MrsBeez

Altered egg box

Posted on March 31, 2014 by MrsBeez

Back to full strength and ready to face up to another hectic week It’s also time for a new challenge over at Crafty Boots Challenges and this fortnight the theme is Easter. Do buzz over and take a look at what the rest of the Design Team has been up to. Me, I’ve been playing with an egg box:

Last year, I bought a little stash of pastel coloured egg boxes from Ebay and never used them. This year I made sure I got them out in plenty of time so they didn’t get overlooked. Transforming this was super easy, super quick and super fun to do!

I used some paper from the Gecko Galz Solarium paper pack and the cute little scampering rabbits image is from the Hip Hop Easter ephemera set. I’ve slipped a doily in between the two layers.

There are little coordinating paper flowers and dots of silver glitter glue to decorate the top.

Along the front I’ve used pretty white crochet lace, pink ribbon, candy baker’s twine and some tiny rosebuds.

I haven’t decided yet whether to fill this with chocolate eggs or tiny little gifts – maybe I should do both?!

Hope you’ll have time to share your Easter projects with all of us over at Crafty Boots. Thanks for buzzing by.

Bee brooch

Posted on March 30, 2014 by MrsBeez

Good Morning – and a very Happy Mothering Sunday If you’re in the UK, I hope you also remembered to put your clocks forward. Now, I have to tell you that I am not a fan of British Summertime. I know this makes me a fairly unique being. If you’ve ever read the Mapp and Lucia books by EF Benson, you may remember that many of the residents of Tilling chose not to adopt BST and instead, with the exception of when they wished to catch a train, stayed true to Greenwich Mean Time. I think this year I may see if I can do the same!

Today there is a new challenge over at Anything But A Card. Normally, our challenges are monthly and run for three weeks and during the final week of the month one of the DT hosts a one week spotlight challenge. However, March is a five week month so we have popped in an additional challenge that has the theme of 5. Here’s my Design Team project:

Can you guess who this might be for? Yep, I made it for yours truly. And you’ve probably already worked how this links with the Anything But A Card Challenge but just in case, here’s the back.

I altered my domino using tiny scraps of my Teresa Collins paper that were left over after I had made my altered matchbox.

I assembled the papers and trimmed them to the same sized as the domino. I stamped and coloured the bee before adhering the collage. I used an extra strip of paper all around the edge.The words were printed out, from my computer, on to kraft card. I added two coats of Modpdge glitter glue to add sparkle and also to seal the collage. I added a little paper rosebud, flattening it slightly and then sealing with more Modpodge. Tiny pearls are the finishing touch.

I was originally going to turn this into a necklace but instead added a brooch back.

Be sure to buzz over to Anything But A Card and see what the rest of the Design Team have been up to and we hope you’ll find time to join in with this mini-challenge.

Thanks for buzzing by.

Take Note

Posted on March 29, 2014 by MrsBeez

Happy Saturday everyone! Back, late last night, from my travels and after three days of being on my feet, plus lots of lifting and shifting, this morning I feel a bit as if I have been through a mangle. Yesterday, loading up the van, I wish I had had a pedometer attached as I walked backwards and forwards to the van for what seemed like forever. I’m sure I covered many miles. Anyway, thankfully it’s the weekend and I chance for some r & r.

Today I am sharing a little altered notebook:

I was thrilled to see that this week’s challenge at City Crafter Challenge Blog has the theme of take note as I have quite a hoard of little notebooks just waiting to be transformed. Somehow I never quite get around to it so this challenge has provided the perfect opportunity! I’m also sharing this over at Craft Hoarders Anonymous for their “sparkle, glitz and glam” challenge.

I’ve used designer papers first to cover the notebook and then to build up mats and layers. When covering a notebook I always take the paper over on to the inside so there are no raw edges that might get damaged. All the layers have been inked.

The little panel was made from thinnish chipboard. I punched a hole then cut to size, this ensures the aperture is in the centre. I’ve covered the front with more designer paper and then stamped the bee onto cream card and applied it behind the punched out circle.

The spine has been covered with washi tape. This is great as it moulds really easily to the dip and dent and means the spine stays flexible.

As someone who has to travel a lot in the line of duty, usually by public transport, I usually cart a mini office about with me. Consequently, my kit takes quite a battering. I wanted to make sure that this notebook was not only pretty but also functional and robust enough to withstand a battering. All the layers and embellishments have been attached with super strong glue and I’ve tried not to leave any bits that could become dog eared.

I’ve used layers of dreamy laces along the bottom plus a strip of organza rose trim, each bloom studded with a pearl in its centre.

The sentiment was printed on the computer. There are little stars and an ornamental brad.

Up top there’s a small strip of black gems. An ornate button with a scrap of black crochet lace are the finishing touch.

You’ll have gathered that I’ve created this with one particular person in mind – ME!! I love it and I hope you do too.

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Thanks for buzzing by.

Watch the birdie

Posted on March 28, 2014 by MrsBeez

When the realisation struck me that I was short of a project to schedule for whilst I was away, working in deepest, darkest Huddersfield, I needed to whip up something quickly . This tag is the result.

I am sharing this over at That’s Crafty Challenge Blog for their “Inky Antics” challenge and also over at Sunday Stampers for the dream theme.

I coloured the tag with distress inks – Squeezed Lemonade, Ripe Persimonn, Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade and Picked Raspberry, blending and layering to get the effect I was after. Once done I gave it a spritz of water, this helps soften the colour and also gives a nice mottled effect.

Once dry, I added layers and texture using a script stencil and a variety of background stamps. I used Antique Linen through the stencil.

The bird stamp is by Hero Arts and my original plan was to paper piece it and the leaves but I loved how it looked when stamped directly on the background, using Walnut Stain, so left it as it was. The leafy branch is a Dylusions Stamp.

Obviously I needed the word “dream” and, for me, there is only one stamp that does that job brilliantly every time and that’s the String Inspiration from Darkroom Door.

Thanks for buzzing by.

Twit-twoo man card

Posted on March 27, 2014 by MrsBeez

Aren’t man cards the hardest thing to create? All fine and dandy if they have a particular interest or hobby but that’s often not the case. It’s also tricky to strike the right card with embellishments. However, I think I’ve overcome both those obstacles with the man card I’m sharing today:

The main image is from the Gecko Galz Owling For You ephemera set. The recipient of this card is a fan of local football club Sheffield Wednesday who are known as The Owls. They play in blue and white and occasionally their kit sports a smidge of yellow, so this little chap was perfect.

I’ve set him off by layering up blue and yellow designer papers along with some dark brown card.

I’ve used some brown gingham ribbon and then created a multi-looped bow (I think there are 5 loops in all) with some yellow baker’s twine and topped it all off with a star shaped brad. P1070794 This would be perfect for this fortnight’s “feathers” themed challenge over at Crafty Boots. As a member of the DT, I can’t enter but you still have until noon on Sunday to share your projects with us, we’d love to see them

Thanks for buzzing by.

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Dream house

Posted on March 26, 2014 by MrsBeez

If I tell you that this week’s celebratory challenge over at Sunday Stampers has the theme of “dream,” I’d lay odds on that, without even peeking, you could name at least two elements of my project.

Butterflies – tick, Darkroom Door String Inspiration stamp – tick, distress inks – tick, glitter – tick, shabby flower -tick. Yep, all my favourites bundled up into one project. This week, Hels Sheridan, the queen of Sunday Stampers, is celebrating 300 weeks of her fantabulous blog challenge. 300 weeks that’s getting on for six years of super fun challenges guaranteed to give you ear worms and get you singing. This week’s inspiration piece from Hels is a stunner so be sure to pop over and leave her some love. There’s also mega blog candy to be won too so you’d be mad not to.

So I really wanted to use a similar colour palette as Hels but decided that would be a bit cheeky and instead I’ve gone for dusky green which is made up by blending Shabby Shutters, Broken China and Iced Spruce. The house has been hiding in my stash for quite awhile, I think it may have been from Artchix which is a shame as they have sadly closed their shop.

I inked the sides of the house with Black Soot distress stain, a tip I picked up from one of Hels Create and Craft demos. Then I coloured up some cardstock, using the inks, and applied the card to the front and back of the house. I used Iced Spruce and a harlequin stencil to create the diamonds in the background.

The moon, Darkroom Door String Inspiration stamp and flowers were all stamped using black Archival ink.

I used the left over card that I had inked to create the stamped and punched butterflies and the shabby die cut flower.

The stars were stamped on to more left over card, cut out, glittered and then applied with glue gel to give them some dimension. A smidge of silver stickles was the finishing touch.

So CONGRATULATIONS Hels on your 300 milestone and here’s to many more. You, more than any other crafter (and I’m including Tim Hotz) have inspired me, and I’m sure many others, to get inky and enjoy stamping. Thank you. Let’s hope you can do the same with the Melt Pot – tee hee!

Thanks for buzzing by.

Pearls, lace and a touch of glamour

Posted on March 25, 2014 by MrsBeez

Challenge #4 over at Craft Hoarders Anonymous is “Sparkle, glitz or glam” and, not for the first time this year I have gone for a subtle sparkle rather than my full on glittery bling thing.

This started life as a large sized matchbox. I cut open the outer sleeve to make a door, attached it to the box and then covered everything with fabulous Teresa Collins papers from my stash. I particularly love the music manuscript in this collection so I’m a little anxious that my supply is dwindling!!

The image is one from the Gecko Galz Easter Bonnets ephemera set and I’ve mounted it on a couple of more layers of the designer papers. I added a scrap of that gorgeous lace, a glittery padded heart and a tiny peach rose. It’s attached to the inside of the box with glue gel to attach, that way it doesn’t disappear into the background.

The edge of the box is decorated with strips of tiny pearls.

I’ve further embellished the box with organza rose trim, stamped and punched butterflies, more of that lace and some extra pearly swirls.

One thing that did become apparent through making this project is that pearly swirls and me are not a match made in heaven. I love them but applying them, quite frankly, is a nightmare. I’m sure you are far more calm and controlled with them and so don’t have the same problem.

Thanks for buzzing by.

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Go figure

Posted on March 24, 2014 by MrsBeez

Is it me, or do Monday’s come around far to quickly? It’s another of my out and about weeks finishing up with a stay away from home so I’m not particularly looking forward to it.

However, a new week does mean a new word over at Every Inchie Monday and this week it is figure. First off I played around with numbers but couldn’t settle on anything I liked so instead I came up with these:

Now I know I’m in danger of becoming repetitive as I keep playing around with colour but I just can’t help it. You’ll recognise the figure as the little man with the umbrella from Tim Holtz. I stamped him out and then reduced him in size on my photocopier before adding lots of different backgrounds.

The rainbow effect was crated with Promarkers and is a miniature version of the card that I made the other week. I was going to do a sunset version in a similar way before I realised that a spectacular sunset wouldn’t require an umbrella!

Of course I had to have a snowy one. I used Chipped Sapphire, using a torn edge of paper to create some snow drifts and then full on for the sky.The dark one was created with Promarkers. I added a moon with a white pen, and then went over parts of it with the Promarkers. This is my favourite and also Mr Beez’.

I used distress inks to create the watery looking background – putting inks onto a mat, spritzing with water and then swooshing the inchie through them. The one with the obvious rain has a Promarker background.

Here’s hoping you have a good week.

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Thanks for buzzing by.

Coming up roses

Posted on March 23, 2014 by MrsBeez

So yesterday it did snow and I got to eat cake Eating ice cream didn’t feel quite right as it was pretty cold. The snow didn’t settle but there is still a wintery nip in the air.

I began to wonder if I was ever going to get this project finished in time to link up with this week’s challenge over at City Crafter Challenge Blog which has the theme of Spring in the Garden and has to include some elements that relate to the work aspect of gardening. I’ve made a little altered plant pot with some shabby paper wild roses:

Always tricky to photograph anything like this so apologies that the photo’s don’t really do this justice. I’m currently enjoying making these wild roses and thought they would be perfect to go in this tiny, tiny plant pot. I love the big one that has a brass brad as it’s centres. The other two are sporting pearls.

The plant pot itself was originally terracotta and was left over from a previous project that failed. Consequently, it was a bit too battered to be used as it was, so I gave it a make over by covering it in book pages, colouring with Picket Fence and Broken China distress stains and then inked with Walnut Stain. I stamped a butterfly on the front, also using Walnut Stain distress ink.

I’ve added a little dark green Icelandic Moss and then arranged the trio of blooms, trying to show each to its best advantage.

I made a little flag to stand at the back. I thought you could put people’s names on, instead of the sentiment, and use these as place settings maybe at Easter with the addition of an egg or too.

Thanks for buzzing by.

Using up leftovers

Posted on March 22, 2014 by MrsBeez

This week I have been working on my Gecko Galz DT samples using the products that will be released next month. You’ll have to wait until then to see exactly what I’ve been up to but here’s a little something that I whipped up using lots of left over bits and pieces that were lying around. I’m linking this up with Really Reasonable Ribbon which is Welcome Spring.”

The base of the tag is made using paper from the Gecko Galz Wild Roses paper pack. I’ve inked the edges with Worn Lipstick before adding all the layers and trims.

I used one of my butterfly stamps and then coloured it with Worn Lipstick and a touch of Picked Raspberry. I’ve added white highlights and some faux stitching. I didn’t dare get out my Darkroom Door stamps so instead used my large word stamp. This is like a super sized library date stamp with which you can make words and number sequences of up to 16 characters.

I’ve mounted the image on some white muslin.

I’ve used some white crochet lace and pale pink organza rose trim top and bottom.

The ribbon is seam binding coloured with Worn Lipstick distress stain and I’ve wrapped it around the tag twice and topped with a little bow.

Finally, I added the little paper bee, which is by Anna Griffin from a set I purchased yonks ago. It’s been on and off more projects than I care to remember as I’ve been so reluctant to use him I’ve whipped it off at the last minute. However today I’ve been a little thrifty as the bee is, or rather was, constructed of multiple images stacked one on top of the other with foam pads in between. I’ve carefully removed the bottom layer hence the reason he has remained on the tag!

Hope you’re having a fabulous Saturday. No sign of snow yet, but cake is definitely forecast!

Thanks for buzzing by.