Wednesday 25 September 2013

Joyful Greetings

Hello there peeps!
Hope you are all fit and well on this glorious Autumn day!
I'm back with another Christmas card I rustled up last night. Here we go...




What you need...

Patterned papers: Snow Day Collection 6 x 6 Pad - Crate Paper
Stamps: Joyful Greetings - Paper Smooches
Die: Ornaments #3 Framelits Die Set & Stamps 658277 - Sizzix
Punches: circle, 1", 5/8", 3/8"
Ink pad: Onyx Black - Versafine
Card stock: white
Baker's twine: black
Gems: clear, black
Adhesives

What you do...

Cover an A6 top fold blank with a slightly smaller piece of green circles paper. Stamp the greeting at the top of white card 9.5cm x 12.5cm and mount onto the blank.

Die cut the long bauble in multi-coloured circles paper and the hanger part in brown snowflake paper.

Punch three different sized circles in co-ordinating papers and assemble the bauble. Attach to the lower right of the blank.

Stick small black gems from the bottom of the 't' to the top of the bauble. Wrap twine around the top of the card three times and tie in a knot. Finish with a small twine bow and a few gems.

Ta da! Another quick and easy card. Well, I'm off now to have a cuppa and a piece of sticky lemon drizzle cake (I made it yesterday) yummy yum! Then it's back to creating another little masterpiece.

Until then my lovelies.xxx

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Tuesday 24 September 2013

'Tis The Season

How's it going chums?

Just been outside spending time with the chickens. Bren has laid an egg every day now and they are getting bigger (bet it makes her eyes water).

Okay, onto the crafty stuff. I've made a card based on one I did last year (click here to view). I have some lovely papers from the Dasher Collection by Basic Grey that I have been hoarding for a few years; so I decided to dust them off and get them used. Another thing I dusted off was the Christmas Swirls stamp set by Hot Off The Press.
You can still find the papers and stamps out there if you're really sneaky.




What you need...

Patterned papers: Dasher 12" x 12" Collection Pack - Basic Grey
Stamps: Winter Swirls - Hot Off The Press
Ink pad: Tea Leaves - VersaMagic
Card stock: white, deep red
Ribbon: deep red
Flat backed pearls: red
Adhesives

What you do...

Stamp the largest swirl on the right edge of a side fold 13.5cm square blank in Tea Leaves ink. Cover three quarters of the left side with 'Starlight' paper. Wrap ribbon around the card to cover the edge of the paper and tie in a knot at the top.

Stamp the sentiment and a flourish above and below it in Tea Leaves, trim and mount onto red card. Adhere to the top left of the blank. Finish with a few red pearls.

Of course, you can use any papers and swirl, scroll or flourish stamps in your craft stash. This is certainly an elegant card.

Before I sign off, I would just like to say a big hello to all my new followers through Blogger, Bloglovin, Google, Email, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I really appreciate your interest in my blog and for the lovely comments you leave. Thank you!
So, I go for now, thanks for visiting and happy crafting! xxx

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Friday 20 September 2013

Love Will Keep Us Warm

Hello there!

I'm back and this is my 200th post - whoopee!

Last night I managed to sit down and do a card for 'me'. As you are probably aware, I love Paper Smooches stamps. I got a lovely little set last year called Warm Hearts and it has an adorable snowman on it. I can't remember making a card with him on it last Christmas, so I have now :o)

Here he is...





What you need...

Card stock: white
Stamps: Warm Hearts - Paper Smooches
Ink pad: Onyx Black - Versafine
Promarkers: Bright Orange, Ice Grey 1, Poppy
Baker's twine: red
Felt holly leaves
Red button
Adhesives

What you do...

Stamp the sentiment onto the bottom right corner of a top fold A6 blank. Stamp and heat set the snowman image onto white card and colour in. Trim the image so it measures 5.5cm x 8.5cm, mount centrally onto the blank.

Wrap twine around the card (overlapping the image panel) three times and knot at the left. Thread a button with twine and tie in a bow. Glue over the knot with felt holly leaves and fray the twine ends.

I do like clean and simple cards, especially white ones that have that little splash of colour. The great thing about CAS is that they are quick to do. The way things are going, I think I'll be doing all of my cards this year like that.

I've had the felt holly leaves for a couple of years now. I think they were by Kars, if you can't find the little felt holly leaves anywhere, why not hand cut or die cut your own from green felt? There is something so satisfying about making your own little embellishments...don't you think?

Okay, I'm off now. Things to do. Just before I go, Bren has laid a little egg everyday since she laid her first on Tuesday. They are still only small (like a bantam egg) but they will get bigger as she gets more 'professional'.

Have a great evening! Toodle-pip. xx

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PaperCrafter Issue 65

Hello peeps!
 
Friday again  - yippee!
 
Have you got your new copy of the fantastic PaperCrafter yet? It's out today. I have been given the honour of front cover again and I'm so chuffed.

 
This issue is jam packed with Christmassy makes and the kits you get with it are just stunning; from gorgeous motifs and papers to gift boxes and tags.
 
In this issue I have two designs made with the aperture cards, two decorated gift boxes, four cards using elements from the kit and four gift tags - phew! They kept me busy for this issue.
 
The colours and motifs are traditional but they have a modern twist.
 
There is a fab tutorial from Corinne Bradd on how to make honeycomb globes and another on how to make a beautiful Christmas wreath.
 
The subscription gift this issue is out of this world and it's worth up to £90! Check out papercraftermagazine.co.uk for more details and to check out other fantastic projects, ideas and inspiration. Current subscribers can renew to take advantage of this fab offer.
 
So, that's me for now. I'll be back later with a cute little Christmas card I rustled up last night. Until then....xxx
 
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Thursday 19 September 2013

Dude, ...chill (2013)

Aft'noon me ol' lovelies! I haven't been around for a while... busy doing commissions, but now I am back (for the time being). 
I'd like to show you a funny, cute little card I did for the last issue (Oct 2013) of Crafts Beautiful.




What you need...

Card stock: white, aqua, pale grey, black
Stamps: Freezy Fellas, All Yule Need - Paper Smooches
Embossing  folders: D'Vine Swirls, Snowflakes - Cuttlebug
Promarkers: Ice Grey 1, Lime Green, Lime Zest, Pear Green, Raw Sienna
Ink pad: Onyx Black - Versafine
Glazed gems
Googly eyes
Sanding block
Adhesives

What you do...

Emboss aqua card with snowflakes, distress with a sanding block and cover the top two thirds of a 12.5cm square blank.

Trim a wavy edge along one side of grey card, adhere to the blank overlapping the aqua card. Emboss swirls on white card, cut a wavy edge along on side and fix to the bottom of the blank, trimming any excess.

Stamp the tree four times onto white card, colour three in shades of green. Cut the tops off three and layer at an angle finishing with the white one, trim any excess.

Download and print the snow drip and snow pile from Crafts Beautiful. Stamp and cut out two stick arms and attach to the side of the snow pile, then add two googly eyes.

Attach the tree, snow pile and drip to the blank and cut a wavy edge along a piece of white swirl embossed card and adhere to the blank with foam tape so it covers the bottom of the snow pile and tree trunk.

Stamp and trim the sentiment into an arrow, mount onto black card and attach to the top left corner. Finish with a few gems.

Ta da!

Of course you can use any stamps or embossing folders you have in your craft stash. The snow drip and snow pile are free to download from the Crafts Beautiful website, plus there are lots more images and free patterned papers to choose from. You just need to register, which is also free.

Just before I sign off, I am pleased to announce that one of my lovely chickens, Bren, laid her first little egg on Tuesday. She also laid one whilst I was with her yesterday and there was another waiting for me this morning. They are only small, but oh so perfectly formed. I have a suspicion Hattie may be then next one to go into production. Watch this space....

Thanks for dropping by xxx

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Friday 6 September 2013

Chickens and a Happy Christmas!

Good afternoon peepsicles!
Wow! Friday again...
I haven't mentioned my 'girls' for a while. They have settled in really well and are growing really fast into beautiful chickens. Their wattles and combs are also growing, which means it won't be too long before they start laying.
They have each developed their own lovely and amusing personalities and I love them equally. Here is a few snapshots of my 'brood'.

Bren

Babs

Dolly

Hattie

Babs and Bren look a little scruffy around the head at the moment, they are just about to start their 'moult'. I think Hattie will be next.
They follow me round constantly, chatting, clucking and purring away. They all feed from my hand and Bren and Hattie will jump up on the garden chair and sit with me. They are fascinated with the colours of my painted toe nails and will have a peck at each one. It doesn't hurt though :o)
Right! Onto the card stuff. I have another quick, simple Christmas card to show you today. So, without further ado...




What you need...

Patterned paper: Kris Kringle 6" x 6" paper pad - S.E.I
Stamps: Joyful Greetings - Paper Smooches
Ink pad: Rich Cocoa - Memento
Ribbon: red
Gems: red
Adhesives

What you do...

Cut a piece of stocking and present paper at an angle and adhere to the bottom of a 13cm x 15cm top fold blank.

Stamp the sentiment to the left of the card, just above the paper edge. Wrap ribbon around the bottom and tie in a bow at the right. Finish with a few gems.

There you have it! I think this card would also look good with kraft card and a paper to compliment. I will have to have another play!

Okay. So I'm going to sign off for now. On with more commissions and over the weekend I'm going to make a batch of green tomato chutney. The greenhouse is full of the little blighters that refuse to turn red....grrr!

Thanks for calling in, see you soon xxx


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Tuesday 3 September 2013

Greetings of the Season!

Merry Christmas all!
Only joking...I would like to show you another Christmas card I whipped up.
I still have loads of lovely papers from previous years. Paper collections this last couple of years seem to have had toned down hues, don't get me wrong, I love all colours, but I do like bright and cheerful.
I used papers from the Echo Park 'Everybody Loves Christmas' collection, but you can use favourite papers from your stash.




What you need...

Patterned papers: Everybody Loves Christmas Collection Kit Collection - Echo Park
Stamps: Joyful Greetings - Paper Smooches
Die: Washer Border Decorative Strip (657826) - Sizzix
Ink pad: Tuxedo Black - Memento
Baker's twine: red
Glitter dots
Adhesives

What you do...

Cover the top two thirds of an A6 top fold blank with the 'Snowman' paper. Die cut a length of Washer Border in the reverse of the 'Snowman' paper and adhere underneath. Tie baker's twine around the join with the bow to the left.

Stamp the sentiment onto white card and trim into a banner. Mount onto a piece of the 'Wrapping Paper' and attach to the right of the blank, over the twine. Finish with a few glitter dots.

There we have it...a simple yet quick card. You could run off a batch of these in no time, the hardest part will be choosing the papers!

As I started to write this post, I could hear a crunching noise. It was Bazoo taking position on the bean bag under the desk behind me. It's such hard work for the poor love to chase those things that only cats can see in their mind, sleep and supervise me all day. Here is a quick piccy I took of the hard worker.


Sometimes she creeps into my craft room and just sits silently. After a while I can 'feel' the eyes burning into me. No doubt checking up on my progress. Cats!

Well, thank you all for dropping by and I will be back soon with another make. Toodle-pip! xxx
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Monday 2 September 2013

Oops! I Goofed! (September Candy)

Evening all!
 
I am so dumb sometimes.
 
I logged on to check the comments and I pressed delete instead of publish - doh!
 
Why is it you do something you know that you shouldn't but your brain and hand do not co-operate?
 
I've made a list of the names I can remember who wish to enter the September candy...
 
Glo
Ardilla
Tanya
Elly
Sindhu
Iris
Nikki
Heaney
 
If I have missed any names, please forgive me! Could you re-comment on the September Candy post so you don't miss your chance to win?
 
Hopefully my brain and hand function will work in sync next time! My head is hanging in shame :o(
 
Ta ta for now xxxx
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Sunday 1 September 2013

September Blog Candy!

Hi there chums!
 
I'm back as promised with the candy for September. This is another Christmas themed collection and includes the following...
 
 
20 assorted 12" x 12" papers (including Imaginisce, Creative Imaginations, American Traditional Designs, DCWV, Sandylion and Crafts House)
28 assorted 8" x 8" Hot Off The Press papers
6 assorted 8" x 8" sheets of Hot Off The Press co-ordinating tags, labels and cut-outs
1 set Bo Bunny 'Father Christmas' clear stamps
1 sheet Bo Bunny 'Father Christmas' stickers
  
Now the technical stuff...

To have a chance of winning this fab candy:-

1. Be a follower either through, Bloglovin, Google, Facebook, Twitter or email (see sidebar)
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 September 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.

Good luck everyone!

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August Candy Winner!

Hello lovelies!
 
Well, it's that time again when I announce the winner of the blog candy. As I normally do, I gave everyone who left a comment a number and chose the winning number through Random.Org.
 
Below is the list of entries and a snapshot of the winning number picked...

1 Ardilla
2 Iris
3 Jayvalikka
4 Nikki
5 Divya
6 Marta
7 Glo
8 Fit Kitty
9 Sindhu
10 Paperkate
11 Lucretia
12 Elly
13 Suman
14 Carmen
15 Queencormack
16 Catherine
17 Jessie
18 Anuprem
19 Dr Sonia
20 Pieces&paper
21 Tanjaivse
22 Bhawana
23 Ainac
24 Jenn

The number picked for August (drum roll please).... #14 Carmen!!!! Congratulations Carmen! Please email me with your address and I'll ship your goodies off to you.

I have more new followers to my blog this month, so I'd like to say hello and thank you for joining me. I will be posting links in my sidebar to your wonderful blogs.
 
Many, many thanks to those who entered the giveaway. As usual, I will be posting a new candy for September later. Until then, take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend :o) xxx
 
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