My all day workshop projects

Here are the photos of the projects we made at my recent all day workshop. We made a calender bookmark & 12 cards from 1 sheet of 12"x 12" double sided paper.

Firstly here is the calender bookmark. I printed the calender onto white copier paper then overstamped it with a flower from the Bloomin' with Beauty set using Pumpkin pie & Old olive markers to colour in the stamp before stamping it out. I then continued to overstamp the calender front this time with just the flower head & Barely banana, making sure I stamped first onto scrap paper & then onto my project, to get a more bleached out image.

The calender was then mounted onto a Barely banana which again has been decorated as per the front. I used the Crop a dile to punch a hole & add a eyelet through which I inserted Chocolate chip ribbon which I secured to the bookmark with some thin tape. I hate how the back of the eyelet looked so I added a flower punched used the Boho Blossom punch to cover the "mess".

RECIPE
Cardstock- Barely banana

Stamps - Bloomin with beauty

Misc - Marker pens - Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Barely Banana, Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black, Basic Gray

Ribbon - Chocolate chip

So here are the 12 cards we made. The colours we used were Bashful blue, Very vanilla & Chocolate chip & all the patterned paper can you beleive came from 1 sheet of 12"x12" double sided paper.

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3 Card 4

Card 5Card 6

Card 7 Card 8
Card 9
Card 10

Card 11
Card 12
Recipe

Cardstock- Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Wow Flowers (111714), Cheers to you (111037), Sincere Salutations (105156)

Inks - as per cardstock & Versamark

Misc -Punches - Scallop circle, 1 3/8" circle, Boho Flower, 3/4" circle, large oval, Eyelet border, Scallop border, 5 petal flower

Stamping Day

I'm holding a whole days workshop on Saturday 5th December at Upper Stoke Nr Norwich. We will be making lots of great gifts & cards using Stampin Up products. If you fancy getting away from the Christmas hustle & bustle then just let me know & I will give you more details.

Advent calender

This project is not using Stampin Up products but its what I have been slaving over for the past few days.

When my daughter Amy started school 4yrs ago, one of her teaching assistants was a crafter & she quickly found out I owned a Cricut machine. I was asked that first Christmas if I could cut them some numbers out for their Advent calender, which I willing did.

The next year I was again asked for the numbers as well as a circle for the numbers to go on. By the third year it was now could I design the calender in the shape of a Christmas pudding.

This year Amy has a new teacher fresh out of college so I thought I would not be asked for any involvement but I was SO WRONG. It appears that each new teacher gets briefed of my "artistic" skills so last week I was dully asked to produce the calender for this year but that I could choose the design myself.

As I'm so snowed under with Stampin up parties & trying to organise a Stampin Up crafting day for December, I did not have time to do the images under the numbers so I got the children to design these. As there are 24 children in Amy's class, the teacher wanted all the children to have the opportunity to open at least one day but they have to be good to earn this right. This is why the numbering is slightly odd as it is going to begin on 25th November.

I choose a simple Christmas Tree layout & this is the end result. The teacher & children just love it & cannot wait to start opening up their calender.

Here is a close up of the numbers which have all been embossed using my Cuttlebug & rubbed over with metallic rub ons. I attached the baubles using some Christmas themed brads I had lying around.

Santa is coming to town.......

I wanted to create a scene of the reindeer flying over Santa, so to create the skyline I sponged night of navy before overstamping the reindeer.

To add some sparkle I used a two way glue pen to add Dazzling Diamond glitter to the "snow".

Recipe
Stamps: Sparkly & Bright
Inks: Night of Navy, Basic Gray, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red
Paper: Retired hostess set

My girl did good

My darling daughter Amy has been skiing for about a year now & this weekend she took part in the club races.

Now when she takes part in friendly races, she does frustrate my darling husband Daron, as he feels she is not competitive enough but when it comes to competitive racing a whole new side of her comes out & this time she won a silver medal. We are just so proud of her.

Congratulation & more

To celebrate my up, upliner (if that makes sense) achieving a spot in top 10 SU demonstrator in UK I made this card for her.

The glasses image is from Cheers to You set. I initially stamped it on white card & coloured it in but I was not truly happy with the result so I then tried stamping it on Barely Banana instead & used the white gel pen on the glass parts & added 2 small highlights within the "champagne" itself as seen here.

After cutting the image out I added Crystal Effect to make the glasses more glass like.

Recipe

Stamps: Cheers to You #111037 (p33)

Fun & Fast Notes #113500 (p34) - Sentiment

Cardstock: Rose Red, Barely Banana

Paper: Rose Red Designer series

Ink: Basic Grey, Rose Red

Accessories: Crystal Effects # 101055 (p91), Rose Red marker pen, White gel pen #105021 (p91)

Scallop punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch

I liked the layout so much I made this version using the Christmas Jingle set & the Sparkling jumbo wheel.

Recipe
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Old Olive
Paper & Focal image: Christmas Jingle #117371 (p79)
Stamps: Background - Sparkling Jumbo Wheel #116444 (p93)
Sentiment - Punches Three (free level 1 hostess gift) (p11)
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive
Accessories: Word Window punch #117406 (p89)

Hope you enjoyed these projects & to order anything I've used just email me at anytime. If you are wanting things for a Christmas present give your Wish List to your loved ones & get them to contact me. I will even gift wrap them so you cannot sneak a look.

Get Well Soon

I made this quick card for a friend of mine who has recently has been very ill. I based this card on one I received in a recent swap.

I've used the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set on this card. This stamp set is one of my favourites as I've found it to be so very versatile. I've stamped the flower image several times prior to reinking to give it the faded look & as I wanted my sentiment to be in one straight line rather than 2 lines as it is appears on the original stamp, I used my essential stampers tool - the stamp-a-ma -jig, (what did I do before owning this tool!!!) to position it correctly.

This type of card is great for using up those scraps you have left, as you do not need a whole card for its base, just an C6 card front which you fold in half, as you can see from the picture.

To add dimension to the card I used 3D foam to adhere the pot to the card & I also bent the pot around slightly. The pot comes from Always in My Thoughts stamp set.

Recipe

Stamps - Flower & sentiment -Pocket Silhouettes #111672 (p50)

Pot - Always in my Thoughts #111562 (p37)

Cardstock - Whisper white, Real Red, Not quite Navy

Ink - Not quite Navy, Basic Black

Paper - Rose red designer series

Accessories - Scallop border punch #113654, Stamp-a-ma-jig #101049, Real red 1/4" grosgrain

ribbon #110129, Nestabilities dies (own stash)

In this version I've used the whole image from the Always in my Thoughts set so you can see where the pot came from. The colours I've used this time are Old Olive & Barely Banana

Hope you enjoyed these projects & to order anything I've used just email me at anytime. If you are wanting things for a Christmas present give your Wish List to your loved ones & get them to contact me. I will even gift wrap them so you cannot sneak a look.

Long Service Award

Thought I'd share a picture of myself with you all today. It's of me at a recent ceremony to honour NHS staff for their service & dedication.


Here I am receiving my award for 25 years service in the NHS (I started when I was 2 you know!!!!). It really was a lovely night & I felt very special receiving my certificate & gift vouchers.
My Family also gave me a vase specially engraved to mark the achievement, which I will treasure always.

Decorations & cards

For the craft group I help run I decided to make some decorations for them to have a go at. I have to admit the majority of my efforts were scrapped from here & there.
Here are a few of my efforts:

I also made a couple of cards from a half finished deco.

Recipe:

Stamps: Punches Three (level 1 hostess), Tree Trimmings, Loads of Love. Lovely as a Tree.

Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Always Artichoke

Card: Real Red, Old Olive

Paper:Think its a retired set but if anyone knows for sure can you let me know

Misc: Punches: Scallop square, Scallop oval, Oval

Fine Galaxy Glitter, Brads, Gems

Hope you enjoy & happy crafting

Sketch Challenge

I saw this sketch challenge in a recent crafting magazine & although I have been cardmaking for more years than I care to remember I've never actually done one of these before, so I thought now was the time to change all that.

Here is the sketch:

And here's my interpretation.I've used SU Loads of Love stamp set, unfortunately I do not own the accessory set YET! so I hand drew the driver. So you can now see why I was asked to drop art at school.

The Poinsettia was made using the 5 petal punch & one of the flowers from the Boho Blossom punch. I added some dazzling diamonds to the centre flower. To make the flower 3D I rubbed the petals with an embossing stylus whilst they were laying on a soft surface, in my case a thick soft mouse mat. Here is a closer look.To add to the Christmas look I've added tiny wreaths to the doors & Christmas trees in the windows. Recipe

Stamps: Loads of Love

Cardstock: Real Red

Paper: Christmas Jingle

Misc: 5 Petal punch, Boho Blossom punch, Diamond Dazzling glitter, glue pen, Marker pens

Hope you enjoyed & happy crafting

Craft weekend

In case any of you are interested there is to be a craft weekend for experienced crafters near Norwich on the weekend of 5th & 6th December.

Although I am helping to organise it I will not be teaching as I hope to join in the fun too. The cost is £100 for 2 full days & all supplies will be provided.

If anyone is interested please email me asap as places are filling up fast & you do not want to miss out especially as how often do we have any craft events in Norfolk????

Stamp Challenge

I was recently challenged by my good friend Jeanette to come up with some different use for one her stamps that she was hating & even contemplating getting rid of.

Here is what I did with this lovely Reindeer stamp.
All the papers are from my own stash.

On this card I used Chocolate Chip ink on the stamp which I also used to sponge around the image after I'd cropped it. I also used the scallop punch to create the green border, the other punch was one from my stash but the new eyelet border punch would work even better but I'm still waiting to get my own as I accidentally ordered yet another scallop punch by mistake.


On my second card I used a Versamark inkpad & Heat & Stick powder which I heated & then applied Dazzling Diamond Glitter to. The red scalloped square was made using the scallop punch.

On my last card I used a special type of card from my stash that when you stamp onto it with a Versamark inkpad it looks like expense preprinted embossed toppers.

This picture shows what I'm trying to describe better. The sentiment is from the new Best Yet set which is a level 1 hostess set, so if you fancy earning this stamp set for free why not contact me to arrange a party.

I'm Back

Well I'm now up & fully working again - Internet that is. I do not have any cards today as I've just had the most hectic weekend ever & I wanted to tell you all about that instead.

During the summer holidays whilst visiting Chessington World of Adventure my daughter entered a competition run by Nivea Sunscreen & we could not believe it when a letter arrived recently to say she had won the first prize which was a VIP trip for 4 to Alton Towers.

So this is where I been for the past few days, only arriving home at 3am this morning. We had such a good time & we all felt like royalty as part of the prize was a stay in the Alton Towers resort & special passes that allowed us to bypass the queues, not that there were that many. This trip also coincided with their Spooke Fest. so the park was open until 9pm & lots of the staff & guests were dressed in Halloween dress which definitely added to the spookeness of the whole event.

Here is a piccie of my dear daughter Amy & myself, the caption behind us says "There's something in the Dung Heap" which I don't thing is very nice!!!!

This is picture is of my husband Daron & Amy on one of their favourite rides but as I hated spinning rides I sat this one out.
I did want to share a video of me on the Oblivion ride but I cannot get it to upload at present but when I can figure it out I'll upload it here for you all to see.

Take care & Happy Crafting

Quick & Simple mini Christmas cards

I still have no internet access at home so I'm now "borrowing" the connection at the local ski centre my daughter attends as I have so many projects I want to share with you.

Inspired by this idea my "grandmother" upliner (Michelle) shared with me I have been making my own small cards. Its a great way to use up all those left over card scraps we all hoard.

Michelle's card & box use the new Sparkly & Bright stamp set, which I initially took an instant dislike to, but now having used it I've actually ordered it. Oh how I change my mind. :)

For my cards I've used the relief technique, where you stamp & emboss with clear embossing powder & then sponge over the inks.

I unfortunately now realise that some of the stamps I used are from retired sets but any of the current sets will work just as well.

Recipe

Stamps: Window Dressing (rtd), Daily Flexible Phrases (rtd), A Tree for all Seasons

Cardstock: Whisper White, Brocade Blue, Lavender Lace

Inks: Versamark, Brocade Blue, Lavender Lace

Misc: Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing powder, Sponge daubers, Glue pen, Dazzling Diamond glitter

Sorry Everyone

I am so sorry that I have not posted recently but I have had no home Internet access for over a week now. Firstly due to a local fault & now due to my "wonderful" Internet provider upgrading my service for free but failing to supply me with the modem that I now need to access this "wonderful" new service.

I am so frustrated at this as I have loads of new creations to upload but not the means to do it. I'm updating this entry at my local library but now find I cannot upload the images as it will not accept my SD card.

Hopefully full service will resume by Thurs next week. I hope you will all be patient until then. Take care until then - Happy Crafting

Tree Trimmings

Last night I started playing properly with the new SU Tree Trimmings stamp set, the coordinating paper set & all new Fine Galaxy glitters. Despite having a shower since then I'm still really "sparkly" today.


I've seen similar cards to this on several blogs recently & I was so taken by the design that I had to have a go myself.
Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Autumn Days, Old Fashioned Christmas
Inks: Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Card: Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Misc.: Fine Galaxy & Dazzling Diamond glitters

On this card I stamped the bauble on the new SU window sheets. I used versamark ink & heat & stick to get the red glitter to stick before using a glue pen to apply the champagne colour glitter, which by the way is a fab colour, to the remaining areas. Interestingly the thinner window sheet did not warp at all when heated but with the thicker stuff I had to be a bit more cautious. And a word of warning remember to remove the blue cover from both sides of the thicker window sheet prior to heating it or it will never come - Here speaks the voice of experience.

I also found the sheets can go through my SU punches so although I generally do not show the inside of my cards, I think punching the sheets improves the look inside & could easily be left as it is.

Stamps:Tree trimmings, So Swirly Wheel

Inks: Versamark, Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip

Misc: Christmas Jingle, Galaxy Glitter set, 2 way glue pen, Heat & Stick powder

My final card is very simple affair, but this time I used clear embossing on the bauble images. I also used crystal effects on the sentiment topper & to get the scallop around the outside as we do not have a larger scallop punch, I punched out 2 scallops from chocolate chip & overlapped them on the back of the sentiment scallop & although they do not fit exactly I don't think they look too bad.

Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Occasional Greetings

Inks: Real Red, Old Olive, Versamark

Card: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Very Vanilla

Misc: Crystal Effects, Scallop Punch, Christmas Jingle paper

My new toy has arrived

My new pink baby has arrived safely this morning (that's my new laptop). I have had a quick play with it but unfortunately I cannot get it to connect to the Internet yet so will have to get DH to sort it out when he gets home.

I have no cards to offer today but I will show you the 2 bracelets I made yesterday. The first I was taught to do by Kay at The Bead & Bear shop which is located at Taverham garden centre, where I had a great time crafting & drinking tea. The lovely ladies who meet there at their weekly coffee morning all think I'm really quiet !!!!!!! I'm only quiet because I have to concentrate so much on what I am doing at the moment but give it a few weeks & I'm sure their opinion of me will soon change.
I used jump rings on both these bracelets. This first bracelet uses a 3 -2-2 pattern. As soon as Amy saw my bracelet she wanted one too so in my stash I found some 5mm jump rings so that's what I used to give it a more delicate look. I also used a 2-2-2 pattern this time.
Don't worry I have not finished Amy's bracelet yet so she will have a proper clasp on it & just not an earring hook.