CRAFT MAGAZINES FOR SALE

I am continuing with my craft clearout and I have a lot of craft magazines to sell, such as scrapbook magazine, various card mags all from around 2010, some beautiful stitches mags which are a lot older....

Here are some pics, sorry a tad blurred but just to give you an idea. If anyone is interested gimme a shout, I have not listed these on ebay as postage would be very high cause they are heavy but maybe if you could pick them up (London) or may be interested in the lot and could think of a cheap parcel courier then we can work something out.

Email me on anikraft@hotmail.co.uk

More ebay auctions incl Mixed Media Embellishment Pack

I have listed a few more crafty auctions so check them out for any bargains. I have also put together a pack of mixed media art embellishments, it's the kinda pack I would have loved to buy when I started out, it includes monopoly cards and houses, scrabble tiles, random finds and bits, games pieces etc. Check it out, it's a selection of things from my own collection over the years. I have accumulated way to much of these things that I just need to have a clearout!

-------MY EBAY-------

Craft Clearout - check out my ebay for crafty bargains

I'm having a big craft clearout and adding more ebay auctions daily with stamps, chipboard, ribbons etc so if you fancy a crafty bargain check it out: 

MY EBAY

Some auctions ending today and in the new few days, I am about to add some Paper Artsy, Crafty Individuals stamps and Sizzix stuff so check back for new auctions daily!

Stampotique Guest Designer - Final Week "Spring has sprung"

This is my final week as Guest Designer for Stampotique. It's been fun and I'm so grateful for the opportunity. And of course this week is challenge week so you can join in too. The theme is Spring has sprung and I created this little ATC book.

Once you open it, it has 4 little spring ATC's all attached to each other.

Come and join in over at the Stampotique blog!

Stampotique Guest Designer - Week 3

It's week 3 of my Guest Designer month at Stampotique and I have some cards to share with you. The backgrounds were created using watercolour paper and just getting messy with paints, inks, stencils etc. Go crazy, the messier the better. Pick out some bits you like as backgrounds for cards, ATC's, art journaling etc.

Stampotique Designer Challenge - Wearable Art

This is my 2nd week as Guest Artist for Stampotique and this week it's challenge time over on the Designer's Challenge Blog. The theme is Wearable Art, so if you fancy joining in pop over!

I created a tshirt for my nephew using printable cotton and the alphabitties stamps. Sewing is not really one of my strong points but thats ok, there is other options like iron on adhesive backing. Easy and you can create your very own wardrobe.

Stampotique Guest Designer - Collage Mirror

So I am Guest Designer at Stampotique this month - a real honour. I admire the work the DT put together week after week and of course there are the amazing Stanpotique stamps I love working with.
This piece is a random collage of loads of Stampotique images. One of my very first projects was a similar mirror using all sorts of stamped images and to date it still is a favourite of mine. So This is an ode to said project.
I hope you like it!

Check out the Stampotique blog for more inspiration!

I'm back from my creative coma.....

Sometimes life just doesn't go as planned. Sometimes you can be surrounded by the nicest of stamps, crafty things and inks and just not feel the love or inspiration. And that's exactly how I've been feeling for the past 2 months. Creativity can't be forced so I didn't. Although it can be frustrating when you so desperately want to create and the energies don't flow that way! But I feel a little more creative again and although blog posts will still only be an odd occasion at the moment, I would like to share this canvas with you today.
It was inspired by some pieces Dina Wakley did in a recent Stampington publication, it's very messy and inky and painty, using photos of my family.

I'm also delighted to say that I'm Guest Designer on the Stampotique blog this month so watch this space for some lovely Stampotique creations and check out their blog!

2011 - 2012

So we say goodbye to another year that had been filled with crafty inkyness and hello to a new year which once my Mojo returns should hopefully be even more colourful.
Looking back at the year it has certainly been an interesting one. I managed to get my crafty creations published in both Craft Stamper and Stampers Sampler and started as a permanent team member for Just Stamps magazine.
I also went to my first ever workshops starting off with the Tim Holtz Artsy Crafts one in February, followed by another 2 Artsy Crafts where I met some lovely people and learned new techniques, esp off the lovely Lynne Perrella.
I took part in my first craft fair, a fun day and great confidence boost as people really enjoyed my makes.
I lost my mojo a bit in June which was scary but I soon turned it around by taking up art journaling or at least the techniques used in art journaling. I am not much of a journal writer but I gave it my own twist and created home decor objects in a painty, inky art journal style. Some of my favourite creations were my mirrors last year hence I am entering this one into The Stamp Man Awards for favourite project of 2011.

I also discovered my love for Stampotique stamp.


These are two of my favourite projects. The card I sent to my sister's boyfriend for his birthday, I think he wasn't too impressed with Uncle Buck on the front. Ah well, I think he's such an adorable character.

I also started painting canvases last year, mainly using collage sheet images as the main focus. I esp like working with the kids pics from Lisa's Altered Art, and also my own family photos.

These are just a few things I really enjoyed making last year, of course there were many cards and challenges I entered, let's hope 2012 will be just as fun filled. I have set myself a few goals for the year and once my mojo returns I will get making. I am currently updating and redesigning my whole website so I am concentrating on that for now. There will be some candy coming soon too. I had promised this a while ago but never got round to taking a picture of the goodies and writing the post so I will make that a priority!

Happy 2012 everyone!!!

Shabby Chic House.... and winding down for Christmas

This little house of goodies was made with the Simon says Stamp and Show Challenge in mind, where the theme is "Projects with depth".
I used some leftover configurations boxes and put a roof on top using foamboard. The insides are cut from card and inked with distress inks, then stamped with background stamps. Some tissue tape around the edges to make it neat and you have a shell of a house to fill with goodies.
I used all sorts of things, little miniature bottles with real (evaporated) alcohol inside, game pieces, ideaology, springs, tape measure, an old earring etc etc.

This will be the last larger projects I'm showing on my blog for the year as I'm winding down for Christmas. I have a busy 2 weeks ahead with work, as I only get 2 days off over Christmas and have people over to cook for I have an awful lot of cooking, baking, planning, shopping to do. So I will concentrate on that and wind down my blog until the new year. I will be back with the odd card or post though I'm sure.

Some last minute Christmas cards.....

Just a couple more Christmas cards to share, I had already finished my card making for the season but a friend asked for a card for her boyfriend so I made these two.

I am entering the top one into the Happy Daze Challenge and the bottom one into The Artistic Stamper Challenge.

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas - another one.....

I have been seriously lacking inspiration to do anything yesterday. Imagine a whole day off in a room of stamps and no inspiration to create anything. Well, I thought I may as well make another Tim tag and see if it inspires me and I did end up making a few more Christmas cards and that so I guess it worked.
I don't actually have the holly die for this tag but instead I used 2 cut offs off the tree die as branches and one of the leaves from the tattered leaves die. It did the trick.

I am entering this into the Artistic Stamper Challenge - Christmas as well as the Pan Pastel Challenge - Tags.

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas inspired Christmas card

If you have been following Tim's tags you will know how fab they all are in their own unique way, and so many fun techniques to learn along the way.
There was one tag in particular that caught my eye and I thought it would make a great christmas card so I ordered in the supplies cause I didn't have the reflections stamps or the die but I see it as an investment. So once they arrived I got started. I made a bunch of these cards, the alcohol ink on acetate combined with the reflections stamps is genius. I think the tag/card design can be adapted for so many occassions as the acetate back makes the main feature you could just change the colours and theme. I now also want the other set of reflections stamps. Hope santa might get them for me.

I will of course add this to the endless list of inspiring creations on Tim's blog, it's great what everyone has created inspired by the tags. So many different ideas. Just WOW.
I am entering this into the Happy Daze Challenge where the theme is Christmas. Same theme over at The Artistic Stamper and their monthly challenge.

What's the point - Mixed Media Canvas using Tattered Angels

This canvas was created a few weeks back when I was playing with my spray inks and I set myself the challenge to only use spray inks to create this. It's difficult layering spray inks when they are water soluble cause anything you spray on top will just "melt" the layer underneath but you can still create nice effects with stencils and by lightly varnishing one layer then spraying over the top.
I also used some Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze for the splatters, gives a nice shiny splatters effect, I'm not sure what else to use the stuff for to be honest. It's just one of those products I haven't found great use for yet.

Hello - Page 3 of my Board Book Journal

Here is another page from my board book journal. I did say I wanted to try and do one a week but I kinda did 2 in 2 week and none since cause I've been away on my days off and not had any time to craft. Shocking! Will have to catch up on Tim's 12 tags, my christmas cards and the journal on my next day off. Lots to do.
And lots of christmas shopping and wrapping to do and organizing........ not enough time in the day!

Dream Notebook - Tattered Angels

I have recently been playing with my glimmer mists a lot more and this gorgeous clear embossed strong and sturdy card is just perfect for some misting. It comes in all sorts of amazing embossed patterns, I used this one to create a notebook cover and back, simply wrapped around some chipboard.

Here is a detailed view of the Tattered Angels ornate embossed frame with a book page back and the word DREAM stamped inside it.

Stampotique Designers Challenge - Non traditional Christmas Cards

A non-traditional Christmas card is the theme at Stampotique. No red or green allowed. Well, there is definitely no red or green in my card and I think Uncle Buck is as non-traditional as you can get. Doesn't he look handsome with his crown?

I'm not sure who I will be sending this card to, maybe someone who isn't too keen on Christmas, hehe.






Now as for this card it started off as a card to enter into the challenge but it turned out too red, even though I used my orange distress inks and for the writing I used stamps other than Stampotique, one of the challenge requirements. But nevertheless I absolutely adore this card, I just love the little goblin stamp, probably my best purchase this year. And I just wanted to share the card so there you go.

Another year, another 12 tags of Christmas....

It's that time of year again where everyone in the crafting world creates their own little interpretations of Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas. I like the fact that we can now link them all on Tim's page and you can see everyone else's tags. So many different ones, amazing!!! Unfortunately I won't be able to make every one due to a lack of time. I have even given up my forthcoming monday (day off = craft day) as I'm visiting a friend. But I'll try to make some tags in my spare moments before and after work.
So here is today's tag, love the canvas reindeer, fab idea!

I am entering this into The Artistic Stamper Challenge where the theme is Christmas.
And also The Happy Daze Challenge - Christmas gifts, cards and tags.

Alter it monthly - December Theme - CELESTIAL

So this is it, the last ever Alter it Monthly challenge. It's very sad to see the blog go, I used to enjoy taking part in the challenges myself until I then became a DT member to create monthly inspiration for all our readers. This month the theme is CELESTIAL.

I remembered these German paper stars we used to make when I was little. You start with 4 strips of paper and then it's a bit like origami, just fold til it looks like a star. It was fun getting back into it, so I made these 3 which are all made from 1cm wide strips, just in case you wanna have a go yourself (google FROEBELSTERN or GERMAN PAPER STAR). I dipped them in wax and decorated the frame with wax and stamped images too. The writing at the top is made from wire. It kinda just happened, I was sitting at the dining table with some wire and was wondering f I'd be able to "write" a word from wire. I asked my housemate to read it when it was done and it did pass the reading test. Phew.

Here is a closeup of the little bottles, one is filled with sand the other with glitter. In their own right they are both stardust. In fact I think everything is made from stardust.

Handmade wrapping paper

In one of my recent posts (Christmas tags) I was talking about how I'm wrapping and tagging all my Christmas pressies this year and I mentioned some wrapping paper I made. Well here it finally is, wrapped around a present for my mum. All I did was to print photos of my mum in 2 different sizes, cut them leaving a white edge around some of them so when it comes to sewing them they overlap slightly. And then I've jut sewn them with 3 different coloured threads. Sew them together randomly until you have a piece large enough to wrap your present. Takes a bit of time but it's very easy and looks pretty I think.

Here is a detailed view of the paper ribbons I used, I added a heart for some interest and that's it really.