Monday 31 July 2017

Gone a little bit mad!

Hello friends

So that boy of mine is working his last full month before heading off 
to University and has decided to offer free shipping on the website 
for a whole week! 
I think this came from looking at the stock room and realising
we can barely move! 


Important info bit: 
Select 'free shipping' when you view your basket/cart
otherwise you will still be charged - thank you.

 So a fantastic opportunity to stock up on all your essential adhesives,
 please take a look at our Adhesives here.

Also why not treat yourself to some new dies - Sharyn Stowell for Spellbinders 
her designs originate from intricate paper cutting.


There is also the gorgeous Little Red Wagon dies Debi Adams for Spellbinders
including the very cute Ella-Fant



and not forgetting Amazing Paper Grace - sheer elegance!



Also while you are there take a peek at the Pre-Loved section,
more items have been added for this week.

Again, please remember:  select 'free shipping' when you view your basket/cart
otherwise you will still be charged - thank you.


Wishing you all a great start to the week and 
happy free P&P shopping!


Sunday 30 July 2017

Blast from the Past and Gossamer Knot

Hello friends

Thank you for your nice comments yesterday,
I also meant to say that over on my Desk Adventures Blog
I've posted the story Terms and Conditions Apply -
this is where it all began - winning a competition with Ford,
meeting Carole and owning a brand new car for a year.
I did actually buy that car when the year was up and Mitchell still drives it! 
Here's a flash from the past...2004!


Right...back to craft!
Today's card features Gossamer Knot.
A die from the Venise Lace collection designed by Becca Feeken -
(I keep wanting to change the spelling of 'Venise' but apparently that's what it is!)

I used the larger of the dies and die cut from white card.
Placed silver mirror card behind.
The blue floral paper is Craftwork Cards and another silver mat using
A2 Matting Basics.
I love the design of this - looks like intricate metal work,
I could also see this working beautifully as a background to holly and poinsettias.


The addition of foliage and little flowers - Pretty Petals C -
and the final touch is a 'Thank You' sentiment.


Gossamer Knot is available to pre-order on the website here,
should be arriving late August so not too long :) 

Take care friends, back in my cabin today putting workshop kits together
and roast dinner cooked by my lovely Mum.

Saturday 29 July 2017

Out and About...Desk Adventures and Other Stuff!

Hello friends
 
Covering bits and bobs on the blog today.
Here we go...
 
I'm getting out and about.
For the first half of this year I've kept demos and workshops to a minimum,
it gave me a chance to get jobs done around the home,
spend some quality time with the boys (and Bella!)
And I also helped promote Paperhearts and Summer Kisses.
But now I'm missing visiting shops and teaching workshops.
If you've met me you'll know I miss the chatting! 
I've decided I need to be out and about again.
 
 
 
On my Spellbinders on Tour page - it's on the sidebar to the right
or please click here.   I've listed the bookings so far -
 
Keep on Crafting - Bury St Edmunds
Art of Craft - Farnborough
Dies to Craft For - Harwich
 
If you would like to find out more or book, please visit the links,
it would be lovely to see you!
 
 
Next up...
 
Many years ago before I even discovered craft and die cutting, my hobby
was writing.  That is actually how I met Carole Matthews.
I've had some stories published and I have a few half written novels
languishing in a drawer.
On the odd day I still sit in front of blank screen and write.
 
 
I'm now posting my endeavours on a separate blog called
Desk Adventures - if you fancy a look, please visit here.
 
And now...
 
On this coming Monday Hope and Chances will have a very useful offer -
Elliott urges you to sign up to emails so you do not miss out!
Please sign up here.
I promise it is a good one!
 
Take care friends - enjoy your Saturday.
 
 


Friday 28 July 2017

Friday Die Day

Hello friends
 
Friday Die Day and this week it is Flower 'n Stem.
One of the Die D-Lites.
 
 
Consisting of three dies, the approximate measurements are:
 
Mini Flower: 0.50 x 0.45 in
Flower: 1.50 x 1.35 in
Sprig: 1.60 x 1.60 in
 
This is how they look cut/embossed.
 
 
I've used white card and inked the flowers and stems using mini daubers -
these are so useful especially for smaller die cuts.

 
For my card base - 5 x 7 Matting Basics.

 
My flowers and stems prepared, stamped 'Mum' to one flower head.
(Yes, this is the card that I made for my Mum's birthday and
I've finally got around to sharing it with you!)

 
Placed the stamped flower to the middle of my card with 3D Foam Squares.

 
And then assembled the remaining flowers and stems
around the central one with three smaller flowers to the
bottom right hand corner.
The finished card.




Flower 'n Stem is available on the website here
and being a Die D-Lite is at a bargain price too!
 
Those super handy mini daubers are available here.
 
Take care friends, wishing you all a great weekend -
I'm intending to be in my cabin crafting solidly for 2 days -
got lots to do!
 
 

Thursday 27 July 2017

Tags, tags and...oh yes, Christmas!

Hello friends

It's Christmas! 
OK, I know it isn't really but my project this month for Spellbinders
is Christmas in July.  I chose to make personalised tags,
always good to get ahead with those.


Instead of writing names I thought placing photos would be a nice touch,
featured here are my two boys and my niece and nephew.
(They will definitely be expecting pressies now!)


I have a full tutorial on the Spellbinders blog here,
please feel free to take a look.
It details both the dies and stamp used.

Take care friends, nearly the weekend!

Wednesday 26 July 2017

Hump Day Giveaway and Last Week's Winner...

Hello friends

Here we are again - Wednesday already!
To keep things organised I'm announcing last week's winner
and also offering another Hump Day Giveaway.
(Truthfully it just helps me remember!)



The winner of a brand new set of Phrase Set One is...

JANE WILLIS

Congratulations Jane - please drop me an email with your address details -
christine.emberson@blueyonder.co.uk

If you missed out, Phrase Set One is available on the website here 
one of the Summer Sale bargains.


Now onto this week's Hump Day Giveaway.
So it is a little different as it is first of all a Spellbinders stamp
and second it is...Christmassy (ducking!)

It is Be Merry - a gorgeous design by Tammy Tutterow.

If you would like to enter, please leave a comment on today's blog post,
a winner will be picked and announced next week - most likely Wednesday!
Be Merry is also available on the website here and please 
take a look at the other gorgeous Spellbinders stamps available here.
I adore the tree!

Take care friends.


Tuesday 25 July 2017

Isadora Trinkets

Hello friends

Back to craftiness today.
First of all to answer Linda's question on Friday regarding 
the stamens I used for the Cinch and Go Flowers Two.


These can be purchased from Amazon, a 60 piece set of 3 designs and you can 
view them here.

Today's project features Isadora Trinkets, a die set designed by Becca Feeken,
part of her Venise Lace collection and will be available next month.


I've chosen to mat Craftwork Cards patterned paper onto a 
5 x 7 card base.
Pierced Rectangles to the centre with a stamped sentiment.


I've used all the dies in the set with a combination
of white and silver mirror card.


Shadowing the die cuts at the top
and adding a little flower and leaf set to the bottom die cut.


These dies would also look very effective at the top of bookmarks,
invitations etc.

As mentioned, Isadora Trinkets will be available about the middle of 
next month but available to pre-order on the website here.
Pierced Rectangles is back in stock here.

Take care friends, I'm busy working on sample books 
and recommencing demos and workshops - more news very soon.

Monday 24 July 2017

Such a lovely time...

Hello friends

I hope you all had a good weekend.
Mum and I had a lovely time in Chester and at Tatton Flower Show,
here's a few photos.

We were so lucky with the weather, we only had one downpour 
and the rest of the time it was blue skies.
The second most photographed clock in the country apparently...


The distinctive architecture that Chester is so known for.


If you visit Chester and would like to sample proper fish and chips,
just before The Forum Market is the most wonderful restaurant,
best fish and chips we've had in ages!



On Sunday we arrived at Tatton Flower Show dead on opening time.


Just a few of the amazing floral displays, absolutely stunning.



Veggies and fruit too...


And this beauty!
I would love this in my garden but honestly it would take up my entire lawn.



I'm very partial to clematis and I will now be purchasing this variety -
isn't it beautiful, I've not seen one like this before.
Also available in pale pink.
Florida Sieboldii


Just a little insight into our weekend,
we didn't get home till midnight last night so a fair bit of catching up
and I'm now gazing at my tiny garden thinking I definitely need
more flowers!

Crafty stuff will resume tomorrow!
Take care friends - wishing you all a great start to the week. 

Friday 21 July 2017

Friday Die Day

Hello friends
 
For this week's Friday Die Day I am bringing you
Designed by Becca Feeken (Amazing Paper Grace) for Spellbinders,
these are truly beautiful.
 
This is how they look cut/embossed -
a peek of one of my demo sample book pages here.
 

I chose to cut the flowers from pink card and insert stamens -
they look very much like cotton buds in these photos! 


As I layered each one I curled the petals up.
 


By using the various die sizes I chose to make 5 in total.
The buds just use the one smallest die cut.


The leaves are cut from gold foil card, this really accentuates the embossing.
My finished card - matting created with 5 x 7 Matting Basics.
 

 
I used my glue gun to fix the stamens in place and add the flowers to my card front.


The stamped sentiment is Altenew.
 


Cinch and Go Flowers Two are available on the website here -
so pretty!
 
Wishing you all a lovely weekend, Mum and I are leaving at 6am
this morning to visit Chester and tomorrow we are at Tatton Flower Show.
I'm certain I will take photos :)