Attempting to get to grips

Well, I've spent the best part of the day trying to get to grips with how to blog. I wasn't happy that all the photos were taking up most of the page, so everything else was relegated to the bottom of the page. It took all morning, but I finally managed to change everything.

Then I decided I'd seen some great backgrounds, but couldn't find the ones I really liked, so I asked Rachel (Critchley Creations) where she found hers & she pointed me in the direction of a fab site.

Now I had the problem of which one to choose - & how to use it on my blog. I was stuck on 1 point, but luckily my eldest daughter came to the rescue & pointed out my minor mistake. :-) So huge thanks to Rachel & my daughter for rescuing me, & I hope you like the backgound I've chosen.

Now, since I've spent most of the day either sorting out my blog, or cooking, I haven't managed to do any of the crafting I had hoped to do today :-(  Never mind, there's always another day.

First tentative steps

Resist brayering.

Resist brayering technique used for background & sentiment (SU stamps). Foreground was stamped using SU & Clarity stamps. Sponging technique used to colour stamped image.

Surfing Edwin.

Can you guess I'd bought some new Tilda stamps, I was enjoying the nautical theme! I stamped Edwin, then cut him out & placed him on the stamped Magnolia background.

Tilda on bathing ring.

I stamped Tilda, then masked her & stamped the bathing ring. Made for a swap on a forum

Pier Tilda

Tilda stamped, masked, then the pier was stamped. I wanted to create an illusion of waves, so embossed some blue card with a CB folder, then wiped a white ink pad over it before cutting it up into wave shapes. The red card with embossed writing was used to represent a postcard - hence the sentiment I chose to use.

My second attempt at brayering.

I was pleased by my first attempt, but know I need more practise, so I had another go..

My first attempt at brayering.

I was inspired by watching Barbara Grey doing a demo on Create & Craft. I'd never seen this type of demo before, but had a go myself & this was the result.

Made for a colleague who's into sci fi.

Commissioned by friends.

Made as a display model when I did a craft fayre.

Cuttlebugged acetate.

Made by embossing acetate with a CB embossing folder, the card behind was also embossed & sprayed with Glimmer Mist.

Penny Black Bunnies, made for a friend who likes rabbits.

Springy card I made for a friend's wedding anniversary.

Single tier nappy cake I made for my cousin's baby.

Hi, thanks for taking the time to join me in my first tentative steps into the world of blogging!

I am Noreen & I took my first papercrafting steps 5 years ago. I've learnt many skills, & made many friends from this absorbing hobby since then, but still have much to learn. I think it's fascinating how many different techniques there are, & how our skills are constantly evolving.

I was both thrilled & scared when my youngest sister asked me to make her wedding stationery in 2008, & to give her away. I was very honoured to be asked to do both, & we shared a wonderful day with her & her husband.

I mainly make cards for my own purposes & have been asked to make a few bespoke cards. I have made a couple of scrapbook pages of my children's younger years, & would like to do more when time allows.

I will post pictures of some of the cards etc that I have made on here when time allows.