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