About Me

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My name's Alison but for reasons too long to go into I'm known as Cockney Blonde or CB for short. I've been rubber stamping for several years but now spend most of my time either knitting or crocheting. However, with the advent of a New Year I have bitten the bullet and am tackling my usually hated pastime of sewing. I've even bought 'Sewing for Dummies' to guide me on my way. I've been with my hubby Dave for 24 years and between us we have 4 kids and 5 grandkids. We also have 2 cats and a dog, the latter features as my 'photo' image. I used to be able to blog daily but these days I struggle to blog weekly. Hopefully now we are settled into our new home in the country, I can get back to a daily (well almost) update from the room I now have to share with hubby. No more personal crafting space for me!!! Thanks to all the blogs and sites I follow for all your brilliant inspiration, and thank you to everyone who finds the time to comment on my blog.

Sunday 30 October 2011

The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge Week 8


Hello Bloggers, hope you have all benefitted from the extra hour in bed, that's if you get the extra hour.

This is my submission for this week's Calendar Challenge over at The Craft Barn which is to use circles and deep or dark colours. This Bo Bunny paper just happened to fall at my feet while I was pondering what to do and because of the detail I didn't feel the need to add much else.

The August stamp is by 7 Gypsies, I think. I've stamped a tapestry flower on the punched circles and then added some gems for bling. The swirls/flourishes are a spellbinder die, and because of this last element I am also going to enter it into the current Corrosive Challenge.

Hope you like it and here are the challenge links:-

The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge Week 8
http://thecraftbarnblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/calendar-challenge-week-8.html
The Corrosive Challenge #136 - With a Flourish
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-136-with-flourish.html


Saturday 29 October 2011

Another lantern for Christmas


Well, here's the card I was going to upload earlier before I needed to get things off my chest. If you're not sure what I'm on about check out my previous post.

I hadn't realised until I was getting all my elements together that it was the same Tilda as my post on Thursday, albeit in different colours. I'm sorry but I didn't keep a note of the copics but I can tell you that the DP is by Blonde Moments.

I've used a diecuts border threaded with ribbon and also a diecuts corner flourish. As you can see below I have embellished this with a brad, and some pearls from The Hobby House.
I hope you like it and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:-

Papertake Weekly - Sketch
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/10/sketchie-tine.html
CRAFT #126 - Colour Savannah
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/craft-challenge-126-colour-savannah.html
Just Magnolia #130 - Christmas
http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-130-christmas-is-coming.html
Bah Humbug #43 - Die Cuts
http://bah-humbug-christmas.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-43-die-cuts.html

Excavation!!!


This is currently the state of our back garden! If I could say we are not pleased that would be an understatement.

This all started as part of the national requirement to upgrade the mains gas pipes. It turns out that all the houses in our little cul-de-sac are supplied via our back gardens. Not a problem. They promised to put back the gardens to how they were found and at the end of the day the work needs to be done. So on Tuesday a team of sub-contractors to a contracted company (are you following) came and dug up 5 gardens. Only then did they realise there was a problem as some of the gardens were inaccessible for the work that needed to be done. Me thinks this should have been established before they started connecting spade with soil.....

Anyhow, the guys seemed OK, we made them tea and biccies and arranged for hubby to stay home Thursday so that they could do the final part of our connection to the house. Bearing in mind we knew none of the problems that they had already encountered. Thursday came and went and no sign of a workman. No surprise there I guess given the state of this country since privatisation of public utilities came into being.

8am Friday morning and a truck with a workman arrived on site. I noticed he was filling in next door's garden and didn't think any more of it. However a while later I noticed our garden was still as you see it in the piccie, and the workman had left!!! So I spoke to my neighbour to be told they had filled in the other 4 gardens but couldn't fill mine in cos there was a leak!!!!!  A WHAT!!!!!

This had obviously been discovered on Tuesday and not only had I not been told but neither had it been reported to the Gas Board. I can't believe how irresponsible their behaviour has been. Also for me to find out from a neighbour. So, as you can imagine I was on that phone pretty quick sharp to the Contractors. 2 hours later and I still hadn't been called back so I called again. 5 minutes later the site manager phoned to say he believed I wasn't happy with the state of my garden (I have to say apart from the obvious problem the mess is appalling) and he would arrange to get someone down asap to tidy it up. I then had to interrupt him to ask him about the leak. THE WHAT!!! Nobody had told him either.

Within 15 minutes the Gas Board were here to confirm there was a leak. Then the site manager arrived, highly embarrassed, as they had sub-contracted out the work and he hadn't been made aware. 30 minutes later a team from the Gas Board arrived to make a temporary repair. I was then given reassurance by the manager that the repair would be finalised on Monday, garden put back in place Tuesday, jet washing of paths etc Wednesday. That seemed all OK until hubby got home.

Well, the more we thought about what was going on the more we grew concerned. We had had grand-daugher sleeping over. There are nightly fireworks at the moment as the area celebrates Diwalhi, one of which could have landed in our leaking hole. Anything could have happened. So with the weekend ahead we decided that come Monday we will be taking action.

But....there's more to come......

This morning the Gas Board arrived again, I wasn't expecting them, to re-check the leak. Apparently this is done on a daily basis until the full repair is done especially given THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OUR HOUSE !!!!! So not only did I accidentally find out about a leak yesterday, it had clearly been discovered on Tuesday and the Gas Board are concerned enough to now check on it daily because its so close to our house.

All I can say is its a good job our life insurance is up to date.....

Thursday 27 October 2011

Lighting The Way to Christmas

Good Evening Bloggers. Hope you're managing to keep warm with the dropping temperatures. Sorry I've been MIA for longer than expected but I have to put everything away from little fingers when our grand-daughter comes to stay and then it takes me 24 hours to face getting it all out again. Just to share a little snippet from some of her conversations, she told me that when she gets big she is going to have a pink car and she'll take me to the park when its raining but I will have to wait in the car!!! What's that all about, lol.

Anyway, back to this evening's card. A fabby Tilda coloured with copics:-
E00, 21, 93, E31, 33, 35, YG63, 67, R35, 37, E15, 18, YR00
which I've layered onto DP 'Jovial' by Basic Grey.

The roses and pearls are all from Crafty Emma's Store and I've added some crystal stickles for effect. Oh, and the little LOTV date stamp I've mounted onto a black button.

I hope you like it and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:-

Sketch Saturday #178 - Sketch
http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-178-22nd-october-sponsored-by-mos.html
Paper Sundaes #92 - Recipe (I've used black, sparkle and flowers)
http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2011/10/paper-sundaes-challenge-92-sundae-bar.html
Simon Says - Anything Goes
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-anything-goes.html
Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-43-anything-goes.html


Sunday 23 October 2011

A Pink Tea Party


Before I get onto the card I just want to say I may be quiet for a couple of days as my little grand-daughter and her Daddy are coming to stay.

A really quick and easy card made using a Crafty Individuals stamp which I got as part of my win from the Craft Barn Calendar Challenge a few weeks ago.

I've used DP 'Sweet Fairy' by Prima, and lace and pearls from my stash.

This card was sent as part of a Think Pink Challenge Swap.

I'd like to enter it into the following challenge:-

Lets Ink It Up #16 - Think Pink
http://letsinkitup.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-16.html

The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge Week 7


Good Evening Everyone, hope you've all had a good weekend. Here is my entry for this week's Craft Barn Calendar Challenge which was to use the colours purple or lilac and to incorporate dry embossing.

When I found the butterfly DP in my stash I immediately thought of my Paperartsy butterfly stamp. I've stamped the centre portion again and mounted it with some silicone to make it 'pop'. However, before I did this I ran it through my Swiss Dots embossing folder and then used some metallic rub-ons to accentuate the dots.

I used copics RV34, B05 and Promarkers Plum and Slate to colour.
As you can see I also popped the sentiment through the embossing folder and again used some metallic rub ons.

I hope you like it and here comes the challenge link :-
http://thecraftbarnblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/calendar-challenge-week-7.html

Friday 21 October 2011

Frosty The Snowman (and his little secret)


Evening Peeps. Hope you're all well and keeping warm. Autumn is definitely here. The air is crisp, the sun is bright, and the leaves are a multitude of colours. So that's why I'm showing you a Christmas Card, lol.

I coloured this Molly Blooms image in the last time we were in our caravan and I'm afraid I can't find the details of the copics I used. However, I can tell you that the DP is 'Jovial' by Basic Grey, and the wee sentiment is by Polka Doodles.

The border die has been punched and embossed and then pearls, from The Hobby House, added. The snowflake bellies have gems added and I've stickled the snowballs and the fluffy bits to his attire. The snowflake charm is from Crafty Emma's Store. I wonder whether Emma and Steve have had their baby yet???

I'd like to enter it into the following challenges but before I do let me tell you I have it on good authority that Frosty visited a tattoo parlour before he got wrapped up for winter.....

Christmas Challenge #11 with Sketch - Sketch
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-11-sponsored-by-judi-kins.html
Crafty Sentiments - Snowmen
http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/2011/10/we-want-to-see-your-snowmen.html
Totally Papercrafts #89 - Layer Upon Layer
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-89-layer-upon-layer.html
Charisma Cardz #42 - Embossing
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-42-embossing.html
OLLCB 91 - Let It Snow
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-91.html

Last Clue

OK. So there are some peeps out there who are getting sort of close in their guess work.

No, I didn't do the dance of the 7 veils Cath, lol but it does involve a flower, a pretty little flower.

That's all you're getting. I'll reveal all in my next post if no-one has guessed by then.

Bye for now, x

Thursday 20 October 2011

The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge Week 6


Hello Peeps. I hope you are all well and keeping warm as the temperatures start dropping. Brrr, its been getting chilly here in West Yorkshire.

This is my calendar page for June for The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge. We were challenged to use turquoise and lace. I love this lace trim which I managed to get before Katys Corner shop closed. I've threaded some white embroidery thread through, tied a bow and then tied a mini pair of ballet shoes.

The image, which I think is Time To Stamp, has been inked with memento and I've used just a light touch of a copic pen. The verse is one I've used from my handmade birthday book as I was leafing through that trying to get some inspiration.

I really love how its turned out although I'm now beginning to wonder how I'm going to bind my completed calendar with trims along the top edge...duh! I may have to rethink that idea.

For those trying to guess my mischievious weekend there is a hint of a clue in the picture but I may just fess up a bit later this evening.

Here comes the link and thanks for looking, x
http://thecraftbarnblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/calendar-challenge-week-6-half-way.html

Another Clue for those who haven't lost the will to live...

Come on Bloggers, I didn't expect you to be quitters.

So far the clues to my mischievious weekend have been:-

NO Men
NO Alcohol
NO Poles

A Dental Nurse

The Colours Blue and Green, with a little Lilac and a splash of yellow

Today's Clue - Coffee and Cake was an essential part of the procedure.....

Keep Guessing

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Rockin' Robin


Here's another card I made yesterday evening, again for Christmas. I love this image by Elusive Images. This time I've only used the central circular part of the stamp (it does in fact have a square border), stamped it twice and then mounted the inner part onto 3d pads to give it some dimension. I've used copics to colour:-
C1, 3, 5, YG63, 67, E02, 08, R37, BG93, and some stickles to highlight the snow.

The beautiful papers are Mistletoe by Memory Box. The birdie border I've cut using a shapeabilities border die and added pearls, from The Hobby House, to alternate holes.

As well as Winter Wonderland having a bird challenge theme this week so do The Corrosive Challenge team and also Daring Cardmakers who are being sponsored by The Ribbon Reel http://theribbonreel.co.uk/.

I hope you like it and here come the challenge links:-

Winter Wonderland - Robin Redbreast
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/winter-wonderland-robin-redbreast.html
Daring Cardmakers - Birds
http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/10/little-bird-told-us.html
The Corrosive Challenge #135 - Flying Things
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-135-flying-things.html



Gingerbread Men and Ladies...And Another Clue


Oh, and of course their little gingerbread houses. The challenge this week over at Bah Humbug is Christmas Food so when I found this fab paper in my stash I thought what a brill way to use it. It's First Edition, Festive Treats, available from Crafty Emma's Store. The shutter fold is to fit in with the current Sentimental Sundays challenge.
The Merry Christmas is by Polka Doodles and the Pie, could be mincemeat or turkey, is from Papermania which I've coloured with copics and then cut out to layer onto the centre panel.

Before I give you the challenge links here is another clue in the mystery that was my mishievious weekend...

Think blue and green, a little bit of lilac and a hint of yellow......

Bah Humbug #41 - Christmas Food
Sentimental Sundays #77 - Fancy Folds

Monday 17 October 2011

Believe in Christmas


Good Evening Peeps. Hope your day hasn't been too wet and windy. It must have got really strong here because we lost our satellite signal earlier this evening. Not sure if its back yet as we resorted to watching a DVD, or rather hubby did.

I disappeared to the 'Zone' to create this card which I am entering into a few challenges. I like trying to combine challenges as it becomes more of a challenge, if that makes sense.

I've layered 3 ribbons underneath the image, which by the way is from Stampers Anonymous. Unfortunately you can't tell from the piccie but the white ribbon has Merry Christmas and Happy New Year running through it. All the papers are offcuts from my stash, some from way back in my early days of crafting, even the one I stamped the image onto.

I hope you like it and here come the challenge links:-

Sketch Saturday #177 - Sketch
http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-177-15th-october-sponsored-by.html
Colour Create #81 - Lilac, Grey and White
http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-81-lilac-grey-and-white.html
Crafty Creations #139 - Recipe: 3 papers, 2 embellishments (brads and ribbons), 1 image
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-139-3-2-1.html
ABC Christmas - 'U' for Unused Stash (papers and ribbons)
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/u-is-for-unused-stash.html
The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Anything Goes
http://theprettylittleribbonshop.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-challenge-anything-goes.html

OK Then, I'll Give You A Clue...

There seems to have been some really wild suggestions as to what I got up to with my friend. I don't know what sort of lady you think I am but.... As for those who know me...Well!!!

All I will say is that there was NO alcohol involved, NO men, and absolutely NO poles.

However, there was a dental nurse.......

Keep Guessing, another clue coming soon.....

Hee! Hee!

Sunday 16 October 2011

A challenge within a challenge and Pole-Dancing!!!


Good evening everyone. Before I get onto the card there are a couple of things to report.

Firstly, it is my baby's birthday today...Ah! He's reached the grand age of 26...OMW where have the years gone? We've just got home from taking him and a friend for a meal and they're now at the pictures. The first time he's ever been on his own. I know that sounds odd but for those who know him he has problems so this is a really big thing for him.

Secondly, if you're up for a bit of fun I have a wee challenge on my blog. See my previous posting. However, some of you must have wild imaginations as its been suggested that I've been pole dancing ..... that enormous amounts of alcohol have been consumed.....even that I may be a rock chick. Melted plastic has also been suggested. Now that and pole-dancing makes my mind boggle.

You are all way off the mark. Keep guessing and if necessary I'll give you a little clue tomorrow...

Now for todays card. Its a challenge within a challenge as I created it with our KCUK monthly challenge in mind but using the Crafty Sentiments sketch.

I can't remember where the image is from but I've stamped in stazon after colouring some CS with versamagic rust. The text paper is from a French newspaper which I've torn and coloured with the rust and also Versacolor blue lagoon. A text stamp has been used on the die cut circle. I've also distressed the grey matt with scissors and overstamped with versafine smokey grey using a small muscial notes stamp.

I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:-

Crafty Sentiments - Sketch
http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/2011/10/sketch-challenge-this-week.html
Truly Scrumptious #67 - Distressing
http://trulyscrumptiouschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-67distressing.html
The Play Date Cafe (PDCC103) - Rust, Storm and Deep Sea
http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2011/10/play-date-cafe-challenge-pdcc103.html



Saturday 15 October 2011

A Riddle For You...

Okay. No photo. Just a wee challenge.

When I was away last weekend with my friend I got up to a bit of mischief. Now I know a couple of you in blogland have been privy to that information so therefore you are banned from this challenge. You know who you are and if you've blabbed to anyone (I'm referring to you Neet...) then they are banned too, lol.

If you can guess what I got up to last weekend post your reply to this message. The first one to guess correctly will receive a little something in the post. Sorry but UK only.

I'll give you a couple of days and if you are struggling I'll think about giving you a clue.

Good luck, x

Wishing You a Magical Birthday


Good Evening Peeps. Hope you are all having a good weekend and enjoying some sunshine. It was a lovely autumnal day here, a little chilly but plenty of sunshine.

Anyway, I'm back with a card for you. This time its for our little Scottish Grand-daughter who will be 3 at the end of the month. I just love these Sugar Nellie digi images, this one's called Nancy. So cute with her teddy. I've followed The Sugar Bowl sketch although rotated it to fit the image. I've also used their optional challenge of green although the piccie is deceptive with those background papers. The sentiment is by LOTV.

I coloured Nancy with copics as follows:
skin - E00, 21, 93
hair - E31, 33, 35
teddy - E41, 43, 93
remainder - Y02, 06, 08

The current Papertake Weekly challenge is to use 3 different shapes. I think I managed that with a rectangle, diamond/square and circle.

I hope you like it. Here are the challenge links I'd like to enter it into:-

The Sugar Bowl #69 - Sketch
http://sugarbowlblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-69gayles-sketch.html
Sentimental Sundays #76 - Anything Goes
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-76-anything-goes.html
Papertake Weekly - Get in Shape
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-in-shape.html

Thursday 13 October 2011

The Craft Barn Calendar Challenge Week 5


Evening Peeps. Sorry I've not been back before but I hadn't realised that my Mojo had stopped off in London on our return home to do some sight-seeing. Its only just arrived home today, lol

Anyway, a quickie upload tonight to show you my entry for the Craft Barn Calendar Challenge, which this week is pink and birds.

The background paper is actually a paper bag... The Crafty Individuals image is one of my new purchases from The Craft Barn using my voucher which I won for my week 2 calendar. I've stamped it in versafine vintage sepia onto some cream paper which I gave a light 'dusting' with rose pink versacolor.

The pearls are from The Hobby House and the wooden/fabric bird in the top right corner is from Samuel Taylors.

Hope you like it and here comes the challenge link, x
http://thecraftbarnblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/calendar-challenge-week-5.html

Monday 10 October 2011

I'm Home


WhooHoo Bloggers. I'm back from my lovely weekend with my bestest friend Pat to find I've been chosen as a Cupcake Cutie for my Black and White Christmas Card. What a lovely surprise.

I'll be back later, or maybe tomorrow, hopefully with a card but also to tell you about my weekend and my naughty friend, lol, x

Thursday 6 October 2011

The Resisting Butterfly


Good Morning Peeps. This is my last post until after the weekend cos I'm off down South to stay with my oldest and bestest friend. I'm going on the BIG train all by myself, I'm so excited. I know, I need to get a life, lol.

Anyhow, I wanted to share this card with you which I have done using the wax resist technique. The central image was given to me by my friend Gill Yin who loves teaching this technique. Hope I've done it justice Gill. I've used adirondack inks in denim and currant to swipe direct to the cardstock and also to the image. I've also added some eggplant to the image. I've matted and layered it onto black and then navy and the purple DP is by 7 Gypsies.

Ribbon is from my stash, pearls and gems by Meiflower and the flowers from Crafty Emma's Store.

Hope you like it and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:-

Sketch and Stash #71 - Sketch
http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/09/sketch-n-stash-challenge-71with.html
Simon Says - Sparkle and Bling
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-sparkle-and-bling.html
Corrosive Challenge #134 - Purple Passion
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-134-purple-passion.html

Wednesday 5 October 2011

The Craft Barn 12 Week Calendar - April


Good Afternoon Bloggers, thought I'd get on here a bit earlier today so that I don't end up going to bed at stupid o'clock.

Phew! Hasn't it turned windy today. I've been over to visit Mum which involves travelling across the Pennines on the M62. Oh boy, does the wind swirl around there at a rate of knots.

Anyway, here is my offering for this week's Craft Barn Calendar Challenge which was masking and yellow. I've used 2 different forms of masking. Firstly I've stippled distress inks in antique linen, shabby shutters and tattered rose through a Crafters Workshop stencil 'mini butterfly meadow'. I also masked my stamped image several times to create a field of daffodils. Its a Funstamps image which I've coloured with copics YG63, 67, Y21, 26. Of course when the challenge mentioned yellow and I was up to April it was obvious to me to choose daffodils.

I have journalled part of the William Wordsworth poem around the heads of the daffs:

...I saw a crowd
A host of golden daffodils
...fluttering and dancing in the breeze
...tossing their heads in sprig(htly)...

Hope you like it and here's the link, x
http://thecraftbarnblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/12-week-calendar-challenge-week-4.html

Tuesday 4 October 2011

A Black and White Christmas


Good Evening Peeps, although its nearly morning thanks to my ever slowing down PC...

At last I have a card to share with you and tomorrow I'll upload my next calendar page in the Craft Barn challenge.

For the card above I have used a PSX Christmas scene and a Crafty Individuals snowflake background stamp both inked with Stazon. I put the shiny black card through my Swiss Dots embossing folder. I've also added some stickles to represent snow on the rooftops etc.

The black flowers and the silver snowflake charm were from my stash.

The Merry Christmas sentiment is a piece cut from a ribbon, unfortunately it doesn't show up too well in the piccie.

I hope you like it and I'd like to enter it into the following challenges :-

Christmas Challenge with a Sketch #10 - Sketch (rotated)
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-10-sponsored-by-heindesign.html
Winter Wonderland - How Charming
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-charming.html
Cupcake Challenge #162 - Black & White Christmas
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/10/cupcake-162-black-and-white-christmas.html
ABC 'A' - Anything Goes
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/abc-challenge-anything-goes-were-back.html
Crafty Cardmakers #53 - Anything Goes
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/10/were-back-challenge-53-anything-goes.html



Monday 3 October 2011

The Little House of Fun

 

Evening Bloggers. Well here is my addition to the street that is taking over blogland, lol. It started off as a blank wooden house which I prepped with gesso, adirondack hazlenut acrylic and then swiped off with a baby wipe to give a distressed look. I then took it to our monthly workshop at Victoria Stampers where the uber talented Neet gave us instructions, techniques and inspiration in altering and decorating our houses. Unfortunately I had to leave early but as soon as I got home I carried on until I'd finished.

I've taken loads of piccies to talk you through the various rooms.

I'd decided I wanted to add bunting to the top edges and then realised the dartboard, which I had already glued into place would be hidden so I gently folded the 2 top bunting over (it was a windy day, lol) and then my copic coloured owl was popped into position. The dartboard and toy train are dolls house miniature accessories as are a few other bits and pieces. You can already see the jigsaw pieces dotted around. Me thinks some naughty child had a tantrum and threw them everywhere. Also, what is that I spy in the bottom left of the piccie???

Oops! Here is more evidence of something awful about to happen.... The tree trunk is a Lavinia stamp repeated using Walnut Stain distress ink.


Caught in the act!!! What a naughty pussy cat, trying to get the owl.

The vintage box of pencil leads (still full) I found when rummaging for stuff at home. The letter tiles spell TIE and the little barrow of building bricks is another dolls house miniature.

Who remembers trolls? Well he was another find from a bit of a rummage. The background paper I created myself by typing the alphabet in various fonts and printing off on the computer. I then distressed it with walnut stain. The sharpener and red pencil are buttons. The pencils in the pot are made from skewers and painted with copics. More jigsaw pieces.....

The footie boots were swiped off a card. The Monopoly board is a dolls house miniature. The playing cards are from my stash. The car is a button, the dice are beads, the chessboard I made myself and the pieces are from a travel magnetic set.

The poem on the right wall I found in an old book of poetry. The metal background has been put through an embossing folder and then distressed with acrylic paint.

Dominoes and mahjong tiles from my stash

  The little dolly is glued to the seat of a trike, another dollshouse miniature, as is the football.

 The 'cheeky' little doll has had his blushes spared by the careful placing of the hobby horse (another dollshouse miniature). The numbers are grunge board, coloured with acrylics. The paddington bear is a charity pin.

Finally a peek at the other side of the house with a wall background paper overstamped with ivy, which you can't see, and Lavinia toadstools.

 And, the roof which I stamped using adirondack acrylic in terracotta with the Clarity wishing well stamp to give the impression of roof tiles.
 Phew! Really hope you like it. I loved doing it and I'm now deciding where to hang it so its away from little fingers when they come to visit.