Whitby in Oils...

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Hi Everybody,

Many years ago ... way back in 1994 I used to go to an art class and this is one of the pictures I did of a yacht entering a harbor in stormy seas to get to safety.

It was long before I had ever been to Whitby.

It was done in oils and was one of the first things I ever did. It took hours of layering on the oils in different shades of blue and green and letting each layer dry.

Now it hangs on my wall and is one I am rather proud of.  Griff loves this painting and shows it to all our visitors.

The photo does not do it justice as the sea looks as if it is translucent.

This is a photograph I took over the weekend on a boat trip out into the harbor at Whitby....

Can you see the resemblance?

 I took the photo deliberately from that angle as we entered back between the piers and although the Abbey in the picture is slightly different the similarities are there.

It is poetic license  ... but I like it just the same.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Whitby Weekend Break...

Hi Everybody,

Here I am home again from my lovely weekend away.

Of course a visit to Whitby would not be complete without the climb up 199 stone steps to the ruined Abbey and St Mary's Church at the top.

It is a long and steep climb and every so often along the route there are benches to rest on.  These where called coffin stops as they where used to rest the coffin on as it was carried to the top for burials.

The weather was so kind to us and the sun shone all the time we where there... you can see the blue sky in the photo.

Now I know to some people it's just a ruin but it is so steeped in History and it is very beautiful even as a ruin.

So for my international visitors here is a little about the Abbey.

This is an artists impression of what it would have been like when built.  It was a place of sanctuary for many.

Henry the 8th reigned at the time and he was a huge influence over his subjects.

But he was also a very selfish and cruel king and life had little value at that time.

He decided that he wanted to get rid of the wife he had because she had only produced a girl ... and he wanted an heir... and the Roman Catholic church wouldn't  grant him a divorce.

So he changed the country from Catholic and made himself the head of the Church of England so that he could make his own rules and then divorce her.

 He also decided that everything to do with Catholicism had to go and so he dissolved the monasteries and claimed all their wealth as his own to refill his dwindling bank balance.

The monks  where executed if they didn't conform and the Abbey became unused. 

The stone work was used to create this house that sits near the ruin.  

I am sure there is a lot more to this story then I relate  but that is just a little overview of the history of Whitby Abbey.

It is well worth a visit and if you can't face the stone steps then you can drive close to the ruin and walk the rest of the way from the car park.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Peach ...

Hi Everybody,

At this moment in time I seem to be on a Peach kick as I just love this pastel shade ... and I have made several cards using it lately.

The papers on the background to this are from the PolkaDoodles CD  "Pretty Sweet"  and it is lovely patchwork pattern ... sorry that you can't see much of it.

The satin ribbon is from Mei Flower and I bought it at the craft show a few weeks ago.

The centre has been finished with a brad that I added a charm to and glued in place.

The sentiment is a Clarity Stamp  and I have heat embossed it in silver.

The mixture of flowers are Tulips, Roses, Carnations and Lilies from Wild Orchid Crafts   and the petals have been sparkled with Glamour Dust.

Another card that would suit a number of occasion especially for the ladies that you know and like to give cards to.

I will be back home later today so it will be a live post  tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Beautiful Blue

 Hi Everybody,

This card is much prettier in real life and the colours are soft and delicate.

The papers are from the Floriography CD from My Craft Studio and there are lots and lots of really beautiful ones on that disc.... I use it a lot for gentle girly cards.

There are a lot of layers to this card with a mix of the dies listed below,  and I have used foam pads to separate them for extra height.

It is another Hinged Card as I really like the style

The inside has been lined with the same papers and the ribbon is from my "Stash"

The Pearls are as always from  Want2Scrap  and the solitary flower is a really old one from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I don't even think they do them any more.

I like this card ... it is easy on the eye and the colour is very pretty for any occasion.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ruby Red ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards uses lots of different Spellbinders in a layered look and they are all listed below for you.

It was a card that I didn't like as I started to make it.

But I persevered and added stuff .... and the more I added the more I liked it.  

The hearts have been added with foam tape and they really stand out from the card ...  which is not obvious in the photo.

The finishing touch was adding in the bow,  made from the ribbon that was one of the best bargains I have found in a long time.

I have created a double bow  Using a Bow Maker  and to the centre I have added a small rose from Wild Orchid Crafts

I made this card for no particular reason but I added a sentiment to it from Lili of the Valley   that says "Together Forever"  

Around the edge of the centre piece I have added in some red self adhesive gemstones from  The Hobby House

And now I think it's not a bad card at all.     

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gorgeous Green ...

Hi Everybody,

My posts for the next few days will be scheduled so I hope they work OK.

My "Film Crew" and I are going to Whtiby on Friday until Monday and I am really looking forward to this short break.  So fingers crossed that everything works as it should until I am back home.

Do you like Green ???

This card was made with the Matting Basics to create the Hinged Card  and the white layer was embossed.

I created a frame from the Radiant Rectangles and added it to the top with foam pads.

The tiny Diamante stones were added to each to the scroll parts.

The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed in silver ...  and that too is on foam pads.


The large Diamante flourish is from Want2Scrap  ... and they have now started to add the option to buy some of their gemstones by 1/2 cups  and that is a really cost effective way to get some.

The Dazzler in the bow is from Creative Studios. and these can be bought in different shapes and sizes as well as colours to match your theme.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and to the bow I have added in a collar for extra effect.

And just to add in a little extra I have embossed the envelope to the card.

  I have left space for the address and stamp but the rest of it matches the pattern on the card.   The finished card will fit into a standard sized envelope for posting.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The Art Studio ...

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was asked if I would like to be part of a team that produces online  classes in many different subjects.

The classes will be from instructors with many lovely skills and cover lots of areas that may be new to you ... and some of the names may even be already known to you in the crafting world.

It is my pleasure  to tell you that I have joined the team of instructors for  "The Art Studio"  and the subjects I have chosen to teach are Spellbinders and Spectrum Noir .... so no surprises there then ....

The Art Studio is part of the  largest online magazine Scrapbook News and Review.

The first class is for Spellbinders and will be in video format  .... from yours truly.

It is designed to show you how to get the most from these wonderful dies.  I will take you step by step through making many different styles of cards using the dies that I have in my collection.

A list of the Spellbinders that I am using will be available so that you can follow along with me as we make two or three cards each time.

I am hoping that you will join in and create alongside me ... and let me know of any particular Spellbinders sets that you want to work with that you aren't too sure about ... and if I have them as part of my collection then I will be happy to show you.

The first class will be going live on the 1st June and the link to The Art Studio Blog will keep you up to date with everything that is new and the classes that will be available,  from me and the other instructors,    for you to purchase.

Excited hugs xx

Un published Comment

I have had a comment from someone earlier today,  who has more or less told me off about copying and yet not crediting my cards as based on someone elses'  Spellbinders cards ....  and I would like to get something very clear ....


There are hundreds of different dies and hundreds of people who use them to make their cards ... and so hundreds of people can all have the same or similar idea at any one time.  I am in the very  lucky position to have many many dies and I like to play to come up with these ideas that are pleasing and easy to recreate by anybody.

The Spellbinders blog has many tutorials on how to use  their product and get the best from them ... and there are hundreds ... if not thousands ... of YouTube Videos on how to use them too.  All there for everybody to take and use in their own special way.   I myself  have many videos on using Spellbinders on YouTube that have been around for a few years now.

I mean no disrespect to lots of very talented cardmakers ... who also use these dies ... but I have no need to copy their work and claim it as my own.    The cards I make are from my head and having the time to play around with all the different shapes ... seeing what works with what and putting them together.

I  always take the time to credit items or ideas on my blog to the people who deserve the credit and I have hundreds of links to other blogs, websites and companies both on here and on Card Making Magic that can attest to that fact.

I have not published the comment as I find it quite offensive and it's not the first time this person has written to me on the same subject.  

Lots of people take my ideas, or my free papers and use them   and I don't get upset or expect it when I don't get the credit for that.   So please no more comments or emails ... I find them very tiring.  And how would you know that the idea didn't come from me in the first place ?????

One die ... 2 cards

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Hi Everybody,

The two cards featured today are another example of how one die can look so totally different when used in another way.

The die in question is the  Layered Scallop Posy

In the first card I have cut it out twice to form an elongated circle and then embossed a centre strip and wrapped the ribbon around it. 

The bow is a Double Bow with Tails made using the Bow Maker

and the centre has the addition of a
 Wild Orchid Flowers

In the second card I have again cut the shape out twice but used it  as a filigree insert for the Elegant Labels Four 

Both are done in the same blue and white card.

The ribbon on the second card is a thin Gingham and it has been  made following the    Ruffled Ribbon Technique  with a tiny bow added to the top

The addition of some small Want2Scrap   pearls are the finishing touch.

Important News

The   Discount Offered   for the CD "Wishes and Kisses" will run until the 2nd June so grab it while you can  (click the  discount link) 

Then go to the Funky Hand website and use it at the checkout to get £6.00 off your purchase...

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx