The Craft Mills- A hobby gone mad

February 2009 Stamp of the Month

2009-02-04T23:30:00.004Z

Stamp of the month is back after it's January break. I've gone for a heart for February (can't think why??) , but as per usual it's not just any heart. There is 15% off the marked price for the rest of the month, whilst stocks last.

The Patchwork Heart stamp from Funstamps will work really well for almost any occasion. Without meaning to I've ended up heat embossing on three of my four cards.

On the first the heart has been embossed with fine detail black powder and mounted onto glitter card with 3d foam to raise it. The U is a Basic Grey chipboard letter painted black with the Adirondack Acrylic Dabber. I used clear embossing powder over the black and stuck gems down the side using Didi Glue Dots. My favourite dotty ribbon and black ric-rac are stapled to keep the card contemporary.

On this one I wanted to play with the idea of a 'white' card which could be used as a wedding invitation or wedding/engagement congrats card. When I embossed the heart on the vellum the paper buckled and pulled, instead I cut out the embossed heart and used vellum adhesive to adhere the heart to the front of the vellum wrap. You would be hard pressed to realise the heart is a separate piece. The square of white card underneath the vellum just helps to highlight the heart, whilst the self-adhesive pearls cover the Diddi Glue Dots that I've used to stop the vellum flapping around.

My dangling heart has been embossed with Super Sparkle Silver powder on pale pink card which I've mounted onto punched pearlescent hearts, between which I've sandwiched a piece of ribbon for it to dangle in the aperture. The bright handmade paper on the outside and the paler one on the inside are both from the 1lb of paper packs. Finished off with a snipped frame and a heart gem.

Last but not least - colouring pencils, one of my favourite techniques and Kraft Card another of my favs. The hearts have been stamped using the Sepia Versafine inkpad and I've punched them out using the largest Woodware punch. Having shaded each heart I decided to trim one and mount it, using 3d foam on to a piece of Kraft card. The beads are stitched around the heart using a co-ordinating green Alcazar Metallic Thread.

Hope you approve.

xxxxxxx

Doodlebug Crushed Velvet Flock

2009-02-04T23:04:00.003Z

Having been a little skeptical about this product I set aside a good day and a half to play with them. Having tried several methods I think the best results seem to be achieved when using double-sided sheet adhesive on top of card of a similar colour to the flock you are using.

On this card the I've used the flock around the edge of the Fancy Pants Splendid ATC size cat image. Unfortunately, the photograph doesn't clearly show how the flock looks. To apply the flock I coloured the edges roughly with a glue pen, before sprinkling on the Crushed Velvet, which I then pressed on to ensure even coverage. The paper is another of the Fancy Pants range, brad and ric-rac add design elements.

On this card I painted a chipboard D using the Adirondack Acrylic Dabber in a bright cerise which is similar to the pink flock. Whilst the paint was wet i sprinkled and then pressed the Crushed Velvet Flock onto the chipboard. Behind the 'd' I've attached one of the Fancy Pants Transparencies with a brad, my favourite spotty ribbon makes yet another appearance and I've used co-ordinating black cardstock and cerise pearlescent card. The coverage is good, I quite like the distressed look, as did Dina as this card was for her.

On this and the doggy card I used the double-sided sheet adhesive method for applying the flock. The stamp is a previous stamp of the month, dotty/Mirri cardstock and self-adhesive silver ribbon finish off the card.

For this card I applied the double-sided adhesive to brown cardstock before cutting out the doggy with the Big Shot. I then applied the Flock by rubbing it into the shape. A red cardstock collar and black gem help to make him friendlier. The brown card has been distressed using a dye ink pad and the doggy has been layered onto gingham, white and green card. Happy Birthday is stamped with a Versafine inkpad

The Crushed Velvet Flock produces an image that looks good is very tactile. Children in particular will probably appreciate a card made using it.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Mega Catch up

2009-02-04T14:42:00.003Z

This will hopefully be the first of at least three posts.......

OK 3 weeks ago on Tuesday night I demonstrated how to use the Tim Holtz Fragments, which after having used them for Scrapaholix I fell in love with.

I find the best way to use them is with Rangers Glossy Accents, squirt a bit on the back and when you place it down onto your card, wiggle it a bit to pop any bubbles. They're very cool, trust me. All 4 cards are made with the new Fancy Pants Splendid range of papers and embellishment's that have come in.

Definitely not just for Valentines.

This card has been created using just the papers, I've rounded the corners and used the Adirondack Acrylic Dabber in white around the edges. The heart has been cut out of one of the papers and raised on 3d foam.

This time I've used one of the die-cut shapes and place one of the rub-ons along the lower left hand side.

The hearts have been cut out of the paper again, with the centre one raised on 3d foam, with a pearl brad pushed through. The image under the Fragment is one of the rub-ons, under which I've stretched some 3mm ribbon for added interest.

For this one I trimmed the big heart out of one of the papers using the Fiskars Shapecutter. The Groovy Frog is one of the 12 ATC size pictures that come as a sheet of patterned paper.

Hope that all makes sense as I'm getting a little tired.

xxxxx

Sooooooo Bad

2009-01-28T23:58:00.002Z

Well all my good intentions and look where we are again. I will hopefully manage to upload some pictures tomorrow, there are quite a few - Scrapaholix, Fragments and Crushed Velvet.

Fingers Crossed, I'll be here tomorrow, might even get some photos of some of the new yarns.
xxxx

It's Christmas in 8 days OMG!!!

2008-12-17T16:51:00.003Z

I can't believe it's only 8 days away, I'm no where near ready, I need more time. Still doesn't feel like Christmas anyway, maybe that's it, I'm sure Kye will enjoy it, Dina and Du being a little past the whole Santa thing (I think so anyway).

Last Thursday saw the gentle opening of our shop in Midleton, It's still very rough around the edges, but we'll get there. For now at least I'll be open there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and I've taken the yarn and haberdashery supplies over at the moment. I'm hoping to squeeze a few craft basics in and squeeze basic yarn in here too, but it's going to take a little time to work out whats going where.

Thursday was also our last Scrapaholix of the year and we were working with dry-embossing. The kit colours were grey, white and black, which is such a fantastic combination that almost anything goes.

I thought the photograph I chose worked really well and this time I really didn't add anything to my basic kit, except for a little ink. The flowers and title were all cut using punches and the Sizzix. The alphabet is Retro Metro for those of you that are wondering.

Last night's club was a little quiet, however all that were present loved the cards I made using templates from Personal Impressions. Both the beer glass and the little girls dress make fantastic quick cards, which you can leave plain or decorate as over the top as you want. I'd be lying if I claimed these cards were anything but speedy. In fact I think I'd be hard pressed to make anything so good as quick.

This is the obvious card for those of us partial to a pint or two of the black stuff.

Here I've opted for the larger option, glitter card for the fizz.

This little dress card is just so cute, that I can see I' going to be using it for quite a while. The buttons are fixed using glue dots and add a real authentic touch.

Couldn't resit I'm afraid. I was always disappointed that my school never wore the gingham dresses that I know some of my peers got to wear. Perhaps that's where my fetish for all things gingham stems from.

Next Tuesday will be our last Card/Scrap club before Christmas and we're all going to make a card, have copious amounts of tea/coffee and eat a ridiculous amount of calorific treats.

xxxxxxxxx

December Stamp of the Month

2008-12-04T21:23:00.005Z

That festive time is looming once again and I had pretty much decided not to have a Stamp of the Month because everyone gets very busy around this time of the year. I changed my mind after discovering this set of stamps from Personal Impressions.

The Christmas set might cause you to think I've gone a little bonkers (was already), however it's a set of 7 stamps that's working out at a very economical €6.55 (including the 15% discount). The images are great and very, very, very good for those last minute cards, or for the kiddies to have a play with.

My cards this month reflect the 'quick card' ethos I've just mentioned, but remember the set is only available at the above price for this month or while stocks last.

The three tags have been stamped with Versamark first with the smaller snowflake and tinted with blue and green chalks. Next I stamped the larger snowflake using a Brilliance Trio ink pad. Brads are fixed to the centre of each large snowflake. I stamped the Merry Christmas greeting using the Brilliance ink pad again and embellished the card further with white Liquid Pearls.

This one is really a bit of a cheat, as you can see the holly sprig is in the corner. I didn't have time to make the card I wanted to, which is a Christmas Pudding, complete with Brandy Sauce and my holly sprig on top.

This time I've stamped the Christmas Bauble on light blue Mirri Card with Versamark and embossed them with fine detail white. I trimmed round them cutting of the loop at the top, fixed thin ribbon to the back of each and fixed them with silicone glue to create a raised affect. The papers are from the Snowy Jo Collection as is the Merry Christmas rub-on, a bow tidies up the ends.

The Snowman is stamped in blue Versafine ink and coloured in with Marvy le Plume markers, he's mounted with 3d foam onto a background of Versamarked small snowflakes which the camera hasn't picked up. The Merry Christmas greeting was also stamped with Versafine ink.

Snowman again, this time I've stamped him with black Stayz-on and shaded him with colouring pencils. The wall is created in the same way, the stamp was part of the farmyard set we had a few months ago. The background paper is another of the Snowy Jo ones and I've used Stickles glitter glue to embellish.

Hope you like them.

xxx

Twice in one evening

2008-12-03T23:20:00.003Z

Back again, this time with Scrapaholix which was on Saturday just gone. This time we created something a little different to be kept or given away to a loved one as a gift. Using a handbag accordion album we created a wall hanging. In my case I asked my husband, 3 children and myself ("tell me a little bit about Lora"), to answer a few questions about themselves, so we can look back in a few years and see how we've changed.

As you can see it's turned out quite well, to the eagle eyed amongst you, you will no doubt have spotted that my youngest chap is missing. This is not because he has run away to join the circus, he gets that kind of carry-on here. It is because I have managed to mis-lay his glittered K and I'm too lazy to make another. It will turn up and I will finish my Millar Masterpiece.

The papers are from Rayher, as are the button embellishments. The glittered chipboard are letters taken from several sets, painted and glittered to match. Bright Mirri Board in festive colours, white and green ribbons and sparkly brads add the important finishing touches. Now to find Kye.....

Con

Dina

Durahn

I'm off to catch some much needed beauty sleep, but I intend to get back here tomorrow to load up the stamp of the month samples.

Night Night

I thought it had only been...

2008-12-03T23:03:00.004Z

Look even when I think it's going well I get side-tracked, I was absolutely convinced it had only been 2 weeks since my last post. I get here (at last) to discover it's actually been three. Well there's no hope and no pictures from 3 weeks ago at least not at the moment.

Going back to a fortnight ago now we were busy glittering Mandalas, that was the general idea anyway, glittering me was the reality. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm not a pretty pastel kinda girl, I do bright, bold in your face (never), so for those of you that like the more subtle, mandalas turn away now and scroll down. If like me though you like it bright, you'll like these.

They are all variations on the embossed, glittered and decoupaged theme, so there's not really much to tell.

This one hasn't even made it onto a card as it's just so cool.

This one and the next are the reverse of each other. 2 colours of glitter and 2 colours of card.

This one is one of the snowflake mandalas and I've only used transparent glitter on the blue card.

This one is my favourite, it's the Crocus Mandala from Elusive Images and I created the whole thing twice, mounted them onto each other, sandwiching a tassel between, so I can hang the decoration on my Christmas tree.

I'll be back in a minute to pop up a little bit about Scrapaholix too.

xxxx

Shrink Plastic

2008-11-20T01:34:00.003Z

Last Tuesday we had a play with Shrink Plastic. In order to demonstrate the differences in shrinkage between the different types of plastic I used the same stamp - this months stamp of the month.

This one has been created using white shrink plastic. I've blended the chalks into one another and then stamped in Stayz-on

Frosted shrink plastic on this one. Chalked and stamped with blue Stayz-on.

This time it's clear shrink. Stamped with Stayz-on and stuck own with Glossy Accents because it dries clear.

And this one is on black shrink plastic. This time my Stayz-on was the opaque white, the really pretty blue was a mistake. There was blue on my stamp because I forgot to clean it before I used the white -oops!

Same card in 4 different styles.

xxx

Scrapaholix - Fragments

2008-11-19T20:45:00.004Z

It's been longer than I had planned but I've made it none the less so I won't be too hard on myself. Scrapaholix as I mentioned in my last post took place on the 9th and was fab. This month we got to have a play with Ranger's Fragments and they have certainly won my seal of approval. The only problem now is trying to find a supplierthat has them in stock.

As well as my layout which you can see below we also made a mini album from a paper bag. The papers this month were travel inspired which worked really well with my very poor photos (taken on a disposable) from a holiday to Portugal.

Now I know paper bag albums have been around for ages and that there are some die hard scrapbookers out there that wouldn't be caught dead making them, but I like them. There a great way to make a quick book, 6 pages plus the front and the back, with a couple of pockets to stash things away. I think you'll agree they can be very, very cool.

Nearly all of the embellishments came from the fab Travelogue papers. The tab was cut out on the Quickutz and I used some groovy black and white polka dot ribbon for my tags. As per usual for me everything was inked, if it's not screwed down, it's likely to get inked.

As I said already my photos weren't the best so a small book really helps to get the most out of them. It also means there's somewhere to put your plane tags, tickets and other bits and bobs.

Here is this months stamp in all it's glory, this one is really working hard for me I have absolutely loads of uses for it. You can't really see that there are Fragments on these pages, but they really add dimension.

We're going to squeeze in 2 more kits before Christmas, at the end of the month we're making a Christmas gift and then in December we'll be dry embossing. Loads of fun.

I'm hoping to put up last weeks cards in a little while.

xxx

November Stamp of the Month

2008-11-07T10:44:00.006Z

This week so far has been all go, go, go and I've hardly had time to catch my breath, shouldn't complain. Tomorrow is Scrapaholix, yippee, my layout has been ready since the end of last week and I'm dying to get going because I had so much fun. Well prepared you might think, particularly for those of you that know me well, however, I still have to write and type my notes, erm......

Getting back on focus, Tuesday was the first Tuesday of the month so that means it's time for the new SOTM. This month's is definitely a little different to my usual selections and for good reason. Stamping is hugely versatile, all it takes is a little imagination and a different ink/paint, to transform something.

The Take a Note set from Stampendous is a truly versatile stamp, you can use it on so many things, cards obviously, scrapbooks, gifts (recipe books, jotter pads), etc. I have loads of ideas for it, now I just have to find the time. As is the norm the stamp has 15% off for the month whilst stocks last.

For the purposes of this demonstration though, I shall be using mostly cards, although I will upload some pictures of my Scrapaholix work after tomorrow, so you can see it used.

This one is a good basic card, I've stamped and embossed the notepaper and message in gold on cream cardstock. Using peel-offs I added the Golden Wedding and the 50 and then randomly stuck more peel-offs onto a scrap of Mirri card (remembering to take them over the edge). With yet another peel-off I created the 3d 'flower' in the right hand corner and once stuck down over more fancy card, it becomes a 'wow' card.

I'm disappointed that this one hasn't come out more clearly in the photograph because the pink background paper was created with the Adirondack Dabbers, a technique I intend to demonstrate over the coming weeks. One of the ideas I had when I chose this stamp was the idea of telling someone you love to take a break. By sticking down an individual tea bag or chocolate bar it helps to reinforce your message. The background paper is a K&Co. one.

This card has been stamped and embossed in one of the new pearlescent embossing powders. The 7 is cut out of Mirri card on the Cricut, which despite how much I love my Bigshot, I have to accept that for Mirri card it's not great. The card is actually royal blue, and lime green, but that hasn't come out to well in the photo. The idea is that you can write the birthday boy's name before the 7 and 'Today' after.

This card has been created by stamping onto some previously distressed cardstock, then tearing and further distressing. The background papers are from K&Co. whilst the other was made by brayering onto matt cardstock. The paper rose has been threaded through the stamped cardstock to secure it and the mini postcards are placed to conceal the holes. The heart charm has been suspended with thread (should hang downwards) and the hole card is finished off with a strip of olive green ribbon.

For this one I tinted white shrink plastic wit red chalk, before stamping the tiny hearts in Versamark and chalking over them again. Next I stamped the notepaper and message in

Stayz-on and punched holes over the drawn holes on the image. Once shrunk I coiled wire through the holes, to look like a notebook and matted and layered on one of the tag cards from last week. Finished off with a little ribbon and a white peel-off.

I hope you can see that I've really enjoyed making my samples this time. The stamp obviously lends itself very well to more contemporary cards, but I've managed to make two more traditional cards without even realising it.

I'll try and get the Scarpaholix pictures up as soon as possible.

xxx

Halloween spooks

2008-11-01T12:40:00.004Z

It's been half term this week and that has had the knock on affect it always does, my pile of things to do has increased ten fold.

The trick or treaters were out in force last night, no die hard ones at our house though (something to be said for living in the middle of nowhere). They must have been freezing though, it's been so cold, snow in Dublin, what's going on????

The cold days and nights make you want to stay in, by the fire and get creative, such a shame then that all my bits and bobs are elsewhere. Even so I've moved things in over the last couple of days to work on. However if I'm honest most of the work I've been doing has been for the website, which is getting ever closer. Who'd have thought there was so much to do??

Getting back to the job in hand Tuesday nights club was a giggle as usual, after we'd discussed Shingles (lol) I showed my cards which are all made using the new tag cardblanks. I'd be the first to admit that they are definitely not the cheapest cardblanks, nor are they the largest, but they are some of the easiest and therefore quickest, to use to great effect.

My first card has been stamped down one side using an Opalite ink pad. The trees in the centre were stamped in Versamark and embossed with one of the new pearlescent powders. Matted on green Mirri card and then green Stickles has been used to decorate. I've finished the tag off with a piece of satin edged, organza ribbon.

This one is my take on a sympathy card, the stamped image is one taken from the stamp of the month set and I've used black Stayz-on. I chose to layer the plain image on a gunmetal Mirri card and used a plain white satin ribbon to finish off.

On this one all of the stamping has again been done with Stayz-on purely because it is very intense on white card. The image has been coloured in a little with plain colouring pencils. A little bit of glitter card and a few gems add a bit of bling and I've opted to staple my ribbon to try and keep the card very contemporary looking.

For this one I've covered the whole card with K&Co. papers, inking around the edges to tie it all in. The stamped image is another from the stamp of the month, this time I've stamped the image onto Stampboard, before adding some shading with pencils and then layered up clear embossing powder. A peel off and gold ribbon finish off the antique look.

Last but not least is my Snowy Jo tag card. The card has been created using strips of the Snowy Jo papers, Snowy Jo himself is one of the Build a Jo stickers and Stickles have been used to create the snow. Finished off with a little two tone organza ribbon.

Next week is Stamp of the Month and then Scrapaholic, can't wait. I really love the stamp for November and am having trouble narrowing down my choice of cards to make.

xxxxxxxxx

Chalks

2008-10-22T15:31:00.004+01:00

Last night we played around with chalks, quite often we use chalks very lightly to achieve light results. This time I used the chalks very heavily to achieve 'bold' affects.

All the images are from stamped with clear stamps from the Snowy Jo range and stamped in Versamark before being chalked.

The chalked baubles have been attached with gold brads to black glitter card and the triangle card has been finished off with a gold bow and bell from the Craftime Christmas range.

My little Gingerbread man makes another appearance again, heavily chalked in brown and matted onto some of the Snowy Jo papers, decorated with punched out snowflakes.

Snowy Jo himself......

Little chalked Poinsettias layered to form a Christmas Wreath. Mounted on green, gold and red cardstock.

To fix chalks I recommend a spritz of cheap hairspray, the cheaper the better.

Off for tea.

xxx

October Scrapaholix - Beading

2008-10-22T15:12:00.004+01:00

Saturday was fantastic, we had a full house and time flew.

Scrapaholix rocked this month, I actually felt my heart in my hand when I first sat down to get my layout together. I could see lots of different layouts created with the kit, but as time is a factor I thought it would be tricky. My layout (I think) was a hit and I really hope all the ladies had a wicked time. Both Sue and Elaine came baring sweet treats, which meant I didn't feel so bad that my shortbread hadn't had time to cool. We ran over by 30 minutes and have decided to make the class that bit longer in future.

This is my layout as you can see there is quite a lot going on, but I'm hoping it doesn't look to 'busy.

This second layout compliments the first whilst giving me the ideal journalling space. The feel of the page is still very much the same and the two pages work well together side by side.

Lastly, this is a car I made using the leftovers, of which there were few. I added one of the big blooms purely because I love them.

xxxxxxx

Brayering with a difference

2008-10-17T18:27:00.005+01:00

Part of Monday and Tuesday saw me up to my eyes in scrap paper, masking tape and baby wipes as I got my samples for Tuesday nights club ready. I got so stuck in that I ended up with loads of samples and had to pick the best ones with which to make my cards. My hands were stained with ink, which has only just come off.

All of these cards have been made using dye ink, the ink has been transfered from the pad with a brayer. To add further interest I rolled over the ink before it dried with a screwed up piece of scrap paper.

This card is created with a Distress Ink Pad, the Snowy Jo Gingerbread Man is then stamped on top with Timber Brown Stayz-on. Scraps of paper and card are used to compliment the image, to make a contemporary Christmas card.

Same technique this time I used a Big 'n' Juicy ink pad and black Stayz-on on a Magenta stamp. handmade paper scraps have come from the mega value packs.

This one has been created with one of the Adirondack multicoloured ink pads. The Faerie Poppet stamp has been embossed in fine detail gold embossing powder.

This one has been brayered with an Adirondack ink pad in Cranberry. The stamp is one from a Stamp of the Month set from last year and it's embossed in a detail, gold powder.

Lastly, my favourite, the background is a Adirondack multicoloured ink pad, the fantastic stamp is from Stampendous and embossed with a pearlescent graphite powder.

Scarpaholix tomorrow, can't wait. I've managed to create a two page layout and a card and have very few bits left.

xxxxx

Catching up

2008-10-10T11:00:00.005+01:00

On a roll again here it would seem, I was determined to get the stamp of the month samples loaded up today. I really have to get better at keeping this up to date as fingers crossed the design aspect of the website is complete, so it shouldn't be too much longer now.

October places us firmly in the Autumn months, the harvest festival spirit of September still lingers and we begin to look towards the colder months. Here Halloween becomes more and more popular (in England it's bonfire night on November 5th that everyone loves) and there are some great Halloween stamps around this year. However, I'm not sure any of them would be great as our stamp of the month as they could be a little restricted in their application, hence my choice of stamp which is the Autumn Theme Puzzle Set from Magenta.

On first glance it appears to be one large stamp (it is when it's wood mounted), it's not though all of the images separate and can be used either individually or in any combination. Being Magenta stamps they are very good quality, good clean, crisp images, no blurring and almost impossible to mess up with. There is also a little bonus apple stamp.

know I tend to say every month how much fun I've had making my samples, but I really have enjoyed it. I had lots of ideas and could have made at least 20 or so different cards before I'd have to stop and think.

These are just some of my ideas, again the photos have come out quite dark. I think I might have to start taking them in another room to see if that helps.

This one uses the complete puzzle set stamped in Stayz-on over a brayered background. Co-ordinating cardstock and torn handmade paper, finished off with a leather button that reminded me of a conker.

This time I selected 5 of the panels and stamped them in Stayz-on onto copper sheet, before mounting on a similar colour of cardstock and then onto my black DL card blank. A deckled photo corner, drawn dots and stamped greeting add a little more interest.

This time the image has been stamped with Versamark (to act as a release) into hot gold and copper embossing powder, before being layered onto co-ordinating cardstock. This method has a real tendency to buckle your cardstock. Unfortunately in the photo the card doesn't look as nice.

On this card I've taken three of the smaller images and stamped and embossed using a fine detail embossing powder onto a background created with the Adirondack Dabbers. I mounted the image onto dark blue card and finished off with a greeting stamped directly onto the card blank. The apples are stamped in the same way and stuck down with 3d foam.

Lastly, so as not to forget Halloween, this one is stamped onto white card and shaded with colouring pencils. The faces are drawn on with Marvy Le Plume in black. Layered onto a black card blank with orange and pearlescent purple card, with spooky cut out using the Endless Love alphabet from Sizzix and wiggily eyes for affect.

This months newsletter should be going out later today or tomorrow, once I've typed it up. The offers this month are on Christmas Embellishments, Spiderweb embossed pearlescent card and bumper Christmas crafty packs. The yarn of the month offers are on Noro Iro and Sirdar Bigga. It's also our 3rd anniversary this month so I'll be having a prize draw, for which you will automatically be entered into when you spend €25 or more in a single transaction.

I think that's everything for now, knitting is on on this Monday coming and I'd love to know if anybody would be interested in coming along if we can find a venue in Dungarvan?

XXXXX

Lost my blog

2008-10-10T09:41:00.006+01:00

I can't find it???

After spending ages the other day uploading photographs and typing I had to pause and go and sort the small one out, coming back to my computer I discover all my hard work has vanished. Blogger automatically saves as you go along so I have absolutely no idea where it's gone.

Anyway, as I had already said these cards are the ones from last week (30/09/08), they were late going up anyway and are now even later. We were using fabric on our cards, one thing I didn't really cover with these cards was using fabric in place of background papers which can work really well.

In terms of preventing the cloth from fraying there are several options other than sewing. The first is by using good old pinking sheers. I coveted a pair when I was a child and can distinctly remember feeling a pang of jealousy wash over me when I saw that my friends mother had a pair - terrible really, must have been the start of the end with me and crafting I suppose.

Another way is Wundaweb/Bondaweb, both of which are iron on adhesives fantastic for making applique in fabric crafts, you can also use double sided sheet adhesive.

The one thing to remember when using fabric on your cards is that it tends to be a little see through particularly on darker cards and papers. I find if I mount my fabric piece on light card before sticking it into place then the real colours of the fabric shine through.

Really sorry the photos are a little dark.

This card is one of my favourites, very plain with just a rub-on to lift it a little.

Same as the previous card but with additional strips of co-ordinating card and some gems.

This is a play on a Christmas with a stamped background and greeting, fabric trees and Mirri card scraps combined with some sparkling gems.

This time I trimmed a circle of Christmas fabric, added a few peel-offs and some ribbon to create my Christmas bauble.

My library folder is made using fabric, the tag is adorned with flowers cut out on the Big Shot and finished with some ribbon knotted to it. The corners have been rounded off on the base card layers to add to the 'pop-art' feel.

Another plain and simple card, I seem to be favouring this look a little at the moment. Again I've used the Big Shot, this time to cut out the Primitive Hearts from Gingham which are mounted onto a torn piece of blue card and then onto the Kraft card blank. I've added the fake stitches to keep it rustic looking.

I really think the plain fabric heart cards would both make unusual wedding invitations if they were made in different fabric. Although, quite plain and understated you can get away with it because it is fabric, where paper or card could look a little plain.

Before I finish this post, here is a picture of Bear, we desperately need to find him a home. He was born on 15th September and is cuddle mad. If anyone glancing over this blog happens to know someone who would love to take care of him please let me know. We will be happy for him to go to the right home for free.

xxxxxxx

September Scrapaholix

2008-09-30T18:26:00.005+01:00

Scrapaholix took place on Saturday just gone, this months theme was vinyl lettering.

If I'm at all honest I found the lettering to be rather uninspiring despite trying to jazz them up with alcohol inks and peel-off pens I still ended up using them in their naked white form. They do take acrylic paint well and would probably glitter up well, but as you can buy lettering already coloured or glittered I'm not sure why you'd bother with these.

Fortunately, the papers were cool and lent themselves quite nicely to lots of subjects. I selected photos of Kye at the Inishannon Steam Rally a couple of years ago now.

I still have to do my journaling here......

With the addition of an extra sheet of cardstock (white) I managed to make a double page layout. The three photos on the bottom of the second page to this layout fold out to show another 6 cheeky faces.

Card/scrap club tonight and I'm using fabric on cards, loads of fun. Have to try and unpack some of the boxes before the girls arrive.

We're on a roll here

2008-09-26T13:06:00.003+01:00

See I'm actually sticking to what I've set myself, this being the 2nd post of the day, 3rd actually if you count the one on my other blog.

I'm being rather naughty really as I still have to add the finishing touches to the 2nd page of my Scrapaholix layout for tomorrow. Technically, I don't have to do it, but I like to give my ladies options.

On Tuesday just gone I made my cards using some of the new Snowy Jo products, in particular the Snowflowers which are just so scrummy.

This was my first card, as the holes in the centre of the Snowflowers is quite large and my co-ordinating brads are quite little, I used punched out snowflakes in the centre of my blooms. I was being thrifty by trying to make my flowers go further. I've used one of the double-sided papers here (inked as per usual), in combination with a stamped greeting. My Snowflower has also been inked, because I inadvertently managed to splurge.

Similar look here, this time I've included another one of the papers and some white Ric-Rac.

Again, it's the same elements just switched around.

This time I've opted for a DL card and used a tag.

Completely different this time, white cardstock border with punched snowflakes with the Snowflower is on black glitter card.

This card is as a result of Midi setting us a challenge to make a card out of the scrap box. My poor farmer looks a bit mangled because he was suppose to be a scarecrow. Any way Kye will love it because it's a tractor.

Now I'm quitting whilst I'm ahead and going to grab some lunch before I complete my layout.

xxxxxx

How Long???

2008-09-10T16:33:00.000+01:00

I knew it was bad, but never realised it's actually been that long since I've added anything to my blog - SHAME ON ME!!!!

To make matters worse this is a post that I began last week and then couldn't find my camera to upload the photos. Undaunted I thought I should at least complete this post.......

Loads has happened since June, loads in fact I'd managed to convince myself that I'd at least got around to updating this since then.

........Where to start, we've moved, hands up I just couldn't cope anymore with working full time and then some and trying to juggle my family and other commitments. I now have the shop outside my home, with hours that are much reduced and am actually enjoying it again.

The card/scrap club still takes place on a Tuesday, knit 'n' knatter is back on from next week, Scrapaholix is still monthly and I'm hoping to start travelling a bit with my classes too.

This Tuesday we had a bit of a heat embossing masterclass, no real need for cards. So instead these are photographs of last weeks cards with the Stamp of the month.

The decorated tree from Personal Impressions is fab, I think it's an extremely versatile stamp, but then I would as that's one of the things I look for with the SOM. As is usual it has 15% off the marked price for the remainder of the month or while stocks last.

A little bit of fine gold embossing powder, Mirri card and ribbon combined with Christmas green and cream card to make a 'classic' looking card.

Stamped with Versacraft onto calico which I then frayed. To prevent further fraying I stuck the material onto cream cardstock with double-sided sheet adhesive and then matted this onto navy card before sticking it on the cream card blank. A little tartan bow and Merry Christmas stamped in the same ink to Co-ordinate. (sorry photo is a bit poor)

My ever faithful black and white. Tree is stamped on white card with black Stayz-on for depth of colour as is the Merry Christmas. Layered onto black cardstock and then mounted onto a spotty cardblank. Finished off with a little Xmas red Stickles.

This time I've used chalks over Versamark on the tree and the two background papers. Unfortunately, it's yet another bad photograph which doesn't show that the colours are pink/purple and teal. The card in reality looks very effective.

Lastly, this time I stamped the tree on white shrink plastic with Stayz-on and coloured using pencils. Once shrunk I covered with a layer of Glossy Accents and then matted on cerise and green cardstock before fixing it to a gatefold card with a K&Co. patterned paper. Every conceivable edge is inked (great for hiding wonky edges).

I'm now going to go off in search of my camera again, which I took to the Ploughing Festival yesterday so I can take pics of the cards from Tuesday just gone. Fingers crossed it could be two posts in one day.

xxxx

The begining of the month

2008-06-06T15:00:00.000+01:00

It seems to have taken me an age to get these photographs loaded up this time. My poor computer was having a bit of trouble doing what it as told.

Anyway it's Stamp of the month time again and this month I've gone for the 'Gone Fishin' Truck' from Great Impressions. It's a good stamp for Dads Day cards, but also looks really cool for all sorts of occasions. As is the norm here the stamp is available at 15% off of the marked price for the month whilst stocks last.

I did manage to find some time to make some cards despite all the fun and games with the move, but there are only 4 as my fifth was infected by a bug that decided to rest on my 3d glaze and will forever remain. If I get a chance I will have another go.

I've stamped over the acetate with Olive Green Stayz-on, the DAD has been stamped with Adirondack Dabbers.

This one has been stamped using the Brilliance Ink pads and then one of the images has been embossed using copper powder.

I've gone over the image with glass paint outliner and then filed it in with glass paint, cutting around the impression means no fishing rods this time and by sticking it down with 3d foam adds a bit of height.

I distressed some cardstock with a Distress Ink Pad first, stamped the image with Ancient Page and then cut the Cardstock to explode the image. Finished off with a 3d mounted impression.

It's also yarn of the month time, this month I wanted to say a little thank you for supporting us here so I've put three of the Araucania yarns on special.

Pheuen, Quellon and Patagonia are €7.95 per 100g for the month whilst stocks last. I think all of the Araucania yarns work really well knitted up into accessories - bags, gloves and wraps and home furnishings, cushion covers in some of these yarns have total wow factor.

That's everything for now as I need to continue with trying to build the website, I think it's safe to say I've set myself and incredibly time consuming task, particularly when combined with the move.

ARGHHHHH!!!!!!

Where's it all going

2008-05-17T16:24:00.000+01:00

I really hope it's not just me that this is happening to? My days are running away from me, it's like I blink and another week has gone, what's going on???????

Anyway, panic attack over (for now at least).

Tuesday nights card/scrap club was good fun, the great weather we've been having meant we could leave the door open all night and craft in the summer breeze.

These are the cards I made for Tuesday.

A paper flower coloured with marker and mounted using a big button from my stash. The buckle is one cut with a Sizzix die and covered in 3d Gloss. The 'congratulations' is one of the small peel-offs.

Another buckle on this card made in the same way, this time used to embellish this handbag card made from pearlescent card adorned with permanent marker 'stitches' and black gems.

This time the lettering was covered in the 3d gloss. The crocodile is one of our new wooden embellishments. Everything in sight was inked a little to add definition.

Lastly, I used the 3g gloss on the wooden embellishment.

As I guessed the handbag card was definitely the most popular, it's a nice quick make but really effective.

I'm off to do more work on the website now.

Stamp of the Month for May is......

2008-05-12T10:07:00.000+01:00

Well as per usual I'm a little late updating, no suprises there. Unfortunately the stamp of the month that I was all set for wasn't in stock (yes I did check, was told there were no problems and ......., what can I say, I actually put the phone down on my supplier - very unprofessional of me). So I managed to find a replacement stamp and have shelved my original ideas for another month.

The stamp is from Rayher and as usual there is 15% off tha marked price for May whilsts stocks last.

I stamped the image 6 times in total cutting the frame section out of two (you'll find it much easier if you cut the inside bit out first before cutting the whole image). Cut the heart out of one of your discarded inners, a little 3d foam, a few gems and some matting and layering in cerise and lime green.

Again plain and simple colouring pencil (obviously a favourite technique of mine), this time, I hope it's a little bit 'folky' in style. Stamped twice again in Ancient Page and mounted with 3d foam, the pinking sheered felt and my favourite Kraft cards add to the overall image.

This time I stamped the image on the reverse of silver pearlescent card. Dry embossing the frame part on the reverse, before mounting on 3d foam. Using the 'heart' section I stuck seed beads all over and continued with the bead theme by attaching single beads to some of the 'dots' on the foiled card. A little white gel pen to highlight the embossing and to cover the cut edges of the frame.

Sure to be most peoples favourite, I've stamped and embossed the image in gold and layered it onto some matt gold mirri card. The card blank is wrapped in handmade mulberry paper which is fixed with double-sided tape on the back. The ribbon is stuck to the reverse of my layered image, which I the fixed to the front of the card with 3d foam. Tiny little dots of gold Stickles add the final flourish.

This one is a bit of fun, I've taken one of the sides of the frame part of the stamp and stamped it 5 times in dark green Versacolour ink. Wrapping embroidery cotton backwards and forwards I hope I've achieved a 'screen' effect. Basic matting and layering in strong colours - red for luck and finished with one of the ladies from our new peel-offs, coloured with Marvey le Plume pens.

Before I go, I should quickly mention this months yarn of the month, this month it's

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Usually €5.95 but for May will be €4.95.

As you might expect this favourite yarn is already flying of the shelves and for those of you who haven't seen it, I've uploaded a picture of 2 little tank tops.

I think that's everything for now, I'm off to take Kye to see the new film Speed Racer this afternoon and then Knitting tonight. Those of you that know me will know I'll be knitting in the cinema as well.

Big kisses xxxx

Scrapaholix April 2008

2008-04-21T15:35:00.000+01:00

It was our monthly meeting of Scrapaholix on Saturday and it went great!!!

The theme this month was monochromatic/felt and I have to be honest when I saw the kit my heart was in my mouth - I don't do purple.

However, much to my surprise I really enjoyed using the kit once I'd got going and actually went onto make a mini book/card as inspiration to the ladies that came. I 've also got tonnes of bits left, so I'll be able to knock up a good few cards as well.

Next months meeting is on Saturday 24th May, but all the places have already gone. If there are a few people that would still like to attend I'm sure I can fit another class in somewhere. Next months kit is a stamping one, with the stamps having been designed for it especially.

Tonight is knit 'n' knatter, which I'm looking forward to going to as I'm working on Elizabeth Zimmermans hat at the moment on Dpns though rather than circular. I looked at EZ's books when I was younger, but wasn't really interested then. Having gone back to them, I've become obsessed - no surprises there then.

Tomorrow is card/scrap club and I've already got half of my samples done, but am gonna go and do some more now.

Lora

Still not right

2008-04-18T21:10:00.000+01:00

For those of you that know me it will come as no surprise to hear me say that I'm just not right. Technically, that could be said of me by way of an introduction however, in this case I'm referring to the virus.

It hasn't completely gone yet and seems to be having great fun toying with me. I think it's gone and there it is, back again. It's not just me that it's treating this way, the dirty rotten thing is two timing me with Kye and to make matters worse it's now visiting Du (he does seem to have it quite bad).

At least it didn't stop knitting on Monday or the card/scrap club on Tuesday.

This week we looked at the new die cuts from Rayher, which I'd love to show you but didn't remember to take a photo of them, no surprises there.

I will take a pic tomorrow, but basically they're in several different themes and are double sided in different styles/colours

There are baby things, alphabet, frames and flowers, in the garden and roses. I chose to use the roses first, assuming they would be the least popular and found myself getting completely carried away with them, that I didn't get round to using any of the others.

This one is your basic bouquet shape, ribbon wrapped, with four of the small rose mounted on 3d foam. A little gold Stickles dabbed in places and mulberry paper.

Same idea, but this time the roses have been turned over to the pink/red side.

This one is the waste from a peel-off.

Card is made by taking a third of a 12x12 page and then wrapped in a piece of card stamped with Mica Magic ink. Roses are decoupaged with 3d foam. Card closes with a Velcro coin.

Scrapaholix tomorrow morning and it's basically a full house - yippee. It's a monochromatic kit with felt, all good fun. All is ready except of course the shop, but that won't take long. If I get a chance I will post up a pic of my layout after.

Before I go, here is the completed jumper that I made for D in the yarn of the month (of which there is not much left). Ideally, I would have liked a photo of her wearing it but that would mean the planets would have to be aligned, no war, etc - it's just not going to happen.

Sickness Bug

2008-04-13T19:15:00.001+01:00

Errgh!!! I've been infected.

My lovely seven year old monster has been very, very poorly with the horrible stomach virus that is doing the rounds in the whole of the county (so it seems). He's missed a couple of days at school, seemed better and went back for a day, on his insistence and then got sick again the following day so missed the rest of the week. Not one to miss out on anything I began to notice a curious rumbling early Thursday and by that night I was nursing a bowl and well you don't really need to know the rest.

Safe to say I've had a bit of a time of it, am going out to the local for a bite to eat this evening, more as a way of spending time with the hubby, rather than to eat, must try not to gag.

Anyway getting back to the matter in hand. Before I leave it any longer and before all of the yarn of the month has gone. This is the jumper I made for D from Sirdar Juniper as promised. It's been on show in the shop all week and has really pushed the yarn out of the door.

Oops that's not the right picture is it..... that's because I don't seem to have one on my camera (blast, if I had a brain I'd be deadly). At least this proves I'd finished knitting it and if I remember my camera, brain and to do it (in that order), I'll take a pic of the jumper proper on Tuesday and upload it.

Last Tuesday evening I did my demo using the Papermania Chip-Board Embellishments. Personally, I think most of them are a little flat in colour (not all of them), but for the price they are a bit of a bargain and cover well with acrylic paint.

One of the paisley shapes, covered in gold Adirondack Dabber Paint and then adorned with gems to make what I hope is an Indian inspired card.

This one has been distressed with the Dabbers and mounted on 3d foam, the backing paper is a DCWV one from the Spring Stack add a little ribbon and voila.

This one is pretty much how it came in the pack, tie a little ribbon around it and mount it on 3d foam over some card punched hearts, add co-ordinating card and dots of pink Gel Pen.

This one has been painted again and the background paper is also another from the Spring Stack. The heart in the top left corner is also from the pack and has had a little red ink rubbed round it to tie it in with the colour theme a little better, ribbon again.

Quitting while I'm ahead now, I have some bits and pieces to get ready for Scrapaholix which is this Saturday and I want to try and put a few more rows up on this....

I managed to get the whole front of the wide neck baby pattern from Debbie Bliss (nice quick one), whilst Coni drove us to Clonmel to do the shopping earlier. It's in Rialto Aran and the stripes are improvised.

April Showers?????

2008-04-04T16:08:00.000+01:00

Well April has arrived and as per usual the beginning of the month is a busy time for me in the shop.

Last Tuesday's card club was the first of the month and that means Stamp of the Month. I love this one, well I love them all, that's why I pick them, but I really couldn't wait to have a play with them this time.

It's a sheet of un-mounted clear stamps this month and as you can see the farm critters are really cute. I could have made card after card using them.

As usual there is a 15% reduction on the marked price for the rest of the month whilst stocks last.

The stamps lend themselves to decoupage really well and without even realising it, most of my cards are some bit raised.

This one uses ancient page ink and plain old colouring pencils, but you could make so many different cards in this theme.

Can't see this one very clearly in the photo, but it's just been stamped with the baby powder Kaliedacolor ink pad and then distressed and mounted. The cow in the bottom right hand corner is mounted on 3d foam.

Same technique as the first card for my little Gee-Gee and then stamped card blank with the 'neigh' stamp.

This little piggy is stamped in burgundy pigment ink and then embossed in clear over it. A little 3d-ing going on here too. Bacgroung papers are K&Co. distressed with same ink and wrapped with a co-ordinating ribbon. Obligatory gem flowers.

This one hasn't come out too well either, stamped and embossed in white and then brayered with the Kaleidacolor again. Decoupaged and then matted on plain cardstock. Lettering is cut with Sizzix - Girls are Weird font from brayered glossy card.

More to tell of course.
This months yarn of the month is Sirdar Juniper which is €4 per ball for April. I've been busy knitting up a easy jumper to show the yarn off, but still have a bit of sewing up to do. I'll post a picture up when it's complete.

Think that's it for now off to sew.
xxxx

2nd one today

2008-03-30T11:21:00.001+01:00

I'm on a roll here, got a little side tracked by oodle noodles and Elizabeth Zimmerman, but that's another story.

Last Tuesday night I decided to show my lovely ladies the good old reliable folded shirt technique. I love this one because it's a great fallback for male cards.

This one is my favourite, it's a little harder to make the shirt from card, but in the case of the Extreme Boy papers it's well worth it.

A real extreme shirt if ever I saw one!

This week it is Stamp of the Month time and I'm actually gonna have a play later. I've also got to complete the neck, block and sew up a jumper I'm knitting to show April's yarn of the month. Once I've got that completed i have to get things ready for the shop window and do a little bit of paperwork, throw in trying to spend time with the kids, walking the dogs, washing, ironing, etc and that's me failing to get everything done already.

Best go I suppose.

xxxxxxxxx

Conspiracies

2008-03-30T10:04:00.000+01:00

I'm sure there is something out there trying to prevent me from ever getting a real bash at this blog thing. Even when I finally get myself organised I seem to get scuppered.

This time it's been my cameras memory card, which seemed to give up on me a few weeks ago after trying to print some shots off of it in one of the local chemists. Sadly, it had approximately 200 photos on it, including shots of my friends new born baby and of my dogs beautiful puppies. Happily, I did manage to print some baby pics before the catastrophe ensued.

Long story short - have since managed to purchase new card and have been frantically photographing anything and everything.

Time for a quick catch up on everything -

The Yarn of the month has been Guinco from Laines du Nord and has been on offer at €3 per 50g ball. It's 100% Merino DK and knits up great, we have it in the lovely colours below as modeled by my lovely fella here (knitted by Jill).

The stamp of the month for March is (nearly was) this graphic image of a church, which has been so popular that I only have one left. Amazing, sometimes I worry that the stamp I choose is not as good as I think (as in this case), and I get such a good response it floors me.

As you can see from these cards I could have gone on forever, because it covers just about everything that could ever be church linked.

Chalks, ric rac, tags and K & Co. papers here.

Embossing metal, mica paper and Mirri card here.

Plain old stamping here with some fab new baby papers and more tags.

Lastly, embossed with detail gold powder and foiled vellum.

Feeling much better now I've got that little lot up, must go and sort out some breakfast, or else I might get done for child cruelty. At least Kye's body is telling him it's only quarter past 10, not quarter past 11 yet. Am leaving this on, so I can load up images of cards from this weeks club.

xxxxxxxxxx

How Long?

2008-02-08T15:18:00.000Z

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)

2nd Post of the Day

2007-10-03T12:11:00.001+01:00

My second post of the day because I wanted to upload my completed layout from Carolines crop in Cork. I had a fantastic time and was really able to enjoy myself cropping without the shop in mind. Unfortunately, I had a dire cold and missed most of the crop, but I was enjoying myself so much after the class that I stayed on to play and shop. Yes I did say shop, you can never have too much stash after all.

The kit was fab, I jiggled things about a bit and added the dark green and dark pink cardstock, I also used gems instead of the perfect pearls and the photo just doesn't do the page justice. Definitely one of my favourites so far.

xxxxxxxxx

Octobers Scrapaholic

2007-10-03T10:46:00.000+01:00

It feels like I've only blinked and a whole month has whizzed by, it doesn't seem to matter how organised I get something comes along and pandemonium breaks out.

This morning before I even leave the house I'm going to put a couple of posts up, do some surfing (no swimsuit required, thank god) and answer some emails. For those of you who have subscribed to my newsletter, it will be with you soon. It was actually written on the 25th September, but as per usual I'm waiting on something to come in, before I email it out.

Right, enough moaning for now, time for Scrapaholic ......

Unfortunately, as many of you are aware I had to cancel Septembers Scrapaholic, despite there being lots of interest, there just wasn't enough bums on seats. So I've had a good long look at what I could possibly do to make it more appealing and I've decided to include cropping/shopping time either side.

Therefore, the actual class will take place from 3-5pm, but there will be an hour either side for those interested. The class costs €15, with an additional €5 for cropping, in addition if you book in advance for three Scrapaholic crops you will save an extra €5. Scrapaholic is all about it's members, it is a club after all and membership equals benefits and so I am in the process of fine tuning the club side of things too and will update everyone when I've completed it.

Below is a sample layout made using Octobers transparency kit.

The kit contains:
1 x Imaginise Raindrop Reflections paper
1 x Imaginise Black & White Bash paper
2 x Evening Surf (Blue) cardstock
1 x Black cardstock
1 x White cardstock
1 x Hambly Frames Overlay
1 x flower (Gerbera)

If you require more than 1 kit to complete a double page layout an extra kit can be purchase at a reduced rate.

If you would like to book a place or find out a little bit more please email me at info@craftmills.ie

Lora

xxxxxxxxxxx

Trying to avoid work

2007-09-18T10:26:00.000+01:00

I've decided to update this morning before I get on with some more cards, because I've become a bit obsessed with my latest designs and there is a real danger that I won't get anything else done.

Unfortunately, I had to cancel Scrapaholic last Sunday after having several people cancel. I know it's impossible to please everybody all of the time and we've experienced this before, but it's very disheartening all the same.

Anyway, back to the job in hand......

Below is the replacement card with the SOM, it's a bit layering and matting mad what with the marbelled, pearlescent, snakeskin and fantasy foiled cards. I stamped the image using an Opalite ink pad and then used the perfect pearls to make fantasy fruits of gold. The picture doesn't do it justice, with all the different textures, but the flash bounces off everywhere.

This layout is one I completed a few weeks ago now, it's definitely one of my faves. I used the Dabbers to make my own transparency and then using the same technique on an extra sheet, i then punched out some flowers, which I've adorned with some black gems. The papers are Junkitz Basics and there are little hints of pink with the Mirri card and the flower gems, just to lift the black and white theme a little

The card is made again with the dabbers on acetate and then stamped with Stayz-on. With both the layout and the cards I've used brads to anchor the acetate.
This card was for my mums birthday.

Tonight it's our card/scrap club which is the perfect excuse to get back to my card making.

xxxxxxxxx

September Stamp of the Month

2007-09-14T09:32:00.000+01:00

Nothing unusual in how far it is into the month before I have managed to get to upload my cards for our Stamp of the Month again. In my next life I am going to be super efficient, incredibly organised, but probably single and very boring.

In truth I can't actually take all of the blame for the delay as my supplier took ages to send my order out and then didn't include the stamp. This was despite the email stating it's importance and asking to be let know if there were any PROBLEMS!!!!!!

Getting back to the stamp - It's the Melvin Tree stamp from Hampton Art Stamps.

I've actually made 5 cards using the image, unfortunately one has been damaged whilst on display in the shop, so I will have to make another.

The one below is stamped several times beginning with the lightest colour first and then embellished with one of the scrummy Maya Road ribbon sliders.

Using the image as a resist I then brayered over it with Kaleidacolor. Gem brads are from Papermania and are on offer this month.

Getting ready for Halloween - Stamped and embossed in black and all without a hint of orange (sorry to you know who).

Just stamped this time, but what a cool background paper it makes?

I'll try and upload the last one later, I also have a layout and a card (made for my mums birthday) to put up too.

Sunday is Scrapaholic and there are still a few places left so if any of you are interested please get in touch. The kit is really quite nice and very reasonable for €15, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Scrapaholic is changing over the next couple of months as one of the original ladies with whom it all began is leaving, so watch this space for anymore news.

Unfortunately, due to other commitments we have had to pull out of ScrapFest (sorry). If however, there is anyone who was hoping to get to see us and is coming from some distance you can always let me know and I will try and keep the shop open for you.

We hope the weekend is a huge success and raises a good bit and in support will be donating a Gift Voucher for the shop.

As far as the shop goes, most of you will already be receiving our monthly newsletter and will be aware that CHRISTMAS has hit the shop, if not email me to put you on our mailing list.

I think that's everything for now, I am trying to be good and update this and my website regularly but must try harder.

Lora

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So Behind

2007-08-29T20:46:00.000+01:00

God, where has the month gone? The whole ankle thing has completely obliterated any bit of organisation I have. I'm behind on nearly everything and have piles of absolutely everything to sort from stock and bills, to ironing. Then to add insult to injury my computer has been acting up and I just haven't had the time to sort it out. However, enough moaning, time to start making good with the mess.

The first two layouts are the ones for the last Scrapaholic event. The 'Best Friends' one is the one I had completed to demonstrate the layout and the 'Where's mum?' uses the Scrapaholic kit. Just in case anyone is wondering about the title, my lovely monsters are always ribbing me for being short. This seemed the perfect pic to capture their sentiments - I'm bullied.

This layout is from the Tuesday crop absolutely ages ago, but I really like it. I used the Old World Cardstack from DCWV and the beautiful Flowerz from Junkitz.

Card using the same, would have been an excellent quick make, if I hadn't decided to use string that was really thick!!!!

The next batch of pics are my sample cards with the SOM, I had to stop myself from making loads more, my enthusiasm just ran away with me.

This one is stamped with the Adirondack ink pads and I've used the Old World cardstock again.

This one is stamped, coloured in with pencil and then triple embossed with clear powder. The black snowflakes are stamped in Versamark and embossed in clear, whilst the white ones are punched white card.

This one has backing paper from one of the K&Co ranges (the name of which escapes me). The tag is stamped with Versamark and clear embossed again and then splattered with the Adirondack Dye Ink Sprays, great fun.

This is a more traditionally themed card, nice and simple gold embossed and decoupaged (sorry for pic quality).

Finally, my autumn one. Stamped with Ancient page and coloured in with pencil. The leaf was stamped and dry embossed on to copper foil.

Now for last weeks Tuesday crop. I made this little book with Stampboard, which I love. I'm trying to do projects with CHRISTMAS some bit in mind.

The pictures really don't do this any justice, it's very sweet being only 2" by 2" and would make a great gift for that person that needs to receive a pressie, but you have no idea what to get them. You could make it about absolutely anything. I have some cards incorporating Stampboard which I will up load up at some stage.

I also have this Tuesdays project to put upload, but I want to tweak it a bit. For those of you that know Kye is due to be having his op on Friday, so I imagine I'll be as disorganised as ever and then some.

Before I go, profuse apologies to all with regards to Sizzix order, I haven't managed to get the thing sorted yet and if I'm honest with myself I doubt it will happen this week either, sorry.

Off to tackle some ironing now.

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Trials and Tribulations

2007-08-14T12:55:00.000+01:00

Presently I'm sitting up in bed resting my now rather swollen ankle after falling down the stairs on Sunday evening just before I was due to head out with the hubby. So instead of spending a relaxing night at the movies, we chose Cork accident and emergency for our venue.

After waiting an hour and a half to be triaged and then told it would be a minimum of a further 6 hours before I had a hope of being seen I decided to leave. I toyed with staying, but knew I'd be in a worse state if I remained. I assumed all I done was sprained my ankle and knew it would be rest and anti-inflammatories, something I really didn't need to wait to be told.

So confined to rest (which I hate) here I am. I was very bad and didn't yet get around to uploading my layout from a fortnight ago, which I will do when I get back down to the shop.

I will also have to upload my samples for our stamp of the month, which is this beautiful unmounted Christmas theme plate from Elusive Images. I've taken the liberty of mounting the plate on Kling-On so it's ready to go.

As with all of our SOM there is 15% off the marked price of €20.88 for the rest of August whilst stocks last.

It was Scrapaholic on Sunday (before the stairs incident) and everything seemed to go well. The journalling kit proved to be a success and the time just flew. I will upload my layout on my return and as a by the by I think I have a couple of the kits left should anyone want to complete it at home, just let me know.

Next months kit is a Rub-on one and Scrapaholic will take place on Sunday 16th from 3-5pm. I'm also taking advance bookings for the Christmas Scrapaholic event which will probably take place on 9th December (times to be confirmed). The kit will consist of a mini handbag album, cardstock, papers, ribbon, etc and will understandably be more expensive. I will post the exact cost up when I know more.

I think that will probably do for now, oh except to say that I have just put in an order (from bed) for lots of Christmas papers, stickers and embellishments, including the DCWV cardstock stacks. It was also my intention to get a Sizzix order off last week, this will obviously be a little delayed now, but if anyone wants anything adding on please let me know and when I'm back to full speed I'll get it off.

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Scrapaholic

2007-07-30T10:35:00.000+01:00

For 2 whole days now the sun has been shining over Lismore and it is fabulous. I'm not really what you call a sun goddess, I stay very white or turn a lovely shade of red, there are a few bits that tan, if you could call 'beige' tanning that is. So I haven't been craving the rays for that reason, I like the sun because it lifts everyone's spirits, everyone including my SAD family (no pun intended).

I have to take my youngest, Kye to the hospital tomorrow afternoon to meet the surgeon who will hopefully be performing Kye's op. Any operation no matter how routine is always a worry, but as most of you know Kye is wired a little differently and you never know how he might react.

All things being considered I'm trying not to worry (much easier said than done) and I'm going to get my layout for tomorrow completed today so that I'm not rushing. Hopefully all will be fine, fingers crossed.

The Scrapaholic kit for August has arrived and the date will be Sunday 12th and I think it might have to be from 3-5pm this time. That way anyone who is travelling to get here can get a bit of lunch and have a nosey round the farmers market and shop.

The kit is a journal ling one and the cost I'm happy to say will be €15 again. As you can see it's quite a manly/heritage kit and it's very different to last months.

As usual spaces are limited and will be on a first come first basis so get in quick before they go.

I'm off to start my layout xxxxxxxxxx

Good intentions

2007-07-28T15:28:00.000+01:00

As per usual all good intentions to upload this on Wednesday or Thursday, but here we are it's Saturday! Still better late than never i suppose.

For all you fibre addicts out there I've already started to chose yarn for Autumn/Winter, the yarn companies seem to be really concentrating on quality fibres and unusual mixes. We're expecting some over the next fortnight, but the bulk of it won't be here until September as we have only seen a preview of it. An order to replenish basics from Sirdar has gone in, hopefully four-ply white, should be back in soon after the long delay which was entirely their fault because THEY couldn't get their hands on enough of it.

There have been some new additions to our A4 card and paper this week. At last the Adriondack Dabber Acrylic Paints from Ranger have come in.

Obviously this means that we're getting rid of the Americana Acrylic paints which are on a buy 2 get 1 free. All things being considered we hope to get the Dabbers in the lights and earth tones .

A stamp order has gone off as well this week which includes our Stamp of the Month for August. I'm afraid we're on the other side of July now which means...CHRISTMAS, so our S.O.M for August is a Christmas one. I'm in the middle of an order for more new stamps and papers etc but quick before i go, here's a pic of Tuesday's layout.

The background paper is created using peel-0ffs as a mask and the layout's embellished with a ribbon flower and title is made by decorating die-cut letters.

This time I've gone for a bright pink ribbon flower, the picture doesn't show exactly how bright it is though!

That's it for now, must go and get on with this order

xxx

Oh what a beautiful morning!

2007-07-23T11:02:00.001+01:00

It has been a really good weekend and if I'm honest, I still need sleep.

We were very busy on Saturday, with lots of customers from far and wide many of whom have the scrapbook bug and will be back.

Great! More sales = More stock

Anyway, Saturday was also the day of our party and boy what a giggle, never mind that the weather wasn't great, it was a blast. I hope everyone who came had a good time too, I'm also hoping that the man (who shall remain anonymous), that banged his head hasn't suffered any long term affects.

My only complaint about the whole thing is that I now know I'm getting older because I couldn't cope with the noisy teenagers that had invaded my house in the morning. If I'd have had a shotgun you'd be reading about me in this mornings newspaper instead.

Tonight it's knit 'n' knatter and I'm hoping to complete the little baby cardigan I'm knitting for the shop. Once sewn up, I'll upload a pic for all to see, it's so dinky, I should have put one up of the last jumper I made, if I get a chance I'll do so next time.

Whilst I get a chance here is last weeks layout. I used the K & Co, Addison papers and Grand Adhesion's, they really compliment the photo of Du. You can't see the title very well in the picture, but it's quite clear in reality as is the glazed highlights on the darker paper on the right. The swirls are cut from a separate piece of the lighter paper and then stuck down with my A4 Xyron.

The card uses the same papers/adhesion's, but I've also used some Bazzil for the tags and some wire fro my naive spiral.

I'm hoping to have a bit of a finish some layouts day today. I managed to complete a few yesterday and would like to try and get a couple more done today.

An order has just arrived with A4 paper and card, I think I might pretend it hasn't and stick with my original plan.

xxx

It's Sunny!

2007-07-19T16:45:00.000+01:00

No Really it is

Well considering I had every intention of updating this on Friday last, I'm not doing too bad.

It has been another mad week in the shop again.

There have been a few new items arrive in (just a few, honest). As time is of the essence now (I'm going out straight after closing), below are the two buckets of lovely pens that have arrived.

The Permapaque Fine Liners which are a fantastic scrapbook safe, permanent marker. Great for doodling, journaling and the odd bit of graffiti (lol).

As you can see choosing colours was a problem for me.

Then there are the Stardust Gelly Rolls which are back in in a rainbow of colours and need no introduction. If you haven't ever used one why? They are so cool.

I'm going to have to go but, will try and upload my layout/card from Tuesdays crop. I want to ad a little glaze to the layout first. Tuesday was a little quiet with some of our ladies on their hols and others (Tigger) feeling under the weather. I've just seen the lady herself and she does look a little peaky.

Time to go now or I'll get moaned at by stroppy kids.

xxx

Sun is Shining, Weather is Sweet

2007-07-10T10:22:00.000+01:00

It's Tuesday and when asked must now refer to myself as 35, which I know is not old, really...... It's just that my parents are fixed at between 32-36 in my head, which makes it older than I'd like to be.

Enough of this depression, it's another beautiful day, in fact it's so sunny I was tempted to wear a bikini to work. Last nights Knit 'n' Knatter was a giggle. Carmel and Joyce arranged a cake for my birthday, complete with candles, which when I recounted the story to my daughter she replied, how did they fit 35 candles on it. Needless to say it was only three, which she found very amusing, but was apparently only concerned for my health on account of the amount of was that would puddle on the cake, had the correct number of candles been added. (aah, I am going to make a point of remembering her concern).

Actually, looking at this photo, I look about 15, so I'm not that bothered. Isn't it awful, I was caught completely off guard, in scruffy fleece and mad un-Kemp look. Please, tell me I don't look like this really. I wouldn't put it up under normal circumstances.

I didn't spend my whole evening candle blowing and gossiping, I actually managed to complete something and sew it up. Sounds good doesn't it, until you realise it was only a corsage, but I love it.

The picture just doesn't do it justice. I made it from one of the Rowan Learn 2 Knit kits. It was nice and easy and a little different. I think the technique would be great for Christmas tree decs or woolly spider legs for Halloween decorations.

I'm off to complete tonight's layout, it's all in my head so lets hope it comes together.

Oh my god, I'm 35!

2007-07-09T15:07:00.000+01:00

Well it's a lovely hot, sunny day today, there isn't a cloud in the sky, everyone is smiling and happy to be alive ......................... not quite, it's actually completely miserable and it's my birthday (off to stomp feet loudly and break things).

Anyway, getting down to the job in hand.

Despite my best intentions, I just haven't got back to post and as usual loads has happened since I first posted. Yesterday was our first Scrapaholic meeting and it was really good (even if I do say so myself). The ribbon kit was received well and I think everyone enjoyed themselves, I know I did. This is my layout, I followed the Scrapaholic sample and added a few of my own touches

The layout below follows the same format but is created using the K&Co. Hannah Scrap Pad to Go, which I love (my customers must do to).

Tonight it's 'Knit 'n' Knatter' at the shop, which is where a group of us meet up to knit, crochet, sew, etc, whilst and this is the important bit, we natter, oh and drink tea, eat copious amounts of biscuit.

Before I forget, I've been asked to mention our 'stamp of the month'. Every month I pick one stamp and use it to make a variety of samples, which are on display in the shop. The stamp is then available with a 15 % discount for the rest of the month, whilst stocks last.

The first picture shows the boxes you can make with the stamp. The four sided one is in red & green for a Christmas feel, the 5 sided one is stamped and embossed in gold on cream card and then coloured using Twinkiling H2O's. The six sided box is stamped and embossed in black and white to give a contemporary effect.

The pink and black card is created by using the very outer ends of the stamp and layering them. The screen card is made from stamping four separate panels and then they are coloured using the Twinkiling H2O's again. Finally the last card was stamped onto vellum and embossed in white, the colour was then applied on the reverse and I mounted the finished panel onto white card before layering with jewel brads, onto lilac pearlescent and a cerise card blank.

This stamp is part of a set of 3, which includes a much smaller box stamp and a mandala, which can be used to make a box topper or independently for cards/decorations. If you buy the set of three you will receive a 20%

discount.

I think that will have to do for now, or else I'll get nothing else done.

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Wednesday 27th May

2007-06-27T19:46:00.000+01:00

So this is 'blogging', well hopefully no one will be injured in the making of this production, or be bored to tears.

Last night was 'crop' night in the shop, eight wonderful girlies/ladies came and we giggled away the two hours as per usual.

I was trying (that being the word), to demonstrate using Primary Elements on your layouts and cards. Primary elements are made by the same company that do the Twinkiling H2O's, LuminArte. They are a pure mica pigment in powder form, that you mix with one of three 'Simple Solutions', number 2, being the one for working on paper and plastic.

I spent all day making various fantasy effect background papers and then got completely absorbed in card making, nearly forgetting to complete a layout.

When I eventually did put together the layout, I found myself in the middle of a scrap block. My background paper has turned out so beautiful and the chipboard letters are so vibrant, that I felt it would be too much to add more. The girls seemed to think so too, although a treasure chest in the corner was suggested. I will try get round to taking a photo of it and a couple of the cards to upload tomorrow.

Today has consisted of a whirlwind trip to buy beautiful Irish produced yarn. The smell as you walk into the mill is awesome and evoked memories of my dad who would have been in his element. I went a bit wild and bought the yarn in 10 colours, one of which was out of stock and will arrive in a couple of weeks. I shall upload photos of all the scrummy hanks later, needless to say I have been drooling mentally over the projects I could make. However, no longer as optimistic of my time, I did the grown-up thing and bought a jumper to show how it looks when it's knitted up.

Will have to go now, before irate six year old gets worse, dog walking/quad biking calls.

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