A Happy Hello and a Special Occasion!

Hello friends,

Today is special - very special!  My eldest son, Mitchell, is 18!

I don't know how that can be ...I really don't feel old enough to have an 18 year old son!

We are venturing on a shopping trip this morning.  Tonight all the family are coming over for a meal which involves a chocolate fountain and champagne.  His choice but I certainly did not argue!

I'm a lucky mum....

But back to craft.....

Yesterday I featured the Wavy Rectangles and Dress Form dies from Spellbinders, 

they were launched early in the UK and featured on Create and Craft last month but they will be available soon elsewhere..hound your stockists! :)

Today's card is featured in the latest edition of Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine, I was asked to do a commission that recycles maps.  I loved this, I like being challenged and recycling is always good.

I purchased some old maps on eBay and, as you can see, cut a tag, 

created flowers (Rose Creations) and punched butterflies. I think it works!

I'm back tomorrow with another map card..be lovely if you can join me.

I may also have some birthday photos to share if I can tear myself away from the chocolate fountain....!

Vintage Dress Form

Hello Blogland,

Today's card features the exclusive UK dies, Wavy Rectangles and Dress Forms.

The card itself is such a simple design but I think the mixture of papers and embossing seems to work well.

I know it came together quickly and I liked it..that doesn't always happen! 

Some distress ink has been added but again no butterflies..honestly my head must have been somewhere else that day! 

Back tomorrow (it is a special day for my eldest son....)

Thank you for stopping by and your comments,

I always read and appreciate them all - they make me smile.

'Scent' With Love and a Winner!

Hello friends,

Sunday - it will be the traditional roast dinner later (thank you Mum xx) 

I didn't realise yesterday the paper I used featured butterflies!  Subconsciously I must be drawn to them!

Thank you for the comment regarding my photographic skills..I have to own up and say it is all down to a very good camera!  I have a Canon EOS Digital SLR and it is amazing.  I do wait for good light and take all my craft photos either outside or in my conservatory, I get quite grumpy if there are lots of grey cloudy days and I cannot take any photos.

So today - here is a little pretty card - hearts, flowers and butterflies - ticks all my boxes!

I've placed a Ribbon Banner between Classic Hearts, 

added some machine stitching and some crystal gem bling.

Now the all important winner of my Spring watercolour card.

Bella obliged and here are the photos....

She run off with this one...

 Began to have a ripping time!

 At this point I thought I ought to see the name...

 And final chewed proof of the winner!

Congratulations.... ELIZABETH

Drop me an email with your details and I will pop the Spring watercolour card in the post to you.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone, take care.

Six Ways With Lace..No.6

Happy Saturday Blog Friends!

Do we all agree Saturday is the best day of the week??

Here is my final lace technique card, I do hope you've enjoyed the various lace methods.

This time I've pleated/gathered some gorgeous cream lace behind the die cut, 

the corners were a little tricky but it was worth persevering!

I also like the combination of green and cream but, not a single butterfly in sight - what happened??

I'm sure they will fly back soon.

Bella will pick out a winner of the Spring watercolour card today and I will post that tomorrow.

I am also locking myself away in my craft room to work on my final submission for the Spellbinders Design Team..that has to be entered soon and then I will be a bit of a nervous bundle waiting to hear...

Take care friends and enjoy your day.

Six Ways With Lace..No.5

Hello friends,

Lace technique number 5 today and I think this is my favourite.

I've used lace (yes, it's the redundant net curtaining sprayed with glimmer mist!) 

This time as a background to the aperture.

I've used Lacey Circles to create the aperture and the Anemone Flower Topper for the lovely flower.

The very pretty edge is Edgeabilites® - Classic Triple Scallop.

Back tomorrow with my final lace technique.

Also, little newsflash - I should be back on Create and Craft towards the end of next month doing something a little different - it will not be cards...

I will definitely give more details when I can.

Have a great Friday and take care.

Six Ways With Lace..No.4

Hello friends,

So the lace technique is pretty obvious today, I've used a piece of pale blue cotton lace as a wrap for this gatefold card.  I sewed into place a silver buckle to the middle and look...yes, a butterfly!

The card is created by using Grand Labels Four, scoring and folding to the centre.

This would make a great card/wallet for a gift card.

So a give-away... I'm going to send out this pretty Spring-like watercolour card.  

Again, just leave me a comment.  I will cajole Bella this weekend into being the perfect employee 

and pick a winner out of the spotty cup!

Back tomorrow with lace technique number 5.

Have a lovely day everyone.

 

Six Ways With Lace..No. 3

Welcome Blogland to a sort of a whimsical card today...

I've gone pastels and lilacs.  The lace feature is the rough cut circles, again redundant net curtaining.

Spray with glimmer mists and add a gemstone to the middle.  

It actually looks better if the lace frays a little more, I perhaps wasn't distressing enough that day!

I've added a pin, Lacey Circles, a gemstone swirl and a tiny tag 

(I purchase these small tags from the stationery shop in bags of 100, 

why I feel the need to buy about ten bags at a time only fellow crafters will appreciate!)

Only the two butterflies today....!

Back tomorrow with lace technique number 4 and a give-away.

Take care friends.

Six Ways With Lace..No. 2

Hello friends,

I'm back today with lace technique number two.  Really simple today - layering lace as a feature.

I love this cotton style lace both in cream and white.

I've added a stamped Lacey Circle and a few butterflies..well actually about 10 or so!

A clean crisp Spring-like card.

Technique number three will be along tomorrow.

Thanks for taking part in the card give-away, more of those to come soon.

Take care friends.

Six Ways With Lace...No.1

Happy Monday dear friends!

So this week I have something else to share with you - six ways with lace.

This is featured in the latest edition of Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine.

This is technique number one - misting through lace.

Just lay some lace (I used a piece of redundant net curtaining) along the bottom section of your card and spray with mist, Cosmic Shimmer Misters are great for this.  Wait until it is dry before lifting your lace and then begin to decorate with other elements, I've used Labels Seventeen and Bird Sanctuary.

I have the results of of yesterday's card give-away... thank you for all the comments.

I asked Bella to pick out a name from the spotty cup and she selected....

Okay..I know you can only see part of a name here...

but here is another shot...

The winner is.....................

Redanne

Not the best photos - sorry!  Bella was refusing to look into the camera - 

honestly you just can't get the staff nowadays! :)

Congratulations Redanne!  

Please drop me an email with your details and I will pop yesterday's card in the post to you.

I'm back tomorrow with another lace technique. Bye for now and thanks for stopping by.

Three Frames

Hello friends,

Here is a quite a sedate and restful card, appropriate for a Sunday.

I did demo this on TV.  I noticed when I watched the videos back that this card kept getting stood 

up the wrong way..it still sort of worked though! 

This card uses Classic Scalloped Rectangles and the lovely Butterflies Mask available from 

Creative Expressions.  The paper is from GCD Studios and I love the Victorian feel to it. 

Of course some twine is featured too!

If this card is your cup of tea just leave me a comment and I will ask Bella to pick out a name!

Bella seems to understand the importance of all this now :)

Now and again I will send out some of my cards so keep your eyes peeled.

There will also be some special blog gifts coming your way....

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

Take care,

Girlie Gift Bag

Hello friends,

Well I'm back home from my stint in TV land, I must say it was a lot of shows but everyone there is brilliant, they certainly kept me going when I was feeling tired and also superb at coming to find me..

I still get lost in the corridors between the studios and the Green Room! 

The special release of Wavy Rectangles, Tea Cups and Dress Forms sold out super quick 

so I didn't actually get a chance to show you the demo featuring this little gift bag.  

I thought I would remedy that and share it with you today.

 The bag is created with an envelope, I've used this technique before and it is featured in one of my 

You Tube videos - I will post it again below. 

Here is the video....

The embossing folder is Adagio available from Creative Expressions.

Thank you so much for your kind comments and emails.  It really means a great deal to me, TV is quite daunting but so much easier when you know you've got lovely people supporting you.

Have a super weekend and I will be back tomorrow.

Take care, 

Pretty Pastel Flowers

Hello!

I want it to be Spring - now please! ...

Okay, I will have to be happy with some pretty flowers instead.

Today's card has no sentiment, this was deliberate because occasionally I need a card to 

send out with a note - I'm still a bit fan of traditional letter writing.

So this is definitely floral and pastel, I've used Labels Thirteen to create a frame 

and also for the flower design - the shape has a very Victorian feel.

The beautiful embossing is created with Intrinsic Embossing Folder - 

this is definitely one of my favourites. 

I've finished by adding a pearl swirl and pink twine - love love! 

Back tomorrow dear friends.

Take care.

Tickets to Paris

Bonjour!

I discovered some of this lovely paper in my stash and decided to create a 'ticket' card.

The bottom section is deeply embossed and some Labels One die cuts are tucked 

behind to represent some 'tickets'.

Some pearl swirls add a pretty touch and Ribbon Tags Trio Three is perfect for the sentiment.

Just a touch of distress ink and a base of brown cardstock completes the look.

Without the pearls it would adapt to a masculine card.

I've made so many cards recently but I've enjoyed that each seem so different,

I start off with an idea but it rarely turns out exactly what I had in mind..does this happen to you?

Take care now and please stop by again soon.

Layered Love

Hello friends,

I've gone all red with 'Love' today!

This is such a simple card using Labels Three firstly creating an aperture and then 

by just twisting them around for a feature. 

I've done a little embossing with a Heart Confetti Mask and with a touch of distress ink it really 

lifts from the paper and adds some shabby chic..ness!

Nice bit of twine (love twine!) 

Good for Valentine's..a fairly speedy card, (just in case you need to make more than one maybe..!)

I will be heading off to the TV Studios this afternoon.  It will be the launch of Spellbinders Pick of the Day at 9pm on Ideal World. I've posted on my sidebar the TV channel details just in case you're not sure.

I'm looking forward to showing you some goodies live on TV tonight and tomorrow.

By the magic of Blogger scheduling...I'm back tomorrow with more!

Take care dear friends.

Butterfly Heaven!

Hi everyone,

I'm thrilled to be back with butterflies!  I feel right at home when I'm using plenty of them on my projects.

This card also features a pretty frame - it can be removed from the card and 

used as a separate gift/keepsake which I think is a nice touch.

The items I've used are:

Memory Frame and Glass

Nested Butterflies

Labels Four SM

Stamp and vintage ribbon from Creative Expressions

Hope I get the chance to share this one with you on TV this week.

Back tomorrow, hope you can stop by.

Sending My Thanks

Hello Blogland

Thank you so much for all my visitors yesterday.

It seems appropriate to share a 'thank you' card with you today.

Again, hopefully this is one that will I will be showing you on TV this week.

It features Picot Edge Circles and Ribbon Banner dies.

I do love polka dots..I may have mentioned that already!

So the TV Schedule is as follows:

I will be appearing on Ideal World on Wednesday night at 9pm and 11pm 

(you can wear your PJ's to watch those ones!)

The following day - Thursday, I will be Ideal World at 8am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm but..

also appearing on Create and Craft at Midday, 3pm and 5pm!

I'm super busy and I truly hope you get a chance to tune in.

Back tomorrow with another TV project.

Bye for now and take care everyone.

Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy Day 4

The entry window for the
Spellbinders Paper Arts contest on this blog has ended.
Don't forget that you still have time to enter
at the blogs listed on the Spellbinders blog. Thank you!

Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy Day 4

Welcome to the fourth day of the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy!

Spellbinders™ Paper Arts is absolutely thrilled to bring you our largest product releases ever! These new collections are some of the most innovative and beautiful die cutting and embossing templates in the world! The Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy allows you a sneak peek of our introductions for the 2012 Winter Craft and Hobby Association trade show later this month. 

Win today’s new Spellbinders products!

Be eligible to win the Grand Prize by entering each day, see the schedule below!

Enter my Blog Frenzy from 12:00 am Eastern Standard Time (EST) January 15, 2012 until 11:59 pm January 16, 2012.

Today’s participating Blog Frenzy includes my blog and Samantha Walker and Lesley Langdon’s. 

You can enter yesterday’s blogs, Shanna Vineyard, Kazan Clark and Tonya Dirk through 

January 15, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST.

See the Spellbinders Blog for the complete schedule of designers and contest rules.

Thank you Spellbinders Paper Arts for sponsoring this contest!

Here are the new dies I introduced:

Sku Name S5-076 Tea Service

MSRP: $24.99

PRODUCT SIZES:

Tea Pot: 3 5/8 x 2 ¼"

Lid: 1 ½ x 7/8"

Sugar: 1 7/8 x 1 ¾"

Lid: 1 3/8 x ¾"

Creamer: 2 x 1 ¾"

Spoon: 5/8 x 3"

Tea Bag: 1 x 5/8"

Tea Bag Tag: 3/8 x ½"

Sku Name EL-008 Flower Fun

MSRP: $9.99

PRODUCT SIZES:

5" x 7"

I chose to make a mixed media box frame using these wonderful new dies. 

Firstly, select an 8” x 8” box frame with a mount.

Cut a piece of cream cardstock to emboss with your new Spellbinders M-Bossabilites Flower Fun folder, you will need to run this through the Spellbinders Grand Calibur® with your A Base Plate and 
D Raspberry Adaptor Plate.

The deep emboss is beautiful.

Adhere this behind your box frame mount.

Next, decide on a pretty piece of fabric.

You will be creating a fabric teapot with your Tea Service teapot die.

 Run through the Grand Calibur®.  You will also need a small amount of fiber fill.

Here it is with some fiber fill placed behind, a full teapot!

Cut and emboss a tea bag tag.  

I’ve stamped a teacup design from Waltzingmouse Stamps - Afternoon Tea.

Now to create a frame – use LF-161 Grand Labels One #5 and 6 (where #1 is the smallest), nest them make a frame, cut and emboss deep pink cardstock.  

Position your frame over the aperture.

Adhere your fabric teapot and tag onto your pretty embossed background. 

 Clip into your box frame and you are finished.  It is a clean and simple design but with beautiful detail.

The supplies I used are:

S5-076 Tea Service

LF-161 Grand Labels One

EL-008 M-Bossabilities Folder – Flower Fun

Bazill Cardstock – French Vanilla and Grenadine

ScorPal – Double Sided Tape

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L – 3D Foam Pads

Beacon Adhesives – Fabri-Tac

Waltazingmouse – After Tea Stamp

Here is a further project I have created using the dies, a teapot card.

By entering the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy you agree to the Official Rules.  For questions on the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy, send an email to contestquestions@spellbinders.us; no entries will be accepted at this email address.

                             

TO ENTER:

My blog is open for entries from 12:00 am, January 15, 2012, until 11:59 pm, January 16, 2012, EST.

1) Send your Blog Frenzy email entry to: Reveal11@spellbinders.us

2) The subject must be S5-076 Tea Service and EL-008 Flower Fun 

3) Send!

Be sure to visit all the Designers on their Blog Frenzy dates!

Daily winners will receive an email within 24 hours of the blog frenzy’s closing. 

The winners will have 72 hours to reply to that email to claim prize. If a winner fails to respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn. 

To be eligible for the Grand Prize, enter each and every Blog Frenzy within its designated time period, send your entries from the email address for each entry.  The Grand Prize has a retail value of over $1900 and includes the complete Spellbinders line of die cutting  and embossing templates released at the 2012 Winter CHA show, and a Spellbinders Grand Calibur® Die Cutting and Embossing Machine!

I love your comments!  Unfortunately your comment does not count as an entry, so be sure to enter as stated above, and then leave a comment!

Thank you for visiting and good luck!!

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