Catching up

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

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

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.

xx

We're on a roll here

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???

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

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

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......

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

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