Guest Designer - Scrap Revolution

This month I was thrilled to be asked to be Guest Designer for Scrap Revolution.

They sent me some lovely goodies to play with and firstly I put together this layout.

There are more projects to show you later in the month.

I decided that Spellbinders ™ Labels One die templates made perfect stencils to mist over as well as to cut and emboss! 

Please swing by Scrap Revolution's blog to see the list of all products used including some tips too!

Monday Morning Photos...

And...we're off!  The start of a new week and I'm hitting the ground running.

I have one of those diaries with plenty of space to write appointments, reminders etc but I've run out of room!

I do get a great deal of satisfaction from ticking things off my 'to do' lists though so perhaps it's worth being busy!?

I've taken some quick shots for my MMP - new winter flower baskets for the garden (thank you Mum) x

 A new purchase - (had to as the old one gave up the ghost). 

We've been without an oven for a week so this is a very welcome sight!

And of course, a Bella pic!  Not the best photo, slightly out of focus but then she moves fast.

Here she is chewing one of her very noise squeaky toys, 

it appears the louder they are the more she likes them!

Have a great week everyone and come back soon.

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop 2011

Welcome to the Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!

Day 2

Calling all crafters! We've gathered designers from some of our favourite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could make for the holidays, all in one place on this Hop!

To sweeten to Hop, we're offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you'll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors!
The prize package from Spellbinders is these four die templates.

S4-340 Create-A-Flake Three
S4-338 Holiday Tags
E8-001 Classic Scallop Edgeabilities
E8-004 Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from! The blogs listed are for today only.

Clearsnap

 Spellbinders Paper Arts

Hampton Art

Zutter

Graphic 45

Donna Salazar Designs

The Twinery

Authentique Paper

Jan Hennings - Glue Arts

Kim Sonksen - Donna Salazar Designs

Jamie Harper - Hampton Art

Jenny Suchin - The Twinery

Heather Conklin - Authentique Paper

Gloria Stengel - Graphic 45

Christine Emberson - Spellbinders (you are here!)

Julie Overby - Spellbinders

Julie Ranae Murray - The Twinery

Mary Dawn Quirindongo - Clearsnap

Lea Sanders - Zutter

Tara Orr - Graphic 45

Patti Milazzo - Glue Arts

Emily Lanham - Authentique Paper

Jessy Christopher - Donna Salazar Designs

For my handmade holiday gift I decided a flip over countdown to Christmas stand would be just the ticket!
Below I've photographed step by step instructions and listed all supplies with links.
I personally think the build up (or countdown!) to Christmas is the best! 

Cut two chipboard rectangles 7 x 4.5 inches.

   Cover all four sides with patterned paper.

 Sand and ink edges with creamy brown chalk ink.

 Cut and emboss Classic Petal edge and decorative insert from red cardstock.

 

 Punch and emboss numbers for tabs.

 Cut and emboss Labels Twenty-Two (No.2) from patterned paper.  

Slice off the top notched edges creating a straight top – this will bind better. 

  Ink edges with creamy brown chalk ink.

 On a computer print the message onto cream cardstock (Edwardian Script – font size 55).
 
 Cut and emboss Layered Poinsettia from cream cardstock.  Stencil with Chianti chalk ink.
 

Remove from die templates and lightly brush edges with more chalk ink. 

 Cut and emboss with Classic Bracket edge, ink edges.
Layer a strip of patterned paper behind and adhere.

 Using a binding machine, punch and bind the two chipboard rectangles and day tabs.

Assemble poinsettia flower and add a gem to middle.  Adhere to right hand panel.

Add decorative border including lace. 

Products used:

Spellbinders™ Grand Calibur™ die cutting machine
Spellbinders™ Presto Punch™ machine

Spellbinders™ die template S4-346 – Labels Twenty-Two

Spellbinders™ die template S5-055 – Layered Poinsettia

Spellbinders™ Edgeabilities® die template E8-006 - Classic Petal

Spellbinders™ die template Edgeabilities® E8-002 – Classic Bracket

Presto Punch font set PT-F01 – Plain Jane (Capital)

Cardstock – Worldwin – Banana Cream and Bazill Red

Paper – Graphic 45 – Christmas Emporium Collection

Paper – Graphic 45 – An ABC Primer Collection

Metal Trinket – Bo Bunny – Father Christmas

Bling – Want 2 Scrap

Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Ink – Creamy Brown and Chianti

Double Sided Tape – ScorPal

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping!

JustRite Christmas Linky Party

Welcome!

Today I have created a little  festive gift bag to join in the JustRite Christmas Linky Party!

I made the bag from an envelope and used JustRite® Stamps - Signs of Life and Spellbinders ™ die templates - S4-346 Labels Twenty-Two, S5-055 Layered Poinsettia and S5-045 Banner Basics Two.

The poinsettia has been cut from felt, I love how that works so well and the tiny holly leaves are created with S5-056 Holly Accents

 Those who are eagled eyed may have noticed the music background is upside down!  

I thought it might add interest - that's my excuse anyway! 

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely day!

Monday Morning Photos...

I'm finally back with my Monday morning photos, it's been a little bit hectic lately!

So a mixture of very recent photos here.  First up:

Autumn has most definitely arrived in my little garden.

Of course it's Halloween - it is probably the least celebrated occasion in my home but I do still light a little pumpkin.

 This is my crafting helper - you didn't really think I made all those creations on my own did you!?

 I have finally put pretty candle holders in the garden.  I bought these in Turkey, put them in a drawer for safe keeping and discovered them over a year later! 

 A close-up - truly gorgeous glass.

 And of course a Bella pic!  This is her looking a bit curly after a bath, she's not keen and I'm guessing from this pose she is questioning whether a bath is really necessary!

Have a great week everyone.

Christmas In My Heart

Good morning all.

As I drove through my town yesterday they were putting up the Christmas lights!  I'm thrilled at this, it's never too early for me.  It also made me feel that I can share with you some festive projects that I made featured in the Spellbinders Idea Gallery

This layout uses a combination of die templates including Grand Labels Twenty-Three, Tear Drop Circles, Labels Twenty-Two, Layered Poinsettia (my absolute favourite die template at the moment!) and more!

The photo is of  'Mo' - my sister's Shetland pony - sticking his nose through the wire fence last Christmas.

Oh and yes it is 55 days to this Christmas...I'm counting!

Have a great Sunday and thanks for stopping by.