Sunday 31 May 2015

Who's your Hero or Heroine?

Susan has challenged us this month to create a mixed media creation depicting our Hero or Heroine. The twist is to journal it on your blog. The prize kindly donated by Susan are two fabulous Memory Box stencils.



I knew straightaway who I would choose.....Emmiline Pankhurst and the Suffragette Movement.

I did some research online and I have tried to precise her bio below.

"Emily Pankhurst was born in Moss Side, Manchester in 1858. Her family had a tradition of radical politics, and she stepped into that mould becoming a passionate campaigner for women’s right to vote.

In 1903 she formed the more militant Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). It was through the political action of the WSPU that the term women’s suffragette movement was created. She led a passionate group of women who were willing to take part in drastic action such as tying to railings, smashing windows and launching demonstrations. One such protest sadly ended in tragedy when Emily Davison threw herself under the Kings horse (1913).

Women in other parts of the world were able to vote before those in Britain.

New Zealand was the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote in 1893 when all women over the age of 21 were permitted to vote in parliamentary elections.[3] Women in South Australia achieved the same right and also became the first to obtain the right to stand for Parliament in 1895.[4] In the United States, women over the age of 21 were allowed to vote in the western territories of Wyoming from 1869 and in Utah from 1870, and in most states outside the South by 1919.
 With the ratification in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment the suffrage was extended to women across the United States in time for the 1920 presidential election. Women over 21 were allowed to vote in Canada (except Quebec) from 1919.

Eventually, largely due to the efforts, and not to forget the suffering and imprisonment of the Suffragettes, women in Britain over the age of 30, meeting certain property qualifications, were given the right to vote in 1918, and in 1928 suffrage was extended to all women over the age of 21

However, in 1928, Emmeline fell ill, and died on 14 June 1928.

The colours of the Suffragette Movement were Purple, Green and White. These colours were chosen by Emmeline Pethick Lawrence because "Purple...stands for the royal blood that flows in the veins of every suffragette...white stands for purity in private and public life...green is the colour of hope and the emblem of spring"."

With these colours in mind I began my creation.



I began with three pieces of appropriate coloured card stock . The central white strip I dry embossed .I found many images on the web and finally went with one of Emily and some flags and a ticket for a procession from Hyde Park. I added ribbons from the image to give it the look of a  rosette.

I enjoyed researching facts about my Heroine and I hope my precise of her life's work inspires you to think about your Hero or Heroine. It could be anyone from history, fiction even or someone in your family.
For more inspiration please visit Unstampabelles and visit my teamies to read about their Hero or Heroine, you won't be disappointed.

Have fun and I look forward to visiting your blogs and reading about your Heroes.

'Add some Bling or Glitter'

Good morning crafty bloggers. I hope you all enjoyed your Bank Holiday last week end. WE are a week behind the UK so ours is this weekend. There'll be lots of fun down at the harbour with the usual 'tat' stalls. Now the Cypriots really like there 'Bling' so the challenge at CD Sunday this fortnight would really suit them!!

We had some fabulous Stepping Out entries last time and I know Jocelyn has a hard task choosing her top three. This time it's Sue's turn and she's chosen 'Add some Bling or Glitter'. Now we are all glitter girls at heart.......well most of us are anyway. As usual there will a Top Three and Sue will be sending a lovely prize to the winner. Please remember when creating your card to use something from a CD and tell us which CD it's from.....cos we're nosey and like to know.....thank you x.

 
It's my Grand Daughters birthday next week so this challenge came at the right time for me as she's a real girly girl and loves her bling and glitter. She'll be a teenager too so I had to find something appropriate. I went for an image I had in my stash.....not sure where it's from....if you recognize it please let me know so I can give credit. As you can see there are lots of appropriate images for teenagers on this topper.
For the background papers and sentiment I used a Crafters Companion CD 'Halcyon Days'.
I add matching ribbon with pearls on wire across the top and bottom and added some flower gems and butterflies. The sentiment reads 'Cherish your Dreams and follow your Passion'. I also added a lovely glittery No. 13 which I bought at the local bookstore.......we get our craft stash from a variety of outlets here in Cyprus!!
 
So what are you waiting for.....get that bling and glitter out ....and your CDs of course. For more inspiration from my Teamies pop over to CD Sunday.....you won't be disappointed... (link in side bar)
 
Have a lovely crafty week and I look forward to visiting your blogs to see what CD's and yummy bling you've used.


Monday 25 May 2015

#181 'Circles and Squares.'

Good Morning everyone it's my turn to choose the challenge theme over at Ooh La La.
 Its 'Circles and Squares'. We had some fab entries last time for 'Use a Pre Coloured Image'. Don't forget to pop over to Ooh La La and see if you're in the top three (link in sidebar) 
 
I have chosen a pretty image from 'Fleur D' Imagination' you'll find it under Doiley if you have this Cd and if you haven't put it on your wish list as there are some fab images on this CD.
 

For the challenge I chose to use a circle easel card. The base is covered in co ordinating background paper from the same CD. The fancy circle on the top is a die and was sent to me as a RAK from an online crafter friend....thank you Irene.....not sure which die it is.

I fussy cut one of the doileys and used it as the stopper. The two smaller ones are have also been cut out from a sheet of toppers. The square topper was placed centrally and I added silver sparkley border peel offs to outline it and added matching square pink gems to accent the corners.

The sentiment is a freebie from a magazine .....think it's Hunky Dorey.

As you can see you can let your imagination run wild with this one. It could be reflected in your layout or the images you use. You could also use up all those left over bits and pieces of background papers that you have hoarded away and simply cut them into squares and circles to make  interesting backgrounds........it's up to you.
 The sky's the limit when like me you let your imagination run away with you!!
Have Fun!!!

Sunday 17 May 2015

'Stepping Out' with Jocelyn

I can't believe it's time for another challenge at CD Sunday......don't the weeks fly by. We had some fabulous entries in memory of Wendy aka Purple Crazy. Now for the task of choosing a winner....not easy when there were so many wonderful creations. Keep checking the challenge blog to see if you were a winner of one of the yummy prizes.

It was my turn to choose the theme for the challenge last time and I set you the task of looking for 'Curious Cats'. We had some adorable images........ which isn't making my job easy to find my top three. The winners will be announced it two weeks so keep checking in.

The challenge this time 'Stepping Out' was chosen by Jocelyn. I think this will be popular too as every girl loves shoes!! There are some great CD's out there so I'm sure you'll find something suitable. This is my design.



It's from that great CD by Katy Sue 'Fabulous Shoes' . There are some fantastic designs on this CD. I don't think.....well I know actually....that I could never wear those heels. Gone are the days!!!

The layout was taken straight from the CD and I found some ribbon in my stash which matched perfectly. I made a ribbon border down the side and added matching green gems....Voila!! So easy to make. I know I usually go for fancy folds so this is a complete change of style for me. The greeting is from the CD too.

You'll find lots of fab designs from the rest of the team on the CD Sunday challenge blog (link in  sidebar). Plenty to inspire you ....so off  you pop.

Have a great crafty week. I look forward to visiting you.

Monday 11 May 2015

#180 Use a Pre Coloured Image

Good morning from a very sunny Cyprus. I think our Summer is finally here..... phewwwww thank goodness for that. I hate the Winters here but then I suppose most people do. Our orchard is doing a great job producing fruit and the apricots, cherries and plums are nearly ready. So there'll be lots of harvesting to done by the end of the month.

Two of the fruit trees early full of lovely blossom.



Soon there'll be yummy fruit!!
 
 
Enough of my wittering about Cyprus and on to this fortnight's challenge at Ooh La La. This time Janice is asking us to use a Pre Coloured Image on our creations. So no stamps coloured in please. Last time Sue asked us go back to our childhood with the theme 'Nursery Times'. We had some lovely entries so pop over now and see who's been lucky enough to be in her top three.....link in the sidebar.
 
This is my design for you from the new Paula Oakley CD.
 
The art work on this CD is stunning. Everything on my card comes from the CD. The image, designer paper, greeting, bow and buckles down the right hand side.
 
 
Close up of the art work.
 
I'm sure we'll get lots of entries for this challenge as there are some fab images out there and of course you can make a card for any occasion.
 
So off you go and visit the OLL challenge blog (link in side bar) and see what the rest of the design team have created.
I hope you have a fun week crafting and your weather is being kind to you. 


Monday 4 May 2015

Unstampabelles 'Family History'

Good Morning everyone. I'm a wee bit late with this post for Unstampabelles latest challenge but sometimes this PC just won't let me type in anything.....gremlins grrrrr.

Susan has challenged us this month with a theme that will be close to most peoples heart.....Family or more precisely...Who is in your family tree? The optional twist is Make it Vintage.

What is a family?

 ''You can have several families in your lifetime, even several families at once if you choose. Regardless of how you choose to define your family unit, whether it is traditional or unique, your definition is of the family unit that works for you. As the saying goes, "Family is what you make it." Whether made of blood relatives, friends, or pets, or a combination of these, your family can offer you the support you need to thrive.'' family.lovetoknow.com

But for the purpose of this challenge it is who is in your family tree. So we are looking for ancestral links e.g a mother, grandmother, aunt, uncle. father etc.

I chosen from my tree my Grandmother. She was very loving and supportive. Always there to help anyone. In fact the day she suddenly died was one such day. A old lady was ill and my Grandmother walked several miles to a pharmacy to get her her medicines. She came home and collapsed with a stroke never recovering. Bless her xx She was only 73.

This is her taken as a portraiture with my Grandfather when they were young. I have 'snipped' Grandpa off and will be using his piccie for another day.


I hope this will inspire you to seek out your old family portraits. This is one I have found only a short while ago when I got together with some of my second cousins. We got together after researching our family tree. It was a great afternoon of photo exchanges and stories. One dear cousin arrived from USA!! I couldn't believe this was my Grandmother as she looks so young and very pretty. I had never seen photographs of her at this age. In fact you never think of your Grandparents as ever being young do you. Another fact I discovered during this time of researching was about her brother. He had emigrated to Australia in the late 1800s and that branch of the family are now living in Hunter Valley. We have never met but occasionally I have emails from them. What a small world. I don't think he will have seen this photograph either. I may just have to send him a copy. So families far and wide for me and I suppose for you too.

Time for you to tell us a little about your family and make either a scrapbook page, card, memory box anything really. The prize this time is again donated my Susan. It is a great pillow box die.

 
The bottle of glue is not part of the prize . It's only been added to give you an idea of the die size.

Have fun and don't forget NO STAMPS x.You'll find the link to the Unstampabelles challenge in my sidebar.

Sunday 3 May 2015

'Curious Cats'

It's Sunday and time for another challenge at CD Sunday. It is my turn to choose the theme and I thought 'Curious Cats' would be a fun one to do. I have a friend in the UK who adores her cats and all the antics they get up to. It was her birthday last month so she was on my mind when I decided to go with this challenge.
Last time it was Christines turn and there were lots of lovely entries for her 'Lots of Layers' challenge. I don't envy her the task of deciding upon a winner.
The challenge in tribute to Wendy aka Purple Crazy is still running and there are some fab prizes on offer for this one too.

Here is my inspiration for you.
 
The CD I used was from Joanne Sheen with artwork by Janet Kruskamp. The background paper with the small cat image is actually from an insert on the CD but I liked the idea of the small image at the outside of the scene so I went with that. The greeting is also from Joanne Sheen using another of her CDs.
 
So what are you waiting for I know we have lots of cat lovers here in blogland so dust off those CDs and create a 'Curious Cat' card or anything papercraft related. I will be choosing my Top Three when the challenge closes and will be sending you a little prize from sunny Cyprus. Don't forget to check out the rest of the team's inspirations and give them some love. The link to main challenge is in the sidebar and from there you can also go to Wendy's challenge.....so two bites of the cherry for you.
Have fun I know I did.