Computer says No!!!

Have been out of touch for a little while for several reasons. The biggest of all was a series of computer problems. Firstly my PC had virtually ground to a halt. It was so slow that it would have been quicker to write things up by hand rather than print them. So it went off for a holiday to my cousin, and has come back slightly improved, but with a poor prognosis. It's just getting old and needs to be replaced. Sorry to all those who were looking forward to the card party - I will be making a new date soon so watch this space.

On top of that, my laptop went into meltdown (with me not far behind) and wouldn't let me log on!! Computer definately was saying no at this point - told me it couldn't find the user profile. Have managed to get it sorted now, but all this has put me behind on sorting stuff on the website, and on getting the new stock sorted.

And to cap it all off, last week was a write off for me physically- felt very run down, exhausted, had a cold and almost constant indigestion pains. Started feeling better on Saturday, which was just as well, as I was due to attend a Sheen Douglass "Paint Fusion" workshop on Sunday.

With all these technical problems, it meant I missed the first birthday of the Blog!! So belated happy 1st birthday to my blog!! In a way, it was a good job I missed the actual date. I was very maudlin at that point due to not feeling well, and I was on a right downer with regards to the website. So it would have all been very negative.

But, due to a great day on Sunday, I am now fully inspired yet again!! Problem is, being inspired usually costs me money as I just have to have everything to do the new techniques NOW- and this weekend was no exception. And, as ever, I have to buy in bulk because I always have such grand plans. That's why I have drawers full of stuff just waiting to be made!! If I crafted non-stop for the next 5 years I'd be lucky to use up all the stash I have!!!

Have to say, I had the BEST day at the workshop. Sheena, as ever, was totally inspiring. We completed three projects - two of which I have posted photos of . The other one has to remain under wraps for a while!! Say no more!!!

Paint Fusion is a style of painting based on folk art. The fusion bit is because it's about combining it with all the other crafting things we usually do, like heat embossing and distressing to name just a few!!

I haven't done any serious painting for over 15 years - I used to love watercolours and still have all my stuff. This is using acrylics, so am getting used to using a completely different medium. There is so much scope of what can be fusioned - literally any surface that will take the paint - and I have a lot of things already lined up and waiting!!

The first of the projects was the lavender bookmark. This is using pre-cut mountboard. The background was crackled first, then the lavender painted on top. Walnut Stain and Black Soot Distress Inks were used to give it a more aged look, then the edges were embossed with Sheena's Gold Sparkle WOW Embossing Powder.

The second was the bouquet on watercolour card (300gsm). Of the two projects, this is the image I prefer, although I love the bookmark shape - have bought a few blanks to play with so hopefully will come up with something I like for them.

I will leave you with the though that I am working hard on lots of new stuff - so check out the website for new updates coming soon!! Happy Easter to you all. Cxx

Why is everything so difficult?

I've been looking at the website and feel it needs a bit more character. There are these big, white, empty spaces down each side of the page. I would love to be able to use the same side borders on the website as I have here on my blog. But I don't have a clue how to do that - and not sure I'd be allowed to use them if I did!

I've even tried to design my own and save as a jpeg, which I know how to import onto the website. But it was not wide enough, so repeated the design making the right hand side look very strange. As I can't seem to work out how wide it should be, then I can't make it work.

It's something I'm going to have to work on, as it is beginning to frustrate me. If any of you out there can give me a heads up on what to do, it would be much appreciated.

I've now managed to put some Mother's Day cards onto the site - I intend to make a few more, so watch this space. I've also been working on a page with information on commissioning cards, so that should be up and running soon. I'm also going to start a clearance section. I make loads of cards - it's sort of obsessional!! And need to clear some space for all the new stuff I've got planned. I'm going to start work on it this weekend - will keep you up to date with how I'm getting on.

Aside from all of that, I've included a few pictures of cards I've recently made. The first one was a difficult one to make. Not because it has advanced techniques, but because it was a sympathy card for a close friend who recently lost her Mum. She was a wonderful lady that I knew for nearly 30 years - all through my teens and into adulthood - and she will be sadly missed.

The Kanban Floral Garden collection lends itself to this difficult area of card making - this topper is from the Roses sheet. I used a tall white card, and matted and layered Papermania Luxury Velvet Paper in Black, with Gold Mirror Card. The sentiment is from the Orchid and Calla Lily sheet. It is finished off with black organza ribbon down the left side, with black, flat-backed pearls.

The second is a birthday card for another close friend. The background paper was actually an insert from a Deckle Edge Card Kit - I used the cards but not the inserts at the time!! I have to confess that I have no idea where the lighter pink paper came from - it was in my box and just seemed appropriate. The shapes are cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities. I printed the message onto the paper first before I cut it. A couple of pink skeleton leaves lie under the message, whilst the fabric flowers (WHSmith clearout sale yonks ago - I bought loads and am still working throught them) are held together with Papermania brads.

I decided to make a matching gift. One of my favourite shops is Past Times, and I picked up this beautiful set of pink butterfly and dragonfly frames. I printed the same message to sit in one frame, and placed a piece of the insert paper inside the other, attaching another fabric flower to the outside of the frame with a glue dot.

I was really pleased with the finished project. I do rather like things that match!!

And now I think I'm going to have to sign off, as Gardener's World has just started, and my favourite - Monty Don - is back this series!! Need to find out what he thinks I should be doing in the garden this weekend!!

Speak to you soon.

Cxxxx

What's in a Word??

Well, one word can be extremely expressive!! It can explain a feeling, an occasion, provide a description or just say what something is.

The first word that springs into mind right now, is totally unusable – because this is the second attempt at this blog entry!! The first attempt was lost right at the end when my laptop decided to crash my Internet connection!!! So, as I say, the first word that comes to my mind is not usable!!

So, what IS in a word? In this context, maybe the question should be “What’s in a Wordbook?” Or perhaps the place to start is “What IS a Wordbook?” Well, it sort of does what it says on the tin. It’s a book that it made from one word.
And that word is chosen to describe the person, event or occasion that it will be used for.

Each page of the book has a letter (or number) at the end, with the first page being the shortest, and subsequent pages increasingly longer.

Wordbooks can spell out a name or any special occasion.

And don’t forget those landmark ages – the 18th’s, 21st’s, 40th’s etc etc. In fact, you can use any combination of letters and numbers.



I print the pages onto 300gsm card, using the various, gorgeous Funky Hand CD’s, which have a great range of colours and styles.

Because I use A4 card, the maximum number of pages I would work with is 6, although 7 can be used at a push.
I decorate the pages using flowers, sequins and gems. And with my trusty Cuttlebug, I cut a variety of mats using matching card, which are used inside the book – for writing messages on – or for attaching photos. The book is bound using a Zutter Bind it All, and small sections of ribbon tied around the binding wire provide the finishing touches.

OK, so that’s what they are. But what are they for? Well, they make great alternatives to cards for those special birthdays and occasions – they will certainly stand out from the crowd. But they can also be used as mini scrapbooks for photos and other memorabilia. And there’s no limit to the occasions – I’ve used them for a Secret Santa, with little gifts attached to the pages!!

So what’s in a word – well, whatever you want to put into it.

And my final word for the day is PANCAKES!! Because of course, it's Shrove Tuesday - Pancake day. The day when people (much more noble than me) traditionally decide to give up something for Lent. I'm afraid I don't have the willpower (she says as she munches on a chocolate digestive!!) but always admire those that can!! But back to pancakes!! Unfortunately, we were a bit slow off the mark, and there were no lemons left in a two mile radius. I always have sugar and lemon on my pancakes, so was a little disappointed. Has golden syrup instead, which was OK - but will have to make sure I'm better prepared next year!!

And on that note... until next time!!

Cxx

PS Many thanks to my lovely husband who finally helped me get this blog done, after my second attempt also very nearly failed!!! Then there would have been a whole other load of words that would have sprung to mind!!

Great minds think alike!!

So, am watching one of my favourite crafters on TV, and one of the creations she was showing was a large cupcake card!!

Great card I thought - just like the one I've just made for a commission!! Actually, what I really thought was "Damn - now when I blog this card, people are going to think I copied hers!! " Well, I didn't copy - but would like to think that great minds think alike!! So, here are the pictures....

And here's the science (well crafty) bit!! Firstly, the card itself. With most of my 8" boxed cards, I start with a large sheet of Centura Pearl Card - in this case mauve!! The icing on the cake is cut from purple Vivelle, with the cake case made from one of my ever present stock cupboard items - Bazzil Bling card!!

The lilac and purple background papers are from a really old stash of Papermania 12x12 paper pads, while the cream is (again) Centura Pearl.

I made my own template for the cupcake - have used it before, although this time I decided to concertina fold the cupcake case. All I did was enlarge the templates.

The large scalloped square is made using a "Colour My World" template. I really would like a larger die cutting machine, that will take the Grand Nesties, then I wouldn't have to cut these larger mats by hand. But until then, I will continue using these templates.

The front of the box is similar to the card itself - another thing I like to do with my 8" boxed cards. But this time, I stuck with a flat cupcake, and embossed Happy Birthday onto the cupcake case using Papermania Universal Embossing Folder - Greetings 2.

All the ribbon is from a range called Celebrate (Ribbon by the Spool). One of the cheapest ways I've found to feed my ribbon cravings!!!

The inside of the box is something else I always try to decorate - I think if you're paying for a large handmade card, there should be something special about it. And I've been told by several people that they are more of a gift than a card!! I'm happy with that!!

So, the next couple of weeks will see me having to get a wriggle on with another commission, but hopefully will have time for thinking about Mother's Day and Easter.

And on top of that, I've just bought some great new stamps to try out an exciting painting technique. Am hopefully going to be able to use it on my boxes and fridge magnets - and maybe my bookmarks too!! So watch this space!!

Aside from all this, my greenhouse is now ready, and my lovely husband has dug over the veggie patch we've created. So there will be a lot to do in the garden in the next few weeks. Have loads of plans of what I want to grow - whether they come to anything or not , we'll have to wait and see. Mmmm. Just had a thought of some crafty things I could do that might appeal to gardeners!! Anyway, I digress.

Just need to catch up on some sleep before all of this - it's very busy at work and I'm feeling exhausted!! It's hard to focus when I'm feeling like this - and to find some inspiration. But often just sitting in the midst of all my stash makes me feel like doing something - whether it's for a specific project - or just playing with materials and techniques.

So, will sign off now - and hopefully will blog a bit sooner next time!!

Cxx

His Valentine Card!!

So, I did relent and make a Valentine Card for my other half. And here it is. I'm quite proud of it - not cutesy or even a predictable Valentine type card. I based it on a layout I saw in a Docrafts magazine a couple of years ago - one of those images I cut out and stuck in one of my many ideas books.

For any crafty types reading the blog, it's an 8x8 base card, covered in a sheet of paper from Papermania's V&A Quilts 8x8 pack. It's been distressed around the edges by sanding, and edged with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

The hearts are cut from Bazzil cardstock (not sure of the colour names - they were off cuts in my odds & sods box) using my Craft Robo, and the letters are also Bazzil cardstock cut using XCut Die-Licious Alphabet Dies (Smoothie) and my trusty Cuttlebug.

The bottom mat is from DCWV's Luxury Cardstock Stack, and the other is Bazzil card. Ribbon from my stash, along with a flourish stamp and sequins finished it off nicely.

Have a few more recently made cards to post - will do so one at a time so as not to bore you non-crafting friends who I know read my blog out of a sense of duty and friendship!! God bless you all!!!

Things have been a bit quiet since Christmas, I have tonnes of cards waiting to be made - loads of new stash that I think people will love when I've had a chance to work my crafty (although hopefully not too inky) fingers on, and transformed into cards.

Problem is (and believe me this is a problem in the most good and positive sense of the word), I keep getting commissions to make. Shouldn't complain, as I do love making special cards. But all my good intentions of having time to play and create seem to just pass by. And now with Spring just around the corner, my garden is screaming for some attention.

My lovely husband is in the process of putting up a greenhouse for me, and over the winter he dug up a (small)section of the lawn to extend my veggie patch. So, am torn between planning the months ahead for my garden, and making cards and playing with messy, inky stuff.

Plus, I've just remembered I've got tags to make for a swap that need doing this week. Oh dear - my work is never done!!

So, better sign off here, and make a plan of what to do when. (You may notice that I am a bit of a planner - rather compulsive one I suppose).

Bye for now
Cxxxx

Love is in the air...

..... everywhere you look around. Well, the Valentine's stuff is anyway, although my other half insists there's nothing in the card shops yet!! Mmmmm. And when I suggested (sarcastically) that he might want me to make my own, there was a split second when I could see he was seriously thinking about it. But, luckily for him, it passed. Whether I get a card though, still remains to be seen.

Anyway, as it's fast approaching, I have rustled up a few cards which are now on the website in the "Love and Valentine's" section. (And no, I haven't made HIM a card yet - maybe I will just buy him one this year!! That'd give him a lemon!!)

I've tried to be a bit different and offer something other than the usual hearts and flowers - although there are a few of those in there too!! Here's a few of them to whet your appetite.....

Visit http://www.papercraftbycarole.co.uk/ for the full range.

Haven't yet got round to putting the bookmarks on - but am now considering putting on a section where people can commission cards. I appreciate that in this time of economic hardship, handmade cards are perhaps a bit of a luxury, but we all have special occasions that need to be marked, and this could be the way to attract more interest in the rest of my stuff.

Just a thought - let me know what you think!!

Cxxx

Cxx

Website Back Up and Running!!

So, Christmas is over, the family has all been fed far too much food - and work is beckoning. I have finally got the website updated and back on line - and looking forward to the new year.

In the coming weeks, I shall be making a whole host of new cards and extending the range to include cards for men and children. I have a load of new resources ready and waiting to be made up - and the living room is beginning to fill up again with all the crafting boxes creeping back in. I am also considering putting the fridge magnets and bookmarks on the website - maybe even the notebooks - although I'd have to think about postage costs for them.

So, will keep you posted as things progress.

Cxxx