One World One Heart 2011

-o- This Giveaway draw is closed now - Thankyou -o-

Welcome to my little part of Blogland!!

It's that great event again...

One World One Heart

(2011)

Hosted and Created by

Lisa Swifka - A Whimsical Bohemian

Lisa has been organising this event to give bloggers from all over the world the chance to meet and to get to know each other through their Blogs

 Thank you Lisa for all your time and commitment for this wonderful Blogging event.

 For full details from the Hostess herself

Click here

It's the 5th (and sadly the final OWOH event)

I participated for the first time last year, visited some interesting Blogs and met some kindred spirits along the way! 

-oOo-

So, If you are flying by my Blog for the first time...

Hello, My name is Jan, 

 I live with my very understanding Hubby, 3 sons and boisterous (I think thats a nicer word than Naughty!!) 10 month old pup..

(who all put up with my crafty cravings!!) 

 in Essex, UK

I'm addicted to all things crafty...

It all started with cross-stitch and cardmaking

..but over the years it has progressed into atc's, scrapbooking, altered art (Mmmm, I think I have tinkered with most crafts!!LOL)... and I have recently discovered a love for fabric, lace, vintage & shabby....

I just love trying out all types of crafting, entering challenges and trading crafty art with peeps from all over the World.

-oOo-

..and the bonus to this awesome event, is that you can win a door prize along the way, just by popping by peoples blogs and leaving a comment..How cool is that!!

So Here is my door prize..

Anyone who has peeked at my Blog just recently will already know that I've been a tad addicted to altering matchboxes!

So I made this one for the giveaway...

...and I will fill it with little treasures,
charms, beads, buttons etc...
which will be a surprise for the recipient!
-oOo-
I will list the winner here on the blog at the end of the event and contact the winner by e-mail.. -so don't forget to leave a way to contact you!
-oOo-

Looking forward to flying around Blogland and meeting you all!

Thanks again Lisa, for making this all possible!

..and thanks to all for stopping by....

Jan x

Let's Get Shabby Challenge #19

Challenge#19 this month over at

Let's Get Shabby

is all about

ARCHITECTURE

You had to be inspired by the picture of this building.

First of all, I must admit I was totally stumped!!

Then inspiration struck after a recent visit to the Tower of London.

There's nothing like a trip to London to see some stunning architecture old and new!!

-oOo-

The battlements of The Tower of London reminded me of the detailing on the top of this ruin.

Also the arch shaped windows and the history influenced my Layout!

Here is my Layout...

I used a printed scrapbooking paper 'Tower of London' (Park Lane Paper)

which I have trimmed and distressed

and added to some brown 12x12 paper

This was my base for the shabby embellies and pics of a recent day out with family & friends

Ice skating at the Tower of London

(Over the festive season , they use the moat area of Tower of London as a temporary Ice Rink)

-oOo-

This was my first experience of Ice Skates!!

....and what an hilarious experience it was!!

We had a fantastic time...with no broken bones - RESULT!!

...Although we won't mention the bruises!! LOL

I now have some serious respect and admiration for the Celebrities taking part in the Dancing on Ice TV show

It sure isn't has easy as it Looks!!

I decided to use a selection of browns and creams to compliment the colours of the Architecture

printed my photo's in sepia tones

Handmade and bought flowers

Tower Bridge Die-cuts (distressed with inks)

embellies...ice skate, key, beads, lace etc..

...and being has it had pics of Ice skating, I sprinkled some 'Twinklets Diamond Dust' on some of the flowers and leaves.

.....Now, off too sneak my entry in before the deadline!!

Hop over to the Let's Get Shabby Blog
for some fabby shabby challenges and Inspiration!

Thanks for Looking!

Jan x

'Architecture begins when you place two bricks carefully together'.
(Mies van der Rohe)

Gold and glamour - Another altered matchbox...

Honestly, from reading my blog, anyone would think I would like altering these lil boxes!!

Well, there is a new Flickr group called

Matchbox monthly swap 2011

run by the  Lovely Lesley

...and the first swap THEME  is

Gold and Glamour

The matchbox I covered in 'Tim holtz idealogy paper'

Altered a puzzle piece with a Crafty Individuals image

...added some beads on wires.

...a little bit of embossing

..then glossy accents to finish it off

(Oh, added the Gold crown and birdy charm before the glossy accent dried!)

Some gold german scrap on the box and drawer

...filled with some golden treasure!!

(which will remain a surprise for my swap partner Jeanie)

Thanks for Looking

Jan x

Lazy Blogger! .....and more matchboxes & ATC's!

OMG, Can't believe we are half way through January already!!

 ...and what a lazy blogger I've been!!

Well, I've got a good excuse for that!! Was going to show you some pics of some of the creations that I have made for swaps over the past couple of months, but the card in my camera has become corrupted and I've lost all the pics!! :(

Anyway, hope you all had a lovely festive season? and have not broken too many New Year resolutions already?

But I've got no excuse for posting these lovelies earlier, these are the fantastic Christmas themed altered matchbox and ATC swap that I did with a couple of my favourite swappers...Margaret and Julia.

Here's what I received from Margaret in Switzerland



A gorgeous array of goodies- Margaret is sooo generous!



A beautiful vintage Christmas ATC, and a gorgeous sparkly altered matchbox



...and wait there is more, inside Margaret's cute lil box, is a photo of Margaret (aged 7) sitting on santa's knee!! How sweet is that!! 





...and I was spoilt by Julia from Russia too
Look at all these lovelies!!

Stunning ATC and altered matchbox
Julia has covered both with a lovely textured paper

'Squeal' Not only did Julia send me lots of gorgeous extras..

but lookie at this salt shaker filled with vintage buttons!!

...being a button-o-holic I was over the moon!!

Thanks again Julia and Margaret for another Awesome International swap!

Oh, and if you want to take a peek at what I sent to Julia and Margaret, Margaret has done a wonderful post on her Blog HERE

Thanks for Looking!
Jan x