Lovely Lemon and Lime Lavinia :)

Hi Ladies

This months challenge from Lavinia stamps is anything using their stamps in Lemon and Lime.  I decided to have a go at a set of coasters.  I kept the plant theme throughout - what you can't see is that the sparkle too! you'll have to take my word for it!

This was really fun to do.  I rough gesso'd the background so that when I put the ink over I got a great (well I liked it!) texture, then it was a question of playtime :)

Hope all is well with everyone

Love

Melissa

Add a gem for this months Lavinia Challenge

Hi all

When this months challenge of "add A gem" was announced.  The naughty streak in me rose to the surface and I offered this card 

...... Spot THE gem :)

Then I thought that perhaps I should do something more sensible

With more gems!!!

Look forward to seeing your entry at http://laviniastamps.com/blog/

Love

melissa xxx

Race for Life

Hi Everyone

Not a crafty post this time, but one in a good cause.

With the loss of my Mum a while ago friend this year and another fighting so hard to cope with cancer I have decided to do Cancer Research - Race for Life.

This is a 5k walk jog or run round a local park, I've got my number now and it all seems really real.  5K doesn't sound a lot, but in October I had to a walking stick to get around and I have had to push myself to exercise - but it has worked! not quite up to marathon standard yet :)

This event is something positive I can do for friends past and present and a celebration of me getting to the point I can actually walk 5K

Sponsoring is really easy with the Just Giving web site, and if you are a UK tax payer the government will match the tax amount that you have already paid so it boosts the donation even further.  Just click on the picture below and give what you can spare - every £1 helps.  Even if you are not in the UK and want to help then please do :)

Selected pictures of me doing the race will follow!

Lavinia Bright and Beautiful

Ever with my head in the clouds, I forgot to upload my cards in time to appear on the blog :(. Sorry Eileen.  But I did do them !!!

With this one I had some fun with Brosho's for the background and then part of the stamp and then coloured thise in with Gelato's

This one is with Adirondack inks ans some new circular dies

Hope to see your entry at http://blog.laviniastamps.com 

Art book for Kathi

Hi

I bought a little sketch book for Kathi (mr son's girlfriend) for Christmas but never gave it to her as it was boring and black, THEN I found the perfect paper to cover it.  I made a secret pocket with a tag inside under the big butterfly. All the butterflies are raised, I added one of my favourite arty quotes and it was done! The biggest challenge was getting the paper between the binding, but scissors and patience and it was done!

Front

Back

At least now it is a bit different to everyone elses!

Love

Melissa xx

Purple moments

Back in my crafty heaven after a bit of a break. I have made this tag for a challenge and thought you may like a look.  It uses Lavinia stamps, versamark and yummy mica powder 

Anything goes!!

HI

I hope you all had fun over Christmas and New Year.  I had both boys at home Christmas Day so I was in heaven! and New Year we spent at the Grand Hotel Brighton waited on hand and foot!

These are my favourite challenges as you can let your imagination run away with you.  Bought this tissue box ages ago and didn't really know what to do with it, but then with all the different scenes that you can create with Lavinia stamps, and especially with the fantastic door stamp it was obvious!!

Wishing you all a happy healthy new year!!

Love

Melissa xx