Friday Die Day

Hello friends

 

Festive today with this very cute Die D-Lites set called

Peppermint Stick.

 

Die set consists of four dies and the approximate measurements are:

 

Cane: 1.20 x 2.70 in
Candy: 0.75 x 0.75 in
Berries: 0.80 x 0.70 in
Leaves: 1.00 x 0.80 in

 

This is how they look cut/embossed. 

 

 

I've inked through the candy cane die to emphasise those stripes and brushed with

distress ink at the edges too.

 

My white card base with some patterned paper scraps, red stripes and some script.

Die cut the berries in red and holly leaves in green...appropriate I thought!

I typed my sentiment and die cut.

 

My finished card with the addition of a length of twine, each element secured

with 3D foam pads for extra definition.

 

Peppermint Stick is available to purchase from your Spellbinders retailer now,

as it is a Die D-Lite these are reasonably priced and you certainly

receive quite a few dies within this die set.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. I'm crafting along with attempting

to do some decorating, emptied out Elliott's room about two weeks ago and

we are no further!

 

Take care friends.

Different Cover and Rhombus Borders

Hello friends

First of all thank you so much for all the lovely good wishes following

my book news. 

Today the book cover for Australia and New Zealand was revealed 

(they get a different design!)

Love the bunting on this one.

 I will keep you posted on details, as mentioned the hardback is 

available to pre-order on Amazon.

Carole and I will be doing quite a few events that will involve craft too! 

In the midst of all this excitement I was at Create & Craft on Monday with 

Spellbinders Geo dies.

This is one of my demo cards and features Rhombus Borders.

Kept it very simple with the addition of 

a die cut square, Blooms One and two foliage leaves.

These dies work so well with drop shadowing with mirror card.

Back to city job tomorrow and Friday, nice to be walking on air though!

Take care friends and hope your week is going well.

BIG NEWS!

Hello friends

So here is something big, exciting and quite incredible and I am so thrilled
to share this news with you!!

Take a look at this...

If you read my blog you will note that I often mention Carole Matthews,

(fantastic writer and lovely lady).

We've been friends for many years ...

and shared a lot of laughs.

Well....Carole's 29th book - Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses is all 

about crafting - die cutting in fact.

It also happens to be based on someone who I know pretty well...oh yes - 

ME! 

Imagine that...someone wanting to write a novel based on my life,

I'm still finding it hard to believe. 

I've been with Carole on the writing of this book from the beginning and a lot 

of the novel is very true to my life (Elliott is featured) but there has been some 

wonderful made up bits added too!

The hardback is due out 15 December and is available to pre-order 

via Amazon now - click here for the details -

it's the perfect Christmas pressie!

Incidentally Mary Berry is one of Carole's biggest fans, endorsed the book too.

And here is the book blurb/synopsis...

Christie Chapman is a single working mother who spends her days commuting to her secretarial job in London and looking after her teenage son, Finn. It can be tough just getting through the day but Christie has always found comfort in her love of crafting and any spare time she has is spent in her parents' summerhouse working on her beautiful creations. From intricately designed birthday cards to personalised gifts, Christie's flair for the handmade knows no bounds and it's not long before opportunity comes knocking. All of a sudden Christie sees a different future for her and Finn - one full of hope and possibility, and if the handsome Max Alexander is to be believed, one full of love too. It's all there for the taking.

And then, all of sudden, Christie's world is turned upside down.

Christie knows that something has to give, but what will she choose? Will she give up her dreams and the chance of real love? What price will she pay for doing the right thing? Can Christie find her happy ending in . . . Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses.

Carole and I will be out and about with lots of events sharing the news

of Paper Heart and Summer Kisses - I will keep you posted here and via Facebook.

Very very exciting times ahead - pinch me!

Take care friends.

Home...briefly!

Hello friends

Back home from telly land.  It was seven shows over three days so fairly busy!

I'm not home for long as returning tomorrow to do another show featuring 

the new Spellbinders Geo dies.  

These dies are different but I'm loving them, the clean lines and the 

paper piecing opportunities are superb.

I've taken some photos of some of the projects I made on air.
This one features Optical Illusion and I created a patchwork effect frame.

Have to say I loved doing each show, fantastic presenters.

My show on Sunday was with Ben Moseby and I really did have a giggle.

Thank you for watching and for emailing in, I did see some

familiar names and that really made my day.

In between telly I'm in the midst of preparing this month's charity kit -

please look out for those details appearing very soon.

Take care friends. 

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

Today I am featuring Big Blossom, a die designed by Donna Salazar

for Spellbinders.

Many of you may have Bitty Blossoms and this is the next larger

size up measuring 4.2 x 4 inches. 

Big Blossom works exactly the same as other spiral dies.

Here's some step by step photos.

Once it is cut you start rolling from the outer edge to the middle.

Using the end of the Tool n' One helps.

Once rolled the middle circle is the base, fix with glue.

The leaves here are from Bitty Blossoms.

Bend the petals outwards to make a realistic flower.

Big Blossom is available now to purchase from your Spellbinders retailer.

I'm heading off to the TV studios, I've got shows on Create and Craft
today, tomorrow, Sunday and Tuesday! 

It has been a busy time of preparation coupled with hospital appointments for

Elliott - apologies my blog has been a bit quiet.

Very pleased to report all good news regarding Elliott, his scan has come back

with no change which is what we want...

that horrible tumour can stay dormant forever please!

Take care friends and I hope you can tune in to Create and Craft -

I'll be posting times on Facebook.

Sneak Peek!

Hello friends

Quick post this evening to let you know that I'm appearing on 

Create and Craft demoing the very new Spellbinders Geo dies.

Here's a sneak peek of some of the projects I've made.

These are really interesting dies and I've been delighted with the results.

My show times are:

Friday (tomorrow) 1pm and 8pm
Saturday 11am, 3pm and 9pm
Sunday 9am
Tuesday 7pm

Hope you can tune in and if you would like to email the studio

I would be grateful, always nice to hear familiar names -

I don't feel so far away from home then.

Take care friends and tomorrow's it's FDD!

Dotty!

Hello friends

Today over on the Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L blog I'm 

featuring a tutorial on how to make this card using scraps.

Feel free to take a look as there's a giveaway too! 

All the details are here.

Are you all having a good weekend?

Mine has been spent crafting - I'm getting ready for some more TV...

I'll keep you posted!

Take care friends.