Friday, 30 June 2017

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

This week's Friday Die Day features a few dies but the stunning prominent
golden one is Untamed Heart - one of the Rebel Rose collection


I've kept Elliott busy and he has created a video showing how I put this card
together.  You can view it below or please visit my YouTube channel
by clicking into the link over there...on the right,
all my videos are listed there :)



I've rather fallen in love with Untamed Heart, it does look particularly
pretty cut from foil card, the design looks rather Victorian too.


The other dies featured are Rebel Jewels and Labels 56.


Feel free to check out Stacey Caron's dies here.

Wishing you all a brilliant weekend, what are you up to?
I have no plans aside from crafting...of course :)

Take care friends.



Wednesday, 28 June 2017

That pretty piece of patterned paper...

Hello friends

Today's card features Marisa Job's Thank You Pop Up die.
I've chosen to use it flat but having the pop up option is a nice alternative
especially for decorating boxes and making table favours.
I based the whole design around the blue bird on the patterned paper -
do you ever do that?  Work a project around a particular piece of paper?
One day I intend to see the bottom of my scrap paper box but not sure when!



I added lots of blue flowers and the foliage is Sprigs.
Distressing the paper is something I always used to do and had stopped,
nice to revisit these techniques occasionally.

Just heading to my cabin, at the weekend I tidied up the stock room
and Elliott has given his approval(!)  I should carry on and tidy my craft area
but somehow the actual crafting is a lot more fun!

Thank You Pop Up is available on the website here.

Take care friends.



Tuesday, 27 June 2017

London Town...

Hello friends

Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the offices of Audible 
in London.  I have to say it was an amazing thrill for me because I am
a massive fan of audio books and I have subscribed to Audible for a long time.
I met with Carole so that we could record an interview for #Paperhearts.
It was very informal, Carole and I chatting away on camera, 
and answering some great questions presented by a very nice man - 
Robin Morgan.
(I suspect they will edit out quite a lot as it would be way tooooo long!)

Here we are in the reception, we arrived very early 
and gatecrashed their staff breakfast...I recommend working there -
the food was lovely!


As we walked to the studio I was excited to see the photos of my favourite 
narrators and asked if I could take some photos.
I was seriously like a kiddie in a sweet shop at this point!


Once finished Carole and I sought out a lovely coffee shop and indulged in 
some calorie-free cake...well part of that is true!


I'll be sure to share the interview as soon as it is available.
Feel free to seek out #Paperhearts on Audible read by Julia Barrie,
just click here.
And how about this lovely visual, look out for these -
lots of pretty posters created by the publishers.


I'm in my cabin today crafting so definitely crafty stuff on its way 
to you...in between I'm still smiling about Audible - it was just brilliant!

Take care friends.







Sunday, 25 June 2017

Craft - Congrats and Climbing Fences!

Hello friends

Today's blog post is a little later due to escapades last night! 
Ridiculously I managed to lock myself out (yes again!)
In my defence...it is a new front door (still getting used to it!)
I forgot that a top window was open and a gust of wind blew down and I heard 
a tiny click (not even a satisfying door slam)
and that was me stuck outside in shorts, shirt and flip flops.

At this point I reassured myself that the back door is wide open,
I can just reach over and unlock the back gate.
I live in a mid-terraced property so to gain access to the 
back of my home you walk down an alleyway - a very
overgrown alleyway!  At my gate I realise there was probably a good reason
why I fitted turnbuckles and extra bolts that are unreachable but 
it isn't helping me now!


I look at the fence and wonder if I can climb that (in flip flops!?)
Ten years ago I probably could have I ponder...
Then I remember I'm up against a time limit here -
I'm due to pick Elliott up in thirty minutes and I have no phone to
contact him.  I then hit upon the idea of my neighbour, Micky.
Then real hilarity ensues - she has a ladder, yes I can climb a 
ladder to the top of my fence and yes I can balance on a wall opposite 
the alleyway, but then lowering the ladder on the other side of the 
gate and me having to leap across to climb down....ummm...no way! 
While this is happening Bella is totally confused, barking at me
and then stopping thinking 'I know that person trying to break into our garden!'

We revert to modern technology, through the medium of Facebook.
We eventually get a message to Elliott who in turn manages to contact my 
Mum on her mobile and then my lovely Dad drives round with the spare key.

I'm actually only an hour late picking him up, Bella is still looking 
perplexed and I look like I've been pulled through a hedge backwards.. because
I pretty much have been!

So lessons learned and surprisingly I'm not aching too much today from
running up and down ladders! 

Finally a crafty offering...you deserve it for getting this far!

Today's card features Congrats a sentiment die designed by Marisa Job
for Spellbinders.
It is actually a Pop-Up die so has two sides but I've adapted it 
to place on the front of a card.
I found some pretty patterned paper, distressed it a little and inked the edges.


Created lots of flowers and also added curly foliage from Sprigs.



Congrats is available on the website here.

Take care friends, enjoy your day.
I'm hoping for an uneventful one! 


Saturday, 24 June 2017

The Special Birthday!

Hello friends
 
Today's post is purely pet indulgent!
Bella celebrated her 6th birthday this week, I cannot believe
she has been in our lives for 6 years - we absolutely adore her
and what I love is that she never fails to make us smile.
As a puppy she had a dark face but over the years she has lightened.
Her temperament is wonderful,
we couldn't wish for a nicer member of our family.
 
In honour of her birthday,
I decided to try my hand at making special dog-friendly cupcakes.
I looked up various recipes and then decided to wing it...!
 
 
The anticipation....

 
The discovery...

 
The empty plate...well nearly!
 
 
In case you would like to try out the recipe for your pampered pooch,
here it is. To view it larger please click on the image.
 

 
Crafty stuff resumes tomorrow.
 
Take care friends.
 
 

Friday, 23 June 2017

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

First - congratulations to Ann who had the winning ticket
for this month's charity kit :) 

Second - we celebrated Bella's birthday yesterday,
I did post it quite a lot on social media (!) but I will be sharing 
photos here tomorrow.

Third - it is Friday Die Day!
I intended to do another video this week but my cabin was
way too hot so instead I'm revisiting one of my favourite dies -
Pointed Mini Envelope.  A die set designed by
Tammy Tutterow for Spellbinders.
I adore little envelope dies!
 
 
The approximate measurements are:
Envelope: 3.00 x 6.50 in
Insert: 1.75 x 2.25 in
 
This is what it looks like cut/embossed.
 
 
I chose to use cream card stock, as soon as you emboss you can see the fold
lines - so simple.

 
Also nice that you have the insert die, the perfect size.  I used a script stamp for
decoration but you of course could write your own note.

 
My card base and Anna Griffin - Lovely Layers paper die cut with
Pierced Rectangles - (these are now back in stock).

 
I've stamped across the envelope and attached a little flower and leaves.


Placed this centrally on my card front.
 
 
 
 
Some further images.

 
Pointed Mini Envelope is available to purchase on the website 
both new and pre-loved here.

 
So...what are we all up to this weekend?
I'm not travelling so I'm going to catch up with crafty projects
and if it is cool enough tackle some ivy that is growing madly in my little garden.
 
Take care friends - have a good one whatever you are doing.
 

Thursday, 22 June 2017

Warm, Winner and Thank You!

Hello friends

The heat is slowing me down, apologies no blog post yesterday.
My eldest son is suffering the most, his room is in the loft 
so he experiences extremes of hot/cold throughout the year.
I can recommend Amazon for selling fans at reasonable prices!

Firstly today I want to share with you a beautiful thank you card
I received from Wendy.
She also very kindly included a donation for Ronald McDonald House.


It is lovely, I am always very honoured when I receive handmade cards.

Next announcing the winning number from this month's Charity Kit.


Please check your kit bags and see if you have number...


If you do...Congratulations!!
Please email me -
christine.emberson@blueyonder.co.uk
with your address details and your goodie bag will be on its way to you!

If you missed this month's kit (or would like to purchase previous kits)
Elliott has uploaded them to the website here.

Take care friends, city working day today -
comes around far too quickly but very grateful for the air con!



Tuesday, 20 June 2017

I'm back home!

Hello friends

I hope you are all well?
I'm back home after my time away in Coventry,
I'm most definitely missing the air con that we had in the hotel and venue!
The event I attended was hosted by AFCI (formerly CHA UK)
The One Big Show.


This was an opportunity for designers, retailers, suppliers etc
to get together, share information, listen to inspiring talks and more.
It is absolutely invaluable if you are in business or considering
launching a business or perhaps designing a product - 
definitely check out their website for more information.

I got to spend some time with Stacey Caron from Spellbinders...


and also I demoed some cards I designed using her collection,
specifically Rebel Rose.
Here is one of them...
Labels 57 for the aperture.


And the gorgeous die cut to the middle is Untamed Fleur,
A inked flower and leaf set to the middle for an injection of colour.


All dies are available on the website so please feel free to 
pop over and take a look.

I'll be back tomorrow with more, just catching up with things
at home and regularly hugging Bella!

Take care friends.



Saturday, 17 June 2017

Coventry bound and Layered Tile

Hello friends
 
As mentioned, I'm setting off for Coventry today to the Ricoh Arena.
The car is packed to the rafters with crafty items to display
to retailers but I do hope to grab some photos while I'm there to share with you all.
I also hope to post a few things to Twitter and Facebook,
also getting to grips with Instagram at the moment -
I have to mentally tell myself that not every photo needs to be of Bella!
 
Today's crafty offering features Layered Tile,
a design by Marisa Job for Spellbinders.
It is a two piece die set that can be used separately or overlayed together,
I've used a combination of four and added ribbon and a sparkly flower.
 

Quite possibly the largest card I've ever made! Well by my standards,
I tend to go diddy small!



Layered Tile is available on the website here.
Whilst I'm away Elliott is back in charge of processing orders and any queries...
go on make him busy.. I dare you! ;)
 
Take care friends, enjoy the sunshine - I think we are all going to
get some sunny rays this weekend.
 

Friday, 16 June 2017

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

This week's Friday Die Day features 
I've done a video (with lots of help from Elliott)
that shows the technique of using embossing folders with matting dies
and also decorating envelopes.




I hope you like it, here's some photos of the finished project
including Stanley Bear.
A photo at this angle looks like he needs a new nose!


The flowers are from Marisa's Bouquet.


Flowers and Leaves is available on the website here
and there's also the option of buying it in a bundle offer here.

Take care friends, I'm heading to Coventry this weekend to 
demo Spellbinders at the Richo Arena.
It is a retailer event and I'm thrilled that Stacey Caron from Spellbinders
is flying in to be a guest speaker.
We are trading goodies - she is bringing Lucky Charms (breakfast cereal),
Reeses goodies and Nerds in exchange for Galaxy chocolate -
we like to get the important stuff sorted! 

Have a lovely weekend everyone and take care.