Lorraines Crafty Meanderings

I'm sure we all have our go-to favourite colours when we create art work, so it was nice to push my boundaries recently when Lesley, over at Chocolate Baroque, set her monthly challenge as black and white. I actually ended up submitting 3 entries, and whilst not winning the coveted prize, I counted it a victory! This was my first entry using the spotlight technique that has been around for a while. I decided to pull out one of my original Chocolate Baroque purchases from the Woodland Dreams set. There is so much detail in this one stamp that was possible to actually spotlight two areas, although it could carry one quite happily. Unfortunately I can't recall the dimensions of the card, and its been gifted now, so I can't check but the design really dictates the base layer - the size of the mounts is at your discretion! Smooth black and white card is essential in order to get the best results, as this technique called for lots of embossing. Liberal use of an anti-static bag a...

I've spent the day trying to transfer various photos, from numerous platforms, onto our new computer. At the same time sorting them and deleting obvious duplicates. I'm sure there must be a quicker way, but am feeling some sense of satisfaction that the task is at least part way through! I came across some cards I done earlier in the year, using stamps from Chocolate Baroque, so I thought why not use one these as my first proper posting?  It was uploaded onto Instagram and Facebook at the time, but no explanation provided as to how it was completed, so here goes.   This one uses the Freesia Blueprint A5 set, which is so beautiful, it needs very little adding to it. I started by cutting out a circle template from a spare piece of card and held it in place over my white 13cm x13cm smooth stamping card, using low tack tape. Using my favourite brushes, Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide was blended over 3/4 of the open area, making sure to apply a darker depth of colour opposite...

Over the years, I have made a couple of attempts to write blogs, and, if I'm honest, they have usually failed because I was writing them at the behest of others! I had been cajoled or otherwise by other crafters who thought I should! Instead, I travelled along the Facebook route, and more recently into Instagram. However, I now find myself disillusioned with Facebook - too many adverts, far too many keyboard warriors etc etc, and so I've decided to give blogging another go. Wish me luck!  Firstly, a little about me. I am a 60+ avid crafter, married, with one single son who is currently living at home. Crafting is my escape from the day-to-day routine, and my go-to at times of stress. I have crafted in some form more or less all my life - sewing, embroidery, knitting and crochet but things really took off when I discovered papercraft a little over 30 years ago. I was booked for a small operation, and wanted something that I could do whilst recuperating. I bought a few supplies t...