The Big Move!

Hello friends

This weekend is officially the 'big move'! 

This is the beginnings of the items being moved into my new craft room,

I intended to take a lot more photos but I always seemed to have boxes and baskets in my hands!

Today my sister and her family are joining in the 'big move' so I will definitely take more photos.

Not that long ago this was my crafting space....

my conservatory and what a muddle!  That's Darcy cat by the way :)

I thought it appropriate to show a photo with the snow outside as it is threatening 

snow here right now!  I love snow but please please make it possible for people to 

still come along to my very first class in the new studio!

As regards projects...I have so many to share that are awaiting the official green light - 

just a little bit longer .....

To bridge the gap how about something I created a while back using Spiral Blossoms Two, Foliage,

Labels Twenty and some matching Nestabling.

 I do love a decorated jar!

Take care friends, enjoy your weekend.

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

Friday Die Day this week is featuring Labels Twenty-Two.

It is a square based set with a dome either side, it looks equally nice whichever 

way you decide to use it.

You receive 5 die templates with this set.

This is how they look cut/embossed.

 I'm using the largest die template (No.5) to create a tag!

Cut/emboss but leave the die cut within the template and ink the edges with 

distress ink.

 Still keeping the die cut in the die - stamp completely with a script background stamp.

It wipes off your die template with a damp cloth or baby wipe.

 When you remove the die template you have a crisp defined edge.

 The smaller dies are brilliant to create little labels/tags.

 I've inserted an eyelet and adhered the smaller tag with foam pads.

 My flower is created from Jewel Flowers and Flourishes and three different colour felt pieces.

The heart is from a cheap bracelet I found in Claires Accessories.  I often look for 

'junk' jewellery and break it up for my projects, I just nipped off the ring that was on the top.

 The finished tag.

 Close up picture.

Many thanks for all your support with FDD - I am so pleased you all enjoy it.

Yesterday I took delivery of the 12 x 12 paper stacks ready for the Nestaboard/Grand Dies Book
Class next Sunday, 20 January. It is My Mind's Eye - Life Stories.
Everyone receives a full paper stack at the class - that's 54 sheets!
Plenty to create a Nestaboard Grand Die book and to take the remainder home.
The designs are vintage kraft - very lovely.

I still have a couple of spaces available - it is 11am to 4pm
and it will be the very first class in my new craft studio!
Just drop me an email if you fancy joining in.

Have a brilliant weekend - what are you up to??

Take care.

Bits and Bobs Day!

Hello friends

Thank you for your support yesterday and leaving comments on Julianna's blog.
It means a great deal to me.

I am up to December in my craft/life recap - the final month!
It was the big build up to Christmas and I got to go away to Chester and Chatsworth House.

Projects included:
A Christmas Plaque

A Window Tag...

A Christmas Reindeer Card...

 
And a Journal...

There were many more but these are some of my favourites.

Talking of favourites - I often feature decorated chocolate bars and just

after Christmas I received a lovely email from Emma who said that they had inspired

her to make some for her family's Christmas stockings.  Here they are...

beautiful layering of Persian Accents and, of course, the lovely Layered Poinsettia!

Thank you for sharing Emma.

Pet Gallery!
I haven't forgotten, I still have a few to feature and always waiting for more...
So this adorable pooch is Toby - a miniature Schnauzer who belongs to Julie.
Julie explains that "he loves to have the wind in his hair and enjoys nothing more than sticking his head
out of the window of a moving vehicle."
Toby we know you cannot read the sign 'do not lean out of the window"!

Isn't he adorable...a special doggy treat will be on its way to you Toby.

Lastly...yes lots of items today....
the filigree heart that I used for my Julianna Hudgins Design Team project,
I have purchased a small stock of them.  I know it is difficult for everyone to find the items I sometimes use.
They measure approximately 7" in height
(I'm saying 'approximately' because I left the measurements at the studio!)
Email me if you would like to purchase one - they are £3.75 inclusive of postage.

I'm back in London job today but hope to take the day off tomorrow to continue cleaning and
start the move into the new studio/shop.
I'm back tomorrow - FDD -  I took time out of this very busy week to make sure it was done!
Take care friends.

Jewel Flower Foil Heart and Wallpaper!!

 Hello friends

It isn't too far off from Valentine's Day so I think it is fine to feature a heart!!

This is my very first project for Julianna Hudgins' Design Team.
I've used Jewel Flowers and Flourishes and craft foil.
All the details can be found here and you know what I'm going to ask...
I would be so very grateful if you could leave a comment on that blog - especially
as it is my first project and I'm just a little bit eager to impress... :)

Here is a close up of the foil flowers.

Other news...

A nostalgic moment....It was my brother in law's birthday this week and my niece, Rachel made profiteroles..here is Mitchell assisting with the fresh cream. 

When these two cousins were little they did baking together and it is quite 

incredible to think they are both nearly 19!

Progress photos....

Yes the wallpaper is here!!

My Dad putting it up on one wall in the studio/shop - it turned out to be a real problem because 

nothing was straight..he did a brilliant job.

 I chose the same design to have on one wall of my craft room.

It is a bold design and no butterflies but I love the flowers - it reminds me so much of

Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird paper design ...

We worked solidly yesterday.  Now it is time for a big clean up and I can then start to move

all the furniture in - a lot of organising but fun.

None of this could have happened without my family - especially my amazing parents,

they are work horses - I'm flagging and they just keep going!!  

Final craft/life recap coming soon.
Also - for those of you who asked when the Artisan X-Plorer machine will be here in the UK..
it should be here in April..perhaps we should have a little countdown clock :)

Take care friends.

So many new exciting things!

Hello friends

Did you see it??  The new Spellbinders Artisan X-Plorer Machine??

Now this is a different machine to your Grand Calibur™  -

it is a smaller roller format machine (approx 4.5 inches wide) and applies high pressure.
Perfect for use with mixed media and cuts a variety of materials - metals, cork, fabric,
100% wool felt
In fact a new line called Media MiXage™  has been revealed too.

There are bezels, bezels dies, metals and texture plates -
your creativity is limitless now!
If you follow this link you will see two videos with all the details,
ICE Resin® is also mentioned...I'm going to do a class very soon using
some of these wonderful new items.
I am so thrilled that very soon I can start to show you some of the things I've had to
keep so quiet about!

Other news: paint, paint and more paint!  None goes to waste...!

White walls and a muddle - hard to imagine this is all going to come together very soon!

Confession time....I postponed the dentist appointment!  Going at the end of the month.
Time just got away from me and to be honest the receptionist was delighted because she had so
many urgent patients...do you think that is all that Quality Street at Christmas!

We are up to November in craft/life recap (nearly there!)
November - lots of brilliant things, my Design Team Coordinator Cathy came to visit,
it was National VELCRO® month (!) and it was my birthday!
Projects included:
Recycling a cheese box...

Creating a tote bag...

a butterfly frame....

and Friday Die Day explored many dies...and tags were made!

Later today my very first blog post should be going live for Julianna Hudgins.
Because of the time difference I will make sure I blog about that tomorrow, although
you might see if on Facebook if you follow me....
Take care friends...truly hoping for wallpaper today!

More white please!

Hello friends

I got my camera out to take more pictures of the studio/shop yesterday

and realised it didn't look any different!  It just has more coats of white paint so

I'm saving the next lot of pictures for when something more exciting is happening...

possibly the wallpaper going up!

Continuing with my 2012 craft/life recap....

(but I promise to have some new projects to show you soon).

October 2012

Autumn Card and Gift Box

Bitty Blossoms (again!) and Fall Foliage

There was a blog hop with Scrapbook Adhesives and Authentique Papers

A gift bag created with Grand Labels Four and Layered Poinsettia

I also featured this tag using Bauble Blossoms One

 

It uses the Alpha Writing Stamp - I like this very much...possibly as much as script stamps!

It was also the month that I found out that I would be able to take on the new

studio/shop - here is a photo of it before as the cake shop.

For the moment I will be keeping the exterior paint colours, I need to wait for nicer weather

to repaint the front woodwork.  

Wish me luck at the dentist - more nervous about that than the Bank Manager!

Take care friends.