Friday 15 August 2014

Allotment Fun.


Am sooooo excited as I have been growing butternut squash for the first time.  I bought a packet of seeds and thought I would have a go at growing them not knowing what the results would be.


I now have 6 perfectly formed little squash that are swelling and growing each day ready to be picked in the autumn when they have turned a buttery yellow colour.

I have also been growing pumpikins for samhain/halloween and again they are doing well.  Lovely and green as they start to swell turning to the gorgeous orange as the leaves start to turn in the autumn.


Having an allotment is so rewarding as each day the produce changes and grows.  I am kept in homegrown veggies for the most part of the year.  Healthy, good for me and with no chemicals in sight.

Have a fun day whatever you are doing :)

Thursday 14 August 2014

Stampin' Up! Flower Patch

These photopolymer stamps are great as being clear you can line them up perfectly.  I cut a load of 1" squares in white cardstock and then stamped 3 different images to make this funky patchwork design.

I havn't put a sentiment on yet put will use the teeny tiny sentiments when I decide what occasion this is going to be for.

allmark.j@sky.com to place an order for any of my cards.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Stampin' Up! Peace love and Cupcakes

This is a fun new stamp which I have just purchased.  I have given it a bit of a twist by having peace, love and friends.

I used the gorgeous grunge for the background and the lovely new in colours blackberry bliss and mossy meadow which I really like as they are strong vibrant colours and work really well against a crsip clean white background.

I put the peace, heart and flower on dimensionals after cutting out to give more of a 3d effect. Doesn't really show on camera though.

allmark.j@sky.com if you wish to order any of my cards.

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Stag by the Moon Card

Nature in all it's glory.  A powerful stag standing in the light of the moon.

With some lovely earthy tones this card is a real nature lovers card.

If you like any cards and wish to order then just drop me a line allmark.j@sky.com

Thanks for droping by :)

Monday 11 August 2014

Stampin' Up! New In Colours

Really loving the stampin' up! new in colours.  My favourites are the blackberry bliss and the mossy meadow.  At first I thought they would be really dark but stamped against a crisp white background the are stunning.


I used the gorgeous grunge and then topped it with a little butterfly.  The purple and green work really well together and give a really crisp clean card.

allmark.j@sky.com if you wish to order any of my cards.

Dandelion clock card

Love the effect of this clean and simple card with a dandelion and then adding little co-ordinating blloms to give a blown clock feel.

Hope you like it?

Give me a mail if you would like to order allmark.j@sky.com

Sunday 10 August 2014

Girl on a Swing

I just love this stamp set.  Trees are one of my favourite things and this silhouette with a little girl swinging is gorgeous.  I gave it a lovely summery feel with warm colours.  Hope you like it?

Sentiment free it is just a little notelet with a dreamy feel of summer evenings.

allmark.j@sky.com if you want to order any of my cards :)

Saturday 9 August 2014

Stampin' Up! Blended Bloom

This is a great stamp for using alchohol markers to blend colours together.  Here are a couple of examples.

There are so many different colour variations but I chose pink and blue.

If you like what you see and would like to order any of my cards then just drop me a line allmark.j@sky.com

Thanks for looking :)

Friday 8 August 2014

Stampin' Up! Corner Garden

This is a gorgeous background stamp which is absolutely huge.  The good thing is that you can use just part of the stamp to make some lovely images on cards.  Using alchohol markers or any other colouring material brings the image to life.  Here are a couple of examples.


Simple yet very effective.  If you like what you see and would like to buy any of may cards then just drop me a line allmark.j@sky.com

Thanks for looking :)

Thursday 7 August 2014

Lavinia Stamps Fairies

I just love the lavinia stamps and the gorgeous fairy images they do.  Here are a couple of recent ones.


I made a sunburst one one with a mask and with the lovely burnished tones it makes for a lovely summery feel.

Drop me a line allmark.j@sky.com if you would like to order one :)

Wednesday 6 August 2014

Bramble, Blackberry Jelly Recipe - Tips and techniques for the perfect jelly.

I have been asked to put this recipe up for all to share.  My late mother was an avid jam and jelly maker and this recipe has been handed down and taught lovingly by her.  At this time of year there are always lots of blackberrie to pick and this year with all the sunshine they are really gorgeous, sweet and ready for picking.

Equipment you will need

Large saucepan - the pan needs to be at least 4 times bigger than the juice because when it boils it will rise up the pan.
Jam jars - any glass jars will do so get them for free by saving all your old (great way to recycle). You can buy pretty jars from a good kitchen shop if you fancy spending a few pennies.
Wax discs - these really need to be bought as they will cover the finished jelly and help to preserve it by covering the surface area of the jelly.
Lids or clear plastic discs and elastic bands to cover and seal the jars.  If you have the lids to your jars then save them and use.
Wooden spoon - for stirring, metal spoons are not a good idea as they taint the jelly.
Jelly bag or old pillow case or muslin and an upturned stool - to strain the jelly you can buy a jelly bag, but an old pillow case opened up and tied securely on an upturned stool works just as well.

Ingredients

Blackberries, as many as you want to pick
Water
Sugar - jamming sugar is best as it contains pectin (you can get this from most supermarkets) you will need 1lb of sugar for every pint of juice.

Method

Put blackberries in saucepan with 4 tablespoons of water per lb of fruit bring to the boil and simmer for 5/10mins until all the blackberries are soft.  Use a wooden spoon to stir and squash the fruit to get most juice.

Pour the mixture into the jelly bag or your pillowcase tied securely on upturned stool with a big bowl underneath to collect the juice. (do make sure it is tied securely because of the weight of the fruit )  Leave to drip through overnight.  Do not rush this process or try and squeeze or touch the bag while it is dripping.  This will cloud the jelly and it will not be a beautiful clear jelly.

In the morning the fruit will be dry in the jelly bag and the juice will have collected in the bowl.

Pour the juice into a large saucepan (remember at least 4 times larger than the juice collected) and add 1lb of sugar per pint of juice.  Bring the juice to the boil and let it boil vigourously for about 30 mins or until jelly ready.  Test this by putting a little juice on a cold saucer and if it starts to wrinkle then it is set.  The boil of the juice will change from a loose boil sounds quite fast to a slower boil. This is when the juice will rise up to almost the top of the pan.  The sound changes so keep putting a drop onto the cold saucer. (It's a bit of trail and error the first time but once you recognise this change then it is plain sailing).

The jars should be sterilising in a sink of boiling water and the boiling jelly should be poured into the hot jars immediately. If the jars are cold they will crack. Use a ladle and a glass jug to get the jelly into the jars so they don't spill everywhere.  *Warning* boiling jelly is very hot and will burn you badly so do this process very carefully.

The juice will be runny as still boiling so will pour easily into the jars.  As it cools it will set, hence doing this immediately.

Leave the jars to cool slightly but while still hot put the wax covers onto the jelly and cover with lid.

The jelly will keep for several years unopened, but can be eaten as soon as cold and set.

Enjoy!


Wedding Card

I was asked to make a wedding card for someone who had non traditional tastes, so I came up with this gorgeous card with a raven holding a heart and a slightly distressed look.

I hope you like it?  It has a bit of a steampunk feel with the brass coloured cogs.  It was received really well and was great fun to make.

If you would like a special card made then drop me a line allmark.j@sky.com and I'd be happy to create one for you :)

Tuesday 5 August 2014

Personalised baby card

It was a great pleasure to be asked to make a card for a new born baby.  The gorgeous lavinia fairies stamp was just perfect and with the addition of her name made this a very special card.

If you would like a personalised card for whatever occasion then just drop me a line allmark.j@sky.com

Thanks for looking :)

Monday 4 August 2014

Stampin' Up! Flower Patch

Well I have just received the photopolymer flower patch set, so of course had to have a little play.  Here are some of the cards I made.  Wasn't a real fan to start with but like everything else with a little practice the results are quite lovely.





Like the fact you can layer and use the co-ordinating die set which is a lovely way of making a quick and easy set of cards.

All of the cards I make are for sale so just drop me a line allmark.j@sky.com if there is something you see which you would like to buy.

Thanks for looking :)