VINTAGE BUNTY

New Supplies For All You Lace Lovers!

2012-01-27T13:27:00.000Z

I have just listed some new supplies in my shop, some of which are vintage and ideal for so many projects.

If you love lace or crochet trim, pop over and have a look.

Tag Tuesday - Vintage

2012-01-25T12:28:00.000Z

This week's theme is Vintage - my favourite! I used a recycled Next clothing tag which looked old and battered to start with and had some black printing showing through. I already had printed off a lovely image to use in another project but thought it would look good on this tag with a scrap of vintage lace hanging about on my desk. I used some green lint/scrim which tones in with the image and added a pink velvet flower at the top, an old brooch (which has a stone missing but still looks ok I think), two bits of broken coat tag chain and a rusty photo corner.

Pop over and have a look at all the other tags for this theme on the Tag Tuesday blog.

Tag Tuesday - White

2012-01-17T11:35:00.000Z

I wanted to show white in texture and made a tag from scraps lying around on my desk: bits of paper, vellum, card, trim etc., which I then painted with a couple of coats of white acrylic paint. Lace snippets were then added, which were also painted white to match the background and the tag was finished with a small snippet of a dictionary definition of white, a mother of pearl button, ribbon rose, pearl embellishments and other bits of old lace.

Pop over to the Tag Tuesday blog to see all the other beautiful white tags, which are very yummy indeed!

Tag Tuesday - Snow Sports & Games

2012-01-11T15:59:00.000Z

I struggled a bit with this week's theme but am quite happy with the finished result. The tag is made from a piece of distressed looking scrapbook paper and has a vintage image of skaters with brown ribbon photo corners, glittery fibre trim bottom and top and a lovely piece of sparkly beaded tulle at the top of the tag. This is a very sparkly tag which doesn't come across in the photo.

Below is a close up of the pretty beaded tulle detail:-

Tag Tuesday - New Challenge

2012-01-07T15:11:00.000Z

I have been a great fan of the uber talented Carolyn aka Love Stitching Red for a long time and was so pleased to read about her Tag Tuesday Challenge. I have only just heard about it so rushed like mad to make the first week's theme of Snow.

I used a large shipping tag and used scraps of white brodeie anglaise for the top and bottom of the tag, then used a piece of one of my favourite Christmas fabris with a village snow scene on it. I added a few hand stitches, some sparkle, white rose trim, scrap of silver mesh and vintage button at the top. The tag is finished with a piece of old doily and a scrap of white tulle to tie. It looks better in real life, so sorry the photo doesn't do it justice.

Pop over and have a look at some of the talent on the Tag Tuesday blog (link above) Next week's theme is Snow Sports and Games, so I'm off to get some inspiration!

Some New Cards in the Shop

2011-12-28T20:21:00.000Z

Hope everyone had a good Christmas. So far, in between the festivities and visiting family, I have had one day playing and felt like making some cards. These are luxury blank cards and are now available here:-

Pop over and have a look. Hope you have had time for being creative too.

Button Floozies Christmas Ornament Swap

2011-11-28T11:26:00.002Z

On the Button Floozies blog

I recently took part in this swap with the festive season approaching - we had to make 3 button ornaments which could either be hung from a Christmas tree or accent a table or shelf. They had to be decorated with buttons but buttons did not have to be the only embellishment.

I decided to decorate 3 blank wire heart hangers by adding a main strip of ribbon, then sewing on assorted mainly vintage buttons and adding ribbon or other trim. Here are the finished hearts, which my swap partners have now received. (Sorry the photos aren't very good - they were taken on a dull day so the light was bad.)

The deadline for posting is today (we were all early in our group) and next weekend I can post piccies of the ornaments I received back, so watch this space. Actually, I can't at the moment post any pictures as our main computer is kaput and I am working on our very
slow backup computer which can't load photos. I will try and post when I can but my swap partners were Zoe (who doesn't have a blog); Sherry from Sherry's Simple Blog and Mrs A from It's An Alien Life.

A New Festive Collage Sheet

2011-11-18T14:45:00.000Z

Just listed this new Christmas collage sheet in my Etsy shop. I have been very remiss in keeping it going recently and hope that in the New Year I can once again turn my attention to making some new stuff. Hope you like it.

What I've Been Up To This Week

2011-11-17T12:30:00.000Z

I have seen some lovely pincushions around the web this week and although I have several, mine are too small for all the pins I use. So I found an easy pattern on You Tube, adapted it to suit me and knocked this one up in an hour or two. I used some lovely fabric from the Moda "Etchings" range and of course, I had to add a few vintage bits! I am quite chuffed with it actually.

You may remember a previous post about crumb piecing. Well, I quite enjoy doing this at times (not all the time as it can be very fiddly indeed) but with perseverence my crumb pieced item is starting to slowly take shape. I have no idea yet what it is going to end up as but for the moment I am trying to fit in various types of scrap blocks and get it to balance out and then I will decide whether it will be a throw, tablecloth or whatever. It is a slow work in progress but very satisfying to use up lots of scraps which would be otherwise thrown away.

2 new scrappy blocks

I haven't taken part in any swaps this year due to health issues but as the festive season approaches I have relented and joined the one over at Button Floozies. I have to make 3 Christmas ornamentsto hang or be displayed on a shelf, containing buttons but can use other items also. I have 3 swap partners already in the UK and must get these made by 28th November. I have finished one and nearly completed the second. Can't show you anything yet as we cannot post until all swap members have received their ornaments. So busy, busy, busy.

My 200th Follower!

2011-11-10T08:35:00.002Z

Congratulations Lois on becoming my 200th Follower - I am overwhelmed to have so many people interested in my blog. Lois, if you could email me with your details, I will send you a little gift as a thank you - please let me know whether you are interested in digital collage sheets, lace, fabric, buttons or home decor. Thanks again.

A Lovely Autumn Walk To Blow The Cobwebs Away

2011-10-30T11:48:00.000Z

Some of you will know that this has been a terrible year for me and I have been trying to cope with everything that has been thrown at me. As if things weren't bad enough, I had more terrible news last Friday regarding a family member and my head was screaming to get out of the house. As it was a lovely autumn day yesterday, we went for a stroll to Buscot Weir and it really did me good to do it. It doesn't change the news I had or how we will all cope with it but at least I was able to forget my worries for a little while and appreciate nature.

Here are a few photos:-

Memories of Rye .......

2011-09-30T13:03:00.000+01:00

Mr V-B has now uploaded all our photos from our week in Rye last week. There were so many to choose from but here are a selection I have made into 4 collages.

Great Dixter House & Garden

Rye, Smallhythe Pace & Dungeness

Fabulous sculptures dotted around at Pashley Manor Garden

Scotney Castle

Hope you like them.

Crumbs - a new meaning!

2011-09-25T17:17:00.001+01:00

As promised here is what I discovered:- ladies, ever have lots of these (tiny little pieces of left over fabrics):-

but you think they are way too small to do anything with them but keep them anyway as they are too pretty to throw away but haven't a clue what to do with them? Well, I have quilted on a small scale for many years now and so had absolutely loads of scraps hoarded away in jars and cupboards. Anyway, whilst on holiday and having the luxury of time to surf the net, came across lots of useful quilting and scrap blogs and this article on crumb piecing fascinated me so I had to investigate and find out more. Each scrap is referred to as a "crumb" and by piecing them together in random fashion, you can end up with all sorts of blocks, which in turn can end up as quilts. Here is the crumb piecing tutorial for anyone who is interested:- http://www.quiltville.com/crumbs.shtml .

photos courtesy of Allison Aller at http://alliesinstitches.blogspot.com/2010/10/crazy-crumb-piecinga-tutorial.html .
I expect you more experienced quilters will already know all about it but I learned something new and have been crumb piecing like there's no tomorrow in the quiet evenings whilst away. I may not make a quilt but have ideas for new little items for my shop. Here are a few photos of my first very basic crumb pieces.

I will add bits of lace and maybe a button or two and whatever else happens to be suitable. I will post again when I have actually made them into something.

I've Been A Little Bit Quiet .....

2011-09-23T08:52:00.000+01:00

.....having a week's break down in Rye on the South Coast. It has been a lovely, restful week and Mr V-B and I are just getting into the swing of being on holiday. What a shame we have to go home tomorrow.

I will post again when I get home with piccies of some of the things we have seen on our travels and also something I found very interesting on ..... crumbs ......, yes, crumbs! See ya!

A New Mini Wall Hanging In The Shop

2011-09-06T16:18:00.000+01:00

I meant to post about this last week but never got around to it. so here are a couple of sneaky peeks of a little fabric and lace hanging I have put into my shop. Hope you like.

Guess What I've Been Doing

2011-08-25T16:13:00.000+01:00

This is what I started off with:-

a pile of snowy white lace, broderie anglaise, tatting and other bits of net and trim.

Here are the same items afterwards:-

varying degrees of subtle pinkness. Yummy!

Yup, you guessed right - avocado dyeing again. DH is the avocado fan in our house - I don't like them and he used this up at the weekend and I asked him to save me the skin. I wasn't ready to use it at the time so it was put into a plastic bag in the fridge for a couple of days and brought out yesterday. I wasn't sure if it would work as it had been in the fridge and not used when fresh and ripe. I found that it took longer to boil this time maybe as a result of this but I ended up boiling it all for an hour and a half (much longer this time) until I could see a murky brown colour in the pan and I knew it was starting to take.

I put the skin inside a piece of cotton scrim to boil this time as it is a fairly messy job with all the little pieces of avocado pith floating around and it seemed to work quite well at keeping them all inside. I don't think the colour was as strong this time but it's still pretty and some of the pieces are such a delicate shade - not quite white, not quite pink, as every type of lace takes the dye differently.

It's quite a time consuming job but well worth it I think. Now to use it!

Sneak Peeks - New Goodies Now Available

2011-08-03T16:15:00.000+01:00

Here are a few sneak peeks of new items I have listed in my shop this afternoon. - pop over and have a look.

New Digital Collage Sheets/Background Papers

2011-07-14T22:21:00.000+01:00

Here are sneak peeks of 3 new papers in my Etsy shop. Pop over to see the whole sheets. Hope you like them - I haven't done many designs just lately but I'm on a roll this week!

Shabby Patchwork Heirloom Heart

2011-07-12T16:01:00.000+01:00

I have had a lot of time on my hands of late and although I haven't been as creative as I could have been, I managed to make this little heart. I had been going through some old Australian patchwork magazines and came across an applique heart pattern which I thought I could use. I amended it slightly and made various shapes for the patchwork, then assembled bits of fabric, silk sari ribbon, old lace and printed or stamped canvas for the body of the heart and assembled some of my absolute favourite buttons and embellishments as I wanted this to be the kind of thing I would buy for me.

It was very fiddly and sometimes I wished I hadn't decided to make something so intense but continued on.

It was quite tricky in some places as I decided to use hessian for the backing and it was quite tough to sew but eventually got there through trial and error as some of the patchwork pieces didn't fit quite right.

Well here is the finished result and I love it - I will hang it onto one of my rustic door handles. Hope you like it.

Homework - First Attempts at Free Motion Stitching

2011-07-03T12:24:00.000+01:00

Carole over at Madness and Mess has been giving free video tutorials on free motion stitching in readiness for her new online course which is starting fairly soon. This is to enable anyone wanting to do the course without free motion stitching experience to be up to speed ready for sign ups.

I have always wanted to master this but it has always frightened me - putting the feed dogs down and the fabric wandering all over the place is very scary indeed! Here are my first attempts for Carole to have a look at!

Very tiny, scrunched up writing!

Getting a bit better.

Not too brilliant but better than when I first started - what do you think Carole? I know I need much more practice. I find it quite tiring holding onto the fabric, making sure the needle doesn't run away with it!

Flea Market Goodies

2011-07-01T12:43:00.000+01:00

As is so often the case, I went to the local bric a brac market with a view to sourcing more supplies for my shop but nothing really grabbed me this week (apart from a couple of items which I ended up not buying because I thought they were way too expensive for what they were - some dealers really put their prices up high) but there were several items which I could use in my home and ended up buying these lovely goodies for me!

a pretty pink flowered crocheted doily; two gorgeous silk hankies with lace edging;

an embroidered piece of linen with raw edges which hasn't been finished off, but I thought I could do something with;

and another embroidered piece which is shaped to go over a coathanger, so a few ideas for this piece.

Finally Revealed - What I Made With My Erosion Bundle Contents

2011-06-24T12:28:00.000+01:00

You will remember seeing my posts on this project and my recent sneak peeks on what I was doing with the contents. Well, it is now finished and the result is this little wall hanging - here are a few photos for you:-

This hanging will be available for sale in my shop later today. Thanks for looking.

This Weekend I Have Mainly Been Making A Few Cards!

2011-06-20T11:21:00.000+01:00

This is the first bit of art I have done for a while and just fancied making some art cards. They are all completely different but I enjoyed doing them. They are available today in my shop. Thanks for looking.

Prinknash Abbey Bird & Deer Park

2011-06-09T16:00:00.001+01:00

I'm a few weeks late in sharing some photos with you of our trip to Prinknash Abbey Bird & Deer Park about a month ago now but better late than never! There were so many strutting male peacocks all vying for attention and food but the iridescence of their feathers was amazing - some gorgeous textures and patterns for future artwork. Here are a few of the best photos though we had so many, it was hard to choose just a few. There was also a lovely quieter park area with the deer, some sweet little goats and a couple of beautiful miniature donkeys. There was also a prettily decorated gypsy caravan with milk churns and plants, creating lovely vignettes for the camera.

Not Much Art Going On

2011-06-02T23:18:00.000+01:00

I think my mojo has gone on it's Summer Holidays - I haven't been well it's true and the most I can do at the moment is enjoy the garden - I have had no sign of any interest, let alone creativity in art for the last few weeks.

Sneak Peeks - Work In Progress Projects On My Worktable

2011-05-20T20:48:00.002+01:00

As usual I have loads of different things on the go, which means that I flick from one to another and never seem to finish any one project off quickly!

Here's a peek at what I am making with my erosion bundle contents (link here:- ). This is a small fabric hanging with lots of naive stitching. I only have a few more bits to do on this and then I will show it to you in it's entirety.

Here are some other fripperies I have on the go at the moment, including a little printed linen pouch with black lace overlay and grosgrain bow; a new lace label with quilted printed fabric strip; a quilted lace and fabric piece and lastly, a new venture for me - a little bird made from lace - will show more when ready.

Thanks for looking.

Featured In Another Etsy Treasury!

2011-05-07T11:08:00.001+01:00

For years I have been fascinated by Marie-Antoinette, the French Revolution and that period generally. I used to belong to a Marie-Antoinette Art Group a couple of years back and made many items relating to this historical personage and, in fact, was published in 2 M-A themed publications (links in my Left hand sidebar).

Whilst I still have an interest in the period generally, I have now left the group and my focus is now in other areas but I still have lots of M-A inspired goodies, so what to do with them now? I thought I would put together a Marie-Antoinette inspiration kit to put up for sale in my Etsy shop and it just grew and grew! I put it on last night and this morning have been featured in a new "Let Them Eat Cake" Treasury, thanks Lauralee!

Another Lovely Sunny Day

2011-05-06T22:39:00.000+01:00

So I took the opportunity to take a few photos in the garden - our garden is definitely a May/June garden and is full of colour at the moment.

My Erosion Bundle Opened

2011-04-19T20:55:00.000+01:00

I was late opening up my erosion bundle due to health problems recently but as it was such a gorgeous Spring day today, I thought it was high time that I did this. Here are some photos of how things turned out.

My little bundle in its resting place.

Hard to see but tiny marks have been imprinted onto these strips.

Several rusty marks from various metal items inside.

A circular rust mark from a metal washer (again, hard to see in the photo).

This was my first attempt at this project and it is quite bland really compared to a lot of the others. If I do this project again, I will add something which will discharge a colour inside such as berries or fruit as there will be more amazing effects I think. Today, I have hung all the pieces inside out in the fresh air to air off before I try to consider what I am going to do with them.

First Trip Out In The Warm Spring Sunshine

2011-04-11T09:42:00.000+01:00

Saturday was my first trip out post-op and although I am not back to full strength just yet, I was able to shuffle slowly around this very pretty garden with Mr V-B to get out of the house for a little while.

The weather has been unseasonally warm just lately here in the UK and so we went along to the Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury to see their fabulous tulip display and what a display it was. Last Winter they planted 24,000 tulip bulbs!!

It's so lovely to feel some pleasantly warm rays on your skin after the very cold winter we have just had!

Wow - Featured in 2 Etsy Treasuries in 2 Weeks - Things Must Be Looking Up!

2011-03-30T21:40:00.003+01:00

I was featured in my very first Etsy Treasury a week or so ago - it was here :- "Vintage & Crafts - A Perfect Match"-

and today I have had another item featured here :- "Weak at the Knees" Lace -

I am so pleased to be featured. Just thought I would share! Thanks for looking.

Some New Stuff in the Shop

2011-03-25T22:42:00.000Z

Just before I have to go into hospital for a (hopefully) small operation, I have been putting more stuff in my Etsy shop. Please pop over and have a look if you can. There are some other new things there as well.

a new collage sheet - Fairy Belle

more vintage goodies

a new lace & fabric label.

Thanks for looking.

New Goodies in the Shop

2011-03-17T20:27:00.000Z

I have been making up some new inspiration kits for my shop and here are a few sneak peeks. There are some lovely items in them and also a couple of things I have made myself:-

Cradle Song/Fairy Whispers Inspiration Kit

Romantic Lady Inspiration Kit

Victorian Lady Inspiration Kit

Please have a look in my Etsy shop - I hope you will like what you see. Thanks for looking.

No Wonder He Was In Pain!

2011-03-12T14:43:00.000Z

Take a look at these monsters, removed from Mr V-B's gall bladder on Wednesday - no wonder he was in agony in January.

There were some complications with the operation and he had to stay in longer than anticipated but he is home now, taking things very gingerly, with 4 abdominal wounds. He won't be moving too quickly in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for all the good wishes I have received, they are very encouraging, especially as I have to start my investigations soon.

No Posts For A Little While

2011-03-08T20:15:00.001Z

I won't be around for a while in the next few days to a week or so as Mr V-B is going in for his operation tomorrow so I will be at the hospital. Hopefully he will be discharged the same day as it is a day case procedure but if there is a problem, then he might have to stay in for a few more days .

Not only will I be visiting that hospital but have a new health problem myself which has just appeared so will be starting the ball rolling with that too on Thursday at a different hospital. I have had my fill of hospitals for sure this year. Normality - please come back quickly!!!

Updating My Etsy Shop

2011-02-26T20:15:00.000Z

I have been neglecting my poor old Etsy shop for a while now and have just transferred a few items over from my other shop for the moment, which haven't been seeen on Etsy before. As well as some of my best selling collage sheets, here are a couple of the updated items that have gone on today:-

A couple of project inspiration packs

A pretty lace grab bag

Please pop over to my Etsy shop and have a browse around. Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend!

ONE WORLD, ONE HEART WINNERS!

2011-02-17T16:25:00.005Z

Today is Winners day for OWOH and I would like to thank all those lovely ladies who entered my giveaway this year - I have been quite overwhelmed with the response! Unfortunately there can only be 2 winners and I have selected these through the random number generator.

The first winner is:- Martina2801 from Germany . Martina will receive the vintage 1930's white linen pouch.

The second winner is:- Michele from Vermont, USA . Michelle will receive the small embroidered pouch with buttons, lace and trim.

Well done ladies - hope you will enjoy these items and can use them in your home or artwork. If you would like to contact me via email with your addresses, I will get your prizes off to you.

As you know, Lisa announced that there won't be any further OWOH events but she has just made it known that there will be a new event in its place:- Our World, Our Art - read more about it here .

Thanks again for your support and looking forward to seeing you again next year.

CONGRATULATIONS ZSUZSA - 150TH FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY

2011-02-16T16:25:00.002Z

I am very grateful to all my new Followers and have been overwhelmed with lovely comments and praise about my blog and work during the One World, One Heart Event - thank you so much ladies!

My 150th Follower is Zsuzsa from Hungary - my first Hungarian Follower as well. A small thank you gift will be winging its way to your door in the next week or so, when I have decided what I am going to give away!

Thanks again for all your interest and hope there will be lots more to inspire you in the coming year.

Another Giveaway Coming Up ....!

2011-02-13T17:13:00.000Z

Since this year's One World, One Heart event started, I have gained many more Followers, for which I am truly happy and pleased - thank you all very much for showing an interest in my work and blog. As of now, my Followers stand at 142 and if the counter reaches the heady heights of 150 in the next week or so, I can feel another "Thank You For Following Me" giveaway approaching.

So, spread the word to your friends that a little gift could come their way if they sign up - don't know what it will be yet but probably something lacy or vintagey.

A New Project

2011-02-11T16:37:00.000Z

Thanks to Linda from Blue Eyed Girl, I discovered this fabulous quilt artist Jude Hill. After seeing Linda's pretty project I felt inspired to have a go myself so I have signed up for Jude's Spirit Cloth Workshop "Cloth to Cloth".
I sat up watching most of the videos last night and today started to sort out bits and pieces of scraps to start weaving my cloth. Essentially, this course is to make new cloth from scraps of old cloth by simple weaving, hand stitching and embellishment - right up my street. I am starting with a small block first of all, to see how I go.

I have used strips from some patterned silk fabrics I bought at last year's Knitting & Stitching Show, plus some of my avocado dyed lace and broderie anglaise and other lace. I will be hand stitching this when I have finished piecing it together and will post more about it when it is done.

Natural Dyeing with Avocado Skins

2011-02-03T16:22:00.003Z

Well, who would have thought that such a beautiful pale pink colour could be achieved by dyeing with avocado skins? I certainly didn't but saw the results myself after reading a couple of blog posts about this late last year and I was so taken with the idea that I thought I would give it a try.

I also got a wonderful book for Christmas (requested by me!) Eco Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles by India Flint which is full of information about using nature for dyeing purposes. (I am still working my way through it.).

This is only my first attempt but I will certainly be trying other methods of dyeing for sure. I simply boiled the avocado skins in an old saucepan not used for cooking for about 15 minutes and then added my fabrics -various types of lace, broderie anglais, canvas, an old piece of doily and other trim and then boiled that for about 25 minutes. I am so pleased with the colour - it is such a delicate shade.

ONE WORLD ONE HEART EVENT - 2011 & GIVEAWAY - REPOSTED DUE TO PROBLEM VIEWING THE PREVIOUS POST

2011-02-01T16:45:00.009Z

WELCOME TO MY BLOG - IT'S SO NICE TO MEET YOU! PLEASE STAY AWHILE AND HAVE A GOOD LOOK AROUND. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL LIKE WHAT YOU SEE AND CALL AGAIN!

It's that time of year again for the One World, One Heart Event but this will be the final one ever. This great event is organised by Lisa at "A Whimsical Bohemian" and enables bloggers from all over the world to make contact with each other and get to know people from other disciplines they wouldn't have otherwise. I took part last year for the first time, not really knowing what to expect and was a little trepidatious to be honest with you. All I can say is that I am so glad I joined in - it is HUGE opportunity to meet fellow bloggers and make friends with artists from every category and country. As a result I made several good friends I wouldn't have had if I hadn't taken part in this event.

So here's what you can win from me. This year I have 2 door prize giveaways:-

The first is a 1930's vintage linen pouch, originally intended for storing hankies or napkins in but can be used to keep all sorts of bits and bobs in. I have embellished it a little further with one of the handmade toppers from my shop (lace and fabric label with vintage lace, button and silk ribbon). It has also been trimmed with some old lace along the bottom edge.

The second giveaway is a cute little handmade linen pouch with a selection of vintage buttons, lace and trim inside. This is made from printed linen, trimmed with lace, a scrap of seam binding and recycled doily flower. Small but pretty.

Pouch Closed

Pouch Open

If you would like a chance of winning these two items, you have to do just two things:-

1. Leave a comment on THIS post before 17th February, mentioning which of the two items you would like to win;

2. Include your blog link or blog info with your comment so that I can visit you too! I will pick 2 winners on 18th February. It's that easy!

YOU MUST LEAVE A VALID BLOG LINK AS THIS IS FOR BLOGGERS ONLY.

I hope you will leave a comment for me and that you will call back again. I would be pleased to hear from you any time!

FOR THOSE LADIES WHO POSTED THEIR COMMENTS ON THE PREVIOUS POST (WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DELETE DUE TO A PROBLEM SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD IN VIEWING MY BLOG), PLEASE DO NOT WORRY AS I HAVE PRINTED OFF THE LIST OF COMMENTS MADE AND THEY WILL BE ENTERED IN THE DRAW, NO PROBLEM. SO DO NOT WORRY. THANKS. :)

THIS PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN FIXED THANKS TO MR V-B! (6.2.11)

Oh Dear, Blog Problems Again

2011-01-31T20:57:00.000Z

Since I posted my OWOH giveaway, I have had many bloggers telling me that they cannot read my blog - only the left hand column appears. This happened last year around the time of the OWOH event and it wasn't until much later on in the year that I realised that the link to A Whimsical Bohemian site somehow was the cause of this. When I deleted it, my blog was fine again.

I work in Google Chrome and I think it's only the people who use Internet Explorer who are mainly having troubles. I have so far tried getting rid of the sidebar link and link in my post but it hasn't cleared the problem. As I copy and pasted some of my post from last year, I am wondering whether there may be a rogue bit of text in there that the computer doesn't like so what I am going to have to do, I'm afraid is to re-type this post from scratch with no old links in it at all and re-post, deleting the post that is there now.

For all the people who have already left me comments for my giveaway, don't worry as I will print them off first and put them in the hat already, so although they will not show on the new post, I have them ready in the draw.

I only hope that this will eliminate this problem. If not, then I don't know what to try next.

Problem with Blogger - Now Fixed - Hooray!

2011-01-22T20:04:00.001Z

Yesterday I thought I would change my header and boy, do I wish I hadn't bothered. The new image looked blurry, so I tried two more times - the same thing. I therefore deleted it and re-loaded the previous one - guess what, blurry! I tried re-loading it many, many times and in the end asked Mr V-B if he could help. He googled Blogger to see if there were any problems and guess what, just yesterday they had changed something and there were a string of other bloggers who had experienced the same thing. Google are apparently aware of the problem but as far as I know, it is still not working properly today.

I therefore apologise for the blurriness of my blog header - the actual photo is very sharp - this is down to Blogger.

NB. The problem has now been fixed and here is my new blog makeover.

Erosion Bundle Project 2011

2011-01-20T15:38:00.001Z

I loved reading about this project last year and would love to try it for myself this time. I hung my bundle outside in our small willow tree on New Year's Day and really look forward to opening it in April. Stupidly, I didn’t take a photo before I wrapped it up - Doh!

My bundle consists of old scraps of lace, fabric, trim/ribbon, dried leaves, textured papers and is wrapped in calico and tied with string. I wish I had thought of putting some other bits and bobs in now but it is too late for this bundle. Maybe next time.

The idea is to create an artistic bundle made from materials of your choosing and bury, hang, submerge or place your bundle in the elements until April and then open it up and reveal what has happened to the contents – some of the results from last year’s bundles were beautiful and I hope mine turns out as well.

If you would like to know more or see the other bundles, visit The Erosion Bundle Project.

Not Such a Happy New Year

2011-01-14T10:14:00.000Z

Sorry I haven't posted since New Year. Although I had a lovely birthday week last week, things have taken a dramatic turn since then and I have been in a whirl as Mr V-B was taken very ill in the early hours of Monday morning and rushed to hospital by ambulance. To cut a very long story short he was admitted and due for surgery on Wednesday but on the day of the op this was cancelled due to more urgent cases requiring the surgery and the bed, so he has been discharged with antibiotics and NO painkillers, to return for his operation in 4 weeks. It has been an awful few days, which I would not wish to endure ever again. The hospital we were diverted to is 28 miles away (our nearest hospital was full, hence the diversion), so travelling has been long and tiring.

He is home now and still feeling extremely grotty and we are both frightened that he could have another serious episode in the intervening weeks until his operation. He has had to go on a very low fat diet in the meantime and I hope that vigilance with this will stop any further attacks until the op. Fingers crossed.

Understandably, I have had no time to even think about blogging, let alone creating and feel my mojo has definitely left the building, never to return. I hope it does.

I hope the New Year gets better than this!

My 100th Follower!

2010-12-30T23:43:00.002Z

Wow, I can't believe that the number of folks who follow my blog is now into three figures! What a good start to the New Year! That deserves a little giveaway I think!

Congratulations Dorthe - you are the lucky person - if you would like to email me - link in my sidebar - with your address, I will post a little thank you gift to you. I will go away and find something suitable and will be right back with a photo of it.

Right - I'm back and here is my giveaway. This is a pretty linen pouch from circa 1930's, used for storing handkerchiefs or napkins, but could now be used to keep all sorts in, such as buttons, trim, lace etc. It is a salmon pink colour with violets embroidered on the flap. This is from a French chateau, bought from a lady who was clearing out the contents from the previous owner who hadn't thrown anything away for over 80 years! Inside are 7 small pieces of lace - of various types, which I hope you will be able to use.

Thanks so much for the continued support of all my Followers. Happy New Year!

Bye Bye Santa!

2010-12-29T23:26:00.001Z

Well, Christmas has been and gone amidst a flurry of snow, huge spending, food shopping, present wrapping and exhaustion. I still have my family get together to look forward to, which is later than planned this year due to the very bad weather we have had and is scheduled for this coming weekend, to coincide with a very special birthday I have!

I am starting to get that "get rid of the Christmas decorations now" feeling but can't at the moment as Mr V-B likes them up as long as possible so I have started in a small way by having a tidy up of my blog. The vintage Santa background had to go, along with several Christmassy photos! I'm looking forward to Spring already and can't wait to get back into the usual routine.

I would like to wish all my friends, followers and fellow bloggers a very Happy New Year and a healthy and prosperous 2011.

To celebrate my special birthday, here are a few images for you :-

Enjoy!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2010-12-20T22:46:00.002Z

Well, there's certainly not been much happening on the creative front this month - I think my mojo has gone on it's holidays. Also I have had a problem with my toe and had to have a minor op last week and things haven't been helped by the unprecedented snowfall we have had for the second time in about a month, which has virtually brought the UK to a grinding halt, which in the run up to christmas is most inconvenient to say the least!

However, I have got my Christmas decs up and here are a few very seasonal photos - the snowy views are from the house looking out.

If I don't post again before Christmas, may I take this opportunity of wishing all my friends, followers and fellow bloggers a fabulous Christmas and New Year - have a lot of fun!

Christmas Advent Fair

2010-11-29T21:03:00.001Z

Despite the freezing temperatures here in the UK at the moment, Mr V-B and I braved the cold and went along to the Burford Advent Fair yesterday afternoon. Burford is a fabulous medieval market town on the outskirts of the Cotswolds and at Christmas time is a magical place with many pretty shop windows and treasures to buy.

There was live music, roasted chestnuts for sale and the lights turned on by Father Christmas himself (!), followed by a procession to the church for carols and a magician for the children. It made us feel very Christmassy. We are so lucky to live 5 minutes drive away from such a beautiful little town.

Just Published in Sew Somerset, Winter 2011

2010-11-27T16:06:00.000Z

I haven't got my copy yet so not sure how my artwork has been shown but I do know that this issue is out because I have already had a comment about it. It was so long ago that I sent it in to Stampington & Co but that's the nature of the beast I guess.

http://www.stampington.com/html/sew_somerset_winter11.html

Here are some photos I took before I posted it off:-

I can't wait to get my copy to see how it looks and also can't wait to get it back home again so that it can go on display somewhere.

Christmas Countdown Begins!!

2010-11-26T23:14:00.001Z

Starting 1st December through to Christmas Day, Lisa Vollrath starts her fabulous countdown with daily free images. To join in you must spread the word too - post the following link on your blog, message board, art group, Facebook or Twitter:-

Lisa Volrath (Ten Two Studios & Go Make Something}'s Holiday Countdown

and Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas

Check them out and get into the holiday spirit!

Shabby Recycled Quilted Hearts

2010-11-25T20:14:00.003Z

Here are two hearts I have recycled from an old quilted piece - they have scraps of vintage lace and some vintage buttons and are unfinished at the back so that they can be sewn as a finishing touch onto your projects. Each heart is packaged with a double sided piece of beautiful 7 Gypsies Conservatory paper (6" x 6" size) . The other side of both pieces shown below.

These two hearts are now available in my shop - please pop over and have a look if you like them.

Announcing the Shop Celebration Giveaway Draw .........

2010-11-06T23:28:00.001Z

Congratulations Shane! I have e-mailed you about this. Thanks ladies for taking part and I'm sorry there can be only one winner.

Photoshop Test Kitchen

2010-11-05T23:19:00.003Z

I have recently signed up for Kim Klassen's Photoshop Test Kitchen - button in my sidebar. If you love playing in Photoshop with textures and lots of how to's, tips and techniques, then this is the place for you. This is my first offering from the Test Kitchen - this has taken me ages and has got so many textures and elements in it, some courtesy of Kim and one of Christina Renee's glass negative frames.

Here is the original photo:-

I have been trying to do one of the mosaic templates but am not happy yet with the final outcome but here is my first go at a new blog header - what do you think?

What's New in the Shop Today!

2010-10-29T21:29:00.002+01:00

Here are some new items I have just listed in the Vintage Bunty shop at BuntyBarmcake.co.uk:-

This a really lovely old sheet music booklet called "River & Rainbow" by Walter Carroll, who is described as the Beatrix Potter of learner piano music. The booklet isn't dated but I do know that the music was written in 1933 and this particular book is out of print, although I believe a completely new edition has recently been published.

There are 10 miniature pieces with such lovely names as Glow Worms, The Tiger Moth, Iris and By Crystal Stream. There is a charming picture of children and fairies (from the original by Arther Rackham) - shown below. The second picture is of the inside front cover with line drawing. There are no tears in the book and considering its age, it is in fair condition. Having done some research on this, it would seem that there are only a couple of copies available in rare book shops!

Also new today are these pretty collaged paper hearts (made by me), which are offered as a set of 5 . These can be added to any papercraft project to add that finishing touch. There is only one set of these at the moment but if more than one person would like a set, just let me know and I will do some more!

Please pop over to the shop and have a closer look.

Want to Win This?? A Celebration Giveaway from BuntyBarmcake.co.uk

2010-10-23T17:07:00.000+01:00

To celebrate the launch of my new shop, I thought it would be nice to have a giveaway . This is an opportunity to win one of my project packs - you could win all the items shown in the photograph:- a vintage postcard; a vintage cuff with lace and ribbon from a very small garment; a length of French edging trim with little boys and girls on it; 2 types of quality ribbon from VV Rouleaux; various other lace bits, a yo-yo with pink bow and 6 vintage buttons.

Here's how you can win!

For 1 chance of winning, leave a comment on this post, then post about my shop (not my blog) on your blog / website and link back to me.

For 2 chances of winning, leave a comment on this post, then post about my shop (not my blog) on your blog / website, link back to me and become a Follower. {If you are already a follower of this blog, mention it in the post and you will automatically receive a second chance of winning.}

I will draw one lucky winner in two week's time (Saturday 6th November at 6:00pm GMT) so please get posting! Good Luck!

Please note that to take part in this giveaway, you must have either a blog or website plus a valid e-mail address so that I can contact you should you win.

Introducing BuntyBarmcake.co.uk, My New Online Shop!

2010-10-18T22:07:00.003+01:00

I’m very pleased and proud to introduce to you my new website which is now up and running, thanks to many hours of hard toil by Mr V-B to get it all working as it should (and lots of hair pulling out by me due to the steep learning curve involved!). I am hoping that this will give me greater flexibility with the products I want to sell. For the moment I will keep my Etsy shop going until the items I have listed expire.

I will still be selling collage sheets and pretty downloadable papers – the download shop is all stocked up and has some new designs too. In addition, I will be offering one of a kind packs of ephemera, lace, fabric or whatever other pretty things take my fancy whilst I am out and about on my travels, plus occasional quality excess-vintage stash which I no longer have room for in my workroom. For quite a while now I have had a yearning to make up delicious little project packs with bits of this and bits of that – the kind of thing I have had no luck finding myself. I hope these will appeal to all you mixed media, altered art, seamstress and collage bloggers out there.

Please pop along to the shop, make yourself a cuppa and sit down and browse through my goodies. The different sections are listed in the left hand side bar of the Shop page. I really hope you will like what you see – I am hoping to offer some things which are a little bit different. I would love to know what you think and would value your comments. BuntyBarmcake.co.uk

Coming Soon ........ Please Keep Watching!/Knitting & Stitching Show

2010-10-10T16:54:00.011+01:00

I know I mentioned a few weeks ago that when I got back from my holiday, I would have some exciting news, well, I still will have but things are taking a wee bit longer to finalise so please be patient. I hope the wait will be worth it.

I spent yesterday at the fabulous Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in London - a yearly event which seems to grow bigger every year. It's a show with exhibitors and textile artists from all over the world and it's so easy to overspend (oh, my groaning credit card!). But as I see it, you can find things there that you wouldn't find anywhere else (unless you are very lucky) and where I live, shops selling such goodies just don't exist - well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

I also did a workshop there with the talented Gwen Headley called "Take 100 Lines" which basically is to create 100 lines whilst joining several strips of fabric together and working on the strip as a whole to incorporate lines of all kinds eg running stitch, cross stitch, couching, fly stitch, blanket stitch etc., etc. Unfortunately I did not take my camera to the show and so couldn't take a photo of Gwen's finished works but here is a photo of my strip so far. This is as far as I have got and although the colours are not what I would choose for myself, I am thinking of maybe doing something incorporating this kind of theme in a paler colour scheme sometime. I met another blogger at the class - Linda (Blue Eyed Girl) - what a small world! Her piece is shown on her blog - she has done a lot more than I have!

Back To Normal .....!

2010-09-26T18:48:00.003+01:00

We are now back from our little break on the Worcestershire/Shropshire/Hereford borders and what a lovely area it is. Fabulous countryside and gorgeous local food products - definitely for foodies! Here are a few photos of our travels:-

From the top:- Lower Brockhampton Estate at Bromyard (absolutely lovely), Burford House Gardens, Bewdley, The Feathers in Ludlow, Ludlow castle, Arley, Kidderminster and a beautiful leopard at the West Midlands Wildlife Park.

Taking a Little Break .....

2010-09-16T11:13:00.005+01:00

Just a short break from tomorrow for one week to re-charge the batteries. This is one of the places we will be visiting:-

When I get back, I hope to share some exciting news with you. Watch this space and start saving your pennies! Please tell your friends and if I can push my followers up to 100 ie 30 more, then I will be having a super giveaway to celebrate! Please spread the word!

Etsy Treasury Selection!

2010-09-08T09:45:00.000+01:00

Wow! I am honoured to have been featured in an Etsy Treasury - my very first! Here is the link:- MDCardsand Gifts. Maggie has featured a beautiful collection of chocolate brown art and mixed media items.

She featured my chocolate brown script collage paper:-

Thanks Maggie!

New Flea Market Goodies!

2010-09-03T21:52:00.000+01:00

After a very unsuccessful trip to the bric a brac market in Oxford a week or so ago, I so made up for it yesterday - it was certainly my day to buy some lovely stuff. My favourite stallholder was there yesterday and had boxes brimming with stuff from a probate sale which had come from a house which she said was crammed with stuff from the 1920's/30's!

Here are just some of the things I got - I couldn't photograph everything:-

The Blog Guidebook - What A Great Idea!

2010-08-26T22:12:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Laurie of Indulge Your Shelf, I found out about this great website.

You can list your blog for free (first entry only) under one of many categories, and find like-minded bloggers, who can also find you! You can have as many entries under different categories as you want but obviously you have to pay for them.

There are several categories which I think my blog could be listed under and I'm now listed under (Painting, Illustration &) Mixed Media. I am also going to join the Arts & Crafts category to get my blog out there. A great way to find new blogging friends!

The guidebook also has fantastic resources with a Giveaway Section, Blog Events & Linky Parties, etc., etc. There is also a very useful Help Desk. There is so much to read on there, I have only skimmed through it for now but will go back and have a proper look. Until 31st August, there is a special offer on - blog about the Guidebook and send the link to them and you may get a FREE blog button listing with them! Great stuff.

Just A Little Something I Ran Up!

2010-08-22T14:09:00.001+01:00

This is a shabby fabric hanging with bits of old lace and pretty fabric, which came from an idea I had and then quickly was completed in a few hours. It's amazing what you can achieve if, instead of logging onto the computer, you get on with your crafting! I think I will make a few more and list them in my Etsy store.

If you would like one in a specific colour palette, please e-mail me or convo me on Etsy and I will see what I can do.

Pretty Little Buttons Through My Letterbox This Morning!

2010-08-18T22:12:00.000+01:00

Look what arrived today from the USA - two cards of beautiful hand made ceramic buttons by Julie Whitmore.

I had emailed Julie about buying some of her buttons and she asked me what I would like and made some up for me to choose from. There were so many I liked but I couldn't buy them all! These are my favourites and Julie kindly sent an extra little button with a card - the smallest cottage in a heart at the bottom (so kind of you Julie). Thank you. I photographed them on top my newest collage sheet before I digitally altered it as I thought it brought out the colours in the buttons.

New Background Paper in My Etsy Store

2010-08-14T22:49:00.003+01:00

Here is a preview of a new paper I have just designed and put up for sale in my Etsy shop. First of all I made a collage from strips of various papers/vintage text I liked and then added a few scraps here and there to add interest. I then scanned it into my Photoshop software and added some brushes, a few layers and some blending modes - hope you will like it enough to pop over to the shop.

** From today for a limited period, I have reduced the price of my background papers and collage sheets so grab a few bargains while you can!**

More Journal Pages

2010-08-03T20:41:00.000+01:00

I am still way behind on my online journal course but here are some more finished pages:-

Photoshopping & A Freebie Texture

2010-07-30T11:56:00.002+01:00

Just fancied doing a quick altered photo this morning, when I should have been houseworking! As well as the photo, I used a texture from a photo taken at Hidcote Manor Garden last year, together with a script brush I had. I used lots of different layers and blending modes and then finished with one of Christina Renee's beautiful glass plate negatives and this is the result.

Here is a freebie for anyone digitally minded - the texture that I mentioned above - please feel free to use it in your work and I would love to see what you do with it. Enjoy!

Treasures of the Ocean - New Collage Sheet

2010-07-23T07:51:00.001+01:00

As there is a trend for mermaids and all things ocean-related just now, here is a sheet of backgrounds I have just designed in shades of aquamarine, blue and green for all those mermaind inspired works of art. Pop over to the shop and have a look.

And Another One!

2010-07-18T20:37:00.001+01:00

Just like the buses, two come along together! Here is another background sheet for collage or atcs, which has been listed in Etsy today.

New ATC/Collage Sheet

2010-07-17T23:07:00.000+01:00

I have been very remiss in looking after my Etsy shop over the last few months and in an effort to put this right, I have finally finished off a new atc/collage sheet which I started months ago (very bad Etsy seller). It is basically a vintage pink and red sheet featuring some old fashioned florals, together with some shabby designs with text, one French baroque style background and a couple of retro designs. Please pop over to my shop and have a look.

2 Completed Journal Pages

2010-07-01T18:27:00.000+01:00

Here are the first pages which have been completely finished for my journal in Carole's online workshop. I have about 4 or 5 others that are either half or three-quarters finished but they just need finishing touches.

I will post more pages when they are finished.

I Am Opening My Door!

2010-06-23T17:55:00.000+01:00

Well, I have started to open my door with Carole, as posted recently. This is a fun journal workshop and certainly challenges me to step out of my comfort zone: no measuring, no scissors, no precision, no trimmed threads - yikes, can I do it??!

We had to start by making our journal pages from watercolour paper by tea bag dyeing, walnut staining, coffee or tea staining, painting etc., etc., followed by rubber stamping. I had a go at this when I got back from my holiday last weekend and tried to use stuff I already had to avoid unnecessary expense. Some of my pages are dyed with fruit tea bags - the best ones were cranberry and blackcurrant. The orange ones didn't show up much. At first, I thought the blackcurrant one was too purple but now that it has dried I kind of like it and it tones in with pretty pinks and flowers etc., so I will keep it. Others are done with tea and watered down walnut ink. Carole showed us how to use rock salt crystals to alter the look of the wet page and I had some in the cupboard and tried it but they must have been too old or something because the result was rubbish so I have abandoned this.

These photos are definitely a work in progress. I have sorted out my 3 signatures (the outer sections which hold the journal pages) and have started to put together my extra bits and bobs (extra pages, vintage text, sheet music, nice cards or paper bags etc). Nothing is sewed or glued in yet so that is why there are paperclips everywhere, so I don't forget the placings I like! I just wanted to get some photos together to show that I am progressing, if a bit behind on the workshop due to holiday.

I will have extra pages but have been held up by my signatures being too bulky for the book cover I had chosen, so I have had to have a root around and find a slightly wider book, so this is all very much in the planning stage. Next step is to start free machining with the feed dogs down!!

Some of my pages look quite pale but they have been coloured and it's hard to tell their exact shade in the photos. More to follow as my pages are done.

Memories of Devon & Cornwall

2010-06-18T19:21:00.002+01:00

Here are a few of the MANY photos we have taken of beautiful places on our journey through Devon and North Cornwall. I will be thinking of these when I am back at my office desk next week!

Cotehele, Devon - Valley Garden & Dovecote:-

Port Isaac, Cornwall - view from our cottage:-

The Old Post Office, Tintagel:-

Beere Ferrers, Devon:-

More photos when the rest have been downloaded!

Open Your Door Journal Workshop

2010-06-18T10:51:00.001+01:00

I signed up for this great workshop, which unfortunately started while I have been away on holiday but I have been watching the videos and classwork posted so far and can't wait to get painting, ripping and ageing my pages in readiness for starting my journal signatures.

There is still time to sign up - the class will be online in its entirety until September. Come and join Carole's extremely fun and free style!

Taking A Break .....

2010-06-08T21:01:00.002+01:00

I am taking a long awaited break from the end of this week for nearly two weeks. This is where I am going - can you guess where it is? See ya!

New Papers For Sale - Etsy

2010-06-06T19:08:00.001+01:00

I have just listed two new designs in my Etsy Store - I hope you will pop over and have a look. These are extremely time consuming to design but I am hoping to make some more in the next few months (when I get back from my holiday).

Thanks for stopping by.

My French Friday Giveaway Arrived Today!

2010-05-24T16:41:00.000+01:00

I am not at work today as I have just found out I have tennis elbow and am feeling pretty miserable as I can't do all the usual, normal things with my right arm. Anyway, postie brought me something which cheered me up a little bit.

Two weeks ago, I won the French Friday Giveaway at A Little Bit French and my goodies arrived today. The giveaway was the beautiful pouch but when I looked inside, Rhonda had included a pretty piece of lace tied up with seam binding, some lovely French stamped luggage tags and a couple of French inspired cards - I was really delighted. Thank you so much Rhonda - your work is beautiful. Here are a couple of piccies:-

Close up of the lovely pouch:-

and the whole package:-

Your Vintage Gluebook Online Class

2010-05-21T15:55:00.000+01:00

I signed up for this wonderful class organised by Mary of Green Paper which started last Sunday. It runs for 3 weeks and there are 3 lessons per week - posting Sunday, Wednesday and Friday with a bonus image sheet every Monday.

I have been collaging for a couple of years now and thought I knew a lot about it but this class has been a revelation thanks to Mary's great tips, techniques and instruction. Here are some of my pages so far:-

The first lesson was an introduction to vintage gluebooks and specifically about colour and composition. Here is my Lesson 1 Page:-

Lesson 2 was all about size in composition and Mary set a challenge to work with JUST 3 ITEMS! This was tricky but it was a great lesson and I think I understand it now. Lesson 2 pages:-

Lesson 3 posts today so I am off to have a read! More later.......

Antique Postcard Digital Scans

2010-05-15T20:41:00.003+01:00

I collect antique postcards and thought it would be a good idea to offer high quality digital scans for use in many ways. I have listed 4 to start with in my Etsy shop and have more to do. Hope you will come over and have a look. Here is a sneak peek.

DJ's Photoshop Mini Tutorial

2010-05-14T23:45:00.000+01:00

I follow the wonderful DJ Pettit's blog and she has given a mini tutorial today using the High Pass Filter. I never knew such a thing existed, especially in my software but it did and I used it! Here are two different images using this technique - there are so many ways that the photos can be changed.

More Flea Market Finds

2010-04-29T21:38:00.004+01:00

I managed to get a few lovely old bits of lace at the Bric A Brac market in Oxford today - some of the lace is very old and a little stained and one piece, supposedly "Victorian" has lots of cuts in it so I won't feel bad about cutting it up. I also got 2 very cheap old strings of pearls, which I will de-string to use the pearls separately.

Remember This Work in Progress?

2010-04-29T21:29:00.001+01:00

This was how I started this project and it has progressed apace, turning out completely differently to how I imagined, as is often the case with these things.

Here are a few sneak peeks of the final project. I am not showing it in its entirety as I am submitting it for publication in the next Sew Somerset magazine and don't want to give too much away yet.

Fingers crossed! I have really enjoyed making this, despite sore, pricked fingers!

Taking a Little Break

2010-04-22T10:38:00.000+01:00

I shall be away for a couple of days from Friday so won't be around to answer any posts etc.
Hope to be back (fingers crossed!) on Monday!

P.S. A coouple of friends have reported that they are having trouble viewing my blog. If anyone else is having problems seeing my blog - it seems not to work if you use Internet Explorer but will work with Google Chrome, Firefox or Yahoo and possibly other search engines apart from IE. Don't know why this is.

New Background Papers in My Etsy Store

2010-04-01T17:55:00.003+01:00

I have added two new items to my Etsy Store today. One is a a re-worked collage background paper, which which has been digitially scanned from one of my original collages made from vintage text strips, rubber stamping and images. It has also been enhanced with digitial images of Marie Antoinette (for all you fellow MA fans out there) and is perfect for use as a backround paper for collage, altered art, mixed media work, scrapbooking and ATCs.

The other is a pretty bird collage design with a shabby, worn look.

Please stop by and have a look.

I'm Now A Member of The Button Floozies!

2010-03-31T22:25:00.000+01:00

I have just been accepted to join one of my favourite blog groups, the Button Floozies and am so excited about it. Their membership has been full for quite some time now and just yesterday, 10 new places were up for grabs and I got one of them!

You can read my first post by clicking on the link above.

OMG - Look What Postie Delivered Today!

2010-03-25T13:33:00.005Z

My friend Laurie from Indulge Your Shelf had mentioned that she had sent me a "little box" from her supply of buttons, her being an avid button collector like myself. Well the "little box" came today and I couldn't believe how lovely its contents were:-

Here is the beautiful vintage rose box unopened, together with a pretty glasssine envelope with another two button cards.

Inside the rose box were 2 other little boxes, decorated with pretty paper, tulle and ribbon.

This little box contained lots of vintage buttons.

More lovely buttons........

Thanks Laurie, you're a star!

Alice Tag Book Swap

2010-03-23T21:57:00.001Z

This is what was waiting for me when I got home from work today - beautiful Alice tags with cover and cute little "Drink Me" bottle by Karla Nathan of Karla's Cottage. Thank you to all the artists whose tags I have got in my book:- Stephanie, Cindy, Junkgirl, Suzanne Crowley, Evelyn Howard and M. Bats (apologies if the names aren't right, only some of them weren't easy to read!)

Lovely New Lace!

2010-03-17T10:46:00.001Z

I won a couple of different lots of lace on EBay last week and they have arrived - aren't they gorgeous? I can't wait to use them.

Maintenance Now Completed!

2010-03-08T09:38:00.008Z

UPDATE: I have more or less finished my blog makeover and am really pleased with how it looks. I would like to make my own background now I have a 3 column layout but as that will take me ages to get my head around (!), I am using one of Hot Bliggity Blogs' lovely backgrounds.

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I am in the process of having a blog makeover and as part of that, have changed it to a 3 column layout (with the help of Itkupilli - thank you!) and so until I can change everything around how I like it, I apologise if things don't look quite right just now. Please bear with me!!

My ATCs For "On The Wing" Swap

2010-03-07T18:27:00.002Z

I belong to an advanced Yahoo ATC Group and one of the swaps I joined was "On The Wing" where we had to use vintage images of birds and interpret the theme as we liked. Here are my atcs which have taken me ages to complete as I just couldn't get any inspiration for months but now that a few other deadlines are past, I was able to knuckle down and get on with them.

Work in Progress

2010-03-05T13:11:00.005Z

Thought I would share this little project which I am working on at the moment. I got a lovely book for Christmas by Ruth Rae - Layered, Tattered & Stitched and am fascinated by fabric which has been stamped upon. I have also been greatly inspired by the gorgeous work of Carole Brungar, whose blog I discovered during the OWOH event and so I thought it was high time I had a go myself.

I prepared a large piece of fabric - muslin or cotton calico (not sure which) and stamped randomly all over it with many different stamps until it started to look good. It was a bit trial and error but I think I know the kind of look I will go for in the future. I thought I would like to make something heart shaped so cut out a couple of heart shapes. This is as far as I have got - this will be the front and so far I have attached several pieces of old lace, together with an accent scrap of material in a deep turquoise colour. I will be adding some kind of ruffle to the top and some other bits on the front - probably either nice buttons or pretty lace scraps, not sure yet exactly what.

Flea Market Goodies

2010-02-25T20:56:00.002Z

I braved the cold and wet today and paid a visit to the Oxford Vintage Bric a Brac market. I managed to get a few goodies:- some sweet tiny pearl buttons, vintage braid and ribbon, some lace and a gorgeous old postcard.

Fabulous Giveaway at Robin's Egg Blues

2010-02-24T19:24:00.004Z

These are just some of the gorgeous goodies available to win over at Linda's blog, Robin's Egg Blues. For a chance of winning go HERE. The lucky winner will be picked on 28th February.

Alice Tag Book Swap

2010-02-22T20:46:00.007Z

Here is a great little fun swap I have recently discovered through other bloggers, organised by Karla of Karla's Cottage.

You make 6 tags on the theme of Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass, send them to Karla, who will make them into a book and swap them out. For full details please click HERE.

Winter Altered Photo

2010-02-22T10:10:00.002Z

This is a photo from our recent snowy spell which I have been playing around with in Elements. I have used a couple of different textures and a couple of brushes which I made myself. I also used a lovely glass plate negative plate from Christina Renee Designs at Oscraps.

February Design Team Artwork for Cassi's Creations

2010-02-18T22:11:00.004Z

Here are 2 tags with a retro feel, made from one of Cassandra's beautiful collage sheets at Cassis's Creations. Pay a visit to her shop and see these lovely designs and lots more.

Retro is really out of my comfort zone and the colours are not those I would normally use but I must say I enjoyed doing something slightly different but I just had to add lace. Hope you like them.

ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIVEAWAY - WINNER!!

2010-02-15T09:03:00.002Z

Well, February 15th has arrived and it is now time to pick a winner. I would like to thank all 233 of you who have left comments on my blog for this giveaway but I'm afraid there can only be one winner.

Congratulations Nelly - I will email you to confirm this so that we can sort out delivery details.

Thanks everyone for joining in on the Magic Carpet Ride - it's been fun and I apologise to those people whose blogs I didn't get to - so many blogs, so little time!

20 Minutes A Day - Doesn't seem too difficult.....

2010-02-13T20:59:00.004Z

Here is a great idea I stumbled upon when searching through the OWOH bloglist and this site was a favourite of one of the Magic Carpet Riders. The blog is Fiona's Marmalade Rose.

Fiona made a New Year's Resolution to try and spend at least 20 minutes every day sewing and members of the group are encouraged to do this or indulge in their own craft: some knitting, some sketching, some crochet etc. I checked with Fiona to see if mixed media/altered art and papercrafts could be included and this is apparently OK. I fully intend to give this a go as I spend far too much time either on the computer or planning and researching what I am going to make next rather than actually doing it.

We need lots of encouragement so please take a look. You can learn all about it by clicking on the 20 Minutes button on her sidebar (link above).