Woodware - Good Luck

This week at Woodware we were asked to make a "Good Luck" card. When I was looking through my Woodware stamps I came across this old clear set designed by Francoise called "Looking Good" I am still up to my armpits in Christmas cards and wrapping paper, so I wanted something quick and easy.

So this is what I did with it. I coloured most of the images apart from the tie which was paper pieced. The sentiment was computer generated as I could not find any Good Luck stamps. This is a handy little set which I have used before in a paper piecing challenge.

I have used this set for birthdays too,so definitely a handy one to have. 
Well that is the last Woodware post from me for a couple of weeks. Dorothy (our team leader) has kindly given us a fortnight off. She will be posting some samples made from the new Woodware stamps during the two weeks. So remember to check out the blog to get a sneaky peak of what's to come!!
Hope you all have what you wish for this Christmas. I will settle for a couple of glasses of wine and a dose of "Call the Midwife" and "Downton Abbey". I am away now to make a few last Christmas cards!! Reminder to self ... start in July next year!!
Take care.
Siobhan xx

Christmas Meltdown

Well I had my annual Christmas meltdown yesterday. My husband Graham is still recovering from a hernia operation and is neither use nor ornament at the moment. It's not his fault of course, but in my stressed and tired state my brain won't quite accept this. After a morning of Christmas shopping, supermarket shopping, cleaning and making soup I decided to haul the tree and decorations out of the loft. A pleasant hour or so dressing the tree and I would be all relaxed ready for Strictly Come Dancing ......
or so I thought. But due to a bad design I could not get the tree to stand straight. Two hours later I am still trying to fix the base. When I eventually managed to fix that my new tree lights did not have an end where I could start winding them from the top of the tree down. They were in a loop and I managed to get in a complete fankle trying to get them on the tree. Probably designed by a man. By this time I sat on the floor and burst into tears. I was ready to throw the whole lot, tree and all in the bin and cancel Christmas..... My thoughts go out to stressed women every where tasked with the responsibility of organising Christmas.
By the time I get to Christmas Day and get the dinner on the table, I think I will go to bed and sleep until Boxing Day!! I think I am definitely becoming a grumpy old woman.

I thought I would share this card with you. It was a friends birthday this week and she has a little house rabbit called Millie. So this old Penny Black stamp seemed to be the perfect choice!! It was nice too to make something other than Christmas.

Looking forward to sitting down now for the Strictly results show. The dancing last night was brilliant. They are all so good!!
Have a good week.
Siobhan x

Woodware - Sketch 29

We have a sketch challenge this week at Woodware. The good thing about a sketch challenge is that you don't have to worry about your lay-out, that is already thought out for you. I love to see what the other girls in the DT come up with.

Here is the sketch: 

I have used the sketch as a base for another Christmas card. Here is my take on it :

Apologies for the poor quality of the photos. It's dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home so not great for photographing cards. 

The background panels were all stamped using Stampendous stamps. The main image, evergreen sprig and pine cone all come from a jumbo cling set.

The main image was made using a brush less watercolour technique with brush markers. Simply apply the pens direct onto the stamp and spritz lightly with water. So quick and effective but still one of my favourite techniques!!

I wanted a card for an elderly neighbour who lost her husband this year. I still wanted to give her a handmade card as I know she loves to receive them, but wanted something a little less jolly!! Hopefully this will fit the bill.

We are having our departmental Christmas get together and Secret Santa tomorrow. I am desperately trying to get into the mood but it's not working!! I think I am definitely becoming a grumpy old woman!! 

See you next week.

Siobhan

Woodware - Coffee and Cream

Another week already at Woodware. Not quite sure where this week went!! Between work, dogs and looking after my husband Graham after his little operation, it has been a particularly hectic week. So another quick card this week. 

The theme this week over on the Woodware blog is coffee and cream. So I have used the Stampendous cling stamp "Wise Men" in this quick Christmas card.

I created the background by blending shades of soft brown dye inks. Then using a music score background stamp (also Stampendous) I spritzed it with water and stamped onto the brown ink. This lifts of some of the ink to give a lovely soft background. 

The wise men were stamped in a dark brown ink. I added a few highlights with a Sakura clear glitter pen and added some pearls.

To get the cream element I stamped a scroll border down the right hand side then embossed it with Frantage Aged Ivory embossing powder.

The detail on the stamp is lovely and needs very little added to it.

Well that is it for this week. There are some lovely samples on the Woodware blog this week. Be sure to check them out if you have a moment!!

Siobhan x