Happy Sunday!

I thought I'd take a moments to share my weekend makes - I've got a major love for blue 'n brown combo's, as you can see! Yummy...

"Out of difficulties grow miracles" - what a lovely sentiment.

Shame you can't see the embossing on here, however I'm getting better I think!

xxx

Is it October yet?

I know we have only just hit the August bank holiday, however my thoughts are already turning to Halloween - I *love* autumn, and Halloween really tops it off! I only wish I lived in America, where Halloween is celebrated properly - we just don't know how to get in to the holiday spirit in the UK!

Here is hopefully the first of a few Halloween cards I'll make - we'll see what time will allow!

Hope you like it!

Hugs

Laura

Happy Birthday to ya!

Oh my gosh, I just realised that I have a ton of crafty makes that have never been blogged! I'm going to set that right, so here is a blog catch up...

Hubby Shaun had his birthday at the end of June - he's a massive Wolverine fan, and loves gaming, so I combined the two!

The template for the game controller came from one of my craft mags (can't remember which one, I'll update this if I do!), and the little TV is a drawing of the LG wide screen in our front room - Shaun's pride and joy lol! I was even able to find a screen freeze of the new Wolverine game, so it looks like the card is mid-game. The 'happy birthday' sentiment is even in the official Xbox 360 font typeface lol.

I was *so* pleased with how this turned out, however if I was making it again I would probably use a patterned paper behind the controller.




This cute little card was made for my friend Nichola, who gave birth a few weeks ago to her gorgeous little girl - Millie.

I love the baby girl ribbon so much, it's so cute! It's funny how yummy pink and brown can look together.







I made this card for a very special person, Phill at Honeypot crafts. I tried my best to make a really nice card, as Phill is so clever and kind of my papercraft hero!

I used a Stampin' Up Top Note die cut shape for the base of this card - I love this shape so much, but sadly the die is only avaliable in America! I managed to get a few cuts from ebay, and think I'll get some more as I love this card!

I went for a banoffi cupcake theme - I hope it doesn't look too feminine?

Last, but not least, this is the card I created for my little sisters 26th Birthday. Like me, Karen is in denial, so I went for a '21 again' sentiment.

I got the idea for flipflops from a crafty swap that was taking place at artrageousafternoon - such fun! I used my massive size 8 flipflops as a template, and even used red corragated card to make the bases look as real as possible! They were really fun to make, and I've included a close up of the flower embellishments below. I went crazy with the stickles, I'm new to this brand of glitter glue but I now love it! :D

Anyway, that's it for now - please excuse the long post!

Blog Candy!

I'm now fully addicted to a number of amazing card designers, all of whom are giving away some amazing Blog Candy that I would love to win. You can find them all below:

http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/2009/08/thank-you-collab-blog-candy.html
http://fluttabyz.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-blog-candy-giveaway-gorjuss-girls.html
http://thecraftyden.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-candy-timeat-last.html
http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/2009/07/yay-its-official-we-are-back-thank-you_28.html

I'd love to win something, wouldn't you?

Hugs

Laura
xxx

A fab new blogger a day...

keeps me a happy chappy! Check out the awesome makes from the lovely Jodie at teeth and snarlz - snap up a cuddly pal today!

Pay It Forward Fun!

I can't tell you how excited I was when I spied this fantastic post from one of my favourite bloggers, and creative persons, Sarah at theothermousie

"I was on Twitter yesterday when someone who I've only just started to follow twittered the following... ' Pay It Forward game over on Woollywotnots' - now I've seen this on other blogs - but never been given the chance to get involved before - so obviously I leapt at it! I popped straight over to Woollywotnots (great site with lots & lots going on - plenty to get involved with & keep you occupied) & put my name down! Can you imagine making 5 special gifts for 5 special fellow bloggers - spreading some crafty crafting love around? Sounds fab doesn't it?"

Yes it indeed did sound fab, so I've put my name down and I hope I am lucky enough to be selected for the PIF game. Either way, I thought I'd try my own, so, as Sarah explains, here come the rules:

I am entering into the following contract with the first 5 people who comment on this post and then commit to do the same on their blog.

Just read below and if you feel up to the task copy the following into your blog and leave me a comment.

I am willing to post overseas (I am in England UK, but remember you must commit on your blog to do the same to others).

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber.
5. I reserve the right to do something strange or weird.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you.

Welcome to everyone. I will however, make an effort to do something that you like based on what I see on your blog, BUT there are no guarantees.

Are you up for it?

Laura
x

Charity tablecloth weights...

Tablecloth weights, requested by my boss, and a lot of fun to make!

Happy Birthday Keiara - for tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the birthday of one of my favourite people, stunning Keiara! I decided to hand craft K's gifts as I know she loves it when people invest a bit of time and effort into gifts. I've posted below my 'makes' - I'm no artist, but luckily she loved them!

(note: it's safe to post pics today, as I got overexcited and blackmailed her into opening her birthday package last night, two days early! Bad Laura! ;) )




This moody little lady is clearly not impressed with the monster - perhaps Frankenstein can whip her up a new beau?








Sparkling angel is the nickname I have for K, and this is my attempt at replicating her gorgeous chest tattoo. For want of a better word lets call it a collage!

Charity sale makes continue...

So I'm still going strong with the charity makes - I've made a selection of bracelets and button earrings (hurrah for the glue gun!) and I'm continuing to make some cute little broaches - I thought I'd post the most recent, my 'lil mushroom, which I swear looks so much cuter in real life!

Sweet 'n Sour

I'm currently creating some items that I plan to sell to raise some money for a little boy who has been diagnosed with cancer of the eye. I'm planning on doing this in my workplace, and therefore I know I need to produce some cute items to appeal to the girls in the office.

I thought I'd share my first make - a little tweaty blue bird!

Photography classes anyone?

I just thought I'd share my latest card craft - an anniversary card requested by my mum for my dad to mark their 35th Wedding Anniversary (and their vows renewal!)

Sadly I just can't take a good photo, however here you go...

Lions and Tigers, only in Kenya!

Saturday's blog is being brought forward due to wedding festivities at the weekend, as I introduce you to two furry pals of mine, based on the Lions and Tigers cartoon on http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/kenya/. Hilarious!

When I fall in love...

So next weekend is the big day for my mum and day - the renewal of their wedding days after 35 years of marriage.

When they tied the knot the first time round my parents were in a very different situation than they are now, having been brought up by typical working class 1950's families. It was the 70s and things were so different to how they are now - both my parents worked really hard but they just couldn't afford the kind of things we take for granted now. So there they were, married in a registry office service, followed by a small budget reception and a short honeymoon in the UK!
Fast forward 30 years, and life is very different for my parents. They are now in a position to afford to do everything exactly as they want to, and I can't wait to share their special day.

As a memento of the event my mum asked me to make some jewellery for my sisters - which I duly made and passed over this week, foolishly forgetting to photograph them! But never fear, I decided to make my mum a matching piece as a surprise, which I have been able to capture with my crappy photography skills.







I took two photo's, one with and one without the flash, so you can get an idea of both the design and the colours (I do wonder why I can't get the hang of providing both in one photo!). The GORGEOUS handmade lampwork focal came from the uber talented Keiara Wells - thanks love!

Wedding Favours

In two weeks time my parents will be renewing their wedding vows - romantic indeed, and this time around they are treating themselves to all the lovely things they couldn't afford first time round - the lovely church wedding, the fancy hotel, the Italian honeymoon.

I loved my own wedding, and one thing that I really enjoyed doing was making favours. So as you can imagine I jumped at the chance to make some table decorations for my parents bash!

Mum wanted a lilac theme, which was dainty and sweet, so I decided to make the most of my new butterfly punches, and this is what I came up with!

A very busy weekend indeed!

Howdy all! I've had a fab weekend so far thanks to the fantastic company of Gothmummy (lol) yesterday and a belated Mother's Day treat...

So I bought tickets for me and mum to go and see Marty Pellow in the Witches of Eastwick yesterday afternoon. The show was fab, and mum commented that it was nice to have a mother's day treat that actually involved doing something together. That struck a chord with me, and I'm now resolving to do activity gifts with mum and dad where I can in the future.

So not much crafting has taken place, although I have started some bits today which I might post later on if I get chance. I did, however, want to share with you my new obsession... Vintage Wallpaper.















I bought some lovely VWP from Spinsters Emporium a while ago, which I have used to make some lovely note cards. Originally I had planned to add some embellishments to the front of the cards, but I just love the print so much that I'm going to leave a whole bunch of them blank! :D

Happy Birthday Lil... from Jareth

The last birthday card for a while - the Labyrinth inspired worm :D "Ello!"

Cupcake Gift Tags

Happy Easter... and the birthdays continue!

Happy Easter everyone! This year I thought I'd make the effort to give Easter cards and gifts to my mum and sisters. They all got a swiftly put together Easter card, and something cute. Karen, the bunny fiend, got the cutest bunny pendant made with a bunny bead by Keiara Wells. I love it!








Today is also my big sister, Claire's birthday. I gave her this gorgeous geisha girl card - I was taught how to make this at Honeypotts a few weeks ago, and I personalised it for Claire with a cute photo and personal message. It took hours to make but she really liked it, so I'd say it was worth the effort!

Sunday's child...

I've just put the finishing touches to my nephew's birthday card, and there's something a little fishy about this little fella!

Birthday card, the first of many

Here's an early post this week as I might not get chance to pop on the blog on Saturday. I'm very excited as Lyndsey will be coming round to play on Saturday day time - I get to show off all my crafting goodies and learn some new tricks from Lyndsey - hurrah! :D

So here are a couple of photos of a recently created birthday card for Kelly - I'm enjoying using punches, I just need to work on my techniques. I wonder how much practice I'll need to get good at this stuff!

Card craft gallore

I've made a few things recently that I am dying to share with you, however as they relate to upcoming birthdays/gifts I can't do it and risk spoiling the impact for their recipient (don't read into that anything like I think they're good, I just don't like people seeing things before I'm ready). So, to tide this blog over, I thought I would post a pic of an Easter basket made at my craft class yesterday at Honeypotts:

Hold on, it's not saturday?!

We interrupt the scheduled program to report on a Sunday night make - the 'I gave you my heart... go on, take it... ewww you touched it!' pin!

Apologies for the ferocious flash - the red is slightly darker than shown (but not by much)!

Over and out...

The craft space is getting a bit of a clear out today, as I'm hoping to spend tomorrow making something interesting - no idea what yet! It may, however, involve some of the wonderful new stamps I have purchased over the last few weeks from the fabulous SugarSkull7. I've put pictures below for you to peruse - they're just GORGEOUS!

I love these two spooky stamps - they work really well black on white, however I think I'll need to get creative to make the most of them! I love how clearly they stamp - something that you often don't get with big brand stamps! Simple, but ridiculously effective.









The majestic peacock is one of my favourite feathered friends, and the detail on this stamp is really clear and delicate. I think I'll post this stamp again when I get my hands on a nice dark blue ink - the pale blue really doesn't do it justice when photographed.

The tiny little bird is really sweet (great, I think, for adorning little letters and gift tags), and I love the happy hound chasing his very own star.



Right, well that's it from me for today, I'm off to tidy my creative mess and treat myself to a little vodka. Is it bad that I need vodka incentive to clean? ;)

Laura
x

Happy Saturday!

I've only ever made one greetings card that I have been really, really proud of (see Mariocard below), and in that instance it was the super cute needle felted mushroom pin that thrilled me, not the card itself.
I've been making Confirmation cards for David's church which turned out pretty good, and I set myself a bit of a challenge for Mother's Day this year, as I wanted to make something really dainty with a nice vintage image.

So here is my effort - mum really liked it so I suppose mission accomplished!

Whoops...

I have a perfectly good reason for missing my saturday blogging spot this week - it was my birthday!

Normal service will resume next week ;)

The Saturday blog

I quite like the idea of blogging on a Saturday. It's an achievable target, and I think something I can probably convince myself to keep up with - after all, it's once once a week, see? Even I can do something that only requires effort once a week. The nice thing about this is that I can save up all the highlights and best bits from my week, and exclude all the rubbish that I'd rather forget (and there is plenty of that if this week is anything to go by!).

So, this weeks 'top picks'
- catching up with my American starlet, Keiara - this girl is a seriously talented lampwork artist, and I have *tons* of her gorgeous beads. It had been a while since we had talked, and I kept her yapping for nearly two hours! I love the way some people bring out the babbler in me.

- getting through some tough deadlines at work - it's been a mad week but I broke down a few barriers with some senior people and wow did that feel good! It's great to do such a varied and influential role at work, and I love having the opportunities to speak at conferences and what-not, but even I still get nervous around the bigwigs back at the office!

- getting sign off for my fab course - Certificate in Training Practice, which will get me membership to a professional body for Training - I'm so pleased that my work are supporting this, but I'm also really nervous as it's going to be really hard work. Still, at only a year long, it's worth the effort!

- having a great time at my scrapbook class with Phill at honeypot crafts, who has just started a brilliant blog with tutorials for all the amazing cards he designs. The classes I attend (when I actually turn up - sorry again Phill!) are a lot of fun, and it's great for me to try and be disciplined about my work. Phill's shop is also one of my favourite places - there's always something new I just have to take home with me!

Scrapbooking has become a new hobby of mine courtesy of Phill - I really like the idea of saving important memories. I'm really rubbish at it right now, but like everything I will get better, and as a challenge to myself I thought I'd show you my first scrapbook changes now, and then update you with the finished product when it's done!

So, without further ado...

'A true friend is someone who knows you're a good egg even if you're a little cracked.'

Laura, the social butterfly... ;)

I'm really struggling to get my head around this blog thing - I'm spending literally hours each week wandering through the hundreds of inspiring blogs leaving no time for me to write anything of my own. Saying that, I would never have time to turn this into the kind of blog that people actually read, so perhaps I don't need to update this particularly regularly.

I do, however, enjoy sticking pictures up here, so here's one from something I've been doing this weekend - I don't think it's finished yet (I always say that don't I?) but this is it for now.

Bertie the Blue Whale

One of my favourite things to do is to make finger puppets for my lovely nephew, Thomas.

As I'm visiting Claire, David and Thomas in Preston tomorrow I thought I had better take someone special with me, so this morning I made Bertie the Blue Whale! I hope TJ likes him.



In other news, the Healthcare at Home nurse visited Shaun today, to supervise his first injection of his new medication. Everything went very well, and Shaun was very brave so I was super impressed! Here's hoping it's the miracle treatment we've been promised.

All in all, a pretty good valentine's day, so I'm sending love to anyone who can be bothered to read this. x

Laura

Happy Valentine's Day!

This year I decided to take inspiration from my America and make something sweet for my mum and sisters for valentine's day. Here are the results!

I'm glad I took the trouble, as it's been a hard week for the family. My lovely brother-in-law, David, was taken into hospital on Tuesday night - luckily he is mostly ok now, but it caused a lot of worry and trauma to the family who are all very relieved now!

Safe to say that Claire deserved her gingham posy (shown with the heart sewn mini card) with it's shiny vintage button. I haven't had much time to craft this week, but I like them!

I left my heart under the willow tree

Well, this is my first attempt at painting something... I'm not even sure if painting is the right description. I'm not sure if it's finished yet.

Shaun liked it.

So there :p

(amazing heart stamp) by Sugarskull7

Laura Southam...powered by ktshortcake

Let the bad out... allrightythen!

Katie you're a star...

Exciting new news!

So! I've been a really busy girl this weekend - I consider this a weekend of beginnings.

What is a beginning? The start of something significant, perhaps a time at which barriers are broken, tigers are tamed, and confidence is found.

I finally settled on a brand name for my craft creations - interestingly it was staring me in the face as its the user name I have used for the last 5 years... GothHoney.

GothHoney pretty much sums up the contradiction that is me and the things I create - the sweet and sour of cute trinkets, cupcakes and fluffy bunnies contrasted with accessories that embody the dark moodiness of gothic/pychobilly styling. Think cupcakes, with an eyeball instead of a cherry. I've quickly realised that I don't need to justify or pigeon-hole myself - if I like it, I like it!

So, I have officially registered my webiste domain names (www.gothhoney.co.uk & www.gothhoney.com) and have started creating my Etsy shop (www.gothoney.etsy.com). I'm looking for an artist to design a logo for me (if I can't crack this myself by the end of next week), and will hopefully be listing some stuff for sale in the next four weeks. If nothing else, it will be worth a try so I can say I did.

I've also used my photo printer for the first time this week, as I'm going to a scrapbooking class on Saturday at the fabulous Honeypot Crafts in Nottingham (www.honeypotcrafts.co.uk). I'm going to make a Christmas scrapbook for starters, however my main motivation for this is to spend a bit of time picking up scrapbooking hints from a professional, before attempting my parents re-wedding scrapbook in May. That one's got to be good!!

As I mentioned yesterday, I have a fab time with Nic and several cups of Tea on Saturday, which we're hoping to do again in a few weeks time. Who knew coffee could be so exciting ;). I like spending as much time as possible talking about arts and crafts, as it keeps me motivated!

Before I finish this blog I had better give a 'shout out' (don't laugh) to two of my favourite ladies - Katie at www.ktshortcake.blogspot.com and Keiara at www.bykeiara.blogspot.com.

Katie is an amazing artist, specialising in Paint and Textiles, and is the crazy lady onto who's shoulder I cry whenever I need a cup of tea. Katie is also teaching me how to use the sewing machine (I'm a hand stitcher at heart) among other things! Katie inspires me every time I visit, and I always come away from her home having learnt something new and fabulous! I have a Katie original hanging on my wall, and there are more for you to buy on Etsy!

Keiara is a mindblowing lampwork artist and jewellery designer, an American lass with a heart of gold - and tattoo's a plenty! Keiara taught me how to make jewellery, and generally gives me support and encouragement with all my crazy crafting! If you do nothing else you should check out the glass beads previewed on her site - they are quite frankly amazing, and I have many! I particularly love the new range of fishies - a must have! If you love glass, jewellery and unique trinkets you will love www.bykeiara.co.uk

Anyway, that's all for now - there's more printing to do!

Laura
xxx

A fun day out with a happy ending

I had a lovely time in Nottingham with Nic and Dan this afternoon - we mooched about in a coffee shop and had a good catch up, something I've missed without realising it. Nic is pregnant at the moment and loving it - I get so excited when my friends get pregnant - I get to coo over their babies without having to actually take them home - bonus! I was also excited to hear about Nic's artist tendency - it's funny how long you can know someone yet still discover new things.

I popped into a fabulous art shop (www.pspowageartcafe.co.uk) on the way home to pic up the valentines painting I've been plotting for Shaun - a Romy Bears painting which shows two supercute broken bears clinging to each other on a heart shaped balloon. It's really lovely and reminds me of Shaun and I. I really love supporting local artists, and plan to revisit that shop time and time again! They do art lessons... I have to admit I'm temped!

For the joy of stamps...

Just a quick post this morning, as I'm now officially late for getting ready to go and meet an old friend for lunch, however I'm so. excited. I. just. couldn't. wait!!!

I received a couple of amazing packages from Etsy this morning (and more on that later) however I had to make a special mention for two wonderful hand carved stamps from Kim at Sugarskull7.

I have never seen anything quite like these stamps - the first, a fabulous vintage style peacock, and the second, a stunning anatomical heart! I'll be posting pics of my creations, however in the meantime check out Kim's shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5658675

Love
Laura
x

The beginning...

Well, I promised myself that this year I would take action to be everything that I want to be... this is one step towards that, and I hope that my little craft loving blog will take shape over the next few months.

Fingers crossed!