Wishes and Gratitude

As the new year is only a matter of a couple of hours away (in the U.K.)  I would like to thank all of you for the friendship, kindness and encouragement you have shown to me in 2010. Looking back I have received the most beautiful pieces of art which will always be treasured and made new friends.
The comments that you leave bring a smile to my face (at times, even  lol laughter), make me feel humble, gives me amazing support and makes me feel connected to other crafters.
So here is a card from me to you, wishing all of you a year that is kind to you, full of fun, lots of creativity and dreams fulfilled. Lynne x
This sweet image is from French Kissed Postcards.

Update- Notice LTD Challenge is “New Beginnings” so linking this card to their challenge.

Becoming A Woman

As the end of this year is soon to be upon us I decided to tidy up drafted posts. Quite a few items that I drafted but never actually made it to my Blog. Here is one post that I came across.
Earlier in the year I signed up for a Deco Swap at KCUK, We are divided into groups whereby each person selects their own theme, my theme being Vintage Dressmaker ( “Loose Threads“). The photographs below show pages I made for Annie’s Deco, her theme being “Women”.

As the first page has a soft, feminine feel to it, you can imagine the girl at an age where she is becoming a woman, for the second page I wanted a contrast, a bit more of a sassy vibe. She is definitely a sassy dame! I’ve no doubt that her dressing table is laden with French parfumes and the odd silk stocking! 

Winter Joy (or possibly not!)

My friend Mel came up with the idea of swapping flags with our first theme being open.  We both wanted to do another flag so, as December approached Mel suggested a “Winter” theme.
You can tell the little girl is unhappy as she had to suffer Scottish snow and then a long journey to Germany (you would not believe how long this parcel was in “the system”!) where she was confronted with more snow. So there is not much for her to be joyful about!
The background was prepared with Gesso, painted with silver and then pearl (Tesco children’s paint), scrunched up tissue paper, another layer of paint, Golden Glass Bead Gel (available from The Altered Element) and more paint. A bit time consuming but creates more depth.
Unfortunately it all looks very “blue” in the photograph, even the lace to create the hanging, it is actually white.

Wonderful Mail Days

Leading up to Christmas Day I was amazed at how many stunning cards, tags and ornaments I received in the mail  so in today’s post I wanted to share some of the artwork I received. All the cards shown here were sent from friends with Blogs.

Sweet angel from Lucy  from Alison beautiful photo real angels and from Jack one of my favourite stamps, Serena, graces this card with muted, vintage tones.
Also from Alisona special ornament to display all year.
Annette sent me a card with embossed trees and a scattering of stars and a tag.

Chris made a card that oozes a sense of gentleness. Look at the heart shaped MOP button and seam binding.
Debbie made this shadowbox ornament. Isn’t it really precious, look at the tiny Christmas tree!

Hazel sent me a card that is full of warmth. Beautifully coloured poinsettia and wonderful attention to detail.

From Ira a card that makes me smile. Rudolph has a very red nose lol

Lynn Stevens sent me this beautiful tag. Look at the lace and the clear snowflakes. A real sense of a frosty, snowy day on this tag.

A tag from Marie. An adorable image graces this gorgeous tag. Marie used beautiful shades of dove grey and silver. Did you notice the teeny “noel”?

and from Martina. Intricate cutting as she layered her stamped image over a beautifully coloured tag. Sumptuous is the word that came to mind as I opened this.

I am so lucky to have this many people  (and more) think of me at this time of the year. As you can imagine, our home is brimming with amazing pieces of art. Lynne x

Festive Greetings From Me To You

Wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas. Lynne x

The Final Decoration

Here are some more glass Christmas Tree Ornaments. I have already shown a few in previous posts but the ornaments today all use images from Divas D’Este’s CS.
From Christmas Femmes. This image reminds me of Christmas Carol singers from days gone by.

From Christmas Femmes. I selected ribbon and beads based on the colours in the image.
Flapper from Merry Christmas CS. I particularly love this image. This was made for my sister’s friend who is passionate about the Art Deco era.

From Merry Christmas CS. This is a gift for a special friend. I wanted something that she could hang in her craft area beyond Christmas.

Remember there are 2 free images on Divas D’Este’s Homepage for you to download and I know that they would love to see what you create with the images. Lynne x

Special Delivery

At the weekend I received the most beautiful gift in the mail. Chris had mentioned that she was sending a “little gift” my way and although I had no idea what she was sending I can tell you that when I opened the padded envelope I certainly wasn’t prepared for what was tucked inside.
Wrapped in the most beautiful fabric and tied with ribbon were these gifts
When I tell you I was speechless I am sure you can understand why. Chris altered a notebook for me using various fabrics, trims, look at the handmade flower. She also used one of my favourite images.
If that were not enough wait until you see inside.
A fabric pocket containing another work of art, this time a tag (this will make  such a beautiful bookmark).
I particularly love that Chris used pink but it is not a sugary pink, it has the appearance of faded with time, a look I love so much.
She took the time to make little card bobbins, threading on embroidery threads, baker’s twine also pretty lace.
I am sure you agree that this is a very special gift. At the moment it is sitting out on display.
Chris, thank you for making something that I will treasure for always. You brought together everything I love, lace, vintage images, the colours, so much thought and love has obviously gone into everything.  I am in awe of what you have created. Lynne x

In a Lather

The first project I made for Divas D’Este (altered slide mailer) used images from their French Perfume Labels CS. For this project I am returning to this particular sheet. 

The contents of the two packages I am sure you will have guessed are bars of soap. You could use any type of paper:wax, copier paper, sheet music, I used paper that has a wax side and the other a slightly texture feel (this paper was brought back from Cyprus from my friend Doli). I stamped French writing onto the textured side and cut one edge with scallop edge scissors. Wrapping the soap bar with the wax side inwards I tied the package with ribbon (stamped with French writing stamp and then scrunched up).
Slipped the label slightly underneath the bow. Finally adding a red rose fabric embellishment.
These little packages would make lovely little Stocking Fillers or a Hostess Gift.

Sewing Kit

This is my final project as December Guest Designer for Scrolls Work Stamps.
Scissors, thimble and cotton reel with needle were stamped onto fabric (old curtain lining which I inked with Distress Ink Antique Linen).I backed the stamped images onto thin card for stability then inked the edges. On the “cotton reel” I wrapped some thread.To further add to the theme I used fabric for the base (stitched onto the cardbase), added a button, piece of measuring tape (inked with Antique Linen and folded over the edge), dressmaker pin and a length of lace which I sprayed with homemade ink.

My time as December Guest Designer for Scrolls Work Stamps has come to a close. I would like to thank Jacque for having me as part of her team for this short while, it has been fun and a privilege.  Lynne  x

A Snowy Glow

I really wanted to participate in the “Snowflakes” challenge at Gothic Arches Challenge Blog despite having reached the point where I need to move on from Christmas/Winter artwork.  I still have a few items that were made weeks ago and not as yet posted on my Blog but other than those items, this is probably my final Winter/Christmas project for 2010.
Today there was a bit of a battle with myself and daylight, guess what, daylight won! This piece of felt has glitter particles through it (purchased this way), stamped snowflakes and  inked edges with Victorian Velvet which I doubt you can see. The metal snowflakes were sponged with Decoupaint Old White Patina (available from The Altered Element) and I layered two pieces of lace at the bottom of the arch along with dusky rose velvet ribbon
.