About Me

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I'm a retired primary school teacher, who started paper crafting in 2008, when I had a fancy to make my own Christmas cards. Since then, I have tried all sorts of techniques and styles - and I kind of like them all. I have been lucky enough to be on blog teams and large design teams and to do a bit of freelance demonstrating - and I love the challenge of working with different products. My crafting style is very varied - from junk journaling and art journaling, bookbinding and journal making, to quilting and patchwork - and of course I still make cards. This variety keeps me interested - and my crafty stash growing!! I'm always seeking inspiration for new projects.

Monday 12 December 2011

Beautiful Gilded Birds!!

I bought this Kanban Black Gilded Frames sheet sort of by accident. I wanted some other things and needed to make up the order to a certain amount, so chucked this and the Gilded Bird sheet into my basket. Wasn't that bothered about it at the time - but when I was looking for something different for a birthday card for my Mum, I was strangely drawn to it.

I teamed it with a piece of paper from an old Kanban metallic card and paper kit - I cut the section here with the dangling hearts!! A piece of gold ribbon wrapped around the bottom provided an ideal place for the sentiment! All of this was mounted onto a gold mirror scalloped square, then onto a Craftwork Cards (almost) 6" cream scalloped card blank. Simple, elegant and not too fussy!!



Cxx

Challenge #58 - Use It 3 Times

This is our last challenge of the year - and is hosted by Tracy. You will need to use the same stamp/image three different ways. It could be the background, main image and a tag to match for example. (ie Christmas Wrapping Paper, Greeting Card and Gift Tag) Using different colourways is another way.




We at Crafty Cardmakers are sad to announce that this is the last challenge that will be sponsored by Joanna Sheen. We would like to thank Joanna for her enduring support of our challenge blog, so please take advantage of your last chance to win Joanna's fabulous prize of a £10 voucher for her online shop which is crammed full of goodies with new stock arriving all the time! Thanks for everything Joanna!
This is another challenge I haven't taken part in - but remember to pop over to the Crafty Cardmakers blog to see all the great work and inspiration from the Design Team.

Next year we will be back with some exciting new Sponsors, along with our regular sponsors One Stop Card Crafts and The Stampman. Our next challenge launches on January 2nd 2012, so I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Cxxx

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Crafty Cardmakers heat Embossing Challenge + Carnaby Street

Hi All!!

Crafty Cardmakers have  a new challenge over on the blog. This time it's
 Heat Embossing. This challenge is hosted by Josephine and this is what she had to say about it:

‘Any technique using heat embossing - stamping or ultra-thick embossing powder or something else I haven't thought of!’


[STARBURSTSTAINSholidaywreath3.jpg]

We are kindly sponsored for this challenge by The Stampman (and Lady of course!) who are offering the winner the Starburst Stains lovely prize pictured above.

Starburst Stains - Brush on The Fun - Holiday Wreath
Deep, rich, vibrant colours with a two-toned shimmer!
These are all dye based products, which give them that vibrancy and can be used on any porous surface, (paper, wood, fabric, balsa, chipboard, etc).
Instructions on how to use: Add hot water, (filtered preferably, especially with the stains), let sit at least 10 minutes.
Shake or stir before each use


We're still looking for new design team members - so if you are interested, link your entry and at DT at the end of your name.

Now, I didn't take part in this challenge - but pop on over to the Crafty Cardmakers Blog to check out what the other design team members came up with!! Some brilliant inspiration!!

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Carnaby Street

Here is one of my recent makes. It was for my stepdaughter - I rather like the combination of the Kanban Carnaby Street toppers with the Union Jack cardstock.  I cut the bottom borders using the triple scallop edgeability and a combination of inserts. The top border is made from the two off cuts.

The topper is raised up on foam tape, and mounted directly onto the Union Jack card. A piece of wine coloured silk ribbon was wrapped around the bottom, before it was mounted onto the card.

I mounted the silver letters and numbers onto scalloped oval mats of white, burgundy and black. A couple of organza bows and a touch of glaze finished it off.


Cxx