For My Sister in Law to be

My brother gets married in September to his girlfriend Sharon.

I wanted to give her a little keepsake from me as we get on so well and i love her dearly.

So today i made her this little blingy bracelet and i am going to ask her if she will wear it on her wedding day as her something Blue.

If she already has something Blue i will say No Problem Darling just wear it as something borrowed and give it me back later haha.

This is the first beaded bracelet that i have ever made and i have really enjoyed the process.

Hope you all like it.

Smiles.

Robert.

ATCs I Just Cant Part With

I know how sad is that but sometimes i make an ATC and just dont want to part with it.
Sometimes its the colours i have used others its the image and sometimes i have just loved the process and discovered new ways of using things.
So now i always make a second one and that way it doesnt hurt when you have to say goodbye to a beloved ATC haha.

Here are a few of my favorite ATCs and they may not be everybodys cup of tea but i loved making them.

Its the little things like mona lisa leaning out of the window to have a quick puff of her cigarette and the smoke trailing away in the wind ( i wander if she really did do that can you imagine hehe).

So there you go a few of my favorites and i bet im not the only one who makes duplicates or am i.

Marc Anthony

518584185_8cb5b5c4dd_m
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

An Atc i made ages ago and made 2 because i wanted one to keep.
Its supposed to symbolise Marc Anthony in one of Cleopatras rooms of her palace waiting to see her reaction when she see's a large emerald he has left on her pillow as she sleeps.
The stories we weave when making ATCs haha

Another Challenge from Lori

My friend in Australia Lorri asked me if i would join in the challenge again on her blog http://auslorri.blogspot.com/.

This time its a photo of her mom and dad in the 1950s heres the pic

So i thought id send them both off on a little trip to Italy and add a bit of colour to them.

I really enjoyed this challenge and hope Lorri likes what i have done.

Heres the pic after i altered it

Let me know what you think too.

Smiles.

Robert.

My Gran

Heres a page from a memory book i am doing about my family history.

My Gran was an amazing woman and i didnt get the time i would have liked to have had with her.

She was the UKs top woman stilt walker and apparently had a pair of stilts she had to get out of the bedroom window to use (how amazing is that i just love it).

Her Mother and Father eloped, as my great grandma was a lady and my great grandpa was a shepherd and couldnt read or write.

And her uncle came and gave her a bag of sovereigns to keep her and her 7 children going.

I have used the new spellbinders wizard dies to make this page.The flower i have made using the nested Peony die and the pages that tell her story are made using the negetive parts of the grand 12" heirloom scroll border.I have done it so that each layer opens as a page and you can read my memories of my Gran.

Valentine ATCs

Heres a few Valentine ATCs i made today.

The stamped images are by invoke art stamps get them here http://www.onceuponastamp.co.uk/

I also used distress inks acetate and gold flake.

I am going to put them on my flickr site later for trade so if you would like to trade go here

www.flickr.com/photos/thornycourt/

Thanks for looking.

A GOOD READ

i read this book in one sitting on the plane to America.

Its not really the kind of book i go for but the first few words just got me curious and i had to buy it

These are the words that start the story.

'Excuse me sir, but may i be of assistance.

Ah i see i have alarmed you.

Do not be frightened by my beard.

I am a lover of America...'

As soon as i had read the first page i was hooked. It is a very gripping story and it really stopped me from being bored on the plane. I recommend this to anyone who loves to see into other peoples lives and loves a book they just cant put down.

Here Come The Girls

My friend Lori from Australia has put a photo up on her blog asking her visitors to change it any way they choose.

I decided to do a digital collage and this is how it turned out.

I did it all with paint shop pro ultimate x2. It is a brilliant programme if you are new to photo manipulation and a good price too.If you buy it at the moment you get a free 2 gigabite flash drive with it.

Back to life and snow and jetlag

Well today is the best ive felt since coming back from L.A as i have had the worst jet lag ever.

Its the first day i havnt had a fuzzy head and have done everthing right without making mistakes and feeling hungover without having a drink haha.

What did we do on our day off in L.A ? we decided to go to the zoo in the morning and then Santa Monica in the afternoon.We had a fab time and the weather was gorgeous.

Arrived home on Thursday evening and went and collected Harry from his aunty Margarets, the welcome we got was wonderful as i had really really missed him so much.

Spent eleven hours on Friday catching up with internet orders and sending them all out and then we packed the van with goodies for the Stevenage show.

So the weekend saw Gordon at the show and Harry and i at the shop how we did it i just dont know .

Then on Suday the snow started and Harry was fascinated by it.He absolutely loves it and you cant keep him in.

The pictures above are of the entrance to the Zoo, Santa Monica Pier and Santa Monica Boulivard.

Harry in the park,Pleasley Nature reserve which is a two minute walk from the shop and a snow scene in the cemetary just up the road from where we live.

So i think ive caught up with everything now and am going to have a very large Gin and Tonic (hic)

Another Fun Day

Its just gone 1.00 in the morning and i am still buzzing from the fabulous day we have had today,meeting new people and finding some fab new and unusual products that i know my ladies and gents will just love.

Yesterday i met a fab ladie called Misty and i had to go and ask if i could take a few pics of her Junque Journal which she had made using scraps and envelopes,music sheets etc and heres a pic of Misty and her journal The papers and embellishments are by K & Co and we will definately be having some

Now the next collage is of some friendly plastic samples made by a Jana Ewy on the Amaco stand.She shared some wonderful tips and techniques with me and i cant wait to share them with you when i get back.The Jewellery and book covers were just amazing.

Not far from Jana we met two more ladies who inspired us no end with their creativity and knowledge here is another collaged photo of what they were making and wow this stuff is amazing but its a surprise and i will tell you more about it when it arrives here in the UK.

We found some more interesting things but i am not going to put everything up or you will have nothing to look forward to when we get back to the shop and also at the shows.

Finally we went and had a natter and some fun with the girls at Spellbinders.The new dies are just wonderful and the girls are so creative with them they are always coming up with fabulous ideas.Heres two fun photoes to finish off tonights entry of Gordon and i on the Spellbinders stand

Well after two gruelling but interesting days we have finally looked at all of the trade show and placed our many orders.Tomorrow we are having an exploring day but not quite sure what we will do yet.I would like to go Whale watching but Gordon wants to go to San Diago Zoo so depending on the weather and what time we get up anything is possible.

I will try and post tomorrow and tell you what we eventually decided to do then.

Smiles Robert

Hi From Anaheim

Well happy new year and here we are in Anaheim at the CHA trade show to see all the new goodies that are coming our way in the papercraft world.

This was part of my walk to the CHA yesterday morning and it really made a change from the weather at home.

These are the 24 new lites and brights alcohol inks from Ranger plus a pen to let you paint with them too.I cant wait to play with these.

These were a few samples on the ranger stand that caucht my eye, Grungeboard and other inksential items done Tim style of coarse.

And heres the bigger picture showing some of the other things on the sample board.

We have found some interesting new items today to go with things we already sell and i think our customers are going to love them but we are going to keep them all a surprise until they arrive at the shop sometime next month hopefully.
Tomorrow we are going to see our friends at Spellbinders and have a good natter with them as they were a little busy today as you can imagine.
See you tomorrow with more pics and gossip from Anaheim.
Smiles Rob and Gordon
P.S we are reallllllllly missing Harry and cant wait to get home to him.

Altered Mirror

Altered Mirror
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

Made this mirror for the big craft show at the NEC i the UK.
Its made of all odds and ends i usually put to one side or throw away.
Anyway lots of people commented on it for the two days i was there so i am making a few for Christmas presents.
The NEC was amazing this year considering there is suposed to be a recession.
Anyway we have been so busy since then getting the new shop ready for our grand opening next weekend i havnt had time to blog till now.

Musical vamp

Musical vamp
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

THis is the ATC i have entered for TMTATC challenge.
The theme this week is Purple which is one of my favorite colours.
Hope you like it.

Nestabilities Board 1

Nestabilities Board 1
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

Myself and two of my dearest friends Di and Jean have been working hard for the past week designing some sample boards for the paper craft show at the NEC Birmingham UK as the other boards were getting a bit shabby looking with all the travelling around they do.
This is the first Christmas board we made up and it shows how you can use the spellbinders dies on their own or combined with rubber stamps and scrapbooking papers.
If you come to the NEC you will see how fabuluos they really look in real life.

Nestabilities Board 2

Nestabilities Board 2
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

This board combines samples that our customers have sent in and isnt their work terrific.
Thank you ladies and your names will be put under your cards tomorrow so that people at the exhibition can see who made them.

Nestabilities Board 3

Nestabilities Board 3
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

Third board shows work by Di and Jean and other customers who have sent us sample to the shop.
Thank you girls and your names will go under your cards tomorrow ready for the exhibition.

And the winner is

blog candy winner is
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

Lucky Dolls 123.
You are the first name to be pulled out of the old ciggy tin.
The blog candy is yours and i will contact you straight away.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and stay tuned for another giveaway soon as we have the NEC craft show at the end of this week and i am sure to have more blog candy after that.
Thanks again for joining in and three cheers for Luckydolls 123.
Smiles Rob xxx

Goddess Art Pin ATC

Goddess Art Pin ATC
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

THis is my entry for both TMTATC and Wednesday stampers.
The theme this week is Angels so i thought this was quite fitting.
The instructions to make this is on the artquest website as i was asked to be artist of the month a while ago.
Art pin ATC made using Rubber stamps,stampbord,Metal,inks coloured pencils ,gel pens,lumieres,brads and rhinestones.
THe Background is a Stampboard ATC which i have painted and then rubbed distress inks onto.
I left it unstamped so that the art pin is prominant.

Queen of the Nile

Queen of the Nile
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

My entry for Tuesday Challenge.
The theme this week is Black and Brown tones.
I made this ATC some time ago but it fits the theme.
hope you like it.
Will post more pages of my moulin rouge boook soon as this week has been hectic with new deliveries,getting things ready for the NEC craft show in Birmingham.Making lots of new samples with the new frameabilities,nestabilities,borderabilities and grandeborder dies for the wizard and getting everything written down on paper for our two day grand opening of our new shop on December the 6th and 7th.
I will tell you more nearer the date.

Blog Candy give away

Blog Candy give away
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

Hi everybody no moulin rouge page tonight as i am still tired after the papercraft show at Doncaster yesterday.These are some of the embelishments i was making on our stand.They are made with friendly plastic,shrink plastic,pinata alhohol inks and krylon pens.
If you would like the chance of owning them then just leave a comment and i will randomly select the person next monday.
You dont have to live in the UK this is open to everyone in blogland.
smiles and good luck
Robert

la moulin rouge 3

la moulin rouge 3
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

second page of the book depicts one of the artistes just putting the finishing touches to her makeup before her evening performance.
Still not completely finished but i will add more to it later.
I am really enjoying doing this and keep thinking about the next page while working on the current one.
Im off to demo at a papercraft show in Doncaster tomorrow so it will probably be Monday evening before i can do another page but i will put it up as soon as its ready.
Thanks for dropping by
Smiles Robert

la moulin rouge2

la moulin rouge2
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

First page in the book
This depicts one of the showgirls performing her act.
Used Nestabilities and cutlebug dies through the wizard machine.Grungeboard,distress and pinata alchohol inks,friendly plastic moulded keyhole,peeloffs and krylon gold pen.
Its not completely finished but i will add to it as and when.

la moulin rouge grungeboard book

la moulin rouge grungeboard book
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

OK i havnt posted in ages but i really have been busy.
Have just been enjoying having a dog again and of course we are moving our shop to bigger and better premises so that is taking a load of our time and i am enjoying every minute of it.
Loads of new things arrived at the shop today and when i saw the grungeboard books i just had to have one and start playing.
Used grungeboard,oval nestabilities,distress inks,cuttlebug folders,krylon pen.
Good to be back in blogland.
Love and smiles Robert

Meet Harry our new baby

This is Harry who has come to live with us and we are so happy.
Harry is a Cockapoo a cross with a cocker spaniel and a poodle.
He is 12 weeks old and we have had him for almost two weeks.
Our lives have been so empty since we lost Barnie last December and now having Harry around its just brightened our world up and we are all getting along just fine.
He is a lovely little charactor so playful bouncy and loving.
We named him after Gordons grandpa who sadly passed away a few weeks ago.
I have just put our names down for puppy training classes which we start in two weeks time
so i will keep you informed on how we are doing

What ive been doing

Havnt posted since April as ive been really busy gardening.

Wanted to grow my own veg this year so in March i turned the conservatory into a greenhouse and started all my seeds off.

As you can see from the picture they all did really well and had sprang to life by mid April.

Last October Gordon made me three raised

beds on the walled side of the garden as it was a bit of a mess and needed something doing to it. We also took the old paving slabs up and made a pebbled area and behind the beds we made a woodbark area so we could add fruit bushes.
As you can see in the pictures its really looking good and im so proud of my little veg and fruit patch,I have used one bed for strawberrys only and next month they should be ready for eating.

The middle bed has runner beans,kidney beans,French beans,peas,carrots and mooli a large indian radish that is fab raw or cooked.

The last bed has pac choi,lettuce,brussels sprouts,brocoli,radish,oions,garlic and beetroot.

In front of the kitchen i have tomatoes,courgettes,and herbs growing.

Witches ATC

Coven
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

The theme this week on TMTATC is Walpurgisnacht which i think in English means Night of the Witches,but im not sure.
I just love these old crones swapping spells over a nice cup of tea they look as if they wouldnt hurt a fly.

3D Mermaid ATC

Mermaid ATC
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

Made this for the TMTATC challenge
This weeks theme is Mermaids and Water Sprites.
My ATC background is made using card,twinkling H2os,and deep image crystal clear glazing crystals.
Although the back is wavy it is still ATC size and looks like the ocean floor.
The Mermaid face is made of friendly pastic,with beads,charms and rayon threads.
A little different i know but i was in a 3D collagey mood and i hope you like her.

Monas Cat

Monas Cat
Originally uploaded by Eclectic Storm

Made this for the tag you r it challenge group.The challenge this week was to make a tag using no stamping.
Ive used clipart,tassels,peeloffs,bindi,s and ive used one of the air dry clay molds i made earlier today,Its the one that came out all raggedy which i love.
The background is a peice of card that i have used Pinata alcohol inks on and i much prefer the colours of these to the ranger ones they seem to stand out more,
Anyway thanks for looking and i hope you like it.

Molding Madness

Found some old molds i made ages ago as i was rumaging round this morning, so got my Makins Clay out (terracotta) and pushed some in the molds.

As you can see i started to run out when i got to the chat noir mold so two of them are going to look nice and tattered.

I will show you how they come out when they are dry and i have coloured them.

LAST WEEKEND AT ALLY PALLY

SATURDAY
Gordon and i were at the Ally Pally papercraft show selling our wares and we had a great time as usual.A big hello to Marina and Mary it was lovely to see you both again.

The samples above were made by our friend Jayne using our Rubber stamps,Twinkling H2os and twinkling H20 solution that enhances the colours even more and enables you to paint onto acetate plastic glass and other shiny surfaces.
Jayne demonstrated this product for us and we sold out of the 200 bottles we took with us in a day and a quarter.
Thanks Jayne for helping us this weekend we really enjoyed your company.

SUNDAY
Another great day and the highlight of it for me was meeting Linda and her friends.
Linda was really upset because she couldnt get her friendly plastic to do friendly things and always ended up in a mess.
So i sat her down in front of everybody and took her through it step by step and she was fabulous and so was the brooch she made.
We worked out the problems she had been having was caused through overheating the plastic, which i dont think she will do again now shes got the hang of it.