Happy In-Betweenie!

Hi everyone.
Well, we are now in the middle of Christmas and the New Year celebrations and, oh my word, I cannot stop eating! I'm pretty sure I'll be the one rolled out, never mind the barrel! (Some of you might not understand that song reference!).
Anyhoo, I stated that my craftroom is closed until the New Year when everything is back to normal and the Christmas tree and all the pretties are put away for another year but that hasn't stopped me having a mooch through my projects over the year and choosing 9 of my personal favourites.  Those which gave me joy whilst, or after, making them.
So here they are in all their glorious technicolour .

I hope you enjoy them as much as me.

Clean and simple watercolours background 

Cute simple foxy friend

Li'l gothy birthday!

Creative stamping mag stamps, watercolour and embossing powders

Indigoblu bee & crown stamps, mixed media background 

Studiolight dies and papers

Studiolight papers and accessories 

Julia McNeill "Poppy" digi stamp, alcohol ink background. 

Mixed media ATC's

Have yourselves a fabulous New Years eve but, if you're not in the mood to celebrate,  or if you find yourself alone, please try and look forward to new possibilities that a new year might bring, and don't look back. It can sometimes take us all to sad places.

Cheers for now 🍾🍾🍾

Lesley xxx

New Role for 2020!

Hey everyone!
I've been so excited recently because I applied to join the Trimcraft Maker team and they invited me to join for 2020!
If you're not sure who Trimcraft are, you may find that you've been using their products for some time!
https://www.trimcraftdirect.com/
You might notice they are suppliers of the fabulous First Edition, Dovecraft and Nova ranges amongst lots of others so have a mooch using the above link!

Their craft blog is a wonderful font of information with tutorials, videos, guides and oodles of interesting comps with fab prizes every week!

So, what are you waiting for? Pop over to the Trimcraft page and have a good old nose around then come back to me here!


Ok, so now you've done that, I hope you will like the projects and makes I intend to put out there next year. Joining a new team is always nerve wracking at first but I'm pretty confident that it will work out just fine as all the team members seem such lovely people.

IF you have the time to leave a comment below, I would be really grateful. I would really like to build a network here and I hope to inspire others as I've been inspired by many crafters just by blog following and learning lots of style and techniques from them.

So, have yourselves a super evening/morning wherever you are in the world and I hope to post new bits and bobs very soon!

TTFN
Lesley xxx

Hieeeeeeeee!!!!

Happy December everyone!
I've been absent for a couple of months as I've had a very busy time with all sorts of stuff n nonsense going on but....I'm back !
I've been busy making cards for my Design Team at Fiskars UK and for Papercraft Inspirations and although I've not blogged about it, I have been posting them on Instagram @lesley.pyle if you fancy a looky loo!

Last month, over at Fiskarettes (check the page out on Facebook) we had a collaboration with The craft cotton company and I volunteered to take out my sewing machine (lend it to my sis in law  first!)  then knuckle down and create a project using some glorious 100% cotton fat quarters.
Now, I'm not a sewer but I can just about find my way round hemming a skirt or sewing in a straight line so, it was a challenge to actually find a pattern, follow it through and make something Christmassy.
As my machine hadn't come back to me, I ended up hand sewing my item and, you know what?, I enjoyed it! Since my machine came back, I've started on a few more as my sister in law liked them so much she asked me to make them for xmas presents!!!


DRUM ROLL PLEASE................for my neck warmer/heat pad.

How happy with the result was I???

Now its going to cost me  a  fortune  in lovely fabrics and keep the machine going .......until I get fed up!!!

As for cardmaking???
I have oodles to share with you but it just might be easiest to pop onto Instagram ....@lesley.pyle .....(in case you forgot!)

I've also made lots of advent calendars this year for family and friends. Well, friends children anyway!

I've made wreath advents, woodland scenes and mini boxes.

Such a busy bee!

So  that was a quick hello and I'll leave you with this thought.........Crafting all day won't solve all your problems ........but neither will housework!

Crafty hugs

Lesley xxx

Hi!

Evening all (said no-one......ever!)

My how these weeks are just flying by.

One minute you're full of good intentions and grand ambitions and the next......you're nowhere to be seen (other than Facebook and Instagram!!!)

Honestly, I am so negligent I embarrass myself.

I've been suffering a couple of health problems and I just cannot seem to organise my days into sections of craft, blog, insta, fb, and housework etc!!!

It all seems to blur into one long day of lost mojo, lack of inspiration and no heart for housework so I stick my butt on my chair and hope that just by picking up a pair of scissors or some crafty mags, my mojo will come flooding in.

But, lately, it hasn't.

I have made a few cards and things but they're really not my best efforts if I'm honest.

Oh well : (

Anyhoo, just thought I'd let you all know that, for the foreseeable future, I won't be posting or even updating my blog.

I don't give it the time it deserves and I think Facebook and Instagram may be the better platforms for my style of blogging.

Should I decide to come back, then I know exactly where my creation will be.........right here, ready and waiting for the new me. 

The creative me.

The me who loves the feel and smell of paper and ink.

The me who is fixed and not feeling poorly any more.

So on that rather melancholy note I wish you all a very fond TTFN.

Until the next time, please look after yourselves and take care.

Lesley xxx

Beachy stamps - Creative Stamping mag 72

Hello again.
Today I'm posting this piccy of a card I recently made using the lovely stamps with Creative Stamping mag (issue 72) which I sent to CS mag and they've printed it in the readers letters page.
I enjoy receiving the stamps with each monthly issue as I usually find inspiration to make something lovely with them!
I'd seen a make by Jennifer McGuire and I decided to use her ideas to make this one.
I think it worked out quite well :)

I have been making some secrety things too!
I do have some news, but I'm not yet at liberty to disclose it or I might burst into flames!!!
Watch this space :) :) :)

Have a great day
TTFN
Lesley x

Evening all :)

Hi everyone.
I've been absent for a while again (mea culpa!) but I'm here to just update on where I'm at with my crafty world.
I am absolutely loving this Lady Bea by Julia McNeill of Julia McNeill Crafts . She has been so kind as to share this image for free and I'm excited to find exactly what she has in her new website, which is launching this Friday (28th June). I really like her drawing style and I enjoyed creating this mixed media card......

Such a great image to work with!

I've had some time to play with my "toys" (ie - my stash!) for a change and I remembered I needed to make two cards to send out asap. I'm always last minute even though I've a craftroom full of stock!

This card is for a couple of lovely friends of mine who I haven't seen for a couple of months as we live quite a distance from each other.

I thought it might be nice to say "hello" and I used a Tracey Hey stamp set to make it. I love this set and Tracey is another artist who has the most awesome stamps on her site! (I NEEEEED them all!)

So sorry this picture's a bit out of focus - just squint a little and it will look much better!!!

My final make for this last fortnight is this 6th anniversary card for my daughter and her husband.

Traditionally, the theme for the 6th year is sugar, so I went ahead and used these super fun liqorice allsorts and love heart stamps which I've had in my stash for some time. I made it quite fun and modern and thankfully, it was well received.

As for the rest of my days? Well, like everybody else, I just mooch along doing the shopping, going for breakfast or lunch, then racing home to get into my craftroom before it forgets me!!! I'm in here everyday so, if there's ever anything you need making for yourself or for anyone else, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I love my days to have a purpose and I love to create for other people.

Oh yes, and I had my hair cut and coloured....here's a cheesy photo of me...Well, before I slept on it and ruined it that is!!

TTFN

Lesley xxx 

Published a few times!

So, I'm back again!
Like a bad penny I always turn up especially when I get that "MUST WRITE IT ALL DOWN" moment. You guys out there in Craft-land get both barrels when I need to update this blog as I don't do it regularly enough and now I've to try and remember exactly what I need to post!!!

I do know I've had a couple more submissions in my Papercraft Inspirations magazine printed.

As part of the Reader Tester Team, I've been making cards for them for almost 2 years now and every month I'm grateful to have my makes in the mag but last month.....I had TWO!!!
Isn't that just greedy!
Not only that, but I had a make published as a prize winning entry into their Facebook group - #mondaymakes !

This first photo is of BOTH my makes pictured side by side in the mag (Issue 192 July 19)

This photo shows my entry into "Mondaymakes and my little prize!! Who knew!!! I didn't until a friend pointed out that I was in the mag THREE times!!! lmho 

So, after all that excitement, I've a couple of other bits of news but, as usual, until I'm allowed to mention things I just have to stay silent.................................WHICH IS REALLY REALLY HARD FOR ME!!! 

So, that's all for now I guess. I think I might post a couple of my own projects in the next couple of days as I haven't done that for a while now!

 It's about time I made a tutorial video or a how-to post too. 

We'll see.

See you soon

Lesley x

Pinflair Design Team work on Create and Craft!

Hi everyone!
I thought it was time to jump onto the old blog and post a few updates.

I've been super busy in Craftland, making DT projects and being published a little more than usual, which is lovely!

Over on the Pinflair DT, we've been busy creating for a show, which aired on Create and Craft today (!) and we've been focusing on cartonnage without fabric.
Traditionally, Pinflair deal in cartonnage kits and recommend that you cover them with beautiful fabrics but, as Jo wanted to shake things up a bit, we went ahead and covered the kits with anything BUT fabric!

Below is a selection of items which I made for the show :-

This is the Rotary Tidy, which I've covered with the Rust-It effect paints, papers from my stash and some die cut cogs and shapes.

The 2 box sets above are from the Tissue Box Kits and I've covered the long tissue box in papers, a trellis die and flowers from my stash then sprinkled Pinflair highlight dust on the flowers for some sparkle. The second box I painted in black gesso then painted the pattern on with Pinflair liquid buff-its, pearl wands  (all available on C & C and here from Pinflair)  and Posca paint pens.

I combined the Box Files with the Desk Tidy Kit and decoupaged the lot with old book pages! I used stamps with Versafine black ink for added interest then lined it all with contrasting red papers.

This Handibag kit is covered with Graphic 45 Mon Amour papers. It's a useful item as it can be used for loads of different things from make up to sewing kit to nail care pack....etc, and you can decorate it anyway you like and even gift it to someone!

This is one of my favourite items because it is so practical! These Carry Trays, when adhered back to back, make a fabulous "carry everything anywhere" kit! I base painted with white gesso and covered it all with watercolour paints! I used some stencils and stamps for decoration and my We R Memory Keepers Alphabet punch for the lettering.

Craft time!

Hi all!
So, I've been and had a little holiday over on the Greek Isle of Zakynthos (Zante), for a week and I'm missing my friends there like mad now! Isn't it just rubbish going on holiday for one week only? I mean, what really is the point? And yet.....we do it twice a year!!!
I'd much prefer to stay for longer but, as the OH works for himself, it isn't cost effective for him to be away from work for too long - or, as I think, he just can't abide to be away from work for too long otherwise he gets fidgety!
So, we end up with two weeks away split over the year.
This holiday has been no different to the others in as much as it was excellent! Tiring (exhausting actually), because I never sleep when I'm away; I've over indulged on food and drink (yaaay - that's what holidays are for!) and emotional because I love to meet my friends but hate to leave them again :(.
Anyhoo, I know I need to start healthy eating again--------at some point! So many cakes, so little time!

Before I went away, I did make a few items for Papercraft Inspirations (as you do!) and for myself too!

My latest card in the Papercraft Inspirations mag  consisted of some lovely Stampin' Up papers and cut outs to make the cutest giraffe shaker card (pictured)

I also made my daughters birthday card (33 - where do the years go?) and I made this using the free stamps from Creative Stamping magazine (70) by Hot off The Press.

I have also made 3 cards using issue 71 stamps, Creative Stamping mag, but I've not put sentiments on them yet as they're just for my stash and if anybody needs a card for maybe a wedding/engagement/anniversary etc. They're made in the same format as the birthday card as that's my go-to style this month!!!

So that's all for now folks!

I've got my head full of DT stuff for Pinflair as our Jo has a show in the next week or so and she certainly knows how to keep me out of mischief!!!

Have a great weekend everyone

TTFN

Lesley x

Craft Stamper Challenge!

Wow!
I cannot believe I'm back already!
I've decided to enter the April Take It Make It Challenge over at the Craft Stamper blog so this will be my second blog post in one day!

For this challenge, ANYTHING GOES!

So I went with 3 ATC's as I received my Creative Stamping magazine the other day with a set of fabulous Crafty Individual Vintage stamps and I just had to make something with them and this is what I came up with :

I created my backgrounds on canvas paper using distress inks which I smooshed onto my craft mat swiping my paper through and drying between each different colour.

I then used distress oxides to create interesting background images (2 masculine and one feminine) before stamping the main images using a variety of mediums; stazon black ink, wow embossing powder in white and gold and posca paint pens in black and white.

I added a little pearl pen and some sentiments to finish them off.

So, from the wilderness to an abundance of posts in one day (tee hee :) )


TTFN (again)
Lesley x

Challenged - In many ways!

Hi everyone!
I've been away from blogland for a few weeks now as I felt that the amount of social media I share my work with became overwhelming to the point where I didn't feel like sharing so much anymore!
Anyway, I decided to overcome this blockage and dive back into the world of sharing here again.

As usual, my days can be either chaotic and busy or just downright boring!
If I didn't have my faithful old craftroom to play in, I think I'd just lose all my marbles.........again! You might remember where I found my marbles last time they went missing..........check the blog if you're intrigued!

I have been super busy creating stuff for the lovely Jo at Pinflair (my current Design Team).
She has developed her side of the crafty business -LuvCrafts -and posted it under the Pinflair umbrella so she can work alongside the rest of her lovely family so, our first show will be on Create & Craft on Monday 22nd April (Easter Monday!). She'll be sharing this show with her mum, Christine, who was the very first guest on Create and Craft when it first aired in 2003! So, she must be doing something right!

My work with Papercraft Inspirations magazine continues too. Each month I have a task to create something for the Reader Tester section and I still enjoy doing it and the good news is that one of my teamies (Diane Williams) on the Pinflair DT is a new member of the Reader Tester Team and she is brilliant! I'll just have to up my game!
Oh yes, I have recently  been accepted into another DT, my term with them begins in August, but I'm not at liberty to state who it's with just yet! You'll have to check back here nearer to my start date as I'll be able to divulge the company's name then!

On a personal note, my OH is fully back to normal now after last years' horrendous problems and we are looking forward to our first holiday to Zante, at the end of the month, since September 2017. I, for one, cannot wait! Just to go and visit our lovely friends out there and to take in the sun and sea for a week is going to be heavenly. As for the cocktails - I might just have to have a few every day to make up for lost time!!!

That's everything in a nutshell for now.

I'd like to say I'll be good and blog new stuff as soon as I think of it, or make it, but I'll probably forget and so I'll say adieu for now!

I will try to be back as often as I can.

TTFN
Lesley xxx

Sorry for the delay

Hi all.
So, yet again I have to apologise for the delay in posting anything on my blog.
I feel the blog has given way to Instagram at the moment and I think that it will be a good idea to keep posting on there for the near future.
I'm not completely abandoning my blog , just putting it to bed for a while!
My DT work at Pinflair and Papercraft Inspirations mag is still ongoing but things have been a little quiet so, until it all picks up again, you can find me on Instagram @lesley.pyle and at my Facebook Page - In My Craft Room Daily.

Hope you have a good weekend 😁

TTFN
Lesley xxx

Mid Jan already!

Good afternoon everyone!
Well, can you believe how quickly the year is passing already?
It doesn't seem like 5 minutes since we were cleaning up after the New Years Eve party and now January is already half way through!
My OH is happy to get up for work every day but I'm not!!! I was quite happy lying in bed until I felt like getting up (around 8am admittedly!) and starting the day a tad later but....7.15 and the alarm clock wakes me even though he's the one going out! NOT ME!!!
LOL:)
Anyhoo, the days have passed by quite quickly really. I have lots of work to get on with in my craft room and daily housework does keep me busy but one thing I've begun to neglect again is my little blog :(
I didn't even post recent projects I've made for the magazine or even for the Design Team at LuvCrafts!
To rectify this, here are two makes which were featured in Papercraft Inspirations Magazine (issues 186 - Jan 2019 & 187 Feb 2019).

The first is a dinosaur "pull-up" card where you pull the tab downwards from the bottom of the card and the cute dinosaur just pops-up into the window at the top! Fun!

The second card is a "concertina" card which opens up into several layers and I added a few drawers at the bottom to put little surprises in!

There are two more of my makes yet to appear in further issues of the mag and I hope to remember to share them with you here! If you'd like any info on making either of these fun cards, please drop me a message in the comments box at the bottom.

So, from a rather chilly, yet sunny, Leyland, I hope you all have a great weekend :)

TTFN
Lesley xxx

New Year, New Start.

Hi all.

Well, we have lift-off!

By that, I mean my Other Half has started back at work after almost 9 months and he's thrilled that he's back in the working world again!
For the last few weeks, I could see that he was determined to get as fit as possible so he could return to work and get back to normal. Being at home has been hard for him. He hates having to do "housework" so yesterday morning couldn't come round fast enough!
It was a bit tricky waking up with him at 6.15am! I forgot there were two 6.15s in a day!
It's all going well even though he's only just finished day 2 but I think he's secretly chuffed that he hasn't lost his skills!
So, onward and upward and hopefully 2019 will be so much better than the last one!

As far as crafting goes, I've been really busy creating projects for LuvCrafts as Jo Luv has a show on Hochanda on Jan 29th so, although it seems like there's loads of time, there never really is!
I end up with everyday life just getting in the way and then panicking at the last minute just to have enough samples for Jo to take with her!

Anyhoo, I have cleaned my craftroom from all the Christmassy stash and made a couple of cards just for my own stock

For both of these cards, I used the free gift stamps which came with the recent issue (66) of Creative Stamping magazine.  Distress inks, Spectrum Noir markers, and a "wave" die are the only other things I've used really so these are quite simple to do.

Hoping you all have a great week

TTFN

Lesley x

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hi everyone!

As the festivities are finally over, the washing up's done and the tree's safely stashed away in the shed for another year - 2019 can begin in crafty earnest!

I hope lots of you had some lovely crafty presents this Christmas.

Personally, my family won't buy me any as they prefer to surprise me with things I didn't know I needed and do you know what? 

I always do!!!

Apparently, I have too much "stuff", according to them, so no crafty stash has come my way but that's not a problem as I know this will happen so I always treat myself to something anyway! Hahaha!

So, my quick post is just to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year and I pray that 2019 brings us all a little peace and light into our lives.

Love n hugs
Lesley xxx