Life's a Beach

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 15cm x 10.5cm.

Artemio Stamps - On the Beach.

Cow Stamp - Supplier Unknown.

Design Papers - Scraps from own stash.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die - Standard Circles Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large.

Sizzix Sizzlits Die - Haiwain Flower.

Woodware Punch - Leaf.

Embellishments from own Stash.

This image was coloured using Copic markers and Sakura Glaze gel pens.

Hints and Tips

I stamped the palm trees using brush marker pens to give the background a softer look, this makes the main image look more prominent.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Moving Along With The Times: Challenge 100 Holidays.

Love Linda xxx

Winter Wonderland Blog Hop

Winter Wonderland will be 2 on 30 May and we are celebrating by having a week long blog hop. We have 11 sponsors this week, yes, that’s right 11!!! But that’s not all because each member of the DT has some candy to give away too. Both teams are playing along this week plus Janet who joins us at the end of each month so that’s another 11 prizes to be won.

We would like to have as many prize winners as possible so if your name is drawn for more than one prize we will draw again. That means 22 lucky people will win a prize this week. With so many prize winners we won’t be choosing a top 3 just for this week.

All you have to do to join in the fun is:

• · Play along with this week’s easy and fun challenge
• · Be a follower of Winter Wonderland
• · Visit each member of the DT and collect a letter
• · Leave them a comment and enter their candy draw
• · Rearrange the letters to make a two word Christmas Carol
• · E-mail the answer to Winter Wonderland

Of course you don’t have to join in the blog hop if you don’t want to. You can still enter this week’s challenge and be in with the chance of winning one of the 11 prizes this week but why miss out on doubling your chance of winning.

My Blog Candy

The prize is PaperCraft Inspirations - Birthday Card Ideas magazine.

Papermania - Festive Frolics 8" x 8" paper pack.

Joanna Sheen - Messy Rabbit Messy Kings Stamp.

Tim Holtz -Distress Ink pad Barn Door.

To enter my candy draw you will need to leave me a comment.  You don't need to become a follower but you can do if you like my blog.  The winners will be announced on Sunday 5th June on the Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog.

The letter you need to collect from me is ...........E

The next person on the hop is ........... Miria

The theme for this weeks challenge at Winter Wonderland is A Blue and White Christmas.  So we would like to see a Christmas card or creation using a blue and white theme.

The sponsors I have chosen are Kenny K Downloads

and Sentiments 4 You

Here is my card.

Card Recipe

The digital images I have used are:

 Kenny K - Xmas Shopping.

Sentiments4You - Baby It's Cold Outside.

Dovecraft Design Papers - Winter Wonderland.

Martha Stewart Punch - Snowflake Trim.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hint and Tips

One of the advantages of a digital stamp over a rubber stamp is that you can print your digital image off any size you want.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew: Anything Goes!

Love Linda xxx

Dad's the Word

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 10.5cm x 10.5cm.

Lilli of the Valley Stamp - Dad's the Word.

Echo Park Design Paper - A Walk in the Park.

Sizzix Sizzlit Die - Paint Brush and Pot.

This image was coloured with Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

Don't be afraid to down scale challenge sketches, normally I would make the card 14.5cm x 14.5cm but this one is 10.5cm x 10.5cm.  If the stamped image is to large for the design just use part of it.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Blog: Sketch SSS109.

This card was made for the Penny Circle Card Challenge as you all know I am Penny Black obsessed.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 10.5cm x 10.5cm.

Penny Black Stamp - Hot Pants!

Woodware Stamp - Sentiments.

Doodlebug Design Inc Papers - Assorted.

Woodware Punch - Circle.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

I made this card smaller than I normally make so I could use up my scraps of design papers.

Love Linda xxx

Cheers Bear

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 15cm x 10.5cm.

Lilli of the Valley Stamp - Cheers Bear.

Woodware Stamp - Sentiments.

Doodlebug Designs Inc - Assorted.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die - Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Standard Circles Large.

X-Cut Border Punch - Scallop.

Embellishments from own stash.

The image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

Just because the card is for a man does not mean you have to use blues, browns and dull colours.  If the man in your life loves colours use them on your card.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Mojo Monday Challenge: MOJO192.

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Challenge #74 Lets all go Cute and Cuddly.

Love Linda xxx

Ups and Downs

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I had a great time at the Aintree craft show I am now well and truly spent up.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Penny Black Stamp - Ups and Downs.

Martha Stewart Create Design Paper Pack.

Spellbinders Nestabilities - Reverse Wonky Rectangles.

Woodware Punch - Embossed Buttons.

Joy! Crafts Die - Sewing Machine and Cotton Reel.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Derwent Inktense Watercolour pencils.

Hints and Tips

I have added some embroidery thread to the cotton reel die to give it more dimension.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge: Challenge #152 Fussy and Fancy.

Love Linda xxx

Saturday post

Another Saturday has rolled around and it's finally a sunny and almost hot weekend.
I have been silent a whole week, but if you see what I have done over these five days, you will understand why.
After all that rain we had been flooded again and with my in-laws arriving today there was no time to spare to get the place in livable shape again.
After the installation of a new sump pump I painted the place, put in new linoleum flooring - my husband and I did it ourselves....we made it nice and welcoming, so the basement sleeping quarters are not dingy at all!
Have a look!


Before:

After days of painting, scrubbing and fixing:

Even the hideous dark closet looks good enough to hang some clothes.  

The small orange paint strip near the entrance is a little reminder of what it looked like before and the kids requested this, since we have measured them there against the wall....
I know, looking closely it is still not much to look at, but for now it will do nicely! I am certainly happy with the results. 
Boys, if you read this, you will appreciate it too! The old boiler room has a fresh floor from remnants and looks so much better!

And this reminds me how time flies. The babies we once had under our feet are now at least as toll as I am and look fondly down into the old basement, witness to many a sleepover, family visits and countless play hours and now teen parties. 
We have rooted out all junk, which had piled up, but there are things, which I will keep: many books, some toys, wooden train sets, dolls and bears, games and an old TV set, still doing its duty and even an ancient video player for some of the historic videos....
It has been the labour of love and now I can welcome guests with peace of mind!

It's still a bit of a fish shack, but a bit more loved one!


A happy weekend to you all! Enjoy it! I can't wait to visit all your blogs again! Miss you!


xx
Victoria






All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

P is For? DT Card

It's time for another challenge over at Winter Wonderland. I have some very exciting news Winter Wonderland will be celebrating their 2nd Birthday on the 30th May, so on 27th May we will be having a Birthday blog hop. We have some great prizes lined up hope to see you then.

The challenge for this week was set by Kate she has chosen P is for penguin, pink, purple you get the idea anything beginning with a P, so we want to see a Christmas card or project with something beginning with a P.

Our sponsors for this week are Stitchy Bear Stamps Shop

and Sentiments for You

Wow what great prizes

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Patchwork Kingdom Stamps - Christmas.

Daisy and Dandelion Paper, Stamps - Penelope and Percy.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Snowflake Trim.

Martha Stewart Punch - Snowflake.

Woodware - Snowflake.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

Add a shadow behind you images to ground it.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

CES Challenge Blog: Challenge #36 Holidays.

Love Linda xxx

Quack!

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Penny Black Stamps - Quack, Charmed.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die - Labels One.

Woodware Punch - Buttons, Large Flower, Butterfly.

EK Success Punch - Retro Flower.

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Divine Swirls.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

To add more dimension to the background I embossed the large flowers and added flocking the the middle of the small flowers.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly Challenge: Bloom and Grow.

Truly Scrumptious: Challenge #57 Anything Goes.

Love Linda xxx

Hanging Around

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Nutcrafters on line store - Hanging Around Stamp.

Lilli of the Valley Stamps - Sentiments.

Echo Park Design Papers - A Walk in the Park.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies - Standard Circles Large, Petite Scallop Circles Large.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Vine Leaves.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured with Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

When using a very colourful background paper it is a good idea to use only plain coloured card or paper to cut out embellishments and borders so they will stand out on your design.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Cupcake Craft Challenges: In the Garden.

Sunday Sketch and Stamp: Challenge #55 Emma's Sketch.

A Spoonfull of Sugar: Challenge #152 Anything Goes.

Love Linda xxx

Thursday

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

The Greetings Farm Stamp - Thursday.

Lilli of the Valley Stamp - Sentiments.

DCWV Mat Stack - The Rock Star.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die - Wonky Rectangles, Petite Scalloped Circles Large.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Classic Stars.

Sizzix Medium Sizzlit Die - Star #4.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

I have added Glossy Accents to the buttons on her hat to add more dimension.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Anyone for Anya? Challenge: Teen/Punk Challenge.

Love Linda xxx

Best Outdoor Kitchen Ever?

I get to visit some pretty fabulous houses as a house features writer and stylist, but I don't think I have ever seen such a covetable outdoor kitchen.

Check out the stonework and the number of appliances... and the house itself with its shingled exterior. I love the way the courtyards work together as well. Very nicely done.

Does anyone else have a great outdoor kitchen to share?

Betsy Bluebell

Card Recipe

Card Blank 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Penny Black Stamps - Petals, Betsy Bluebell, Salutations.

This image was coloured with Copic markers for the skin and hair.  The rest of the card was watercoloured with pigment ink.

Hints and Tips

The flowers where stamped with pigment ink, to make the image co ordinate with the flowers I pressed the pigment ink pads onto a clear acrylic block and used it as a paint palette.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge: Week 151 Clean and Simple.

Love Linda xxx

It's the small things

I've promised to post on details this year. It has fallen a bit wayside since we had some large things to take care of... but it always has a special place in my heart. 
This  Sunday is gray and cool and sprinkled with rain, it's the perfect time to muddle around the house and play with details...

I like to create small vignettes, they never last long but give me us pleasure for sometimes a day or two, sometimes for a few weeks. 
The rhododendron is starting to bloom, a time of year which I adore around the house and garden and today I snipped off a small branch and transferred it into a bud vase, filled with florist's foam and a little fresh moss from the garden. 

I soaked the foam for about 10 minutes and it holds enough water to sustain the branch for a day, then I fill in a little more water. I use the foam, because the single branch sits secure without tipping over or out!

On my window ledge I filled an up-cycled milk bottle (spray painted white last year) with all, what my garden has to offer right now: azaleas, honey suckle and lilac. One of the bows from my daughter's gifts for her birthday ended up around it and it resides in a small copper tray, which also holds some stone - a drill core from the works on our walk way a few weeks ago - perfectly round and smooth, two stone hearts given to me by my sisters and a broken cordial glass up side down, covering two turtle doves, old x-mas ornaments from a flea market....

There is also a lock, which I found in the woods and a small votive candle, we have had since I moved first to Manhattan 17 years ago!

All these pieces hold memories, it is that what makes vignettes meaningful. I can only encourage you to do this, your  history comes to live and I for once feel the love of my family and vice versa!
It's a great conversation starter as well...
Near my desk I have a shelf since a few weeks back, which holds my art/design books and my small, but treasured collection of Bjoern Wiinblad ceramics. They sit in perfect harmony with one of my paintings and every time I see it it gives me enormous pleasure. I love the colors and the shapes.

Not far away rests a mask, my youngest son made in fourth grade, I love these colors too! 

In the book shelves in the family room is always space for a small grouping of things from my collections: Small vintage vases and books.

 A tiny angel resting next to gold leaved antique books I found in Brooklyn last year...

And the wicker cloche, laced with tulle used outdoors to protect edible goods from insects rests atop our floor lamp....The rain would ruin it and people who know my house understand that there is little space elsewhere....

It's adorned with a small glass ornament, which I bought from a woman in Jamaica, VT.
She has the most amazing glass blowing shop there. 
Hot Glass Works! Stop by when you happen to find yourself nearby! It's close to Stratton,VT! A great ski resort!

I am sure when you look around your home, you will find many things worthy a little display spot for a while or your latest treasured finds from the garden, a walk in the woods, the flea market last Sunday or a gift to pretty to be stashed away!
There are so many possibilities: glass, drift wood, small collections of every possible things, costume jewelry, silver ware, miniature paintings, pictures or frames...
Fill in the blanks!
This is the sunshine from the inside out! It's all in the details....


Happy Sunday and a sunny week ahead!


xx
Victoria






All pictures by V.Zlotkowski.