Saturday 31 December 2011

New Years Eve 2011..

Well, it's New Year's Eve and it's a time of reflection...have you achieved what you set out at the beginning when you made your New Years resolution?  At the beginning of this year I set out with a word(s) to live by for the year..Living the Dream.  This was my vision for the year, to live my life to the full with crafting and one day to make a living at it.  Sadly, no matter how much time and effort I have put into this I feel that I have let myself, my family and freinds who have supported me throughout the year with this vision down. I am/have contemplated whether to continue crafting, while I love to create, I do find myself swamped out with so much crafting stuff and of course it all costs money and no where to store it except the lounge,  it bugs me that I have to clear away my creative efforts each time we eat or have guests.  The money aspect is hitting hard right now as with the New Year of 2012  fast approaching and my daughters wedding heading nearer I have to focus on exactly what I can realistically achieve with the little time and money that I have at my disposal. My daughters wedding plans will be stepping up at a pace now and as we are having the reception in my Mother's barn there is a lot of work to do.  You can follow the progress of this miracle that we will perform on my blog. While I continue to contemplate my plans for 2012 I just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year! x

December Daily, Day 31..

Well, its the last day of the December Daily and today's entry is of  my niece's 21st Birthday card. All cardstock is from Payper box and all the metal elements are Tim Holtz.  A hint of pink with the rub ons and leather thong adds a girlie feel to it.  As there is a lot of metal on this card I have added extra weight at the back of my card so that it stands proud.  Happy 21st Birthday Hannah!  x

Friday 30 December 2011

December Daily, Day 30..

Well, it's the penultimate day of the December Daily..while it has been challenging I have enjoyed it, especially finding the good things in life to blog about.  It's quite rewarding as you realise that life's not so bad after all!  I bet you are thinking that my blogs are unpredictable, you would be right! Today's entry is a scarf that I am making for my son, he has made his voice loud and clear that he thinks it unfair that my girls had a handmade, soft and snuggly scarf and he didn't.  So, I am secretly making this for his Birthday in January.  As you can see it's a very simply knitted scarf, chunky and I am using a gorgeous Rowan wool called drift.  Its a beautiful blend of greys, browns with a hint of green in the finest Merino wool.  Merino wool is the finest and softest wool of any sheep, quite expensive to buy but it also has an excellent warmth to the weight of the wool, it traps the heat in without the wearer getting overheated.  So, this should be finished in the next day or two just in time for his Birthday and before the cold snap. x

December Daily, Day 29..

Well, we are almost there for the December Daily.
Here is a card that I have made for my good friend Nick, oh how I miss you guys!  I promise to visit in February.  Looking forward to seeing you all again.
This card was made using a selection of My Minds Eye papers, SU stamps- Lovely as a tree and Congrats with some Old Olive ink and Vintage photo.  Finished off with some SU Expresso striped ribbon and a brad.
Happy Birthday Nick. X

Thursday 29 December 2011

December Daily, Day 28..

I just had to share with you this image.  It was my Birthday present from my lovely Mum and was intended for my patio but I thought it would work equally well in my hall for Christmas.  It's about waist height and is made from Stainless Steel and is from Nordic House which can be found online.  I have just added some ribbon and berries for a Christmassy feel.  With my bannister, mirror and door all having these berries on them it all looks great when you see these all together.  It feels very cosy when this is lit in the evenings.  I am now thinking that I might leave this in the hall all year round and just interchange the decoration to fit in with the seasons.x

December Daily, Day 27..

This white tree was given to me a while back by the lovely Julie-Anne, I love this tree and with the red baubles and silver bells look great on this.  The felted star at the top was purchased a couple of years ago at Van Hage garden centre.  It was very expensive but I used my vouchers that were given to me by Rebecca and each time I set this tree and star up I think of the people who gave me these beautiful things.x

Wednesday 28 December 2011

December Daily, Day 26..

Well, I can see where Jake likes to get his dressing up from...his Daddy.  Jake looks like a very cute Santa, bit of a cheeky one! His Daddy has his Christmas hat on too. It was lovely to have my family stay with us over Christmas, the house was chaotic and Jake had literally a mountain of toys, he must of been a good boy! x

December Daily, Day 25..

Christmas Day!  Here is my Grandson, his first Christmas and yes, he spent about an hour and a half in this box of wrapping paper.  It appeared that wrapping paper is tasty!! x

Saturday 24 December 2011

December Daily, Day 24..

Well here's a surprise blog...a retirement card!  I have never made a retirement card but I knew that I wanted to use the clock stamp.  The beautiful papers I used are My Minds Eye Lost and Found range, I have just used the reverse side of the paper so that it all co-ordinates. The SU stamp sets used are sense of time and congrats, vintage photo distress ink and Martha Stewart Ribbon.  The hands and clock clogs are all from a real watch/clock and the hands are just attached with a brad. x

Friday 23 December 2011

December Daily, Day 23

Yep, you guessed it, it's the final card for one of my daughters.  As before I have used Cottage Cutz Santas stables and the tree die (borrowed from my awesome friend Sarah.x) and a Sizzix snowflake die and Darkroom Door stamp.  LOADS of cutting and assembly, "blinged it up" with stardust stickles and used liquid pearls around the edge.  The amount of times I lost the flame to the candle, I can't tell you, but my patience was growing thin, still my lovely daughter is so worth it. x

Thursday 22 December 2011

December Daily, Day 22

I know you have been waiting a long time for this one but here it is!  I'm not going to say which daughter this one is for I'm going to keep you all guessing!  The Santas workshop die is from Cottage Cutz as is the tree and the poinsettias are from Marianne designs(once again all borrowed from my truly wonderful friend Sarah.x)  The background shapes are cut using the Sizzix SU topnote die-just love love love this die, so versatile, great one to having in your crafting stash. The post mark is from darkroom door.  What can I say except LOADS of diecutting to this and assembly with just some ribbon and stickles to "bling it up". Just for future reference, don't make these to order, they take far too long and are far too fiddly!  But, my daughter is worth it :-) xx

Wednesday 21 December 2011

December Daily, Day 21..

This is something different for you..a Silver Wedding Anniversary card.  Once again I am letting the high quality cardstock do the work, a mixture of textures, colours and shades from frosted cardstock to high quality foiled card to the SU designer papers along with some mirri card.  It has a great weight to this card something of luxury.  The 2 and 5 have been cut using the Sizzix serif numbers with white ribbon, pearl hat pins and a diamonte ribbon bead it all adds up to class.  Happy 25th Anniversary Alan and Jackie. x

December Daily, Day 20..

This card was made as a gift card for a lady that will be receiving tea for two at The Ritz, what a lovely gift.  I have let the quality of the SU designer papers do all the talking.  I wanted this to be stylish, glitzy and glamourous.  Ritz was cut from the Sizzix notepad dies and tea was from....umm..senior moment...nope, just can't think which it was, sorry. I have added some balck velvet ribbon, tags, gems and an SU brad to finish it all off. x

Tuesday 20 December 2011

December Daily, Day 19..

At long last, I have visited the German Christmas market in Westminster with my good friends Sarah and Alison, Julie-Anne was going to be joining us too but the poor lass has hurt her back :-(  Get well soon JA, we did miss you.  Of course when in Rome and all that... you just have to get into that Christmas spirit and have the Gluhwein, it would be rude not too! Sarah did get a bit squiffy, but isn't that what celebrating the season is all about? x

December Daily, Day 18..

I know, It's surprising but here you go, today's entry is a Birthday card and not something for Christmas!  This time is it for my soon to be Son-in-law, his fascination with Star Wars never diminishes.  I have had these papers for a few years now, they are from Creative Imagination and are Star Wars logo and Darth Vader.  As the papers are so beautiful I have let them do all the work for me.  I have just chosen to emulate the theme by matting and layering on black and silver with a few white rub ons and the card is complete.  Simple but very effective. Let the force be with you today! xx

Monday 19 December 2011

December Daily, Day 17

This Christmas card is for my brilliant friend Sarah (and Richard, of course).  Sarah loves everything Christmas and has a particular fondness for gingerbread items.  When I saw this Cottage Cutz die I knew I had to make it for her.  I can tell you there were like a gazillion pieces to cut and stick for this and it probably took me the whole day to cut it.  I could not make more than one of these a year, it is just so fiddly but it does look much better in the flesh.  The candy canes on the thread come from Michaels in the States, as soon as I saw these I knew these were going to go on this card. I just blinged it all up with some stickles and thought that this was enough on this card, I didn't want to detract from the gingerbread house. xx

December Daily, Day 16

I know, I am behind again :-(  But, fear not, I am going to catch up and stay that way for the duration of this December Daily(she says with fingers crossed).  I could not resist taking this photo of my Grandson Jake after we had been out for the morning,  don't you think he looks a cute Rudolf? Love that hat!! xx

Thursday 15 December 2011

December Daily, Day 15..

Well, today, I have created my first Polish Birthday card.  It is made for a strong, friendly Polish man who just so happens to be my "boy" at work.  He works and plays hard and likes the good things in life but is true to his Polish roots.  So here I have used those ideas here, strong colours, Polish flag, he loves cars and the colour yellow.  The car stamp is from Creative Expressions.  The sentiment is printed out on the computer.  I had help with the translation as Google didn't do to well with the Polish grammar and they do not use the term Happy Birthday. Until tomorrow.x

Wednesday 14 December 2011

December Daily, Day 14..

Well, here we are again and yet another Christmas card. How are your Christmas plans going?  Not long now!  Here is a simple card.  Just using papers that I have to hand and vellum sentiments, baubles that I have made as before, and the Sizzix top not die plus a few gems and matting and layering.  Simple but effective. Not sure where my creative journey will take me tomorrow...just have to wait and see!!  xx

Tuesday 13 December 2011

December Daily, Day 13..

This was the result of "having a play" with some papers and dies and embossed bits n pieces.  I really love these! I'm not sure where to start as there are alot of materials used here.  Lets give it a go..
Sizzix top note die, label die, and serif nembers dies.
Technique Tuesday stamps, silver embossing powder, SU label punch, SU 1" punch, covered buttons, gems, ric rack braid, vellum, bells, the background papers, sorry I just cannot remember the names of these and of course the December stamp is Ali Edwards(thank you Sarah for the loan of this- love them!).  I still have more cards to make, at the moment it feels never ending but once I am "in the zone" I love the creative process.  xx

Monday 12 December 2011

December Daily, Day 12..

Yay!! I am finally up to date with my December Daily.  Here are a trio of Christmas cards all using the same materials just slightly different with a few different embellishments.  The card stock I bought a couple of years ago at Ally Pally it's a high quality silk mirri card, very exquisite.  I have used the Marianne Pine tree branch die and the SU Christmas baubles stamp set.  With the baubles I have embossed these with gold embossing powder, cut them out and edged them with a gold marker pen, punched a hole in the top and threaded them up to hang from the branch.  I have inked the edges of the branch with Vintage photo distress inks to add some more depth.  Stamped my sentiment and added my emblishments and this is how they all look.  xx

December Daily, Day 11..

Here is my cute Grandson in his Tigger outfit.  He's just so damn cute!!  Now, I have taken quite a few of his photo's lately for a special project in different outfits that I am unable to reveal right now but I can say that the finished product is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
Suze, my youngest daughter has done a brilliant job in editting them all, well done girl! In this photo Tigger is being very subdued.X

Sunday 11 December 2011

December Daily, Day 10..

Well this is part two of our Christmas special at work..here is the Scary Grotto!  Again this is all made from returned items and this is a partial Little Tikes house covered with wadding and the scary elves are added for the scary grotto effect.  No child would ever want any gifts if they had to visit these elves!! x

December Daily, Day 9..

Well, this is not your typical, beautifully decorated tree but here at work we make our own seasonal stuff by reusing what everyone else throws out.  So low and behold we have an unwanted tree, lights which one of our stores threw out and all the "lovely" items on it were made from other reject toys that come our way, as far as improvising goes you cannot beat my team, they have great talent and can make something out of nothing.  That's what I call pure genius!!  The star at the top is made from discarded wrapping paper and one of my boys is an origami master so this tops the tree off beautifully.  I bet you are all jealous?  admit it?! x

Saturday 10 December 2011

December Daily, Day 8..

Another day of catch up, but honestly, I really am getting there!!  Here is a Birthday card, very modern but I just love the open and airy feel of this card.  It probably looks more complicated than it is?  I have drawn inspiration from a shop window which had a series of loose circles with butterflies coming out of the circles quite randomly and this has stuck in my head and now its out on this card.  Never under estimate the power of the media and where you draw you inspiration from, its a very valuable tool.  The card stock is from Payper box and I have free style stitched on the machine loose circles in silver thread then cut from the Sizzix die the decorative accent with flower, added gems, pins, silver cord and sentiment and this is the finished result. xx

December Daily, Day 7..

Still trying to catch up with this December Daily but I think I'm getting there along with all the usual Christmas stuff going on!!  Here is an Anniversary card that I made, it really is much better in the flesh than in this photo.  Items I have used are-
SU decorative label punch and congrats stamp(sentiment) and real red ink, Sizzix top note and primitive hearts dies, Tanda background stamp set 1,Ribbon, hat pins and red leather.  Textured paper is from The Paper Company-starburst translucent red all other cardstock is from Payper box.  This card is so lovely in the flesh, if I have time I will be making more!!  Would also be good for a Valentines Day card...just change the sentiment at the top.xx

Friday 9 December 2011

December Daily, Day 6..

Well,  as soon as I blogged about the cabin, the delivery man arrived and we now have all the flat packed storage to build.  Here are just a few of the boxes that need assembly.  Phase two of the storage arrives sometime next week, let's hope that we can build it all in time (big gulp!)  Do you like the Lego blue carpet that you can see sneaking out from under all those boxes?  x

December Daily, Day 5..

Just wanted to share with you guys what AJ and I have been working on for the last two years...landscaping our back garden to build a large log cabin and sidestore.  The log cabin is for AJ so that he can create Lego masterpieces, maybe one day he will be a Lego Master builder?!  The side store(the attachment to the cabin) houses all the usual garden and DIY paraphernalia, which is my domain.  Love my sidestore!!  The garden has taken a terrible beating while all this has been happening and hopefully in the spring I will be able to replant the new beds that I have created. All we have left to do to the cabin is await AJ's delivery of a massive storage system!!

Wednesday 7 December 2011

December Daily, Day 4

You might well be wondering.."what the ..."?  Well, this photo has been taken of me and my team at work.  We work in the returns department for the largest independent toy company in the UK.  We thought it would be fun to have a team photo taken together in our elves hats and grabbing a toy of our choice for the Christmas card that we will send out to our stores and suppliers.  This is just the photo and not the final card but as it goes to print, it looks pretty cool!! Did I say..we really enjoy our job?! xx

December Daily, Day 3

Today I wanted to share with you this twig heart that Sam bought for me.  Sam knows I love this kind of rustic stuff and it sat in the bag for a couple of days not knowing quite where or what I was going to do with it but the one thing I did know is that I LOVED IT (in the words of Craig Revell Horwood).  I felt it needed a bit of colour to enhance it so I have woven in these berries and added the ribbon to give it a Christmassy feel.  It now proudly hangs in my hallway for all to see and it is the first Christmas decoration I have put up- I know, I have a long way to go! 
xx

Tuesday 6 December 2011

December Daily, Day 2 - My AJ..

My significant other deserves the best, trying to produce something each year that is totally unique is tricky.  This card has been made just for him...he loves music, especially 80's or Country, loves retro cool stuff.  So, here I am trying to fit that theme using quite calming retro colours, jukebox and records, music and notes personalised with his initials and the year in which he was born.  The other really special thing here is that I have printed onto vellum some lyrics from his latest favourite Country song which has a special place in both our hearts, and as you know I like my card to fit in with the gift he will receive (I'm not telling...)  The card is a very substantial weight due to the vast amount of matting and layering which this photo doesn't pick up very well.  Here is a list of what I have used- Cardstock-Payper box, Stampendous stamp-rock out, Quickutz dies-juke box and record, Tanda stamp-background set 1, Vintage photo distress ink, archival black ink, vellum, letraset.  The lyrics are from God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton.  Happy Birthday AJ...Love you. xxx

December Daily..

Well, I never thought that I was going to enter into the spirit of this as I'm really behind with all the Christmassy stuff but, I thought, let's give it a go!!  Now, let me just make this perfectly clear, it might not be the usual card or page that I blog as I definately won't be able to keep that up.  That would be foolish, it just would not happen.  I need to keep my life simple and stress free (like all of us?) So, my intention is to give you a glimpse into my private world of ME (something I rarely do), it could be something that I have made or someplace I have been or simply something that inspired me to take the photo.  I am running late with the December daily already so I might be making a couple of blogs per day in order to catch up :-)  This photo is what I am still working on..the guest room for Christmas.  I have almost finished papering-this room has two rich white walls and there will be on the two shortest walls this paper which I have hung horizontally to make the room look wider.  I have made the blind in here too.  Still alot to do in here but watch this space.xx

Monday 5 December 2011

Seasonal batch cards..

I'm not making any excuses, BUT, when you have to make a vast amount of cards the easiest thing I find is to batch make them.  Apologies to those who think this is a cop out but at least it is handmade and not shop bought.  There is still the love and attention gone into each one and time is of the essence right now.  Here is what I have used-
Cardstock from Payper box, Top note die from Sizzix, Stampin Up stamps sets-winter post and seasons of joy, inkadinkadoo stamp, Marianne die-large poinstettia, Magnolia die-vine, Vintage photo distress ink, gems, gold brad, liquid pearls-lemon yellow, vintage lace and off course stitching in red!  As you can see there are still alot of elements to them and I wanted something that looked traditional/contemporary and I think this fits the bill. Has everyone else finished making theirs yet?? xx

Monday 28 November 2011

Baby Jamie..

You may remember that I made a baby card similar to this before?? Well, I NEVER make the same card twice when it comes to commissioned orders so this is the variation.  The base card stock was metallic white which gives this card a softer, more new baby feel to it.  There is more stitching on this one,  now that I have the formula in how to hide the workings, this style of card is exquisite.  There is also alot of matting and layering which always adds to the quality and weight of card.  I have used Rusty Pickle 6 x 6 paper pack Boy Oh Boy and it uses 24 sheets plus a pack of Rebecca Erickson Baby Boy rub ons.  I have also 'lined' the back of each flap and stitched this on which gives a lovely finish to this card.  Extra details are the animals that I have cut out using the Sizziz dies-giraffe, sheep, elephant and pig.
As you can see they are hidden under each flap which makes this card so special in that you have that extra 'reveal' to each page. There is plenty of room to add any extra sentiments or photos should the sender wish to do so.  I'm really loving this style of card and you could take this card further if you wish; for those of you who love to experiment! Make the flaps into pockets if you would like to add photo's or secret messages or extra flaps that flip in another direction or mini pages in between the main title flaps; it really has so much to offer this style of card.  You could add lots more embellishments too..be warned, this style of card does "eat" cardstock and embellishments and can be a very expensive card to make but it is such an awesome keepsake, why wouldn't you?! xx

Sunday 20 November 2011

Winter Wedding..

I was so excited to be asked to make this winter wedding card, it had to winter filled and sparkly.  I had in my mind that I wanted to use the Tim Holtz snowflake border die and cut this in white glitter cardstock.  As this die is quite short I had to try and work out how to make it longer, I found that if I cut a strip of cardstock longer than i needed and cut the first one carefully it meant that I could then move the strip along to the matching parts and hold it in place with masking tape and keep the cut continious. The main background card is white shimmer cardstock, I have embossed a script stamp several times on this using clear embossing powder and matted and layered this on brushed silver cardstock and held in place with brads.The silver and white patterned cardstock was cut using the Go Kreate Frilly dies, the white one has the addition of white voile ribbon and a diamonte kiss ribbon charm on it for a sophisticated feel.  The beaded flowers are from Hobbycraft and the poinsettias were cut using the Marianne dies in white and silver to keep within the theme and add elegance and grace to the card.  Finishing touches were pearls, gems and stardust stickles.  Congratulations to the happy couple whose wedding will take place in December. xx

Thursday 17 November 2011

One Angry Bird..

I know Angry Birds exist, that it is a game but thats about all.  When I came up with the idea of creating this card for my best assistant ever, I knew it had to be special.  Its not the usual type of card I create, its very simple, I guess, carton quality? The Angry Bird has been made using a selection of SU punches, oval, heart, circles.  The largest circles have been made using the Creative Memories circle cutters, everything else has been handcut.  Shading has been added using copic pens.  The Angry Birds font is feast of flesh but I have cheated and minimised the title and mat and layered it up on white and black cardstock. With dark thread to emulate the catapult and the job is done.  So, from one Angry Bird to another...Happy Birthday Miss Spry!! xxx

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Here I go again..

It has been a while since I blogged, it's not because I havent crafted but I have finally had a long awaited holiday.  I had scheduled cards to be displayed in my absence, but, what I had not planned for was a stay in hospital immediately I landed back in the UK.  So, I apologise to you all, and now I am back on track and rearing to go!
With the apologies and explanations out of the way I will explain about this card.  It is a commissioned card.  The brief was 70's, Mamma Mia a big 40 and the ladies name.  I have used a lot of photoshop on this card and yes it took hours and a lot of patience to do it but for the recipient its just so personal. It was quite a challenge but I am quite proud of myself as I am not brilliant with the photoshop layers but I guess it is just practise.  I replicated the background markings and cut Meryl Streep from the casting(whos is she anyway?) and added the recipients name which is cut, paste and matching in the background colours.  The lady on the card is (I think) from Mamma Mia and I have cut her out added shadows and then added her to my background and printed this off.  I then hand cut and embossed the 40 and cut the Mamma Mia from the Quickutz Katie alphabet.  Added some glitz by the way of gems, a bit of matting and layering and ..Hey Presto!  one card finished. I hope it was worth the wait? x

Friday 7 October 2011

Best of Friends..

You know, it was by chance that Sarah and my paths crossed, it was at a crop.  I was cropping but Sarah had a scrapbooking supplies shop there at the same time.  We were both newbies but we seemed to hit it off instantly and from there our friendship has now grown, so much that to me she is like the sister I always wanted but could never have. Making a card for someone that is not only so close to you but also does the same craft is intimidating as I always feel my work is so inferior, does anyone else feel that way about their work?  I have used lots of SU materials here, again using the elegant soiree papers on all of the card and the flowers. The flowers are made using the SU punches 13/8", 1" and 3/4" and cut each circle into a spiral and wound them up into the flower shape and stuck them with some PVA, edged them with stickles for some bling.  The shaped backgrounds were Go Kreate dies-large frames frilly and rectangular frames frilly, inked up with some Tim Holtz distress inks-brushed coudroy and vintage photo.  These have been edged with liquid pearls-lemon yellow.  With hat pins, gems, ribbon, wire, beads and rub-ons and the card was complete.  Happy Birthday Sarah! x

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Mentor

I have really amazing friends and the card this is for is for one creative lady.  Lesley got me into making cards, must be 12-15 years ago now.  Lesley comes from an art based background and has amazing talents, one that I can only dream about.  So, when it comes to making cards for her it's always difficult as I am just a crafter and not an artist.  Do you know what I mean? Well, this year Lesley had given me some Tim Holtz folders and as she handed them over to me just slipped in that she would like these to be on her Birthday card.  So, with the gauntlet thrown down I took up the challenge!  Well here it is, in Lesley's colourways that see loves so much.  I hope I have done her proud? I tried, honest!
Items used were- SU designer paper-elegant soiree, paper patch-sage breezy waeve, Tim Holtz distressed frame and postal embossing folders, tattered floral die, 100th collection-odds n ends stamps, distress inks-vintage photo, forest moss and antioque linen. SU scallop punch, Hero Arts old letter writing stamp and finally brads, pins and antique lace.  x

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Memory tray

I know it's been a while since I blogged, I am a naughty blogger!!  I just wanted to share this with you, a memory tray that I made for Jake's Christening.  I really enjoyed making this and wasn't too sure if Sam would like it, as luck would have it she does like it, so its all good :-) I sanded down the tray and painted it with acrylic white paint-several times. Then using the Rusty Pickle Boy Oh Boy paper pack I lined each insert with it.  I like making gifts that compliment the cards, you might have noticed that I have used the same papers and one photo the same?  The socks and scratch mitts were Jakes, he has already out grown them, my, he grows so fast.  The hand and foot prints were made by making the impressions with playdough and then filling these with a plaster mix and allowing them to dry.  Tricky to do when "Mum" is in the house at the time and trying to do this dicreetly without her knowledge.  Jake's name was cut out using Sizzix Roundtable die, his birthdate was cut using the London Die, the birth weight was cut using the Sizzix serif numbers. The clock face is a Tim Holtz one with watch hands from...??? With the addition of Rub ons (it's difficult to buy these now, I love having these in my stash) and Jake's photos the box is complete.  Keeping this a surprise pressie from Sam and Gavin was difficult but it was lovely to see their surprised faces at the Christening, and the "how did you manage to get his hands and feet done?".  Now my secret is out....xx

Sunday 18 September 2011

Jake's Christening

At the time of writing we are preparing for Jakes Christening.  Its all systems go, making preparations for the clothes, food and baby area.  It doesn't sound like there is a lot to do but surprisingly there is a far bit as we are doing all the above ourselves.
Anyhow, this is my Grandson's Christening card, its always more difficult when its for the family as their expectations are so high.  I have kept it simple but of course the star of the card is the main man himself-young Jake.  Doesn't he look so cute?!  All papers are from the 7gypises Boy Oh Boy, I have used the SU punch-ticket corner for a different look to this panel card.  Bazzill 3mm brads in pale blue and large white brads hold the panels in place.  Just the added additions of a silver cross and rub ons are by Doodlebug, candy shoppe.  Fingers crossed Jake won't yell too much in the church and that family and friends enjoy his celebration with us! x

Monday 5 September 2011

One of three..

I think I need to explain..one of three means that I have made three Christmas cards each being totally different for my three children.  Every year there is the same ringing in my ears.."I hope its not the same card as ...", my children are not happy unless their card is totally unique to them and that I have never made for anyone else before and especially not the same as their brother or sister!  With all that in mind I can tell you a secret (I can, can't I?) This one is for my son Steve and his girlfriend Ginny.  I should probably also say that all my children are in their twenties but they really love a family Christmas with all our family traditions.  Cards being just one of those traditions. This card was made using Cottage Cutz Santa with reindeer and lamp post (thank you Sarah for letting me borrow these and the addition of using those lovely bells. x) This was lovely to make and I really enjoyed the process, there are a few bits to this but once you see my other posts nearer to Christmas you will see that they get very complex.  I have also used the Go Create large frilly frame die, a new purchase for me. I embossed the large white frame with a cuttlebug folder and used stardust stickles on the snowflakes to make it sparkly. Finishing touches were the red ribbon and the bells.  I will of course have to think of something witty to go inside...I think I have the perfect thing, when Steve was five years old....

Tuesday 30 August 2011

Bin there..done that!

 Now, I know you are going to be thinking why a wheelie bin?  Well, it is a card for our Brother-in Law, he has a company called "Love you Bin". AJ thought it appropriate that we make him one.  Before you go rushing on out to make this, be warned this is a technical card and AJ did all the technical stuff as well as coming up with this design(I told you he is better at making cards than me!)
Firstly make your self a template and cut out two bin shapes, cut a flap on the long straight edges so that you can join the sides together, lids cut separately but with a bulbous bit at the back for the "hinge" part. On photoshop make yourself your greeting template, its about a quarter of a circle with an arc cut out slightly so that it will move freely when inside the bin, plus alow a small flap so that it can sandwich in between the lids plus a little nitch top and bottom to make "stops" so that it doesn't pull out of the bin.  This was tricky to get right so print out in draft first before using the good cardstock.  Are you following me so far? If you are using a bin tag logo, like we did then again use Photoshop and cut out and resize, and print. On this one we printed the greeting on the reverse, so design it next to the logo and fold in half once printed.  The wheels are cut using Stampin UP punches 1" and 0.5" with a gold brad through, both front and back. Cut a green strip and two little flanges to give dimension to the bin for the lip and supports.  Before adhereing to the main body of the bin, ink up, paying attention to the edges. The last piece to cut is the backstand, cut a triangle and fold in half.  Now for the assembly. Your inner greeting arc, sandwich the top flange in between the two bin lids, insert the greeting into the bin and insert brad through lid and bin body making the hinge so that when the bin lid is lifted the greeting pops out. Now adhere the straight sides of the bin, I used the redline tape. Attach the two support struts and the lip of the bin, I used foam pads on the lip of the bin for shadow and depth. Now add the backstand on the back of the card so that it will stand up independantly. Almost forgot to mention that you can cut the house number to make it even more personal, this was cut using the London die. Attach your bin tag and "voila".  Your very own wheelie bin with moving greeting. Complicated but cool! x


Sunday 21 August 2011

For a Wonderful Friend..

Card orders are coming in thick and fast, thank you everyone, I do appreciate your loyalty and support:-)

The brief for this card was that it had to have 40 on it, the gentlemans full name and "wonderful friend"
As you fellow crafters know its difficult to make cards for men, especially when you don't know the recipient. I think this card should hit the spot!  What man would not love a sexy fast car? I have used the car stamp from Dimension Fourth and stamped the image several times, cut it out, inked the edges and layered it up using foam pads.  You may remember a couple of blogs ago, I mentioned that I was lost without my computer and here is why- the background paper has printed -for my wonderful friend on vellum-yep, you guessed it, done on my printer.  I also printed out the 40 road sign and the number plate and name plates too.  Its just getting use to sizing things on your computer, changing the fonts and colours and sometimes editing them in photoshop.  If you have a play around,  print them in draft first and seeing what works you will soon master it and it will become an invaluable tool for your crafting projects. To finish this gentlemans card I used black, silver and red cardstock for a strong, sexy look, let's hope he likes it! x

Wednesday 17 August 2011

Baby Jack

It's always exciting making new baby cards and this one was requested to be extra special.  I knew in my mind what I wanted to create but its always difficult getting that onto cardstock.  As I wanted to sew on this card(when don't I?), but I didn't want the "workings" on show; to avoid this I worked out that if I folded the cardstock in half I could still sew on it each side and then fold it back and it would all be hidden. To give a new baby feel I had to keep it quite "light" with almost an "airy" feel to the card.  This was trying to keep the front minimal but when you turn each flap it has other elements to it like animals that have been die cut and embellished on all pages. The main cardstock used is Bazzill but with Rusty Pickle papers inside and the dies used were Sizzix zoo animals.  I have used Rebecca Erikkson rub ons and a stamp set that I can't remeber the name of-sorry:-(  It was punched down the spine with the Bind It All and bound together with white ribbon.  As with all new designs this took me about 8-9 hours to make, but as soon as this was handed over to the lady that ordered it I have since taken quite a few more orders for this; so I'm hoping that they are going to be easier to make!! x

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Christmas in August..

I know, I know, it might be bizarre to some of you thinking "why has she started so soon?".  In my mind, you can never start Christmas too early, each year I plan to be prepared and have good intentions to make all of my Christmas gifts BUT it just doesn't pan out that way.  Do you find that you prepare, plan, make and create for it all to be over with in a flash and all you have to remember Christmas by is the big overdraft at the end of it all?  I want to get ahead this time and enjoy the creative process of Christmas,  so I have started!! At the weekend I made some cards, now, I had no plans or designs in mind, all I had was stash that I wanted to use and let the mood take me ( I wish someone would!). I usually make 200 cards at Christmas that I post or where I can hand out, my partner AJ has asked me how I know so many people,  but I meet people along the way, make friends and just keep in touch. I do have one small plan..my work colleagues, they only ever get mini cards like some of these in the piccie.  It's not because I'm mean but space at work is short so a small one will always get put up because its cute! The larger cards are made using some hand woven silk that I have been given and it would be rude of me not to use it.  So I have stitched these into panels and added woooden angels or stars.  They look scrummy in the flesh, very tactile.  Well, enough for now, I'm sure there will be many more cards to come. x

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Get creative...

I have been totally lost without my computer and printer, they have such a large part to play when designing or creating anything.  I have been so long without them that it seems such a luxury now to have these back.  I like to create my own background papers and some embellishments on the computer, I know there are like a gazillion printable CD's out there on the market but none will beat your own creative designs.  If you are lucky enough to have publisher, paint or photoshop then you can really have some design fun.  I have these but I'm not the worlds best when it comes to them but I love playing to see what I can create.  For this backgroung paper I have used publisher, as always I have kept it simple by just typing in numbers up to 40, then change the size, font and colour.  This was printed out on  Karen Neuburger's Aspen (12" x 12" paper cut to A4), then using complimentary coloured cardstock, matt and layer to give me the base of the card.  The 4 and 0 can also be done on the computer to give you templates, this is so useful as you can vary the size and font size to your desired base area. So, having cut the 4 and 0 from silver cardstock I added a silver scissor charm from Mei Flower( the brief was to have scissors on this card), personalised the card with the lady's name using rub-ons.  To complete I have taken apart an expensive necklace I bought in Claire's in London, they have so much more cool and funky stuff in there rather than our local Claire's.  So, if you have a computer don't keep buying expensive backing papers, make your own, go on, try it! xx

Thursday 21 July 2011

Cutey!

Yep! another card! This card was made with love for a two year old girl, I was thinking cute, bright and fun when designing this.  It's amazing where the time disappears to and the children have grown up before your eyes.  All the cardstock is from Nana's nursery, I have stitched the edges (its ages since I stitched on a card), the die cuts used are Sizzix for the elephant and the number and the "London" alphabet die.  Finished off with white organza ribbon and some pearls and a pink gem for the elephants eye.  x