New! I've been busy...

Hello friends

So here's something new, Creative Pins.

I hinted about these a while back and here they are!

Way back in 2001 (before I even knew what die cutting was),

I ran a bead business.  Recently I wondered how I could combine my 

love of beads with cardmaking and realised Creative Pins were the way to go.

So here is my first set, consisting of four pins,

blue, pale green, bronze and purple.

I have handmade them all using high quality beads,

all glued into place so no stray beads! 

I also created the boxes to keep them in. 

That kept me quiet for a few days! 

And here's a card project using Mistletoe Gatefold and the blue pin.

Of course they are not limited to cardmaking/scrapbooking,

they can also be used on coats, jackets and bags.

Creative Pins are now available on the website here,

there is limited sets as I'm handmaking them all and I had forgotten

how time consuming beadcraft is!

I've really enjoyed revisiting beads and I'm now on a mission to

get everyone pinning! 

Take care friends, please stop by tomorrow for Giveaway Day.

Mr and Mrs Fox

Hello friends

Rain rain never go away, you are so welcome! 

I was in my cabin yesterday and so grateful to hear the patter

of rain on the roof and at times, downpours. 

Sadly Bella was less impressed, she is a fair weather walking dog.

I got around to doing some playing...(I mean working!)

I was itching to try the new Fox Stencil by Tina Ashton Art.

I had a kraft wallet, one with the traditional card circle closures.

These make great gift envelopes.

Taped down the stencil and masked off the grass, tulips and bird with sticky notes.

I used a mix of Distress Inks to create a reddish-brown 

and my round blending tool.

This kraft wallet was very absorbent, the stencil still worked perfectly.

Isn't he handsome!

On the reverse of the wallet, I turned the stencil slightly to have the bird flying upwards.

I go in with a fine tip black pen to dot the eye and add a beak.

Mr Fox.

Mrs Fox!

I only just learned that a group of foxes is called a 'skulk' or 'leash',

I'm sticking with Mr and Mrs Fox!

You can find all the stencil designs on the website here.

Take care friends, have a perfect start to your week.

Just stopping by...

Hello friends

Just stopping by to say hello and hope your weekend is going well.

Ahhh cooler weather at last, isn't it glorious.

I actually do not have a new project to share with you today (!)

but I didn't want you to think I had forgotten you.

So firstly, Margaret who asked if I had seen Anna Griffin 

on QVC, yes I caught some of it and saw the gorgeous papers.

As mentioned, I'm doing my utmost to get AG papers to put

on the website but easier said that done. 

Currently in email correspondence with Anna Griffin.com in the US.

I'll keep you posted.

So...what did I say - no new project today!?

Well there is a good reason for that, I've been putting together

80 kits for the workshops happening next Sunday

at Sir Stampalot in Peterborough.

If you live that way and would like to attend,

click here for all the details. 

I'm running two workshops, Wine Country in the morning

and Romancing the Swirl in the afternoon, 4 projects in each,

all pre-cut and absolutely everything is included

(that also means me chatting away all day!)

Sir Stampalot is a wonderful place and I'm thrilled to be returning there.

My other reason for not having something new is because 

we've been doing a little bit of celebrating in the Emberson household.

After a routine check up at Kings Hospital on Friday, Elliott was told that

things are looking so good he now only has to attend yearly.

And they are cutting back slightly on his medication.

This is wonderful news as he pops so many pills every day,

we are so relieved. 

So all in all routine went out the window and we just sat

smiling for a long time! 

I am back in my cabin today and no more excuses,

I'm crafting! 

Take care friends, have a brilliant Sunday.

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

This week it's a rather impromptu Friday Die Day or let's just say...rushed! 

Yes it was the heat, it has really hampered creativity. 

I've chosen to feature one of the Classics die sets - 

Fancy Scallop Edge Circles.

When I say 'Classics' these are actually new, they are a twist

on the original Nestabilities in that they have more detailed edging,

either dotted or scored.

Six dies in this set and the approximate measurements are:

First: 4.25 x 4.25 in. 10.80 x 10.80 cm
Second: 3.70 x 3.70 in. 9.40 x 9.40 cm
Third: 3.20 x 3.20 in. 8.10 x 8.10 cm
Fourth: 2.70 x 2.70 in. 6.90 x 6.90 cm
Fifth: 2.15 x 2.15 in. 5.50 x 5.50 cm
Sixth: 1.65 x 1.65 in. 4.20 x 4.20 cm

Instead of step photos I've put together a video,

it's quick, again big thanks to Elliott's editing skills, it's just one minute.

Just click below and it will take you to our Hope and Chances' Facebook 

page to view.

Sorry I cannot post direct here, the videos are a little bit too large for 

Blogger...apparently...by 12mb...double dutch to me! :)

I'm using a very simple technique of layering up strips of card 

(got to get through that scrap box eventually!)

and then die cutting the scallop circle shape.

Loving the dotted edge detail on these dies.

Items used today with clickable links:

Fancy Scallop Edge Circles (in the sale!)

Rose Buds (also in the sale!)

3D Foam Squares

E-Z Runner Tape Dispensers 

On Hochanda today, the one day special is Spellbinders,
it is the new Sweet Christmas Collection designed by Sharyn Sowell.

 

  

We've taken early delivery of the designs being featured on telly

and you can view them on the website here.  

Isn't it wonderful for a moment to think of snow, ice and 

all things generally cold!  

Yep, the heat is definitely getting to me! 

Take care friends, what are you up to this weekend?

Paw Prints

Hello friends

Today's project is showing you the delightful 

Dog and Balloon Stencil by Tina Ashton Art.

I did some crafting from home to avoid the hot cabin 

and came up with this very speedy design just using my limited

craft supplies and a paw print stamp.

I experimented with the balloon being red or paw printed,

I think I prefer the red.

After I created him (yes, I think he is a boy and for some reason in 

my mad mind...I'm calling him Duke - don't tell Bella!)

It occurred to me how brilliant these stencils would look on gift wrap.

I'm imagining multiple dogs on brown kraft paper ...

adding it to my list!

I've put together a one minute video showing how I stamped and inked

Dog and Balloon Stencil, if you click the image below it will take you there.
The paw print stamp is from Dovecraft and available at The Range for 99p!

Dog Stencil is available here and you can view all the stencils 

designed by Tina here.

They are a delight to use and I love the finished results 

achievable in minutes or even one minute! :) 

Take care friends, is it any cooler?  

I don't think so! 

Giveaway Day!

Hello friends

Apologies no blog post yesterday, this week has gone a 

little awry in that the crafty cabin is like an oven so I 

haven't spent as many hours in there as I normally do.

But I haven't forgotten today's post, it is the all important...

Hump Day Giveaway Day.

Last week's giveaway was a a pre-loved die set  

Me and Teddy

And the winner is...

Laura O'Connor

Congratulations Laura, please email: 

hope-chances@live.co.uk

with your details and we will post your prize out to you.

If you missed out it is possible to purchase Me and Teddy,

it is one of the Little Loves Collection dies designed by Sharyn Sowell,

all very sweet and available on the website here and yes,

oh look they are in the Summer Sale too!

This week's giveaway is a pre-loved die set
Little Boys at Play

Very sweet and spot the dog!
Also available on the website here and yes..in the Summer Sale!
In fact we've gone through and made further reductions
and added more items so worth taking a look.

If you would like to win this week's giveaway,

please leave a comment on today's post 

A winner will be picked and announced next Wednesday.

(Please claim your prize within a month of announcement,

we have a couple unclaimed!) 

Take care friends, have a nice middle of the week - keep cool!

Pink, pretty and also festive!

Hello friends

Good weekend?

It was certainly a warm one again, I have to admit I'm craving

some rain right now and I think all the plants and grass agree.

I've been in my cabin and grateful for the fan!

I prepared a video yesterday which went up on YouTube

and this week featuring Swirl Booklet Insert.

A brilliant die set that enables you make wallets for photos,

gift cards or business cards.

I made two versions, this one is pink and pretty.

And this one is festive! 

To see how they are made please click below or if you would like to 

win the project please click here to view on YouTube.

Just subscribe and leave a comment and winner is picked out next Saturday.

Items featured today with clickable links:

Swirl Booklet Insert

Crafty Foam Tape

3D Foam Squares

Take care friends, have a brilliant Monday.

A gorgeous crafty tote!

Hello friends

How about this for a gorgeous crafty tote bag?

I fell in love with this bag when I espied it on Facebook, 

beautifully handmade by Angela Smith.  

I decided I would buy it and offer it as a prize,

that means this bag (worth £50) could be yours! 

After deliberating about how to do this, we struck upon the idea that anyone who

makes a purchase of £30 or more on the website between now and 

midnight on 29 July 2018 will automatically be entered into the raffle.

In addition we will be making a contribution 

to our chosen charity,

Ronald McDonald House Camberwell.

It's a bag with so many pockets which is exactly what us crafters need.

I tested it with all the essentials.

It's actually big enough to hold a Sapphire or Prizm Die Cutting Machine,

everything to hand and perfect for holidays, attending craft groups and more.

Of course it isn't just for paper crafters, it would make an ideal 

sewing or knitting bag.

I was asked to model it too! 

So if this bag has taken your fancy, please pop along to the website

to do some shopping, if your order is over £30

your name will automatically be put into the hat.

Oh yes, another crafty video will be on YouTube

this afternoon at 4pm, got it recorded by the skin of my teeth this week! 

Take care friends.