Welcome


Hello, my name is Dionne and I have been crafting for a very long time. As a very young child my mother tried to teach me to knit, it was a disaster. However, it must have sparked an interest in making things and, partly to prove that I was not totally useless and partly because I really wanted to make things, I taught myself to crochet. Over the years I have developed a love of cross stitch and all types of paper craft ..... I eventually even taught myself to knit.


I am married to a very understanding man, thank goodness, because I spend all my time either crafting, thinking about crafting or talking about crafting. I am hopeless at housework and dinner is often late!


Thank you for visiting my blog.


Dionne

Monday 18 February 2013

Out of My Comfort Zone! - An Altered Matchbox

Good morning

I hope you had a very good weekend.

I have great news to share with you today, it's time for another Crafty Boots Challenge!  Yes, another two weeks has passed by and a new challenge is launched today.  The theme for the next two weeks has been chosen by the Pink Haired Elf herself, Tracie.

Tracie has challenged us all to do something outside of our comfort zone. Do something different, for instance, if colouring is your thing, then make something with no colouring. If you are usually the clean and simple type, then make something fussy.

I decided to really step out of my comfort zone by altering something.  Inspired by my good friend Mrs Beez, I chose a matchbox.  In fact, with typical generosity, Lisette gave me a few of her matchboxes so I could play.  I do urge you to take a look at her blog, it is full of wonderful things.


I covered my blank matchbox with some white and purple polka dot paper by Papermania and I added a brad to act as a handle for the drawer.

I then pushed my boundaries even further and distressed the matchbox with Victorian Velvet, Dusty Concord and Tattered Rose TH Distress Inks.  I very rarely use distress inks and I was worried that I might use too much and ruin everything, but I think I stopped in time.  After that I added a little glitter - just a bit here and there.


Then it was a matter of decorating it with a few of my favourite things.  Cherry Blossoms from Wild Orchid Crafts, some distressed cheesecloth, a purple glittered star, some MS Bakers Twine and a little silver bell on some purple ribbon.

I am not the only one stepping outside her comfort zone, the rest of the Design Team have been pushing their personal boundaries, why not see for yourself at Crafty Boots Challenges.


Dionne


Friday 8 February 2013

Another Daisy Chain

Hello

I have been playing with my ATC die again, I wanted to see what else I could do whilst keeping to the current Crafty Boots Challenges theme of 'Blue and White' and this is what I came up with.


Each one has blue glitter card, which came from C&C, the turquoise blue and navy blue daisies are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the lace from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  Everything else is from my stash.

 






I would love to see what you can do with the blue and white challenge.


Dionne

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Here' my Heart ...... Again

Hi

Over at Crafty Boot Challenges the theme of the latest challenge is 'Blue and White'.  I thought I would get out my new Sizzix ATC die and have a little play.

I think this CAS design is one of my favourites, it is simple and quick and I think it looks stunning.

All I needed was white and blue glittered card, some flat backed gems and some glue.


Using my Big Shot I cut the white glitter card with my ATC die and the heart shapes from the blue glitter card using my Sissix Bigz die.










Dionne

Monday 4 February 2013

'Blue and White' Challenge

Hi

Where is this year going?  It's February already and it is time for another Crafty Boots Challenge.  The theme of 'Blue and White' was chosen by the talented Zoe in honor of her favourite football (soccer) team, Bristol Rovers.

I have spent the last couple of years adding more and more dimension to my cards but, because of spiraling postage cost, I have been rethinking this recently and I have returning to basics for this card.


It has been a while since I coloured a Teddy Bo image and this one was so much fun to get to work on it with my blue Promarkers.  The image is called Eski Bo and Bea.

After I had coloured the image I added glitter to the fur trim and snowballs.  The paper is by Dovecraft and the mirri card and FBGs are from my stash.

The rest of the design team have been very busy making some amazing projects to inspire you, so please find the time to take a look and be inspired to join the challenge.


Dionne