Karas Crafty Corner

Spring mini catalogue Blog Hop

2012-01-04T10:03:00.005Z

I hope everyone had a lovely festive season, we're starting the new year with a new catalogue- the spring mini, this blog hop is to showcase some of the new products. you should have hopped over from Tracey at www.derbyshireducks.blogspot.com

i have decorated a chipboard album with the new Spice Cake designer paper and the stamp set Charming (which is now one of my favorites)

i have left a couple of these pages without photos to show off the stamps - i will add journalling later to these

this page is quite 3d in real life- the satin ribbon is folded giving texture but its just not showing in this light

one of my favorite techniques is the ruffles seam binding

now its time to hop over to Hayleys blog at www.mycrafthaven.blogspot.com

Christmas Curly Wreath

2011-12-07T09:33:00.000Z

this one is the larger ring with Jolly Holiday papers

its a lovely christmassy red and green combo, off to make another couple today and hopefully feel inspired to start my christmas cards

Curly Christmas Wreath

2011-12-06T13:28:00.000Z

this wreath is a smaller inner ring and made by curling strips of Stampin up designer paper - First Edition

it looks like book print/old newspaper type and really effective- curling book pages or reals newsprint wouldn't work as the paper isn't strong enough to curl

finished off with striped grosgrain ribbon

Timeless Portrait Paper Wreath

2011-11-23T16:53:00.000Z

a paper wreath made with SU designer paper - timeless portrait- fab for christmas or brightening your home once your decorations have been taken down in January

i have class dates booked- please contact me for details if you fancy learning how to make your own

christmas decorations

2011-11-19T20:02:00.000Z

2 versions of gift box using the petal cone die, Old Olive and Cherry cobbler above and Black with Cheery cobbler and Very Vanilla below

Good old Dazzling Diamonds glitter on a polystyrene ball, with real red ribbon

step card- tutorial

2011-11-10T10:12:00.000Z

Some of the ladies at Ellon craft group were asking the measurments for this card

so.... here goes, it looks complicated when you see the numbers but once you've made one its not so bad

there are 2 ways to do this score then cut or cut then score - i prefer to cut using my square quilting ruler and craft knife but if you score first then its easy enough just to use a steel ruler and knife-or your trimmer

cut a piece of A4 in half lengthways (so you have a long piece 10.5cm wide, then trim it down to 28cm long.

*cut 2.5cm in from each side from 11.5cm to 25.5cm (or wait til you have scored the lines then cut)

score at 11.5cm - but only the first and last 2.5cm (so you have a gap in the middle with no score line)
score at 14cm - but just the middle section (not the 2.5cm at either side)
score at 23cm - only the first and last 2.5cm (not the middle bit)
score at 25.5cm- again just the 2.5cm at each side

make mountian folds at 11.5 and 14cm score lines, valley folds at 23cm and mountian folds at 25.5cm - so you have a step at the bottom and a staggered fold at the top

the front mats are 5.2cm x 11.2cm and 4.8cm x 10.8cm and the side panels 2.2x10.8cm (but on the christmas sample i used the new lace boarder punch so didn't cut side panels

once someone tries this let me know if it works for you- i took a couple of attempts to get this to work without fold lines at 1/8th of inches ect

Pink Christmas

2011-11-06T22:25:00.000Z

Crumb Cake and Pretty in Pink

I used the Candy Wrapper Die for the little cracker and the Reindeer stamp is called Dasher

pennant parade

2011-10-23T20:39:00.000+01:00

my usual clean and simple style - i really don't think this card needs anything else.Colours are Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, Daffodil delight and Pretty in pink

and my new scarf - i've found these darker nights have made me dig out my wool again

more class projects

2011-10-13T10:51:00.000+01:00

gift box

the bird and branch are glittered but its not showing up on the photo

middle step card- i had an idea for this card, and did the measuring for the steps but Fiona created it

Class Sneaky Peak

2011-10-04T16:51:00.000+01:00

Heres a christmas card made with Pennant Parade - one of the fab new sets in the stampin up catalogue - this is one of the cards being taught in Huntly this weekend, and Alford on the 26th October (contact me for more details) i have other venues in the pipeline but no-ones ever in a hurry to call back!! so if you fancy learning to make some christmas cards (or scrapbooks, or decorations then please get in contact and we can get your name down for a class somewhere in Aberdeenshire - or even at my kitchen table!)

new product blog hop

2011-10-02T10:02:00.000+01:00

Hi, if your taking part in the blog hop you should have come from Valery here http://stampingwithval.wordpress.com/
if your just visiting me then please join in the hop by following the circle of SU demos all showcasing the newest products

I was honored to be asked to show the new fabric at Regional training in Edinburgh a few weeks ago (and sworn to secrecy so i wouldn't spoil the surprise for everyone) i was given Candy Cane Christmas fabric to create projects with

i made lots of things with just 1 pack of the fabric

this is a small quilted gift bag- it is very cute- and i have to say i love it-its not being given away

bunting- now adorning my kitchen shelf (this fabric is not overly christmassy

a simpler bag (without quilting) these can be made in 10-15 minutes if you have a sewing machine)

twisted fabric flowers-no sewing involved!!

gathered flowers with a seam binding centre

i will add details of how to make the bags later in the week

now please hop over to Sarah at http://www.stampinsarahiow.blogspot.com

vintage cards

2011-09-28T14:00:00.000+01:00

i had a little play last night, i like both these versions but i think i like the green butterfly better than the 3 wee ones - but i love the stamped swirl in the bottom card so i'll have to add that as this card will be part of class i'm teaching - i'm sure it will be tweeked again before i'm happy with it!!

Wednesday again

2011-08-17T15:37:00.001+01:00

kids are back to school so normality will shortly follow. i've been to Simply Creates back to school sale twice this week so far, i bought some paper, lots of wooden frames to jazz up and fabric

i think this first batch of fabric will be bags and part of a quilt

but this is todays project (as soon as i do some dreaded housework!!) this is a cheap fleese blanket from ikea for cushion covers and the fabric was from the sale today- so i'm going to make a start on these later- but i'm making myself do the ironing and wash/hoover my floors before i get to play

check out what everyones work desk looks like today here - http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/

whats on your workdesk - wednesday 10th

2011-08-10T12:06:00.000+01:00

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/
its work desk wednesday again!!

i've got quite a few scrapbooking projects on the go- i take them out, do a bit then they get put away again- so i'm trying to finish them off today, i have a mini-book and a couple of lay-outs to do. i also have a canvas that needs a topcoat of pva, i'm thinking about adding a few beads to it aswell but i'm not sure - here it is

what do you think? i love it so far but i'm worried i'll spoil it if i start adding more to it, ideas welcome!!

Fancy Wool

2011-08-08T19:39:00.000+01:00

i went to the wool stall at Keith Show as i wanted can can wool for making cosy cushion covers (i knitted scarves last Christmas with it and it was so soft the kids loved it but its too girly looking for them to wear- so i figured cushion covers would do) but i came home with this instead - so I've started another scarf

I've a pile of projects to try and finish over the summer- and i really must make a start!!! its almost gone (and yes its debatable whether it ever started)

make and take thankyou card

2011-08-05T10:28:00.000+01:00

Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla - so simple but elegant
everyone made such a good job of their cards last night and we had some non-stampers there and they did fab aswell

demos for tonight

2011-08-04T16:40:00.000+01:00

i had a good old play yesterday with the mess that was on my desk. i used heat and stick and dazzling diamonds on the most forward heart- although you don't notice the sparkle in the photo

and this is a nice simple card with a stamp i normally colour in- but i wanted to try and use it a different way - so many possibilities!!

WOYWW

2011-08-03T10:04:00.001+01:00

i love looking at everyones desks, i think its a fab way of seeing what everyone is thinking about (and i've noticed a few christmas projects lurking about)
http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/

this is my first woyw wednesday so here goes

i've got a workshop and a class this week so my job today is to prep for them-but i got sidetracked with embossing powders(as you do) i have a few wooden things and canvas's painted and waiting to be stamped- good thing about this weather is paint drys quickly as its warm but its too wet to do outdoor jobs so i get to stay inside and play!!
and its not really a desk- its half my dining table- the other half isn't nearly as neat!!!

heres a couple of my practice runs of the Jacobs Coat technique, i experimented with a ink dauber, brayer and inking straight from the pad to see what effects i got

August freebies

2011-08-01T16:11:00.000+01:00

Class in Alford

2011-07-31T10:14:00.001+01:00

quilted bag

2011-07-29T19:45:00.002+01:00

i've had this really quirky cute fabric for ages and it's been earmarked for a bag- but i could never get the perfect pattern. so since i had my machine out for other jobs i decided to bite the bullet and make my own design- i've seen very small bags online but nothing the size i wanted(i like a big bag i can get all my junk into)

i'm pleased with how it's turned out- it will be better once it's washed as the quilting will show up

ribbon rose

2011-07-28T09:23:00.007+01:00

Wedding card commision i made- loved the subtle colours

cheap canvas from poundland, bit of stamping and sponging. i used just believe and vintage vogue (2 of my all time favorite sets) and i made a ribbon rose using the heating tecnique- i love watching it curl up in the heat

close up of ribbon rose- i wrapped ruffled up seam binding round the edge to fluff it up a bit

button canvas

2011-07-12T14:49:00.003+01:00

i spotted a button canvas on etsy and decided to make my own, the lady used a plain white canvas but it was too white against my cream walls so i have stamped using the en francais stamp in Baja Breeze and i daubed shimmer paint around before adding the buttons(subtles). i have a pile of canvases in the cupboard so i'll be ordering more buttons

Class photos

2011-06-25T22:03:00.003+01:00

Here are 2 of the projects from todays class, we added a greeting of choice into the frame using the basic phrases set, its such a good size for fitting into samll areas such as the frames

There was 16 ladies, i had 2 cancel at the last minute. we raised £50 for a local Cancer charity. thankyou to Fiona Cooper and Julie Archibald for donating prizes to add to the 4 prizes of stamps i put in.

class sold out!

2011-06-20T15:31:00.004+01:00

Saturdays class id full now- it should be a busy but fun day. i had to share this photo- its my boys with a giant bird eating spider skin- it was huge!!!! we had a steady stream of kids knocking on the door when word got out we had a big creapy crawley - and i just had to scare the pants off them all with it

heres a sneaky look at our teachers presents- its a post-it note holder. very quick to make with a piece of a5 card - score in 9.5cm from each side to make a lid that flaps open. the post-its are 40p from tesco. cheap and cheerful!!

class sneaky peak

2011-06-07T18:59:00.003+01:00

this is one of 5 projects we'll be making on Saturday 25th June, some of the ladies who have booked have askedwhat we;re doing so this is a wee taster for them.

i still have a few spaces left- but you'll have to be quick in letting me know if you want to come along. £16 for 5 projects and a raffle to raise money for a cancer charity

i also have an open house on the 1st of July at 10am and then at 7pm- again contact me for details

Newsprint scrapbook page

2011-04-12T11:24:00.002+01:00

my Laptop has died- so i've not been able to blog (or edit my photos as i'm on my very old PC without photo editing software)

This is a scrapbook page made with the Newsprint papers from Stampin Up. i stamped using Baroque Motifs, and inked the edges of the circles and butterflies using daubers. i also dabbed Champange Shimmer paint over the butterflies which makes them stand out (it dosn't show well in the photos though)The butterflies were cut using one of my favorite dies- beautiful butterflies

Mini Catalogue blog hop

2011-04-02T09:48:00.001+01:00

Hi welcome to the in love with stamping blog hop, you should have hopped here from Caroline at http://stampinupandbranchingout.blogspot.com/

I've had such fun using my new products- i had a team blog hop yesterday so i made projects for it aswell- it was such a treat to have a proper excuss just to sit and craft all evening (for several evenings!!)

This card uses Regal Rose card and designer series paper, i used the fun flower die- stamped over the flowers using vintage vougue and i sponged the edges using a dauber

This card is tiny-a7 size - it uses the top note die cut in half and embossed using the vintage wallpaper folder, i cut the butterflies using the beautiful wings embossits

I used the Manhatten flowers embossing folder on this card- and just a bit of ribbon looped behind the greeting - so quick and simple - colours used- old olive, soft suede and very vanilla

Manhatten flowers again- this time with the Just Believe stamp set - i used old olive and certainly celery

Now hop over to http://cheshiredesignhouse.blogspot.com for more fab projects

Mini Catalogue blog hop

2011-04-01T09:24:00.004+01:00

Welcome to the Tartan Stampers Blog Hop you should have hopped over from Diane at http://craftwithstyle.blogspot.com/2011/04/tartan-stampers-mini-catalogue-blog-hop.html The New Mini Catalogue goes live today!! as a demonstrator i got to order some of the brand new products early so i could make samples- ohh what fun i've had this little bag/box was made using the Top Note Sizzix die- its so versitile, and the shape is so elegant. i used Melon Mambo for the box andthe flowers are stamped with Vintage Vogue using pretty in pink and melon mambo on whisper white using the rock and roll technique

I love this card - this is me. butterflies and clean & simple - i used Vintage Vogue again. the colours this time are Marina Mist and whisper white. i added gems to the body of the butterfly (which was cut using the Beautiful Butterflies Die and then embossed using the Vintage wallpaper embossing folder

this one used the Just Believe stamp set, top note die and theBeautiful wings embosslits die. the marina mist background was embossed using the vintage wallpaper again

Last project - a twisted easle card- i had to figure this out for myself after seeing a friends card. the Flower was cut using the Fun Flowers Die then embossed using vintage wallpaper (yes- i love that folder!!) i used the bird punch for the leaves. the top note die was used for the standing up section - it gives a lot of space if you wanted a big verse on the card- but i liked the simple look since the flower was quite fancy

Thanks for dropping in - remember and stop in past again over the weekend for another blog hop - i have more lovely projects to share (my house is a tip as i've been sending my evenings playing with all my new dies and embossing folders)

now hop onto the next blog who is Dawn (she was first in the ring so you may well have started there - if you did - well done on going round us all- i hope your feeling inspired)

http://tartanstamper.blogspot.com/2011/04/mini-catalogue-launch-blog-hop.html

Celebrations scrapbook pages

2011-03-25T14:02:00.002Z

i used Stampin Ups Celebrations designer papers and Quick Accents stickers to make these pages- i have loads and loads left.
the accents are 2 full 12x12 pages- one of boarder stickers and the other of shapes and journalling blocks.

thankyou card

2011-03-15T14:30:00.002Z

i received a thank you card after a class i held on Saturday- inside was a poem. i was very touched someone would not only spend time making me a card but to make up a poem as well.

Butterflies and buttons
bows, beads in blue,
cut, stamped and punched
and held together with glue.
this card is to thank you
for all that you've done,
to make our afternoon
of stampin' up such fun.

what a talented lady- thank you Liz

more simple but cute

2011-03-14T16:39:00.003Z

i had to make cards for a charity sale on Saturday- so i've made a pile of these- different colour combos- but the same style

simple but cute

2011-03-13T20:31:00.002Z

this is a 3" square card - so so easy and quick but its so pretty

i simply coloured the stamp using my stampin up markers and then added the greeting, a quick mat and layer and hey presto- a card in a minute

spring class

2011-03-11T13:12:00.002Z

Here's a couple of cards from my new Class, in the class we will look at several techniques including using the brayer, markers, watercolour paper and spritzer to make stunning (but deceptively simple) cards.

i'll be holding classes in Kemnay so please contact me for details. i also hold in-home workshops for small groups.

What makes my job special

2011-02-08T19:16:00.003Z

a customer of mine (whos become a friend) dropped in with these for me tonight - just for being her SU demo. Isn't that just the nicest thing? i didn't cry but if our kids hadn't been there i would have.
if your reading this Fiona - thanks again, your a star

2011-02-07T18:41:00.002Z

This is a valentines card for a sick wee boy in America- its hard doing a male valentine- i went for real red and bashful blue with whisper white

This is a small party invite - just 3inch square. it uses real red. bashful blue, pear pizazz and so saffron - a nice quick card you could make a ton of quickly

brayer background

2011-02-01T15:33:00.002Z

i've been playing around with brayer tecniques- i loved the effect this one gave. i punched out a circle from a sticky note to make a mask and brayered over the top

the colours are slightly darker in real life. I used wild wisabi and not quite navy cardstock on a bashful blue base
the stamp sets are just believe and oval all

going green

2011-01-30T11:02:00.003Z

i love making these buttons using my circle punches- i can get buttons the exact colour to match my project- a nifty trick to save money (and then spend it on something else crafty!)

this page uses the Just Believe set of stamps- i embossed the circles and punched them out and embossed the grassy stamp in the corner. i used certianly celery 12x12, old olive a4 for the matts and the spotty paper is pear pizzaz - the celery paper matched the celery background perfectly but looked a bit pale against the olive so i opted for the slightly darker pear - i love how the stamping up colours work together so well.

this card used marina mist as the background and certainly celery and old olive - very simple and quick to make - i think the tearing took longer than the stamping- i hate wonky tearing!!

thanks for looking

Birthday cards

2011-01-24T12:36:00.003Z

this is a project i forgot to upload yesterday for the bloghop, i used the stamp-a-majig to make the border and razzleberry ribbon for the roses. razzleberry and wild wasabi cardstock

this was an unfinished project from the london convention- my first experience of the watercolour paper and i was impressed with the effects- a must buy on my next order

why do birthday parties come in clusters? i have 2 boys so the majority of the cards i have to make are for boys (but how i enjoy a nice girly card when i get the chance)- these 2 are for my youngest sons friends.

joe card- baja breeze, night of navy and cherry cobbler

fergus- wild wasabi, pacific point, real red, so saffron

Sale a bration blog hop

2011-01-23T10:00:00.001Z

Hi welcome to the Sale-a-bration blog hop, there are dozens of Stampin Up demonstrators taking part today, so enjoy all the inspiring projects. i will add links to the beginning of each loop at the end of the post.
you should have hopped here from http://kimfeecrafter.blogspot.com/
the first project is a covered notebook, i used baja breeze, rich razzleberry and whisper white

This card uses Rose Red and baja breeze, the greeting is from Ocassionally- a very useful set with all sorts of greetings, i cut the flowers out and mounted them on 3d pads to add dimension.
The patterned paper id from the super value 12x12 paperpads which come in the colour families

Here i used Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizazz and a wee bit of Baja breeze (again!!)

Rich Razzleberry and patterned paper from Greenhouse Garden (i love the pattern on this so much- its very classic and looks great on 12x12 pages as well as cut up into small pieces)

Rose Red and Pretty in Pink

i love this last one - the photo dosn't do it justice, it uses Cherry Cobbler and Pear Pizazz, the ribbon is truely lovely in real life- and comes in a huge roll.

the next blog to hop to is http://www.lindseyscards.blogspot.com/

if you've finished this circle i have listed the starting points for all the circles here

http://sarastamper.blogspot.com/

http://my-next-chapter.blogspot.com/

http://karenbaker.wordpress.com/

http://creatinwithkirsteen.com/

hi, welcome to this bloghop using some of the FREE sets you can earn during Sale a bration, you should have hopped over from http://kimfeecrafter.blogspot.com/

hand made christmas trees

2010-12-15T19:10:00.003Z

i've not had time to craft this week so far, been busy with school concerts and playgroup christmas parties, hopefully i will have time over the next few days as i have no cards made yet. i thought i'd share these decorations i made last year but never blogged this wooden tree is my favorite decoration (my merry christmas banner is a close second) it really catches the light with all the glitter along the egdes of the papers

and 2 polystyrene cone trees- i love using up scraps of patterned paper on these, the more different patterns the better

off to bag up the teachers pressies - they have bath fizzers, bath salts and soaps- all home made. i'll share pictures once they're done

christmas blog hop

2010-12-05T10:00:00.001Z

Hi, welcome to the tartan stampers christmas themed blog hop, you should have come from lorraone at http://lorrainecardsandmore.blogspot.com this is a polystyrene cone decoration, its about a fot high, made with real red and old olive dsp cut with the oval punch- this is for my gran, she dosn't put a tree anymore but likes a few decorations dotted about and its traditional colours just as she likes.

a6 sized note pad covered on baja breeze, early espresso and vary vanilla ribbon- i have a stack of these made for small gifts, the note book below uses melon mambo card and baja breezed dsp from a greenhouse gala pack

Jars of bath salts decorated with (left)old olive card and real red ribbon (right) dsp from simply scrapping kit, old olive card and very vanilla ribbon, they still need tags listing the ingredients

This is a pizza box styled box only its longer than normal to hold 2 bars of home made soap, its real red, with old olive and very vanilla card, and a strip of dsp from a simply scrapping kit

wooden heart, painted blue with marina mist ink, baroque motif stamps and marina mist and rich razzleberry ribbons, it was covered in dazzling diamonds

now hop over to Diane at http://craftwithstyle.blogspot.com

mdf christmas tree

2010-12-04T16:28:00.003Z

Jacqui over at www.simply-create-alford.blogspot.com set a challenge - something festive with sparkle - well this tree has very fine glitter embedded in the embossing but its not showing in the photos, the edges of the branches also have blobs of stickles down them to try and look like frost/snow - again it dosn't show well but it is really very sparkly in real life.

stamps used - serene snowflakes and baroque motifs

ink pacific point, baja breeze and bashful blue

clear embossing powder (all over) dazzling diamonds glitter and stickles

stamped christmas decorations

2010-11-27T12:42:00.006Z

this is frosty the chipboard snowman!! painted white, stamped with serene snowflakes using bashful blue and pacific point then clear embossed all over with glitter sprinkled on white it was hot

this is a wooden bauble, this time i stamped the snowflakes using night of navy and pacific point and set gems in the hot embossing powder as well as glitter

christmas glitz

2010-11-25T19:03:00.002Z

heres a very simple but stunning card. the trees are actually covered in very fine dazzling diamonds glitter- it just dosn't snow in the photo. the trees are on acetate over night of navy and baja breeze card with snowflakes stamped in shimmer paint as a background

playdate papers

christmas jingle kit

2010-11-23T14:16:00.002Z

This is a cheap canvas from poundland, i sponged rich razzleberry ink around the sides of the canvas and also sponged shimmer paint (but it dosn't show in the photo) it gives a lovely rich shimmery effect. i thin stamped using Baroqu Motifs and made a flower using the scallop circle punch, i also used the yelet border punch a length of taffeta ribbon - it's well worth a pound!

Heres a 12x12 page using real red card and greenhouse gala papers- i kept the page simple although i will add journalling to it once its out of my sample book and into my scrapbook

Now this wee box is away to go into mass production for christmas. i used cherry cobbler a. ind old olive card. i cut an aparture using the ornament punch and used acetate as a window. i stamped using white stazon and used dazzling diamonds on the image while the ink was still wet so it stuck without glue. it holds 4 chocolates- perfect for the christmas table instead of crackers, or as small gifts, i would also be perfect for jewellery.

convention swaps

2010-11-16T21:12:00.003Z

the photos were taken in the marquee so the colour is terrible- sorry. i realised i had better get photos of my swaps before they were all gone.

top- is pretty in pink and melon mambo, with greenhouse garden flowers and pocket sils for the background

middle - baha breeze background with real red

bottom- crunb cake (kraft) background with early espresso, beware pirates stamp set- i embossed the images with clear embossng powder (twice) then put them in the freezer so it would crack like broken glass

stampin up convention

2010-11-13T21:16:00.003Z

I thought I'd share a couple of photos from the gala dinner/awards night. We were at Addington Palace, it was beautiful inside the building but as there were so many of us we used their huge marquee, the atmosphere was amazing, everyone was genuinely happy for each others achievements

the photo above is me up on the stage meeting Shelli who is CEO of SU. i was placed in the top 25 demonstrators of the year, Dawn and Elaine were also in Demo of the year, and they both received awards for their sales aswell (photos below) Dawn had a stunning teal dress on and Elaine wore her favorite - Ness, she looked fabulous and was so easy for me to spot on the stage so i could zoom in for photos.

i came home with over 150 swaps, so instead of blogging this week i've been sorting through them and doing some crafting- i came home so inspired i didn't want to waste my evenings on the computer.

i would like to thank my customers and hostesses for their support and custom since i started, i am so lucky to be able to do the job i do, i meet so many lovely people and i'm lucky enough to now count many of them as my friends.

SU promotion for Nov and Dec

2010-11-01T20:54:00.002Z

sorry the picture isn't great- details can be found here http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/eng/7028.asp

catch up

2010-10-21T10:58:00.003+01:00

Real Red and the new Pacific Point My new favorite colour combo, Rich Razzleberry and Baja Breeze

Perfect Pear and Red Riding Hood

Real Red and Pacific Point again, with Shimmer painted stars in the background

Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake(kraft) and Very Vanilla, with a dazzling diamond swirl

All suplies are stamping up, some of these cards are from a 4 hour class i did in Huntly, the ladies worked very hard and we just had a short tea break but they all completed the 7 cards and gift bag bang on time.

appologies for not posting for so long, i'm off to london in a couple of weeks and i've been very busy making swaps for the SU convention, i'm doing cards, card candy, 3d projects and gift item swaps, so far i've done 120 but i'm aiming for more.

stampin up blog hop

2010-09-07T19:05:00.003+01:00

welcome to the retiring product blog hop

you should have come here from Kim at http://kimfeecrafter.blogspot.com/

the church is from Silent Night, which is being retired. i used bashful blue (which is still current) and brocade blue which is being retired on the 1st Oct.

the bottom card used Lovely as a Tree, the card is sage shaddow and always amethyst which are going and bashful blue again

from here please hop over to Emma at http://emma-daye.blogshop.com

stamping on canvas

2010-08-31T14:50:00.002+01:00

i've had lots of fun experimenting on these, i've used shimmer paint on both which gives them a lovely subtle sparkly shimmer but its not showing up on the photos.

the butterflies are made with the Flight of the Butterfly stamps and punch. i sponged on bashful blue and pretty in pink inks then stamped in pretty in pink using the background Bella toile stamp and the swirl from Baroque motifs in regal rose ink.

the christmas tree was made from handmade card buttons(this was not my idea - a friend showed me it and she'd seen it on a blog- i can't remember the blog but if i find it i'll link to it) , I used Crystal Effects to add the sheen. i sponged close to coco ink and champange shimmer paint and used the En Francais background stamp (which i use on everything at the moment) some of the buttons have a sprinkling of dazzling diamonds to give them a bit of christmas sparkle.

thanks for looking - i will be doing the christmas tree as a class shortly, so drop me a note if you fancy making one yourself

Stampin Up Retirement Party

2010-08-23T10:53:00.002+01:00

its the products thats retiring not me!!

i'm going to have an evening of make and takes and demonstrations on Friday the 3rd September. It will be a nice way to catch up with some of my customers i don't see as much as i'd like- i've met so many lovely ladies over the last year and a bit and many have become friends- so this will be a chance for me to say thanks to my customers with a goodie bag and a chance for all my guests to grab their last chance to order the retiring products before they are gone forever.

if you'd like to come along please call or email me, i have to know numbers for preparing make and takes and goodie bags- so get your name down- spaces are limited

The cards above were made with the Greenhouse Garden Set, pretty in pink, melon mambo and rich razzleberry inks. i used the left overs from the patterned paper i made for my scrapbook page i posted last week.

2 step stamping blog hop

2010-08-15T10:31:00.005+01:00

Heres a few pages from a star book made with Nouveau Chic papers, so saffron, sage shaddow and basic grey

Big Bold Birthday in Bashfull blue and certainly celery

greenhouse garden in pretty in pink and melon mambo

i'm part of a stampin up blog hop today, if your already doing it you'll have come from Jo at http://stampinmidlands.blogspot.com/

if your new to blog hops - there are 10 of us in a ring each linking to the person before and after us in the ring so you can follow either way to get round and get lots of new ideas

next in the ring is Sue at http://frankiesue.blogspot.com

Jelly Roll Quilt

2010-08-05T14:40:00.003+01:00

i've been busy sewing this week, just a break from my normal paper crafts. i only ever get a chance to do big projects like this in the holidays, next i have to do the boarders- i have dozens of wee squares waiting to be sewn up - hopefully tonight so i can get my kitchen back to normal.

20% off 2-step stamping

2010-08-02T20:06:00.004+01:00

Augusts Promotion is a fab 20% of the stamp sets below - time to grab a bargin! Loads of love £15.16
Big bold birthday £19.16
Trendy trees £10.36
Greenhouse Garden £18.36
Something sweet £19.16
Tiny tags £15.16
Bird on branch £11.96

same card, different colours

2010-07-22T20:01:00.003+01:00

i spent last night playing about with new colour combinations, i have a few i'm not sure about yet- so heres one card in an old favorite - real red and tempting turquiose, and a new combo- rich razzleberry and old olive(which goes with just about anything). they are both 4x4

a few cards

2010-07-21T12:11:00.003+01:00

The good thing about rainy days is you get to spend time crafting. we've had a lot of rainy days recently. The kids have even taken to doing crafty things, if i see anymore shrink plastic today i will scream!!
This first card was for my friend Kirsti, its a mix of stamps and K and Co paper, the F and flower are from the Vintage vogue SU set, i covered the flower in Crystal effects and Dazzling diamonds glitter to give it a bit of sparkle. the butterfly is a new stamp from the mini catalogue.

i used Baroque Motifs on this card, i was trying to get more manly cards, as i find male cards tricky, the one below has a brayered background and Lovely as a tree SU set, and oval all for the greeting

thanks for looking

Kissing Class

2010-06-28T14:03:00.002+01:00

I bet that title had you wondering what i'll be doing on Wednesday????

i'm teaching a class for 8 lovely ladies on the kissing technique- and no my poor husband will not be filing for devorce as its a stamping trick - transfering the image of one stamp onto another, the top 2 cards are part of the class- thankyou to Sharon over at my-ink-pad.blogspot as she did a beautiful card on saturday with this technique that reminded me how much i loved this effect.

The pink version is for a teacher. the clip boards below are teaching assistant presents, i just covered chipboard with sparkly paint on the back and crate paper & ric-rack on the front for decoration - so they cost pennies to make (just don't tell them that!)

Another Teachers present

2010-06-19T14:03:00.002+01:00

This is a mini-book for my other sons teacher, i used Jillybean soup papers. i kept it simple as i thought thats what she'd like, i hope she does. the swirly stamp is from the Season of Joy set

stamped bowl

2010-06-18T11:01:00.002+01:00

i picked up some of my items from pottery class today, this was one of them, its a wavy edged bowl that i stamped all over using the So Swirly wheel - the class teacher has ordered several wheels now shes seen the effects. i have a vase done in a different wheel but i just can't get a good photo of it due to the glazing.

teachers present

2010-06-14T13:40:00.005+01:00

this is pictures of a few pages of a mini-book i made for my sons teacher as a thankyou gift - but i REALLY want to keep it, its lovely. The papers are by Bo Bunny and are so easy to use- i've only added a couple of flowers here and there as it really didn't need much adding to it. i stamped large tags which slip into the page pockets. i'm really considering buying her a box of chocs instead

2010-06-09T16:43:00.004+01:00

this step card was made with Soft Suede, Sage Shadow and the flowers are Melon Mambo card with Regal Rose ink. i used the new Bird punch for the leaves and branches. my friend Kirsteen made one that was stunning but i forgot to take the dimensions or even a picture so i had to wing it!

these 2 gift boxes were and experiment - i seen an american template for one but it was quite wasteful when using a4, so i tryed a couple of sizes and now i'm happy that i have minimum waste and less cutting!

the green box is old olive with the very vintage wheel & old olive ink, real red for the trim and stamping the flower.

the red box is real red and very vanilla card and a scrap of spotty paper from the christmas style scrapbook kit

Stampin Up New Colour Blog Hop

2010-06-06T10:00:00.002+01:00

Hi there, thanks for taking the time to look at our blogs in the blog hop, i hope you've found plenty of projects that inspire you. Rachel was behind me in there ring here http://stampingurl.blogspot.com/2010/06/here-we-go-round-mulberry-bush.html
i'll post the link to the next blog in the loop at the end of my post

I love scrapbooking, the best bit is getting to keep what you make rather than cards which you give away. the first page is 6x6 craft cardstock with the Very Vintage wheel and rich razzleberry ink and card mat. i've kept these pages simple as i have a few new scrapbookers that are joining my stamp club and i want them to see something easy but effective. i will add in more journalling details and my kids names afterwards.

the page above is 8x8 razzleberry with sage shaddow, i used the vine stamp from vintage vogue and trendy trees stamp set. again very simple but i think you notice details such as the lace boarder more when the pages are clean and simple. The page below is 8x8 melon mambo with black punched flowers using the 5 petal flower and boho blossoms punches. i used the baroque border wheel along the top and bottom, and also the Frames with a Flourish set

These cards were all on a soft suede base with melon mambo and rich razzleberry mats, and Vintage Vouge stamp set. I made the birthday card twice - one as a sample and again to post to a friend - but minus the bow as it can make the card too think to post with a normal stamp. i used the Rock & Roll technique on the flowers using Regal Rose ( i don't have melon mambo ink - yet!) and razzleberry ink round the edges. i love this technique and i'm using it lots at the moment - you get a different result every time.

thanks for looking, hop over to Vannessa for the next stop http://www.saffiresstamping.blogspot.com/

Stampin Up Event in Aberdeen

2010-05-07T10:03:00.004+01:00

I'm very excited about the event we have booked, we have some lovely projects for you to complete, some fab prizes in the draw and its going to be a really fun day. please book early as spaces will fill really quickly as for £4 its outstanding value for an afternoon out!

a rose is a rose

2010-05-04T16:00:00.003+01:00

Heres what i've been up to today. i've been making cards for a charity thing (just simple ones so i can mass-produce) but i got side-tracked with my 2 favorite sets.

the top card uses Vintage Vogue with pale plum and perfect plum with craft cardstock as the base - not a colour combo i've used before - i've really been trying to use different combinations at the moment. the set of cards using A Rose is a Rose uses Pretty in Pink and regal Rose (I normally use regal rose and rose red for my roses- but this lighter look is more spring-like)

i'm planning a class using the Roses so please let me know if your interested in coming along and i can let you know the details one they have been set!

Funky Friday Challenge

2010-04-09T11:50:00.003+01:00

This is the first time i've done the challenge - i've been meaning to do it for weeks but just never got round to it. this week the challenge was to use, real red, taken with teal and so saffron - not a combination i've ever used before, but i loved the challenge. The blog is cornwallcraftystampchallenge.blogspot.com

This is a card i made last night using pretty in pink and close to coco. i used flight of the butterfly and vintage vogue stamp sets.

Exciting News

2010-04-07T19:33:00.005+01:00

Exciting news!!

Stampin Up Colour Renovation

We are getting a big shake up of our colour families and from 1st October we will have colour collections. Stampin Up are making every country the same - so we will be getting the long wished for "In Colours" that the US have. They are retiring some of the colours to make room for the new ones - but ooohhhh there are some lovely new ones coming.

so people, start stocking up on your favorite colours - its not just the ink that will change! card stock, buttons, ribbons, brads.... the list goes on.

so in 6 months time it will good bye to

pink passion, pixie pink, pale plum, orchid opulence, lovely lilac, lavender lace, almost amethyst, bordering blue, brocade blue, ballet blue, brilliant blue, taken with teal, glorious green, handsome hunter, sage shadow, mellow moss, green galore, gable green, barely banana, yoyo yellow, summer sun, apricot apeal, really rust, ruby red, cameo coral, blush blossom, creamy caramel, close to coco and going grey.

2010-04-04T21:37:00.002+01:00

i used the baby wipe technique on the white background to give a subtle effect then stamped over it using greenhouse garden stamps, the butterfly is a new stamp called all a flutter from the mini catalogue and it's my favorite stamp at the moment

2010-04-04T20:54:00.002+01:00

pretty in pink treat bag, using flight of the butterfly and 5 petal flower and boho blossom punches

Oragami tree using Bella Bleu. the swirl was stamped in versamark and i used heat and stick and dazzling diamonds to bling it up

Bashful blue box, with the new Vintage Vogue set from the SU mini catalogue, the card below used this set aswell

something for my far away friends

2010-03-07T22:25:00.003Z

we had a drive up to the Lecht today, the snow is amazingly deep up there - the 3 metre marker poles are barely sticking out at some places. we stopped the car and i nipped out for a photo, this wasn't the deepest there was, but we couldn't stop there. i didn't want the kids getting squished getting a photo so we found a picnic spot to stop for them to explore a bit- not sure where the picnic tables are though!!

please excuse the boots - they ain't pretty but very comfy!

2010-02-17T10:08:00.002Z

Lovely as a tree & So Swirly

this is one of the cards i demoed last night, i watercoloured the tree with the inkpads to give it some subtle colour.
Greenhouse Garden, this is the set that stampin up are donating money from for Haiti - what a great excuss to buy stamps!

This concertina box is perfectly sized to hold cards or letters in, i used the christmas jingle papers, which are pretty universal without the christmassy stickers added.
my hubbys valentine, its a shadow box card with loads of love stamps used, i masked the truck so i could add a background of trees

A simple card for a wee quine (called grace !!) using bold birthdays. regal rose and rose red are wonderful colours for female cards.

Flight of the butterfly Easle card, i love this set, not only because i love butterflies but its such a fresh looking set thats simple to use

Flight of the Butterfly

2010-02-02T16:14:00.002Z

More snow today, everyones getting bored of it but i have to say all this crafty time suits me fine! although i am using spring colours so part of me must be hoping for spring - but that could be months away!! i'm so glad i opted for the more expensive (and very comfy) wellies as they've been used lots over the last couple of months

anyway- i used

flight of the butterfly stamps, certainly celery and so saffron card and certainly celery and barely banana ink.

i'm going to order the matching punch so i can mass produce butterflies- i love this set!

Animal Stories

2010-02-01T18:53:00.003Z

These papers didn't really jump out at me from the catalogue, but once they're cut up they are lovely!

i've made the card holder at the top, a mini-book, a banner for a special boys room and a 12x12 LO and i still have loads left from the pack - i have the matching stamp set aswell so i'll have to make a stack of cards with the scraps

Think Pink!

2010-02-01T18:47:00.002Z

i don't really "do" pink much, but i had my pink stash out for Jacquis challenge so i decided to have a play about. the bottom picture is a treat pouch, i'm planning this for a Make and Take at a craft group i'm visiting soon

2010-01-31T22:07:00.002Z

heres the card i made for saturdays post-christmas party up at alford. i used a rose is a rose stamp set, with rose red and regal rose card and inks. the cards are being collected by Jacqui to give to CLAN, a local cancer charity.

2009-10-22T15:15:00.002+01:00

heres a mini book i made last night using the christmas jingle scrappin kit from stampin up, it only uses around half the goodies in the kit, so loads left for other projects.

i am very happy with how this christmas wreath turned out, its with the new christmas designer papers Merry Moments, the ribbons are old olive and real red- its been posted down to stampin up HQ for their stand at Hobby crafts at the SECC

classes and freebies

2009-08-24T18:41:00.002+01:00

The Mill demo day is on Saturday

£4 for 4 projects, refreshments and demonstrations is a BARGIN!!!! come along at stoneywood papermill in Dyce, 10-12.30 or 1.30-4pm

my friend Erika is giving away some craft goodies here.
http://snappycrafts.blogspot.com/

pop over and leave a comment

2009-08-10T17:33:00.001+01:00

this months special offer from stampin up, spend £45 or host a party that has sales of £300 and get this fab ribbon bundle free.

Baby Avah Roses' Quilt

2009-07-30T15:17:00.003+01:00

Heres a quilt i made for my niece that was born this morning (i'm not that fast!!! we knew she was a Girl) i stippled it, i did a bigger pattern so i didn't chop up the fabric too much as its lovely big bugs/turtles ect on the fabrics.

Classes at Simply Create Alford

2009-07-30T15:11:00.001+01:00

heres a few items from classes i'm holding monthly at Simply Create in Alford. its such a friendly atmosphere in the shop- a real home from home.

I wish

2009-07-11T16:16:00.002+01:00

i made a few scrapbook pages from the,SU I WISH simply scrappin kit - there are heaps left for other projects

2009-06-29T20:38:00.002+01:00

this is a must do day out for any crafters reading.

4 projects to make and demonstrations to watch

we are also doing a christmas extravaganza on November 21st (Booking Essential) we already have names booked for this.

4 Christmassy Make & takes £10 which are more like mini classes.All products will be used from the new 2009-2010 catalogue.

Tea, Coffee ,Cakes & butteries

Demonstrations on timed slots.

November 28th Stamp Camp Christmas Extravaganza(Booking essential) Price to be confirmed.We can price this when we recieve the new catalogue in September. We already have places booked from people who went to the last stamp camp, which was a very sucessful event.

All products from the new catalogue 2009 - 2010. Free Stamp set to use & take home from the class.

more forest friends

2009-05-31T22:26:00.003+01:00

i was playing around with Bambi again- i need to get the tree in the backgound next time. this is the first Z fold card i've done.

Forest Friends Class

2009-05-31T21:57:00.005+01:00

heres a sneaky peak of the forest friends class i'm holding at Simply-Create in Alford on the 22nd of June. i've had a lovely few days experimenting with my new SU products, and i'm really pleased i decided to sign up as a demonstrator.

heres a card i made with the oval and circle punches, and Haiku designer papers, the boys were desperate to try out all my new goodies so we had a crafty hour punching out shapes and making flower pictures (they didn't get their hands on the Haiku papers though!)

SU box class

2009-05-14T18:21:00.003+01:00

i taught a lovely group of ladies how to make the pink roses box above at the weekend- it was lovely to be asked by by friends Dawn and Elaine who were running the event. as part of my thankyou i got a sizzix embossing folder from SU usa manhatten flower which i used with my rose is a rose stamps

SU afternoon

2009-05-03T15:58:00.004+01:00

i spent yesterday gardening and this morning cleaning the house so i decided to have some me time and had a play with my SU stamps. i was reading on a forum about stamping on ceramics and fabric so i tryed it! not sure how the staz on will wash- i used the kids ceramic pens which are not great for detailed work- but it was nice to try it. i also did a candle, i think it will make a nice gift once i wrap it in cellophane and add a ribbon

2009-05-03T15:46:00.004+01:00

WIPs

heres my zig zag with no triangles lap quilt and a few blocks from my youngest sons monster & truck themed quilt- just noticed the photo is blurry- maybe its just my eyes trying to protect themselves against all those terrible prints he chose! i tryed to break it up with bits of solid colours- still not loving it although he is.

finished

2009-04-14T15:45:00.004+01:00

my sons quilt is finished, he loves it and so do I, the scrappy binding finishes it off perfectly although i do have a couple of dodgy areas in my stippling- but practice makes perfect!

this is my other WIP, its for my king size bed so i'm not looking forward to quilting it- it will take ages!!!

and finally my younger sons fabric choices for his quilt- he loves busy prints!

New Hobby

2009-04-05T11:16:00.003+01:00

I've been very busy the last couple of weeks, my friend introduced me to quilting ( i tried it once about 10 years ago and all i managed was a mangled dolls blanket). her blog is herehttp://www.besewtedmom.blogspot.com/

this is my WIP (work in progress) - yes there's a different language to it as well!!

i wanted a photo of it before i started quilting it in case it all went horribly wrong- its been a learning curve to say the least. Here's what I've learned so far

1 start small- not like me!! i didn't see the point in making a baby quilt as i don't know anyone with a cold baby so i started on bed-sized ones (yes there's more than one WIP)

2 sewing straight lines is not as easy as you think when you need an exact 1/4" seam

3 don't leave your pincushion on the floor upside down- it hurts like heck when you step on it with bare feet!

4 think long and hard before letting your children have free reign of what fabrics go into their quilts. my eldest son picked fabrics that went well together (its his quilt shown) my youngest has picked a combination of diggers, trucks, snakes, monsters and spiders all with different backgrounds- its going to be hard work matching the blocks together so it doesn't look like i had my eyes closed while making it

5 this is the most important one- just like paper crafts- hide or destroy ALL receipts before your husband sees them. its not good for their health so your being kind by keeping them in blissful ignorance

mothers day cards

2009-04-05T11:11:00.003+01:00

i used stampin up rose is a rose stamps and some dazzling diamonds glitter for the roses- i hope they were appreciated, i love it when someone makes me a card.

2009-02-13T14:51:00.000Z

this LO was thrown together from the left over bits from a kit- i love pages like these, hardly any cutting or having to think of what size to cut pieces too- its just chuck it all on

new size pages

2009-02-13T14:46:00.002Z

i've started a new album which is 11 1/2 by 8 1/2, the pages are so much easier to fill than 12x12

BG sugared papers

2009-02-13T14:43:00.004Z

cyber crop weekend

2009-02-09T16:21:00.001Z

a few of the classes from the UKS cyber crop

paper wreath decorations

2009-01-26T20:03:00.001Z

the 2 wreaths together so the crop ladies can see the difference in size

the pink wreath is made with basic grey sugared paper, the smaller one has some red papers i've had for years and plain black. A HUGE thanks to princessfiona for showing me how to make these

2009-01-26T20:02:00.002Z

2009-01-26T20:02:00.001Z

christmas pages

2009-01-26T19:56:00.002Z

last years photos- i couldn't wait for this years ones to get printed

2008-10-26T18:58:00.001Z

I've been playing with my new Stampin Up christmas stamps and I Wish scrappin set, just a couple of basic cards so i can mass produce quickly for fundraising for my playgroup

Stash from scrapagogo, their kits always had things i wouldn't think of buying and its nice to experiment

This is a LO inspired from a you tube demo, she did a circle with lots of flowers and cut out swirls but i used stamps for the swirly bits, its nice good to use old stash- i've had that paper for ages