The Car Salesman

Hello Everyone
A card with a masculine theme for this post.  I made this card as a submission to Stampington & co so I was thrilled to see it published in 400 More Ideas (formerly Catch-Up).  Being published is great fun (and always what I call a “pinch me” moment) and that fun is doubled when you share such happy creative moments with friends.  My lovely friend Darlene is published in this annual publication (Dar’s blog can be found HERE) and my lovely blogging friend, Marjie, whose blog is HERE.  It is an honour to be published alongside my talented friends.
The main stamp used is Crafty Individuals CI-325.
CI-325 was repeatedly stamped to form the background, it is actually a wonderful stamp for backgrounds.
Stamping further elements such as the ledger stamp and postal cancellation whichI brought together with found paper and corrugated cardboard which I had applied walnut ink to (I use dissolved walnut crystals) and distressed.
This is an image from one of the Crafty Individual image books which was layered behind one of their frames which I’d painted with copper acrylic and distressed. A fragment of mica was added.Returning to the main stamp I stamped it once more and cut out the car to add as an embellishment. Crafty Individuals recently released some wonderful new stamps and also a note to say there is a Crafty Individuals challenge underway, so if you are a fan of Crafty Individuals there’s lots to interest you at the moment.
Thank you for taking the time to visit this post.
Wishes
Lynne

Birthday Surprises Continue

Hello Everyone
My first post for this new week sees me sharing some more beautiful birthday gifts which I received from two lovely friends, Ira and Martina.
Firstly I will share the goodies I received from dear Ira. If you know Ira then you know that she creates beautifully romantic creations.  Isn’t this boot divine? I would happily wear this!  Gorgeous details such as the tulle at the top and a flurry of flowers.Ira also sent me a package of goodies such as Prima flowers (I did say to Ira that I will be keeping them for a special project as they are so beautiful), butterflies and also a bundle of wonderful stickers for me to use in my projects. Now wait until you see the very special gift Ira created for me. This will appeal to any of the Romantics amongst you …..
a gorgeous cuff.  A flamboyant flower, pearl buttons for fastenings and beautiful wooden buttons all adorn this cuff.
Ira’s gifts are so special and they made me feel special having a friend create such lovely gifts for me.  Thank you my friend.
If you have not come across Ira’s creations before then please take the time to visit her Blog. It is always brimming with pretty projects, with a hint of old style romance to them. You may visit her HERE.
Then wonderful Martina. I call Martina Queen of Steampunk as it is what I readily associate her with, although she can create to any style.
Isn’t he so dapper?  Fabulous colour palette and the texture on the background of the tag is amazing and then we have that gorgeous tassel for a hint of decadence.
A package of goodies for me to play with including a tin with a cluster of flowers tucked inside and also decorative pegs – I have a new DT stamp set that those pegs will be perfect for. If all that were not enough Martina also created this for me ….
a dressmaking themed frame.  Martina embellished both behind and on top of the glass which is so clever.  I never would have thought to use a frame in this way.  The background is fabulously inky.
Martina, as with Ira, is a name well known in the world of Blogging but if you haven’t visited Martina for a long time or you are new to  blogging then you will not be disappointed if you visit her incredible Blog. You will find Martina HERE.
I am lucky enough to say that I still have more beautiful gifts/cards to share from my birthday and will try and post them all during this week.
Have a wonderful week and many thanks for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

Come Meet Me In Paris

Hello Everyone
Time for this week’s DT project for  That’s Crafty.
I am sharing a snippet of the project but the full project can be seen at the That’s Crafty Blog.  It won’t come as a big surprise to learn it has a  French theme lol. Have a lovely Sunday and thank you not only for your visit today but for your visits this past week.
Wishes
Lynne

Sweet Adele

Hello Everyone
For this scheduled post I am sharing a card made at the beginning of this year for Crafty Individuals  yet I obviously didn’t  post it on my Blog at that time.  If it looks familiar then I believe Jean did  share it at the Crafty Individuals blog.
This card uses quite an old stamp and an Elements set consisting of perfume bottles and labels.

Card size: 8″x8″
As I like to do, I used paints and stamps for the background. The colour is slightly distorted in the detail photographs but it gives you an idea. Perfume labels, bottles and Paris are some of the stamps that make up the background.The perfume labels were also used to create stamped embellishments. This has to be one of my all time favourite Crafty Individuals stamps. Time will pass when I haven’t inked it up and then when I do, I am reminded how beautiful a stamp it is. Pearls and lace and another stamped perfume bottle.
If you are looking for some challenge fun then you might like to know that the Crafty Individuals Challenge is underway. You will find all details at the Crafty Individuals Blogs (see my sidebar).
Thank you for visiting this post. I next return on Sunday with DT post for That’s Crafty. In the meantime, have a lovely weekend, hope it is a creative one for you.
Wishes
Lynne

Let Me Dream Of Paris

Hello Everyone
Although I may not be crafting at the moment I realised it was a good opportunity to try and catch-up with items that were made earlier in the year (or even last year!).
For this scheduled post it is a card I made as a DT sample for Oxford Impressions when I first  received the ever so useful With Love stamp plate (U.K. stampers can purchase With Love from  That’s Crafty).  Alongside this stamp plate I also used the Eiffel Tower photo real stamp from Paris Poste. Paris Poste was one of the first Oxford Impressions stamp sets I purchased,  Soul of the Rose was the first followed by April In Paris then Paris Poste, yes, I genuinely am I huge fan of Oxford Impressions stamps, verging on obsessive!
Card size:- 8″x6″
The background consists of layers of paint and stamping. I started with stamps from another Oxford Impressions set called French Script. I selected the script stamp and damask, a stamp I always seem to reach for, then I used the Fleur de Lys, Eiffel Tower and Paris from the With Love set.
This isn’t a good photograph as at the time of photographing it seemed as though we were living with no daylight at all but it might give you an idea of the actual background. For the focal I layered onto what I find to be indispensable, a Crafty Individual Shabby Tag. A similar background was created directly onto the tag before I added the Eiffel Tower. The tag was embellished with flowing seam binding, lace and an Eiffel Tower charm. Another stamp from the With Love plate is the gorgeous wreath frame into which I stamped Paris.Thank You for taking the time to visit this post.
Wishes
Lynne

More Special Treats

Hello Everyone
I have two scheduled posts today, the first is another post where I am sharing more special treats I received on my birthday.  There are still cards and gifts I need to photograph as I haven’t managed to do it all as yet.
Let me begin with Chris.  Chris and I got to know each other through K.C.U.K. and even though I decided to leave the group last year we have kept in contact.  Chris always creates with beauty.  She also made the most lovely vintage inspired birthday card which I will share, once photographed. If Chris’ name is new to you then it would be lovely if you took the time to visit her lovely Blog, rubbaluvva (isn’t that such a great name!)
A stunning magnet.  The little gem is the perfect addition.  It is common that when it comes to birthdays and Christmas, one thing that Chris and I will send to each other is lace. I for one am not complaining as I doubt I will ever say to you that I have enough lace in my life! What makes it even better is the beautiful laces that Chris always sends, they really are gorgeous trims and they were lovingly tucked inside this muslin bag that she altered. Such gorgeousness!Before I show you what Marie (Lost Bird Studio) sent to me I had to take a photograph of the packages before they were opened. Marie always presents gifts in the most beautiful manner, in fact it is a gift in itself. So pretty. Inside one package the discovery of vintage lace and one of Marie’s signature charms.  It is so special to receive one of Marie’s charms.  I am lucky enough to have a small collection some of which I wear as jewellery.  The charm I received last year I wear so often as a pendant.  It can be seen HERE.
The touch of wrapping the lace with the fragment of paper and adding the Paper Whimsy image is such a precious idea. Wait until you see this beautiful piece of jewellery.  A button suspended in Ice Resin and I absolutely adore this.  This is the sort of jewellery I love and so it will come as no surprise that I cannot seem to stop wearing this.  This is something else as I see as being one of Marie’s signature ideas – a pretty tag. Marie takes tags to a new level, always sourcing pretty images of children or femmes and adding pretty detailing. It is true to say that everywhere I turn at the moment I am surrounded by amazing art.
This is quite a photo heavy post so I shall not add any more gifts, leaving it until another day to share some more beautiful and artful creations.
It has been lovely to be able to share some more with you as, in my eyes, when friends have been so generous to send such beautiful gifts, I want to show my gratitude by sharing their art here and if it is that you have never visited their blogs or it has been some time since you last visited, then maybe you want to take a little bit of time and have a peek at their art.
Thank you for visiting this post, as I said, there is another scheduled post for later in the day.
Wishes
Lynne

The Sweetest Friend

Hello Everyone
I was overwhelmed at the generosity bestowed upon me on my birthday.  The house is filled with beautiful cards, tags and art, not to mention the amazing crafting goodies I also received.  It is incredible to see the array of styles, with each friend having their own distinctive style to their art, making them unique.
For this scheduled post I decided to share the first gift I opened (it seems a fair way) from my dearest friend Dorthe.
This is a photo heavy post but I wanted to cram it with the details of the gifts from Dorthe. Let me not say anymore for the moment other than start to share the photographs with you.
The packages were so pretty I photographed before opening. Inside the fabric pouch is this wooden tag which Dorthe stencilled and collaged. I am sure it is a  Paper Whimsy image and a lovely handmade flower embellishes the tag. Pretty fabric and ribbon.
with this  gorgeous collage nestled under the ribbon. The collage is  brimming with texture and layers and then we have that sweet child.  It is the smallest of details that always count – look at the L which Dorthe included.  I absolutely love this collage.Now at this stage I have been spoilt, wouldn’t you say but wait until you see what else Dorthe sent to me. Tucked inside the fabric was this doll. Each time I set eyes upon her  she brings me such joy and leaves me touched that a friend would create something so special.
She measures approximately 10″ in length and I just adore her.
Wearing a pretty pink dress covered in gorgeous lace with a lace shawl around her shoulders, keeping out the chill of the Scottish air. Her rusty wings are quite fabulous, matching her …. rusty crown which surrounds a cluster of dried flowers….then to the beaded heart she is clutching and her arms cradling a glorious padded heart. Did you notice the rusty bells?Asking permission to lift her dress hem (!) we can take a peek at her beautiful boots with those wonderful laces.  The details on her are just too amazing. For Christmas I was incredibly lucky to be gifted an angel doll from Dorthe but I never imagined I would have a friend for her. Dorthe  knows that I started to treasure this doll as soon as I laid eyes upon her.
So many of you already are friends of Dorthe’s incredible blog or lucky, as I am, to be friends with this delightful woman but if Dorthe’s name is new to you then you are in for a treat when you visit her Blog.
If I ever were to forget, it is at such times that I realise if not for blogging I would never  have had the opportunity to have made a connection with my dear friend. In fact my  absence from blogging made me realise that all the more and to realise how important so many of you are to me.
I have enjoyed sharing the photographs with you of Dorthe’s artistry, I hope you enjoyed looking at them.  Slowly I will photograph my other gifts and start to share some more beautiful art from more talented friends.
I have a few posts scheduled for this week as I am trying to keep Adorn more active. Have a lovely week and hope to visit you soon.
Wishes
Lynne