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Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Timeless Elegance

Hunkydory makes...



 
Four VERY quick cards made using the Hunkydory 'Timeless Elegance' Kit.  I've had this kit for a while and not even opened it!

Teacup Card
 






 
I thought I'd better start making a dent in all my crafting kits before the pile comes out to meet me LOL!
 
Challenges...
 

 
A CARD A DAY Blogging (Facebook) - 'Wednesday'
 
 
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Tuesday, 9 July 2013

21st Birthday

I seem to be so busy at the moment that I'm not finding the time to blog!  So I thought I'd quickly post a couple of things I've managed to fit into my busy, busy life.
 
Not only has my super, super daughter just celebrated her 21st birthday, but she's also just graduated AND has a new job!
 
Now you can see why I've been so busy.  Michelle's birthday BBQ and disco was a HUGE success and I managed NOT to blubber my way thought her graduation ceremony.  As for the new job... well I WILL be blubbering then, because it's MILES and MILES away (my 'little' girl is finally leaving home)!
 

Invitations...

 

I bought some bright pink cardstock and printed a swirly pattern on it (along with the wording) using my laptop and printer.  I rounded the corners and mounted this to a piece of black cardstock.  The black ribbon (another £1 shop bargain) was 'sandwiched' between the two coloured cardstocks and tied.  With a few gems... the invitations were completed (x60)!
 
Challenge...
 
LOVE TO CREATE CHALLENGE BLOG - 'Ch #73' - 'Ribbon & Bling'

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch #24 - 'Anything Goes'
 
 
 

Cake...

 

Chocolate (naturally)... not made by me, however I did managed to make 50 cupcakes for the occasion... of which I managed to miss out on!
 
 

GRADUATION...

 
I used the 'EVERYDAY POP-UP CARDS' cricut cartridge for this...
 
 
I used grey cardstock for the base (A6), and then embossed a piece of silver miri card for the mat.  I added some silver embroidery cord and my cricut cut ( mounted on foam pads) and hey presto!
 
Challenge...
 
MELONHEADZ FRIENDS - 'Emboss It Challenge'
 
CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY - Ch #24 - 'Anything Goes'
 
 
my clever girl (so proud)
 
 
 
STAY CALM
AND
KEEP CRAFTING
 
 
 
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Wednesday, 26 June 2013

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!
 
 
 
 
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Tuesday, 25 June 2013

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...


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Saturday, 11 May 2013

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'
 
 
Blah... blah... blah...
 
 
                                                                                                         


Wednesday, 8 May 2013

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'


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Thursday, 2 May 2013

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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Sunday, 21 April 2013

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!
 
 
 
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 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'
 
 
 
Thanks of stopping by... I hope you like today's creativity.
 
 
 
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Friday, 19 April 2013

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...
 
 

Thursday, 18 April 2013

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'

 
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Wednesday, 17 April 2013

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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Tuesday, 16 April 2013

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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