Christmas Craft day

Hi

Well today was the Christmas Craft Day which we held for the 2^nd year at the community building where I am the Chairperson

Sadly we didn't get as many takers as last year despite the projects being of a higher standard

We also had a few snide remarks about the cost of the day going up...all our previous craft days – think we had done 4 prior to today – we had charged £7.50 per person which included projects and demo's with coffee and cake

This time we charged £10 per person and for that they got 2 beautiful projects to do whilst there and another to take away with them...the tables were stocked with cake, biscuits and pies as well as fresh orange and apple juice...

A lunch of meat with salad and bread roll, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and we had non alcoholic wine too

Cashew nuts and chip sticks too!

Then everyone who attended were given several free gifts – a bit bag for their work space, double sided tape and a business type festive card thanking them for joining us...

All that for £10 and told we were over charging!!!!!!!!!!

 

We held a raffle and had 10 prizes – the 3 main prizes were a beautiful home made christmas cake made by one of my class ladies Ena – thanks Ena – and then we had a Crafters Companion bag that we filled with all kinds of craft goodies and the last was an MP3 player all boxed so ideal as a christmas gift.

The other 7 were craft bags or toiletry bags – all worth around £5 so well worth winning!!!

So to the projects

Paula did a beautiful stamped project – so people learnt how to do punch around the page using the Martha Stewart sets, they stamped the image and coloured using chalks and pro markers, then were taught how to make the amazing flowers too...

so the ladies went away with templates to do the flowers themselves when they want them!

I did a lovely christmas wreathe – it was made up of flowers in 3 sizes – we used dark red and gold shimmer paper as that was ideal for shaping flowers

The flowers were made 3 different ways and they all took some paper coils which create amazing small roses for cards...

And finally the kits they took to do in their own time was a fab calendar kit that can be used year after year – its a fisherman design and would make a perfect gift - I had shared this on the blog before so you know how good it is!

So there you have it – the run down of our Craft Day

Sadly we only had 7 on the day and 3 people paid for their kits and didn't attend – we had catered for 15 so got left with kits – oh well that's life as they say!

Keep warm and see you next time

x

Special Cutie

Hi

A good while ago I was asked to make a large cute very special christmas card by a young lady for her foster mum.

I have been putting it off I suppose – I find it difficult sometimes to make something “special” with no further info

She gave me a hand written piece that she asked be printed to the left side of the insert which I have done...

See what you think to it....

So materials for this card I used ….

Heat mat to work on and protect your surface – I always use it...

White A4 card blank

Pink poinsettia paper (Art Deco Christmas by Debbi Moore)

Image from The Best Of La Pashe (new cd and fab!)

Victorian Velvet distress ink pad by Tim Holtz

Silver matt mirri card

silver metallic ribbon

Poinsettia and leaves were recycled just tidied up

Tiny clear AB gems

Double sided tape

Sticky pads

Eazi Score Board & tool

Tonic 8” guillotine

Scissors

Tweezers

Shaping tool from www.dimensionstamps.com

Foam shaping mat – stamping mat or even a mouse mat

To make the card ...

As I said I had put this off – another reason was the size of the card – its a big space to fill – with what?

I used the ink and a piece of cut & dry to ink all the edges on the front of the card

Then I covered the card front with the pretty poinsettia paper leaving just a small all round border – I cut this with a deckle edge trimmer.

A length of silver metallic ribbon was wrapped around the spine edge of the card and secured at the back – a large bow was tied and added to the top of the other ribbon.

Next I used a piece of matt silver card and cut it large enough to punch the corners with a snowflake punch from Martha Stewart and also to take the image matted onto a piece of pink shimmer card.

Before sticking the silver panel to the card I wrapped a piece of the same silver ribbon around the bottom, just above the punched corners. And secured it at the back.

After I had cut the image out I rounded the corners, the pink shimmer card also had the corners rounded – as with most of my matting & layering I like to leave a border between layers.

Then the large silver panel was stuck to the card – I positioned it sort of to the top right of the card.

The decoupage was cut out and had double sided sticky pads on the back ready to build up the design – once all pieces were in place I used the Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue to highlight everywhere I imagined snow – then covered with glamour dust and tapped the excess away – I love the way it makes the glittered sections look chunky!

Now to the recycled poinsettia's and holly leaves – these were on a card I was sent last year and I loved it...I kept all the cards but had to part with some a while ago when I cleared the raft room – I recycled and kept what I thought I could use.

I attached these to the card with silicone and left to dry.....

Tiny clear AB gems were added to the poinsettia centres and also in the gaps of the snowflake that I had punched in the corners.

A simple sentiment finished the card!

Oh when I did the insert I had to use 2 sheets of A4 paper so I trimmed them with the deckle edge and like the card front I inked the edges of the card – and even did the back paper – mind you I had to as I has managed to get a line of ink on it....

I gave the card on Tuesday – the class ladies all raved about how lovely it was I think the young girl was pleased with it

So – come on then – would you say that passed as “special” or not?

Be honest – I wont be hurt – and its comments that help me the next time round¬

See you all again tomorrow

Keep warm and safe

Oh and think about me tomorrow as we have our Craft Day...I'm looking forward to it but just know I will get stressed over it!

I will tell you all about it next time ok..

x

Baubles!

Evening all...

I recently joined a monthly project club – that means every month I get sent everything needed to make one card but with ideas on what else the stamps can be used for

This is the 1^st kit and I love it!

I did this almost the same as the instructions for the card so please be aware this is NOT my design ok

I have also stamped out more to use in different ways so I'm sure you will get to see some of my own creations....

So materials for this card I used ….(most were in the pack)

Heat mat to work on and protect your surface – I always use it...

6x6 scallop edge card

Versamark ink pad, clear embossing powder & heat gun

Memento black ink pad

silver card card

strips of plain white card to stamp on

baubles, holly, snowflakes and Noel stamps

lurex thread

Double sided tape

Sticky pads

Eazi Score Board & tool

Tonic 8” guillotine

Scissors

Tweezers

Shaping tool from www.dimensionstamps.com

Foam shaping mat – stamping mat or even a mouse mat

To make the card ...

I had to measure the card front to 3” then fold it back...

The large sheet of silver mirri card was fixed to the back inside of the card with double sided tape.

The thin strip of white stamping card was stamped 4 times with the holly stamp using a versamark ink pad then covered with silver sparkle embossing powder and heated

Then the Noel was stamped in between the holly with the black Memento ink pad

This strip was stuck to the edge of the silver panel using double sided tape.

On the fold-back of the card front I randomly stamped the snowflakes then sprinkled with silver sparkle embossing powder and heated

The kit came with the silver and a white shaped pieces so the silver was was stuck to the fold back front – I did remember to only tape the left side...

On the white shaped piece I randomly stamped snowflakes and covered with some embossing powder that had no label but looked pale enough to be in the background but still show up – then heated it and put to one side for a moment

Now to the baubles – they were all stamped onto the white card with versamark then covered with silver sparkle embossing powder and heated – then cut out.

The circle stamp was stamped then the hanger stamped to the top of if and finally the snowflake inside it then all heated and cut out in one piece!

Once the 4 baubles were cut out I pierced a hole through the hangers and threaded the lurex thread and secured it on the back.

The other end of the thread was taped behind the large shaped piece I had just added the snowflakes to...I added all 4 baubles at different lengths.

The baubles were held in place with a sticky pad

The shaped panel was then attached to the shaped silver panel using sticky pads,

I finished by adding a clear AB gem to the centre of the 2 snowflakes on the baubles.

And that is the card all done – a nice way to get into stamping without having to colour in – in fact white and silver do look good together...

See you all again tomorrow

x

Keys

Hi

I have finally got around to decorating a key holder that I bought in the summer when I went to the Donnington Craft Event

It was late in the day when I noticed the stall called The MDF Man

the stuff he had was amazing but the prices had to be seen to be believed!

I ended up buy pen holders, key holders, family display board, a friends board I bought for Jae and I got loads of hearts with intentions of adding a photo to each heart and have then dangling from the family display board...

Months later its all still where I put it

but I was moaning at hubby for just putting his keys down – he has a small drawer in the kitchen that he uses for his guys and bits and bobs – most of the time he remembers

So I painted it blue using the lovely funky colours Metallic paint from B&Q, I gave it 2 good coats and the shine is lovely

I used my heart nestabilities to cut a shape then using Sepia versafine ink I stamped a lovely owl couple

Next I used a pad that had vintage photo ink on – I simply breathed on it to revive the ink and then run it over the edges of the heart

This was then stuck to the key with cosmic shimmer pva glue – I also used the glue for the fluffy part of the hat then covered it with glamour dust.

Because we were sticking this to the side of the kitchen unit we didn't want screws so I added big super strong sticky pads and where the pre drilled screw holes were I added some pretty gold surrounds with clear gem centres!

Have to say it looks great – and the holder was under £2 so a real bargain!!

See you tomorrow

x

Musical Christmas

Evening all...

I was asked to make some christmas cards for my lovely friend Ann – she doesn't go with the normal type of things – she likes the cards to reflect the person she is sending to making it totally unique

its good for me too as I have to think about what to do

this is one of her orders which is on route to Ann so she can get it in the post

the info I was given was Anita loved the piano and poetry

this card didn't come easy to me I can tell you....but thank goodness for the new Debbi Moore Shabby Chic music collection cd and the Debbi Moore Art Deco Christmas cd which has the most amazing papers

keeping everything crossed its ok!

So materials for this card I used ….

Heat mat to work on and protect your surface – I always use it...

Hougie Board

A4 sheet of white card stock

3 or 4 backing papers

Sheet of poinsettia flowers

Versamark ink pad, clear embossing powder & heat gun

Double sided tape

Sticky pads

Eazi Score Board & tool

Tonic 8” guillotine

Scissors

Tweezers

Shaping tool from www.dimensionstamps.com

Foam shaping mat – stamping mat or even a mouse mat

To make the card ...

I wanted to do a stepper card as I thought it would be the best way to get everything onto the A5 card – so I used my Hougie board – must have had it around 2 years and its the 1^st time I have used it!!! Have to say it was so easy to do the side stepper.

Once it was all cut out and the creases sharpened I covered it all with a beautiful fine shimmer paper – have no idea what its called but I got it in a pack from the Donnington Show

I did the left side in one piece but for the steppers I did the steps individually.

I cut out the main shaped image with the lovely saying and faded out background, sprayed it with a Pearl mist spray then rolled a roll of kitchen roll over it to remove the surplus – then blitzed with the heat gun.

Next I used one of the musical ribbons across the bottom of the card then stuck the main image onto the card more to the left so I could add the poinsettias to the right...

I cut out the large and small poinsettias, dabbed all over with the versamark ink pad, covered with clear detail embossing powder and heated – once it had melted I recovered and heated again – did it a 3^rd time and set to one side to cool down.

Using the cuttlebug and nestabilities I cut the small picture of the grand piano with music background and the next size up cut out a mat in pink shimmer card.

The image was stuck centrally to the pink card then attached to the top step – I covered the back of the pink panel with backing paper so it didn't look odd from the back.

The middle step simple had a sentiment and then an enamelled brad

On the back of the card I covered with beautiful pink poinsettia paper from the Art Deco christmas cd

I printed a lovely verse and trimmed it down to fit the back without covering too much backing – to take away the bright white I gently inked the edges with Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet distress ink pad then stuck in place with double sided tape

Once it was glittered up – after the photos had been taken – I was so pleased with it – not an easy theme but helped with the christmas part...

Now its down to Royal Mail to get it to Ann and all been well she will find it suitable and send it on its journey half way around the world!!!

See you all again tomorrow

x

60th Birthday

Hi

Today I will share a card I made a few days ago for the Post Mistress who asked for something nice for her husband Trevor will celebrate his 60^th birthday next week.

I used one of the Giant Easel Tableau kits by Valerie Dawes, this kit is called Vintage Car and has 6 sheets of printing to do – and it needs an envelope making for it too!

But I love these kits and I find the envelopes a doddle with the Crafters Companion enveloplus that Katie bought me for my birthday last year.

So materials for this card I used ….

Heat mat to work on and protect your surface – I always use it...

2 sheets of white card stock

6 sheets of printed material

Crafters Companion Stick & Stay

Double sided tape

Sticky pads

Eazi Score Board & tool

Tonic 8” guillotine

Scissors

Tweezers

Shaping tool from www.dimensionstamps.com

Foam shaping mat – stamping mat or even a mouse mat

To make the card ...

I started by roughly cutting out the pieces that I knew needed to be stuck to my card stock for added strength

Once they were all cut out I flipped the pieces over and sprayed the whole of the reverse sides with crafters companion stick & stay – boy that stuff takes some shifting if you get it on your clothes.

Next I cut out every piece of decoupage and believe me there was a lot of it and it took me well over a day to do.

As I have made loads of these GET kits (Giant Easel Tableau) I know what to do without having to stop and start to see what was next

So quite quickly saw me have the card complete – the correct name in the name space and right relative label etc

Once it was all made up I added a very small piece of Velcro so the back plate would stand unaided – the weight of the panel often drags it backwoods by thankfully all went well on this today.

A lovely verse was added to the under base panel and I ran a blending brush over the edges using old paper distress ink pad so it took away the bright white of the paper and also blended in with the rest of the card

The last job was glossy accents were added to sections of the card I felt needed it and left it to dry

I had to make an envelope as these cards are far to big to go in any normal envelope.

When I took it to the Post Office on Friday Jackie was over the moon with it and the verse brought a tear or two...

See you all again tomorrow

x

So Beary Cute

Hi

I am so enjoying making the cads using the lovely lily of the valley images – the sheets I am using are the Mini Masterpieces series.

The sheets have one good sized topper, 2 slightly smaller and another 4 smaller still which are ideal for ATCs or waterfalls – but you can still use them as a topper on any card.

The images are so cute and are easily matched to papers and the cards seem to be popular judging by the comments I have had.

So materials for this card I used ….

Heat mat to work on and protect your surface – I always use it...

5x7 christmas green card blank

Soft tartan check backing paper

10x10cm piece of silver mirri card

Self adhesive silver holographic snowflake border

Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue

Double sided tape

Sticky pads

Eazi Score Board & tool

Tonic 8” guillotine

Scissors

Tweezers

Shaping tool from www.dimensionstamps.com

Foam shaping mat – stamping mat or even a mouse mat

To make the card ...

I folded the pre scored card blank and ran the bone folder along the edge to make it sharp.

The backing paper was trimmed to completely cover the whole of the card front and stuck in place with double sided tape.

The largest topper was cut from the sheet and matted onto the piece of silver mirri card.

The silver holographic snowflake border tape was positioned along the left side of the card – I stuck it where the check on the paper changes from deep to faded which softened the look.

The matted image was stuck at an angle on the card front with a purple Season's Greeting sentiment left over from the La Pashe cards placed in the bottom right hand corner

Next my favourite part of making these christmas cards – decorating! I used the cosmic shimmer pva on all the furry bits of the hat and then all the snow that covered the fence and the ground – and mustn't forget the now that's falling – that was all done with the glamour dust

Using the pva still I highlighted the red breasts on the Robins, the label on the hat and the dots of the present then sprinkled with red glitter.

Finished

I went on to use the 2 of the smallest toppers on ATCs and have something in mind for the rest – so keep popping by daily for when I decide to share it with you all...you know I will!

Take care and stay warm friends

See you all again tomorrow

x