Just Jo....

oh dear...

2012-02-22T10:21:00.003Z

This really isn't doing too well is it... lol.. updating the old bloglet I mean. Whoops!

I know I promised some card pictures from the previous Create and Craft shows - and they are on the camera... I will honestly try to get them updated soon.

This week has been a bit of a whirlwind really - we have had some work done in the garden, which looks absolutely fab! We had the a new fence put around the garden, and along the side of the house. My next door neighbour, Ian, has done a fantastic job with his dad, and I loves me new fence... so thank you Ian!

I've also been back down to Create and Craft for a few shows last Wednesday, which went really well. Well done to everyone who managed to get the Xcut dies - I am sure you're gonna love them as much as I do.

I also had Craft class on the Tuesday - lots of fun there as usual - and also a demo at Scents and Sentiments in Barnsley on the Saturday.

It's the first time that I've been to this shop, and it took some finding, but cor blimey!!! What a little treasure trove that shop is!! Melanie and her hubby were lovely, friendly and we had a really good time. I'm booked in to go there later in the year too, so I'm sure I'll see all her lovely customers again soon. I even managed to convert some crafters into stamping - result!!

On top of this, I have had time to reignite my love for Cross stitch! I had met Jane Greenoff a while ago at Create and Craft and said if ever she needed any doing, I was here to help.. I haven't cross stitched for many many years, but I got a little kit from her a couple of weeks ago, and I've been doing it most evenings. I have LOVED it!! I can't quite understand where my mojo for cross stitch went to all those years ago, but it well and truly back with avengeance now!

I was using linen to stitch onto... and I love linen.. but obviously I can't give you too much more information, other than to say, the design is wonderful! Such a talented lady and a great designer too. Now to hunt out my favourite charts, cottons and a bit of fabric.....

So that's what I've been upto this week - and yes, I promise I will get the photos of the camera and get them onto my blog... lol.. in between everything else I need to do.. actually, joking apart, things aren't too bad this week. I'm waiting for delivery of my Docrafts designer kit for the next loop of demo's, I've got a few more shows booked in for Create and Craft (details to follow asap), and I'm working on samples and ideas for the next session of filming for Creativity TV in Bath, which is coming up in March.

Whatever you're upto this week, have a good one! Let me know if you update your blogs and I'll pop on over and take a look..

Jo xx

Oh my poor neglected blog...

2012-02-13T10:02:00.002Z

17th Jan? Really?? That was my last post on my blog?

Gosh, I can't believe time has gone so quickly recently. However, things have been a little hectic in Austin Towers...

I've had quite a few shows scheduled in for Create and Craft with the totally fab Docrafts products. In fact, one of these was a full week of the Tatty Teddy Pick of the Week.. which lasted a total of 48 hours. Well, it was just under the 48 hours actually.. We released the collection at 12pm on Friday and it had sold out during the 11am show on the Sunday!

After it sold out, we moved onto the back up plan of Forever Friends papercrafting kit. It was just as fab as the Tattys, and people had already started buying it because the Tatty's had sold out. This lasted until the end of the week, then I was back on Saturday with the Moments of Faith and Portabello Road collections. It was a very very busy week, but so much fun!

Before my journey's back and fro to Ideal World House, in Peterborough, I had been down in Bath for another filming session for the Creativity TV. I absolutely LOVE doing the videos, and we have so much fun too. Alun who does the filming is lovely and so patient, and the day goes so quickly.

So... Bath, Peterborough, demo's and life - I haven't had an awful lot of time to update my bloglet. However, I will try to do better.. lol.

I am back in Peterborough again on Wednesday, and craft class tomorrow night, plus a demo on Saturday and some cross stitching that needs doing for the 27th... so it's all go.. but I'll try my best..

10 things about ...... just me!

2012-01-17T09:37:00.007Z

After checking out my favouritest blogs this week, I came across this FAB idea by the ever lovely Emma Collins... click on Em's name to go to the page..

Basically, post 10 things about yourself for your blog readers.. so here goes me!

1. I started my blog - on a whim - in May 2007, and the name has changed quite a few times as I have a tendency to change my mind ... lol. So, I purchased my .co.uk link so I didn't forget where I was looking! I love blogging, when I have chance, but this year I am aiming to blog a little bit more often than I had been late last year! I also want to be a bit more chatty and interactive, so if you have any ideas - let me know! (mmm.. this one's failing drastically as it's taken me about four days so far to do this post...!)

2. I began my working life as a hairdresser. I did my apprenticeship with a lovely lady called Jean over in Chesterfield. I then moved to Doncaster and did hairdressing, Marks and Spencers clothes machinist, lots of cleaning jobs, working in a chippy, became a qualified (with letters after my name!!) photographer, then got offered my job as a demonstrator with Docrafts and the rest, they say, is history. I love what I do, it's the best job in the world, but I'm never totally happy with what I make. However, I always say that when I do get to that position, then I'll probably stop doing it because the challenge isn't there anymore.

3. I married my lovely hubby way back in 1987... and this year we are celebrating our Silver Anniversary. We have three wonderful children, but after my second in 1990, I had really bad Post Natal Depression (and it was really bad!) but I survived it. I still have the bad days even now, but I pull myself out of it and tell myself that I really have nothing to feel bad about. I also find that cleaning and crafting help those bad days.Cleaning?? Really....?? Well, it works for me!

4. Two out of three of our beautiful wooflets are rescue spaniels. As you may guess, we have three spaniels. Two springers - Holly and Scooby, and a cocky cocker - Truly. Our alsation had just died and after just six weeks, Holly was bought on the spot when my son and I saw her (much to the hubby's disgruntlement! lol). It was just lovely to hold a puppy in my arms and losing Asti was still raw, so it didn't take much convincing! Scooby came to live with us six months later. He was 18 months old at the time and his owners didn't want him anymore for various reasons, so he'd been put into rescue. Truly came to us six months after this after arriving in England from Ireland. She'd had a bad start in life, and even now, years later, she is still pretty much the oddball she ever was and has a few 'problems' shall we say..... I will do a post about each of them very soon so you get to know them a little better!

5. I have been a 'cuddly' size for years.. but 2012 is the year this is not the case!! After telling myself for years that being a slightly larger than average ( !! ) size is okay, and I'm fit but fat, and I don't mind being big.. all the usual things! ... now I can see that it simply isn't true. For years I told myself that other people who had lost lots of weight didn't know what they were on about, and how could you feel different.. it was a load of tosh.. and I was DEFINATELY happy how I was. They're just saying it was what I thought. But no. I do feel better, and I realise that I wasn't happy how I was and it was exhausting just trying to stay jolly! I am currently around 7 stone lighter than what I was in July 2011, and I still have a way to go. But I'll get there!

6. My name is Jo Austin and I'm a procrastinator! How bad does that sound?! But yes, confession time - and this is definately one of my failings. I tell myself that I am trying to be organised, but in reality it's procrastination. Again, 2012 is the year this is happening no more! I am being mega organised with the help of the Day Timer blog, and my favouritest filofax blog.

7. Organisation isn't one of my strongest points. (what .. you mean I have a strong point???) I try to be, and on occasions I succeed.. but with the development of mobile phones with calendars, reminders and organisers, surely I'm getting better? Well, simply. Nope! After trying most forms of techniques to keep me on the straight and narrow, I still come down to my trusty A5 filofax. I've tried various sizes of diaries, but this one suits me better. I scribble, doodle, make notes, do reminders, sort out my day, plan my month, check the bills... all in one place! I love my filofax, but I love the philofaxy blog even more!

8. I am not just a cardmaker. I dabble with scrapbooking - albeit not all that successfully - and other crafts. I also take photographs (lots!) after becoming a qualified photographer and also teaching the subject. But I also like to draw, and paint, and play around on Photoshop. I've always been quite artsy, always keeping my hands busy with something, be it crochet, knitting or cross stitch. So I guess it was inevitable that I would start cardmaking at some point. Cutting, sticking and colouring in is great fun!

9. I love people. All my life I've done jobs where people are the main focus, and I love observing their ways, how they interact, seeing what makes them tick... and I find it quite amusing sometimes. I often find myself saying 'I'm glad I'm not like that'.. or 'I wish I was more like that'.. but generally, I'm just me. Like it or lump it.

10. Blimey.. number 10 has been hard to get to!! There are so many things about me that not alot of people know, and I quite like it like that. I have been told many times I have a brick wall, my own little bubble.. but you know what? I like my bubble! It's safe, warm and welcoming (most of the time!!). And yes, it's complicated, confusing, funny, awkward, sarcastic... but that's just me!

It's all becoming clearer!!!

2012-01-14T20:17:00.003Z

I've been spending the last few days, in between work prep and tv stuff, trying to neaten up my blog. It's been getting very cluttered recently, and I have lost a few links and stuff with all my editing..

So.

My links are now all in one place under 'My Favourite blogs' .
My demo's are on a new Page under 'Things to do, places to be'.
My labels are intact (although need clearing up!) and everything is now 'getting there'..

If anyone is missing who wants linking, please let me know.

Have fun looking through my blog listings - these were mostly ones taken from my blog during my Stampin' Up days... which are well and truly over!

Positive thinking..

2012-01-12T10:34:00.004Z

This morning, I've had my usual jot around Facebook and noticed a crackin' post by Emma Collins.. which was talking about another post on a Blog, and it was all about Positive Thinking.

I have been trying since the New Year to think more positively, and things are starting to pay off. I do try to be positive most of the time, until it drastically fails, but last year found things getting to me sometimes, and then I started to get a little more temperamental (ahem.. ) than usual. It does tend to inflict on your life sometimes when things start to 'get to you'.... and this is where my other resolution of 'out with old, in with the new' came in.

I also think that when you have had depression, which I have in the past, when you start to feel that things aren't going to plan, or things start to get you down, you do get those really bad days where things seem worse than they are. The 'dips' seem worse than they would for others.

Now confession time - I did have one day this week where I buckled to my own resolution and made that call I said I wouldn't do... and I kicked myself for doing it.. never again! Never, ever!

Anyway. Enough waffle. HERE's the link to the Positive thinking post.. it will make you think, it certainly did me.

Thank you Photofairy for the fab post!

Are you keeping up?

2012-01-09T09:36:00.004Z

I did my Resolutions list on my last post... and so far is so good! I'm keeping up with them.. well, to a degree.. the 'being organised' one is being done today - but better late than never eh?

The 'Out with the old, in with the new' is going okay. And I'm not regretting it for a minute, and so far have been working on the OLD bit.. I'm keeping my promise to myself and feeling great about it too. The New side of it will be commencing this week when I get a minute! lol.

I am really pleased that this week I was down at Create and Craft doing three shows (more on this later.. ) and I met the wonderfully lovely Jane Greenoff. What a really nice lady! We were both talking about the New Year, and our Resolutions and we both said that we were going to be more organised... I'm not sure how Jane's is going, but mine isn't doing too bad. I've got plans to write up for the Blog, and lists that need to be listed!!

De-cluttering - well... this one is going superbly well!! I even spent an hour yesterday sorting out my demo bag for this past weekend, and put everything where it should be. All little bits of paper that I won't use have been thrown away, and my clutter has been tidied.. result!! It is a fantastic feeling walking into a tidy craft room, already to start the next crafting episode!

Now... the photography side... well.. that hasn't happened. However, I've been playing with my new Flip video over the past few days to get more used to it - so hold on to your horses.. more video tutorials coming soon!!! It's fab. And I love it. Soooo easy to use.

Let me know, how are you doing with your Resolutions!? Are you keeping them?

So.. onto Create and Craft, and I had a great time. Thank you so much for your emails. Sorry if we didn't get chance to read them all out, but I did see them. There was a lovely picture sent in from Nicola (NJ) and I was in awe of it. Nicola, if you're reading this, please send it to me so I can show it on my blog.

The first show I was doing glass painting with Martin, the second was acrylic painting with Leonie and the third was with Howard, and a mix of glass and acrylic painting.

The three hours went very quickly, but it was great fun. As I said, I'd been talking to Jane in the Green Room, in between our shows, as we were both there all day, and she is a lovely person. Very calming, and very funny. She was showing me the new Cross Stitch designer program for the computer - and I must admit, I'm quite tempted.. But. I haven't done much cross stitch for a few years, and the pieces she showed me has totally inspired me to start again!

So, on Friday, I picked up a needle, some threads, some linen and started stitching. Just in the evenings, but it's been nice to keep my fingers busy and be sat in the room with the wooflets and hubby and have an hour chillin' and sewin'.

I'll show you the finished results when I'm completed! lol.

I've also this week had my first demo for 2012.. I was really excited to be visiting Craft Central again, because I knew the lovely Jackie was going to be there. She is such an inspiring person, so friendly, and genuine, and a pleasure to know.

The demo went really well, and I had a great time with new and old customers who came to see the new Docrafts products being shown - and what a lovely range there is this month too!! Such freshness for January - the pinks, the blues, the royal colours.. just fab!! And the Diggity Dog... oh wow... lovely woofers - evidently I love this range!!!

And if you fancy winning some of the new range of papers, Docrafts are giving away 23 sets worth over £40 each... just click HERE to enter.

This month's prizes include all paper sizes, mini buttons, blitters, ribbons, bows and more.. Here's a peep..

Fab eh?

Right.. must make a move - it's Craft Class tomorrow so I need to get sorted.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!!

Whoops...

2012-01-03T07:59:00.005Z

Come on.. own up.. who stole my time??

It seems so long since I managed to get online to share any projects - although what I've been working on for the past few weeks I can't share as yet.. some were for the upcoming Creativity magasine, others are for some Create and Craft shows that are on on Thursday.. so as you can guess, things are anything but quiet.

I had also wanted to nip on to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Thank you so much for all your visits this past year, it's been lovely having you visit me ol' blog, and leaving wonderful comments and emails along the way.
I will be sorting out my blog over the next week or so, there are new things going to appear on here, things are being reorganised and sorted all ready for 2012! So, watch this space..

I've also made my list of Resolutions - some of which are the same as last year..

1. Get more organised.
2. De-clutter as I go.
3. Out with the old, and in with the new.
4. Take more photographs - and maybe scrapbook them?!

There are others there as well, but the first three are my priority.

Number one - will be helped with my favourite blog, Philofaxy. There is always loads of information on there that is useful, as well as links to other organisational blogs. And of course, I loves me filofaxes!

Number two - well, I started this just before Christmas. I sorted and categorised some of my stamps that are always hung in the craft room. I also threw out lots of bits of paper that I'd kept 'just in case!'.

Number three - well, where to start with this one? This is my main promise to myself.. Out with the old..... I've often kept in touch with folks because I felt I ought to. This year, carrying on with something I started a few years ago, I am no longer going to keep trying with friendships that simply aren't working. And I am going to treasure friendships made along the way, where despite everything, are still special.

Sometimes, it seems to be ME that makes all the effort, and for my own sanity, this has to stop! I can't keep calling people to say HI because they said they'd ring me and they haven't.... So for 2012, this is not going to happen.

As for the 'in with the New'... well, the opportunities are there to be taken, and they will be. I have been asked to do a few things in the last couple of months that I thought were a bit out of my comfort zone, but in fact, it's just confidence in myself that was lacking. I often over-think things and end up sending myself dotty! But now, I'm going to try not to over think. Just get on with it. Be more positive about my abilities. And go forward!

I have achieved so much this past 12 months, as I say, and it's obviously just a mind over matter. So, watch this space..

Whatever your Resolutions are, please share them with me.. it would be lovely to hear them.

And any hints and tips on organisation - let me know! I need all the help I can get! And of course, a new Page is going to be created to give hints and tips I find out. lol.

As promised...

2011-12-22T07:06:00.004Z

Here I am again!

What on earth is happening with Blogger these days? It really seems to have a mind of its own, and I'm finding it quite frustrating actually!! The new layout makes it easier to upload pictures and edit posts.. but this old one is just pants!

Anyway, I thought I'd come and just finish off with a few cards as promised yesterday - these are the last of the Christmas cards that went to teachers at school... so again, quite simple ones.

Well of course this one had to be blue, and I've used the papers from the Forever Friends Christmas pack ... they're so dainty and lovely..

Here's the image in more detail. She was coloured using prisma's.. and I've found the perfect paper to stamp and colour - after looking long and hard for some, my patience has paid off.. lol.

Here I've used the same Forever Friend papers from Docrafts, and a slightly different layout. Again, quite simple, and I'm not entirely happy with this one, as I think she could've done with being stuck on at the other end of the card.. but hey ho... she's on there and it's Christmassy!

And the obligitory close up for you...

And last but not least..

I combined blues and greens for this one.. not entirely sure how I'd like it, but I think it turned out quite nicely actually.. and off setting the oval a little gave me room to add embellishments.

Well. I hope you like my few Christmas cards I've had to show.

Funnily enough.. carrying on from my post yesterday about the cost of Christmas. We nipped into Tesco last night to pick up a few bits with my daughter, and there was a lady in the till in front of us. She had two big trolleys of shopping - pretty much like everyone else..

Just as we paid, I had a conversation with the Duty manager, and mentioned the cost of Christmas and the lady in front's shopping, and she nipped over to see what the running cost of her shopping was.. well, it was a staggering, gobsmacking £1374 at that point and was still continuing!!! OMG.... I am still speechless.. I think I've overspent if my shopping comes to over £100! I think I would simply shoot myself if it came anywhere near hers! Even the Duty manager was astounded! She was lost for words, and so was I. And it was only on 254 items! WTF?

Oh well... c'est la vie... and in fact, have a very Merry Christmas and a fab New Year. I don't think I'll be able to get back on before 2012.. but if I don't, enjoy yourselves!

I'll be back to doing my demo's from the 7th January - although there may be something else in the pipeline before then.. but I'll keep you posted! See you soon!

it's nearly time...

2011-12-21T12:27:00.004Z

Only another few days and the Big Day will be over... I can't believe how bonkers people go just for the one day of the year! Yesterday, I called into Tesco, and was told by the till lady that she hadn't put a bill through for less than £170 all day... how ridiculous! Or is it just me?? anyway...

Today, I thought I'd share a few cards with you that I ran up quickly for my daughter to take into school.. she always likes to take special cards for special teachers, and I was only happy to oblige.. in all honesty, I haven't actually made that many cards this year. Both daughters asked for cards, and I've made ones for the youngsters of the family.. (I was going to say children - but they really aren't that anymore! lol)

So.. here they are - my quick and simple cards made for the teachers.

This one was left really simple, as I'd used one of the lovely new embossing folders that I'd acquired..

After getting out all my Christmas stamps, this was one that Teen chose to go on her cards. And here's the close up.

When I started this card, I chose the beautiful Docrafts papers and then coloured the image to match in with the colours of the papers.

And here's a look at the papers in more detail.... stunning aren't they?

And I'm afraid, here are those papers again.... they're just stunning..

And the cute little snowman.... awwwww... so cute!

I do have a few more to show you.. but I'll nip back on in a few hours to pop those ones on... must get on with the Housework now. I've done loads this morning as I feel a bit better than I have for the past few days, so will get the rest finished now..

Until then... Happy Crafting!!

Can you wait? I know I can't.....

2011-12-15T12:33:00.000Z

(taken from Nikki's blog.. thanks Nikki!)

Never Seen Before Downloads From Forever Friends

In honour of Creativity TV’s 100th episode which you can watch from Monday 19^th December, the docrafts Creativity Club team are celebrating in style with EXCLUSIVE downloads from Forever Friends, inspiring projects, techniques and a super craft challenge!

“Since Creativity TV went online at docrafts.com we have received so many supportive reviews, emails and letters. Katy and I have so much fun with our craft friends, showing our members interesting techniques and we always enjoy featuring members projects on the show!” says Emma Collins, Creativity Club Manager.

In 2011 the Creativity TV team have featured projects by Georgina Sweetanham (http://www.docrafts.com/Georgina075) Emma Goddard (http://www.docrafts.com/emma14) , Naomi Van Geene (http://www.docrafts.com/NaomiVanGeene) and many other fabulous Creativity Club members. Just take a look in the 'Projects' area of the Creativity Club (www.docrafts.com/creativityclub)

Creativity Club members can also join in with the celebrations by taking part in our 100th episode craft challenge for a chance to win over £50 worth of Portobello Road gorgeousness by Papermania.

Creativity Club members will need to download Sketches Of The Month Part Twenty One and the gorgeous and EXCLUSIVE Black & Gold Forever Friends printables that will be live in the Creativity Club from Monday morning!

“This collection is absolutely stunning and we are very excited to get our hands on these beautiful printables from Forever Friends. They have never been seen before!” says docrafts resident craft expert Katy Godbeer

Visit club.docrafts.com on Monday 19th December for more information about the challenge!

Happy Crafting! x

Saturday already..

2011-12-10T07:43:00.001Z

And thank Goodness for that!! I am totally ready for the weekend this week - I woke up yesterday feeling a little worn out and with a blinding headache.. so today, I'm going to take it easy and have a lovely relaxing time!

Well.. that's until I start preparing for our Craft Class on Tuesday. It's the last class this week until we return again in January, so I've got a few things to sort out for everyone.

As you know though, I was on Create and Craft the other day, and this is a project I did for the show..

I most definately didn't leave this sample behind... it's now sitting pride of place on my shelf in the Craft room.. I love this picture of Scoobs.. in fact, there's probably no picture of my woofers that I don't like, but this one is so lovely. The frame was created with acrylic paints and bubble wrap, and a decoupage was added to the corner.

I hope you like it.. xx

Just playing...

2011-12-05T08:38:00.002Z

I've had a play this morning with another CD... this time, the Tatty Teddy Christmas one. And here's what I made for our Challenge this week over at the Crafty Bloggers Network..

I love the fact that I can design something on screen, then print it off if I wish to.. what a fab way to create those quick cards!

And I was thinking the other day, you know, there aren't that many people out there who can openly say they love their job... but I am pleased I'm one who can.

I get to do lots of fun things, like playing with paper, trying out new products and meeting up with lots of fabulous crafters along the way. But did you know that you can chat with us peeps at Docrafts on a Friday? No... well read on...

We started doing a Live Chat on the Docrafts Creativity Club forum - you have to be a member of the Creativity Club to join in - but we have a right laugh. There's usually myself, Emma and Katy, and this week we had Nikki on there too... one of our demonstrators from Snowy Scotland.

Now, the chat went well, until Nikki suggested a Craft-off using the new digi downloads from the Club.. and then chaos reigned in.. we were to make a card by the end of the hours chat. It was such fun trying to type, make sense in what I was writing and thinking of how to put a card together at the same time.. here's a sneeky peek of what I made.. I will be back tomorrow with the finished card.

And just look at my desk!! I think Nikki needs to come and tidy it up... what do you think?!

I did it...

2011-12-02T07:17:00.000Z

This week has been quite a week I can tell you! It's gone by in a hurry, and at the end of it, I feel like I've drifted along without a definate start and end! I've got that confused I don't even know what day it is, let alone trying to get the old brain to function!

so.... what have I been upto?

Well, on Tuesday, as most of you know, I made my way down to Ideal World to guest present the Pick of the Day for Docrafts, with the lovely Sheila. I've done the journey many times, but never with Docrafts, so this was something new and a little bit daunting, as Docrafts are such a well known, and well loved company!

Anyway... here's the outside of Ideal World House at about half past six at night...

It looked rather lovely with all the lights on, if I must say. The little figure you can see walking to the building is Nancy Watt.. and we'd just had a laugh about the fact she'd forgot where she'd parked.. lol.

Our first show went out live at 9pm, and the presenter was Andy. A lovely chap who I've had the pleasure of working with before too. Here's a quick snap I got of Sheila and Andy taking a look at the CD which was the Pick of the Day.

We had quite a few shows to do, the 9pm one was followed by one at 11pm and another at 12am, so we basically got to our hotels and dropped into bed. Up again bright and early to get back to Ideal for another show at 8am.. and we worked our little socks off until 8pm on Wednesday.

It was a tiring day, but full of fun and laughter, and the highlight of the two days must've been my chat I had with Shaun... lol... the subject of Porn Star and Lap dancing were hilarious.. lol.

And then today.. I got an email from Erica who is the owner of the fab company, Odds and Soxlets, to inform me that I'd won her November challenge of having my Monkey sketches made into a digi stamp for her web site! I can't quite believe it!! I have also been invited to be part of her Design Team!

So there you have it - this is what I've been upto this week... and next week, it's more fun time as I'm down in Bath for the filming of more Creativity TV for the Docrafts site.

You know.... I love my job!!!!

Where's the time gone?

2011-11-29T08:59:00.000Z

Blinkin' eck.... just when I thought I was on a roll, the time has once again come up on me!!

I can't believe this time last week I was taking a bit of a relaxing day, and now, it's twelve hours to countdown!!

If you haven't heard, I've been asked (quite a shock!) to appear on Create and Craft with Sheila, as she does the Pick of the Day for Docrafts. I mean... what an honour! It's a bit daunting... but I'm sure I'll cope. lol.

Obviously, I can't tell you what the release is... but Katy did a sneaky peek on her blog and here it is..

Any guesses to what it is? lol. I'll tell you what it is.. it's awesome! It is sooo lovely! I am really enjoying playing with it and have lots of print outs.

So, it all becomes clear at around 9pm tonight... so will I see you there? I very hope so!! Haha.

I will be taking photos of the cards I've made that are going to feature on the show, so watch this space!

Parchment craft

2011-11-25T04:42:00.000Z

For those who know me, they would know that when I first started venturing into cardmaking MANY years ago, I began with parchment craft.

So today, I thought I'd share this older card with you.

I used a hand drawn doodle to create the centre section of the card. The lines around the card holding the main image were done randomly, and then I pricked around the inside of the lines.

I hope you like it!

Bloggy makeover

2011-11-24T11:26:00.001Z

I'm having a bit of a makeover on my blog at the moment.. so please excuse the mess until it's done. xx

Busy Busy Busy

2011-11-24T09:34:00.000Z

Oh it's a busy week this week in the Creation Station!

There's a new Pick of the Day coming up on Create and Craft with Docrafts, and I've been asked to make some samples for the show. Well, of course I said YES! And the product is so lovely - I'm sure you're going to love this one loads!!

I've also had a few birthday cards to make this week, as well as try to sort out some projects for filming in Bath shortly, and also sort things out for the Craft Class I had on Tuesday.

Tuesday's somehow seem to come around far too quickly, and when it's Craft night, my room looks like someone's broken into it and had a good rifle through my stash! This past week we created stamped candles, a card box and a selection of cards using card sketches. Everyone loved the candles and found it easier than expected (there were some panicky faces when I told them what they were doing.. lol) and the cards the group came up with were beautiful.

Still.. it's not as bad on Tuesday's as it is on Wednesday's when I unpack. So yesterday I had to have a very good tidy around so I could settle to work!

But I thought I'd get a little update on here to what's happening - in between appointments, car repairing, doggy walking, christmas window shopping, and doing the books for the self assessment, you can definately say things aren't boring!

I promise I will try to get a few projects uploaded - after all, I do have some samples made with the new Docrafts product that was released this past month. So, please check back for an update.

Until then, Happy Crafting.. !

Springer rescue

2011-11-20T20:34:00.000Z

I so agree with this... I found it earlier on a Springer Rescue forum that I frequent... lol..

“Rescue Spaniels aren’t broken, they’ve simply experienced more life than other Spaniels. If they were human we would call them wise, they would be the ones with tales to tell and stories to write, the ones dealt a bad hand who responded with courage. Don’t pity them, do something, help to rescue, donate, volunteer, foster, adopt. Be proud to have their greatness by your side.”

Especially for Scooby and Truly, my two rescue spaniels. xx

I've been colouring!

2011-11-17T14:37:00.001Z

Remember my little monkeys that I drew for the Odds and Soxlets blog? Well.. I decided to have a bit of time for 'me' last night and did a bit of colouring.. here's how they turned out!

I decided to use my Birdsong papers (still love these!) and kept the layering to a minimum to show the images better.

I used glitter for the raindrops, and even added a polka dot to the coat..

This was the second image I did, where monkey is sat on a tree trunk.

I used inks and a baby wipe to create the background sky, and grassed areas. Here's the close up.

I must admit... I've got a little bit of a passion for these little guys.. take a look at Erica's blog and site, you'll not be disappointed... beautiful handmade, soft toys, made by Erica herself. Perfect for Christmas.

And if you want to see our little edition to the Austin household, here she is - lovely eh?!

Pin It

Anyway, I must get on.. I'm trying to get on top of my jobs for this week as we have the Live Crafty Chat session tomorrow over on the Docrafts forum. I've just spent the last day or so finishing off some projects for the Docrafts Advent calendar for this year, and I even did a bit of designing on Photoshop... so watch this space! Sadly, I can't reveal what I've made just yet, but I'll share as soon as I can!

Happy crafting everyone!

Jo xx

Pulling teeth?

2011-11-16T07:13:00.001Z

No just pulling blog posts.. I'm seriously going to get this Networked thing to work if it's the last thing I do... lol.

Networked blogs..

2011-11-16T06:45:00.002Z

I'm just trying this, because I've tried before and it didn't work... xx

less stressed ....

2011-11-15T16:23:00.001Z

Oh boy - what a day yesterday turned out to be.. everything was going fine until early afternoon, then everything that could go wrong did go wrong!

So.. what's a girl to do when things get a bit stressy? Draw! That's what. And that's exactly what I did..

I have just got my little monkey from the lovely Erica from Odds and Soxlets, and whilst browsing her site, found that she runs a monthly challenge... and the one this month is for a drawing. So, I enjoyed coming up with these the other day, and thought I'd enter.

This was the work in progress, and I loved getting my drawing pen back in my fingers.

This is the finished sketch for the one above, but I couldn't just stop there... so I did this one too.

I hope you like them... nip over to Erica's site.. there are some beautiful things on there... I've got a basketful already waiting to be paid... and a daughter who's looking forward to recieving her bits and pieces.

Happy Crafting - or drawing - whatever the case may be.. lol.

My time to Craft

2011-11-15T16:15:00.000Z

It's Tuesday, and that means just one thing for us Challengers over at the My Time to Craft Challenge.... it's challenge day!

Today, funnily enough, it's another Take Two challenge, and here's my card for today.

I used two borders, two papers and two santas.. and these are the lovely Enchanted santa's.. aren't they lovely?

I used the toppers this time, instead of stamping .. just for a change.. but I like the card, although it doesn't look its best on the photo..

I hope you can play along - it would be great to see your entries this week.

Do you like to Chit Chat?

2011-11-15T16:09:00.000Z

Then why not pop over to the Creativity Club section of the Docrafts forum, and come chat with us?

We're going to be there from 10am to around 11am on Friday morning, so pop on over.. make your list of questions and we'll do our best to answer..

See you there!!

Doodling or something else?

2011-11-15T10:23:00.001Z

Near enough all my life I have had a pen in my hand, and if I'm doing anything - be it schoolwork, college work, or just general notes and diary filling, I doodle. I remember years ago, the front of my paying in book for the bank was plain white, and over a period of months I gradually filled it with lines, swirls, dots, doodles and anything else in between.

I doodle when I'm thinking of what to do, in those blank moments when your mind goes 'errrmm.....' and I find it a bit of a release somehow. I like to keep the fingers busy and doodling is perfect for it.

To me, it is doodling... to everyone else, it is now known as zentangling. Why is that?!

People are making money from it, writing books for it, teaching people to do it, and honestly... it's been around for years! So what's the difference between doodling and zentangling? Not alot me thinks other than I can doodle on anything I wish, whatever size I'd like.. and zentangling is more structured.

I love the look. But I will keep calling my 'tangling' a doodle because that's what it is. Some people doodle houses, squares, circles, shapes.. I do all of them together, then doodle inside the doodles.

If you're unsure of what I'm on about, check out this site HERE to find out more about zentangling.

From the Independant... in memory of Cyrus Thatcher.

2011-11-14T16:18:00.000Z

If I say so myself, there is nothing more fulfilling than making up boxes to send out to those out in the Field.. and today, on the Facebook page I belong to, there was this post about Cyrus Thatcher.. it's quite sad, so get the tissues ready. The first few letters are before he was killed.

..........................................

In the spring of this year, the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles deployed to Afghanistan. Halfway through the battalion's tour, it has lost nine soldiers, with dozens injured.

Of those to have given their lives, four were teenagers. Here Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher, who was 19 when he was killed by an explosion near Gereshk seven weeks ago, tells his own story, through letters home and the last letter he left behind to bid farewell to his family – his mother Helena, father Robin and brothers Zac, 21, and Steely, 17.

Following are the words of a proud soldier described by his officers as possessing "a rucksack full of potential", and by his friends as a rascal always cracking jokes and helping to keep morale high. Most of all, they are the words of a young son to his mum, dad and brothers.
Terri Judd

27 April 2009

Hello Mum

I've just got your bluey [letter] (the 1st one) yea you are right it does get fucking hot, I can't work out wether I'm tanned or just burnt to fuck!! I've spoke to you on the phone so you no what I've been doing. I'm well proud of you loosing all that weight. Suppose you've got a pretty good insentive. We'v had the same shit maybe a month now. Everyday a Monday out here. You kind of loose track of days. I cant quite work out if its going fast or slow. This pen is shit its doing my head in!!

Iv been thinking of loads of things and places to do, go and see. Me and Elliott are gonna go to Amsterdam after this. THINK WE MAY HAVE DESERVED IT!! It should be a good day (November 5th) [their homecoming parade]. On the 6th we can go Belfast Iv'e got loads of sad things I wanna buy ie Sky+ Big TV. Get the old man to help me rearange my room and help me fix my shelves. Im not the DIY type normally resort to celler tape or blue tack. HA HA HA. Hope everyones safe at home. Complete detox out here – water no drink. So my dance moves might involve a bit of stumbling when I return! Im coming home 2 weeks earlier now so that's kinda good, it might be worth Zac picking me up give me a bit of chill out time so I don't try stab a gobby civvi plus he's a good listener, sumtimes I wonder if he's listening or thinking of sumthing completely irrelivant.

Well pass this round the family so they can all admire my extream spelling (infantry eh!). Lots of love to all the nearest and dearest. Love Ya!! Xxxx

1 May 2009

Hey Mum + family

Ill always address my letters to you cuz I no your probley the only one who gets to the mail!! You'll have to let me no how quick these are getting you ill keep writing the date?? Everything is good up this way getting hotter, still moving at a million miles per hour (HA HA HA) I think Iv'e stopped burning Im slowly going brown and my hair is getting ridiculous just wait till I come home ill look like a fucking wooky?! I was gonna write to granny + grandad but to be honest with the few spare hours I get Id'e rather write home ey? BTW send my regards to Daphne, Joan, Brian etc. Let em no how Im doing?

Every so often we get old people and churches send us little gifts like baby wipes, razors, sweets and stuff so its quite a good bit of moral. Got some really good photos ill have to bring my camera back so we can get that Kosovo collage on the go, to bring back on the 5th of November. If you saw what and where Ive been sleeping you would be shocked!! So pictures will back me up!

Unfortunately 3 blokes died 2 days ago in an IED explosion in one of the FOBs [Forward Operating Bases] bout 2 kilometers away – we visited that FOB 2 days before the attack – fucking mental quite scary actually! We'v had a rest day so Im doing a bit of hand washing and fitness! God you'd be so proud Ha! Ha! Ha! We've still had spam, rice, beans and unflavoured noodles every day – promise me actually I promise you if I see spam in the house ill fucking destroy it!! Im getting pretty good at making flat bread and we bout a goat of a local for 200 dollars and we slaughtered it. I got a good video. Its either catch it, kill it, or make it out here or else you go hungry LOL!! The showers are also freezing whilst Im on the subject of moaning?? Id'e best go again BUT ill keep writing when I get the time + ill be home in a couple of months. Love you'zzz all don't worry bout me to much. Theres only 3 things that kill people over hear BULLETS, BOMBS + EGOS so I might go down with a bad case of swollen head!! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. Love ya xxxxx

12 May 2009

Hello Mother

Yesterday was a massive day for moral an american chopper came in yesterday. I got 5 blueys one from Zac, Daphne, I think Sharpie sent one and Dad?? With some pictures that was great. I stared at them for about an hour I cant explain how good it is to get pictures and stuff you get grown men close to tears at the sight of there kid or a good night out its really strange how this place fucks with your head and emotions. A BIG ONE that I NEED you to try do (get started ill help when I get back) is appeal to local charitys, churches, major companys ie Zoo, Cadburys, boots you name it. Write to them and explain my whereabouts and they do send gifts, chocolate, sweets, magazines you name it trust me a lot of the lads parents did it and they've got clothes, the lot. Trust me Red bull, lucazade, fags AND SWEETS are wicked just keep sending them and URGE people to send photos they keep the moral SKY HIGH. I thought Steely and Zacs [poses] in the garden were quality. I can only prove how much a letter or small parcel means by finding time to right back – that's probley the most precious thing I have and Id'e trade hours for a letter.

On some much sadder news one of our rifleman died a few days back, we had a parade and a few minutes silence its so strange how many emotions you go through living in these conditions its like everything wants to beat you and rewin your day. Its about not letting it get to you and don't worry nothing fucking gets to me. Well Im off I love you all loads thanks for my parcels and letters. Lots of love xxx

14 May 2009

Hey Mum!

Its just gone 10 in the morning here Im on a stag rotation for the next 7 days guarding the FOB. Its 6 hours on 3 hours off so not much sleep. (Im already an hour in). If you could see what Im looking at now you'd be pretty shocked. Its pretty stunning to be honest. I could probley sling shot a stone from where we were last contacted [shot at] from Ha! Ha! Ha! Pretty fucking crazy huh? I shouldn't really tell you this but its safer than on the phone – were leaving this place. Its gonna be a fucking massive operation moving this lot + a lot of helicopter rides. So when I come back after R&R [leave] ill fly to [the main British camp] bastion then out to our new FOB. You don't really do much on stag. Swetting my tits of its gonna hit 50 degrees today. AAAAH Shit my grenade just fell out of my [body armour] – we wont mention that to any higherarcy will we now.

I think you said you were going to a weight loss thing a few days ago hope that well? (Just keep going) 37 days ill be home – not that Im counting or anything??? THINK there's a bird coming in today at 13.30 so this bluey will probley arrive with the others – well as always gotta go ill try ring when I get a top-up of minuets on Monday. FUCK knows what day it is I thought it was Sunday today. Ha! Ha! Well lots of love to you all!

Cyrus Thatcher was killed on 2 June 2009. This is the letter he wrote to be delivered to his family if he died:

Hello its me, this is gonna be hard for you to read but I write this knowing every time you thinks shits got to much for you to handle (so don't cry on it MUM!!) you can read this and hopefully it will help you all get through.

For a start SHIT I got hit!! Now Iv got that out the way I can say the things Iv hopefully made clear, or if I havent this should clear it all up for me. My hole life you'v all been there for me through thick and thin bit like a wedding through good and bad. Without you I believe I wouldn't have made it as far as I have. I died doing what I was born to do I was happy and felt great about myself although the army was sadly the ending of me it was also the making of me so please don't feel any hate toward it. One thing I no I never made clear to you all was I make jokes about my life starting in the Army. That's wrong VERY wrong my life began a LONG time before that (Obviously) but you get what I mean. All the times Iv tried to neglect the family get angry when you try teach me right from wrong wot I mean to say is I only realised that you were trying to help when I joined the army and without YOUR help I would have never had the BALLS, the GRIT and the damn right determination to crack on and do it. If I could have a wish in life it would to be able to say Iv gone and done things many would never try to do. And going to Afghan has fulfilled my dream ie my goal. Yes I am young wich as a parent must brake you heart but you must all somehow find the strength that I found to do something no matter how big the challenge. As Im writing this letter I can see you all crying and mornin my death but if I could have one wish in an "after life" it would be to stop your crying and continueing your dreams (as I did) because if I were watching only that would brake my heart. So dry your tears and put on a brave face for the rest of your friends and family who need you.

I want each and everyone of you to forfill a dream and at the end of it look at what you have done (completed) and feel the accomplishment and achievement I did only then will you understand how I felt when I passed away.

[To his brothers:] You are both amazing men and will continue to be throughout your lives you both deserve to be happy and fofill all of your dreams.

Dad – my idol, my friend, my best friend, my teacher, my coach, everything I ever succeeded in my life I owe to you and maybe a little bit of me! You are a great man and the perfect role model and the past two years of being in the army I noticed that and me and you have been on the best level we have ever been. I thank you for nothing because I no all you have given to me is not there to be thanked for its there because you did it cause you love me and that is my most proudest thing I could ever say.

Mum, where do I start with you!! For a start your perfect, your smell, your hugs, the way your life was dedicated to us boys and especially the way you cared each and every step us boys took. I love you, you were the reason I made it as far as I did you were the reason I was loved more than any child I no and that made me feel special.

Your all such great individuals and I hope somehow this letter will help you get through this shit time!! Just remember do NOT mourn my death as hard as this will seem, celebrate a great life that has had its ups and downs. I love you all more than you would ever no and in your own individual ways helped me get through it all. I wish you all the best with your dreams.

Remember chin up head down. With love Cyrus xxxx

It's Monday... and that means one thing....

2011-11-14T11:42:00.000Z

Yes, it's time for the Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge!!

This week is our number 3 Challenge and the theme is All the Two's... so here's my entry!

I have finally broken into my Timeless Forever Friends collection that I got the other week, and I must admit... I'm loving them!

The papers are pearlescent and come in a range of cream, beige and white tones... so I decided to combine them with a couple of stamped frames from the stamp sets, and a couple of little images. And my two's? Well, two pieces of paper, two embossed borders, two images, two frames.

Hope you like it! Why not nip over and play along.. we'd love to have your entries this week.

Happy Crafting!

To do or catch up?

2011-11-11T08:32:00.002Z

I'm getting better! Gosh, I hate feeling full of cold and throatiness... and I really don't like sounding like a fella! lol.. but as I say, I am getting better and hopefully normal service will resume on the blog shortly. So.. do you have a To Do list or a Catch Up list? Mine is more the catch up sort of list.. lol.

I have been busy this past week or so, creating projects for the next issue of the Creativity magasine, and also for the next set of demo's that I have leading upto Christmas.. although, thankfully, not all the kit contains christmas items! We have such a fantastic quilling kit, some beautiful Black and Gold Forever Friends papers, and the most awesome Urban stamps that you'll just love!

.... and after a busy day of crafting, this is the state of my workdesk.. lol. This is just the one side!

I did tidy it up a little too after the mammoth crafting exercise, but I still don't have too much room on there. Hey ho. It's a working area, what can I say. And can you see the Creativity mag on the desk? Well.. it beholds a joy of fantastic christmas projects in there, the felties on the front are no exception! They are beautiful.. and a definate on my 'To Do' list.

And I never did give you a run down of the NEC did I? Oh what a blast we had. I was there for the few days with Tina, editor of the Creativity magasine, and Emma, who is in charge of PR at Docrafts.. and we had such a great time. We laughed. We slept. We laughed.. sort of in that order.

This is a piccie of me, Ema Goddard and Emma from Docrafts. It was really lovely to see Ema G, as she's on the DT at the Crafty Bloggers Network, and also an avid member of our forum over on Facebook.

This is Tina and Emma... I love this pic of these fab ladies.

And last but not least, two other special ladies.. the one on my left is a wonderfully creative lady who comes down to my demo's at Derby Garden Centre. Her daughter is an awesome cardmaker too, which I think is lovely. The lady on my right is one who you need to keep your eyes out for. She's going to be featured in the January issue of the Creativity magasine, and I for one, can't wait!

To the other peeps who came over to visit us on the Docrafts stand, THANK YOU! It was lovely to see so many folks pass by for a chat, a question answered, or simply to pass by and sign up to the Creativity mag on subscription (yes.. we do a subscription now!).

I will be back to have more things to show you over the weekend... I'll photograph the samples I've made when I get my battery charged up in the camera.

Until then, happy crafting!!

A little project....

2011-11-09T11:52:00.001Z

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts for the past few days, but I've been a bit poorly since coming back from the NEC.. just full of cold and a bit sicky - nothing too serious, but my tummy feels like it's been through the ringer!

Anyway, I just wanted to share a quick link with you today. I was asked a while ago now to do some tutorials for a fab new site HERE and I created a couple of little albums.

Here's the link to the tutorial - please visit, leave a comment and I'll pop by and visit you too. Enjoy!!!

I also wanted to say a very big Thank you to Becky who came along to my Craft group yesterday to do a little Workshop for us... it was fab, and everyone enjoyed it! Thank you so much to all my lovely ladies who attended, and thank you to Becky.

R Kelly.. turn back the time

2011-11-07T16:53:00.000Z

Just sharing cos I love it!

NEC weekend.

2011-11-04T09:02:00.000Z

I'm having a weekend away this weekend. I'm off to the NEC to work for Docrafts on their stand, and it's going to be a tad exciting I'm sure! I love the NEC show, but it's a few years since I last went.

Here's the Docrafts stand, set up the other day (photo from FB)

Doesn't it look lovely?

So, if you're passing, why not pass by and say HI!! It would be lovely to see you.

I'll hopefully update again whilst I'm there, that's if the phone stops being a nelly and actually does what it's supposed to do! lol.

Keeping it simple - in more detail..

2011-11-01T06:41:00.000Z

I thought I'd show you my card for the new Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge that came live this week..

This is the card I chose to do, and I kept it simple by using a minimum number of colours and the design was simple too. I scored the sunrays on the score board, and the hearts were cut from some fab new XCut dies. I edged them in pink, then ran them through the Big Shot with a spotty embossing folder.

I added a couple of PM irridescent gems to the hearts too, well... you have to have a bit of bling don't you!

I hope you all find time to play along with us this week - it would be fab if you did!

Rainy Days

2011-11-01T06:38:00.000Z

It's Tuesday... and that only means one thing... it's time for the MTTC Challenge. The theme this week is Rainy Days, and I chose to use a brolly for my version.

I cut the card at an angle and matted the papers onto it. The image was stamped, coloured, cut out and stuck on to the panel at the top.

Of course.. just because I could, I added some glitter glue to the edge of the brolly for that bit of sparkle.

So, for the rest of today, I have to travel to Sheffield Hallamshire to see the consultant, then get on with some much needed work! I'm also getting prepared for the weekend, as I'll be at the NEC show with Docrafts on Saturday and Sunday.. it's gonna be fun!

I love it when times are busy.. lol.

Whatever you're upto today, Happy Crafting.. and I'll be back soon!

A brand new Challenge!!!

2011-10-31T09:10:00.002Z

Hi everyone... and welcome to the Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge Blog..

Here is our very first Challenge - and it's been a very exciting time getting everything set up and sorted for you all to join in!

The Theme for our very first Challenge is

'KEEP IT SIMPLE'

and that's exactly what we want you to do.

And for inspiration, our Design Team have been hard at work creating some fantastic pieces of work for you to look at. Here they are.

Emma

Nicola

Nikki

Marleen

Gemma

We would absolutely love to see all your creations - please leave us a comment so we can come and visit your blog too, or even pop by and say Hello!!

Happy Crafting!

Just sharing..

2011-10-27T12:32:00.001+01:00

I just want to share this photograph with you all.

When I went to Bath on Tuesday, I stayed at the most amazing Bed and Breakfast you could ever imagine. The hospitality was second to none, and the room (and additional breakfast/tv room!) were divine.

On my way into Bath Wednesday morning, I couldn't help but stop and get out my camera to take this photo across the fields. It looked awesome! I'm so glad it turned out just how I wanted it to.

I also spent the day with this nice chap in the studio.....

His name is Alun, and he's the new videographer for the Creativity TV videos.. and what a lovely fun person he was too - and he has the most beautiful baby boy too! (And you can also find him on Wikipedia!! How's that for fame!)

Right.. must make a move because I'm visiting my daughter later in hospital and I really need to get some of this work sorted and finished off.

Happy Crafting everyone!!

What a week!

2011-10-25T07:25:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd just post a brief update before I shoot off to Bath to do some filming for Docrafts today, although to be honest, there's not really much to tell!

I've been busy shooting off to the Hallamshire in Sheffield almost every day to visit my daughter who has been in there for almost over a week. Saying that, she was sent home on Sunday for the day, but needed to be back on Monday morning at 9 o'clock sharp.. lol.

We still don't have a definate diagnosis to what is happening, but hopefully after further testing this week, we should be a bit clearer to what's going on.

It's been such a tough few weeks - well, since the beginning of September when this all started - and to be honest, I don't often write about personal things on my blog anymore (mainly for private reasons) but I just needed to let you - my trusty blog followers - know what's happening, so when I don't post for a period of time, it's because I'm busy with 'stuff' rather than just not having anything to show you.

The problems my daughter has, have been there since the beginning of September, and it's now the end of October and we are not really any nearer finding out what's happening than we were then. The diagnosis we were given a few weeks ago is now in doubt, and they are testing for rarer and rarer things.. But I'm sure we'll get there in the end.

So.. today, I'm off to Bath until tomorrow, and I have some very lovely projects to film for the Creativity TV members over at Docrafts. You know... I love my job!! I get to work with some fab product, alongside a group of very talented people at Docrafts, and get to play and get messy! What more could anyone ask for?!

But before I set off, I have the job of making some invitations, hospital appointments, shopping and dog sorting! Poor old Scoobs.... he now has a collar/bucket on his head as his foot has now healed, but the dressing has reacted with his footsie and it's got inflamed, sore and weepy.. poor little sod.. he's feeling so sorry for himself.

Still... that's life - and if it's not throwing one thing at us, it's a bucket load all at once.. Haha. So, I'll leave you all today with a bouquet of flowers (picture off the web) and wish my darling beautiful daughter a speedy recovery... we want you home, safe and well. Get well soon!

fluttery fairy

2011-10-23T04:41:00.001+01:00

This is the last of my Enchanted Christmas cards that I'd like to share for now. And again, this is one that was coming to my demo's with me.

I kept the design of the card quite simple because the fairy was very detailed. I don't like to overpower the layering when the main image is so beautiful. So, I just did a simple layering onto the card, and cut out the scallop circles to add some detail. I cut a green one and a white one, and layered them up a little wonky to each other so that it makes a lovely border.

Here she is in more detail. Again, she's coloured with watercolour pencils, but I didn't work them with water. I just layered them up colourwise to mix the tones together. I finished the card off with a few adhesive pearls and a lovely white bow. Simple and stylish.

Now.. look what I found blooming in the garden the other day? After a few days of frosts, and some quite lousy weather if I'm honest, here's the beauty that was glowing next to the fence..

I thought I'd take a picture of the perfect rose.. because they always tend to look a bit tatty once they've opened up. I've also got some honeysuckle just starting to bloom too... very odd flowers I have in my garden! I think they've got their body clocks mixed up! lol.

Going wonky...

2011-10-22T04:33:00.000+01:00

How're we all? Today, I'm sharing another card from my recent demo's with you.. this time, it's a wonky card. I love making wonky shaped cards at the demo's, mainly because I can show a very easy way to matt and layer them without having to do loads of measuring! This is the one I showed this time around.

I've used the deer from the Enchanted Christmas stamp set from Papermania.... told you I love this set! And this deer is just a joy to work with..

I used the Enchanted papers too, and the colours and designs are really nice. I finished the card off with a handmade flower, a ribbon and a few gems. I think the designs are so lovely, you don't really need to add too much to dress them up.

I've used watercolour pencils to colour her (is it a her? it looks like a her!) and I finished her off with some glitter on her wings.. she looks beautiful me thinks!

I'll be back soon with another card.. so please check back. And feel free to leave a comment if you would like, as I'd love to come and visit your bloglet too..

Magical Christmas

2011-10-21T08:32:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd share this card with you today. I am loving the Enchanted Christmas set of stamps by Papermania.. and this little Fairy is no exception. She fits perfectly into the scallop circle die and is a lovely size to colour.

I stamped and coloured the little fairy with watercolour pencils, and inked around the edge of the circle to shade it down a little. The background was done with the Papermania embossing folders, a spotty one and a snowflake one.

This is a closer look for you.

Sorry it's such a quick post, but I'm having to play catch up this morning - I've got some Creativity TV items to finish off making (they're looking lovely, even if I say myself!!) and I've also got some Creativity magasine commissions to get stuck into when my kit arrives.

Apart from this, I'm still running up and down to the Hallamshire to see my daughter, who is probably going to be in until next week, and trying to keep up with the h******rk! Sorry for swearing, crafters! lol.

Right.. must make a move! Things to be done. So, whatever you're upto today.. have a good one! xx

Punches and Dies..

2011-10-19T10:52:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone.

Sorry for the lateness of this post - and the others I meant to put up over the weekend! - but things have just been a bit hectic recently.

First things first, and yesterday was the day that the new My Time to Craft Challenge went live, and the theme this week was Punches and Dies.

Here was my card -

I've used the lovely papers from Docrafts - Forever friends Christmas Tale - and I layered the red onto the white card. I then took a 1.5 inch scallop square punch to cut the second layers. This was the punch section! My die section was the central circle and scallop circle. The toppers that were released a month or so ago finish the card off perfectly. These were layered up with 3D pads and then finished with gems.

Aren't these toppers lovely?? I managed to bag myself a few of the snowmen ones and a couple of packs of reindeers.. I think they're so cute.

In addition to making cards for the Challenge, I've also been busy doing some cards and things for the Creativity TV. I'm off down to Bath next week for shooting the next set of videos - and there are some great techniques going on!

Things in the house have also been rather hectic. Holly has had a few days where she's been generally off colour and a bit sicky.. but I think she seems alot better today. No sickies, and looking quite alert and raring to play. This is a quick pic that I snapped this morning whilst she was out in the garden.

My little pupster! Love you Hollypops!

Mr Scoobs has also got a poorly footsie, so he's off to the vets again later to check and see if it's able to be unbandaged. Does he look worried?? I don't think so! Here he is this morning.. the handsome thing!

My daughter was out with Truly last night on a quick evening walk, and came across a poor little hedgiehog who was a little out-of-sorts. He was circling around the field, not really knowing where he was going.. he was a teeny tiny little thing (around 200g, so really underweight to survive the cold), so we bought him home and made him comfortable and warm. He was fed and ate the lot.. he must've been hungry. Here's Harold (as we named him.. cos everyone knows that hedgies need a name!)

This photo was taken around 10pm last night, when we were bedding him down for the night. He was quite a fiesty little thing.. very nosy, but oh so cute!

This morning, he was all snuggled up in his towel, all nice and comfortable, and fast asleep. His little belly and feet had warmed up toasty warm, and he rolled himself to a ball when I picked him up for a picture.
This is a really good sign that he can curl up... so he must've been feeling better.

Look at his tiny little nose..

I have a love for the little hedgies.. they're such a lovely creature. It's such a shame that they are in decline.

Harold has now gone off with the RSPCA man, to be overwintered in their Wildlife Centre. So good luck to him, and I hope he goes on to live a very happy life, much like our Hyacinth that we raised a few years ago.

Well.. that's it for now.. more posts will be here tomorrow if I get chance! I'm back to running up and down to the Hallamshire again this week, as my daughter got admitted yesterday. It's been a bit of a tough month for her, but hopefully after her second MRI scan in as many months, we will know a bit better to what's happening and what will be done.

Until then... happy crafting! And thank you for popping by!

Enchanting

2011-10-14T05:52:00.002+01:00

The new range of Enchanted Christmas products have been really popular in the stores, and this past weekend I was over at Samual Taylors doing my demo, and was working with this range.

I coloured in the deer using the same technique that I used before, and here he is.. I hope you like it. Sorry for the quick post..I'm playing catch up after hospital appointments in Sheffield yesterday.

Loving the Big Ones!

2011-10-13T02:39:00.001+01:00

The new big stamps from Papermania are great! They instantly fill up a large card and are great to colour in too!

Here, I've used the Bauble Stamp and it was Project of the Week last week.

You can click HERE to find the full instructions and how to make it!.

Happy Crafting everyone.

Tuesday's Craft class update

2011-10-12T09:52:00.000+01:00

What a night.

It was my Craft Class on Tuesday evening and we had a few newbies there too - Welcome Lynne and Gemma!

We made two projects this week because they were slightly more time consuming, but everyone seemed to enjoy doing their cards. Here's what we made.

This card was inspired by Francoise Read's card that I saw on Saturday over at Samuel Taylor's demo day, where I was working. I told her I loved it, and bought the set, and this was my take on it.

We used brads for the nose of Rudolph. Doesn't he look cutesy?

The next card that we made was this one here - a paper pieced birdy. Again, Francoise was using it, but I can't remember what the original card looked like.. so I simply matted and layered it up onto Christmas papers.

And the obligitory close up..

Now then... hold on to your waistline...

I usually take biscuits or something to have with our drinks on the evening, but yesterday decided to do some baking.

This is what I made - Lemon Cupcakes. The recipe is a basic sponge, with a little bit of a twist in the centre, and I dressed them up with lemon icing and drizzle on the top... don't they look nice??

Everyone enjoyed them.. even if they were a bit sickly.. lol.. Now onto next times cakes.. well, more on the 8th November as this is the next class that I'm taking. For our next actual class on the 25th October, Sharon is taking the lead for that evening, as I am going down to Bath to do some Creativity TV filming.

So.. until next time - Happy Crafting!

A Monster bash...

2011-10-12T09:37:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone!

I have well and truly been chasing my tail this week with one thing or another - in fact, it's been the same more or less since all the hospital visits the other week... but I'm finally managing to get my blog updated and post some bits..

The first thing that I want to show you is a project that has just gone live on the Docrafts site this morning.. and it's one of my favourite things for this Halloween that I've made!

Here you go -

A little Monster family.. it started to grow the other week, with a little project we'd done in class.. and it developed into these.. I love 'em.. they're so cute and sooo easy to make!! Check out the Docrafts site HERE to get the instructions.

A weekend of work

2011-10-09T20:57:00.000+01:00

It's been a very busy weekend with demo's on both days.

Yesterday, Saturday, I was over at Samuel Taylor's in Leeds, working on behalf of Docrafts for their Big Demo Day.. it was great - Sheena Douglas, Clare Rowlands, Nikky Hall and more were there, and it was lovely to chat and be part of it.

I also had a fab group of ladies who kept popping back to see me and ask me things, which is really lovely, and I loved sharing all my ideas and thoughts with you all!

Today, I was back at the Range in Rotherham.. a great store for a crafter.. and what a shock I got when one of the girls from the Doncaster store walked over. She has had a bit of a promotion, and is now permanently at Rotherham.. quite sad that I won't see her in Doncaster anymore, but it's lovely to know that work is going great for her.

The folks over at Rotherham were a great group too - and there were familiar faces from yesterday too! Too much spending going on there me thinks! lol.

Well.. That's all my news from this weekend - I will be back with some projects soon I promise. I haven't had the chance to take any photos of what I've been making, but I will this week!!

Take care everyone - Happy Crafting!!

Is it... or isn't it??

2011-10-07T07:23:00.002+01:00

Animated.. that is the question!!! lol. Fingers crossed... here goes...

Kraft-y times again..

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000+01:00

As you can guess, I have been at the Kraft card again - and decided to use it with the fantastic Enchanted Christmas range of products.. two of my favourite things from this loop of demo's. Here's a close up to start with.

I have used the darker side of the Kraft card to stamp and colour and coloured using the same technique that I did on yesterday's card.

I layered onto mirror card to add a bit of shine, and kept it quite simple. I also created some little 'buttons' to add to the card -

These were created using the small xcut punch and then embossing the centre with the cropodile.. simple, but nice!

Loving the Kraft....

2011-10-03T10:53:00.000+01:00

I can't quite believe another week has nearly passed and I didn't manage to get back online to update my blog - so sorry if you've been visiting for updates and there hasn't been any! I promise I'll try harder ... lol.

This week has been really hectic in more ways than one - we've been helping my daughter move into her new home she has with Lee, waiting in for furniture deliveries, trying to get some samples made up, projects needing to be sent here, there and everywhere, and finally spend some time for 'me' to keep me sane! lol.

Still... we survived it, it's just the dust bunnies now that need sorting out in my house! But they can wait a little while until I get this post up and sorted.

Today, I want to share with you a card idea I've been playing around with for a while, and it uses the Papermania Kraft card as my base for stamping.

I decided to try out the Tatty Teddy on it first, as he does actually look really nice coloured brown, so thought I'd put him on brown and colour him as normal.. he looks a bit good doesn't he?!

Here's a close up of the teddy.. adding the colour onto the Kraft makes it go slightly textured, and you can blend really well too... I think he looks lovely. What do you think?

I'm going to sort out the post to put my second card on tomorrow (In case I forget as I'm meeting Sharon in town for a coffee!).

I do think that this is a technique I'll be doing more of - everyone at my demo on Saturday was loving the different look.. why don't you give it a try too, and let me know if you do, and I'll come a blog-visiting!

My time to Craft Challenge

2011-09-28T06:32:00.000+01:00

It's Challenge time again over at the My Time to Craft Challenge, and this weeks theme is Musical Medley.

I chose to use a Christmas theme on my card, so I went with Silent Night. Here's my card.

I used the village scene from the new range of Christmas Time stamps from Docrafts. I watercoloured it, and added some glitter around to give it a sparkle. The flower was stamped and layered up and I finished it off with some raffia.

I hope you can play along with us this week. It would be great to see your entries!

Sparkly baubles

2011-09-28T06:08:00.001+01:00

This past month I've been out doing my demonstrations for Docrafts, and have had the pleasure of working with some fantastic stamps.. this bauble stamp is no exception. So when I was asked if I could do a Project of the Week for Docrafts, I happily obliged!

This is what I came up with.

You can find the link to a better picture and instructions on how to make it HERE on the Docrafts site.

Devoted to Kiarra.

2011-09-25T05:08:00.028+01:00

This post is especially devoted to our little cat, Kiarra. Here she is.

It's not very often that you can get a good picture of her as she isn't the most sociable of cat sometimes ( !! ) and tends to turn away. But I couldn't resist taking a few photos of her yesterday as she was sat on the shoe box of all places!

She's such a sweetie now. When we first got her, my husband and son bought her and her siblings home from where they were living in a carrier bag in the hedge! They were all quite small and were aged from 2 weeks (which Kiarra was approximately) to 6 weeks. We kept Kiarra and reared her ourselves.

The others were taken by the RSPCA as we couldn't possibly manage all of them!

She grew up to be a bit of a tyrant.. quite nasty, and to be honest, you wouldn't have wanted to look at her at one time.. but now, around 13 years later, she's the most loving of cats you would ever want..... at times!

She's showing her age now, still quite fiesty and energetic at times, but quite lethargic and arthritic at others.

Bless her.

Nativity..

2011-09-24T04:59:00.026+01:00

Today, I'm off demonstrating up at the Range in Doncaster, and here's one of the cards that will be with me if you pop along.

I absolutely love these new 5 x 7 inch stamps from Docrafts. They make your cardmaking so easy! They are a doddle to stamp, and a breeze to colour in too. I've done my card slightly differently and done a bit of decoupaging with it.

You can also see the fold of the card here - this is one that was on Joanna Sheen's website and I came across it through Cliona's blog. It's a great fold, but I altered the measurements to make them easier to do.
I can't personally be faffing with a point of a centimetre.. !

Here you can see the depth of the decoupage. I have only done a maximum of three layers so that it would still fit into a standard envelope.

I hope you like it!

Especially for Vala...

2011-09-23T08:58:00.000+01:00

I promised a long time ago that I would do a little tutorial for a mini album that was at my demonstrations with me a few months ago. So, as promised to Vala, here you go!

The first thing you need to do is to cut your mountboard for the covers. These measure 4 inches x 4 inches. You will also need your three pages, measuring 8 inches x 4 inches.

Score your pages at 2 inches and 6 inches from the short edge. Fold these edges in to create pages measuring 4 inches x 4 inches.

The first two pages go together by sticking the squares together. Stick them back to back as shown.

The third page sticks together on the 2 inch section at the right. Apply your adhesive and stick together as shown below.

This is the book pages and how they stick together.

Holding the book pages at the end, you can see how they are joined.

Cover the book covers. I cover them the same inside and out.

Use whatever you choose for your binding. I have punched holes in this one for the easiest, but usually I would use my Bind it All to put it all together.

This is how the pages go into the book.. the top is the first page.

Decorate your book pages. I cut my squares for the main panel to 3 3/4 inches square and the side panels are cut to 1 3/4 inches x 3 3/4 inches.

A very quick decoration of the front of the book.. I used Tatty Teddy decoupage and here you can see the tied ribbons holding it all together.

I hope that all makes sense.. I didn't have time to do a video tutorial for it. Any questions, just ask!

Are you getting the most from your embossing folders?

2011-09-21T21:16:00.000+01:00

I'd like to share this little tutorial with you today.. as I often find at my demonstrations that people get a bit dispondent with their embossing folders, and think that all you can do with them is to emboss. I always show another way, and now, I'd like to share it on my blog.

This is the card that I made -

And the embossing folder that I used was the new large Papermania Christmas tree. Isn't it lovely? It works so well as a stamp too! And here's how to do it.

First, you will need an embossing folder that you want to use as a stamped image, some ink and some cardstock.

Open up the embossing folder and you will see that you have a plain plastic side and a side with a black outline on. You need to rub the ink over (very carefully) onto the plain side of the plastic. This is the raised side and will give you a nice clear 'stamped' image.

Rub it over very lightly, and if you have any excess ink on the plastic, wipe it off with a cloth.

Take your cardstock and hold it next to the side of the folder with the black outline on. This is the front. Lower it very carefully into position on the top of the inked side.

Rub over the top of the folder with whatever you have to hand. I used an acrylic block. You just need to apply a little bit of pressure onto the top of the folder.

When you have gone over all the image, then lift the top of the folder very carefully, making sure that the cardstock stays in place.

This is the inked design transferred onto your cardstock.

The only thing to remember with this technique is that it will reverse the image. Here you can see the embossed design and also the 'stamped' image.

The next step is to colour your image. I used Papermania pens and a watercolour image as I wanted a very light colour shade. I used the Vintage set of pens.

Rub over some of the colours onto your glass mat (or acrylic block, or plastic wrapping). This will be your colour palette.

Pick up the colours with your water brush, and colour in your design with your chosen colours.

You can see that my watercolouring is quite shaded. This is created by adding a second layer of colour to one side of the baubles.

Take a pen and use it directly to colour in the garlands on the design.

Trim the image to size ready for matting and layering.

Choose a ribbon that will coordinate with your design and tie a bow. Attach this to the bottom of the design.

Finish the card off with a few adhesive gems.
And here are the finished pair of cards.

Two completely different looking cards from the one embossing folder. Double the value!

The one on the left is the 'stamped' technique and I've layered it onto the lovely Christmas Time vellum from Docrafts. (Love this stuff, and it smells really nice too! Bonus!!).

The one on the right is embossed as it should be, but I've rubbed some brown ink over the design to accent it, then layered up onto brown cardstock and again, some of the lovely vellum. I finished it with a brown ribbon and a greeting from the Christmas Time papers.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.. and if you try it, I'd love to pop by and take a peep!

Happy Crafting!!

L is for...

2011-09-20T04:24:00.014+01:00

It's Challenge time over at the My Time to Craft challenge.. but I haven't got too much time this morning to upload as we're back down to the Hallamshire this morning.. so very quickly, here is my entry ..

So... maybe you can guess... but my L is for Lines and Layering..

I started off my card by embossing the circle die onto the cardstock, then using my XCut score board to create the sunburst lines.

I decorated up the layer of blue cardstock with the Glitterations snowflakes. (I love these!!)

The cute little teddies are of course, the Me to You bears .. these stickers are available from Docrafts stockists.. and they help to make your quick cardmaking a lot easier!

So.. that's it for today... Sorry about the shortness.. I'll be back soon with a tutorial for those who asked this last weekend!

A little thank you..

2011-09-19T09:58:00.000+01:00

Obviously, the word Little is a bit of an understatement here..

After an horrendous week travelling to a range of different hospitals with Carley, and being there with her while she has all her tests to find out what's wrong, I was absolutely gobsmacked to receive these flowers from her.

(The ones with the bow are what I recieved from her, the others are remains of a bouquet from my husband)

They smell absolutely lovely and the colours of the flowers are wonderful - such a lovely arrangement. The card had a very simple message saying 'Thank You'.. but my darling, Carley, I would have been there with you all the way, flowers or not.. But I do appreciate them, they're lovely, and I hope you get better soon.. or at least we find out what's causing the problems. I love you!

Oh what a journey!

2011-09-18T18:22:00.000+01:00

Well, after quite an horrendous week with one thing or another, I can honestly say, I have never been so pleased to see home as I was yesterday... even if it took a while to get there!

I took my usual bi-monthly trip up to Southport to do my Docrafts demo, and the day went brilliantly. Everyone was so lovely and my usual ladies and gents were all eager to learn some different techniques, and also to talk about their current makes which is always nice.

I set off home a little later than 4pm, and on the way back, it said that there were problems on the M62 between junctions 21 and 24.. exactly where I needed to be! So I came off at junction 20 and took a diversion - courtesy of Mrs Satnav! Well... did she throw a wobbly!!! The sat nav basically didn't have a clue where I was going and ended up somewhere up above Rochdale, up hill and down dale, (and believe me if I tell you the hills were really high!). I went onto an 'A' road (or so satnav said!) although, I am totally unsure that this... see below... is an A road!

It looks more like a muck track to me! However, the drive around the hills ( !! ) was quite nice and scenic, and I stopped to call home, but alas no signal.. so I took a few photos instead. Well... it's better than nothing eh?!

I had to drive over the bridge on this photo above... how brave am I?!

So... as you can see... lovely scenery! I am honestly not sure of where I ended up.. but I arrived home near enough three hours later than I should've been! Home sweet home... so pleased to have got there finally, I can tell you!

Back to crafting tomorrow.. then hospital appointments again from Tuesday.. let's see how this week pans out - surely it's got to be better than the last!

A tutorial and a challenge..

2011-09-13T05:13:00.000+01:00

Well... it's Tuesday today, so that must mean it's time for the My Time to Craft Challenge again.. and the theme for this weeks challenge is a Kaleidoscope of Colour. Here's the card that I've made for this week.

I've used the -now infamous! - technique that people who come to my demo's, call the 'Splodging Technique'.

Here's a little detail from the card. My Kaleidoscope of colour was made using chalks and an embossing folder.
Here's how I did it...

You will need -

Embossing folder of your choice (I used the Me to You new Christmas embossing folder)
Decorative chalks (I used the pastel Papermania chalk set)
Some cotton wool
Clear pigment ink
Embossing machine (ie. Sizzix Boutique or Big Shot both work well.... as does a rolling pin or shaving brush!)

Ink up the plain side of the embossing folder with the pigment ink. Give it a heavyish coating of ink.

When you have inked up your folder, place your piece of card inside and close the folder over the top. Run this through your chosen embossing machine, or go over with a rolling pin to create an embossed effect.

The ink is now transferred onto the card, along with the embossing.. so take your scrunched up cotton wool and rub it into the chalks. I work from light to dark, but just start with your chosen colour.

Then just bounce your cotton wool and chalk onto the cardstock. Mix the colours up across the card. When you have a thin layer of colour around the card, you can then rub over very lightly to finish.

Layer up the cardstock onto a piece of coordinating cardstock, and attach a piece of ribbon around the base of the card.

Choose the topper that you want to use on your card. I chose to use this lovely Tatty Ted from the Winter Wonderland Ultimate kit.

When I started to decoupage my Tatty, I started off with layer two, and I can then use layer one to create a topper on another card. You can see this below.

When I layer up my Tatty, or any other decoupage, I like to curl the papers between my fingers so that they lay better together.

This is how the layers look when they're all together.

And here he is in place on my card. The colours of chalks matched in with the image.

Add a few gems along the ribbon to add a little shine and bling.

Now, apply some glitter glue around the hood.. I like to apply a great big blob...

...... then I spread it out with my fingers to give a nice even coverage. Yep.. just call me scruffy!

And that's how I created my card at the top of the page.. I hope you found the tutorial easy to follow.. it should have been a video, but the camera was out of poof! Never mind.. one of those coming soon!

I hope you give the tutorial a try. I'd love to nip over and see what you've created, so leave me a comment and I'll nip over and visit.. Happy Crafting everyone!!

Keeping it simple...

2011-09-09T10:07:00.000+01:00

When I do my demo's, I like to cater for all abilities of cardmakers from beginners to the more advanced, and the two cards today are aimed more at the beginners.

This card uses some of the lovely Christmas time papers and decoupage sets. I love the traditional look of this range. The card above has some very simple matting and layering.

This is the decoupage in a little more detail. All the decoupage is already die cut, so all you need to do is pop it out and get going on your project.

This card is the new style dimensional card from Docrafts. They stand up nice and tall and have quite alot of depth to the card.

Here you can see all the five layers together.

I'm working on more samples for my demo at the weekend, so I'll upload them as soon as I can.

Happy Crafting everyone!

Embossed sleigh

2011-09-08T10:28:00.000+01:00

Well... I'm not sure what happened with my prescheduled post .. but it's here now. Sorry it didn't upload as promised!

There's something quite magical about sleigh's at Christmas.. well, I think so anyway. So when I got this stamp in the Goody Bag from Docrafts, I had to ink it up straight away and get it stamped!

I decided to use silver embossing powder and pigment ink to give it some shine, and in the photograph below, you can see what detail there is in the stamp. I cut out a second layer of the sleigh (my poorly fingers!!) and layered it up. I love the fact you can add some dimension in this way. I didn't want to make the image too fussy, so I added an effect on the background card to lighten it a little.

I hope you like today's card.

This weekend, I'm up at Lambton Garden Centre, in County Durham doing a demo from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. If you're passing, it would be lovely to see you. I must fly now to get cracking on some sample making.

Happy Crafting everyone!!

Sharing a Photo Tutorial with you all

2011-09-06T11:00:00.000+01:00

Would you like to take photographs for your blog that look like this - which has a cluttered background,

Or this.... which has a lovely white background and no interference!

I personally think the second one looks better - no clutter, just the card.. I don't like scanning my pictures much either, because they glare with the light and spoil the cards a little, but if this is the only thing you can do, then you have to do it. (just use a photo editing program to alter the levels after.. lol)

So here's a little tutorial for you today... this is how I take my photographs (mostly!!).

Now, you'll see clearly if you check 'em out... which ones on my blog are taken with this set up and which ones haven't .. lol..

Enjoy your tutorial..

This is my set up..

Now, as you can see, I have two lamps - one is a standard bendy lamp with a normal light bulb in it, normal 60w. The other lamp which comes in from the front is my Creativity lamp I bought to use in my studio because it has a daylight bulb in it and my previous lamp is in pieces!! - you don't need this, just another angle / bendy neck lamp is absolutely fine. Generally, I am photographing in daylight anyway, never usually at night, so all you are needing is extra light.

Now, this is a photograph of a card without the set up, clearly showing the problem of a cluttered background...

And this is a photograph of a card using the set up.

Now then - a few pointers.

For mine, I decided against using a box with the sides and top cut out, and lined with white papers, basically for storage reasons. My studio is not all that big, and I would have problems storing it. I went to my local Range, and bought some white Foam Mount Board - this has a plasticky outing (so easily cleanable) and has a foam core, so even when I have cut my slots for the lamp (I have one in the top, one in the side for different positioning) it is very self supporting, but I can tape it together randomly with a bit of masking tape and then take it apart to store it. It's slightly larger than an A4 size, which is perfect for cards.

The other thing that I tend to do is to use a piece of white printer paper taped onto the back of the set up, around half way up the back, sloping gradually and taped to the bottom section too. This makes sure that the light is even and not too harsh into the edges.

For those that like to 'fiddle' with their photographs and put in watermarks etc, as I tend to do, then you can use a photography program like Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, or even better than purchasing (more money for craft supplies!) you can download a fantastic little program called Gimp from the internet. This works exactly the same as photoshop, which I have, but is totally free.

I'll also just mention cameras.. if you do take a photo with a point and shoot type camera, then see if you can turn off the flash - it will make the colours of your cards look more intense. I personally use Canon EOS DSLR cameras.. the one that is designated for my card photography is my 400D because it permanently has my macro lens on it, so I can go in really close for the little details.

So.. go enjoy your photographing, and hope you enjoy this little bit of help xx

it's Bath time..

2011-09-06T05:25:00.001+01:00

Today I'm on my road trip to Bath - but first, I'd like to show you my card that I left you with yesterday.

This is the card in full. I used one of the new Kinetic card kits that are available, and it moves by pulling the little tab on the side.

I've mounted it up onto an A5 card blank and layered it simply on some greeny blue coloured cardstock. I kept it quite simple and just added some snowflakes around the edges.

isn't this Tatty Ted so sweet?

Anyway.. as I said, today I'm off to Bath to film some more episodes for Creativity TV tomorrow, so a fun filled day - I'm sure - will be had by all! We've got quite a bit to get through tomorrow, so I must fly and get some packing done!

This weekend I'm up at Lambton Park Garden Centre in Chester Le Street, County Durham. So if you're passing, it would be lovely to see you and say hello. I'm there on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Oops.. nearly forgot.. here's a sneeky peek of tomorrows card. I'm going to upload everything and hope (fingers crossed) that things come on when they should!

A little Tatty Teddy

2011-09-05T07:25:00.000+01:00

Morning folks...

I want to share this little chappy with you today - isn't he sweet?? I'm definately getting in the Christmas spirit with these new items from Docrafts. And this Tatty Teddy has to be my favourite!

He's the new stamp and embossing folder that is on release now, and he's such a lovely size. My card blank is an A5 and I've embossed the background and inked around with a sponge to add a lighter colour.

I added some 3D gloss to his nose and details on the snowman costume, and finished him with a bit of glitter. I made my Tatty a browner colour instead of the usual grey, more because he was in the snowman costume than anything else and I wanted him to stand out a little.

Here's a sneek peek of my card for tomorrow.

A little card for you

2011-09-03T19:58:00.000+01:00

I am really trying to get my blog updated on a more regular basis, but things just seem to keep getting in the way. This next week I am in Bath filming more episodes for the Docrafts Creativity TV films. I am really looking forward to it too - it's quite an experience I can tell you!

But as I said earlier, today I've been out demoing, and next week I'll be doing the same.. so I want to share a few cards that came with me on my travels.. starting with this one.

I love these big A5 stamps! They're really lovely to stamp and fill an otherwise blank card up very nicely! I have trimmed this one down a little and put some of the Me to You papers behind the image to add some colour.

The three kings were finished with a bit of the 3D Anita's gloss.. love that stuff!

And Mary and Joseph were finished with eyes!! In fact all of my faces have eyes as it just seemed so wierd to stamp without any!

I hope you like the card.. more to follow.. until then, happy crafting and have a great Sunday!

There's been some snappin' going on...

2011-09-03T19:52:00.000+01:00

I had to giggle to myself today.. I've just returned from a FAB day demoing down in Derby (me loves that shop!) and naughty Cheryl took a photo of me. Cheryl and the rest of the staff are really lovely, so I don't really mind that they snapped me and the customers to put on their Facebook page.. I feel quite honoured really!

So.. here's the photo for you. Not quite sure what I was doing - who knows! But everyone seemed to really enjoy their day with me.

And this one below was taken at Grimsby Crafts last week, and I think I was just about to make a card box to go with a set of 4 inch cards. I saw the pic this evening whilst doing my blog hopping.. what a suprise it is to see yourself on a site! lol.

Next week I'm doing a demo up in County Durham, at the Lambton Garden Centre.. so if you're passing and would like to nip in and say HI.. it would be lovely to meet you.

Well I never...

2011-09-01T07:06:00.001+01:00

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Tuesday? Already?

2011-08-30T12:16:00.000+01:00

I love Bank Holidays.. I love the long weekends, and the extra time at home as a family.. but don't they make the week go quickly? I did have a demo on Sunday at Grimsby Crafts, and a lovely day it was too! Lynne and the girls at the shop were absolutely wonderful, and the customers were so friendly and chatty.. it was a great day!

It's Tuesday already, and I'm lating posting my Challenge card for the My Time to Craft Challenge as my phone line was being upgraded this morning, so I was offline and - to my youngest's dismay! - had no internet!

Still... I'm here now, and can show you my card that I made for this weeks challenge of 'In full bloom'.

I love this poppy stamp that was bought out by Docrafts a while ago now, and I decided to use the colours of the flower for the card, so I kept it all together by using red and green as my theme.

I stamped the image twice and cut out the little bow to create some dimension to the card.

I hope you like it.. I thoroughly enjoyed making it.

Ploddin' on...

2011-08-25T07:13:00.001+01:00

After what seems like an eternity, I finally have my new phone in my hands and so far - touch wood- it seems to be wanting to do everything I need it to do.. !

So this is really just a very quick blog post to check that my mobile blogging is still available.... And if you're reading this, then I take it that it is! Haha.

Such a loss..

2011-08-23T07:14:00.000+01:00

So long, Red 4 and Fl Lt John Egging. Such a tragedy.

Images from Google

Here come the girls...

2011-08-23T07:04:00.000+01:00

Morning all....

I'm up bright and early this morning as I have quite alot of work to get through, after spending most of yesterday trying to get at least ONE of my phones to work! The house phone is now working - thank goodness - and my mobile can make and take calls and texts.. but that's all. I don't know - these new-fangled-all-singing-all-dancing phones that promise you the world, are definately a pain in the rump when they go wrong!

Hey ho.. onwards and upwards.. and I'm not stressing about it today - too much work to get done for Thursday!!

So.. onto my cards for today, and I'd like to show you my entry for this weeks My Time to Craft Challenge.. and the theme this week is Here Come the Girls.

I had the perfect stamps to create my cards, and I decided to keep the design really clean and simple.

This is all three of the cards together - I just couldn't decide on which image was my favourite - John Byers images are all so lovely (even the male ones!) that I had to use them all!

These are all from the Nostalgia range, which was bought out last year, but I'm ashamed to say my stamps have never been inked up.. so I was glad to get them out and have a play.

Out of all of the range, I think this one has to be my favourite -

It just reminds me of my girls when they were younger - rainy weather, their own favourite brolly, and their love of wellies and splashing in puddles!

I do hope you can play along with us this week - if you do, leave me a comment and I'll come a-visiting!

What a lovely weekend!

2011-08-21T20:51:00.001+01:00

It really has been a peaceful weekend here, the weather has been nice too which makes a change! I've had a very chilled out couple of days, and today was out in the garden fighting back the weeds with the help of my hubby and his sturdy strimmer!

The dogs loved their newly cut garden too.. as did I... and I couldn't resist taking a few photos of the ones I could catch (Truly.. you really must learn to sit still more! lol)

So.. here's my photos for today.. sorry, no cards, as I have a card-free couple of days when I can. Although this week, it seems that most of my time has been card free! Still.... as a photographer, I love taking my photos.. so that's an added bonus.

Here's my boy... destroying his toys as usual.. lol. Such a beautiful boy, and more so now his coat has been clipped. You can definately see his beautiful spots more.

Awww... and my beautiful girl. It makes a change for her to sit and happily have her photo taken, so this is a joy for me. Such a beauty.

So. That's all I've been up to this weekend really. It's my last weekend off for quite a few weeks, as I have plenty of demo's to keep me going right up to the middle / end of October.. and I'm also booked to go back down to Bath to do some more Creativity TV episodes, and I have magasine work too.. so all is good, and I'm looking forward to a very busy couple of months!

Check back soon - I'll upload a few cards this week, but if there is anything you're wanting to see (tutorials or ideas), then please let me know.

Until then. xxxx

G is for....

2011-08-17T13:00:00.000+01:00

Lots of things I guess... but my G is for Gardening this week over at the My time to Craft challenge blog. I don't know why, but Tuesday's come around sooooo quickly these days and I find that time is flying well towards Christmas!

But here's my card for today - I promise to do more cards, but the commissioned stuff takes priority at the minute. I will upload more often though..

I kept the card quite simple because the stamped image is rather a large one.. and I added some flowers in too, to finish it off.

The clouds were made using my Baby wipe technique, that I like to show (and done a tutorial on too.. on a video somewhere on this blog.)

I hope you like the card.. and I promise not to leave it a week until the next one! lol.

Fancy a Challenge?

2011-08-12T11:13:00.000+01:00

I love updating my blog, but sometimes it's difficult to have something to post everyday.. things are still a bit quiet on the Crafting front after my op... I think personally, that I have brain mush.. that must just be the anaesthetic and being asleep for four hours or so during the op... but hey ho.. I'm sure that will get better soon.

So, today, whilst I was browsing the web, I came across this blog HERE that had put a blog challenge up.... so I thought I'd play along. Fancy having a go with me?

Scary things.. .number one topic.. but I'll get to it later!

Challenge Topics:
Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.
Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.
Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.
Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.
Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently. A letter to someone who broke my heart.
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photograph of youself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

My Time to Craft Challenge.

2011-08-09T13:02:00.001+01:00

Yep. It's that time of week again, and this week our challenge over at the MTTC challenge blog the theme of Fairy Tales. We have lots of inspirational ideas on there, so I'm sure you'd love to play along!

This was my card for this weeks Challenge.

I have used the brand new Papermania Enchanted Christmas range of products to create this stunning fairy card... isn't she amazing??

For a change, I've done the decoupage version instead of doing the stamps (although I couldn't resist those!).. and the decoupage is already precut. All you have to do is to pop them out and layer them up. Easy Peasy!

Here's another close up of the Fairy.. she is absolutely stunning and has so much detail on her.

I hope you decide to play along at the My Time to Craft Challenge this week. We'd love to see your Fairy Tales cards and projects.

Happy Crafting!!

back again....

2011-08-09T05:27:00.001+01:00

As promised, here are the rest of the demo samples from this weekend.. I hope you liked the ones yesterday. If you have any questions about items I've used, or anything else, just get in touch..

This card was the spinner card that I showed how to make.. I used the dies from the XCut range to create the aperture in the card, and used cotton for the hanger of the image.

I love, love, love this little Rudie Reindeer.. he is my favourite from all the ranges this time!! I stamped and cut him out using the XCut dies to frame him, then used the Typography numbers to do the 25 at the bottom of the card. The papers are from the Cranberry and Apple range.. such lovely bright christmas colours! I added some gloss to the baubles to give them some shine too.

A very simple Penny Slider card.. using the Birthday papers and some of the Birthday alphabet.

This was another very quick card that people liked to fiddle with. It was the Dahlia Fold card.. the fold was on Splitcoast stampers a while back now.. but it looks so effective.

Awww... Mr Santa Claus. Another really lovely image from the NOEL range of stamps. Coloured and then mounted onto the Cranberry and Apple papers. I used glitter to go around the edges.

Right.. I must make a move and get sorted - lots of things to get done today.. not least my challenge card for tomorrow.. I just haven't had time to get it done this week.. I have the plans of what to do, everything is laid out.. but I needed some foam pads! (can you believe I ran out of every single one... and silicone!! What is the world coming to!)

Five thousand miles...

2011-08-08T07:16:00.000+01:00

Well, not quite exactly as many as that.. but it certainly felt like it this weekend!!

I had my demo up at Craftzone in Pontefract on Saturday.. I can't tell you how much I love this little shop.. such a hive of great crafting paraphernalia, lots of inspiration from the lovely Wendy, and the customers were a dream to have sat in front of me. There were a few familiar faces there too - so Hello to you especially for making my day go even easier!

After I'd been up to Craftzone, I drove home, packed the car and headed off to Kent for the night and drove back early the next morning. What a journey - I was in bed for half seven!!

Anyway. Onto my cards - I took a quick photo on my phone (sorry about the poor quality.. it's the only thing I don't like about my Blackberry!!) of some of the ones I did.. hope you like them. I'll share more with you tomorrow, as there were quite alot that we'd got through.

The one above is using the same technique as the ones below - just on a larger scale. I stamped with watermark ink and then went over with chalks to create the hazy sort of effect. The embellishments are from the fantastic little Noel box of chipboard shapes.

This was the smaller collection of the same thing - I used the Papermania 3 inch square cards... I love this size.

The hanger that I created here was made by using the new Xcut dies.. they are really lovely shapes, and this one must be my favourite .. the doorplate. So I created a christmas hanger, used chipboard shapes to finish and added some lettering from the Cranberry and Apple collection, coloured in black and Anita's 3D gloss to finish.

This one is just a very simple matting and layering card. I used the toppers from the Forever Friends christmas range.. I love this image. The Forever Friends are really lovely too, and you can create some lovely cards for a fraction of the price that they are in the shop!

So.. that's my little collection for today. I promised I would upload them to here.. so there will be the rest of them tomorrow! Enjoy.. and most importantly, happy crafting!

Espresso-ly Yours...

2011-08-03T14:26:00.000+01:00

Well this week has gone really quickly, I must say!

I am back to work this week, so am avidly making samples for Saturday.... I am over at Craftzone in Pontefract - and it must be my lucky day, as I think that this shop is the bestest shop in the area! I love it and I nip over for a mooch as often as I can.

Anyway... the card I want to share with you today is one that I have made for the My Time to Craft Challenge blog. I've ventured into another style of clean and simple cardmaking, and I must say.. I love it!

This is the card I entered for this weeks challenge.

The idea of the card came from this lady's blog and I have spent quite a while looking through it.. the artwork on there is amazing - she is seriously one talented lady!

So... details of the card - obviously made using splodges of watercolour paint and drawing around with a permanent marker. I love the simplicity of the birdies. I finished it by adding a border at the bottom by using the Papermania Noel range of stamps.

I hope you like it as much as me.. Right.. off to make more samples!

Happy Crafting!

Strawberries... raspberries... chili's....

2011-07-29T15:03:00.003+01:00

What can you do when you have them in abundance?? Well.. make jam! We took a ride upto the local strawberry farm, and ended up coming home with a wide range of soft fruits, and as I had a bit of a quiet day I decided to get the stove on and get out my preserving pan!

image courtesy of google.com

So, that's what I've been upto this past week, no crafting I have to say, but I've really enjoyed making pots and pots of lovely jam - strawberry jam, raspberry jam, peach conserve, chili jam. Yes. Chili Jam.. although noone really likes it as it has a bit of a kick (so I'm hoping that the taste cools slightly!)

Now, when I say Chili Jam... I don't mean Jam in the normal sense of the word - it's really not the sort of jam you could spread on your toast - it's more akin to steaks and cheese boards.. but still very tasty!

image courtesy of google.com

I did use more red chilis than the red peppers, so I think I may just try to make it again with more pepper.. how do you make yours??

I didn't strain the jelly, I left the floaty bits from the chilis and peppers as I thought it made it look prettier.... even if it was a bit spicier than normal! lol..

Normal crafting will resume shortly - my attention span at the moment is probably no more than a gnats.. and I just can't sit to colour in as I'd like.. but I do promise a card soon!

I didn't share this.... so I am now!

2011-07-26T14:39:00.001+01:00

A few weeks ago, you'll remember I went on a jolly jaunt across the country to Bath? Well.. this is where I stayed.

It's the Old Parsonage, in Farrington Gurney. Oh what a place!!

The hospitality was great, and the lady who owns the house came out to the Courtyard to greet me upon arrival.. something you don't get at Travelodge!

This was the room that I had for the night... it was soooo pretty I can feel a need for my own bedroom to be redecorated! Looking at the picture above, I was in the upper right of the building.

It is the French Renaissance room, and it was tastefully decorated with beautiful pale blues and creams.

I just loved how the whole room looked, and the price was very appealing too - what a great service LateRooms.com gives.

My most favourite part of the room was the shutters.. She had asked if I minded road noise as there was a small road to the front of the house. I shut the shutters shown here - very heavy wooden ones! and the whole room was as black as anything - now I like a bit of light, so I opened them up again a little bit.. but it was fun having them there.. it is the old fashioned things that I loved.. shutters and sash windows.. just perfick!

And what was the purpose of the visit?? To come here -

yes, it's the Creativity TV studio where all the videos that are on the Docrafts website are made. It's a little surreal when I'm there.. it's just like stepping into Clare's footsteps.. and it was quite sad that she wasn't there with me this time.. I was there on my own. All by myself. Just me. On my own! Well, apart from Wendy the videographer and her lovely assistant.

And do you want to know what I made? Well.. that remains a very closely guarded secret for the next few weeks at least.. but I'll let you know when they're on the site, so if you're a Creativity Club member, you can go and take a peek..

Right.. must fly - being in hospital and recovering has left alot of things that need to be done, and I am slowly but surely getting around to doing them..

Delightful Dogs

2011-07-26T14:22:00.000+01:00

They most certainly are - most of the time anyway... !

I love me doggies, and this week's theme over at the My Time To Craft Challenge is just perfect as it is exactly what it says... 'Delightful Dogs'.. Now, funnily enough, I don't have alot of doggy stamps which I thought was quite odd really, and I can only find this one which I've used a handful of times.

I thought this one was a bit cute, and fitted the theme perfectly.. I hope you like it too..

I hope you can play along this week - it would be great if you could pop by and say HI... and I'll come visit your little Cubby Hole of the Web too!

Until next time! xx

Docrafts magasine project

2011-07-25T10:52:00.000+01:00

I've had quite a few emails from fellow Docrafters, asking how I did the clouds that is on this card that was in the July Creativity magasine.

Well, I simply used baby wipes and a bit of card... and I did a tutorial a while ago, HERE, that you can watch.

If you want to see any other tutorials, just click on the 'How did I do it' link at the top of the page.

Thanks for looking!

My Time To Craft challenge...

2011-07-19T13:02:00.000+01:00

Have you checked out this blog? I am very lucky to be one of the DT on there, and am enjoying all the themes and everyones take on them.. me thinks I'm just a nosy blogger! lol.

Anyway.. onto this weeks Challenge, and we have the theme of Citrus Colours. It'd be great if you could play along with us..

Onto the card, and this was my entry.

I decided to go with Lime and Lemon... one of my favourite things to drink at the moment. I find it so refreshing. So I coloured my beautiful roses in a yellow shade and coloured the leaves to match my matting and layering.

I'd love to see what you create, so if you enter the challenge, let me know and I'll pop along and visit your bloglets..

Until next time!

Catching up...

2011-07-19T12:55:00.001+01:00

After a very odd week, I thought I'd come along and post my card that I made for the My Time To Craft Challenge blog. This is last weeks card, and should have been posted last Tuesday when the challenge went live, but things ended up going a bit haywire... and I am really delayed in posting it.

Here's my Challenge card. The theme was to make a card with birds on, and these ones from Docrafts Birdsong collection are just perfect for the card I wanted to make.

I wanted to keep the card nice, clean and simple, so I decided on an embossed background and decorated it up with the frame that I cut from the new XCut nesting dies (fantastic value too from just £9.95!!) I embossed the frame after cutting, and then stamped my image where I wanted it to be.

I restamped it and cut it out again to layer up and add some dimension.

Here's the close up.

Hope you like it... I'll be back tomorrow with this week's Challenge card..

Sorry for lack of posting..

2011-07-18T09:00:00.002+01:00

Just popping on to say normal service will resume shortly, I hope..

I am just out of hospital, having been in for a week, and I am feeling a bit more than delicate!

I'll upload as soon as I can. xx

With Love...

2011-07-13T01:44:00.001+01:00

I thought I'd have another play along with the Simply Less is More Challenge theme again, and I've combined it with my favourite little folksies from Country Companions.. the hedgies.

We used to have a little hedgehog called Hyacinth. She was a rescue that we took in. (I think I mentioned her before... ?!)

Anyway, without further ado, here's my card.

I stamped the hedgies, and then masked them off to stamp the bench. Aren't they just so cute.

Here's the close up.

Sorry it's just a quick post today... I'll be back shortly with another project or three.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit.

2011-07-12T07:39:00.000+01:00

Yes, it's not long to go now, and I'm getting all ready for Christmas. My daughter even spoke about starting her christmas shopping this month... ! Mind you, it's a good idea really. Although with my children, they probably wouldn't even know what they want. I'd buy what they say, then they'd change their minds.. haha.

But keeping with the Christmas mood, here's a little something that has been travelling around my demo's with me.

It was made from matchboxes and the Ultimate kit from the Christmas Forever Friends collection. It came together really easily once I'd made my mind up how big to make it, what to add to the top etc.. and I think it looks really lovely. So pleased with it - and everyone wants to keep it.. so it stays next to me at my demo's, and is chained to the desk!!

The little Forever Friend characters are so cute. I love cute. Did you guess?!

There are so many in the Ultimate pack too - it seems to go on forever!

Well.. I'll love you and leave you for now. Check back soon... and happy crafting!

A bit of a challenge...

2011-07-11T11:37:00.000+01:00

This whole week has been a bit of a challenge... lol.. finding time to update my blog, do samples for my demo this past weekend over at Lambton Park and get my house nice and clean! I'm afraid the housework had been a bit neglected for a few days - mainly because I had other things to do.. and as you know, crafting always must take priority!

Anyway, my demo over in Durham went fantastic - what a lovely bunch of folks we have there. Always so friendly and interested, and we share our thoughts and ideas too, which is fab! My next demo is in Doncaster next week, no demo this Saturday.. but no rest for the wicked eh?!

But to get my old blog updated for you, I thought I'd share a project with you that I've made for the Simply Less is More Challenge blog. I love their themes on that blog and I always like to play along.

The theme this week was a One Layer card (which again, I love!) and also to include something with legs.. so here's my take on the idea.

I decided to use the not-so-often inked up reindeer stamps from the Joyeux Noel range that Docrafts bought out last year. They are really lovely stamps and as you can see, the images are so detailed.

To finish off my little reindeer, as it was on the one layer, I used some 3D gloss over the top and added a little pearl that I coloured in red, to his nose.

Hope you like it!

Ooooooooh.....

2011-07-07T23:08:00.003+01:00

Did anyone else get a shock tonight when they signed into their blog??

Mine just sorta looks like this - totally took me by surprise.. not sure if I like it.

**edited to add** Friday morning - decided to edit this so I could go back to my basic style dashboard.. easier said than done, but after a bit of googling, I managed to find out how.. This one below, was just too confusing!

Suprised!!

2011-07-07T19:53:00.000+01:00

I can't quite believe it!!

Just checking my blog challenge list and I've come in the Top Five for the Passion for Promarkers challenge I did with my baby card entry.. so chuffed with myself. Thank you also to Emma for choosing my card..

A quick update on my Stampin' sale..

2011-07-07T16:28:00.002+01:00

Stamps for Sale

Big Bold Birthday - wood mounted - as new, but used - £10

Dot Dot Dot - brand new unmounted - wood mount - £7

Fox and Friends - wood mount - £10

On a pedestal - wood mount - £9 sold subject to payment

Love you Much (mounted, but very clean/unused) - £14 sold subject to payment

Growing Green - clear mount - £8 sold subject to payment
Bundle of love - clear mount - £11 sold subject to payment
Cheers and wishes, sold subject to payment
Because I care, sold subject to payment

Wheels for sale

Small heart wheel with wheel - £2
Soft Holly small wheel - £2
Small wheel.. time for a tree - £2
Jumbo wheel Neighbourhood wheel - £4
Very Vintage wheel - £4 sold subject to payment

Punches - for sale

Heart Punch - BL - £10 sold subject to payment

Five petal flower - BL - £10 sold subject to payment

Word Window punch - BL - £10 sold subject to payment

Bird Punch - FL - £10 sold subject to payment

Eyelet border punch - BL - £7 sold subject to payment

Other -
Stampin' Glitter - Fine Cosmo - unused in packaging - £8 sold subject to payment

A few more items I've found too..

Tree for all seasons - wood mount - £5
Earth Elements stampin spots - 2009 - 2010 - £5 sold subject to payment
Contempo Christmas - clear mount £7 sold subject to payment

Postage will be charged at cost. Items can be paid for cash, cheque, direct payment (ask for details). Cheque payments will be cleared before posting.

Time is passing by...

2011-07-07T15:55:00.000+01:00

I've had a very busy week... and have loved every minute of it.

On Monday, I travelled down to Bath to film four episodes for Docrafts, for their online Creativity TV, and I returned home on Tuesday. The place I stayed at, in Farrington Gurney, was absolutely beautiful. I'll post some pictures soon.

I was shattered by the time I got back! lol.

On Tuesday, it was our Challenge day over at the My Time To Craft Challenge blog.. and the theme this week was A La Carte.. it's all about food this week!

This was my DT entry for the Challenge.

I decided to use my Tatty Teddy image - isn't it cute? I've not stamped it up since I had it, so it was nice to pull it off the shelf and ink it up.

The papers are from the Cupcake collection that Docrafts bought out a few months ago, and I thought it complemented the theme really well.

I also added a little bit of glitter here and there.. .and I was really pleased with the finished result.

Other than this, I haven't really done alot of crafting this week - I've just been so busy and time is running away with me.. but I'm not complaining because I love being busy. So.. I hope you have time to play along with our little challenge this week. I'd love to see your entries. Why not pop on over to the Challenge blog and check out the other DT work... it's fab!

Updated list of sale items. Plus a few more new ones

2011-07-01T18:32:00.005+01:00

Stamps -

Just Believe clear mount set - £8

Occasional Greetings wood mount set (mostly unmounted) £20

Circle of Friendship wood mount £8

Best Yet Wood mount - £5

Whimsical words wood mount - £5

Bella Toile large woodmount stamp - £10

Big Bold Birthday - wood mounted - as new, but used - £16

Lovely as a Tree - wood mount - £14

On a pedestal - wood mount - £9

Love you Much (mounted, but very clean/unused) - £14

Dot Dot Dot - brand new unmounted - wood mount - £7

Fox and Friends - wood mount - £10

Baby Blossoms clearmount stamp set - £14 sold subject to payment
A rose is a rose (retired) - £15 sold subject to payment
Cheers and wishes woodmounted stamps - £8 sold subject to payment
Growing Green - clear mount - £8 sold subject to payment
Bundle of love - clear mount - £11 sold subject to payment
Hostess set - Because I care - light use - clear mount - £8 sold subject to payment
Hostess set - Occasional quotes - brand new - clear mount - £12 sold subject to payment

Wheels

Small heart wheel with wheel - £2
Soft Holly small wheel - £2
Small wheel.. time for a tree - £2
Jumbo wheel Neighbourhood wheel - £4
Very Vintage wheel - £4 sold subject to payment

Punches -

Heart Punch - BL - £10

Five petal flower - BL - £10

Word Window punch - BL - £10

Bird Punch - FL - £10

Tiny tags punch (FL) - £5 each. One left sold subject to payment
Oval All punches (BL) plain and scallop. (will only sell together) £18 sold subject to payment
Eyelet border punch - BL - £7 sold subject to payment

Other -

Colour Spritzer tool, comes with brown SU marker - £8
Stampin' Glitter - Fine Cosmo - unused in packaging - £8 sold subject to payment

A few more items I've found too..

Tree for all seasons - wood mount - £5
Earth Elements stampin spots - 2009 - 2010 - £5 sold subject to payment
Sparkly and Bright - wood mount - £9 sold subject to payment
Contempo Christmas - clear mount £7 sold subject to payment

Postage will be charged at cost, with recorded delivery. Items can be paid for cash, cheque, direct payment (ask for details).. sorry Paypal is playing me up, so not currently available. Cheque payments will be cleared before posting.

With much love...

2011-06-30T04:48:00.004+01:00

Today, I thought I'd show you this card that I've been working on. I made it as a birthday card for a young girl who always, more or less without fail, comes to see me demoing at Derby's Craft Central. She is a lovely girl with a wonderful nature.... and after a conversation with her and her mum last time, I know it's her birthday in August..

Well, as I am only there this Saturday, I am going to take it with me, but the greeting inside just says 'With much love' instead of Happy Birthday.. I mean - you don't give a card a month early do you?!

The image below shows what the inside looks like. I decorated it up to match with the front, although I've used a different shape for the greeting panel.

I got this stamp on a whim a while ago.. and thought I could use it for another birthday I have coming up soon for someone.. but isn't she lovely? Quite funky for a teenager I thought.

I made the flower from a range of circle dies... these are new from Docrafts - fab!! I had to use a couple of smaller punches for the inside of the bloom, but it still works.

I hope you like the card today.. More coming soon! And yes.. it'll be that 'C' word coming shortly! That's what I'm working on as we speak. (And actually, what I've been working on all last week too.. lol).

~~Merry Christmas.~~ Whoops.. I mean.. Happy Crafting!

I'm sharing today's creation with -

TSG Challenge - die cuts

KB Challenges - Use flowers

Crazy Challenges - Beautiful women

I Love Promarkers - include flowers

Divas by Design - die cuts and punches

Crafts and Me - birthdays

Sweet Baby

2011-06-29T12:03:00.003+01:00

I think I just managed to get this one in time... I started it yesterday, and couldn't really decide what to do with the image after I'd coloured it... usual story really.

But, I found a lovely sketch over at Willow Designs blog and a great theme over at the Passion for Promarkers blog, so thought I'd play along.

Very quickly uploading it now.. but here's the finished card.

I've used a variety of embossing folders to keep the card really clean looking.

I double layered the daisies at the top of the card.

Here's little cutie-pie Hedgebaby looking oh-so-sweet! And finally -

Just a quick look at the main part of the card - I know the PB hedgies are grey.. but I wanted mine to be brown to look like little Hyacinth that we had years ago. She was a little teeny tiny hedgie that we overwintered as a rescue.. she was a right little tubber in the summer when she went out into the wild. Lovely to see her go, and hopefully she went on to live a happy life.

Right.. I've got to get cracking on some samples and bits.. so I'll see you shortly!

Here comes summer

2011-06-29T06:36:00.000+01:00

Hasn't the weather been wonderful this past week? Lovely sunshine - albeit a little too hot for me - along with some thunderstorms at night. It's cooled down a bit now, more to my sort of temperature.. lol.

Today, I'm going to spill the beans on a little secret I've had.... I've been chosen as a Design Team member for My Time to Craft !! I got an email this last week from Wendy, who is part of the blog, offering me a place. Well, of course I said yes please!

I love doing Challenges - not for anything other than the fact that I didn't do them for so long, and I now find it's a way of using my stuff that I've had for a while and never used! They challenge me, and that is what I like. I love sketches, themes etc.. you name it, I'll give it a go. And I'm sure you'll find the regular ones I take part in, up and down my blog!

So.. without further ado, here's the first card that I've made for the Challenge blog. The theme was Here Comes Summer.. and this is my take on it.

This image is a lovely one, don't you think? So reminiscent of my children having a day on the beach. Usually their buckets were full of starfish, where especially my youngest, would pick them up out of the rock pools and take them back to the shoreline.. I think at one count she'd been busy all day collecting them up and putting them in a line that she ended up with about 30!

The button on the flower is one I got from a great little craft shop a while ago. How cute are they? Slightly more dimensional than I would have liked, but still pretty.

Well... I must get on - lots of work to do before I can relax a little on Wednesday.

Happy Crafting everyone!!

Fancy a slice?

2011-06-28T09:13:00.000+01:00

My youngest was off school yesterday due to teacher training, and she decided she needed to be doing something other than playing on the computer. So.. this was the end result.

She got out her favourite cook book - Bake - and decided to make a Red Velvet Cake. She's made it before, and it turned out just as nice this time as last.

Fancy a slice? Yes? Well here you go then..

Doesn't it look lovely?!

Just like a bus...

2011-06-27T17:22:00.001+01:00

You wait forever, and then loads come all at once... Haha. That's what this post is going to seem like, I'm afraid!

Gosh - where to start...

After a very busy 'Docraft-y' week, what with magasine commissions, 'other' projects, samples to be made etc, I thought I'd take a bit of a step back today and do something for ME before I get cabin fever! lol. (not that I do really, but my mind isn't working too well today - lack of sleep due to the heat and no caffeine).

So.. what have I made?

Well, one of my makes I can't show you for now, as that is for something a little special that happened to me this week. (Wendy, you know what!!) I am so happy with myself too, but I'm not spilling the beans just yet.

Other things I've been doing, is trying to catch up with a few of my favourite challenges.. which is where the long post comes in.... why oh why do they all have to finish on a Tuesday/Wednesday? Haha. Oh well, it gave me something to focus on for an hour or so whilst I ran these off.. so without further ado - here are today's cards.

Firstly - a theme card for Passion for Promarkers, and the theme is 'Park Life'... something you would do in a park... so I decided to go with 'Picking Daisies'. This is also being entered for the 'Anything goes' challenge over at the I Love Promarkers site too...

And here's the close up.

I absolutely love, love, love this stamp... it is so beautiful. It just reminds me of my older daughter when she was little, and in fact my younger one too... such sweet memories.

I kept the background quite simple by just doing a bit of layering on the base layer of paper, but I added some glitter around to give it a bit of bling. I also shaded her with a bit of prisma pencil.

Now for the Challenges, Top Tip Tuesday and Simply Less is More.. these two I've tied in together to create this card with a stamp set I've not often used... (not often = never!)

For the Top Tip Tuesday, the theme was 'Cross it'... and this is where my punch border came in. I specifically chose the crissy-cross one as the card was predominantly for a boy's card. The railway track also crosses the apertures in the card.

I followed the sketch that was put up on the Simply Less is More blog to create the card, and kept it really as it was. I was going to do squares around the trains, but decided to keep it a little softer by using circles.

I am also entering this one into the I Love Promarkers challenge too... Anything goes. What a great theme for a freestyle card eh?

Something I found useful too, when I was doing my track.. I had decided originally that I wasn't going to include it, so I cut out my circles... then decided actually I did want something there. I was too scared to stamp straight onto where I'd punched, as I thought it would go over the edges, so I placed the cut out circles back into the holes and stamped over the top... a type of masking I guess.. but it worked, and the card wasn't ruined.. so I was happy!

Right.. must dash and get the rest of my paid work done. lol. See you soon - Happy Crafting!

I'm getting there.. still crafting away!

2011-06-24T11:49:00.001+01:00

I am not-so-quickly managing to get through a big pile of work that needs doing - you know how it is.. you start something then change your mind, so the original card ends up at like 30 different versions.. lol..

Yesterday, I took a bit of a break to take some bits and pieces over to Sharon.. and on the way saw a little puddy tat get run over.

The poor little mite didn't stand a chance, it just darted into the road, and the lorry that hit it obviously wouldn't have seen it.. but no-one stopped and just kept driving past making sure they didn't hit it! I mean... come on... I know it is 'only a cat' (as some people would say).. but it's still someone's beloved pet! They weren't even driving that closely to each other that they wouldn't have noticed!! So, I stopped the car immediately, and the traffic, and picked up the poor thing, and although it had already passed away from its horrific injuries, still put it safely at the side of the road.

I was so infuriated that nobody had the decency to stop for a minute! How heartless! It was bloody obvious it was still alive for the few minutes they were driving past!! Then the thought of it looking like Sharon's cat, same sort of markings, made me panic even more, and when I got to hers I was a bit of a state. Thank heavens for a good strong cup of coffee! And also to find out later that her Mitzy was just fine, and at home.

I know when this happened to one of my cats quite a lot of years ago, the car that hit her didn't stop either and we had to deal with the aftermath of what happened. It's not very nice, and I accept that it's something that can happen (not to ours - they're both too lazy to go venturing and were indoor cats when we got them.)

So, even though I talked to the little cat whilst I was carefully moving it, I hope its journey to Rainbow Bridge was a quick and very painless one.. Sweet Dreams Little Cat. You were very beautiful.

(no.. this is NOT the cat, it is a picture taken from Google)

It's one of those weeks...

2011-06-23T07:13:00.000+01:00

You know how it is sometimes - very quiet when you don't want it to be, then so inundated with stuff it's a bit manic? Well.. that's what it's like here.. Not that I'm complaining at all.. but I'm on a bit of a countdown now for a few major life changes and it seems everything is coming all at once! lol.

So..... .... there are not really any crafty updates that I can share with you at the moment.. I only wish there were, but I'd probably get linched if I did.. Ha ha.

I've not had time to join in any blog challenges this week, as I have a mountain of commissions to get through before the weekend.. (fantastic product too!!), contracts to sort out, sign and return before I forget ... bags to pack for our weekend away ... and this is how I'm feeling a bit this week.... in a good way though!

But normal service will resume shortly.. in the meantime - enjoy yourselves.. Happy Crafting!

Thank you Miss Promarkers... !

2011-06-21T20:11:00.002+01:00

Just popping on to say that after quite a stressful few days, I've had a great day of achieving lots of things crafty.. lol.. and it was finished off nicely when I nipped onto the Promarker challenge blog to see what this weeks challenge was.

OH MY WORD - I can't believe that my wedding card HERE got me a place in the Top Five Passionista.. !

It has truly made my evening! Thank you Misses Passion for Promarker Ladies!