I haven't blogged for a while, seems other things, mainly crafting and every day obstacles get in my way, but I am in the right frame of mind now and have a multitude of ideas and things I'm trying at the moment to put on here now.
I have shelved my sewing machine for a while, until my sewing head calls me back, and have discovered the 'Gelli plate'

I have been experimenting with different mediums, firstly, Distress inks, and stamps, then acrylic paints and masks and stencils.

Above are some of the experiments I tried, using inks, the cards were done with shaving brushes and dye based inks.  The fairy stamps are by 'Lavinia Stamps' the inks are Adirondack and rangers distress inks.
The Gelli plate I bought from 'Clarity stamps'  my new favourite supplyer and I am now a firm follower and admirer of Barbar Gray's talents. She is an amazing artist and is right on my wavelength. not too grungy but not too perfect. she is perfect for me though. I love her artwork. and have now become a member of her stamp club. so watch this space for more ideas on stamping and my Gelli plate.

I love this 'Lavinia Stamps' Fairy, she's so cool.  the background was achieved with a mask and shaving brushes and dye based inks.  simple, yet effective.

These cards were all done with sponging and dye based inks, mainly rangers distress inks.  masking the moon/sun and the foreground. the mushroom stamp is another by 'Lavinina Stamps'  also the beautiful hanging willow branches.

A bag I made from a pattern from The Inspired Wren's blog  blue denim with blue/white sriped ticking. on reflection I should have stiffened the ticking as it's a little floppy. but still a great tote and so easy to make.

I still have my sewing head on

A quilt for our new grandbaby, arriving in August, the very hungry caterpillar, loved doing this, but it needs some free motion sewing on it and I've never done it, so I am frantically pracising so I make a good job of it,   before that I have made several little heart swags and danglies, an 'A' for my daughter Amy and an 'E' for my grandaughter Eloise.
Another little fairy doll bound for Australia for my niece's daughter. they will be well known across the globe soon!!   I said I wasn't making anymore until the autumn came around again, but I just love making them, they all seem to have different personalities and I don't dress them until I've painted their faces, so I know what to do with them,
Oh and there's the odd mugrug to fill in time.   they are so versatile and useful.

I have so many photo's piling up too, and a brand new album ready and waiting to be filled, what to do when your head is filled with another project?  I seem to do all or nothing, I can't flit between the two, but I suppose it will come around sooner rather than later, I will run out of room for all the sewing projects unless I get another room built on the house.

Rock chick doll, hushabye doll and others

More sewing projects, the last doll I made was this little cuddle-up hushabye dolly and her own teddy bear, I have one more to make for a gift then I think that's enough for the summer, back to  more when the weather gets colder. I made this little bag too for a gift, it was from a tutorial by Debbie Shore, I have her book 'Half Yard Heaven' I will be posting more makes I expect from there. it's a fun thing to do, using up fat quarters and scraps.
I must get back to doing some more of my scrapbook, the pictures are mounting up, and we are expecting a new grandchild in August so there will be zillions of pictures there to add to the albums.
As I have a new sewing machine perhaps I can sew some pages, I've seen a few done like that and they look great, so i'll have a try. perhaps add some fabrics too seeing as how I have my 'sewing head' on right now. !!

A few more rag dolls.

A secretary doll, a fairy called Fearne, and Zoe a doll made for a friends niece.  All together I have now made 10 dolls, sold 2 and have another one for a gift to make.  getting better at it with each one, the secretary doll has a neat little bun on the back of her head.  a different style of hair I just did 'off the cuff'. The wool I used came from 'Balkan Yarns, ebay,  a mix of angora, fabulous colours and blends.

Belle

Another doll to add to  my collection, but she has been 'adopted' now and will soon be living in her new home.

Trying another type of doll hair

Another style of rag doll.  I like this doll she has a certain quirkyness about her. I tried a different style of hair this time, she has a a net skirt with a patterened voil overlay, funky leggings and curly toes.

 The top pic is the finished doll, the bottom just trying out different things. hair, clothes, face etc.

Sassy doll

Another doll, getting better at the faces now. next one I am making will have blue eyes, and then green. I'm going to paint a few for practise. this doll is for my friend Sara's hairdressing salon called 'Sassy Hair' She has sort black hair with red streaks, so the doll is having red streaks too.
 I did the face wth acrylic paint, and primacolor pencils. the cheeks are acrylic paint highlighted with pink facial blusher.
The pattern for the doll was again using 'Oh sew dollin' pattern.

Another Rag doll

Another doll, this time with black hair, this hair was a big challenge as I wanted something different, tried boucle' and twisted chunky wool, but they didn't look right, so I made it eventually with Mohair, a little fine and hard to cover the whole head, but it looks more effective I think.  with every doll I make I learn more and more. will try a different style next time maybe 

Another rag doll

This doll is for Heidi, My daughter in law, she has black hair too, and wanted a black haired doll, The wool I used for the hair was a bit of a nightmare as the fluff stuck to everything, blonde/white hair is better to work with. ..we live and learn.  I have another one to make now so I'll know what to do, after aout the tenth doll I should be quite adept at it.

I choose to call this doll 'Izzy' Made with the pattern for the 'Oh sew dollin'  rag doll I made earlier, this one just rolled off my head... I had an idea then it metamorphised into something totally different., but I am pleased with how it came out.Most of the fabrics and lace came from my stash, I bought the mohair wool for the hair and felt for her boots.
Also I must give credit to PatC from 'All is bright' dolls, for her brilliant tutorial on doll eyes.

Rag Doll

I made this rag doll for Eloise, my granddaughter, she's now 4 yrs old and still has 'Heather'.
I  decided to make myself one, not quite the same, but a bit shabby chic,
I have a naked doll wearing nothing but lace bloomers right now.
I will post the picture of the finished doll.......when she's done.
I am looking for white-ish fluffy long mohair type yarn for her hair and some shabby lace for her dress.   this is the fun of it for me, looking for all the oddments to put it all together.

Cricut Winter woodland village

I made these little houses from the cricut winter woodland cartridge. added some sparkle, snow and glitter icicles for christmas 2013 window display

pop up card

my first attempt at a pop up card, inspired by stamp tv.

Look at us now

My three gorgeous grandchildren, from babies until now, the eldest almost 5. the youngest 3.

4 Generations

My family. 30yrs between us all.
My Mum, Me, My Daughter and
my Granddaughter.

Bonkers for Conkers

My two gorgeous grandsons on a conker picking day out at Anglesea Abbey, cambridgeshire.

My little Junior Fire Fighters

 

My  grandsons Harvey & Zachary at their Daddy's annual Car Wash for charity at the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue station, Cambridge UK.
They had a marvellous day, better than a trip to the funfair apprently.

Laughter is a melody....

My adorable granddaughter Eloise, 3 1/2 now and full of fun, comedy and laughter,
Stay this way little precious, we love you to the moon and back.!!

First day at school