Friday Die Day

Hello friends

It's Friday Die Day and this week I'm featuring Decorative Holly Frame.
This is three piece die set and the approximate measurements are:

Accent: 3 x 1¾”
Centre: 4⅛ x 3”
Frame: 5¾ x 5¾”

This is what it looks like cut/embossed...

and with light bouncing off the mirror card!

I really like the label shape with the pierced edging.

I printed my sentiment onto white card - the font is French Script.

Positioned the centre label die, cut/embossed.



I wanted to add a little decoration, nothing too much to detract from the 

ornate frame die.

I used the tiny poinsettia flowers from 5 x 7 Decorative Holly Frame die set -

these are going to be a definite go-to for me - they are adorable!

I matted the frame onto red cardstock cut with 6 x 6 Matting Basics

and then onto a white card front.

I now permanently have all my Matting Basics dies on my craft desk,

I seriously struggle with trimmers!

The finished card - how easy, the ornate die does all the work.

Decorative Holly Frame is available here.
Matting Basics dies including the 6 x 6 ones that I used are available here.
And those tiny poinsettia flowers come from this die set here.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by everyone's good wishes
for the shows starting on Monday -
thank you everyone - you are all fab!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and take care friends.

A blog post - hurrah!

Hello friends

A blog post - hurrah!
In my defence I've been away...

yes I've been to The Craft Channel studios again having way too much fun ...
I mean working!
Just to let you know my shows will be with a variety of great presenters,
Julian Ballantyne, Anthony Heywood, Dawn Bibby and Debbie Greenwood.

And a reminder of those channels etc please visit here.
I realise that not everyone has certain channels but please be assured
they are working 24/7 to try and make The Craft Channel available to everyone.

Now a project!
I've put together a card using Fancy Lattice as a background.
I used A2 Matting Basics B to create the frame,

Pierced Ovals for the centre piece and the flower is from Enhanced Pennant and

Pretty Petals C.

Scripty Sayings stamp from Lawn Fawn has crept in again...!

So a neutral card with a little colour.
Is it verging on Autumnal?

I will be back soon...I promise.
In between I need to check out what that youngest son of mine has been doing...

Take care friends.

 

Oh Mum!

Hello friends

Really...Monday, already! 

Weekends just whiz by at an alarming rate.

Pleased to say I had a nice time demoing in Coventry at 

Daisy's Jewels and Crafts.

Mum felt well enough to come along which was lovely for the long journey.

I'm not so impressed with Mum in this picture ...

can you see why?  Oh Mum!

I thankfully did not drink out of a Sizzix mug!

I was delighted to meet Elaine, a lovely lady who has followed my blog

for many years and has been amazing and supportive through Elliott's illness.

Both Elaine and her husband visited the store and had gifts too,

chocolates and cakes...I would show you the cakes but - yes you've guessed it,

they were gone before a camera could even get a look in!

Elaine blogs at Cake Coffee Craft, take a look here.

Talking of my mum, here's a card I made for her a while ago.

It features Graphic 45 Botanical Garden papers, 

Back to Basics Tags, Sprigs and Blooms One.

I love those Blooms One!

It's rather summery card and yet right now it feels like winter is upon us,

definitely chilly at night.

Today I'm speed crafting again with samples and demos to take to the 

The Craft Channel studios, I promise you will get to see all of these -

I just need to wait a little bit longer! 

Take care friends.

The Telly Stuff!

Hello friends

So this week I spent a couple of days at The Craft Channel,

here I am in the reception in front of the logo.

Big smiles because it really is a fun place!

And here's a sneaky peek at the studios...you might recognise the blonde lady with me,

yes that's Dawn Bibby, we worked together at Create and Craft

it's been lovely to meet up again.

The Craft Channel has also released a video, hoping you can view it here
or catch it on their Facebook page...you get to see my hands a few times!

Also you may have just caught sight of a snowflake card that I made, 

this is it in more detail featuring the beautiful  Create A Flake Six.

I used the largest die to cut the aperture and then layered the snowflake.

As a reminder The Craft Channel is launching 8am on Monday 14 September.

And here's all the info regarding the channels.

Thank you so much everyone for your kind wishes, I am very excited about

returning to TV land, have to admit quite nervous too.
No doubt I will compensate that with some chatting!

Take care friends and hopefully if you live Coventry way I may
see you at Daisy's Jewels and Crafts today, I'll be demoing from 10am.

Friday Die Day

Hello friends

Today I'm doing a technique Friday Die Day,
exploring the world of Impressabilities.
I've mentioned these before I thought it would be nice to revisit and also
a reminder of what these little lovelies can do!

First off what are they?
Impressabilities are metal sheets, finely cut with decorative patterns -
capable of embossing, debossing, letterpressing and stencilling.

The approximate measurements are:

Outside Edge: 5¾ x 4½”
They are available in various designs - this is Paisley.

My favourite use of Impressabilities is combining them with dies.
Cut your die cut using your regular cutting sandwich.
For the embossing - first place the Impressabilities onto your base plate,
then the die cut inside the die (cutting edge upwards), tan mat and embossing plate.
I've used Labels Thirty Five for my demo.

The finished effect, you have a patterned embossed middle with a defined outer frame.

Another use - decorating envelopes.

I've placed the Impressabilities just onto the envelope flap,

used my usual embossing sandwich to create this speedy nice effect.

Great for invitations and weddings.

Stencilling - just hold in place with some removable tape,

gently use a sponge/ink blending tool to rub over and...

a soft effect is achieved.

Lastly - some letterpressing.

Cover the Impressabilities with ink, dab liberally.

Use your normal embossing sandwich to create this stunning look,

wonderful for card backgrounds and more.

Impressabilities really are...impressive!
And with lots of designs they are a great addition to your crafting tool kit.

Take care friends, wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Off to London Town!

Hello friends

I just wanted to let you know that I'm heading off to 

The Craft Channel studios for a couple of days.

I've been very busy preparing demos, samples, design boards and more -

the car is positively creaking under the weight of it all...or maybe that's 

just the pack lunch and snacks I'm taking! 

I've left copious amounts of lists at home...mostly regarding Bella!

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter I'm bound to put some 

updates on there but if not I will be sure to blog as soon as I'm home.

Also if you live Coventry way - I will be at Daisy's Jewels and Crafts

on Saturday - demoing from 10am.

I will have samples of the Victorian and Victorian Garden collection

and Christmas...I can probably talk more about Christmas now seeing 

as we are in September and the weather feels very winter-like!

This is one of of my favourite cards featuring Victorian Picket, Victorian Sign Post

and the background is Lace and Frills.

Definitely stop by on Friday - FDD will be here!

Take care friends.

Wow!

Hello friends

So that my boy of mine has announced he is having his own 

Design Team!  Wow - he doesn't let the grass grow under his feet.

I did have a giggle at his possible DT name,

I believe he is going to have a new logo - something with a little less fire!

If you missed the details of the DT call on Elliott's blog, take a look here.

OK, I admit I did know beforehand and I think it is a great idea,

Hope and Chances is his baby now, he is fully in charge of the website 

and blog and I appreciate he doesn't just want to feature 'Mum projects',

actually he said something like - "I want a variety of styles and techniques"...!

So feel free to send in an entry - you have until 7 September.

It's not too taxing - just one project a month and you get a free die set 

and quarterly goodies too.

It puts me in mind of when I started trying out for Design Teams,

quite a few years ago now but it was good experience,

it disciplined me to craft - no way could my mojo go on walkabouts.

One of the very first teams I joined was called Chicken Soup,

it was a mixture of cardmaking and scrapbooking inspired by a picture.

And this was one of my efforts.

A tree picture for inspiration.

And my layout.

Gosh - it's that boy again! 

Glad to say my photography of scrapbook pages has improved.

I still like the layout and looks like I used a butterfly die cut as a mask for the 

background.  I was definitely in my butterfly period :)

Other news -

Mum is on the mend, it's slow progress but bless her she's been doing some die cutting.

I'm making progress with my craft projects for TV,

I'm back at the studios this week and I hope to have more news and photos to share.

Wasn't Bank Holiday Monday a washout - rain rain go away.

I'm also still in shock it's 1st September today!

Take care friends.