Cardstock Fetish?

Is There Such A Thing?

Do YOU have it?

 

Non-crafters just don't GET me.  I mean, when I'm out with my mother, for instance... and suddenly, in front of me, is the most GORGEOUS patterned cardstock (or made-made paper, or foiled acetate, or textured vellum or... well you get the gist!), what is a girl supposed to do? Me, I ooh and ahh... I touch and stroke... I gush (yes, I do!), then I look back at my mother... and she's got out her tape measure to see if she's got me the right sized straight jacket! 

 

She just doesn't get it!  The attraction of cardstock, that rush of creative juices at just the thought of owning something that fabulous.  I get 'that' look from the rest of my family too, just because I'm drooling over the patterned paper pads!  To them its just paper (Philistines), to me? Heaven.

 

I KNOW as fellow crafters you understand this need to buy one lot of craft cardstock to craft with, and one lot to gaze adoringly at.  Please tell me it's not just me!  Or have I REALLY developed a cardstock fetish?

 

Create and Craft TV has a lot to answer for!  My empty bank account for one, my drooling habit for two, and my never-ending pathological need for adhesive (wet, dry, sticky, tacky, easy-lift, spray, stick, aerosol, pen, gel, white, blue, clear) !!!!!  Of course it's not just CAC TV, oh no, I can find even the most innocent of 'pound' shops in which to satisfy my 'need'.  What is better than finding 65 metres of ribbon for only a £ ( it doesn't matter that its lime green or deep puce, oh no, I'll find a use of it... or at least that's what I tell myself as I hand over my pound!).

 

Perhaps 'fetish' is the wrong word... I should be saying 'addiction'...

 

"My name is Karen and... I am a craft...aholic"

 

Yes, that's better, at least it doesn't sound like anything sexual any more!

My latest creation...

 

I used an A5 card blank, and rounded the corners, the swirls are cut using the Cricut Expression Die-cutting Machine and the 'STORYBOOK' cartridge (accent/frame feature), the cut has been mounted onto a piece of teal cardstock and gems added to give it some 'bling'.  In the same teal cardstock I have cut a border and punched along the edge to give it a scalloped edge (the off-cuts of which have been adhered to the top corner).  I found a pink butterfly in my stash (been there for so long, I can't even remember where I got it from!!!)  and added a peel-off sentiment, a nice quick, effective card to add to my card box!

 

I'm off to find some nice pretty cardstock images on Google... did I tell you about that? No? another time, perhaps...

 

 

Challenges...

 

OLDIE BUT A GOODIE - 'Butterflies' - pink butterfly YEARS old!

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - Wednesday

 

 

 

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I'm Back AGAIN!

Missed Me?

 

Hello crafters, I'm sorry for the long absence!  My excuse? (Do I need one?)...

 

• My mum's not been very well!

 

• Summer's here... I work in the tourist trade so busy, busy, busy!

 

• I seem to have lost my crafting mojo!

 

 

... thankfully it was only misplaced and has now been found again... so watch this space!

 

 

I thought I'd post a card I made awhile ago...

 

 

... so THANK YOU for looking... have a fabulous day...

Blah... blah... blah...

 

You Can't Have Too Many...

... Hugs

 

I made a quick little card using MY MIND'S EYE 'Wild Asparagus' paper (brown spotted) and another designer paper with green circles  (I can't remember the name of, sorry) , the stamped sentiment is from a set by POLKA DOODLES called 'Stamp Doodles' which was stamped onto a piece of punched card stock, which in turn was mounted onto another punched circle (scalloped, this time), I used some twine around the scallops to add another crafty touch.  I then decorated the inside of the card and the envelope using the same papers and hey presto...

 

 

 

 With a few gems and some ribbon my creative fix was satisfied (for a little while, at least!).

 

Challenges...

 

LADY ANNE'S CHALLENGES - Friday Sentiment challenge #9 - 'Anything Goes' CBLA_SF9

 

FUSSY 'N' FANCY - Friday Challenge #88 - 'Anything Goes'

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING - 'Saturday'

 

 

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Touch...

What a marvellous thing this touch screen business is!  Admittedly it takes some time to get used to, and as with any new technology, ITS EXPENSIVE, but here I am... I'm back!

 

I am the proud owner of a new laptop (windows 8 and touch screen...WOW), mostly, it has to be said, to the generosity of my mother and children (early - VERY early - birthday present)... thank you for donating to the cause!

 

I have SO missed you all, I've still been crafting (duh), but haven't been able to SHARE, and I DO so like to share!

 

That said, the caravan park is now ready for the summer (after A LOT of hard work) and we are - thankfully - getting busier.  So much depends on the weather, though.  So we have to hope that the recent spell of warm weather continues.  Good for business - Bad for crafting!

 

I made this for my daughter, using the Cricut cartridge 'STORYBOOK'.  The papers are by CREATA.

 

 

Challenges...

 

FASHIONISTA CHALLENGE - #15 - 'Vintage or Shabby'

 

LETS CRAFT AND CREATE - Challenge #69 - 'One For The Girls'

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING - 'Wednesday'

Blah... blah... blah...

 

Oh Mother...

Won't be around for a little while... my motherboard is fried!!!!!  In the process of purchasing another laptop, but what with all the crafting purchases lately, my financing are not altogether healthy!

Oops...

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Star Quality

DIE CUTTIN DIVAS have got  'A Star for Astronomy Day' challenge, which I thought I would enter.  Also 'ONE STOP CRAFT CHALLENGE' Ch. 225 'Not Square' so I made a shaped card using the Cricut 'LIFE'S A PARTY' cartridge p. 63.  I rummaged through my brown scrap drawer and found a piece of brown CS.  I then used the 'fit to page' key to find out what size card would fit on the piece of CS I had - 5 3/4".  I cut the base card out and then embossed it using a cuttlebug companion folder from the 'Country Life' collection.  I used a piece of 'BASICGREY' 'Recess' (demerit) paper for the layer, so I'll enter the BASICGREY challenge (ch. 92 'Masculine').  With a few embellishments (button, twine brad and gems) my card was complete! 

 

 

 

 

I'm having a go at scheduling my post, so if this posts at 20:00, I'll know I did it right... if it doesn't I'll know I'm still an Internet blogging idiot!

 

 

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

 

 

 SEE THE TIME?  Whoop, whoop...

 

 

Bar Closed!

I've just finished doing the bar, tidying up and locking up... now I'm unwinding with a cup of tea and a chocolate cupcake with marshmallow filling and chocolate fudge frosting, that my daughter made earlier (yummy).

 

I've been running the caravan park single-handed yesterday and today (everyone else has gone to a 40th birthday party!) so I haven't managed to post until now!

 

I seem to be a little 'stuck' in the Cricut 'CINDY LOO' cartridge at the moment...

 

 

The background  paper  is  from 'FIRST EDITION'  'Dreamcatcher',  I used the filigree cut on  p.29 at 3 1/2".  The pink paper is glittered and from 'CREATA'.  I used gems, ribbon and peel-offs for the embellishments

 

 

Challenges...

 

CRAFTING FOR ALL SEASONS -Ch. #50 - 'No Stamps Allowed'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Sunday'

 

 

Thanks of stopping by... I hope you like today's creativity.

 

 

 

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Owl You Need Is Love!

Good Afternoon all...

 

Just a quick post today, 'cause I'm pretty busy.  The sun is shining and so before it gets too cold, I'm out in the gardens helping my mum.

 

 

 

CARD BASE - white A6 card blank -  corners rounded

1ST MAT - chocolate CS (5 5/8" x 4") - corners rounded

2ND MAT -  ECHO PARK 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe', Bubblegum Large Dot (5 3/8" x 3 3/4") - corners rounded

3RD MAT - ECHO PARK 'Dots & Stripes - Candy Shoppe', Bubblegum Small Dot (5 3/8" x 1")

CRICUT CUT - 'CREATE-A-CRITTER' cartridge p. 25, <Owl> all four layers cut (3 1/2") - stickle glitter added to 'feather' front and white gel pen for highlights

SENTIMENT MAT - chocolate CS (7/8") - corners rounded

SENTIMENT - white CS using SCRAPPY MOM stamp set 'owl occasions' - corners rounded

EMBELLISHMENTS - gems (3)

 

 

INSIDE - This piece of ECHO PARK paper is from the very top of the sheet that you cut off... you know the bit with the hole in it.  I decided, waste not want not and re-purposed it for the inside, where the hole is I've placed three gems.


Challenges...

FAB 'N' FUNKY CHALLENGES - Ch. #167 - '1, 2, 3 Challenge'

CREATED WITH LOVE CHALLENGES - CWLC 37 - 'Recycle/Reuse'

TWISTED TUESDAY CHALLENGES - 2TC48 - 'Chocolate Buffet'

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Friday'

Blah... blah... blah...

 

 

CINDY LOO VII

'MY Cricut Cartridge Alphabet'... number 7

'CINDY LOO' cartridge release June 2010 was originally aimed at providing a whole host of images and borders to finish your projects based on other cartridges.

     

 

The creative features are:- 'layer', 'border', 'frame', 'font', 'font layer' and 'shadow'.  I think this cartridge is a GREAT one.  I love the whimsical images that are not too complicated but have a big impact.  There are some lovely floral designs and some art deco styled borders that would look lovely on any project.  The font is great and the frame feature is very, very versatile. There are Cuttlebug Companion embossing folders available for this cartridge and you can even purchase individual images from Cricut.com using the 'Cricut Craft Room'.

 

My View... this is a great cartridge for both beginners and more advanced crafters, the frame feature alone will be used again and again!  I'd wanted this cartridge for a long time, when I finally got it... I was not disappointed.  There is a nice variety of words available from p. 65 onwards, making this a good all-rounder.  It also has some lovely doily shapes which are very 'IN' at the moment.  The cartridge has an envelope cut and a gift card cut, both of which are very handy.

 

My Verdict... Get it, you wouldn't regret it.  This is one of my top 5.

 

Here's what I'd like to share with you today, a very simple but stunning card...

 

 

CARD BASE - A6 green scalloped edged card blank - from stash

1ST MAT - cream textured CS (3 5/8" x 5 1/2")

CRICUT CUT - green CS 'CINDY LOO' cartridge p.65 <Tree1> (3"); pink CS <Tree1-s> (3") - the pink cut has been embossed using 'TIM HOLTZ' 'Woodgrain' embossing folder

EMBELLISHMENTS - pink 'heart' ribbon and gems - from stash

SENTIMENT - 'Mixed Sentiment' set by PERSONAL IMPRESSION

As always the inside is decorated using up any off-cuts, here I have also added a row of pink gems, I just love this colour combination.

 

Challenges...

 

SISTER ACT CARD CHALLENGE - Ch. #2 - 'Anything Goes

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Thursday'

 

Blah... blah... blah...

 

Ding Dong...

I watched Margaret Thatcher’s funeral today, not that I’m usually an avid viewer of the morbid or macabre, but this was an occasion to be remembered.  Whatever your view of this woman (and everyone has one), she did effect SERIOUS change in Britain.  Some will say for the good, some will say for the bad.  Me? I too, have a very strong opinion on this subject, which I will not share on my blog (this is my ‘happy place’).  I, will be passionate about my crafting here, not about politics (unless it is to occasionally take the mick!).
 

Baroness Thatcher, even in death is STILL causing major dissent throughout this country. Normal, upstanding citizens, who would not normally behave this way, seem to have lost all signs of moral decency and are actually booing as someone is wheeled passed during their funeral, it's not like she can hear them! Our country, it would seem is very strongly divided in its thinking concerning this once powerful leader (in some places the extreme of this is called ‘civil war’). Some believe she should be in line for sainthood, whereas others believe she is Satan’s handmaiden and is in all likelihood being reacquainted with HIM as we speak!

Whether you are crying buckets or singing ‘Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead’ please leave the serious politics somewhere else - not on craft websites (if only I had followed my own advise!). It is understandable to have objections to some of the Thatcher Policies especially if you were adversely effected by them (and lots were), and I personally would rather see the “ONLY” 10 million pounds that has been spent on a state funeral, spent elsewhere (my replacement hip, for instance or allowing me to have physio immediately rather then having to wait three months) but, strongly though I feel... HERE is not the place for my voice to be heard.  I noticed on a crafting Facebook page, that people are actually falling out over the Baroness... and she’s dead!  It all got very... “well, she said, so I said... and then I deleted her from my page (whatever)”. Seriously leave the politics in the real world and let’s all craft in peace [man] (I sound like I’ve just come from Woodstock, ha ha ha).  Usually craft sites are celebrating each others talent and creativity, Maggie, is putting a spanner in the works... yet again! I try hard to respect everyone’s opinion (as I would expect mine to be respected) but time and place people!  Perhaps I should start a campaign...

“NO POLITICS... IN CRAFTING”     or    “HOBBY DON’T LOBBY”     or     

“LEAVE YOUR SOAP BOX AT THE CRAFTROOM DOOR”

So... even though I DID get a little political in the middle there (government spending/heath policy), I DO think we all should concentrate on crafting - on crafting sites.  Perhaps a little - "live and let live" wouldn't go a miss... that's more than the Baroness is doing now!

So I've had my say, let's craft...

 

CARD BASE - A6 white card blank - with scalloped edges from stash

MATS - 2 squares using 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'  (3" x 3")- corners rounded using a punch, adhered using foam pads

CRICUT CUT - 'CINDY LOO' cartridge p.50 <Flower2> (3 1/4") plus all relevent layering cuts

EMBELLISHMENTS - gems - from stash (pound shop purchase!)

SENTIMENT - "sorry" peel-off - from stash

ENVELOPE - lined using 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'

 

INSIDE - cream CS (3 1/4" x 3 1/4") and 'CREATA' 'Design Blok 8'  (1" x 1") - corners rounded plus a gem

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Wednesday'

 

PIN AND TACK - Ch. #8 - 'Anything Goes' - SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY NOW!

 

LET'S CRAFT AND CREATE - Ch. #68 - 'Flowers'

 

ROCK ON!

 

 

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Cool Cat

I've got a little bit hooked on this Cricut image from the 'CINDY LOO'  cartridge... its just so cute that I can't seem to do anything BUT this at the moment!  Funny how we sometimes get obsessed with certain things... isn't it? 

 

I used a kraft card blank (obsessed much?) and matted a piece of paper from the  'HOT OFF THE PRESS' 'Red Velvet Artful Card Kit' collection.  With my delightful kitty cat and some embellishments, card complete... how cute is that?  The arrow paperclips were purchased from my local 'pound' shop!

 

 This sentiment is from a set I've got by 'SCRAPPY MOMS' called 'Raining Cats and Dogs', there are some great puns on this.

 As always the inside is decorated using any left-over scraps!

 

Thanks for looking, I think I'll enter this into the 'Heavy Metal and Hels Sheridan' Challenge #90 at 'ANYTHING GOES CHALLENGE BLOG'


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ORGANISED PANIC!

Red alert, panic stations...

 

Can someone tell me why it is that although my daughter is a TOTAL organise freak when it comes to all the things SHE does, that she insists on constantly only giving me one day when she wants me to make her something!

 

Her organising freakiness is such that plastic boxes cause her to *sigh* almost as much as patterned paper causes me to open my handbag and get out my credit card!  The best present she has ever received was a book about being organised!  Everything, and I mean everything, has a proper place - with attached labels!  I caught her boyfriend coming out of her room the other day, with his name taped to his forehead (just kidding... but even that wouldn't surprise me!).  I tease her sometimes and pull out my label printer and when I see her drooling and casting furtive glances towards it, I put it away again.  She takes the bait EVERY TIME, and when she asks if she can borrow it, I tell her the label cartridge has just run out - the look of disappointment on her face is priceless! Ha ha ha.

 

Where does this come from?  I don't mean my meanness, I mean this need to be organised?  Well...

 

I DON'T KNOW - I'm messy, perhaps whilst growing up she decided she really didn't want to be like her mum!  Now the only time she makes a mess is when she is with me, so I can clean it up!  I can't help but love all the quirkiness kids show as they grow and develop whilst they are growing up and learning who they are.

 

Anyway back to the panic... "I need a thank you card for someone who likes cats... like yesterday, that ok Mum?" my reply, like all accommodating mums... "yes, of course, when do you need it?".  "By tomorrow".  It is ten o'clock at night! Cheers, daughter mine!  Not too organised today, are you, love?

 

 

So my cute little cat is from the 'CINDY LOO' Cricut cartridge, I also used the 'ELEGANT EDGES' cartridge to cut out the shape behind the cat.  I used three different design papers as well as Cricut CS.

They were...

BASICGREY - 'Recess' 'Answers' - for the cat's base layer, which includes the tail and  feet

MY MIND'S EYE - 'Blink of an Eye' - for the shape behind the cat, p.56 'book' creative feature

ECHO PARK - 'Country Drive' 'Daisy Fields' - fabulous papers ALMOST unbeatable! for the 2nd mat

DOCRAFTS PAPERMANIA - Kraft Card Blank - square 5 1/4" x 5 1/4"

 

 

 

Challenges...

 

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE BLOG - Wk 202 ' 'Letter of Your Name' - K for Karen and KRAFT

 

 MY CRAFT SPOT - Ch. #95 - 'Anything Goes'

 

PIN AND TACK - Ch. #8 - 'Anything Goes' - SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY NOW!

 

FAB 'N' FUNKY CHALLENGES - Ch #166 - 'Spring Colours'

 

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch. #18 - 'Anything Goes'

 

TOTALLY PAPER CRAFTS - Ch. #162 - 'Get Krafty'

 

BEARLY-MINE CHALLENGES - Ch. #82 - 'Spring Flowers'

 

CARDZ TV - Ch. #27 - 'Mix It Up'

 

A CARD A DAY Blogging - 'Tuesday'

 

 

 

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It Is Not Swell!

I am still unwell.  In the head.  Well, specifically unwell in the sinuses. Because my sinuses are swelling. Swelling and welling. With what, I cannot, in all good taste, say.  But it's not good!  Oh, no, the swelling and welling is not swell.  So,   I   am   not   well.

Apparently, when I am sick I get poetic and feel compelled to channel Dr. Seuss!

I am suffering from an ‘upper respiratory tract infection’ (I know this,  because I have just spent two hours pouring over a medical dictionary). This is a fancy way of saying that I have a ‘cold’. I KNOW I have already told you that, but I’m feeling particularly sorry for myself and so saying that I have a ‘cold’’ does not really give you the full image of the depth of my suffering... so I prefer ‘upper  respiratory tract infection’.

I might even add an "itis" to it.  How about rhinopharyngitis? With an occasional roughness to my usually delicately-tuned vocal cords, we could even venture to laryngitis. Or pharyngitis or even sinusitis.

 

This continued attack of illness is incredibly inconvenient at the moment as the sun has decided to shine and the wind has dropped to a degree that will no longer effect poor little monkey’s nether regions! Meaning I SHOULD be out in the gardens... weeding or finding paintbrushes and opening tins of paint! But I am not, so instead I’ll just have to stick to answering the telephones and giving the caller my sultry,   sexy rendition of either a deep-voiced telephone call-girl or a man!  The only images my current dulcet tones are likely to conjure are ones of sweaty wrestlers or butch lumberjacks! So not only do I feel and look like a creature ‘from the black lagoon’ but I also sound like one as well... woe is me!

Do you hear those violins playing in the background for me?  ;-)

I was planning on discussing something deep and meaningful today.  But I am constitutionally incapable of doing so at this time. Probably because my skull is full of stuff that is not grey matter (or is it gray matter?), or what’s the matter... you hey, gotta no respect¯Oh dear, it’s getting worse, my ‘upper respiratory tract infection’ is beginning to effect my green matter...

 

I DID manage a card for LITTLE SCRAP PIECES Fun Friday Challenge 'May Flowers'.  Whoop, whoop...

 



I used a kraft square card blank for this and added two patterned papers, the bottom one is from a paper stack called 'FOREVER FRIENDS' called 'Kraft Notes' and the top one is from  'CREATA' 'Design Blok 9'.  The topper is from a 'Hundydory' kit and the frame is a Cricut cut from the 'ELEGANT EDGES' cartridge p.56 'oblong frame' creative feature <Bird3>.  I have used yellow ribbon from my stash and a gold peel-off.  The flowers are from 'CREATE AND CRAFT' shopping channel and have a pearl added to the their centres.

 

 

The inside is decorated using up any scraps of paper and another flower with a pearl.

 

 

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY...

 

 

 

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Chloe

Good morning everyone, I'm posting quickly before I head for the shower (too much detail?, sorry about that!).  I made this for my little cousin (she's only 5, my uncle married - for the second time - a lovely Filipino lady and promptly decided to start breeding again, at 60!), chloe, she's such a sweetie...

 

 

Nice simple card, little Chloe will LOVE!

 

 

 

 CARD BASE - kraft CS (8 1/4" x 8 1/4") -  scored and folded in half to make a DL sized card

1ST MAT - 'FOREVER FRIENDS' called 'Kraft Notes'  (6 1/4" x 3 7/8") - hearts

2ND MAT- 'FOREVER FRIENDS' called 'Kraft Notes'  (1 3/4" x 3 7/8") - pink dots

CRICUT CUT - 'PLANTIN SCHOOLBOOK' 'C' 'H' 'L' 'O' 'E' (1 1/2")

SENTIMENT & EMBELLISHMENTS - gems, stickle, buttons, beaded string and ribbon - all from stash

 

Hope you like it... I do!

 

TOTALLY PAPER CRAFTS - Ch. #162 - 'Get Krafty'

 

MY GRAFICO CHALLENGE - Ch. #148 - 'Anything Goes'

 

A CARD A DAY BLOGGING - Monday

 

MAY ALL YOUR PUNCHES STAY SHARP!

 

 

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