It has been some time now since I last updated my blog. I was spreeding myself too thin and decided to try and step away from a couple of things in order to try and get back on track. Unfortunately, this being me, I'm not quite there yet, but I'm a good bit of the way.
Anyway, January was 'Sale' time here in the shop, which left little time for much else. February is here at long last and I for one am counting down the days to spring and the possibility of a little sunshine.
There's lots going on here, we've had a real move around with the layout in the shop, it's still a little untidy, but that should all be sorted tomorrow. Our new opening hours seem to be working better for everyone and the knitting group has become a weekly event.
Our stamp of the month for February is this wonderful hot air balloon from Inca Stamps.
I love it, it can be used for so many different cards and is another one that will work particularly well for the boys.
This card was made by layering up strips of mulberry paper to make the landscape background, with flower gems stuck on for a bit of height. The image was stamped in brown onto plain cream card and then shaded with plain colouring pencils. Cut out with a very sharp craft knife and mounted with 3d foam.
This one uses Anna Griffin papers, Maya Road ric-rac, red gems and love stamped in red. The image was stamped using Versamagic in white onto red card and then punched out with a heart punch.
This one is stamped and embossed in white onto white card with a watercolour wash applied in rainbow stripes. Mounted on top of coloured card to lift it a little more.
The photo for this one doesn't show it off too well. The image has been stamped on to two complementry colours of card, one of which has been cut through the image. This section is the lined up with the whole image and mounted on 3d foam. A pice of crossgrain ribbon is taken over the lower corner, just to add a little interest.
Lastly, this card has the stamped image embossed in gold and coloured with metallic, crystal lacquers. It was then cut out (very carefully), with a really sharp knife and fixed with silicone glue. The background papers are all handmade and the gold ribbon and gold embelishments come together in what I hope, is an Indian themed card.
Yarn
Before I go, there are a couple of you that have asked me to start adding some bits about the yarn side of things here.
Firstly, our yarn offer of the month is on Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran, which was €5.99 and is €4.99 for February (whilst stocks last). It is a really lovely yarn, soft and warm available in lots of lovely colours. There is a pattern book available however, it should work to most other aran patterns. As always i'd advise making a tension square. I've made a lovely green jumper in it, which I'll photograph and load up over the next couple of days.
I also thought I should share this with everyone - Artesano Hummingbird. It is 100% Alpaca and is even softer than our usual Alpaca. It's lovely varigated colours make it really fun, I'm well over half the way through a scarf I'm making. The hanks are 150g and cost €21.50 each and they seem to go on for miles.
Off to continue with my latest project.
Lora
xxxxxx
P.S. The lovely knitted heart was made by Sandra - thanks mwah! (x)
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