The Goose (read bird) That Laid the Golden Egg

Must have been a couple of years ago I saw some birds that Tim Holtz had altered when I was at CHA and I wanted to do one. Contacted Mario and he sent one to my friend Mary's for me to pick up when I went to CHA last January. It has sat proud in my craft room ever since - raw and untouched. Really quite pretty ... but I wanted to alter it.

Last night I could not sleep for pain in my hip so I got up, messed a bit on the computer, did a couple of folds for cards ... and then remembered my bird. I would love to have it finished for when I go back to see Mary so here it is with its first coat of paint on. In my dazed state I painted it Gold (Dabbers) thinking it was Bronze. It looks a bit like The Goose/Bird That Laid the Golden Egg. Bronze next and then something else.

Not sure it will get finished as I have a busy weekend ahead but will try to get as much done as possible between cleaning, baking, packing, demonstrating all day Sunday and going to a class tomorrow.

Meanwhile another two cards for the show - only two more to upload tomorrow and then a rest from diecuts.

I love this Poppy stamp from my friend Cath when she had her business.

Had to do something for Halloween as it is quite topical at the moment.

Am I getting Boring?

I am becoming obsessed with turning out cards for the demonstration on Sunday for Oyster Stamps and wonder if I am in danger of becoming boring. I am using Labels Five and Nine but have also used two of my own which are Labels Three and Four to give a bit of variety. In some cases I have mixed the labels when cutting frames or mounting.

Had a try at mixing and matching some scrapbook papers but not that enthused with what I have done. This one uses one of those Magnolia stamps which I have painted with H2o's again. Think I need to treat myself to some Copics for colouring as they seem to achieve such fabulous results.

This is just a plain one, where I mixed and matched the Label dies. I can't remember who the stamp is by but it is one of my much used photoart stamps. The words are an old PSX stamp, but again, much used.

Got to do a challenge entry now and then get on with some words for my journal that is a gift for my friend.

Just hope that the flu jab I had this morning does not have an adverse effect - the nurse said I could feel ill and my arm could be sore. Help! It's my stamping arm.

Stayed up Late

I just had to do the RSS Challenge before I go away (yes, I am going on holiday soon) but every time I looked at the criteria (pink, grey, white, braces, letter B, corrugated card, masking on background) I shuddered. What could I do?

Well, tonight I decided to give "Jamie's American Road Trip" a miss and do the challenge. I had already thought "B" is for "Bird(s)" and then I hit upon these two postoid stamps with an Oriental flavour.

I stamped the two bird images on white cardstock and then put them on some mountboard to give them more stability and painted the flowers pink (both different IRL - Twinkling H20's again). Next I found a nice grey cardstock and, after hunting for ages, put it through my ribber. This was my "Oriental Scroll" so I put eyelets in the top and a piece of silver cord. Mounted the "scroll" on pink mottled cardstock and then on black.

The main grey card is the same as the ribbed one and I stamped my favourite Geisha on it and then masked her out and stamped some bird feathers on the side with Peony Brilliance Ink. The "scroll" piece was then mounted alongside and I put my brace at the bottom. This had been my stumbling block in the thought process as I didn't have either a die or a rubber stamp for it. "Ting" the light bulb went on and I made one from two of my Nestabilities.

Finally the letter "B" was diecut and mounted - voila - here is my entry for the RSS challenge.

Black and Orange - Christmas?

The theme this week on Lots to Do Challenge is "Black and Orange" so immediately my mind went to Halloween but then I thought I could do something else and I made a Christmas card. New festive colourways?

I first stamped the image (Elusive Images) in black and then embossed it. Coloured the whole of the bauble with orange chalks (three different colours but it does not show in the scan) and then got my Twinkling H2o's out and began painting each little shape. Would you believe it, I used eight different shades of orange. Not content with using all of my orange Twinkling H2o's I decided to mix some more myself and began with reds and yellows. I mixed them on a piece of plastic and oh what gorgeous shimmering shades I got. Not that you can tell on the scan, or the actual card - but they looked fantastic on the plastic. So each different shape is done in a different shade in reality.

I had to take advantage of having made an image for a card so did a couple of diecut shapes to mount it on so I can take it with me to my demo on Sunday.

They have been and gone

Well, my son and his partner have been and now have left. We had a lovely time but eating last night seemed to take forever. Mum had made so many things - can't think how many courses we had.

The dessert did not set so we had to have it all runny - reminder: never make a new sweet without first trying it out - good job it was immediate family.

Just another couple of cards for the demonstration next Sunday. Went through my stash of images I had already stamped up and then cut them out with the various Nesties I am using.

I really must try some of those layouts that you see and use some of my ever growing stash of papers. Trouble is I never find two or three that will go together. Need to sharpen up on this.

Now to get on with the cleaning of the cupboards - in an attempt to show Sam some pottery I unearthed things from on top of the kitchen cupboards - and boy oh boy - did they need cleaning! Now the tops of the cupboards need to be done - ah well .. out with the rubber gloves.

Busy Day

Went to deliver the birthday card and presents for my little cutie (Chloe) this morning. She is cutting a back tooth so was not as outgoing as normal when we got there. At the sight of Chas she goes all shy and would not move her head from her Grandma's shoulder at all so he had to go. When she knew he was going she quite cheerfully said "by bye" - poor Chas. Anyway, it was lovely to see her.

Then I have been doing some drawing and made some peanut butter biscuits - this time with crunchy peanut butter - Andy and Sam are coming tomorrow for a meal with us so I must have biscuits for them to munch on when they arrive.

Anyway, here are a couple more cards for the dem a week on Sunday.

This red one has a utee tile on it with an Oriental head on, looks much better IRL but it needs something else on at the base of the card apart from the mitzihuki knot which I did simply ages ago. Must get some more of those knots done as I did some really elaborate ones before.

This one is quite simple but I like to think it is elegant. I got the idea from a Hero Arts picture I saw - gives the punters an idea of doing dots around the embossed area. It would make a nice sympathy card or done in gold embossing powder on cream would be quite elegant for a wedding invitation. What do you think?

Blog Awards

What a week - a good one I might add. First of all Sam did "tags" for the Challenge on Lots to Do at the beginning of the week (see earlier posting) and then Chris, my friend from Paddy's Stamping Place gave me this Friends Award.

Thanks Chris - that was lovely - especially from such a talented stamper as you. Pop along to her blog and see what she does, some lovely eye candy on there.

Think I have to nominate six other people so here goes- three new friends, all deserving this award

Alison

Lesleyanne

Zoe

and three long standing friends

Anne

Sylvia

Dot

You must check out their blogs - each one is so different and showing such talent.

The second was from Cath. Now I owe Cath a lot as she has introduced me to so much in the stamping world and I count her as one of my most treasured friends. Thanks Cath, for the Award (not sure what you said about me is true) and for being YOU. Check out her blog - you will see what talent she has when you visit.

For this award I have to list seven "interesting" things about myself. Chas fell about hysterically as I got stuck at two. Just to show him I now list my seven interesting things about me:

1) I have a lovely son, Andy, who is 6'5" and gorgeous (he won't read this so am ok to say it).

2) I used to teach Gary, Phil and Tracey Neville (Man Utd, Everton football for the guys).

3) I was the first ever County Outdoor Activities Adviser for East Lancashire Girl Guides.

4) Broke my ankle Parachuting with the Black Nights. Put paid to my outdoor activities.

5) Once went out with the drummer from The Hollies (before he was in the Hollies) and was asked out twice by the middle guy in the Trio Athene (who?)

6) Had my stamping room fitted out by the Big Strong Boys and was on TV.

7) As a teenager was removed from a cinema for jiving in the aisle (Rock Around The Clock had just come out) - not sure I should let you all know that.

Now for my seven nominations (must remember to let them know). All are very talented and I really enjoy their blogs - hope you do too.

Effie

Hilda

Leandra

Liz

Paul

Sam

Sid

Now so I don't feel I have not uploaded anything here is another card for the diecut demonstration.