A DIFFICULT WEEK, BUT WHAT BEAUTIES WE HAVE TONIGHT....

It has indeed been a difficult week - Malcolm had problems with his sight and ended up having emergency surgery for a detached retina in his left eye - but then had even more problems and is now back in hospital with raised eye pressure from the surgery.  This caused severe sickness and dizziness.  We are hoping he will be home tomorrow at some point - but it was all very scary at the time I have to say!  And we experienced the worst and the best that the NHS has to offer - or at least how they struggle with A&E and lack of resources (especially on a Friday night!)

However it is lovely to see him now much improved, due to some excellent medical intervention, although he won't have sight in the offending eye for a while yet.  In celebration I am back here with some more little beauties to show you.

Firstly many thanks for leaving such a lot of kind comments on my last post, and so pleased you are enjoying the new rubber releases, and remembering my Craft Stamper project.  I have lots of images to show you both incorporating the new stamps (to follow), and also celebrating February and 'A Fine Romance' (below).  And our current Challenge which you will find still running on this Post: http://craftyindividualsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/a-new-challenge-in-month-of-romance.html,
with 12 days to go to 'link in' your project.

Here we go with some further Challenge inspiration starting with a really pretty heart by Daniele, with various images and Daniele's step by step instructions below...

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Steps..
I have used a heart shape from Aspire but this will work with any chip board shape.
I stamp the clock image CI-354 with Versamark and then embossed with fine gold embossing powder by Wow, I masked off the clock and then using Archival Potting Soil ink to stamp the tulip image CI-388, then I coloured the images and background of the heart with Pan Pastels.
I stamped CI-139 onto a piece of card suitable for water colouring with Potting Shed again and coloured in the image using Tattered Rose, Tea Dye and Victorian Velvet, the background of the stamp was coloured in with Prismas pencils.
I used a diamond stencil and stencilled parts of the heart with Imagination Sparkle Medium paste. Dry with a heat gun.
Fray a piece of cheese cloth fabric and arrange on heart.
Using your finger or stencil brush to add Treasure Gold (I've used white fire) to the edges of the heart and stamped image.
Stick pearls around the inside edge of the image
I've used white seam binding for the bow which I coloured using Tattered Rose Distress ink spritzed with water fir a softer look, add a heart button.
Stamp three different size flowers from CI-206 with versamark and emboss with gold, snip into two of the petals and glue slightly behind each other, curl the edges the flowers and stick below the image.

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I love the way Daniele has given the flower stamps from CI-206 a dimensional look.  The 'love lady' stamp has now been discontinued but I'm sure many of you still have it, but if not we have many other stamps that would fill the romantic niche.  All other stamps mentioned can be found at www.craftyindividuals.co.uk 

I now have a very romantic decorated box to show you, by Sylvie.  Loving how Sylvie has incorporated our newest die onto the top of the box, and all the CI stamps around the sides ..

All other dies used can be found HERE, and the pretty filigree corners (top centre), and box feet are in the 'Must Haves' section HERE.

Next I have a simply adorable 3D 'love' project by lovely Gio...

CI background papers and silhouette stamp CI-377 feature on this pretty pedestal.  Gio has also used the oh so useful box feet to complete her project!

Just time now to finish with two more luscious romantic themed projects - a perfect Valentine's heart in all the right colours by Laury..

With CI-258 in the centre, and a touch of CI-253 around the edges!   And a very pretty hanging by Lynne..

With background hearts from CI-342, plus a CI main image, and a very useful Parisian postmark stamp from CI-122.

Now its definitely time for sleep, so thanks for checking us out, and I will be back with lots more very soon,

Jean x