Another Snowflake In May

     Another snowflake for May's challenge at Christmas At Sweet Stampin', the challenge is anything seasonal with the optional twist of snowflakes. 
     I wanted to make some more of these in different colours, the last one was teal, but I've only managed to get this one done.....so far.
     Things have been quiet on here for a week or two, my apologies. We all have many things to juggle and I'm happy to say I have just increased mine in a good way. I'm unable to share just now but things will begin to appear soon as it's all starting to take shape.
      Meanwhile the peas are in, the new redcurrant bush is in, the beans are coming up and the courgettes go in tomorrow, weather permitting. I love growing our own food, I'm sure it tastes better. Let's hope it doesn't snow for real!
     

Snowflakes in May

     Where is this year going?! It's May already. It really is time to get those Christmas cards made and we have lots of inspiration for you over at Christmas At Sweet Stampin'.

      Snowflakes are one of my favourite images to use. They are great for masculine, general seasonal and traditional projects.
      Using Sizzix die Ice Flake I cut a shape from snowy acetate, then used alcohol inks to add a little colour to it. Another Ice Flake was cut from white glitter card.
      Sizzix Layered Snowflake was used to cut a shape from mirri card, then embossed with the  folder that comes in the pack.

      All three layers were then put together using Glossy Accents to glue them. I also put a brad through the middle just incase the glue gave out. I didn't have any snowflake brads so I used a silver flower and put a gem in the centre, coloured with an alcohol marker.
      I wanted a mat layer that matched the mirri card but was a little more subtle, so out came the Distress Inks. I have found I can match my layer colours to my project more easily by cutting a white mat and using the inks or pens used in the image to colour the edge that will show.
     The layer directly under the flake has been embossed with snowflakes to add more texture. The main snowflake has been stuck down with red line tape just to make sure it's stuck fast. Only the centre is stuck down, allowing the snowflake to look like it's just resting on the card.
      Please pop over to Christmas At Sweet Stampin' to see all the wonderful snowflake ideas we have for you, you don't have to use a snowflake to join our challenge but it would be fun if you did.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

The 12 Months Of Christmas - #53 Anything Goes, Option-Creature Feature
CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - #436 Anything Goes, Option-Bells
The Holly and Ivy - #49 Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Mondays - Add Something Metallic

Seascape Inktin

     What do you do with an old, dried out ink pad that's not worth trying to revive? Well maybe nothing with the pad, but the tin is a different story. This project is for Altered Eclectics challenge blog as we love anything altered, recycled or mixed media.

   
     It took a bit of brute force to get the pad off the base, only to discover that the base wasn't really going to be of much use, so that went in the metal recycle bin.
     The lid has many possibilities as it's a nice silver tray about half an inch deep. After peeling the label off the lid I used some Sticky Stuff Remover to get all the glue off, leaving it nice and clean.
     To be able to pop it on the fridge I added a strip of Stix2 self adhesive magnetic tape on the outside.

      To decorate the inside I used Alcohol Inks in shades of blue, ready for my seascape.
      The weed and creatures are all made with hot glue in a silicone mould, this means they are slightly flexible which is very handy when sticking them on a curve.
      The shapes were painted with a mix of acrylic and pearl paints, then stuck into the tin with hot glue. The addition of a few shells collected on various outings completed the tin.
      If you have anything altered, recycled or mixed media then please come over to Altered Eclectics and join us, we would love to see what you've made.