How Long?

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

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P.S. The lovely knitted heart was made by Sandra - thanks mwah! (x)

2nd Post of the Day

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.

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Octobers Scrapaholic

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

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Trying to avoid work

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.

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September Stamp of the Month

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

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

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

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

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

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Oh what a beautiful morning!

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.

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It's Sunny!

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

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!

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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