So Happy Together!

Hello friends

A scrapbook page today.  This is a photo I've used before because I love it so much!
It is Mitchell and my sister's dog Harry sharing a hug.
I've kept the page simple and geometrical.
This layout is also featured in this month's Scrapbook Magazine,
you receive the papers free in the magazine.

Spellbinders Hearts, Sprigs (now back in stock!) and Blooms Three make an
appearance on the tag - yes tags also get included on scrapbook pages!

Christine (great name!) has kindly sent a photo of her recent purchases, she is already putting
to use her Fine Tip Dispenser and special handmade holder.
Cannot begin to tell you how useful these are!

Weather update - nice today, horrible tomorrow so best plan...
garden today and craft tomorrow!

Take care friends.

Friday Die Day

Hello friends
On this Friday Die Day I bring you Nature's Window.
This is one of the In'spire Line dies - a nice selection can be found here.
It is one die template and this is how it looks cut/embossed.

I chose to cut one from brown and one from green card.

My card base is kraft card, a panel of white, both with rounded corners to the bottom.

Simply overlaid one die cut over the other and moved it down very slightly.

A stamped sentiment and twine.

A side view so you can see the opening window - nice idea to place something behind this.

I really like the unusual simplicity of this die.

Have a great weekend, let's wish for sunshine!
Take care friends.
 

Oh so lovely!

Hello friends

Nikki Payne who designs for Heartfelt Creations is returning to the 

studio/shop on Sunday 8 June.  

This time she will be teaching a class to create a beautiful mini tag album using the

Once Upon a Time collection.

She has kindly sent over some photos of the finished project.

 Showing inside pockets - there are 8 decorative pockets, 3 hidden pockets,

and 11 tags for journalling!

Absolutely everything to make the album is included in the class.

All the details are here.

For those of you who attended Nikki's last class you will know what a brilliant

tutor she is, you will go away with lots of tips and techniques.

You can book via the website, hope to see you there.

Congratulations to Margaret - she has the winning number for May's 

Charity Kit - a box of craft goodies will be with you soon.

Back to London today but don't forget to stop by tomorrow - FDD!

Take care friends.

Introduction to Spellbinders®

Hello friends

I mentioned last week that we often have an Introduction to Spellbinders®

class in the shop and today I thought I would show you the projects we make.

A clean and simple card and gift box.

Most often, the class attendees have never used a die cutting machine before but
within a short time they are delighted to have got to grips with the
Grand Calibur and produced a card using M-Bossabilities, 

Spiral Blossoms from felt, 3D Foam Pennants, Hearts and a 

Square Bracket Edge Box too!

We also fit in a lot of chatter, tea and cake.

It is my mission to introduce as many people as I can to the wonderful world of Spellbinders!

As promised yesterday - here is the winning ticket for May's Charity Kit.
The kit completely sold out but please do not worry - June's kit will be revealed soon
and I think it could be another popular one.

The lucky number is....

Go check your tickets and if you have this number please email:
hope-chances@live.co.uk
Don't forget to provide your address details and a crafty goodie box will be on its way to you!

Take care friends, back tomorrow.

Tuesday Tip/Technique

Hello friends

Both Tuesdays and Fridays seem to come around quickly now!

Today's tip/technique is a little idea with layering your die cuts.

Instead of placing one on top of the other, consider 

cutting/embossing a die cut with a smaller die out of the middle area.

 Then reinsert the die cut on foam pads.

It allows the patterned paper to show through underneath.

I appreciate many of you may do this but I've been contacted by new

crafters so I'm covering a variety of techniques - beginners and advanced.

Today is Introduction to Scrapbooking class at the shop...

I'm thinking coffee and walnut cake!

Announcing the May Charity Kit winning ticket tomorrow so stop by.

Take care friends.

Bank Holiday Bonus!

Hello friends

Today a Bank Holiday Bonus!

There is 10% off the entire website!

I'm ordering more stock including Spellbinders, WOW! Embossing, 

Scrapbook Adhesives products and I need the room!

There is a code word valid just for today...

bonus

Insert this word in the box marked 'coupon', click apply 

and the discount is automatically applied.

Also today a scrapbook page - this one is featured on the cover of this month's 

Scrapbook Magazine.

Three very happy looking girls, the magazine provided the lovely photo.

I used Blooms Three, Lattice Rectangles and Scalloped Borders Two.

A true example of the fact that I don't like things in straight lines - I prefer angles!

Take care friends and enjoy your Monday.

Special!

Hello friends

A little while ago Belinda, a regular blog follower got in touch and 

offered to crochet a blanket to be donated to Ronald McDonald House.

When it arrived I was blown away - it is gorgeous! 

It measures approximately 70cm x 100cm and is an array of harmonising colours.

I'm sure you will agree how nice it is so I thought how about a raffle to 

own this piece of loveliness?

Much like previous raffles - please click to purchase through PayPal and I will email
through images of your tickets.

You can buy individual tickets at £1 each or 6 tickets for £5.

Ticket £1 each

Tickets £5 for 6

This way the proceeds can be split between the two charities - Royal Marsden
and Ronald McDonald House.
Thank you so much for your continued support.
We received an update last week from Ronald McDonald House that so far we
have enabled 53 nights of accommodation for families.

Other items:
Linda has kindly sent a photo of her finished April Charity Kit.

Just by placing the flowers at the top of the heart gives it a completely different look -

it is lovely, thank you Linda.

Because this kit featuring the wooden heart was so popular I've chosen to go along

similar lines with June's Kit - all will be revealed soon!

Stop by tomorrow for a special Bank Holiday website offer or if you are a 

Newsletter subscriber - please check your inbox!

Take care friends.

Create A Flower...

Hello friends

How do you fancy a whole day of crafting and a lovely lunch too?

I am going to be teaching a Spellbinders Create A Flower class on

Sunday 22 June at The Artistic Stamper in Faversham.

We will be making this box frame and flowers - all the details are here 

  

There are places available if you fancy a truly creative day.

Also lots of the die cutting will be done beforehand for you!

This means you can sit back, relax and craft and follow a step by step demo of the flowers.

And talking of classes - the talented Sara Wordley is returning to Hope and Chances,

she will be teaching a Silver Clay Charms and Pendants Workshop on

Saturday 31 May - the details are here.

She has just forwarded to me some photos of recent projects - all very lovely.

Keep your eyes peeled for forthcoming classes, trying to accommodate lots of

requests - I get there in the end!

Have a good weekend - an extra long weekend!

What do you have planned?

 

Take care friends.

 

Friday Die Day

Hello friends
Friday already and here is Friday Die Day.
Today I am featuring Birds on a Wire - one of the new In'spire Line dies.
One die template with this set featuring two rows of birds sitting on a wire.
This is how they look cut/embossed.

A tag! (Of course!)



I went down my scrap box and found some Glitz paper that looks like hessian.

Added thick twine.

Placed the two rows of birds, just trimmed a tiny bit of the 'wire'.

I raised them up with 3D Foam Squares.

The little 'Hand Made With Love' charm was threaded by cutting the

wire and then reattaching it.  I have these charms in silver tone at the moment

but bronze arriving soon.



Here it is completed - very simple, but hopefully effective!

I will have the Bird on A Wire dies back in stock soon, this week they sold out as I had

this tag on display! 

Take care friends and have a lovely weekend.

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.