Free as a Bird

Thought I'd have a play with some mail art for Crafty Individual's Monthly Challenge with the theme Free as a Bird.

The photos are not good for some reason - maybe the impending thunderstorm had something to do with it. Anyway I used Crafty Individuals bird CI 180 to make the postage stamp on shrink plastic - it's coloured with promarkers and then cut out with fancy scissors to give the perforations.

The envelope is coloured with Distress Inks and then overstamped with various stamps:
Crafty Individuals CI 207 - the grasses stamped in various greens
Tim Holtz - Birds on a wire
Oak House Studio - Hessian background
7gypsies - bird and butterfly from the Nottinghill Set.

Guess I'll have to take the stamp off to use the envelope - just got to wait for the next birthday and we'll see if Royal Mail like it!!

Stars and Stripes

Here's a quick ATC for Hels Sunday Stamper Challenge with the theme of Stars and/or Stripes.



It's a rainbow of alcohol inks for the background, swiped across glossy card and then some blending solution squirted on. I then overstamped with some Hero Arts stars and PSX Celtic Alphabet.

I've never had a go at Tim's tartan technique and obviously couldn't for this challenge as the theme is Stars and Stripes not Stars and Tartan!! However while I have the alcohol inks out I think I might have a play.

May already!

So where did April go?? I was doing fine in March, blogging regularly and my last post was my 100th. But then life got in the way I guess.

I've had visitors and days out. A lovely walk around Wakehurst Place taking photos of the water gardens.


Had a great day visiting Ally Pally and the Big Scrapbooking and Stamping Show. We had a picnic in the park then hit the stalls - it was a bit busy in places but I found a few bits and pieces to buy - some Fresco paints, Distress Stains and some masks. Also bought some steampunk brass charms which are gorgeous. Since then I've treated myself to some Crafty Individuals stamps. None of it has moved much since I bought it except to start a birthday card that still needs finishing.


DH went to India for a few days and brought back an elephant - apparently Delhi Airport has a lifesize wooden elephant in the foyer but he hadn't room for that in his case!!


Then there's been Easter and all the Bank Holidays. The lovely dry sunny weather means there is gardening to do. We also bought a new caravan so that's needed attention - repacking stuff in it, making sure everything works and trying the awning up. For some reason we chose to do that on top of the North Downs on a windy day.... good practise though!!

Now everything is getting back to normal but exam season is fast approaching. I have one DD doing A levels, one doing GCSEs and me doing a variety as an invigilator. The good news it's more stash money: the bad news is I'll have no time to play with it.

My next task is to start entering challenges again and keep up the blogging....well I'll try!!