Good Morning All and a very happy WOYWW.
To kick things off, here's a photo of my desk.
You'll be able to see a pot of Cosmic Shimmer Summer Meadow Gilding Flakes, some Flake and Glitter Glue, my scooshy and a large A6 Dot background stamp from Sam Poole at Creative Studios. There's also the stamped and gilded card at the front. I'm working on a project for the workshops at Martells in February next year!
The next workshop is on Saturday and we won't be having any after November until next year and I know they'll want to know what we're going to do!
I've posted my DT piece on the Creative Studios blog this morning (for link, go to Sam on the right). It's a Christmas card, thought I'd better get started! All of the step by steps are on the CS blog.
Here's the finished card...non-traditional colours for a change!
Yesterday was my first "official" post as a DT member for Creative Expressions and you can see the card and step by step in yesterdays post.
Onto other matters. Some of you may know about the kitten that my daughter rescued from a sealed cardboard box. He seemed poorly on Saturday and so she rushed him to the emergency vet 20 miles away. He told her that the kitten was going to die possibly in the next few days or months and that he could put Gonzo to sleep there and then. It seems that the poor little chap has a congenital condition that will always afflict him. Sam (my dd) wanted a second opinion from her own vet so took the kitten there on Monday (she was in tears thinking that he wouldn't be coming home with her). Her own vet said that although Gonzo has a problem he could live a very happy life for years to come but would always need extra help. It seems that an aorta to the brain didn't grow properly and so he is always going to be very slow and disabled.
The upshot is that he is fine but will always be like a tiny kitten in his ways and won't ever be able to go outside. He can, however, play and enjoy his many cuddles. One much happier daughter who is fully prepared to give him as much love and care as he needs. I really think that she was meant to find him. We're kitten sitting while she goes to work and as her partner works shifts, it means that the kitten always has someone there with him.
Someone told her she was being cruel keeping him alive as it would restrict her freedom! It wasn't the vet who told her that there was no reason to put Gonzo to sleep.
We're so glad that she got a 2nd opinion and trusted her instincts. Glad I got that off my chest but it'll be a long time before I forgive the 1st vet for putting her and her partner through so much stress.
Well, that's it for today. Sorry it's gone on a bit! The blog candy is still there. down to just 13 more now. I might be a bit late getting around the desks this week as I have to go out today.
Many thanks for your visits and comments. Until next time...
Good morning all and a very happy Tuesday. Well, this is exciting! My first "proper" post as a member of the Creative Expressions Design Team!
So without further ado, here is what I came up with using the new A5 stamp plate "Winter Flowers".
Stamp the Christmas Rose with black Archival Ink onto a piece of Coconut White card and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.
Colour the flower with Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks. I've used Meadow Lush and Lime Burst for the leaves and Cosmic Skin and Pearl Shine for the flower heads. The centres have been painted with Rich Gold and Ancient Copper.
Die cut the picture using Spellbinders Labels 28. Using the same die, draw around the outer edge of it onto Green cardstock and cut out with scissors. This enables you to make a matt that is just the right size and also gives you more flexibility with the dies making them even better value for money!
Using the Dainty Dots M-Bossability Folder, emboss a piece of Coconut White Card. When using the Grand Calibur, make sutreere you use the Raspberry plate without the tan mat.
Use 3d foam pads to attach the flower panel to the card. To finish, tie a double bow and attach with a glue dot. Add a silver Dazzler to the centre of the bow. Use another glue dot to attach it after peeling off the 3d foam pad.
Stamp the sentiment with black Archival Ink and heat emboss as before. Cut it into a banner shape, matt and layer it onto green card. Gently bend the banner and stick to the card with glue at the ends and foam pads where the banner rises. Add a couple of Crystal Stick Pins to finish.
Well, that's the first of my DT pieces and I thoroughly enjoyed making it. It's a nice quick and effective card to make. The Drawing Inks are fantastic, lots of Mica to give shine and glimmer and also a very fine brush to paint with. The other great thing, if you're a bit clumsy like me, is that they are non-spill!!
You may have noticed that I have some blog candy on offer. To enter, all you have to do is sign up and follow. When I reach 300, I'll do the draw.
Hope you'll be back soon. Many thanks for visiting and please leave comments especially if there are any techniques you would like covered. Until next time......
Well my blogging chums, it's Wednesday which can only mean one thing.....WOYWW!
To kick things off, here is a piccie of my desk which really isn't very inspiring at all!
There's the usual pile of Distress Inks with some Cut 'n Dry, scissors, 3d foam pads, Cosmic Shimmer Mica Powders and a Creative Expressions Teresa Collins Paper Pad (which I am totally in love with!) Other than that, just the usual mess of tools and bits of card from projects I'd finished but not tidied up. The only other thing on the desk is an index card which is what I write all the step by step instructions on when I'm designing a project. This one is top secret so no peeking! All I can say is that it's to do with some brand new products that are being shown on C&C in November!!
Over at the Creative Studios blog it's my day for the DT project and I've come up with this one.
I've used 2 sets of Sam Poole's Vintage stamps...Inventors and Treasures, as well as an A6 background stamp. I've put a full set of step by steps on the blog so if you're interested, head over to the link on the right that says Sam then go to the DT link at the top. All of the products are available from Sam's on-line shop.
In other news, the dig is going really well, just upset that I'm not there now!! There's been a lot of coverage in the National newspapers including a full page in the Times last week. I'll keep you informed about any new finds but if you're interested in it, Amesbury Museum are on Facebook and have lots of photos. It's also where they let you know about future digs and if volunteers are needed.
And finally! The fabulous Sue Wilson has just launched a series of video tutorials on her blog (Particraft). She started them yesterday and will have 3 a week. Do go and have a look, she is totally amazing.
Thank you for vising and leaving such wonderful comments. I'll be a bit late visiting this week as I'm off to Creative Expressions Towers today to meet the other DT members. I'm so excited (even if it is a 3 hour drive to get there!!!) Luckily, my wonderful OH has volunteered for driving duty! Many thanks to those who have become blog followers...just another 14 and the draw will take place!
Until next time, have a very happy, crafty week!
Time to get started on those Christmas cards! Today I thought I show a card I made using a fantastic technique that the wonderful Sue Wilson was demonstrating at Ally Pally last month. I just hope that my lousy photography does it justice!
To start, cut a piece of Coconut White cardstock to size and cover with Creative Expressions Double Sided Adhesive Sheet. Coat the Holly Wreath Mask with Perfect Medium Ink and place down on the double sided adhesive. Apply Cosmic Shimmer Summer Meadow Gilding Flakes through the mask making sure that you get rid of any excess before removing the mask. Remove mask and apply Creative Expressions Micro Beads.
Dry emboss another piece of the Coconut White card using the Basket Weave Creative Expressions A4 Folder. Cut another piece of the card slightly larger and lay down double sided tape all the way around the edges. Apply the Golding Flakes to the tape.
Lightly apply some Golden Light Gilding Wax over the embossed piece of card.
Stamp the sentiment with Perfect Medium and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Powder. Die cut using Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Motifs. Die cut a 2nd Motif after applying a piece of the double sided sheet to a piece of card. Remove the backing and apply the Gilding Flakes to it.
Stick onto the card with 3d foam pads after gluing the sentiment over the gold motif. To finish, add a bow and a Red Dazzler.
I hope you like it and a big thank you so Sue for showing me how to do it!
Well, that's it for today. I'm busy beavering away on some secret DT pieces!!! We're nearly at the target for the blog candy so just another 15 to sign up to follow then I'll have the draw. Until next time, have a happy, healthy, crafty week!
Good Morning All and a very Happy WOYWW.
Firstly, I suppose I should show my desk so here goes!
So, what can we see today. Well, there's a Christmas Bauble stamp from Creative Expressions and a pad of Couture Creations Xmas paper. My trusty paper trimmer, a bod I'm decorating, Distress Inks and an empty mug (it's usually filled with tea!).
I thought I'd better bite the bullet and make a start on a few Xmas cards as we'll have to post them before we go away in November. Everyone will think we've lost the plot getting them so early!
My project for Creative Studios Design Team blog is the next photo.
I was really pleased with how it turned out. The step by step is on the DT blog. If you'd like to see it, go to Sam Poole on the right (blogs I follow). It'll take you to Creative Studios, then at the top of the page there's a link to the design team. I was asked last week where it was so I hope that helps.
I was also asked about the button bouquets so on the previous post there's a better photo of them.
We've been away for a couple of days at an archaeological dig near to Stonehenge and had a fantastic time. So many finds from the Mesolithic era that I lost count. Hundreds of flint tools and some very special tranchet adze heads. Even got interviewed for BBC local news (fame at last) although I wasn't looking my best, covered in mud and wearing my oldest clothes and a smile! I think the stripey wellies were the main draw!
Anyway, here's a couple of photos.
The 1st photo is the washing and sieving station and the 2nd is one of the tranchet adze.
Well, I've rambled on for far too long, I know this is supposed to be short and sweet. Many thanks for your visit and comments. I'll try and get back to everyone. Nearly at the target for the blog candy so there's still time to join in, just become a follower and when I hit 300 I'll draw the winner. Until next time, have a fantastic week.
Well, I suppose you can see by the image on the right that I made it onto the Creative Expressions Design Team! I can't tell you how excited I am. Lots of gorgeous new stamps to play with, what more could a crafter want!
A lot of people asked to see the bouquet from the wedding in more detail so here's a better photo.
It's actually both bouquets, the bridesmaids as well.
I was also asked what Spirelli was. It's wrapping thread around a shape. I don't know if you ever played with Spirograph (I did, and loved it!) but it looks a bit like that!
Anyway, here's a picture of the finished card to give you a better idea.
Well, that's all for now as we're off to pack our waterproofs and wellies for the dig! I'll be back on Wednesday with a project for Creative Studios and I'm working on a Christmas Card using the High Low technique that the fab Sue Wilson demonstrated at Ally Pally so watch this space!
Nearly forgot! The link for the Creative Studios blog is Sam Poole (it's on the right).
Till next time....happy crafting and many thanks for your visit.
Good Morning All, Happy WOYWW.
Another week has flown by with lots of crafting and a wedding.
Anyway, to get things underway, here is a picture of my desk as it looks right now.
Lots more packs being prepped for the cruise, Spirelli this time. It used to be very popular but has fallen out of fashion. The people I teach on the ships seem to love it so I still keep it in the lessons. Other than that, there's a basket of chipboard shapes, wooden shapes and small canvases all ready to decorate, a basket with some masks and a couple of small boxes containing odds and ends.
Fairly boring but quite tidy for a change!
I've been making a project for the Sam Poole Creative Studios DT blog. It's on there today (link is on the right) with step by step instructions if you want to take a look. The new Up, Up and Away stamps are gorgeous and I can't stop playing with them!
And finally, the wedding which happened on Monday. My stepson married his gorgeous fiancée Claire. The whole day was just perfect and the sun shone. Everyone had a great time and here's the happy couple.
Claire made all of the table decorations, buttonholes and her bouquet from buttons. It was months of hard work for her, but they looked amazing.
Well, that's it for now. We're off on an archaeological dig on Sunday near Stonehenge for a couple of days. I'm hoping that the rain holds off for that! We've been before and the feeling of finding tools that are 8000 years old and haven't been touched since they were left there by their owners is one I can't describe. So until next time, many thanks for visiting and leaving comments, they are all so kind and much appreciated. Only 20 more followers before the Blog Candy Draw! Happy Crafting!
Good Morning fellow WOYWWers! This week has flown by (yet again). We had relatives to stay all weekend including a girl age 12 and a boy age 15. How to entertain them...simples! Let them run amok in the studio!! We had to prise them out with crowbars for meals and their parents thought they'd never get them in the car when it was time to go home! Another generation of crafters on their way!
Anyway, what is on my desk this week. Not a lot. I had a major cleaning up operation on my hands after the visit plus a new set of stamps from lovely Sam Poole at Creative Studios to play with.
I've also had to take photos of some of the projects that I'm teaching on the ships for my agent which means that I've had to set up "photography corner". So, this is currently one corner of my table with 3 gift boxes/bags on it.
The new stamps are fab. They're called "Up, Up and Away" and here's the DT project that I've posted on the Creative Studios blog where you can find full step by step instructions.
I've finally finished and e-mailed the project which is going to be included in the new Creative Expressions Project Book which is due out soon...very exciting! I still haven't heard about the design team so my fingers are still crossed (which is making crafting very difficult!!).
We're off to my step-son's wedding at the weekend. I'll be taking my camera and hopefully, I'll be able to make them a wedding book as a small present for when they get back from their honeymoon.
That's about it for today. Don't forget the blog candy draw, as soon as I get to 300 followers I'll pick a winner and get it sent out.
Until next week, have a happy, craft time and many thanks for your visit and comments.
