Home Decor Heart

Hello friends

Lots of visits yesterday, thank you to my new followers -
please stop by when you can, there is normally something every day
(along with that pup that hogs the limelight..Bella!)
I will be announcing the winner of the Heartfelt Creations stamps
at the weekend - still not too late if you haven't left a comment on yesterday's
blog post.

On Tuesday 15 April the Coffee and Create Class is a Home Decor Heart.
I've just put the finishing touches to the project so thought it would be nice to
share it with you all today.
On the day there will be a choice of papers to use - I went with
Graphic 45 - Secret Garden.

The flowers are created with Grand Peony and the foliage is Sprigs.
The mini wooden heart is also included, along with a bezel hatpin.
I'm discovering all different things can be placed inside the hatpins,
this is a tiny charm that I recycled from a.....bra!
I cannot recall what the 'SP' stood for... I'm sure it wasn't Smart Price!

All the class details can be found here.
The hearts are a nice size, 25cm so perfect for wall hanging.

I've taken on board that many of you would like my class projects as kits,
in fact kits all round seem very popular.
I promise they are on their way..and also please look out for the April Charity Kit.
Congratulations to Kathy Alpaca for winning the prize for the
February/March Charity Kit - enjoy your goodies.

Elliott has an MRI today so we are back to The Royal Marsden
and yes, you've guessed it...McDonalds!
Stop by Facebook later - there is bound to be photos!

Take care friends, I'm back tomorrow - Friday Die Day!

A Heartfelt Giveaway!

Hello friends

My week is ticking along nicely and I feel inclined to....

have a giveaway!

In light of Nikki's class on Sunday featuring Heartfelt Creations dies and stamps
how about I offer a brand new pack of Daisy Patch stamps...!

There are 5 stamps in the set, already mounted onto foam so you just pop 

them onto your acrylic blocks.

They also match perfectly with the Daisy Patch die listed here.

Daisies are such pretty happy flowers.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post and a name will 

be picked out at the weekend.  

I might reinstate Bella as an employee!

Talking of Bella, when the rain had stopped Elliott and I took her to

the woods and I photographed the path that leads to the farmer's lane.

I've been trying to capture this spot in all seasons.

Within the woods the snowdrops are nearly finishing but the bluebells are beginning

to sprout - I cannot wait for the carpet of blue.

This is the same spot last December - very soggy!

Bella blends in with the leaves.

I'm back tomorrow - don't forget to leave a comment today.

Take care friends.

Oh So Pretty!

Hello friends

Today I can share with you the gorgeous tag card that everyone will 

be making at Nikki Payne's class on Sunday.

It is very fitting for Mother's Day, flowers, ribbons and pearls.

As mentioned, Nikki designs for Heartfelt Creations and her tag card features

their dies, stamps and papers.

The inner tag/card. 

 A close up of the beautiful top of the tag.

Nikki's class is fully booked in the morning but there are just a few spaces left in the

afternoon.  Would you like to join us for an afternoon of crafting, tea and homemade cake?

All the details can be found here.  

What a lovely way to spend Mother's Day - I can't wait! 

I know many of you live too far away (where's that magic carpet when we need it!?)

but maybe you feel inspired by Nikki's tag card?  If so I've just received a stock of 

the Heartfelt Creation dies, stamps and papers and they can be found on the website here.

The notebooks were extremely popular yesterday!
I know they sold out very quickly so apologies to those who did not manage to purchase.
I am pleased to say that I've got a small supply of some slightly different
notebooks but equally craft-able (not sure that is a word but I like it!)
They are the same size, 15cm x 11cm, the spine is red as opposed to black.
There is also printing to the front that says 'snotes'!
I know...it actually says 'notes' but I see it as 'snotes' or even, 'tesnot'!
Obviously you would be covering this with your pretty papers and more.

They are now on the website and the details are here.
Yesterday was a really productive day, I think having a tidy craft room helped
but yes, I agree it doesn't stay that way for long!

Take care friends, I'm back tomorrow.

Monday and Raring to Go!

Hello friends

I hope you all had a good weekend.

Yesterday my work colleague Kelly and her brother ran the Brentwood half marathon
to raise funds for The Royal Marsden.
They offered to do this once they knew of Elliott's condition and treatment.

Their finishing time was 2.24 hours and so far they have raised £1,718.22 -
a Just Giving page was set up here.
Here they are sporting their Royal Marsden running tops.

An amazing achievement and Elliott and I are extremely grateful and proud of
both Kelly and Adam - thank you so much.

No blog post yesterday - I'm afraid I was buried under a mountain of craft projects!

This is what happens when you create for about eight hours straight...

 And much later after frantic tidying!

A clear desk - hurrah!

 I'm delighted to say that I feel like I've caught up and now raring to go

on other ideas, plans and more.

I took delivery of some new items for the shop and website including these...

the notebooks that are perfect for altering.
I searched high and low and eventually found a supplier - I'm happy now!
All the details are here.

Take care friends, it's the start of a new creative week!

Weekend Update

Hello friends

Thank you for asking after Elliott, his appointment on Thursday at

The Royal Marsden went well, he is overcoming his anxiety with all

the different scans and procedures he has to have. 

Next Thursday he will have an MRI and the

following week we will visit King's to learn the results.

Here he is enjoying one of his most favourite foods en route to hospital!

Mitchell is also fine - somewhat distracted a lot of the time (he has a girlfriend!)

We received some wonderful news this week, a charity connected to

The Royal Marsden are sending us to Torquay!
Elliott was promised a holiday once he completed his radiotherapy and
in May the three of us will be enjoying the English Riviera.
We are staying in the beautiful Vomero Apartments.

Anybody who has visited Torquay please send along advice and tips please.

One of these two items will not be coming along ....

Sorry Bella - no dogs allowed!
But no fear of her being home alone - my parents will look after their grand-dog perfectly :)
The Grand Calibur will definitely be packed,
I think I will be able to sneak in some craft time.

Today I'm going back right to the beginning and sharing one of the first
Spellbinders projects I ever made...

A little card using Labels Twenty-Two.
The bird is from a retired die set called Cuckoo Clocks but thankfully Spellbinders
know how popular birds are and there are lots of birdy options!

So what is everyone up to today?
I'm in the shop busy creating - who else is crafting?
Take care friends.

Friday Die Day

Hello friends
Fridays certainly come around quickly and despite planning I'm normally
typing this blog post very late Thursday night!
This week, keeping with my flowery theme and very appropriate as
Spring has definitely sprung ... Create A Lily.

You receive 5 die templates with this set and this is how they look cut/embossed.
Again, as in previous Create A Flower dies, leaves and petals are on the same die
this definitely speeds things up and minimises the risk of dies going into hiding on your craft table!

For a more authentic lily, I've added a little distress ink Fired Brick to the petals and stamen.
(I'm using the new Mini Distress Ink Pads available here - perfect for smaller die cuts).

Another nice idea is to add some dots with a white gel pen.

Roll the stamen using the end of your pokey tool.

Again, using your pokey tool shape the petals and leaves.

Also roll the calyx to create a little 'cup'.

You can then start to insert your petals into the calyx and glue down.

A view from the back to show you how the petals build.

Once your petals are in place add your rolled stamen to the middle.

Finally add your leaves.

A ruler in place to give you an idea of size.

The finished Lily - as soon as it was made I wanted to do one in pink!

Create A Lily is available to pre-order here.

 

Take care friends and have a brilliant weekend.

Spring is here!