Workshop photos - Friday 14th September

Hello again blog Friends!


Yes, I'm back for a second time today, with photos from last night's Out of the Blue workshop...

This time we set two Christmas projects for our groups, a card and tag that, whilst we used dies last night, can be easily replicated using any embellishments, templates or stamps.

Both groups made cards from the same designs. These were the projects for my group:

A DL Christmas card, using a simple layout sketch, a tag made from using a luggage label as a template with cream card, which was shaded at the edges with Worn Lipstick distress ink, the Spellbinders Poinsettia die, some Cosmic Shimmer PVA (Olympic Gold) for the centre, a stamped sentiment and decorative edge using a Martha Stewart punch.

We also made a tag using the 2010 Spellbinders Globe ornament and again the poinsettia die. In case anyone really didn't want to make any more 'Christmas', I also gave the option of the heart tag, using Spellbinders Classic Hearts and one of my group decided to make this instead.

 Below are photos of some of our group of crafters with there completed projects...hope you all had a good time again ladies!

Carole X

Santa's Little Helper - Tuesday 7th August

Good Morning Friends and a very big welcome to my new follower!

How is everyone enjoying Team GB's success at the Olympics over the weekend? I was so happy to see Andy Murray win the Gold at Wimbledon and yesterday, my favourite sport, Show Jumping won the Gold too! I was especially happy for Nick Skelton, he was one of my equestrian idols in my teens, a true legend and to think not so long ago he broke his neck, almost died and had to retire...such a sporting hero!

It's back to Christmas today! This little Maxwell House Mouse stamp is one of two that are going feature on most of my Christmas cards to post this year (the other is an LOTV stamp). I send a lot of cards and make them all, so except the more elaborate ones for close family and friends, I have to batch make a lot of cards, so go for a simple stamp or one of my own designs (but I don't get time for that lately). I'm not going to be showing my batch cards on here, in case anyone who is getting one sees them (!) but this is one of the cards I've made for my 'selling at a craft fair' etc box.

I love House Mouse and feeling a bit 'sad' that I've not had time to enter one of their challenges for a few weeks - guesting as a designer for them a few months ago was awesome. This stamp is called 'Santa's Little Helper' and the card is tiny, made on 4 x 4 card stock.

I stamped Maxwell with Memento and coloured him with Promarkers, then die cut him using the Spellbinders Heart Circles die, shading the edges with spun sugar distress ink. I also cut a piece of red paper using the Heart Squares die. I covered the card in the same red and then cur four triangles from stripy Christmas paper and used them to mat and layer over the base card. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the decorative edge and cut a strip of patterned paper to divide the card. The poinsettias were cut in glittered felt from the Spellbinders Poinsettia die and the flourish is a die cut from my little box of random pieces I've cut and not used.

Thanks for stopping by!

Carole X

PS Photo a Day for 8th August - today's topic is 8 O'Clock...I'll be on way to work then, so will have to tweet today's photo instead!

Christmas Fairy - Friday June 29th

Morning log Friends,

I'm holding back the big project I completed earlier this week for a few days so I'm afraid it's another Christmas card and I really do promise not to bombard this blog with them just yet, just a smattering over the weeks ahead (maybe one a week?)

This is another LOTV stamp, which I think is adorable. Last weekend I stamped some Christmas designs from LOTV, House Mouse and coloured them with my promarkers ready to make into cards when I get the chance!

 This is a small card, I always make large 8x8's for commissions, but I really love little cards with lots on them and I think this type of layout really suits stamps like LOTV's.

You can add just the right amount of ribbon, lace, die-cuts and somehow the image tells you when to stop - am I making sense? :)

I started with a white 5x5 card blank, which is matted and layered with red card and a grey/gold paper from a pad in my Christmas stash box. I coloured the fairy/angel (I know you can tell by the wings, so someone will have to remind me!) with promarkers and used Cosmic twinkles to highlight the wings and the snow. I die cut her on Spellbinders Labels One Small and also die cut a larger size in red. I also used my favourite poinsettia die again, but unlike the previous card where I used felt, this time I used card. The Christmas tree is cut in glitter card using a die from Spellbinders Fanciful Holiday and the  gems, beads and sentiment are all from stash. It's actually quite exciting to open the Christmas stash boxes again to see what delights I'd forgotten were there!

The ribbon was in my Christmas ribbon box, yes I do keep a separate one for all those lovely ribbons most suited to Christmas and I do love this one! 

Hope you like my second Christmas card...thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting everyone!

Carole X

First Christmas card 2012 - Monday 25th June

Hi Blog Friends,


Well I had to get started this month didn't I? So inspired by some of you, and all the Christmas Craftyness on Create and Craft this week, I dug deep under my desk, pulled out the boxes of Christmas stash, dusted off the Christmas Spellbinders and stamps and got to work. The first ones aren't going to be quick ones..I need the more involved, 'lots going on' cards before I decide on the design for my card that is going to be made many times over!

 This card was made with a Lilli of the Valley stamp, which I coloured with Promarkers and then added some Pinflair Iced Diamond for the snow and on the hats.


I cut the image on a  Spellbinders Grand Labels 23 and then cut a faux nestie in red. The base card is white, matted and layered with green and red card and finally a sage green polka dot card, which I pin pricked and using white jellyroll pen created faux stitching.


The snow flakes are from this year's Spellbinders Christmas dies and the poinsettias are from last year. I love these dies, they are by far my favourite! For this card I cut the petals using red glitter felt and the foliage, dark green card.


I stamped an LOTV stamp on to white card and die cut using  a lacey oval die...final touches were pearl gems a button and ribbon from stash.


Thanks for stopping by, I'll try to space our Christmas cards for now...we haven't had summer yet, have we!!!?


Carole X