Friday 27 January 2012

Could it be spring?

Greetings all!!

I'm just sat looking out of my craft room window and the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky, the birds are singing, the fact that all the trees in the back garden are bare makes you realise it's still winter. Spring is definitely on it's way though. Is it just me or do birds sound different when spring is round the corner?

I have been busy with more commissions for Crafts Beautiful. Plus we've got loads of people coming round to give us quotes on new central heating, radiators and new bathrooms. All these things to think about at the mo, my brain aches. You know what I mean, when it hurts to think, or to put it another way, you can't be bothered to think.

It was my Dad's birthday yesterday. I did him a fab card, I used the new Portobello Road collection from Papermania. It was very British, the main focus being on Big Ben. I placed it on the card at an angle (well it is leaning). Both my Mum and Dad really liked it. Forgot to take a photo - oops - slap wrist!

I have a friend who has just started a new job at the vets where I take Bazoo, so I've done her a Good Luck card with a black cat on it (very apt). Very bright and funky. Also, someone we know is going travelling round the world for a year, so I made her a Bon Voyage card. I remembered to take a couple of piccies this time!


Here I used papers from My Mind's Eye - Good Day Sunshine collection, First Edition - Animal Antics pad and K & Company - Greenhouse by Carolyn Gavin. The aeroplane is from a Cuttlekids die set, the flowers and fence are from a K & Company die cut pad which matches the papers. The Bon Voyage is stamped onto canvas all wonky like.


I used the same K & Company papers and die cuts as before, the black cat is a Judikins rubber stamp and I used the Tim Holtz - Scallops - On the Edge die. A few brads, ribbons and a rub on....ta da!

The photos really don't do them justice, they are so bright and funky in real life. I know the Carolyn Gavin collection is really hard to get hold of, I had to get mine from the US. The Judikins stamp was still available from Stamping Mad last time I looked.

The whole thing about crafting and looking at other people's work, isn't necessarily to copy like for like, but for inspiration and to use what you have or is available and put your own twist on it and enjoy!!

Happy crafting!!!

Friday 6 January 2012

Happy New Year!!

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. It's been a while, as like many people, I've been busy leading up to and during the Christmas period.

My resolutions are:

1. To build up a stock of cards for the coming year
2. To make my Christmas cards throughout the year (saves panicking at the last minute)
3. To get into a better work routine at home
4. To get back into my yoga and meditation
5. Leave weekends and evenings for hobbies and other pastimes
6. Try to get an early night once in a while

Hmmmm!

I've got a few commissions for Crafts Beautiful in the pipeline and I've just sent one off, so that has been keeping my busy, though I love it!! Check out his month's copy (Feb issue) it's jam packed with loads of fantastic projects. If you're like me and not the most romantic person in the world, in this issue I have a fun, quirky set of Valentine cards that aren't slushy or soppy. Perfect!

I have also got back into my needlework, and I am thoroughly enjoying it (resolution #5). I've missed doing it so much. Knitting is another thing I've been partaking in over the holidays (resolution #5 - again). Simon is now the proud owner of a stripey beanie hat! Here are some pics modelled wonderfully by Spongebob. I'm going to knit him a matching pair of gloves next. The wool is Soft Tweed by Patons. It's a 50% wool mix and is really soft and cosy. You can get it in some nice manly colours too.



Here are a few pics of cards that I did for Christmas (not part of the stock - resolution #2).


Here I used Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly papers and embellished with two jingle bells and green ribbon. The colours are unusual, but work really well.


I made this from card scraps and mounted it onto a snowflake background, finishing off with a rub-on sentiment and a button tied with bakers twine. Ooo! and a pom-pom for the hat.


This is a stamp by Stampendous, one of my favourite images. The paper is from the Peppermint Twist collection by K and Company. I think the pink and green theme works well too.

Again, I used scraps of card to make the Santa, then stitched around the design. The alphabet is 'Vixen' by QuicKutz. The holly motif is by QuicKutz too. 


Kraft card is really popular and good for men's cards. The snowman stamp is from the Basic Grey Snowman stamp set and the greeting is from the Penny Black Let it snow set.


This is simply using die cuts and paper from the Peppermint Twist collection by K and Company.

As is this one.


This again uses the Basic Grey snowman set and the paper is from the Basic Grey Jovial collection.

Hope you liked browsing through my cards and waffle. Until next time, ta ta!