Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge "Time"

Hi Guys,

Bleurgh - I went to the doctor about some new research that says some back pain may be caused by an infection.  He had read the same thing too and we're giving it a go, blasting it with anti-biotics, but boy do I feel rubbish - hopefully this will pass soon :)

Rhedd and Rosie had an amazing number of entries to their last challenge - nearly 200.  What I like about it  is that the winners are not chosen at random like a lottery, but are considered carefully  by the team members.  This ensures that the good ones win :).

This months CHALLENGE  is "Time"

Here I've used an embossing folder and a  timepiece background stamp.  I love the sentiment and  thought it needed quite a calm background.

I hope you like it too - you should see what some of  the other DT members have done - they are fantastic! Please think about entering go to http://rheddandrosies.blogspot.co.uk/

Keep your fingers crossed for Monday, my little rescue dog Tilly is going in for a blood test to see if we have her Cushings under control!

Lots of love

Melissa

Finally!

I've been twiddling these bits and pieces around for days, then today, whilst the internet was down for a bit I did it!

I love this lili of the valley image and was determined to use my new doily die.  The icing on the cake was finding the perfect peel off from my stash.

Lot of love xxx

Rhedd & Rosie's Challenge - Anything Goes!!

Hi Guys

It is time for another Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge :0 the theme is nice and simple "anything goes".  You are not tied to any particular manufacturer, but the image used should be stamped rather than digital and you have to link  back to the blog site - so easy peasy! and this time I'M judging (scary)!

I have just got some half price Kenny K stamps from Oyster Stamps, and decided to use one of those - it was going to be for my son's birthday card but then I went and put pink on it and then I looked at the image and thought perhaps this wasn't appropriate for Mum to give to son!

She has wonderfully wicked glossy boots, but I couldn't get them to come out in the photo which was a shame.

 I'f you've read the blog before I mentioned we've just taken on a rescue dog.  She is settling in nicely and beginning to realise that she doesn't have to stay in one place the whole time, she also knows her name now and will try and find you if you call her.  She is such a delight a real character!

Here comes Summer

Hi :)

This months Rhedd and Rosie's challenge is "Here comes Summer" and for me one of the first signs of summer is dusting off the BBQ, so I decided to use this really sweet stamp from Lili of the Valley, my glossy sausage (no rude remarks!) has not quite photographed that well, so you'll have to imagine it!.

We've had a little bad news with our rescue dog Tilly, she has Cushings disease so will need quite expensive life long care - hey ho, so the question is do I cut back on a few crafty purchases - or condemn a dog Hmmm not a difficult choice is it!!  She is still with the vets and I so want to give her a cuddle, this is an awful wait but it is going to be worth it!

Lots of love to you all


Melissa xx

Using a Punch or Die with Lavinia Stamps and more !

Well what a time I'm having!, Today is my 24th wedding anniversary and Nick bought me the most beautiful opal and diamond necklace!

I spent the weekend with some friends at Champneys Springs and got totally pampered and preened, the Reading football team were there so there was some eye candy too!!

So first here is me showing off in my Champneys robe - just to prove I was there :) I had a lavender aromatherapy wrap and a scalp and shoulder massage, a make up lesson and a thalassotherapy session (no I can't pronounce it either) it was a huge warm pool of mineral water with various jets that massaged you ooooo sooooo nice.  It was a shame about the journey home - we had a 45 min delay!! I think it was everyone coming out of Silverstone.

Such a spoilt lady!

So here I am back in reality, the VAT return to finish :( but  it is also the start of the Lavinia Stamps July challenge hopefully I can inspire you to join in too, far more fun that the VAT.  The Lavinia stamps are so lovely and you can see by looking at the DT examples there is so much you can do with them!

Anyway enough of my waffle (just putting off doing the accounts really!) so here is my offering for this month .  I've put mica powder on her wings to give her a shimmer as she jumps.  I love this stamp she looks so happy and carefree.  Having to use a die is hardly a problem for me I just love them for matting and layering and also that finishing touch - I love looking through the entries so please have a go, and if you do, don't forget to put a live link back to your blog page please!

Newness

Hi, I've had yet more new additions to my ever growing stamp and die collection and also to our doggy family.  We take the terrible twosome to Agility classes every week and there is a delightful lady from the RSPCA there who told a tale of a poor little dog with no home - and guess what muggins here said!!

Firstly here is a picture of my new stamp! this is from Lilly of the Valley and I can't remember the corner dies, the wording is from Cheery Lyn dies.

This is quite apt again, as we are doing yet more decorating - I think that one day we will stop but I can't see when!!

Now My second new thing

I read in a magazine about putting gesso on, then a layer of acrylic and then putting clingfilm over it when wet to get a really cool look.  I had a go on a tiny pine chest that I had knocking around.

I also tried printing onto tissue paper and then using "slap it on" by indigo blue to secure it and blend the tissue into the background.

There are a 1001 mistakes, but I was reasonably pleased for a first attempt and would try it again!

Now here is our last new addition...

A 7 or 8 year old miniature poodle currently called Tootsie (that may change as she doesn't know her name as no one has used it in the last 4 years!!!) she is loosing some hair through stress and is a very quiet docile thing - a little beauty!

Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge "Take Flight"

This is a great title - Sooo many things you can do I didn't know where to start! AND there is a great prize donated by Zoe too!

 I had a go with two sets of Visible image stamps - I just love this butterfly stamp they do! Naughty Eileen  talked me into buying some frantage and I love it - it give a great metallic edge to a page.

Now this one is not so much taking flight as falling, but it uses some great Lavinia Stamps and shows how easy it is to make a flower out of garden string!!

It is a great challenge with a lovely prize - so please pop on over to their BLOG and have a go!  Any card with the theme of flight can enter.

Love

Melissa xx