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.

Sunday 29 October 2017

Framed Rose Picture

The 3D folders are back today with lots more inspiration from Debbie. And don't forget there are some amazing stamps and dies to go with them. 
I used one of the stamps from the Beautiful Bouquet stamp set coloured with Fired Brick and Walnut Stain Distress Ink, and cut out into a fram with the Parisian Mirror Die. In the background, I used the Textured Swirls embossing folder, with more of the Walnut Stain and Fired Brick. The butterfly is from the Take Flight die set, and the swirl at the bottom from the Floral Delight die set.

Debbie will be back with more shows at 4pm and 7pm today. 

Saturday 28 October 2017

Embossed Tag

Back this morning with another sample using the new 3D embossing folders from Crafter's Companion.
I inked the folder with Toffee Crunch Memento Ink, the ran it through the machine to create the colour in the background. I added more colour with Picked Raspberry and Peeled Paint Distress Oxides. 

Take care,
Cxxx

Friday 27 October 2017

Hello Sunshine!

Evening - more inspiration for the 3D embossing folders will be on Hochanda at 7pm. I love the combination of the Country Cottage folder with the Cottage Window Die.
This time I used Antique Linen, Worn Lipstick, Bundled Sage and Weathered Wood Distress Inks, to add colour to the folder and die. Behind it, and as a mat, I have used papers from Sara Signature Shabby Chic Collection.
The sentiment is from the "Say It With Words" stamp set that is part of the collection, and I used the Rose Vine Die for embellishment.

Take care,
Cxxx

Simple and Elegant

Did you catch the 10am show with the new 3D embossing folders, dies and stamps? During that show Matt really liked this sample - showing how simple you can keep it, yet how elegant and effective it can be. 
This is the French Lace folder embossed onto Sheena White Stamping Card. I then painted over the design with Old Paper and Spun Sugar Distress Inks. To highlight the embossed detail, I put some ink on my finger and went over the top. The lace edges are painted with Spectrum Noir Clear Overlay Glitter Sparkle Pen. I stamped the sentiment using Spanish Moss Versafine.  

Tune in again at 4pm for more inspiration.
Take care,
Cxxx

New 3D Folders

Morning. Not long until the launch of the gorgeous new 3D embossing folders, with complementing dies and stamps. 

Here's another of my makes - one of those mirror frames from Ikea, painted with a mix of Pebeo White Gesso and Pebeo Deco Matt Sepia. 
I used the Kraft card with the Textured Swirls embossing folder. The pieces near the corner were painted with the Gesso and Sepia mix before embossing, and the center one, it was dry brushed over after embossing. Both were inked over with Walnut Stain Distress Oxide - as was the frame itself. 

I also used the Rose Vine, Take Flight and Floral Delight Dies, adding texture to the base, and as embellishments over the top.

Enjoy the shows.
Cxxx

Thursday 26 October 2017

New 3D Embossing Folders

Afternoon. It's been a busy few weeks with loads going on here with alterations to the house, demo days and of course working on samples for the fab new 3D embossing folders from Crafter's Companion - part of the 12th Birthday Celebrations.
There are 6 folders in the collection - with some great co-ordinating dies and stamps. On this gift bag I used the Rose Bouquet embossing folder, and coloured it with Antique Linen, Fired Brick and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxides. I used the Rose Vine die to cut the corner embellishments, and the Beautiful Bouquet Stamps set for the tag. 

Be sure to tune in to Hochanda tomorrow at 10am to see the launch.

Take care,
Cxxxx


Friday 22 September 2017

Mixed Media Hearts

Morning. Today I have a bit of mixed media for you, using Crafter's Companion Die'sire Mixed Media Contemporary Hearts.
I started with one of those black framed mirrors from Ikea (bought loads ages ago and am still working through them!!  I used Sheena Douglass Pop Dotty stencil with some Pebeo Modelling Paste to create a textured background.
I then painted over this with Pebeo Black Gesso.
Next I cut a load of hearts from a range of materials - black and white mountboard, self adhesive vinyl, self adhesive velvet, craft metal, and textured grungeboard. I added some onto one corner for texture and painted over with Pebeo Iridescent Blue Black paint.
The rest of the hearts were arranged on the frame after sponging some with the Iridescent Blue Black paint, and also Iridescent Silver. Finally, I stamped a sentiment and mounted it onto a piece of black card sponged with the Iridescent Blue Black paint.
Take care,
Cxxx

Saturday 16 September 2017

Pretty Gift Box

This gift box was made using A3 Centura Pearl Snow White Hint of Silver Card and the Jardin Edge'able die.
The teal card is Core'dinations, embossed with the Textures Distress folder. And the embellishment is made from Die'sire Essentials Blossom, and Sara Signature English Country Garden Roll Up Flower.
Back soon.
Cxxx


Wednesday 13 September 2017

Hallelujah!!

Just popping on to share a card made using Crafter's Companion Die'sire Create a Card Hallelujah. This is such a great die - and I kept it simple with a white on white design.


I used both sides of Centura Pearl Snow White Hint of Silver, and embossed the backing panel with Textures Elements Snow 8x8 folder. The flower is from Sara Signature Shabby Chic collection. 

Back soon.
Cxxxx

Tuesday 5 September 2017

It's been a while!!

Wow! I know it'd had been a while since I blogged - but didn't realise it was nearly 3 months!! I will use the excuse that we moved house at the end of June and things have been quite busy since.

So, today I have a few photos of some samples I made for a demo day using the Christmas Transfers and Foils that are on Hochanda.

This slate coaster was foiled with the waste from another project - then the Snowflake and Christmas Red foil was used over the top.
The second one is onto a wooden plaque which had been painted with some Pebeo pearl paint. 

The third is possibly my favourite. This is a ceramic heart from Hobbycraft - and the transfers and foil work so well onto that surface.  
And the last is an easel card which looks so elegant. And the borders were created with red liner tape.
Please excuse the photos - I took them at the time, meaning to take better ones later - and with the house in turmoil, it just hasn't happened.

I am hoping to get back into blogging - I do have quite a backlog of photos to share - so will hopefully be back soon!
Take care
Cxxxx

Saturday 10 June 2017

Dome Front Card

Morning!! Did you catch the launch yesterday? Leann will be back this morning at 9am with more of these lovely dies.
This is a large dome front card, made using the Spring Garden dies. I used Matt Black card with one of the Centura Pearl Metallic Golds. 
The embossing is using the A4 Sugar and Spice Delicate Floral folder, with highlights of the embossing brought out with Pebeo Empire Gold Gilding Wax. The inside sentiment is Classiques Only Words Happy Birthday, and I used the 1" Alphabet dies for "Mum".

Be sure to tune in this morning.

Cxxx

Friday 9 June 2017

Butterfly Easel Card

Afternoon! Not long now until the launch of these fantastic new Create a Card dies at 6pm. 
This one is an easel card using the Flutterby dies. I used Centura Pearl Hint of Gold, with the September 2016 website download of the month printed on the back. The sentiment is also from that download.

I embossed some of the card with Embossalicious Sugar and Spice A4 Delicate Floral folder.

Don't forget to tune in at 6pm today.
Cxxx

Pop Out Card

Morning. Today I have another share made with the fantastic new Crafter's Companion Die'sire Create a Card dies. This one is a pop out card made using the Spring Garden set.

I used a Kraft card as the base, and combined it with papers from the Sara Signature Shabby Chic 6x6 pad. To add a bit of texture and interest to the Kraft card, I used Distress Crayons (Vintage Photo, Antique Linen and Victorian Velvet) before washing with water and die cutting. 


The sentiment on the front of the card is cut using Die'sire Essentials Only Words Special Friend.
The pop out part is also Kraft card with the Shabby Chic papers, and the flower decorations are also from the Spring Garden set.

Keep your eyes out for the shows on Hochanda - coming soon.

Cxxxxx

Thursday 8 June 2017

Gilded Box

This afternoon I have a gorgeous gilded box made with one of Crafter's Companion new Die'sire Create a Card. This one is using the Hallelujah die made with Matt Black card. 
After cutting the two sheets of card to size I covered one with Stick It, then scored it with the box lid part of the Scoremaster, After cutting the box top with the die, I peeled off the Stick It backing and covered it with gilding flakes.

I backed the lid with a piece of acetate, and then glued the lid and base of the box. I added ribbon, sparklers and embellishments to the box to finish off.

Cxxx

Internal Box Card

Morning. Back today with another make using the new Create a Card dies. This one is the Flutterby die set - which of course has gorgeous butterflies with it.
So, this one is made from Centura Pearl Snow White Hint of Silver, on the back of which I printed a couple of the green Fabric Papers from Crafter's Inspiration 13. 
I added a few flowers using Die'sire Essentials Flowers for All Occasions 3, and the leaves from the Sara Signature English Country Garden Lazy Daisy die set. The sentiment is Classiques Only Words.
Watch out for the shows on Hochanda coming soon.
Cxxx

Wednesday 7 June 2017

Brand New Create a Card Dies

Evening all!! Been a little while since I posted - but have some fantastic sneak peeks to share of the new Crafter's Companion Die'sire Create a Card dies. 
What's different about these, is that they come in two separate parts. So it makes them really versatile. And really helped in creating this K-Card. This particular die is called Spring Garden, and comes with two embellishment dies as well as the two main parts of the Create a Card.
 
As well as the die, I used the largest of the Die'sire Essentials Circles dies, with the Classiques Only Words "Thank You" sentiment. The base is made from Centura Pearl Snow White Hint of Silver card, with papers from Sara Signature 6x6 Shabby Chic paper pad.

Be sure to look out for the launch of these new dies on Hochanda at the weekend.

Cxxx

Monday 22 May 2017

Foiltastic

The latest edition of Crafter's Companion Crafter's Inspiration is out - and one of the fab free gifts is the foiling kit.

Foiling is such a fab way to add a little touch of elegance to your projects. Or just to send a message like with these "easy to make" tags.
I used the Create a Card Stacey Base Die to cut the tag shapes, and embossed the blue card with the Kimono Oriental Screen folder.
The sentiments on these dies come from either the Modern Mandalas and Delicate Details transfer sets.
And I then used the Electric Blue foil over the transfer. And then I finished them off with a few square clear gems and ribbon.
Cxxx

Friday 19 May 2017

Country Garden Create a Card

Morning. A quick post before I head out to the day job. This multi stepper card uses the Country Garden Create a Card die from Crafter's Companion.
I used Deep Purple and Purple Centura Pearl, and embossed with the Cherry Blossom folder from the Kimono range. The butterflies and flower centres are from the satin finish card in the Silver Luxury card pack.
On the inside, I used the Thank You sentiment Create a Card die.

Cxxxx

Thursday 18 May 2017

More Edge'ables

Afternoon. Fiona is back on Hochanda at 2pm with more of the pick and mix Die'sire Edge'ables. 
On the earlier show, I noticed my box card lurking on the display! For this one I used A3 Centura Pearl double sided Fresh White card for the box itself, then decorated with card from the Red Luxury Card pack, cut with the Beautiful Bouquet Edge'able die set. 

Don't forget to tune in to see the amazing deal on these dies - and the cardstock.

Cxxxx

Pick and Mix Edge'ables

Morning! Fiona is on at 8am with a great pick and mix of the wonderful Die'sire Edge'ables. This is one of my makes with the Bird Cage Edge'able die. 
I used the A3 Centura Pearl for the base of the card, and then added all three card types from the Ice Blue Luxury Card Pack. The sentiment is Die'sire Classiques Only Words - Special Day. The little details of the cut out flowers and corners are created using the smaller emebellshment dies that come with the Bird Cage Edge'able.

Fiona will also be back at 2pm and 6pm - so be sure to tune in to bag a bargain.

Cxxx

Wednesday 17 May 2017

A bit of Shabby Chic

Morning! Thought it was time I gave a bit more attention to my blog!! So, today I have a card made using Sara Signature Shabby Chic collection.


The base of this one is Kraft card, and I used the Antique Edge die from the collection to create the front. I also used Filigree Flourish and Aged Rose (edged with a little Vintage Photo Distress Ink) - and the little backing for the flower is from the Weathered Window die set.

The papers are from the Shabby Chic 6x6 paper pad, and I added some flat backed pearls and pearl trim for embellishment.

Cxxxx


Wednesday 10 May 2017

Only Words....

Morning! Leann is on now with the gorgeous Die'sire Only Words Edge'ables. Here's a couple of my samples made for the shows today. 

The first one is using the Happy Birthday Edge'able with the Red Luxury Card pack. It's a top stepper card, along with papers from the the Love and Romance 6x6 paper pad. The stars, arrows and banners are all from the Diamond Press starter kit.
The next one is made from the Gold Luxury card pack, with the Celebrate in Style Edge'able. The champagne flute is from the Together Forever collection.
And finally, this bendy front card used both of the Edge'ables with the Green Luxury card pack. The papers are from the Verity Rose 6x6 paper pack, and the flowers are cut with the Grand Floral dies from Sara Signature English Country Garden collection.
Lots more inspiration from Leann and the team during the shows today!!
Cxxx

Wednesday 19 April 2017

A little bit of gold!!

Afternoon!! Wow - it's been a while since I've posted!! Lots happening and time just gets away!! But, tonight on Hochanda, Crafter's Companion will be on with a gorgeous Centura Pearl Metallics One Day Special.

I used three of the colours from the Precious Golds collection along with the gorgeous Beatrice Die'sire Create a Card to create the layers on this Ivory box. A few pearls, some ribbon and paper roses completed the look.
I also made a twisted easel card using another of the golds with some Snow White Hint of Gold, and again used the Beatrice Create a Card die. The sentiment is Classiques Only Words, and I used the Essentials Flowers for all Occasions 3.  
Be sure to tune in at 8pm tonight to see the full collection and all the amazing samples from the team.
Cxxxx


Tuesday 21 March 2017

Inspirational Foiling

Morning! Did you catch the 7am show with Fiona demonstrating the fabulous foils. Here's another of my creations - a little wall hanging. I used elements from the Opulent Flourishes pack of transfers with Rose Gold Foil. 
The base is cream mountboard - left over from Sheena's Paint Fusion collection, and I used a bit of Pebeo King Gold gilding wax on the edges.

Fiona has one more show today at 11am - tune in for more inspiration from the team.

Cxx

Monday 20 March 2017

Foiled wedding sentiments

More foil samples today!. This is a set of  4x4 wedding cards made using sentiments from the Opulent Flourishes transfer set. 
Each one uses gold foil onto the transfer.

And I matted onto gold glitter card from the Luxury Card pack.

A few little gems just finishes it off.
Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for the shows.
Cxxx