Wedding table plan, menus, place cards, the whole ensemble...

Hiya peeps, I thought I'd show you what I've been doing lately and the reason for my absence these past couple of weeks......my best friends wedding is fast approaching, you may remember me showing the invites that I'd made her some weeks ago, well here's the rest of the wedding stationery ensemble.  This is the first time I've ever done anything like this, although it was a  monotonous task I'm pleased with the result and more importantly so were the soon to be newly weds.

Their colour scheme is ivory/cream and black which I think looks rather striking and sophisticated.

Here's a close up photo of the place card, table names and menus.

I took these photos in my dining room, funny how coincidently the colours match.....lol!!


My friends future daughter-in law has now asked me to make her wedding stationery, their colour scheme being hot pink, black and white.  Me thinks I'd better get making some samples up quick smart....lol!!

Thanks for visiting my lil oasis, luv 'n' crafty hugs xx vicki xx

Belles 'n' Whistles - Here Kitty Kitty

Good evening folks, apologies for the late post I should have posted this earlier today but I've been out all day with my eldest daughter shopping for our wedding outfits for a friends wedding.  I thought my daughter who's 12 would be the difficult one to buy for.....considering she doesn't like wearing anything girly...but she choose a lovely dress in the first shop we went to....me on the other hand took all day to find what I wanted.....typical .... lol!!!!

This is my card  for my second week as a GDT  for the Belles 'n' Whistles "Flowers and Pearls" challenge.  The design team have created some stunners, why not pop over and check them out.

For my card I've used :-

Belles 'n' Whistles - Here Kitty Kitty

Magnolia "Love Letter" papers

Prima flowers

E-Line Flowers

E-Line Pearls

Scallop border cut with my Cricut using Elegant Edges Cartridge

Pin I made from my stash of beads.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your all keeping well and enjoying this beautiful weather we've been lucky to have of late, fingers crossed in continues.

luv 'n' crafty hugs xx vicki xx

Guest Design Team Member for Belles 'n' Whistles

Hiya folks, hope your all keeping well.  I was lucky enough to be choosen to be a GDTM for Belles 'n' Whistles and this weeks challenge is "Wing It".  You don't have to use an image with wings - just make sure you have wings somewhere on your creation AND remember it has to be an Elisabeth Bell image.

For this card I've used :-

Belles 'n Whistles image - Fairy Dance

Copics

Prima papers - Raspberry Tea and Shabby Chic

Prima Flowers

Heart Nesties

Heart Doily

Stickles

Glimmer Mist

Martha Stewart border punch

Computer generated sentiment

Wings cut using my Cricut

Thanks for popping by, apologies for not being around much lately.  I've had a bit of a swap around with my days at work and it's put me all out.  It's like a mad house at work because we have the examiner coming in on Wednesday to mark our A Level work, so we are busy putting up the exhibition  I already know my results.....just waiting for them to be confirmed, so hopefully Thursday I will know for definate and shall let you all know.....for now I'll just say I am over the moon and chuffed to lil bits....hehehhehehe!!!!

luv 'n' crafty hugs 

xx vicki xx

Tilda with Big Ribbon

Good evening folks, gosh where has today gone.....I usually work Tuesdays but this week I've had a bit of a swap around which means I've had 5 days off altogether and what have I done....housework, ironing and more blimming housework.....oh and my lil girly has been off school today  she's not as bad as she was yesterday, thank goodness....

For todays card I've coloured Tilda with Distress Inks, for a change.  The papers I've used are  these delish Prima papers, oh wow, wow, wow, now these are really something, such a shame to tear into them, definately one to drool over.....lol!!!!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

TOMIC - Colour scheme, Pink, White and Brown

Stamps R Us - 1, 2, 3, recipe

The Shabby Tea Room - "Pink Lemonade"

Stash used:-

Magnolia Tilda with big ribbon coloured with Distress Inks

Prima papers 

Martha Stewart punches

Prima flowers

E-Line pearls

Stickles glitter glue

available from Dies To Die For

Thanks for taking the time to visit my lil oasis

ttfn xx vicki xx

Birthday Tilda

Hiya crafty peeps, I can't believe it's been over a week since I last posted but it's not for the want of trying, I've had problems with my computer and Blogger plus hubby has changed our ISP so our internet has been off for a few hours today whilst my son and I tried to figure out how to set up our new ISP.....Then to top it all off I've spent three hours in casualty this afternoon/evening with my eldest daughter, got a phone call from school at lunchtime saying Georgia is in terrible pain could I pick her up.....oh gosh by the time I got there she was in agony, I'm thinking it's her appendix so drives straight to casualty, they took blood and water samples, give her a thorough check up and don't know what's wrong with her.  She's been dosed up on painkillers and Ibruprofen and is now snuggled up in bed with a hot water bottle......why do things always go wrong as soon as hubby goes away to work......typical....lol!!

So onto todays cards, which I made over two weeks ago now but not had chance to post them.  I've coloured both Birthday Tilda with Copics.  Papers on the first card are MME, sentiment is Stampin Up.

Tilda with Balloon has been coloured with Copics and a sprinkling of Stickles

papers are DCWV and Stamping Up

Prima flowers

E-line Gems

Swirls cut on my Cricut.

These cards are for the following challenges:-

Paper Sundaes - Girly Girl

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Anything Goes

Cupcake Inspirations - Photo inspiration

Word Play Weekend - Birthday

Totally Gorjuss - Flower Power

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Thanks for popping by my lil oasis and for all the lovely comments you kindly take the time to leave, they're much appreciated.

I'm off for a little R & R in my craft room, 

catch you all soon

luv 'n' hugs

xx vicki xx

Having trouble uploading pics.....

Hiya folks, just to say that I am still here but Blogger is playing up and I can't upload any pics and haven't been able to all week. When I come onto the New Post page, it looks like the original version from when I first started blogging, it won't let me click on the upload photos section and I'm getting sooooo frustrated, if anyone has any suggestions of what to do I'd be so grateful. Thank you, luv 'n' crafty hugsxx vicki xx

oh wow..........

..... I've only gone and made the top 3 over at the Belles 'n' Whistles challenge blog plus I get to be a Guest Designer for  two weeks.....whooooooppppppieeeeeee dooooodaaahhhhh!!!!!  Thank you so very much to all at Belles 'n' Whistles, you've made my day ((((((hugs)))))

A Blossom for You

Hiya crafty bloggers, hope your all enjoying your weekend.  I was planning on doing some more gardening today but whats happened to this weather....yuk!!!  Oh well all the more time to upload todays card.

The ever so lovely Tracy from Dies To Die For, sent me these absolutely delish GCD Ella Blue papers quite a while back now, these are definately one of those drool, stroke, look at papers and it was hard to tear into them .....lol!!!  Tracy also has a great selection of the Belles 'n' Whistles stamps available, just click on the links to find out more.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Belles 'n' Whistles - Anything Goes

Crafting Lifes Pieces - Sketch

Taken from a different angle.

Goodies used were:-

Belles 'n' Whistles stamp - A Blossom For You

Papers - GCD Studios - Ella Blue 

Copics

Martha Stewart butterfly punches

Prima Flowers

E-Line pearls

Stickles glitter glue

Nesties

AVAILABLE FROM DIES TO DIE FOR

Sewing Machine

Glamour Dust 

Cheesecloth

That's it from me today folks, hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend

luv 'n' crafty hugs

xx vicki xx

Tilda with Rubber Boots

Helloooooo crafty peeps and a happy Friday to you all, what a gorgeous day we are having here.

Another quick post from me today to show this card I've made with one of my new Magnolia Tilda with Rubber Boots.  She's been coloured with Copics and a sprinkling of Glamour Dust.  Papers, well I'm not sure if they are Anna Griffin or K & Co??????  Flowers, ribbon  and Pearls from Wild Orchid Crafts, sentiment is Stampin Up.

This card is for the following challenges:-

Divas By Design - Florals

A Spoonful of Sugar - Flower Power

Partytime Tuesdays - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave such lovely comments, as always they are much appreciated.

Enjoy your weekend and this glorious sunshine.

luv 'n' crafty hugs xx vicki xx

A Trio of Tilda Tags

Hiya crafty peeps, today I'm showing a trio of Tilda tags which is this weeks challenge theme over at Totally Tilda.

I cut out the tags from white cardstock using my Cricut, then sponged them with Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks, I've stamped several mini stamps with Sepia Versafine added lace and jute cord, Tildas have been coloured with Copics and a sprinkling of Glamour Dust.

Just a quickie post from me today, 

see ya all soon

luv 'n' crafty hugs

xx vicki xx

It's a Rubber Romance

Hiya peeps, I meant to have posted this card earlier but completely forgot.....doh!!!!  So today I'm showing a card using the orginal Divas, in my humble opinion, from the Rubber Romance collection.  I remember when I first started crafting that this range of stamps were the first I ever bought.  Unfortunately I don't use them as often as I should, but Tracey sent me a fab DT package and this gorgeous lady was included.  I've gone for the less is more style for a change.

I'm entering this card into this weeks Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, the theme being Clean & Simple.

Rubber Romance image - Katie and her balloons

Copics

Bazzill Cardstock
Available from Dies To Die For

Thanks for popping by

Happy Crafting

xx vicki xx

Princess Tilda

Happy Bank Holiday Monday to you, shame about the awful weather we're having here today though.

For todays card I've used the adorable Magnolia Princess Tilda, I've coloured her with Copics then added a sprinkling of Glamour Dust.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Magnolia Down Under - Sketch

Addicted to Stamps - Bingo (cute image, flowers, charm)

Paper Play - Blossoms and Blooms

Paper Sundaes - Vintage/Shabby Chic

House of Gilli - Flowers

I've been playing around with different photo editing suites.  The above photo is using Picnik which is free and so incredibly easy to use.  The photo below is my usual way which is with Paint Shop Pro, which I only use to crop and add my watermark.  I think from now on I shall use Picnik as the colours seem to be more true to life.

Princes Tilda coloured with Copics

Papers - My Minds Eye - "Totally Girl" paper pad

Prima flowers

Lace and cream rose from Wild Orchid Crafts

Melissa Frances rub-on sentiment.

Princess Charm

Glamour Dust

Glimmer Mist

Sewing Machine

Thanks for popping by my lil oasis, enjoy the rest of your Bank Holiday

Happy Crafting

luv 'n' hugs

xx vicki xx

Gorjuss Girl

Hello lovely crafty folks, here I am again with another card.  I think I'll go out on a limb here and say that these Prima papers from the Shabby Chic Collection, available from Dies To Die For must be one of my all time favourite, I really didn't want to tear into them they are so delish....

This card I'm entering into the following challenges:

Sugar Bowl - Sketch

Totally Papercrafts - Pink 'n' Girly

Divas by Design - One for the Girls

Paper Romance - Distressing

Fussy and Fancy - Recipe (3 papers, 2 embellies, 1 ribbon)
Cutie Sunday - Pin and Green

Image - Gorjuss Girl "Sitting"

Copics

Papers - Prima - "Shabby Chic Collection" and "Watercolour Rainbow Collection"

E-Line Pearls

Martha Stewart "Bubble Bath" border punch and butterfly punch

AVAILABLE FROM DIES TO DIE FOR

Thanks for taking the time to visit my lil crafty oasis.

Enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday.

luv 'n' crafty hugs

xx vicki xx

Sleepy Time Bear

Hiya, I'm back with some more cards, this crafting lark is becoming addictive again.....lol . I've been having a lil play with my Gypsy by welding shapes together to create shaped cards and these are what I've come up with.  I'm not used to making the clean and simple type of card, infact it took me longer to make this style of card compared to my usual but I guess it's good to try new styles now and then. Sorry about the poor piccies, easel cards are not the easiest to photograph are they.

I'm entering these into the following challenges:-

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Fab 'n ' Funky - Cute and Cuddly

Stamptacular Sunday Challenges - BEARnecessities

Goodies used for both cards are available from Dies To Die For

Image - High Hopes - "Sleepy Time Bear"

Copics

Bazzill Cardstock

Nesties Labels 14 and Labels 10

Spellbinders Shapeabilties Fleur De Lys (not sure if they are in stock at the mo?)

Pearls

Sentiments - Stampin Up

Thanks for taking the time to visit my lil oasis.  Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

luv 'n' hugs

xx vicki xx

Simply Sassy Fashionista

Hiya crafty peeps, it's Friday....wooo hoooo!!! and I have a week off work....again....YAY!!!  Can you believe I have only  discovered this range of stamps last week, serves me right for being AWOL.  I promptly placed my order and  they arrived Tuesday, brilliant service and this is my first Simply Sassy card, gosh I need to catch up with all the new goodies.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:-

Stamp With Fun - Sketch

Wild Orchid Challenges - Embossed layers (Nesties and cuttlebug embossed border)
By The Cute and Girly - Anything Goes

I've coloured Simply Sassy Fashionista with Copics then sponged Antique Linen Distress Ink around her.  Papers are Basic Grey "Capella"and have been machine stiched.  Martha Stewart "Cornice" border punch. Cuttlebug "Jamara" embossing folder.  Pearls from Wild Orchid Crafts. Flowers are Prima  E Line and "Got Flowers", Nesties labels fourteen, sentiment is TGF " Happy Day" set available from the wonderful Tracy at Dies To Die For.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit. Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

luv 'n' crafty hugs

xx vicki xx

Two cards for the lads

Hiya peeps, hope you've all enjoyed your weekend.  Today I've had the long overdue pleasure of spending most of the day in my craftroom creating for fun and not for exams etc...... OMG!!!! I've been sorting through all my stash and I am ashamed to admit that I found a few parcels and padded envelopes full of goodies that I'd ordered months ago unopened,  stamps, papers and embellies not used.  I can't believe I'd forgotten about them, that's just not like me, cos usually when the postie arrives I tear into them like a kiddie on Christmas morning, I know I've been pre-occupied with my A level but that is just beyond ridiculous......lol!!!!!

This stamp set being just one of the many that I've not played with until today.  I do like this My Guy Ian set by The Greeting Farm, available from the wonderful Tracy at Dies To Die For perfect for those awkward teenagers.  (mmmmm.... the least said about that subject the better :-(

My Guy Ian has been coloured with Copics

Papers (card above)- Sassafras (Indie Girl)

Papers (card below) -  Sassafras (Applejack)

Optic Dot border punch

Pearls, 

 Bakers Twine (card below)

Available from DIES TO DIE FOR

Sentiments (card below) - Stampin Up

Since being AWOL I sure have missed out on all the new stamps, papers etc that are out now, crikey there's stacks and stacks of stamps I really, really gotta get me mitts on, I've got such a lot of catching up to do....lol!!!  but at least I've made a bit of a start today and the crafting bug is well and truly back, yay!!!!

catch ya all soon

luv 'n' crafty hugs

xx vicki xx  

Wedding invitations

Well as promised in my previous post here are just two of the many samples of wedding invites I've created for my lovely friend Leigh and her hubby to be.

The first one is just a simple cream design, Leigh wasn't sure at first which colours to choose so I went for a plain cream, with some embossed Bazzill bling cardstock, a satin ribbon with pearl ribbon slider.

Below is what the inside looks like, a pocket to hold the RSVP card.

A sample of a black and cream gatefold design save the date and wedding invitation.

Inside shows how I've created two pockets to hold  the rsvp acceptance or decline cards.  This was a bit of a nightmare of a design, what with all the matting and layering, trust Leigh to have chosen this one...thank goodness I only had to make 24 and they are all done and delivered.....YAY!!!!

I've now been asked to make wedding invites for Leigh's future step daughter-in-law...oh eck, it's a big wedding, what have I let myself in for.....pmsl.

Thanks for popping by my lil oasis, I hope to get some blogging hopping done myself now, it'll be great to catch up with you all, I've not forgotten who you are just bare with me and I'll visit you all soon.

luv 'n' crafty hugs 

xx vicki xx

Hello Blogland

Hiya folks, hope your all keeping well.  Gosh has it really been all these months since I last visited my poor neglected blog......ooopppssss!!!!

Well I'm back now, my first year of A level art has finished, all work has been handed in and it was marked on Thursday, you'd think considering that I work in the Art Department that the teachers would have told me my results....no way....they just smiled and said "Vicki, your going to be very pleased"... my reply was "That's no blimming help..." so looks like I've got a long wait yet.....lol!!!

Anyways, my bestest friend Leigh asked me a few months ago if I could make her wedding invitations....oh eck!!! what a daunting challenge that was, albeit a privilege, but I've never made wedding stationery so I've been busy making some samples, which I'll post soon. She choose which she preferred so today I've finished all her day invites, talk about getting back into crafting slowly...NOT...pmsl.

So for now I think I'll unwind, relax and go and play in my craft room, it's been such a long time since I was able to make something just for fun.  So for a change it will be nice to make something without worrying about deadlines etc.

See ya all soon, take care, happy crafting luv 'n' crafty hugs 

xx vicki xx

My Final Piece

Hiya folks, I thought I'd share some photos of what I've been up to regarding my Art Coursework (warning!!!!! this could be a long post ....lol !!!).  What with the exam papers out tomorrow ....YIKES!!!! it's kinda dawned on me how much work I've yet to complete.  We now have 10 weeks to prep for our exam, and I've still not finished my coursework....only writing to do though.

Anyways, this is going to be my final piece, as you can probably guess, it's inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts and Modigliani. I'm quite chuffed with how this turned out, it took forever to finish...phew thank goodness it's done.

I recently took an art course with Tamara Laporte from Willowing and this is what I came up with.  It's part of my experimenting in my sketchbook.

These are my A1 display boards, featuring Artist Links, Design Ideas etc,  The board below shows 5 canvas paintings that I did inspired by  Kelly Rae Roberts

This A1 board shows my initial rough sketch, and then painted onto a small canvas board, again inspired by Modigliani and Kelly Rae Roberts.  A bit of photo manipulation.

My original rough sketch in my A3 sketchbook

Modigliani artist link A1 board.

I've painted two paintings by Modigliani, the small photo in the centre is Modigliani's painting.

My interpretation  of Modigliani's painting

My A1 primary source drawing board.  These flowers and butterflies I've drawn using a variety of mediums, from Copics, Pen and Ink, Sketching pencils and charcoal.

Wakey Wakey..... !!!!  Sorry if you nodded off there, I think that's enough of my rambling on for now.  Hope your all keeping well and happy.  Not sure when I'll be back, hopefully I'll get some crafting done in between.

Take care all, lots of luv 'n' hugs xx vicki xx

another Tilda

Just a quick post this evening in between painting, drawing, making clay models.... boy oh boy will I be glad when this Art Exam is finished with .... lol....

Today's card is yet another Tilda, which I'm entering this weeks Just Magnolia theme. Dutch Dare "All Stitched Up. Tilda has been coloured with Distress Inks, Stickles, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Nesties available from Dies To Die For.  Papers are K & Co,  sewing machine, flowers and ribbon from my stash.

Right gotta dash, gonna have a quick cuppa and start drawing again :-(

Catch ya soon, luv 'n' hugs xx vicki xx

Gosh two posts in one week....this could become addictive again..lol!!!!

....you don't hear from me in months now here I am again with another card.....lol!!

Following the sketch over at Friday Sketchers challenge blog and Just Magnolia challenge is anything goes with the addition of buttons, so here's my attempt.

Thought I'd go back to the my favourite....... distressing, even got my sewing machine, all distressed edges have been inked with "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink available from Dies To Die For.

Tilda has been coloured with Copics, unfortunately this photo doesn't show all the sparkly Glamour Dust.

Papers - Basic Grey "Cappella"

Sentiment - Stamping Up

Buttons - Basic Grey

Flowers - Prima - Got Flowers and Painternly Petals

Pearls - Prima E-Line

Sizzix Die Cut Swirls

Thank you for visiting my lil oasis and for all the lovely comments you kindly take the time to leave, I really do appreciate them all

xx vicki xx

Hello Blogland....... long time no see ....

.... well it certainly has been a while since I visited my neglected oasis, so here I am with a couple of cards to show you that I made over the weekend.  I've spent the past four days in my craft room trying to get some of  my Art coursework done, I've got until the end of this month to finish everything (and blimey have I got so much left to do) then I'll get 6 weeks to prep for my exam....omg!! lil ole me sitting an exam, crikey, last exam I took was 1989 ..... pmsl..

Anyways, as I said been getting crafty and created not one but two cards.  For the card below I used The Greeting Farm, Lolli Anya and coloured her with Copics and added a touch of Glamour Dust for that all important girly sparkle.  The papers are Stampin Up. Spellbinders tags,  Martha Stewart Border Punch.  and Nesties.  available from the lovely Tracy over at Dies To Die For.

Here's a 40th Anniversary card using papers from Shabby Princess "Amore" freebie download.  I've had these set of Crafters Companion stamps for months and only opened them this weekend, oh the shame....lol!!  Again I've coloured the image with Copics available from Dies To Die For.  The swirly hearts were cut with my Cricut using the Straight From The Nest cartridge.

Inside the card more swirly hearts and box.

I am hoping to keep on track with making cards, forgotten how enjoyable it can be.  I hope all my lovely blogging buddies are keeping well.  I'm not going to make any promises but I will do my best to try and visit as many of you lovely lot as soon as I can.

Lots of luv 'n' crafty hugs

xx vicki xx