Sunday 30 June 2013

June Candy - Last Chance!

Mornin' all!
 
Just a quick reminder that entries for the June candy ends today. Click on the candy link in the sidebar for details on how to enter.
 
Good luck!

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Friday 28 June 2013

Congrats - Cricut Mini Project

Aft'noon peepsicles!

The weekend is almost here again - woohoo! Simon and I had a lovely day out at the Royal Norfolk Show yesterday. Lots of Pimm's all round!

I'd like to share with you, if I may, this weeks make using the Cricut Mini. A very simple and contemporary wedding card.




The digital cartridges used are Simply Sweet and Cuttin' Up. Both offer really cute, modern fonts and images. There are also several layers to play with there are more images with the Show Shift/Lock Images option. Visit Cricut for cartridges and project ideas.

Simply Sweet - Cricut

Cuttin' Up - Cricut

What you need...


Die cutting machine: Cricut Mini
Digital cartridges: Simply Sweet; Cuttin' Up - Cricut
Embossing folder: D'Vine Swirls - Cuttlebug
Card stock: pale grey, white, black, pale pink, mid pink
Adhesive gems: clear
Adhesives

What you do...

In your Cricut Craft Room, bring up the Cuttin' Up cartridge and select the Show Shift/Lock Images, choose the wedding cake/layers and cut out in the different shades of card. 
Select the congrats phrase/shadow from the Simply Sweet cartridge and cut out in pink and white card.
Assemble all the elements, mounting the phrase onto a piece of black card cut into a banner.
Create a 12cm x 15cm top fold blank in pale grey card. Mount a smaller piece of black card centrally onto it. 
Emboss D'Vine Swirls onto a smaller piece of white card and mount that centrally onto the black.
Attach the banner to the top right and the cake at the bottom left of the blank with foam tape. Finish with a few gems.

I chose the grey/black/white/pink theme for a clean, crisp modern look, but you could make the card to suit the colour of the bride/bridesmaids/flowers. 

This design would also be good as wedding invites, just change the phrase and to save time, don't emboss the white panel.

The layout was based on Retrosketch #30.


Visit http://retrosketches.blogspot.co.uk/ for more layouts and sketch ideas, plus lots of inspiration.

Hope you like this little make, thanks for popping by and see you soon xxx

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Thursday 27 June 2013

Google Friend Connect will be no more :o(

Good heevnin all!
 
As you may or may not know, Google Friends Connect is shutting down from the 1st July 2013 (Monday). You can follow me through Bloglovin.
 
Bloglovin is easy to sign up to, and it notifies you by email whenever a blog you follow is updated. For those of you who are already with Bloglovin, click on this link -  bloglovin.com/import/reader and from here you can import all the blogs you follow on Blogger to Bloglovin in one quick and easy step. So all you lovely craft bloggers I follow are now on my Bloglovin page.
 
Of course, there are other ways to follow me; by email, Twitter and Facebook (I've finally, begrudgingly succumbed, against all what is holy to activate my account - solely for promoting my makes, not for inane chit chat - har har). I'm also on Pinterest and Busymitts.
 
So please, join Bloglovin and follow me, I don't want to lose you lovely peeps!
 
Toodle-pip xxxx
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Sunday 23 June 2013

The Craft Awards 2013 (Crafts Beautiful/PaperCrafter)

Heevnin all!
Just a quick post :o)


The nomination stage for the Craft Awards 2013 (Crafts Beautiful/PaperCrafter) are now live. I would be really honoured (and most grateful) if you would nominate me for Designer of the Year and Best Craft Blog.
All entries will be entered into the prize draw to win 2 year-long subscriptions to two craft magazines of your choice. You can choose from - Crafts Beautiful, PaperCrafter, Homemaker, Let's Knit, Let's Get Crafting, Sew or Make Jewellery.
You can nominate by going to www.crafts-beautiful.com/craftawards or there is a nomination form on page 51 of the August issue of Crafts Beautiful (open to UK residents aged 18 or over).
I appreciate that some of my followers/readers do not craft, and as there are some entries that have to be completed, I've compiled a list of products etc. that I use/have used, have heard excellent comments about or would highly recommend. Of course, if you know of any others, please feel free to nominate them :o)
* = required
1 Best online retailer* – Make the Day Special
2 Best craft download -
3 Best craft blog – Cosmic Strawberry
4 Best new product 2012* - Cricut Mini (updated)
5 Paper craft range* – Echo Park
6 Best sticking product* – Double Sided Tissue Tape - Stix 2
7 Best craft punch* – E K Success
8 Best gadget/machine investment 2013* – Sizzix Big Shot (blue/teal)
9 Best painting range –
10 Best rubber stamping range* – Paper Smooches
11 Best baking range for crafts -
12 Best new craft book* – Handmade Glamping by Charlotte Liddle & Lucy Hopping
13 Best CD Rom/DVD product* – Colour Therapy with Nikky DVD
14 Favourite needlecraft product –
15 Favourite fabric range
16 Best craft chain store* – Hobbycraft
17 Best independent store* – North of England - Embsay Mills –Skipton
18 Best TV shopping for cards and crafts –
19 Best UK craft exhibition 2013 –
20 Best overall designer 2013* – Colette Smith
21 Favourite demonstrator/presenter in crafts* – Leonie Pujol
The nomination stage closes on the 19th July.
Happy voting and good luck in the draw!
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Crafts Beautiful August 2013 Issue

Happy Sunday folks!

We have a mix of sun/rain at the moment - boo! But at least it is warm.

So, as I can't get out into the garden I thought I would pop on, say hello and show you a peep at some of my makes in the current issue of Crafts Beautiful.


The project is 7 Ways With...Weaving. I chose seven different mediums to use on the cards, these included washi tape, fabric, paper, card, ribbon, stamping your own paper and Decopatch papers.

Here's a peek at some of the cards...

Stamped papers

Card strips

Decopatch papers

Fabric strips

Also in this issue, you get a free mini book - 'Quick & Easy Cards'. I also have a couple of makes in that too...



You may recognise the scooter card, I did a version of it a while ago in a previous post. There is a lovely card at the end of the mini book called 'baby notes'; it mentions my name as the designer. I just want to say, I didn't design this sweet little card.

 You also get another freebie, a Crafter's Companion CD. I'm not a fan of Crafter's Companion, but for fans, this CD is great and the freebie book is also packed with makes using the CD.

As usual, this issue is jam packed with all sorts of wonderful projects, hints, tips, inspiration and giveaways. There is a really good subscriber offer*, you get a Tonic Studios Pick of the Bunch Stamp & Punch Set worth £27.99. Don't forget, if you are an existing subscriber, you can renew your existing subscription to get this fantastic set.

There is also a new subscriber competition - all readers who subscribe will be entered into a competition to win a Cricut Cuttlebug worth £59.99! What are you waiting for? 

To download free papers, templates and for more crafting ideas visit www.craftsbeautiful.com

Well, that's me for the time being. Thanks for calling and see you soon! xxx

*Subscription gift is a UK only Direct Debit offer.
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Saturday 22 June 2013

PaperCrafter Issue 62

Good afternoon my lovelies!
 
Hope you are all enjoying your weekend so far.
 
Have you bought your copy of PaperCrafter yet? This issue is so scrummy. It has a circus/greatest show on earth/party feel to it with mouthwatering colours such as pink, turquoise and lime.


The kit that comes with the magazine includes the following:-
 
Gorgeous printed papers/vellum papers
Cherry and apple shaped blanks
Embellishments (including ribbon, wooden stars and gems)
MDF birdie
Decoupage tissue paper
Circus/show themed stamp set (10 stamps)
Card blanks and envelopes
Die cut chipboard motifs
Glue
Bonus patterned paper book
 
I really enjoyed working with this kit. The colours are so me. Here is a sneaky peek of some of my makes in this issue...

 
There are another four of my makes in this set, some with general greetings, such as 'hello' and another party themed card.
 
There is also a really good offer when you subscribe - a free lampshade kit and Kaisercraft papers. One of my fave items in the kit is the MDF birdie and floral tissue paper. It makes a stunning hanging decoration. 
 
Of course the magazine is bursting with lots of other wonderful projects, great ideas and inspiration, so why not treat yourself to a copy, grab a cuppa and sit outside in the garden and have a browse? Perfect.
 
That's all from me for now. I'll be back later with some of my makes from the current issue of Crafts Beautiful. Ta ta! xxxx

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Friday 21 June 2013

Oh Baby - Cricut Mini Project

H'afternoon peepsicles! 
It's Friday already and also the first day of summer! Not that you'd notice with the weather we've got today - utterly, utterly miserable :o( 
But! Never mind, I have another little project for you created with the Cricut Mini. This one is a little baby card. It's a very clean, simple and quick card to do, perfect for those quick arrivals! It's also very effective with the cut out phrase on the front. I covered the inside with coloured card to really make the phrase stand out.




This card is made using the ZooBalloo digital cartridge. It's packed with cute animals and a fun alphabet and also has some lovely images and phrases.

ZooBalloo - Cricut
Why not check out the Cricut UK website for a look at other cartridges on offer? Click here or on the link in the sidebar. Don't forget, you can use the cartridges in all Cricut machines (except Cuttlebug).

It also has an array of card blanks, one of which I used here. Not only does it cut the blank for you (with marks for scoring the centre) it cuts out the phrase in an aperature on the front. The good thing is you can cut a blank any size you want. I did a 14.5cm square blank.
What you need...
Die cutting machine: Cricut Mini
Digital cartridge: ZooBalloo
Card stock: white, raspberry, aqua, pale pink
Ribbon: aqua
Adhesive gems: clear
Adhesives
What you do...
Open the cartridge and click on the Card tab and choose the Oh Baby card, resize as desired. Select the Lower/Layer tab for the heart and re-size. Cut out the blank and heart. To bring up the bunny/pram image, you need to select the Show Shift/Lock Images. Choose the layers you want, re-size and cut out.
Assemble all the layers, fold and score the card and attach the images to the blank. Cover the inside with pale pink card and finish with a ribbon tied around the fold and a few gems.
I chose colours suitable for a girl, of course you can alter to suit a boy. If you want to make the card in advance, you could always do it neutral colours such as lemon, pale green and orange.
Hope you like todays little make. Thank you for stopping by and I'll be back later. Ta-ra! xxx
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Tuesday 18 June 2013

Dad You Are Amazing

Happy Tuesday everyone!

It's a lovely day here in Norfolk.

I'm off out into the garden this afternoon, got some fencing to finish painting, then I'm going to paint my new chicken coop. It's going to be painted in Sea Grass. A lovely coastal coloured paint from Cuprinol. Perfect for a cottage garden, I'm sure my girls (getting them in a couple of weeks or so - excited is not the word) are going to be very impressed. I'll post some piccies when they are settled.

Any hoo...todays post is the card I did for my dad for Father's Day.
 




Cool or what????

What you need...

Stamps: Picture It - Avery Elle; Chit Chat, Word Up, A Little Lovin - Paper Smooches
Card Stock: bright pink, lime, aqua, white, black
Ink pad: Onyx Black - Versafine
Promarkers: Amber, Cerise, Lime Twist, Oasis, Pink Mittens
Baker's twine: blue, pink, orange
Button: lime green
Adhesives

What you do...

Stamp the Polaroid frame, label, rabbit and sticky tapes three times onto white card. Colour in and cut out. Attach the rabbits to the reverse of the frames at different angles and trim any excess. Back each frame with a piece of coloured card and apply the labels.

Create a small pair of glasses and a mustache from black card and fix to two of the rabbits. Tie three lengths of twine around the bottom third of a 15cm square blank, thread through the button and tie.

Stamp the sentiment in the bottom right corner, arrange and adhere the photos around it. Finish by attaching the sticky tapes to the photos.

Ha! I think this card is so funny. My dad loved it anyway, it's a bit daft, just like him. No offence dad! Mind you, the fruit never falls far from the tree.

Hope you all liked my latest little creation, I will be back soon. Until then, stay out of trouble! xxxx
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Monday 17 June 2013

Dad & Retrosketches #56

Heevnin me luvvies!
Hope you all had a fab weekend! I was busy finishing off a commission for Crafts Beautiful, so I didn't get to spend much time in the garden, but it was lovely sitting in my craft room with the window wide open, listening to the birdies :o)
In this post I'd like to show you the card I did for Simon's dad. He doesn't have a tache, but I love taches and I refuse to do an old fuddy duddy card. So here it is....




What you need...

Stamps: He Said Clear Stamps - Teresa Collins
Patterned paper: Quotes 12 x 12; Mustache 12 x 12 He Said She Said - Teresa Collins
Dies: Mustaches -  QuicKutz Lifestyle Crafts; Framelits Circles - Sizzix
Punch: corner rounder
Card stock: dark brown, white 
Ink pad: Wheat - VersaMagic
Alphabet stickers: dark brown
Hemp cord: cream, tan
Buttons: dark brown, blue, tan
Adhesives

What you do...

Round the bottom right corner of a 13cm x 15cm top fold blank. Attach a strip of the Mustache paper down the left side. Cut a banner in circles paper from the reverse side of the Quotes sheet. Attach to the top left with a dark brown button tied with tan hemp.

Stamp the speech mark and lines onto white card in wheat ink. Die cut into a circle and mount onto a larger one cut from the circles paper. Die cut a mustache in brown card and mount onto the circles. Adhere to the lower right of the blank. Finish with blue and tan buttons tied with cream hemp and letters to spell 'Dad'.

Cool eh??? I used the Retrosketches #56 sketch for the layout.


You can find this layout and many more at http://retrosketches.blogspot.co.uk/

This blog is full of inspiration and ideas and some fantastic works of creativity. It's brill if you are stuck on a layout for your card. Don't forget, you can also adapt it slightly to suit.

Well, I'll go for now. I'll be back soon with the card I did for my dad. Enjoy your evening. Toodle-pip! xxx
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Friday 14 June 2013

Hip Thank You Flowers - Cricut Mini Project

Howdy Peeps!

Hope you are all feeling good!

Well, it's Friday. Which means the weekend is nearly upon us - whoo hoo!

I'd like to share with all you lovelies, this weeks Cricut Mini project. A bright and breezy 'thank you' card. So here goes...




Isn't it funky?

What you need...

Die cutting machine: Cricut Mini
Digital Cartridges: Country Life; Serenade; Lacy Labels - Cricut
Card stock: bright pink, chocolate, aqua, vanilla, white
Shimmer dots: iridescent
Button: bright pink
Baker's Twine: aqua
Adhesives

What you do...

Die cut your chosen images and phrase in coloured card. Assemble the layers and adhere to the front of a 5" x 7" white blank. Finish with a few shimmer dots and a button tied with twine. Ta da! Easy!

Some cartridges have several layer/shadow options and maybe the odd phrase or two; some also give you the option of 'Show Shift/Lock Images' which give you even more images to play with. If you don't have a cartridge with phrases on it, then use the Cricut Basic Font and Shapes to create a phrase or sentiment.

I spent hours looking through images for shapes to make the flowers. I found the circles on the Country Life, the clouds on Serenade and the swirly flower on Lacy Labels, but you could mix and match your own images.

All three cartridges are available digitally, with the exception of Lacy Labels which is also available as a cartridge.

Country Life - Cricut

Lacy Labels - Cricut

Serenade - Cricut

The good thing about all the cartridges is that they work with all Cricut machines. So don't worry if you haven't got the Mini, you can still create a card like this.
Well, I hope you like this weeks make. As I mentioned in my last post, I intend to do a Cricut project each week.
Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with a Father's Day card or two!
Until then, take care and thanks for dropping by xxx
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Thursday 6 June 2013

Owl Miss You - Cricut Mini Project

Well hello there my lovely peeples!
I've decide to do a weekly post where I showcase a card/project made with the Cricut Mini. I think it would be nice to let you see what you can create with this versatile little machine.
So, here is the first one....




What you need...

Die cutting machine: Cricut Mini
Digital cartridge: Hoot n Holler - Cricut
Patterned paper: Hopscotch 6.5"x6.5" Paper Pad - Kaisercraft
Punch: corner rounder
Adhesive gems: clear
Adhesive pearls: black
Adhesives

What you do...

Round the top right and bottom left corners of a 13cm x 15cm top fold blank. Cut a circle from the 'notes' paper and adhere to the bottom left corner overlapping the left and bottom edges; trim the excess.

Select your chosen owl, branch and phrase images along with the layers and cut out in patterned papers. Assemble and attach to the blank, as shown. Finish with a few gems and black pearls on the eyes.

This was a quick card to make, but then again it wasn't. There are so many images to choose from and it took me ages to decide which ones I wanted; then I had to go through my stash of paper and decide which of those I wanted to use. I love the bright colours in the Hopscotch collection, it is fairly recent to the market and is available from Merly Impressions.

Check out the Cricut website - here is a link to the UK version - http://uk.cricut.com for a good nosey at what is available. Not all the cartridges are digital. Some are available as a physical cartridge but also have a digital version. Hoot n Holler is a digital only version.

Hoot n Holler - Cricut Digital Cartridge

That's all from me for the nonce. Until next time...xxx

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Tuesday 4 June 2013

June Blog Candy

Hello Peepsicles!
 
Hope you are having a great day.
 
As promised I have for you another candy give away.

 
In this month's candy...

1 6x6 Kitschy Kitchen Paper Pad by Melissa Frances (42 sheets)
1 spiral bound book of Kitschy Kitchen Die Cut Stickers by Melissa Frances (122 pieces)
1 set of All Night Media DJ Chunky Alphabet Stamps by Plaid
25 sheets of assorted A4 card and paper (including pearlescent and metallic)
1 bag mixed Card Candi (lime, chocolate, cream, white)
1 bag sequins
1 bag assorted vintage coloured buttons
1 bag mixed embellishments
1 bag mixed flowers (mainly fabric)
1 bag mixed ribbon and lace

The stickers and pad co-ordinate perfectly with each other and have lovely subtle colouring with a charming 1950's feel.

The stamp set is really cute and it comes with a tiny acrylic stamping block. The set also comes in its own rigid storage box, plus there are guidelines on the back of the box so you can line up and spell out complete words.

Now the technical stuff...

To have a chance of winning this fab candy:-

1. Be a follower either through Blogger, Bloglovin, Google or email (see sidebar to follow by Bloglovin and email)
2. Post a piccy of the candy with a link to this post in your sidebar (if you have a blog)
3. Leave me a comment (with your blog address if you have one) ta da! You are entered!

If you do have a blog, it will be great to have a look and see what you are up to :)

This candy will close on 30th June 2013, I will then use RANDOM.ORG to choose the winner!

The candy is open to all, nationally, internationally, those in outer space and previous winners. However, anyone who has a blog that does not show or appear to have any crafty makes, will not be entered.

Good luck everyone!
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