Monochrome!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

I'm so sorry, but this will be my last posting for the design team.  I will still post the odd project for you so please check in from time to time.

I've really enjoyed the time I've been on the team but we are getting too many working cruises to be able to post regularly and I felt I wasn't able to give the time to bring you fresh projects that these fabulous products deserve.  I'll still be teaching at Martells, having crafty Sundays and working at Ally Pally...all using Creative Expressions products.  I hope to see some of you in April...if not before.

Anyway, let's go out with a good one.....

Emboss a rectangle of Coconut White Card using the A4 Leafy Quad Folder.
Matt and layer onto Black Foundations Card.

Die cut 4 Orange Blossom Leaves from Foundations Black Card and glue into position.

Die cut the plain black background using Frames and Tags - Tessa
and the detailed overlay from the same die set using Coconut White card.  Glue together.

Stamp the sentiment from the Elements Stamps - Flowers onto white card with Black Archival and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.  Glue onto the die cut background.
Attach the whole thing to the card with 3d pads.

Ink up the Shaded Peony stamps with Perfect Medium and stamp onto Black card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer True White Powder.  Cut out and glue into position
Add small black Dazzlers to the flower centres to finish

And there it is!  I hope you like it.

I will miss bringing you a project every week...it's certainly made me think!

But on the plus side, we're having a lot of adventures on the cruise ships including flying to Tahiti on Sunday and sailing to Australia.  In April we fly to Mexico and spend 4 weeks cruising around the Caribbean...in fact, we leave the day after Ally Pally!  So, you can see why being on the team was just getting too difficult.

As I said before, I will pop on here from time to time with a project and of course, the rest of the team will still be coming up with fab ideas for you.

Until next time......

Finally, I'm back!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

Firstly, I'd like to apologise for my very long absence.  When we got back from our travels, the computer decided to pack up.  Our very nice computer engineer took it away, took it apart and deduced that the mother board had failed.  After a lot of work. he was able to retrieve all of the data from the hard drive and re-install it onto a new computer.  Anyway, enough of my woes...all is now well!

So without further ado. let's get started on a project....

Start by covering a piece of Craft Consortium paper from the Bloom Beautiful Collection with double sided adhesive.
Die cut using the outer solid frame from Frames and Tags-Tessa Die set.
Remove the backing and cover with Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Snow.

Cut a rectangle of Coconut White Card and draw wavy lines around the edges with a fine line pen.  Emboss using the A4 Art Deco Fanfare Folder.
Matt and layer onto Sky Blue Foundations Card.

Die cut the Ornate Frame from the same die set as before.  Glue over the patterned paper with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.
Place on the background with 3d foam pads.

Ink up the sentiment from the Pierced Flag Sentiments Stamp Set with Black Archival Ink.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Cut out using the Frames and Tags-Pierced Flags Die Set.
Draw around the same die on the Sky Blue card and cut out.  Matt and layer with the sentiment.
Shape and glue onto the card.

Cover another piece of the patterned paper with Double sided adhesive and die cut flowers from the Orange Blossom-Complete Petals Die Set.
Remove the backing and cover with Diamond Snow. Shape the petals and glue together.
Glue into position on the card and add a small black Dazzler to finish.

And there it is...finished!

I hope you like it...it's such a shame that you can't see the sparkle clearly on this.  I'm still getting to grips with the photo editing on the new computer so please bear with me!

Well, that's all for this week, until next time, have a happy crafty week!

Back to the Future!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

As yesterday was "Back to the Future" Day, I thought the sentiment on this week's project was apt!

I'll start off with apologies for tempting you with these gorgeous papers.  I'll just say that if you but them, you won't be disappointed!

Anyway, on with the card.....

Start by using one of the outer edges of the Mini Gemini Dies-Vela to cut out a patterned edge square.  Do this by cutting the first edge, lining up the die so that it touches the cut of the first one and cutting again until you have a square.

I hope the picture explains what I mean!

Cut out an aperture using the Noble-Double Pierced Square Dies.

Cut a square of Craft Consortium Bloom Beautiful paper and glue it onto the blank  8x8 card.
Attach the frame over the top with 3d foam pads.

Ink up the sentiment from the "Delightful Sentiments" stamp set with Black Archival Ink.  Stamp into Coconut White card and heat emboss using Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Cut out with a smaller Noble-Pierced Square Die.
Add to the card with pads.

Die cut flowers from the Finishing Touches-Camellia Complete Petals Die Set.  Glue 4 small ones to the corners of the frame.  Add 3mm self adhesive pearls to the centres.
Die cut more flowers and layer them using 2 different patterned papers.

Glue onto the frame and add 5mm pearls to the centres.
Add pearls to the corners of the sentiment.
Cut up some Mini Pearl Swirl embellishments and attach to the frame to finish.

 And there's the finished card!  I do hope you like it.
What you can't see is the beautiful pearl finish to the paper..it's gorgeous!

Well, that's it for this week.  Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments...they are all much appreciated.

I'll be back next week with another card....more of those stunning papers....sorry!

As always, everything used is from Creative Expressions.

So until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

In Love With These Papers!!!

Good Morning All and a Very Happy Thursday!

I'm back from the dig and a fabulous ukulele festival and ready to craft again!

This week I've used more of the gorgeous Craft Consortium 12x12 patterned papers....I can't get enough of them!  Anyway, here goes with this weeks project....

Emboss a piece of Coconut White Card using the Rambling Blossoms A4 Folder.
Matt and layer onto Foundations Rich Plum Card.

Die cut the Eternal Rings Striplet Die from a piece of Coconut White card.
Cut a piece of the 12x12 Bloom Beautiful Paper 1cm larger than the striplet.
Cover the paper with Creative Expressions Double Sided Adhesive.
Remove the backing and apply Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Snow Glitter Jewels.
Matt and layer onto white and plum card.
Add the die cut over the top with 3d foam pads.
Glue into position on the card.

Add 5mm self adhesive pearls to the die cut.

Ink up the sentiment from the A5 British Wild Flower stamp set with Black Archival Ink and stamp onto Coconut White card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Matt and layer as before.
Attach to the card with 3d foam pads.
Die cut 2 Finishing Touches-Magical Butterflies from the same patterned paper.
Shape the wings and glue into position.

And there's the finished card.  I hope you like it!

I really cannot stress how beautiful these papers are and the quality is first class.  As a bonus, they are all double sided!!

Anyway, everything used is from Creative Expressions as always.
I just want to say thank you for the birthday wishes and leaving your comments...much appreciated.

I'll be back next Thursday with another project so until then, have a happy, crafty week!

Sweet and Simple

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

While you're reading this I'll be in a trench at a dig near to Stonehenge!  It's also my 60th birthday today...a very odd way to spend the day!

Enough about me....let's have a look at this weeks project.

I've really decided to let the papers do the work this week as they are so gorgeous!  Let's get started.....

Matt and layer some Foundations Rich Plum card onto a blank 6x6 card.
Use the Mini Gemini Dies-Vela to cut the bottom of a square of Coconut White card.
Place a piece of the Blooming Beautiful paper behind the die cut area.
Matt and layer onto the Plum card.

Cut a panel of the Blooming Beautiful paper that has the bird on it and glue into position.

Cut a strip of Plum card and attach white Seam Binding around it.
Glue into position then add a piece of seam binding for a faux bow.

Ink up the sentiment from the Amazing Sentiments stamp set using Black Archival Ink.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Cut out with the Spellbinders Standard Circles Small dies.
Cut a matt from the plum card using Spellbinders Scalloped Circles Large.
Attach to the card with 3d foam pads.

And there's the finished card!

I can't tell you how beautiful these papers are...you really need to stroke them!!!

As always, everything used is from Creative Expressions.
I'll be back next Thursday with another design....featuring more of the papers and this months selection of dies.  I do hope you join me!

Until then, many thanks for visiting and leaving comments...always much appreciated.  Have a happy, crafty week!

A Change of Colour!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

It was so lovely to meet some of you at the weekend....thank you for stopping by and saying hello.  We had a great time but it took all of Monday to recover!!

This week is the final time using the Butterfly Dream stamps and I've gone for a total change of colour.  I rarely use yellow but the Foundations Custard card is so pretty that it's tempted me away from blues and purples.  

Anyway, let's get started.....

Cut out 2 different sized squares of Foundations Custard Card using the Sue Wilson Noble-Double Pierced Square Dies.
Cut 2 squares of coordinating paper from Phill Martin's Sentimentally Yours Graceful Butterflies and Dragonflies Paper Pad.
Matt and layer the largest card and paper squares and attach to the blank card.

The Noble Dies take all of the hard work out of achieving that gorgeous pin pricking detail.

Ink up the largest Butterfly Dreams stamp with Black Archival and stamp onto the small square of paper.
Matt and layer onto the small square of card.
Attach a length of black seam binding.
Place on the main card with 3d foam pads.

Cover a piece of the Custard Card with Double Sided Adhesive.
Die cut some Butterflies from the Finishing Touches-Magical Butterflies Die Set.
Remove the backing paper and cover with Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Snow Jewels.
Stamp the sentiment onto Custard Card and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Place some double sided adhesive over the top and cut to size.
Add more of the Diamond Snow over the top.
Attach to the card with 3d pads.
Tie 3 lengths of seam binding onto the piece that is already in place.
Glue the butterflies into position.

 And there's the finished card!

Everything I've used is from Creative Expressions.  I do wish that the sparkle showed up more in the photo...you'll all have to pop round to my house to see the real thing!

Well, that's it for this week.  Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments....much appreciated as always.
Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Say it with Flowers!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

I thought that this week I'd do things a little differently and show you the finished card at the start of the step by step.  Would you let me know if you prefer that to the reveal at the end?

Anyway, let's get started.....

Cut a square of paper from the Sentimentally Yours-Graceful Butterflies and Dragonflies paper pad designed by Phil Martin.
Apply Colour Cloud Plum Cobbler Blending Ink to a Smoothie and dab onto a butterfly stamp from the Butterfly Field Stamp Set.
Stamp directly onto the patterned paper and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Cleat Powder.

Die the the Finishing Touches-Ornamental Corners from coordinating paper, glue into position and trim off any excess.
Matt and layer onto Coconut White card and the same paper as before.

Ink up the sentiment from the same stamp set withBlack Archival Ink and stamp onto Coconut White card. Heat emboss with clear powder.
Cut out using Californian Collection-Decorative Frames Set B.
Cut a matt from the patterned paper using Californian Collection-Decorative Frames Set A.
Cut a slightly larger one in white then matt and layer.
Attach to the card with 3d foam pads.

Rough cut some circles from the patterned paper pad.  Cut a spiral into them.

Roll up from the outside edge and glue to the middle to form a flower.  Apply some of the Blending Ink around the edges for definition.
Cut some Ivy using the Finishing Touches-Trailing Ivy dies from white card.
Glue into position on the card then glue the flowers on to finish.

And there's the finished card again!

I hope you like it!

That's it for this week.  I'm off to prep my demos for Ally Pally, hope to see some of you there next week! Many thanks for visiting and leaving comments. Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

A Really Quick One!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

I know how many Christmas cards we need to make and with that in mind, I thought I'd show you a really quick and easy one this week.

So, let's get started.....

Cut a square of Coconut White card to size and emboss with the A4 Tied Holly Folder.
Matt and layer onto Foundations Ruby Card.

Ink up the 2 Turtle Doves from the John Lockwood 12 Days of Christmas stamp set with Perfect Medium Ink.  Stamp onto Coconut White card 3 times and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Metallic Gold Powder.
Cut out then matt and layer into squares of the Ruby card.
Attach to the main card with 3d foam pads.

Die cut the Festive Collection-Dove of Peace twice, one in white card and one in Ruby.
Ink up the tree from the 12 Days of Christmas-Partridge in a Pear Tree set of stamps with Perfect Medium and stamp over the white Dove.  Heat emboss with the gold powder.
Glue the ruby dove into position then add the white one, slightly offset, with 3d foam pads.

And there's the finished card!

It would look lovely with blue card and silver embossing powder as well.  I think it's a handy card for batch card making, hope you agree!

Well, that's all for this week....I'm going non-Christmassy next week!
Don't forget to watch the new craft channel with John Lockwood, Julia Watts and all your favourites!

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Holly and Snowflakes!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

This week I have another set of the Festive Collection Dies by Sue Wilson to show you.  I'll be using the Snowflake Dies for this card and I have to say how impressed I was with how easy they cut as they're quite detailed.

Anyway, let's get started.....

Ink up the A6 Holly Script Background stamp (Creative Expressions) with Perfect Medium and stamp onto Coconut White Card to cover the whole background.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Metallic Gold Powder.
Matt and layer onto Vintage Gold Card.

Die cut the Spellbinders Classic Oval Large from the same gold card.
Ink up the sentiment with Perfect Medium and stamp onto Coconut White card.  Heat emboss with the gold powder.
Cut out with a smaller oval die from the same set.
Glue together and add to the background with 3d foam pads.

Cut out the Festive Collection-Snowflakes using Coconut White card.  Cut out the largest using the Vintage Gold Card.  Add some Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue to the centres and sprinkle with Cosmic Shimmer Golden Sand Polished Silk Glitter.
When the glue has set, stick the smaller snowflakes onto the gold oval.

Cut a strip of Vintage Gold Card and wrap a length of White Seam Binding around it then glue into position on the card.
Gluethe largest 2nd largest snowflake cut from White Card onto the oild snowflake.  Add another dot of glue to the centre and sprinkle glitter as before.
Glue into position on the card to finish.

And there's the finished card!  I do wish that the weather had been better for taking photos...these really don't do it justice!

Everything I've used is from Creative Expressions.  I hope you like it.

Well, that's it for this week.  I'm starting to get excited about Ally Pally, it's only a month away and I'll be demoing there again for Sue and the Creative Expressions Team....hope to see some of you there.  In between the demos I'll be working on Sue's Rubbernecker Stand.  If you can think of anything you'd like to see me demo, leave a comment!

That just leaves me to say, many thanks for stopping by and until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Going for Gold

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

Lots more Christmas cards to show you over the next few weeks using the new Sue Wilson Festive Collection Dies but I thought I'd start with the big Snowflake Background die....it's stunning!

So, let's get started.....

Cut out the Festive Collection-Snowflake background die from Coconut White Card.
Cut a piece of double sided adhesive and place onto some white card.  Apply Cosmic Shimmer Sunlight Speckle Gilding Flakes.
Glue the snowflake background over the top with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.
Matt and layer onto Coconut White card.

Emboss a piece of Foundations Vintage Gold Card with the A4 Swirling Holly Folder.
Matt and layer then add to the A5 card blank.

Ink up the sentiment with Perfect Medium and stamp onto Coconut White card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Powder.  The stamp is from a range of winter animals that Sam Poole designed for Creative Expressions last year...this one came with the deer and they're still available!
Cut out with the Spellbinders Classic Oval Large Dies.
Attach to the card with 3d foam pads.

Coat the MDF shapes from the Christmas Mega Grab Bag with Perfect Medium, add the Bright Gold Powder as before and heat emboss.
When cool, apply Cosmic Shimmer Flake and Glitter Glue then add Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Snow Glitter Jewels.
Glue into position and add the 5mm and 8mm white pearls to the centres.

And there's the finished card.  I wish you could see the sparkle on the MDF shapes....they looks so much better "in the flesh".

Anyway, I hope you like it!
Everything used is from Creative Expressions.

While you're reading this I'll be away at another festival but I'll be back next week.
I did say I'd pick a winner for one of last months cards and the winner is Rosemary.  Would you drop me an e-mail with your address and I'll get your card sent out.  I warn you though, it is only a card front!  They're just easier to photograph like that!  I'll get it in the post when I get back next Thursday.

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments...much appreciated.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!