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This is intended to be mainly about my crafting stories, as a personal record of what I do. However, I interpret crafting quite widely, not just paper crafting but other things too. I have a butterfly mind and like to change from one thing to another depending on what I feel like on a given day - knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, cards, baking and several others, including my favourite right now, parchment, both traditional skills and Groovi, very relaxing and calming to do.

I have decided to put some structure into my blog so that each day will have something of a theme.
Monday- for Mindfulness; Tuesday - Tidy Up Day; Wednesday - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday; Thursday - Technique and Tips; Friday - Finish Off Day; Saturday - Start Something New; Sunday - Anything Goes
These themes are not hard and fast and will be changed if I feel the need.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

WOYWW 145

This is not my usual desk as you can see, but it is where I have spent most of my time since Sunday.Shaz Silverwolf's DH has been good enough to put together a server system for our computers and TV, and he fitted it on Sunday, but, of course, it did not go quite to plan and took longer than it should.  So since then, we have had emails with pretty screen captures flying backwards and forwards.  He gets the pleas for help and send back instruction on how to put it right.  So far, things are starting to make sense, one thing at a time.  On the desk you can see the latest sheaf of pictures and instructions on moving files to the right folders to make things work.

I did manage to do some cards this week, including one for a friend's birthday today, using snippets, and actually less than I had originally intended.  It is another card taken from my store of decoupage sheets.  This one was downloaded free of charge from another very generous crafter.  I cannot remember who it was, but when I get a chance, I will check on that and give her the credit she deserves. (*** See the end of this post for more info)

I don't know about you but when I put decoupage together, I rarely use all the layers on one card, and this one was no exception.  I actually broke it down into two sets for two different cards.  This one was the simplest and I think it worked the best.  I had actually put the topper together a few weeks ago, and then decided the only card that suited it was the Centura Pearl white.  It landed crooked and I was so taken with the position that I put it there to stay.  The sentiment is just a peel off, which I coloured coppery to match the butterfly.  Once it was all together and stuck down, I thought it needed a bit of bling to liven it up a little.  So out came the good old standby of the Quickie glue pen and Martha Stewart glitters, and I just highlighted the veins on the butterfly wings.  My DH looked at the finished article and said "Mmm, that looks good" - always a nice thing to hear.  There was even a specially created insert to finish the card off properly.



His own birthday card was another decoupage, and again divided between two different cards.  The design is a Joanna Sheen / Jayne Netley-Mayhew masterpiece.  He is a bird lover so this was an image that fitted so well, especially as we are heading fast into Spring, especially if the activity of the local birds is anything to go by.  They are so busy pairing up and chasing others off.  The base image already has a blue line round it, so it is just a case of  cutting it carefully to avoid any further need to matt and layer, just building up the decoupage on the top.  I always use Pinflair glue which allows fine adjustment of each piece to match perfectly.  I gave up using sticky pads ages ago when I got fed up of things not quite sitting where they should.  You can also vary the depth of glue to aid giving dimension after curling each layer as you want.  For example, the tail of the baby on the right is curled up as are the wings of both babies.  The body and head of the mother is curled on both sides to give the impression of her rounded outline.

I have managed to fit in some time out in the garden and in particular in the greenhouse over the last week.  I cannot stand for too long at a time, so we dug out a very old kitchen stool that was made by my father in his father's yard.  It was made from well seasoned coffin wood - my grandfather was an undertaker in the days when they made the coffins to fit each customer.  I always remember when I went to Grandad's (he lived behind the business with the workshops in the yard behind that), all up the side alley, there would be stacks of wood, seasoning before being stored in the cellar until needed.  anyway, back to the stool and the greenhouse, the stool is just the right thing to plonk down on when I need a break.  Then I get a chance to watch the bird life, who don't seem to notice me behind the glass.  A pair of magpies spent ages chasing off a crow, making sure he went right away from where they fancied staying.  The goldfinches don't seem to care about us or the dogs and are just fixed on eating as much of our niger seed as possible.  I am planting sunflowers in the garden this year specially for the birds to eat.  So far, in the greenhouse, I have three tiny buddlejas, several echinaceas and the sweet peas, just starting.  I can't wait to see how they develop.

I seem to have rambled on for a long time this week, so now I must let you go  (if you made it this far) and let you visit lots more of the desks on show at Julia's place.  There are so many very talented crafters over there, just waiting for you.  I hope to get to meet as many of you as possible this week - I will do my best.  Have a great week.

PS I have just found the butterfly decoupage sheet original and is was produced  by Audrey at The Lilac Garden.  Since I downloaded my sheets, she has developed her website and now produces CDs as well.  She has some lovely images on her website, some free as well as the CDs.

29 comments:

voodoo vixen said...

Lovely cards, the butterfly looks wonderful and the story of your garden stool made from coffin wood is brilliant!! Enjoy your spring days... we aren't quite there yet... had snow about an hour ago!!

sandysewin said...

Oooooo, your cards are so pretty. I love the butterfly.

Gardening! I'm just about ready to start seeds here. I should probably plant some greens, but that's about all until it gets warmer.

Happy Woyww,

Sandy
www.keepsakecrafts.net

Lisa said...

Wow those are beautiful cards. Great colors.

Julia Dunnit said...

There'll be a couple of glasses and a bottle of sherry in the greenhouse before long...the perfect thing to go with a seat and the contemplation of growing!
Your cards are beautiful, no surprise here that your beloved males are being complimentary!
Sorry about the Link thing..I've added you this morning.

okienurse said...

great looking cards! I am so happy winter is almost over and it is warm outside! Have a great week. Vickie #4

Helen said...

Pretty cards!! Good luck with your computer sort out, rather you than me....
Your Grandad's place sounds fabulous - I can still remember the smell of my Dad's shed when he'd been sawing wood - ah, lovely!

Neil said...

Hi there; just thought I'd pop my head in to say hi! The cards are lovely. Hope you have a lovely week.
Neil #8

May said...

Beautiful cards Maggie, Its nice to sit a while and watch the birds, we all rush around far too much!! Have a great week, Hugs May x x x

Sarn said...

Morning Maggie

Your greenhouse sounds perfect and I like the sound of the things you are planting.

Happy WOYWW

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Sarn said...

Oh . . . and the decoupage cards are cute too. Great designs xxx

sandra de said...

Gorgeous cards and it is lovely that you got out to the garden even if you did have to sit on the coffin wood stool. How unique.

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie you are my last stop on my WOYWW tour today. I loved reading as you recounted your memories. Your bird watching in the green house has reminded me of bulbs that are sprouting in their bags so I am off to do some gardening of my own. Thanks for sharing. Helen

CraftygasheadZo said...

Beautiful makes. Take care, enjoy snooping around the wonderful desks & enjoy this WOYWW. Zo xx 33

MvM-design said...

Quickly watching all those lovely desks!!
Have a happy WOYWW Wednesday :)))
Watch mine too, I've an awesome announcement on my BLOG(click)
Hugs Marleen ;-)

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

I love this decoupage, Joanna Sheen is one of my favourites for decoupage.

jacqui x

Anne said...

Hi there I made it to the end of an interesting post, enjoyed reading. Your cards are lovely especially like the butterfly one. Thanks for sharing. Anne x

Spyder said...

That blue-Tit card is lovely, so detailed a drawing and perfect colours...I haven't done 'proper' drawings for ages, I think I've forgotten how! Thank you very much for my snoop, have a great crafty week HaPpY wOyWw!!
((Lyn))) #60 (last time I looked!)

Danielle said...

Lovely cards! Happy WOYWW!

Debbie Rock said...

Just had to read out G's comment to Phil! Now THAT'S positivity and encouragement for you! Just showed him my two attempts for my first ever Snippets and - well, let's just say I may now not be needing a push on the swings after all.
I LoVe the card you made for G ... reminds me a little bit of a cross-stitch I did once.
And I'm afraid my walls will be remaining blank ... was working in the conservatory today (my preferred place to work when it is warm enough - and with the help of the fan heater today, it was!!!) so all I have hanging on that wall is a huge clock and I have avoided any temptation to ever hang anything else and do love the simplicity of it. Happy WOYWWing! Love Debbie #59 xXx

Linda Simpson said...

Hello Maggie, I hope you get back in your craft room soon! Your cards as always are gorgeous. I especially like the birds this is fabulous.

Hugs
Linda xxxx

lisa said...

Your cards are beautiful, Maggie. I love the blue tits.
It's been perfect weather to be in the greenhouse this week hasn't it. I've sown seeds and planted up tubs too, all very exciting.
I love the idea of your coffin wood stool!!
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Lisax #80

Alexandra MacVean said...

I've not ever used decoupage. Your cards turned out lovely! :)

SandeeNC said...

Glad to see your out and about in the greenhouse! Spring is blooming a bit here and my pansies have sprung back to life after the mild winter :) I also have planted some seeds, and look forward to their sprouting! waving hi from the warm and sunny hills of North Carolina :)

Angie said...

3-D decoupage is not something I've tried but that butterfly card is stunning. i love the sound of your stool ...what history it holds. xx

karen said...

Beautiful cards you have created! Lovely images with Spring on the way too! Such detail in the birds! Amazing!
xoxo Karen #175

Debbie Rock said...

Regarding showing P my cards ... bit too deep for here so will Email you on that one!
Am aiming for the playground after dinner and before GLEE (alas, my name is Debbie and I am a GLEEK!!!!) so will be taking you up on the offer of putting the straws in the little milk bottles ... although I strongly suspect that simply shows our age!!!!! Love Debbie xXx

Emma Williams said...

It sounds as if you've spent some idyllic days in your greenhouse and garden and like you, I love watching the birdlife...always have since I was a little girl! It's a lovely thing to do, isn't it? :)

Your cards are beautiful and absolutely perfectly executed...really lovely, as always!
Love Emma xx

Debs Willis said...

Beautiful cards Maggie, thanks for the link to the source, will go investigate!

Happy woyww

Debs #166

Unknown said...

I like the butterfly card its lovely but the bird card is stunning what a fabulous image and I am a fan of decoupage , its how I started crafting and so now all my cards have to have dimension.
Fabulous work Maggie well done Hugs Elaine I am your newest follower