My Boy

Hello friends

Today a scrapbook page featuring that special man in my life...again!

It is a good job Elliott doesn't mind posing for photos.

The layout is part of the sketch challenge in this month's Scrapbook Magazine.

A sketch is a brilliant place to start when designing a scrapbook page.

It takes away that daunting feeling of 'how am I going to fill this page'!

My layout uses those favourite Sprigs again!

Sold out at the moment but due in stock again soon.

Also featuring Grand Circles, Classic Hearts, Blooms Four and Stars Five.

On Tuesday there is Introduction to Scrapbooking class - details are here.

I know scrapbooking isn't for everyone but last month's class converted quite

a few card makers!  Many chose to frame their layouts as a home decor piece.

12 x 12 natural wood box frames are available in Wilkinsons at the bargain price of £6.50!

Details are here.

London working day today, this time last week I was cuddling a baby goat!

Truly wish we were back there...

Take care friends and stop by tomorrow.

I 'heart' you and Winner!

Hello friends

Today featuring a project I created for Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.

 All the details and step by step photos can be found here.
You will see I've used 3D Foam Creative Sheets and Spellbinders Botanical Swirls.

Also a fair amount of glitter!

Also today featuring Elaine's Charity Kit Heart.
It looks beautiful with the added butterflies and more.

Also Elaine decorated the reverse - great idea.

Thank you Elaine for sending over the photos.
It proved to be one of the most popular kits and completely sold out!
Please do not worry though, other Charity Kits available on the website and
planning June's kit now ....

Now the winner of the Little Leaf set of dies...

Elliott used his whizzy generator thingybob on his computer and the
name picked out.....

CORNISH EMMA

Congratulations Emma, please email hope-chances@live.co.uk
with your details and the dies will be sent straight out to you.

Take care friends and what's this rain stuff being forecast??
Bring back the sunshine!

Tuesday Tip/Technique

Hello friends

Getting back into the swing of things now. 

Today I have a class - Introduction to Spellbinders, I really enjoy these

as mostly they are crafters who are completely new to Spellbinders and die cutting -

they have no idea what a wonderful creative world they are about to step into!

I will share with you the intro projects soon.

Back to today - a Tuesday tip.

How about not die cutting with your dies!  

Instead use them for embossing only.

Position your dies - I've chosen a tag (no surprise there!)

 Use the embossing sandwich only.

 And hey presto - a beautifully butterfly embossed tag. 

You can then go on to decorate or perhaps use this technique with envelopes -

matching the dies you've used on a card.

If you like butterflies (who doesn't??) take a look at the new 

Flutters - all the details are here.

Take care friends - winner of the giveaway is being announced soon,

last chance to leave a comment if you haven't already done so!

Emerging...!

Hello friends

I am emerging from under a pile of paperwork!

Emails, letters, articles and more  -

a creative mind is not always speedy at this sort of stuff but pleased to

report I've made quite a dent in it! 

As regards something crafty to show you...how about a card featuring
Gold Facets and Charmed I'm Sure.
The Gold Facets is such a striking die with its de-boss and especially when you ink up
one of the middle dies and emboss.  It would look quite nautical in blue.

I also used one of the smallest Gold Facets to make the tag pretty.
I have these dies in stock and available here and here!
Pop over and check out some of the new dies now uploaded onto the website -
I'm loving the herbs - Basil and Sage.

I hope you enjoyed the weekend sunshine, I intended to get out to my garden but
my craft desk was calling much louder!

Take care friends.

Home, Happy and Hectic!

Hello friends

Arrived home to a happy Bella .....

This was us arriving at my parents' home to collect her.
Thank you Elliott for putting a little video together.
Now lots and lots of unpacking and washing! Not so much fun.

What was fun was opening new parcels of stock - lots more dies and goodies

on the website so please stop by and take a nose.

I have to send out HUGE thanks to Sally who has done an amazing

job of looking after the shop while I've been away, she is a real treasure.

A short blog post today but hoping you will forgive me as I'm typing and
scheduling this rather late.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend and the sun is shining where you are.
Take care friends.

Cuddly Furry Things!

Hello friends

Today we leave Torquay - wow that week went by so fast!

We have had a brilliant relaxing time, been to lots of places but my favourite has to be...

Pennywell Farm.

The scenery is stunning and the sun shone beautifully.

We arrived as it opened and was immediately put to work...

bringing the baby Pygmy goats up to the barn.

I fell in love a little bit with this one...

 Both my boys are true animal lovers.

We met Spirit the Barn Owl.

Mitchell was rather taken with the chicks!

We did see the baby pigs and got to cuddle them...

but just one picture of Mitchell as the camera battery died!! 

In one week we have been to a model village, seen otters, butterflies,
stepped back in time at Bygones, bowling, cinema, adventure golf, aquarium, shopping,
sight seeing, Pennywell Farm, amusement arcades, hill walking!

Indulged in cream teas, fish and chips, steak dinners, ice cream and more!
I call that a very successful holiday and none of it would have been possible without
the help of The Royal Marsden, Clic Sargent and THNN - thank you so much.

We are sad to leave but looking forward to seeing Bella!
Back to work soon and lots of craft, many new things coming your way!
Take care friends.