Toyota Elena Auto 7 - New Adventure Part 1

When I was around 8 years old, we had a neighbour who had a knitting machine. It was my first touch of how easy and fast it was knitting! The lady taught me to knit a skirt and a nice knitted vest, oh boy how much I loved them. The experience of machine knitting and my beautiful knitted clothes.

For few years I've been thinking to get a machine ,but only if I find a bargain. There are tons of risks naturally buying a second hand machine, but I wasn't looking anything fancy. Definitely not electrical or electronic thing. Not too complicated either, my brain is not the same as before, due heavy medication and heheheh, old age.

Well, there is was, ebay starting price £29.99

Yes, I won the auction, for some reason I was the only bidder. Lucky me! There is exact same model with same accessories asking price £250! 

Next hurdle was to get machine home. Wonderful girl from our congregation helped me out and  collected TEA home. (Yes, TEA as Toyota Elena Auto)

This Toyota model was in production circa 1985, time when machines were made for last. It says "Full metal needle bed, 4.5mm". I assume this is important information. Ok, time to open the box. Boxes, as there was also a Lace Carriage included. And punch cards and manuals and sketch papers.

Okay, this is all for now. Need to read manuals. Several times. Slowly. Absorbing the information. 

Tea Time

It's windy out there and sky is darkening more and more. It's Ophelia, or what ever is left of this hurricane, coming for a visit. We are all safe and well and it's a perfect time for a nice cup of tea!

Lili of the Valley stamps are cute, how ever long you have had them, and over and over again it is nice to take a stamps and markers out and do something!

Again I took and embossing folder and sanding paper out. The effect is such a nice change for most of the time using design papers.

Easel cards are easy to make and it doesn't need too much to secure the standing. This time I glued 5 4mm rhinestones. Works well :)

Card blank - Craft UK

Stamp - Lili of the Valley

Colours - Promarkers (Letraset)

BP - stash

Die cuts - Tonic Studios, Spellbinders, Sizzix

Embossing folder - bought from China, no marking for manufacturer

Embossed card - Tim Holtz brand

+ a bit of sanding

Flowers - made by me

Rhinestones and ribbons - stash

I hope there is still time to take part:

Passion for Promarkers - #416 Embossing

Color Inspiration Monday - Hand Colored Images 

Crafting from the Heart - Always Anything Goes 

Cutie Pie Challenge - must be cute - #116 THINK PINK

Bunch of Flowers

Thankfully we have had quite beautiful autumn weather here in Yorkshire, but bunch of flowers always makes you feel warmer. I prefer flowers in their natural habitat, not in a vase. Embossed, stamped, hand crafted, drawn, painted, etc etc are all beautiful and those ones I love.

Here is one flowery card I made yesterday:

Card blank - Craft UK 8x8
Embossing Folder - 

Card Stock - blue is Tim Holtz brand and after embossed it, I used sandpaper to make the image clearer. (I LOVE sanding)

BP - stash - it was fun to cut pieces of 2" wide strips to cover 8x8 card - very therapeutic 

Flowers - made by me and Silhouette Cameo cutter 
Paper for Flowers - Lidl 

Sentiment - by using Silhouette Cameo cutter pens and blade

Music Sweet Music

Autumn is knocking the door and when you need some cheering up (cheer up and chin up), Art Impressions stamps are just perfect for any occasion.

Here is one of my favourites, hehe, it's me although I don't have a piano, but enthusiasm is like looking at the mirror, perfect :)

Card blank - 8x8 die cutting using Go Kreate Frilly #7

Stamp - AI - U1527 Betty

Coloring - Promarkers from Letraset (old name)

Backing papers - Dovekraft / Lidl 

Gems - stash

Flowers - me, scraps, gems, glue and Tonic Studios punch

Distressing touch - Ranger Tim Holtz

Sentiment - sort of from Cliff Richard's Congratulations song

Challenges for this one:

Passion for ProMarkers - #415 Pretty in Pink

Looking for Greener Grass

There is something very sweet in this stamp. From the biggest to the smaller they work together to give Mr Big Pig a chance to look for the greener grass. 

Got this stamp from eBay years ago, but unfortunately never got the front part. Never mind, this is such a beauty anyway. Not the first time I made this to a card :) 

All farm animals like spring and yay! will get out and enjoy sunshine, nice warm promise of summer and want to wonder around. (Clearly I have no idea of real farm life, but here we go!)

Stamp - Art Impressions U1719 Pig (front and) Back

Colours - Prismacolors Pencils

Card blank - Craft UK

Backing papers - Trimcraft

Flowers - small made using Cheery Lynn die + distress inks

Flowers - big made using Britannia die + distress inks

Card stock - Image stamped on Papermill 300gsm ivory card

and white hammered card backing is from Crafter's Companion

Cutting die - Go Kreate Frilly #3

Anything else - stash

Some nice challenges:

Crafty Catz – #162 - Anything Goes with a twist: Touch Of Pink (PIG)

Art Impressions Stamp Challenge  #204 Spring-y Cards

Moving along with the Times 2W,3E #41 Handmade or Die Cut Flowers