First Christmas Post Of 2020 - Simple Stamped Sentiment Christmas Card

This card measures 6ins x 6ins and uses a bought, pre-scored smooth card blank.

Is this card toooooooo early?  

Well, I think have a reasonably good excuse, despite my making Christmas cards more or less all the year round, when I finally sat down to write them I found that I was a few short! Since I bought my letter "pricing in proportion ruler" from the Post Office I have been wary of making cards with too many layers which would be classed as a large letter and so be even more expensive to post. My multi layered and much embellished cards are generally reserved to be given personally or included in a parcel.

Anyway, it was the thinner cards that I was short of.  To begin with I was all for just buying a couple of packs of cards just to get it done with .......  but then I thought that would be ridiculous, I was just being lazy ....... so I got to thinking.  I already had several packs of pre-score cards, so that was a start and I had a decent sized Docrafts sentiment stamp .........

..... plus, on the couple of occasions when I have actually used it, I have been very impressed by my Tim Holtz stamping platform.......

I had no excuse, I could run up a whole pile of cards in a matter of hours, jump to it girl ..... and yes, using the stamping platform was, again, an absolute dream.

I was simply going to stamp the sentiment, then I got all caught up in my wayward ideas and decided to emboss it using a clear embossing powder, something I haven't done for years!  I loved it, watching the powder "turn" still holds a fascination ...... but, and all answers/solutions gratefully received, the process did warp the red card, what am I doing wrong/how can I stop this?  If I hadn't been in such a hurry I would have put them under a book for a couple of days to flatten them.  However, in a rush, I simply got out my tape gun and although no one else would probably notice the "topper" didn't lie perfectly flat on the silver backing ..... it annoyed me, but not enough to put them all in the bin, as I would have done in the past!

Using a white gel pen I then doodled some stars in a formation that looked roughly symmetrical, although the temptation was to just fill up all the space.

I then added my signature scattering of clusters of three little dots, again I had to restrain myself from going overboard.

The final touch was putting a cross eye inducingly tiny silver flat back gem in the centre of each star.

I think the card has a bit of a retro flavour to it and was really chuffed with how they all turned out.  I love my Tim Holtz stamping platform, as a long time stampaphobic it's completely turned my frustrations with stamping around and as such I have decided to invest in a couple of new ink pads as my original ones are a now little old and not quite as juicy as they should be, so that I can continue my renewed interest ...... but if I also want to continue to emboss I need to learn how to stop the warping!

Fiddle Fart Posting For 2020 .......

With the festive season now over I am going to revert back to my normal three posts per week on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, this gives me a chance to build up a bank of scheduled posts to cover holidays etc. and also takes the pressure off me in feeling that I have to make something just to keep the whole shebang going, hope that's all right with you ...... 

Happy New Year - 2020

Another year ....... another fresh page in our lives ...... and another time to think ...... I am not making any resolutions that I know I won't keep, but Fiddle Fart wise, after a bit of a blog post overload because of Christmas, I will be going back to my normal "do-able" three posts per week with the occasional fourth one for charity shop finds, heads up and objects of desire etc.

I will also continue to "do" Christmas all the year round, whenever the crafty festive mood takes me.  I have Christmas posts that I still haven't published yet, I have blank Advent Calendars that have been under the bed for far too long and need doing and I still have ideas that I never got round to trying out, plus it's a good way to gradually build up a stock of cards, decorations etc. throughout the year without the crafty panic setting in in November/December.

However, I need to curb my crafty purchases, my cupboards are almost full to bursting and I don't want my hobby spilling into the other rooms in my flat.  I know there will be crafty things in the sales that I won't be able to resist, but a lot of the things I couldn't leave behind last year are still in the boxes I put them in, so, before I splurge out I need to think very carefully as to how I will use what I find and remember all the stuff I already have!

One of my first projects of the year (apart from the Advent Calendars) needs to be making up a pile of Christmas sampler frames (an idea from 2018),  using all the aperture photo frames I got for 25p each in the Poundland sale last year ........ they are taking up far too much room up under the bed in their  present unadorned state ...... when they are done however it will become a completely different, satisfying matter!

I had collected bits and pieces to go in them throughout the year, but never actually got round to putting them together, but thinking, probably too far in advance for most people, they will make decent fairing gifts for school and for those people who didn't get one first time around, there could also be one or two Easter ones to be done too.

It goes without saying that I also need to try and meet up with Marc a little more often, every six weeks would be lovely.  It's easier now that we can meet up for a day of charity shop and Poundland shopping when he is at the cottage in Worcester, but he really needs to come and have another week with me in Evesham, so that I can spoil him like he spoils me and treat him like the Princess that he is!!!!

And, on a more serious note ...... I am never far away from the memory of losing Andy (The Duke) eight years ago this coming May. It was sudden and without warning, one second he was busy at work measuring up for a new job and the next he was gone. The fragility of life has never left me for a single second since then, which is why I will now never go out without this plastic wallet, especially when I am out with Iris and Bertie ....................

It contains all the important contact telephone numbers/addresses should anything happen to me, including where to take them before anyone can get there.  It's an awful awful thought ........ perhaps I think too much, but heaven forbid, if anything did happen, can you imagine someone having to trawl through my phone to find out who I am and who my next of kin etc. are.

So, on that provoking thought ........

MAY I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING ME ALL THROUGH 2019.

HERE'S TO A BRILLIANTLY CRAFTY 2020 .........

AND 
ALL THE ADVENTURES IT HAS TO BRING 

WITH LOVE

HELEN

XXX

A Bit Of A Disaster New Year Card!

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and uses a hand cut, silver mirror card blank as it's base.

This card was just an experiment really, some bits were a success and others were not, but I thought I would post it anyway, as a way of resolving my problems with it!

I had bought these two sets alphabet stamps from The Range for just £1 each and thought after my success in using my Tim Holtz stamping platform I might be able to do something with them. 

It proved a little trickier than I anticipated because, for me, the letters were a little too distanced apart for my liking so a bit of careful trimming of the stamp surrounds ensued until I was, reasonably, happy.

The the random lettering was duly stamped with a clear embossing ink and again I was very impressed with how the stamping platform worked. I then added silver embossing powder to the stamping which I "set" with my ancient heat gun.  

Then things went a little awry.  The heat gun warped the paper, a problem I need to experiment with, but as a result of the warping, the paper would not lie flat on the card and wrinkled, aghhhhh.  I also mat and layered it on silver mirror card, goodness only knows why, as it added nothing to the card, it should have been on fuchsia pink to accentuate the stars. I then went overboard with the doodling using a white gel pen and stars ...... but given the occasion it sort of works

I have kept the card as a reference for how not to do it, there was no way I could have given it anyone, but I intend to work on the idea some more as I have left the stamps as they were on the platform ...... so watch this space!

A Choice Piece of Christmas Tut For Marc

Writing posts between Christmas and New Year isn't an easy task, we're all pretty occupied and although, perhaps, champing at the bit to use the crafty presents we may have received, I don't think anyone is really up to writing about or making anything over this period, so instead I hope this post simply brings a smile to your face .........

As you all know both Marc and I belong to the Charity Shop S*** page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1859022770846350/?fref=nf and earlier in December I wrote that I had found something " really special" for him to go in his Christmas Stocking to make him smile too, but couldn't reveal all until he'd actually unwrapped it, for fear of spoiling the surprise .......

Well, today ..... here it is ......  in all it's unadulterated and wonderful glory!  Can I add that this was before I gave it a beeping good wash because when I found/rescued it, it was absolutely filthy! Made of resin, without any makers marks or indication of possible age,this beauty cost me all of 50p from the Vale Wildlife Charity Shop in Evesham ...... and yes, the antennas on both of the caterpillars heads are very springy and full of erm....... movement!!!

I have a very strong feeling that if The Antiques Roadshow turns up near Marc or I in the coming year we will feel compelled to very carefully wrap said object up in cotton wool and bubble wrap and then queue for hours in order to have it correctly identified by an expert and naturally valued!  Who knows, this time next year one or both of us could be millionaires ...... in our dreams!

Happy Christmas

Hope he's been ......

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas 

with lots of love 

Helen

xxx

Illuminated Christmas Fairy Door

Following on from my earlier fairy door post ........

...... as I put it in place against the skirting board in my lounge area I remembered some tiny wire lights I had, so I carefully wrapped them around the trees, door and fence  with this result.  I then looked along my festive shelves and found this little ceramic figure  of Mother Christmas, who was in perfect proportion to the house.  I was so chuffed with the how it all came together, which further added to the enchantment when Iris and Bertie saw it ........  I am sure I can add more to the scene, perhaps a street lamp, a robin etc. but that will have to wait until next year!

Crafty Christmas Charity Shop Finds

With not much crafting going on at The Towers at the moment,  I thought I would show you the contents of a couple of goodie bags I got from the Sue Ryder shop in Evesham, all ready for next years crafting!   I have been on the look out for old, retro, kitsch type Christmas bits and pieces, but they are either few and far between or extortionately expensive.

Sometimes looking through a sealed bag you can't be entirely sure what you are actually getting, but I have to say I was really chuffed with these three Santa's and two snowmen. I am already thinking diorama's, perhaps in globes or small bottles to hang on a tree.

..... a bit like the one below from Hema https://www.hema.com/en-gb/kids/kids-party/balloons-garlands/glass-christmas-jar-4.5x4.5x7-25104845.html

The bag cost me £2.50 for the five quite substantial embellishments, working out at 50p each which is a no brainer really.

The second bag of goodies at £1.50 and was (without any real ideas in my head) not such a good buy. It was the robins I spotted first, again thinking dioramas, however, everything else is a bit kitsch and I am sure I can work them all into some sort of retro type project, when I have a Ulrika type moment!

This tiny plastic box also caught my fancy at just 25p from St Richard's Hospice shop also in Evesham.  

Again it is quite solid, with potential and in perfect condition on the outside  ...... it's just shouting out to have a tiny scene put in it .......

..... I have some tiny snowmen somewhere that might just fit the bill  ...... with Christmas upon us followed by the New Year, it's quite a nice feeling to think that I've got a few ideas to start a new crafty year with, when sometimes you can just feel past it and not in the mood!

Iris's Little Christmas Display......

This is Iris's little Christmas display in her bedroom .....

...... again, like Bertie's Christmas list, it makes me both shed a tear and smile at the same time.

It's soooooooo full of childhood innocence......

...... with bits and pieces made both this year and in the past .......

...... and things with a special significance like the Wolves monkey .......

...... or given to her by the special people in her life  ...........

..... all very carefully arranged by herself and all treasured, hopefully for many years to come with all their associated memories.

It's impossible to say which memories and what, if any of the small things she will take with her into the future, but the foundation of love and caring that continually surrounds her and Bertie will always be there. 

It breaks my heart that Grandy Andy has never been there to physically hold their hand and hold them so close it hurts ........

......... but I know he is in their very DNA by the things they say and do, and has his gentle hands resting constantly on their shoulders protecting them, keeping them safe and whispering in their ear,  I love you and you can do it ..... and this Christmas, as always, will be very much in our hearts.

Bertie's Christmas List .......

This is Bertie's Christmas list, it moistens my eyes a little and makes me smile every time I read it, it just sums him up perfectly ........

It's the plastic fruit and the salad spinner ............. that's Bertie all over, everything has to do something, I lay bets that when he grows up he will be some sort of engineer or inventor.  

My Festive Shelves

I don't think I have single spare inch of space left on any of my festive shelves in my lounge this year ........

I didn't think I'd added that much since last year, but said shelves appear to tell a very different story.

I've not put my Tesco Advent house out this year as it is in need of some tender repairs, but managed to replace it with some of the Christmas themed frames I have made during the year.

I could have also sworn that I had another of the tall, metal glittery trees from Home Bargains (£5.99), I feel I could do with another one as they give the "displays" a bit of extra height, but have so far have resisted actually going out to another one.

I have added tiny wire lights along the shelves and in domes (balanced on several Poundland faux, mercury glass candle sticks, also for extra height) to give the twinkle factor when the main lights are turned off to make the room cosy.

I really don't think I need to buy much more new stuff, but, if I do come across any old retro/vintage bits and pieces in any charity shop in the coming few weeks, as this is a time they seem to put it all out, I need to donate something back!  Well that's the theory anyway.

I also need to keep these pictures in a safe place to use as a reference for next year to give me some idea when I unpack the boxes once again of what goes where.

My sofa has also had three new additions, as if I don't have enough cushions on it already.  The navy snowflake ones came from Shepherds Bush Poundland, when I stayed with Marc earlier in the month. 

Poundland cushions are usually pretty pants, but these were quite well stuffed for a change and have the potential, if not this year, certainly next, to be zhuzhed up with perhaps a few clear flat backed gems, we shall see.

Fiddle Fart Guest Crafter - Bertie's Framed Works Of Art

Unlike Iris, Bertie isn't naturally drawn to arty activities, unless it's Play Doh .........

....... however over the half term holiday I managed to entice him to the crafting table........

....... with a lot of praise and much oooooooing and ahhhhing, as well as being allowed to use "the very special big boy pens" from Uncle Marc's that even Iris isn't allowed to use, at £19.99 a pack, I nearly passed out when I saw how much they were when researching this post.........

......... he became quite an enthusiastic artist, however creating one masterpiece per day was his absolute limit!

He used the Arteza pens first, they really are proper paint brushes at the end of a pen!

Then he added squiggles and diddles, as we like to call them, over the paint using a black fine liner pen (I am teaching him well!).

....... before finally adding a few sequin stars or spiders, and on the bottom picture, black bead glitter.  

These beautiful works of art will now  be carefully wrapped  and given to special Granny's, Granddads and doting Aunties as Christmas presents. 

The white picture frames came in packs of 3 for £2.99 from B M Bargains.