pity that Alice and I were not there to help (not that I would touch them while being careful with my extras) - BUT, look at the calories we have saved. Well, I have. Alice had something to eat at Jane's that was just as bad.
What was that about ‘share and share alike’ …. Or was it ‘what’s yours is mine!’
I would go for the last one. 'Do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo?' -- NO!
Thanks for the wee poem about the mouse that Oscar and Alice [the cats] played with in the night...
There is a mouse inside the house
That’s running round and round the pantry
There’s is a mouse inside the house
I cannot catch the little man...
I will sing it to you when I next see you.
– I wait for the musical version. It was learned at school. Alice and Jane looked gobsmacked when I sang it to them yesterday. I am glad we all had a productive day.
Love Val
Thanks for your Blog, Val.
Love to everyone
Ruth

All the leaves are brown...

It may be autumn in Scotland, but Genius Hands are thinking Christmas. We've got cards coming out of our ears.

Black and white is the in theme this year. Do PaperMania papers, glittery white heat embossing on black card. Matt and layer to your heart's content. Want to see how NOT to trim to size: just turn to CraftyWhippet I am not on our first Video -- but we've had better days since then, we might even video Ruth's tip for trimming a smidgen off. [smidgen=Scots for wee bit]

Printed Christmas material is getting in on the act - bookbinder's glue to attach material squares to strong cardboard, then folded round the back - a quick topper, or add magnetic tape for a fridge magnet; a card and gift combined.

Ruth says, Glitter, glitter everywhere, on my nose and in my hair -- I am busy playing with glitter. Tidy Whippet I am not, I was told.