Today should be Charity Kit Day...

Hello friends

Today, being the first Sunday of the month should be Charity Kit Day but...

apologies I've had to postpone this month.

It has been very hectic with Christmas, New Year and poorly pets.

My cabin crafting time has been severely cut and I realised that even

with the best will in the world (and my Mum's super die cutting skills)

I wasn't going to be able to get this month's kit ready in time.

Instead I would mention that over on the website there is

previous kits available along with some workshop kits here.

All proceeds from these go to Ronald McDonald House, Camberwell.

Here's just a few that are on the website, there is more designs.

Untamed Fleur

Marcheline Plume

Untamed Heart

Festive Note Holder

Also more items have been added to pre-loved so worth taking a look here.

I can absolutely guarantee that February's kit will be ready and on time.

I've mentally planned it so that's a start!

Replying to Margie's question yesterday asking what cardstock I use,
it is all from Papermill.  I buy a mixed box online, I particularly like their smooth,
and linen and it is around 250-280gsm and die cuts perfectly.

Have a great Sunday, I hope it is restful and perhaps you are crafting?

Take care friends.

Layers of Cream!

Hello friends

I've gone very Spring-like today with my card project,

trying to pretend it hasn't been blowing a gale and raining all the time!

Occasionally I like to create something that is traditionally

Spellbinders, lots of layers!

I chose to keep the layers in the same cream colour and add a splash of purple 

with the cluster of flowers.

There is a tutorial over on the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L blog

here, please feel free to leave a comment if you have time -

they like that! :) 

I have to say you do need good adhesives when making a layered

project like this, I highly recommend Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

products, we also happen to be one of the few UK stockists.

Of course making a card like this requires a box!

Again more layers.

It is one of those projects that you really set aside most of the day to create

but thoroughly enjoyable.

Here's a list of the dies used...

Hannah Elise Layering Frame

Bella Rose Layering Frame

Tallulah Frill Layering Frame

Window of Memories (Flowers)

We have sold out of some of these on the website but it is still possible

to obtain them by special order, always drop us an email if you would

like a specific die and we do our best to obtain it for you.

hope-chances@live.co.uk

Take care friends,

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

 

This week's Friday Die Day is Mosaic Vine.

A die set from the Thoughtful Expressions collection by Marisa Job.

 

There's 2 dies in the set, the smaller three leaves cut in one go.

 

The approximate measurements are:

 

Small Leaf: 0.35 x 0.70 in. 0.80 x 1.80 cm
Medium Leaf: 0.40 x 0.95 in. 1.00 x 2.40 cm
Large Leaf: 0.50 x 1.20 in. 1.30 x 3.00 cm
Mosaic Vine: 3.10 x 4.31 in. 7.80 x 11.00 cm

 

This is how they look cut/embossed.

 

 

I've chosen to make a card and I've used some additional dies,

Hemstitch Ovals, Wreath Elements and Succulent and Mum Flower.

The patterned paper is Anna Griffin.

 

My ivory card base with a 5 x 7 ivory mat.

I've mounted the Hemstitch Oval using 3D Foam Squares.

Inserted patterned paper oval and die cut Mosaic Vine twice.

I've positioned these to left and base of the card front.

 

To finish I added the flower, foliage and a small tag stamped with 'Love'.

 

The leaves would look beautiful mirrored with gold or silver.

 

Dies used today, please click on the name to take you to the website.

 

Featured die: Mosaic Vine

Additional dies used: Hemstitch Ovals, Wreath Elements, 5 x 7 Matting Basics

and Succulent and Mum Flower

 

For more beautiful dies designed by Marisa Job, please take a look here.

 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, I would like to wave a magic wand

and create sunshine and blue skies but it looks like we are getting the

typical January weather, stay dry and warm everyone!

 

Take care,

Hump Day Giveaway

Hello friends

It doesn't take long to get back into the swing of working does it?

I'm sad to see the Christmas tree coming down soon but

I will be thankful for lighter evenings and definitely Spring.

Today being Wednesday is Hump Day Giveaway,

(I managed to get the day right this week).

I am also announcing last week's winner so scroll down please.

Last week's giveaway was a pre-loved Tea Light Flower

And the winner is...

Margaret Driscoll

Congratulations Margaret, please email me: 

hope-chances@live.co.uk

with your details and I'll post your prize out to you.

If you missed out it is possible to purchase here.

OK..let's see what we have this week...

I have a BRAND NEW set of 

Hannah Elise Layering Frame to give away!

A gorgeous die set designed by Becca Feeken

(Amazing Paper Grace) from her Chantilly Lace collection.

Here's a few design ideas by talented crafters:

If you would like to win Hannah Elise

please leave a comment on today's post 

A winner will be picked out and announced next Wednesday.

It is also possible to purchase Hannah Elise here.

Take care friends.

Memory Jar

Hello friends

Last January I chose to start a memory jar.

I had seen these pop up on Pinterest and you can buy them 

but I thought why not use any jar and decorate it?
I had a preserve jar and liked the fact that it was fairly wide.

Admittedly I didn't go too mad with the decorating and during the course

of the year the tag and flower went walkabouts!

I knew I had to keep it simple otherwise I would never maintain it for a
full year so I chose to print photos of occasions and write a little message
on the reverse of each one.

I selected events that meant something to me, whether they be good or bad
(but I stuck with mostly good!)
As the year went on I really got into the swing of it.
The boys, friends, cinema trips, holiday, hospital (!), Bella - of course!

Yesterday I went through all the photos.
It's so easy to say another year has rushed by and what did I do?
Well it appears I did quite a lot!

I am definitely doing this again for 2018 and stay tuned, that jar is going to be
decorated for sure! And perhaps I may have inspired you to start a jar...?

In other news - pleased to report Darcy cat is home, she did look very poorly
in her 'cone of shame' but amazingly this morning is perky,
eating and attempting to jump although
not quite calculating the distance correctly with one eye!
I do fear our sickly hamster may not be quite so lucky but off to the vets we go!

Take care friends and stop by tomorrow for Hump Day Giveaway,
actually on the right day this week!

A few favourites...

Hello friends

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As I haven't been able to craft this weekend I thought I

would share a few favourites from 2017.

There's Winter, Summer, Christmas and Vintage.

Cinch and Go Flowers Two

This is the card that started my usage of stamens!

I think I've put a dent in the UK stamen supply.

It is a beautiful die set especially with those leaves, I've also used

5 x 7 Matting Basics with this design, both A and B and both back in stock.

Lene Lok brought her lovely tree design dies with the option of 

all the seasonal canopies.  I instantly liked Winter, who can resist a reindeer?

Tree and Winter Canopy

Becca Feeken (Amazing Paper Grace) never fails to bring intricate beautiful

die designs and this one is no exception, a stunning layering frame.

Hannah Elise

Let the bells ring out and look, I even managed to use stamens here!

Holiday Bell

All these dies are available on the website, just click on the image or die name.

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the year,

last year I printed a manifesto to have on my desk.

I tried to stick to it (mostly) but this year I intend to make a better effort!

Also big thanks for your kind comments regarding Darcy cat,

we are hoping she can come home today as they did the surgery 

yesterday.  She has lost an eye but we are told she will recover well.

I do fear this means she will be spoiled even more than usual!

Take care friends.