My favourite makes of 2014

It's been an enjoyable year's crafting for me.  Here's some of my favourite creations that I thought I'd share with you :)

This birthday card above was my first attempt at quilling and parchment craft. 

I loved making this card for my niece Livvy's 11th birthday.  Like me, she adores owls.  

This twisted easel, 3D decoupage card was a joy to put together.  The page extract is taken from the actual scene of the story.  I was delighted to find the Queen of Hearts ribbon.

For this project I used some acetate to attach the hot air balloon so it had some movement.  I folded a strip of acetate and glued it under the background paper and to the back of the hot air balloon.

I was delighted to discover Santoro London papers and embellishments this year. Their range of crafting goodies are beautiful.  Perfect for my butterfly obsession!

I made this gate-fold card for my great aunt's birthday.

This baby owl birthday card was great fun to make using a variety of textures.  I loved the bright colours.

Life's a beach :) I enjoy playing with handmade paper and teasing out the threads. I just dab some water around the edges using a paintbrush and gently tear to create this effect.  

I gave this card to my wife on her birthday. The quote is taken from Teresa Collins 'stationery noted' paper.  There are some wonderful quotes on the sheet; I like 'Do not let anyone ever dull your sparkle'

This is a picture of my desk a few weeks ago when I was busily preparing cards for a local charity called Care for the Carers in Eastbourne. 

This particular quote has been of great inspiration for me this year.  

The full saying is:“The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.” -Alice Morse Earle

This altered art project was challenging but I was very pleased with the results. Thanks and credit to Mark Gould http://speshink.blogspot.co.uk for the inspiring course at That Craft Place and help in making this. The Tic Tac Toe box is from Tando-Creative.  I used DecoArt acrylic paints and sandpaper.

I've really enjoyed playing with these papers and have made several cards.  The papers were free with Papercrafter magazine.  I made this card for a friend's birthday.  I used a thin paintbrush handle to roll the papers and secured with strong adhesive tape.

I have found the Tim Holtz Idea-ology 'Lost and Found' papers to be great for mens birthday cards.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my post.

Here's to a fabulously creative Happy New Year!!

Angela x

WOYWW

Hi all :)

Happy What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday!  

Yes it's that time for a blog hop...take a look at Julia Dunnit's blog to discover more about this fabulous opportunity to have a nosey round other peoples' desks...
http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/

Here's a peek at my desk area:

To the left is a Decopatch project I'm working on for a friend's birthday present.  As you can see, I'm half way through covering my HOME letters.  Having coated the papier mache letters with Gesso/white acrylic paint, i then glued on an assortment of torn papers using Decopatch Glossy Glue. I painted over the letters with Ultra matte Finishes Sealing Varnish No.3.

On the right of this is a New Home card surrounded by some of the materials and tools i used.  Here's a closer view of the card:

Beyond this card is my new Awesome Auntie mug and coaster which i received for my 40th birthday.  You might just be able to make out the scattering of '40' confetti which I am still finding 10 days later!!  Behind the mugs are 2 gorgeous handmade birthday cards that i was thrilled to receive.  There's no escaping my new era!  One card from my cats said 'You're not 40...you're just 21 with 19 years of experience'!!!  Another said '40 & still a bit naughty'!!!  I also loved the card that said quite simply 'Keep calm and just lie about your age'!!!

I was completely spoilt and had a fantastic day brimming with surprises :) 
I absolutely loved my birthday cake which was designed with the theme of 'My Favourite Things':

Thank you Anushka Rampling for making this glorious cake for me.  I didn't want to cut into it, too beautiful and special! But i can confirm that it tastes delicious!!

Thanks for taking the time to have a look at my desk.  Your comments are really appreciated.  Looking forward to hopping round your inspiring desks :) 

Happy crafting :)

Angela, Angelgreetings xx

Back at last! - with my top 10 makes of 2013

Greetings to you all :)

It has been a while since my last post, but I've kept up with the crafting-there's no stopping me!  I have chosen some of my favourite projects from 2013 to share with you :)

'I'm late! I'm late!'-I created this card for my wife's 40th Birthday, inspired by

her favourite book, she loved it so much, it's still up on the mantlepiece!

I enjoyed making this Christening card for twin boys:

I made this card for a friend's parents' 

60th Wedding Anniversary:

This was a new challenge, altering a plain book - a birthday present for a keen gardener:

'Have A Hoot!' -I made this card for a friend's 50th Birthday, I've developed a love for owls! 

My first attempt with the vintage look for this thank you card:

'Twit twoo' -I made this card for a friend's daughter's 

1st Birthday:

Last year I discovered Steampunk, this was my first make in this style: 

The following project started out as a plain papier mache frame that I covered in several layers of torn pieces of paper, card and craft tape.  I made this for my brother to illustrate his trip to Vietnam and Cambodia:

Here is the reverse side of the frame:

Another discovery I made last year is decoupatch, I'm addicted now!  I layered these 20cm tall papier mache letters by glueing on a mixture of torn decoupatch papers and painted over with a layer of PVA glue for a gloss finish.  I gave it to my older brother for a Christmas present:

Here's to another year of creative crafting!!

Belated New Year wishes :) Angel xx