Cats, Cuppa and a Decagon Delight

Hello friends

Bit of a long blog post so grab a cuppa!

Yesterday the boys and I had a day out in London town. On the agenda
was tea and scones at Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium.
This is tucked away in Shoreditch so not quite the West End!

You get to spend time with lots of rescue cats (13 in total) in a tea room environment.

Not everyone's 'cup of tea' but because 

we are all potty about cats in my family this was an ideal treat for us.
Here's just a few photos of our cat antics!

Inside there are lots of climbing activities for the cats including pretend trees.

A rope bridge!

Lots of hideaway places if they fancy some peace and quiet.

Regular food and an abundance of treats.

There's also a 'catio' (a cat patio) area fenced off so they get some fresh air and
chatter at the pigeons!

I confess this one was my absolute favourite - meet Petra.

 The staff are knowledgeable and all the cats are in tip top condition,
being rescue cats they have all definitely fell on their furry feet!
If you would like more details of the Cat Emporium please check
out their Facebook page here.

Following our feline fun we took a trip to Spitalfields Market.

I had to photo these but was not tempted to buy them!

A detour on the way back to the train station to visit Forbidden Planet -
the most geeky shop ever.
All in all a special day and rare that I get to spend so much time with both my boys.

Finally...

Today's crafty offering!  I'm revisiting Decagon View today.

For my card design I've used this die to emboss only.

I then die cut patterned paper (small designs works well)

and placed some of the fallout pieces over the top.

Blooms One to the centre and printed and die cut sentiment.

Decagon View is on the website pre-loved at a bargain price today!

Hope you made it to the end, thank you for stopping by and reading!
I'll be back tomorrow.

Take care friends.

Tuesday Treat and Colouring Competition

Hello friends

How about a Tuesday Treat today?

I do love a giveaway and while Elliott is sorting through

website stock I've been grabbing some items.

(I'm sure he will not notice!)

Love in Flight - a combination of pair of wings and a double embossed heart.

This die works so well with foil card.

I have a brand new set to give away AND I'll also pop in a paperback copy

of Paperhearts and Summer Kisses!

To enter, please leave a comment on today's post 

(either here or on the Hope and Chances' blog)

and I'll pick out a winner next week.

There'll be more giveaways coming up so stay tuned 

(shhh don't tell him!)

Also news of a special colouring competition 

with wonderful prizes.

The Paperhearts book cover has been designed for colouring

in any way you wish.

If you click here you'll be able to download the cover image 

and read all the competition details.

So pens, pencils, paints, glitter whatever you like at the ready please! :)

Take care friends.

Let's talk about printing sentiments

Hello friends

Today's post is hopefully going to answer a lot of messages I've received

asking how do I print my sentiments, what printer do I use, cardstock gsm etc?

I first opted to print sentiments when I realised I was a bad stamper!

I think I've improved a little with stamping but I tend to go

back to printing again and again.

My second reason was that I could print the exact wording I needed.

For example, the card above 'Wishing you a magical birthday'

I just did not have a stamp that said that.

Printers:

I've found Hewlett Packard printers work very well.

Important definitely select a printer that loads paper from the top.

At home I use a HP Deskjet 1000 - it is an old model so I occasionally

tap wood to ensure it lasts longer! 

In the cabin I use a HP Inkjet All In One printer,

this prints, scans and copies so very useful.

Each of these printers take the same cartridges, black and tri-colour.

I admit printer cartridges are not cheap and I do spend on average

£20 a month but I do a lot of printing, orders, kit instructions and more.

Cardstock:

99% of the time I use Papermill card which is 255gsm.

Card with texture (linen/hammered) prints very well as I believe

the printer roller can grip this more than smooth card.

What definitely does not work is pearlised card - believe me I've tried!

The texture is far too slippery and just will not feed 

(unless I manually push it into the printer...not really advisable!)

Fonts:

Again, most of the time I go back to my favourite fonts, these are -

Bell MT, Georgia, Engravers MT, Monterey BT and occasionally

good ol' Times New Roman.

I set up my document in 'Word' but if you haven't got Microsoft Office

it is fine to use WordPad too.  I type my wording and then apply

the font that I feel works well with the card design.

I type a full sheet of sentiments allowing enough gap between

to die cut.  This means I always have some spare, I keep them in a wallet.

The die I use is from A2 Matting Basics B,

the smallest narrow rectangular one.

We are hoping to get further stock of this die set soon :) 

So I think that sums up my sentiment strategy.

Hope it helps those who would like to print.

Take care friends - I'm back in my cabin today and most definitely

printing sentiments! 

Flower in a geo frame

Hello friends

Pleased to report all went well at the hospital yesterday,

these appointments are check ups and always good to know 

everything is on track with Elliott.  

The downside is driving to King's Hospital.

As it is located in London...I have to put on my 'go for it' driving head! 

Crafty offering today...

I thought I would share Geo Flower with you, I'm

revisiting the Kaleidoscope dies as I seem to be drawn back to them.

Today's card is very simple using the die cut as a frame for 

Blooms One.

This is also an ideal die for paper piecing - it would create a beautiful

mosaic piece.

This die is available as pre-loved on the website at a further reduced price

here - Elliott is working through a lot of stock, I've got him working hard

before he heads off to Uni in September! 

Take care friends - have a great Saturday,

hope you are doing what you enjoy :)

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

 

Friday already and this week I am featuring Tea Light Box.

I do like a clever die and this is very clever!

A one piece die designed by Marisa Job for Spellbinders.

 

The approximate measurements are

4.85 x 4.85 in

and this is how it looks cut/embossed.

 

 

Once embossed you have all the fold lines. 

I used my bone folder to make these sharp.

 

To assemble you fold the full flower square over the petal background square.

 

Affix with tape/glue, whatever you prefer.

You now have a full flower on all four sides.

 

My design is using white card and I've added gemstones

to the middle but equally lovely in other colours or with patterned paper/card.

 

And it need not be limited to a tea light (battery please).

Perfect to adorn a table with little treats.

 

Tea Light Box is available on the website here -

new and pre-loved.

Also take a look at Marisa's other designs here,

I've got a real penchant for her dies, always delicate and flowery.

 

Today I'm not at my city job as Elliott has a check-up appointment at

King's in London, hoping we can squeeze in a lunch or coffee to make the day nicer.

 

Take care friends and wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

I am definitely crafting as I'm a bit behind with my crafty schedule -

I blame my co-worker...!

 

 

Beauty and Elegance

Hello friends

Today revisiting Beauty and Elegance -
a stamp and die set designed by Debi Adams.
It consists of four dies and four coordinating stamps.

Once the image is stamped the dies fit perfectly.

Here are the four designs, swan, flowers and the word 'beauty'.

I've done a little bit of colouring.

My card base is white, black mat, the patterned paper is 

Kaisercraft - Black and White Timeless.  

I die cut the oval in black card for the centre.

The finished card.

The Debi Adams die and stamp sets are available here -

many are in the Spring Sale.

Also don't forget to check out pre-loved,

more have been added :)

Take care friends and not too late to comment on yesterday's

post to have the chance to win Special Tag.