Autumn Colours.....

Another restless night,so I decided to get up and get on with some crafting,especially as I've not done much of it recently.
I love Mandy's Tagalong Challenge, unfortunately I've missed a few of her recent challenges,so I was determined to enter her "Autumn Colours Tag Challenge"

I have used stamps from Inkylicious and I also used the webbing that I came across yesterday in my stash....it is some sort of fibre,quite stiff and I remember buying it, along with some in green about 3 years ago! This particular one is red and orange and just perfect for what I needed.
You can also enter Mandys fun challenge which you can find here......Tagalong Challenge

I was invited to enter my Tag in to the lovely challenge at Moo Mania....their theme this time around is Autumnal Colouring...so I am accepting their invitation and entering their challenge.....you can find the challenge here.....Moo Mania

You have Mail....

I've looked at almost every crafting website over the last couple of weeks for a US Mail Box....I drew a blank, I could find loads in the US, but having been clobbered last year by customs duty on some stamps I bought, I decided not to order from overseas again.
I had a look on YouTube and although there were a few tutorials, none I saw actually gave any measures...so out came my ruler and pencil and I designed my own Mail Box.
Below is the one I made from my sketches, a bit rough around the edges,but it is ideal for me to work from, alter measurements etc.

From my design I adjusted the measurements to make it smaller, also added a liner for the inside of the front flap and the floor of the mailbox......and here it is.....

I'm quite pleased (considering I'm no designer) with the way this has turned out, I even made some envelopes and a mini parcel for effect. The wooden candle stick, which I painted,  made the perfect stand for the mailbox.

I have ideas to make some for christmas....and one or two male themed ones....

I am offering the design sheet for £1.50.....it's not to scale, also for everyone who buys one will have a link to my talk through video showing how to assemble the mailbox.

I'm off to put the kettle on to make myself a nice cup of tea...bliss,lol...

For the Tree....

I was challenged today to make 3 Christmas Tree Ornaments....and here they are....

This photo shows the ornaments hanging on my white hobby craft tree tonight.

 This ornament is a 3" wooden circle that I papered, added a fluffy feather and a paper angel and ribbon.

This is an Altered Cork...lace was glued top and bottom, then satin ribbon glued around the middle of the cork. I added some silver mesh and then some gem trim in silver. On to that I glued some green and silver rick rack and finished the whole piece by adding the paper poinsetta, chains and beads.

This ornament is actually a die cut piece from Tim Holtz row of houses. Decorated with some christmas papers and then added the victorian image. To finish I added a die cut tree that I shaded with ink and then added some stickles.

So now I shall put these away until my christmas tree goes up in December.....

Creative Blog Hop

I was blown away when I found I had been nominated to do this blog hop by Zoe Russell....Thank you so much Zoe....
This is a continuous blog hop every monday with a host of inspirational bloggers taking part
There are a few questions that I've been asked...so I'll do my best to answer them....

1. What am I working on....
At the moment I am working on a few Artist Trading Cards that are for a group swap, in between that I have been painting some wooden christmas ornaments for my drift wood christmas tree. I'm also working on an altered art project which is my deign team piece for my challenge blog.
2. How does my work differ from others in the my genre....
I'm not sure how my work differs from others in my genre, two people can be given the same items and each one will create something totally different from the other. Several people have told me I have my own style...but I can't see that, if that makes sense.
3. Why do I create what I do.....
I love the freedom of altered art, using all kinds of mediums,rather that sticking to paper and card.
I also enjoy making the smaller items,like Twinchies,Inchies and Atcs.
4. How does my creative process work....
It works in various ways, some times ideas just pop in to my head,other times my creativeness is inspired by colour or something I've seen. I've also had many times where I just play in my craft room and something clicks and I can create something that I haven't planned, sounds silly but I think it happens to most artists. For me those are my best pieces.

Nominations.....
Firstly I would like to nominate Rebecca Swanson.....who I got to know through a craft group we were both in a few years ago. I have always admired her work, everything she makes is just so beautiful...Shabby Chic/Vintage is predominately her style, whether it's a card or altered art,you can see instantly that it has her "stamp" on it....Please visit  Rebecca's Blog

Secondly I would like to nominate Sammy Jean....who I got to know through my own design team. Her creations are varied, from cute cards to altered art. She loves Vintage and Tim Holtz, lol. Whatever Sammy creates it is always gorgeous, she has great attention to detail which I admire in a crafter.
Please visit Sammy Jean's Blog

Catching Up....

I am just  bringing my blog up to date with all my recent makes...these are all items that have been made for swaps and group challenges.

These 2 Tags are for a group swap...the theme is Autumn Colours....

For these I used stamps by Artistic Outpost and Inkylicious

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These are my 6 Moos...really small pieces of work. They were especially made for a group challenge, each one had to have a theme,which was set out in the challenge...

Halloween-Christmas-Floral-Nautical-Birds-Vintage.

                             (  Moos measure 2.8cms x 7cms )

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These are 2 Artist Trading Cards, the theme Autumn Colours. 

Especially made for a swap for a challenge group I am in.

If you like a monthly challenge ( with a small prize ) or a monthly challenge, or just want  to chat with like minded people,I have a group over on facebook....you can find it here....Creative Girls

My Altered Cotton Reel....

Here we all are,winging our way in to September...all thinking of christmas because we suddenly realise it's not that far away,lol...
Over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit their September challenge has been launched. They have a Guest Designer there for September...Arnoldo L Romero....he has made a lovely set of Prayer drawers, so do pop over for a look, also take a look at the rest of the design teams creations...fabulous work.
There's also a fab prize up for grabs too, well worth entering the challenge for.
You can find the blog here.....Rhedd's Creative Spirit

So as part of said team...this is my make.....

The actual cotton reel belonged to my mother, I remember when I was younger seeing large cotton reels in her sewing box...this one stands at 5cms tall....the colour/patina on the wood is gorgeous,which is why I never painted it. At a guess the cotton reel must be well over 30yrs old.

I added lace and pearl trimmed applique to the reel, then added the gardenias. For the top section I adhered some reindeer moss and the paper flowers that I made using a Tim Holt die. Then I added the Angel and all the other trimmings. The finished piece stands 15cms tall.

I am so pleased with the way this turned out....and I am keeping it for myself, much to my daughter's disappointment,lol.

I'm entering my Altered Cotton Reel in to the challenge at Altered Eclectic