Monday, 25 March 2013

Sneaky Peek - Another Frou Frou for you ...


Here's another taster of what's to come on Thursday 28th March at 8pm on Create and Craft TV .  from the Crafter's Companion Stables , The fabulous Frou Frou collection will also be showcased as the Pick of the week on Friday on Create and Craft TV .

 Along with the CD ROM you can also get a range of incredibly detailed stamps and of course Crafter's Companions newest best friend Serif will be producing 3 digi kits for you to use with your Craft Artist software


 Here is my contribution to the samples to be shown along with the new range , its a Cocktail book with 6 different drinks for you to make. On each page you will find a different cocktail to choose from, including the Grass hopper, Bloody Mary and Margaretta .All made from the CD ROM and decorated with the papers and embellishments that go with the range . I have to say Leann from Crafters Companion got very excited when she saw this one. Its also handbag sized, so you can take it out with you on those special nights when you just don't know what to order at the bar just the ticket for a Friday night girls night out!!






You may find there are alcohol free versions of these recipes, I know a virgin Mary comes without the vodka  but that's not a cocktail book you are likely to find in my handbag !!

And if you don't have any ice in the house you may have to resort to using some snow from outside if you are any where near the midlands this shouldn't be much of a problem as the new says you have an abundance of it right now!! So much for the start of Springtime...


Anyway don't forget to tune in on Thursday and Friday and check out the fabulous Frou Frou range coming to you from Crafter's Companion and don't forget

 DRINK RESPONSIBLY...

Thanks for dropping by xx





Saturday, 23 March 2013

Ooh' la la.. Frou Frou Sneaky Peek

Sneaky peek time, and its for the new Frou Frou range from Crafter's Companion , its been launched on Thursday evening at 8pm  and then again on Friday 29th  March on Ideal world and Create and Craft  as the PICK OF THE WEEK, So don't miss it,

There's a CD Rom , beautiful stamps and Serif Craft Artist has come on board again with 3 fabulous Digi kits .So now you can design your own projects from scrapbooks to posters...the cds host  a range of creative images from the 1020s, very french Parisenne ,a touch of Art Deco,all Full of chic and glamour, yelling out to be glittered and embellished.




Here's a card I put together with the Frou Frou Cd Rom , a DieSire Ornamental Oval die and the Darice interlocking Circles embossing folder All done in a very sexy black lace and red rose theme , I just love the range .

I have treated myself to a big pile of Diesire flower quilling dies this week from Crafter's Companion  , so what out for those on the cards soon and I plan to have a good play with them in the next few months .

Dont forget to turn on your tv and catch the Frou Frou launch on Thursday and Friday over at Ideal World and Create and Craft xx

I like to enter this in the follow Challenges
Allsorts Challenge Deco delight
Clearly inspiration stamps challenge
marvelous magnolia challenge - dies
 its all about the vintage challenge - spring dreams with lace

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Die'sire Embossilicous Launch ...

Well tonight's the night,

 Another great launch from Crafter's Companion, The Die'sire Embossilicious range is fabulous and has now gone large, bringing you their 8 x 8 and A4 range of folders


keep a look out for this 8 x 8 baby card tonight made using the Regal corner folder, (also available in 6 x 6) a Marianne Design Pram die and Tim Holts Broken China ink pad.

9pm Ideal world , PICK OF THE DAY, don't miss it!! 

Sunday, 17 March 2013

Sneaky Peek Time - Crafter's Companion Embossalicious Folders



Hi Folks,

 well its time for your sneaky Peek at whats coming from Crafter's Companion next week. On Wednesday 20th March they will be launching their new range of embossing folders over at the Ideal World Shopping Channel, its brand new large Embossalicious folders at 9pm as the 'Pick of the Week' 

Here a 6 x 6 card, I put together using the  A4 Dotty folder, I cut him out on my Cricut, and  used some green pearl card for his body , added some googly eyes and a bow , the background was done is Silver holographic card using the Dotty folder again and then mounted onto some green and a 6 x 6 base card. Ribbons and buttons finish the look , hope you like him as much as I done xx

To make Mr Frog you will need
A4 Dotty Folder 
Light Green card
Dark Centura Pearl coloured green card 
Silver Card
Googly eyes
Doily
Ribbon
button


Don't forget , Ideal World , You can find it on Sky 644 | Freeview 22 | Virgin 747 | Freesat 813
WEDNESDAY 9pm, PICK OF THE WEEK ,

You 'readit' here first, (Sorry couldn't resist!!)

New Spellbinders corners dies...



Saint Patrick's Day or the Feast of St Patrick is celebrated on the 17th of March , it is a cultural and religious holiday It is named after St Patrick, the most commonly recognised of the  Patron saints of Ireland, nowadays this day is celebrated by people wearing green, consuming large amounts of Guinness and a lot  of singing is involved. Green ribbons and Shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century. Saint Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the day. History lesson over, here’s my card to celebrate this great saint.

To make this card you will need
7'' card blank
White and Green Card
Spellbinders Persian motif dies
Tim Holt's Distressing ink pad 'Pine needles'
lucky leaves die
Green Ribbon 
Butterfly embellishment

 I've used one of the new Spellbinders Heartfelt Creations 'Decorative Blossom Corners' for both corners and put some green card underneath, the Centre was cut from white card with a Spellbinders  Persian motif die and the shamrocks were cut in green with a memory box set called 'lucky leaves' The Sentiment was printed out on the PC and the mounted onto Green. all of which was mounted white card edged with a dark green 'Pine needles' Tim Holt's distressing ink pad and then onto a card blank. I added a silver peel off butterfly on Acetate and a green ribbon to finish. 

I love the way this card came out and the simplicity in making it, it took less than half an hour to create and looks elegant , I will be making more like it in the future xx All items highlighted can be purchased from J and C Creations

Friday, 15 March 2013

Crafters Companion Challenge blog


Hi folks

well  the weathers pants outside, so more excuses to craft in the warm today, like we need excuses!!. whats going on out there in blog land?, well there's a Crafty challenge going on over at Crafters Companion Challenge blog, They are asking for 'VINTAGE ' this month and they are only half way through so there is still time to join in the fun and maybe win yourself a £30 Gift Voucher to spend over at the Crafters Companion Website  Also the design Team pick their 3 favourite's and they will receive blinkies for their blogs to display.

Here's my inspiration for the blog.

 Hope you like her, She is from the Crisalis Classics CD ROM and is adorable. The papers are from the Wild Rose paper Collection also available over at the Crafter's Companion Website Don't know if you agree but I think she has a look of 'Kitty' (from the Mr Selfridge TV drama) about her!!


We would love for you to play along with us this month!  Take a minute to review our guidelines – for more details please see the original challenge post!
All entries must include at least one of the following items:
  • Any Crafter’s Companion UK or US brand stamp (including Humphrey, Toread, S.W.A.L.K., Sheena Douglass, Paintbox Poppets, Crisalis Classics, Angelica & Friends, Art Kure, Stamp-It Australia, Anthony/Burt, Snowman, etc)
  • Die’sire embossing folders and flower quilling dies (please state which ones you have used)
  • Anything created with the Ultimate Tool/Ultimate Pro, Envelebox, etc (please state which board you have used)
  • Darice embossing folders (please state which folder you have used)
  • Crafter’s Companion exclusive products
    • CD-ROMs
    • Reddy Decoupage Kits
    • Luxury Card Kits
    • Exclusive Member Downloads

    Good luck xx

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

J and C Creations Challenge - March

 Well  it's Challenge time again over at the J and C Creations Blog , hope you are all ready to join in and maybe win yourself a £20 gift Voucher to spend in their Store. this months challenge is ....

EASTER

So out with the Bunnies, Eggs , Hot Cross Buns, we want to see them all, If you would perfer to make something more Religous we would love to see that too. Any project or Card relating in some way to this theme will be happily received

I couldn't resist the chance to play with my Brand new Heartfelt Creations paper pack 'Vintage Floret Collection.' and the beautiful corner die also from Heartfelt Creations, 'Decorative Blossom Corner.'
Aren't they just fabulous!!!
So here's a card with it as the background and again in some of the Easter eggs and the main sentiment


HAPPY EASTER FOLKS XX

J

Items used
Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret Collection Paper Pack
Spellbinders Heartfelt Creations Die 'Decorative Blossom Corner'
Spellbinders die Floral Doily motif Die
Tim Holts Distressing ink 'Crushed Olive'
Marianne basket Die
Easter Egg stamp
Glitter 
All items highlighted can be purchased from J and C Creations

Monday, 11 March 2013

Share a Smile Day ...




'Share a smile day' was rumoured to be 1st March , That also happens to be my birthday so I can guarantee there was a 90% chance I was somewhere smiling that day, I remember now I was at the Farnborough make it, knit and sew it' show chatting with  the girls from J and C Creations!! Anyway back to the subject in hand , National Smile day. Now I'm not sure who came up with this one , was it the dentists celebrating oral hygiene and the creation of toothpaste or the local photograpy guild happily snapping away at weddings and party gatherings but who every decided we should have a 'share a smile' had a good idea and I for one intend to share as many smiles as possible with friends and even strangers today but I cant help thinking the world would be a much nicer place if we had this day every day!!

For the record its also National Peanut Butter Lovers day and Pig Day , those facts made me smile too... 

Here's my Card...

Items used 
Penny BlackRubber Stamp 'Catnap'
Spellbinders Floral Oval Decoritive die
Spellbinders las Papillions (butterflies)
Spellbinders Ribbon banners 
Pearl Embellishments
Patterned paper
Doily
paper flowers


All highlighted items used to make this card can be found over at the J and C Creations website or maybe you would like to give them a visit at their warehouse , check dates for open days . Thanks for popping over to the blog and don't forget to share a smile today xx


Thursday, 7 March 2013

Telephone Patent Day 1876

Today is the day Alexander Graham Bell patented his new invention the Telephone , something we all now have and can not live without apparently , I do believe my daughters may have to be surgically removed if shes on it much more!!!

Alexander Graham Bell is commonly credited as the inventor of the first practical telephone. The classic story of his crying out "Watson, come here! I want to see you!" is a well known part of American history.[ Bell was the first to obtain a patent, in 1876, for an "apparatus for transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically", after experimenting with many primitive sound transmitters and receivers. Bell was also an astute and articulate business man with influential and wealthy friends. many believe he stole the invention from Alisha Grey who also devised a tone telegraph of this kind about the same time but Bell beat Grey to the Patent!!

Here's my card to celebrate this great achievement

 
Items used to create this card
Sentiment -Heartfelt Creations Dutch Iris frame stamp
Spellbinders die Floral oval
Stamp mini telephone Stamp
Tim holts Faded jeans ink pad

 All items highlighted can be found on the J and C Creations Website

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges
Art impressions stamps challenge 103 anything goes
Craftuscrazy Challenge 38 Anything Goes
littlemissmuffet Challenge boys only


Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Party Paws Photo Album..Sneaky Peak

Well what a busy weekend that was !! Managed to fit in a Paper show, Birthday and family visit all in 3 days. No wonder I haven't had time to up date this!! and be warned there may be castles appearing soon in the Wheels section of my blog as one of my birthday treats was membership to the National Trust, so we will be out and about more this summer. We have already done a lovely afternoon in kent at Ightam Mote, a beautiful Tudor house in the backwaters of Maidstone.

Anyway back to business, Here's another sneaky Peek at whats coming tonight from Crafter's Companion
on the Ideal world shopping Channel and Create and Craft tomorrow.. This was made from the Party Paws Hunkydory set, but you will also get a chance to see a range of stamps , a CD and other Hunkydory special design sets including Swinging Pendulum cards, interlocking Hearts and Paws sets and Side Stepper card sets Check them all out at 9pm on Ideal world , Sky 644 | Freeview 22 | Virgin 747 | Freesat 812


Here is one of my samples for the show, It's my Party Paws Photo Album, on each page there is an image of little bamboo and opposite is a page with a pocket for a photo , There are 5 pockets in all and this was made from the card topper set with tons of toppers left over for other projects



look out for this in the show tonight for a better view.
This cute little bear is so adorable you will have hours of pleasure crafting with him , and there are many different styles of images you will be able to make everything from valentines cards to get well soon , they have covered all the bases those clever people at Crafter's Companion
 

Don't forget tune in tonight to Ideal world at 9pm

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Sneaky Peek time again...Party Paws

Here's a Sneaky peek at what we have been playing with this week from Crafters Companion HQ . The Fabulous 'cute as a button, Sweeter than sweet ....insert  Drum roll here ...

introducing....

The new PARTY PAWS CD and STAMP SET!!!!

And the star of the show has to be BAMBOO THE PANDA 
 isn't he the cutest!!!! 

Here he's been stamped onto some Neenah classic snow white card  and  coloured in with my Spectrum Noir Pens then mounted onto one of Crafter's Companions Decorative Dies Die'Sire Die 'Grace Frame', and the backing paper was printed from the CD

Watch out for him coming soon on Create and Craft  TV on March the 5th. You can watch this on Freeview Channel 36, Sky 671 or Freesat 813 and Check out Crafter's Companion on Facebook at Crafter's Companion UK   and on Ideal world shopping Channel Freeview Channel 22, it's their  'Pick of the day' 


Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Spectrum Noirs Award - Accredited Colorist


Well so far, so good , February is turning out to be a nice month , been really busy with Crafter's Companion Design team work , looking forward to seeing the girls from J and C Creations at the Farnborough 'Make it, Knit it and Stitch it' show on Friday running from 1st - 3rd, and sending out a big thank you to Jayne at Stamposaurus Stamps  for the free tickets won in her newsletter draw xx

This morning's emails bought good news I'm now a Spectrum Noir Accredited colorist , no that doesn't mean I can pop round and do your high-lightsin your hair, it means I have sat the colorist test set by Spectrum Noirs to see if you know how to blend colours and understand light and how it hits a image etc. and passed. Check out my new blinkie in the right hand column !!

So today I thought I'd enter the Spectrum Noir challenge and show off my colouring skills and what can be achieved with these wonderful alcohol pens here's a stamp from the S.W.A.L.K. Collection by Crafters Companion  called 'Time Out' Any hard working mum will tell you they sometimes need Time Out and indoors the only place you can hide is in the bathroom in the bath Tub!! I've had this Stamp over a year now but the old ones are sometimes the best ones!

Below I have listed the colours you will need to recreate this image.

Hair and Ribbons - N1,N2, N7,N8, PP1, PP2
Face - FS2, FS3
Bath tub LV1, LV2, LV3+ blender
Water TB1, TB2
Duck CT3

The image was mounted onto a Spellbinders die Floral Oval and then a Fleur de lis Rectrangle and the corners are from a Die'sire decorative die , Ornamental flower frame from Crafters Companion keep an eye out for those, I think they are going to be big!!

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges
Spectrum Noir Challenge - Bling
Creative Inspirations Challenge
The Crafting Cafe Challenge
Crafting for all Seasons Challenge Dies and Punches
Oldie but a goodie Challenge

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Another Sneaky peek...Crisilis Classics

Here's another sneaky peak at what's to come on Friday on Create an Craft TV , Freeview Channel 36, Sky 671 and Freesat 813. Don't forget to tune in and see this wonderful CD and stamp set  launch for the Artist Christine Haworth. Crisilis Classics and paintbox poppets, all bought to you by the lovely Leann Chivers, Sara Davis  and crew at Crafter's Companion, and keep an eye out for the cotton tote bag made by yours truly!!

 Till then here's a couple of cards I made from the Cd Rom ...


The images are so adorable, it was had to chose which ones to make.
Watch out for the PICK OF THE WEEK Shows starting at 12 noon on the 22nd Feb and continuing  all through the week till the 1st March


I hope you like this easel card , which would be ideal for a winter wedding or birthday or even Christmas card, there are only 306 days to the next one and it never hurts to start on your Chrimbo cards early !!

Thanks for popping by
 and feel free to leave a comment if you like what you see xx

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Sneaky Peek Time...Crisalis Classics Stamps

Hi everybody

Over the next few months I will be giving you Sneaky Peeks of what is about to be released from Crafters Companion, Don't worry they know all about it, no ones going to be shot at dawn !! As a guest Designer we are allowed to share our wonderful work and give our followers a heads up on the new stuff about to be launched on Create and Craft this week, so hold on to your hats and check out these fabulous images from Crafters Companion. This weekend   Crafters Companion will be releasing their new CRISALIS CLASSICS Stamps and CD Rom from the talented artist Christine Haworth on Create and Craft  Friday's 'PICK OF THE WEEK' Show, here are a few sample cards I made for their launch

The first is called 'The Reheshal' and was my favourite to colour as there were so many folds and creases in the skirts, you could really go to town with your Spectrum Noirs.

I've used  Spectrum Noirs 
FS2, FS3, FS5 for the flesh tones
NR2,NR7,NR8 for the hair
BP1,PL1, PP2, PP4,PP5 for the dresses and the shoes and LY2, LG4, LG2 and DR6 for the flowers

The images is mounted on a Floral Oval Spellbinder Die cut and decorated with liquid pearls and red silk flowers


 This bride was such a beautiful image it had to be a choice and coloured well even though I'm no expert with my 'Species' I still feel the fresh tones came out OK, The picture doesn't do this card justice as the veil and flowers is covered in iridescent glitter and sparkles when you turn the card.

Again it has been coloured with my wonderful Spectrum Noirs , they blend beautifully and make the image look so professional don't you think?? I know I do!!
 This last card is called 'Take time to relax,' and is an enchanting image of a young girl just enjoying the summer breeze...  Roll on summer ..

Well that was just a taster of whats to come, so keep both eyes peeled this Friday for the 'PICK OF THE WEEK' on Create and Craft and make sure you don't miss the Crafters Companion hours. Don't miss the chance to see more of these images there are a dozen stamps to choose from and a CD Rom full of these images, papers embellishments and toppers to work with, all as fabulous as the last!!

If you would like to see more of my creations pop back soon and I will post more for you to enjoy xx



Monday, 18 February 2013

Crafters Companion 'Love Challenge'

Hi everyone

First of all I would like to send out apologies for slacking where the blog has been concerned , things have been a little crazy at the homestead for the last few weeks and unfortunately the blog has been neglected , Its all been good stuff , I had a few days away with hubby, and have been working non stop for Crafters Companion on up and coming projects and promotions on Create and Craft , and not forgetting our lovely friends over at J and C Creations design team, who I have been creating for also, so there haven't been as many posts as usual and I hope to put that right over the next few weeks .


Today's post I would like to invite you over to the Crafters Companion Challenge blog which is in mid flow at the moment, The Challenge this month is LOVE IS IN THE AIR...Join in and you could win £30 worth of gift vouchers to spend on their website. All you have to do is create a card or project using one of their products. I missed the brief on this, didn't join the team till mid January so I am a little late joining in but here's my contribution to the inspiration anyway, it features one of the new Darice embossing folders, interlocking Circles, hope you like it and don't forget to join in the fun and enter over at the Challenge blog

I loved working with this embossing folders as the finished result is so nice and clear. I used Coreinations Card stock for this card , which can be found over at the Crafters Companion website in a range of fabulous colours and styles.  My first time using Coredinations Card stock ,I think it came out rather well !!

J and C Creations Blog Challenge ' International Friendship Week'

Here's my inspiration for the February Challenge 'International Friendship Month' over at J and C Creations Challenge Blog... There's a £20 gift voucher to spend on the J and C Creations website as a prize. kindly donated by Denise and Jenny, so get no over there and enter the challenge. You know what they say 'you have got to be in it to win it!!;


 Items used
Penny Black 'Furry Embrace' Stamp
The stamp Barn Friendship Sentiment' Stamp ( WOR123G) 
decorative Square die 
Marianne flower and swirl die( from Straight frame set)
Pearl embellishments 
patterned papers
Spellbinders labels17
Gold Peel offs

Alcohol pens to colours

Colours used for the little pussies were LG1, LG3, LG4, F2,NR2, NR3, Swing Seat NR3 ,NR5, Flowers LY2,LY4 and DG3, LG2, LG4 .
 All highlighted items can be found over at the J and C Creations website


I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges
Cutiepiechallenge - Pretty pastels
MyCraftspot challenge flowers
Stampwithfun - Friends Challenge



Wednesday, 13 February 2013

National Bird feeding month.....


Good morning everyone,

 well its come round again National bird feeding month , where we live in Surrey there has been an invasion of Parakeets. You may assume they need a more tropical climate than Surrey , apparently not!! As the birds originate from the foothills of the Himalayas, they seem to find our mild winters easy to cope with.

They eat berries, buds, nuts and seeds, all of which are in plentiful supply in the area, both in the wild and in garden bird feeders, and due to their size - approximately 40 cm (16 inches) from top to tip of tail, they are able to compete for food and nesting spaces with our native birds.
.
It's believed that there are about 30,000 Ring-necked Parakeets living in the South East of England, mainly in Surrey, with some flocks also sighted in Sussex and Kent.

The one in the picture was photographed from my kitchen window, he was with his mate (not photographed) they were eyeing up the garden bird tables with great interest and popped down a few times to get some breakfast from them.

 Hundreds of them have taken up residence in our local woodlands but food must be thin on the ground for them to come into the gardens, its the first pair I've ever seen from indoors before, though you can hear them in the summer quite easily..

Here's my card to celebrate today...
Its a really pretty little stamp by Bildmalarna of a little girl feeding her chicks and seemed ideal for today's project Bildmalarna have a huge range of stamps over at J and C Creations website, many of which are now reduced in price so why not pop over and grab a bargain

You will need:
Bildmalarna Minosa 'Chickens Stamp
Embossed 6' card blank
Spellbinders Floral oval die
Green pearls 
Ribbon, paper flowers
Alcohol Pens to colour
Sentiment  

I've used a Minosa 'Chickens' Stamp from Bildmalarna and coloured it in with my Spectrum Noirs
colours used were
Hair - TN8, TN7, TN2
Skin - F2, F3
Dress and top
CG1,CG2, LG2,LG5, LY2
Chicks LY2, LY1 , CT3
Basket - GB6, GB7, GB8

When this was coloured, I cut the image out with my Floral Ovals die and mounted it onto an 6 x 6'' square embossed card blank. I added some ribbon down the side and some flowers in the corner and a few green pearls to embellish. The sentiment is from an old stamp I've had forever, and this was cut out with a 1.5 circle hole punch.

All items highlighted can be found on the J and C Creations website 

And if you would like to know more about our feathered friends and how you can help them through this cold spell, why not visit  the National Bird Feeding Society

if you would like to see more crafting items why not visit the J and C Creations website



Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Liebster Award Nomination

Wow, Hi everyone
well, what a busy week I've had , and what a lovely surprise to come back to my blog and find that 2 people have kindly nominated me for a liebster award. So I would like to send a HUGE BIG THANK YOU to Rocky and Kelly for putting my little blog forward xx

ABOUT THE AWARD - this award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion. Once you've been nominated you in turn award it to blogs that you like to visit that have fewer than 200 followers.  This is to encourage new visitors to visit these blogs - isn't this a fabulous idea?!
RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE - you must thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog. Post the award on your blog. Give the award to 5 bloggers who you appreciate that have less than 200 followers.  Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award.
PAY IT FORWARD - Listed below are five blogs that I think you should visit:

Here are my nominees
Katy Crafts
The things she makes are amazing xx
Some Assembly Required
Sue is a true Artist with her animal/pet portaits..
Glitters and Bonbons
Shea is so talented, I just love visiting her blog..
Wendylynn's Paper Whims
I love her dark side...
Colorpaperscissors
She makes such lovely creations..

Kelly asked her nominees the following questions

1.) What is your favourite time of the day?
lunchtime, Always hungry so love Lunchtime!
2.) Do you have any pets? What are they? What's their names?
 I had the most adorable pug Spike till last month when he very sadly passed away at the age of 13, we miss him dearly, we also have a ginger feline cat, aged 13 who owns the house!!
3.) Are you allergic to anything? 
 Mondays!!
4.) What is your favourite food?
 Cheese and onion sandwiches
5.) What's your pet peeve? 
People who queue jump, and drivers that use their cell phones while driving,
 Idiots!!!
6.) Where is the most interesting place you've traveled to?
 Burgge in Belgium we went to an Ice Sculpture Exhibition
7.)  If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would you ask for?
  Good Health for everyone I know, (mine is rubbish,) a little house in the country and an extra day in the weekend !!
8.) Who is your favorite cartoon character? Homer Simpson, Why?
  because every now and then he will do something my husband would do and that's funny!!
9.) What's your favorite flower? 
A yellow rose
10.) Why did you start your blog?
About a year ago I joined a design team and I was asked to write a blog so we could share the things we would make with others
11.) What do you like to do on your days off?
 when I get one I'll let you know!!!  seriously, we go  out on our motorcycles and enjoy the surrey countryside xx

Monday, 11 February 2013

10th Febuary -- It's Umbrella day

February 10th was officially national Umbrella day , We seem to have had a lot of those just lately.  On this day we celebrate the invention of one of the most used and useful items that most, if not all of us has, pretty sure every home owns at least one!!!!  They provide shelter from the rain and snow in the winter and shield us from the harmful rays of the summer sun, not just hand held , they come in many sizes and colours and Parasol umbrellas are a regular sight at most beaches, race courses and of course my favorite, the large ones you can sit under in the beer garden!!!


To commemorate this day I made this card for you to enjoy.

Items used
6'' Scalloped card blank
Silver mirror card
 white card
Penny Black 'winter snuggles' wooden Stamp
Clear and black Versamark ink pads
Spellbinders Scalloped edge die
Regal M-bossibilities Folder
Orange Pearls
Ranger Glossy Accents 
WOW Pearlecent Green pearl embossing powder

Step 1
To make the background for this card I first took my versamark ink pad and dabbed it over the inside of one side of my M-bossibilities folder I then placed my card inside and ran this through my Grand Calibur machine then I took it out the folder (carefully) and covered the sticky side of the paper with my WOW Pearlecent Green pearl embossing powder and melted with a heat gun . I then matted this onto some mirror card and added to my card blank

Step 2
To create the Penny black winter snuggles image I stamped with a black Versamark ink pad and embossed with fine clear embossing powder to get a raised clear stamped Image, I then coloured the little guys with my Spectrum Noir Pens and cut the image out using my Spellbinders Scalloped edge die

Step 3
I mounted the image onto some more mirror card and added some Glossy Accents to the umbrella and to the snow on top and left over night to dry completely before mounting onto my scalloped card blank

Step 4
I added some white satin ribbon down the side and the card was finished

If you would like to see more of these adorable hegdehogs why not check out the Penny Black  range over at J and C Creations Website All items highlighted in this post can be found there xx


Monday, 4 February 2013

Eleanor Ballarina Tutorial... 'Angelica and Friends'


 I do hope you have all been watching the Create and Craft TV channel today and enjoying the 'Angelica and Friends' 4 Day Deal from Crafters Companion

Sara Davis has very kindly decided to do a giveaway over on her blog, check it out, you may win a sample card from her stash!!!

Here's a box card I made for the show and a tutorial on how to recreate it xx

Angelica Ballerina Box Card

You will need
4 x A4 Centura Pearl Card
Plain white, /silver mirror card, plain and patterned yellow card
Spectrum Noirs Alcohol pens
2 x 12’’ length White ribbon
Embossing folder
Silver glitter glue
Crafters Companion Spray and Sparkle
Crafters Companion Handbag and box board
Spellbinders floral Oval die      
Template on scrap paper 119mm x150mm












Step 1
 First take an A4 piece of Centura Pearl card and cut to the measurements 160mm x295mm and then score a line at 125mm and 145mm and then again at 272mm. You should now have a long card blank with 4 panels , The larger panels are the front and back and the skinny ones are the sides  When this is done fold your card it should look like a rectangle with open ends.



Step 2
Cut a rectangle, 150mm x 119mm in White Centura Pearl  (This is where your scrap template comes in) and emboss through an embossing folder of your choice, I used a  ‘Regal’ M-bossibilities on this project but any embossing folder with  a repeating pattern will work just fine. When this is done matt and layer this card onto some silver mirror card giving it a 2mm border around it. When this is done, matt this onto the 3rd panel of your card blank, remembering to insert your ribbon tie under it before sticking it down. This is your front panel of your box card





Step 3
Colour your image with your Spectrum Noirs, I used CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4 for the dress, TN9. TN8, GB7, F3 for the hair and F2, F3, F6 for the skin and LG1 for the outline.
When you have coloured your image, cut this out using an oval template, make the size just smaller than your spellbinders die, matt this onto a Spellbinder die-cut shape cut from yellow patterned paper and mount onto the front panel, decorate around the oval with your glitter glue and decorate your ‘ballerina’s tu-tu  and headband with some iridescent glitter then leave to dry completely. Add your sentiment onto a small floral Oval die cut and add to the corner. I used to ‘waste’ stars to decorate around my Ballerina



Step 4
 Emboss 2 strips for the sides of your box in Centura Pearl and matt onto some silver mirror card and decorate your side panels then cut another large panel for the back 119 x 150mm  (use your template) , emboss and matt onto silver again and mount on back, again first inserting the end of your ribbon before you stick it down. That’s the box cover completed.

Step 5
Use your template and score a rectangle in the middle of a piece of A4 Centura Pearl card. Then Score a 3cm border around this twice, cut out the corners to create tabs so your Card resembles the picture to the right. When this is done crease your folds then cut an oval aperture in the centre rectangle and fold and glue 3 out of the 4 sides. Use wet glue for this, when making boxes it’s always better than tape as that sometimes comes unstuck and you don’t want that!!  Leave one end open to insert the background.

Step 6
When your box insert is dry, using your template again, cut yourself another 119 x150mm rectangle and emboss this with the patterned embossing folder and insert into the box. Glue the background in, Close the end up and glue shut and leave to dry. When this was dry, I glued it onto the inside of my box cover.


Step 7
Take your Crafters Companion handbags and boxes board and use the ‘cloud’ shapes and dry emboss them. Starting with the largest and emboss onto plain white card, the next largest onto yellow card and the smallest onto Centura Pearl. Cut out the shapes and run through the patterned embossing folder and then mount onto a spellbinders oval die-cut and decorate the edges with silver glitter glue. When this is completely dry, glue it inside the box insert pictured above in step 6.

Step 8
Take your image of Angelica in her Ballerina costume and colour and decoupage 3 layers. I also sprayed Angelica’s Tutu with some Crafters Companion Spray and sparkle to give it a subtle glittery look, and then I mounted onto the top of the ‘clouds’.
Step 9
 Finish your box inset by cutting out some pretty corner dies using Centura Pearl white card and gluing them on the top of the box inset, just over hanging the aperture. When this is dry, you can tie a bow with your ribbon and the card is finished.

 

 
















Created by Tracey Anne xx