Artful Readers Club - Three Women of Liverpool.

My book this week is by Helen Forrester and I thoroughly enjoyed it, read late into the night to finish it. It is another story set in the time of the second World War. This one is about the air raids on Liverpool which began on May 1st 1941 and in particular the effect they had on the interwoven lives of three women. As in my last read it is the courage of these brave women which stands out in the face of adversity. The ability to find happiness among such horror and destruction is amazing.
My Mum and Dad met and became engaged at this time, marrying in 1943 so I made a photograph of them, from that time, the focal point of a scrapbook page. I worked in Craft Artist 2 and used some embellishments from a Serif kit called 40's Wartime.

Crafty Ann's Challenge - Sound of Music

I love this paper from Crafty Ann's latest collection so used it with a photo mask to create a scrapbook page of John playing in his band. I added some swirls in CA2.
Do take a look at the creations of the rest of the DT here and I hope that you will be inspired to join us this week especially as it will be Crafty Ann's final blog challenge. It has been a pleasure to use Ann's lovely papers and artwork as a member of her design team and a pleasure to visit all your blogs and see your lovely artwork. Ann's shop here will be closing on April 5th so do visit to buy your favourites  before that date.
Jen x

CD Sunday Challenge - Hugs and Wishes

My topper is from Christine Haworth's Meadow Bears CD and I think this little bear certainly needs a hug. The light is so poor for taking photos so apologies for the quality of the pic, it was the best of them!
Jen x

Artful Readers Club - The Last Telegram

My book this month was The Last telegram by Liz Trenow. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finding the characters totally engrossing. The story is set in the second world war and centres around a family who manufacture silk. It is a love story told at the end of the heroine's life. I admire the spirit of the women in the story, Gwen and Lily herself. These were ordinary people doing their best in the time of war, making parachutes and knowing "if you get it wrong you have dead pilots". The relationships are so credible. I was inspired to make a box for keepsakes as it is the unearthing of such a box in a cupboard by Emily that has Lily reliving her story. I don't want to spoil the story by revealing the story in case anyone wants to read it!

I used a wooden box that had once contained a pen set and painted it with purple acrylic paint

 I then, in sections, painted over it with watered down PVA glue followed by white acrylic paint. I used a heat gun to dry it and watched the crackle appear.

 I then stamped the outline of a design  using a two daisy stamps from Sheena Douglas. I painted my leaves and daisies using Sheena's paint fusion techniques and added ca few sprigs of lavender.

 Finally I lined the inside of the box using a love letter written in the 1800's by a soldier, this is available as a download from Chocolate Baroque.and added a few old letters and a photo.

So enjoyed doing this  I plan to keep a few special mementos of my own in it.
Jen x

CD Sunday - On Your Bike

My papers, image and embellishments are all from MCS Limited Edition CD "Everyday Men's" section. It is a 5 by 7 card for all those young trail bikers out there.
Jen x

Crafty Ann's Challenge #83 - Love Actually

I used one of Ann's lovely papers from Imperial Purple kit and a metallic frame to create this 12 by 12 scrapbook page of John and me.
Do join us at Crafty Ann's challenge blog and show us your interpretation of "Love Actually"

CD Sunday - Showtime

For the fun challenge on CD Sunday this week I have made an A5 card. I made this in CA2 using the CD "Cabaret" from Daisy Trail.
Jen x