Paula’s Blog Hop!

This is a special post, or should I say for a special person. The lovely (nearly typed right honourable.. but I guess she’s that too!) Paula Whittaker. She has been in the Docrafts Creativity Club Design Team for the past 6 months with me (plus other lovelies) and has decided to move on.

Goodbyes are always a little sad and we will miss her and her beautiful clean and artsy style. She’s a CAS girl like me, but a more artistic one & her blog ‘Just For One Day’ is well worth visiting. I’m not so sad, as I’ll not stop chatting to her about important topics like.. well, that would be telling!

Some of the other gals in the team are giving her a crafty send off & that’s why it’s a blog hop. You hopefully turned up from lovely Michelle’s blog here and next on your mini tour is Heather . I can’t wait to see what lovely inspiration they’ve got waiting.

My card is using all Docrafts supplies (of course!) and is designed to reflect a little of Paula. Some white space, a more arty stamp and a dash of colour! It was super quick to create thanks to the Artiste markers & Madame Payraud stickers! Oh, and don’t think I’m making any political statements with my colouring. I wasn’t being very careful with the colour- I’m not saying a particular country belongs with another..I don’t know my Geography well enough to do that!!).

If you get lost, just start at Nikki’s blog here, & keep following the links!

I know the photo is staged a little differently- that’s because, try as I might, the card simply would not photograph straight. I have no idea what was up with it. I tried all the usual fixes but it was destined to lay down- which is really perhaps should be my destiny too (ha ha!).

A bit of laying down would be very welcome. Half term has definitely put grey in my hair, calories on my hips and substantial miles on my car.

I’m working in Mostyn Abakhan on Saturday so do wave at me if you’re passing- or better still, bring me a nice cup of Earl Grey! Before I go, can I take the opportunity to thank all of you that have emailed, messaged & texted your support with the whole Gallery Idol thing. I’m not expecting to get any further, but I have been overwhelmed by the girls (& occasional bloke) who’ve been so supportive. This crafting community rocks!

See you later, when I ‘ve posted a load of projects off. They’ll be naming a booth after me at the Post Office soon!

xx

 

 

Bliss Bag & Sale-a-bration Blog Hop

 Good morning!! Hope you’re not shivering away like me! Isn’t it freeezing?!  Today I’m part of a blog hop organised by Pat with all the ILWS gals. There are 4 separate hops all using the Sale-a-bration sets so as to give you all some inky inspiration with using them. If you click on that ILWS link, it’ll show you the whole list. My round starts with me- but you may have come  from the lovely Hayley, so a big Hi! and welcome if you did.! I haven’t seen her blog post yet but I’m looking forward to peeking later! 

I’ve got 2 very different projects. The first was an idea of mine to use butterflies from ‘Bliss’  instead of a hot air balloon carrying a birthday present. The design needs a bit of reworking but at least it’s nice and bright! I had fun making the ‘strings’. I used the different ink refills to dye some plain embroidery thread. I just put a small amount of water in different plastic cups and added 4 drops of ink from the refills. Add lengths of string, leave for 15 minutes, then remove and let thread dry. To get a truer colour I probably needed a few more drops of colour. Ah well, I had fun playing! I’ve also entered this in Stampin Royalty

 for their challenge ‘Anything with wings’ . I’ve used the Happy Birthday from Punch Bunch and just cut offthe 3 edges of  the scallops. Onto my second project- a very hastily sewn ‘Bliss’ Bag. The light was chronic yesterday- and even messing around on Photoshop didn’t help any! The colour on the bag is as true as I could as I could get it ! The central panel was made from a cotton baby cot sheet I didn’t need any more. I stiffened the thin sheet with some interfacing. The ink stamped really crisp images. I used Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive ink. I added the designer buttons whilst munching my breakfast in a cafe this morning.  As a result of going to a place called the Quarter, I want yoghurt, muesli and fresh fruit for breakfast tomorrow and possibly all next week! The next stage of the hop is heading over to Blue Angel’s . I went for a nose yesterday and she’s got some beautiful cards on there.

On a personal front I was thinking about lots of things that I love whilst I was in town yesterday. My eldest boy has a real nonchalant disregard for his appearance, and I love the way he just doesn’t mind! I had to force myself not to comment as I looked on at this very scruffy but incredibly happy little guy. I also love learning how things are constructed. I was so excited browsing through bag patterns and picked up a few. Wish I’d taken more notice during my Textiles lessons. It’s never too late to learn something new, so you might find a few more bags popping up on here. I also love just looking around. I was like a little kid after popping to town yesterday, with so many inspiring images in my head. Oh to have time to write them down nevermind actually create something.  

Off to tidy up- normal energy levels are returning slowly!

If you want to visit the other blog hops-

Round 1 blog hop- Sarastamper

Round 2 blog hop- my-next-chapter

Round 3 blog hop- here!

Round 4 blog hop- creatinwithkirsteen

Card recipe: Crumb cake and Whisper white cardstock. Inks- all the ‘brights’ colours. Rhinestones. Marina mist satin ribbon. Stamp sets- Punch Bunch & Bliss. Linen thread. White embroidery thread (from my stash)

Bliss Bag- white and patterned cotton. Pear Pizzazz and Old olive ink. Designer buttons. Pear pizzazz ribbon.

Retired Blog Hop

Today, you’ll be relieved, it is a short post! I’m in a small but lovely chain of other demo’s who all frequent ILWS  and decided to do a blog hop portraying some of the Stampin’Up! retired goodies. Can you believe that some of it is actually out of stock already!. Check out the list here to see whats going and get your orders in quick.

You’ll have arrived here hopefully from Karin’s blog . I can’t wait to see what lovelies she’s created. I’m afraid that my offering is only a little solitary card. Time overtook the grander plans I had, so I ask forgiveness in advance!!!

Today we actually saw a house that has potential. We’d be like sardines initially but hey, no pain, no gain huh? Actually getting to view the house could be a more complicated affair. I feel sorry for all the people with this estate agent because I rang them over 8 times,-it mostly just rang out or was occasionally engaged. How they can sell property when no-one can see it to fall in love with it beggars belief. Ah well, maybe they just get lucky. I was a little concerned that I might lose my crafting space- correction, I will lose my crafting space. In future I may be creating from the kids tent in the garden or maybe I can set up a shelf in the bathroom. Perhaps once the cooker is cold I might use the door as a drop down cabinet. Better yet, I just might procure myself a garden shed! Whatever my future, I’ll find somewhere.. or I’ll be going round to other people’s houses, pleading politely to hire the corner of their dining room. If you see me coming armed with large bags, don’t answer the doorbell!!

Well I promised a short post- sort of. I should really mention the card. The colour (Taken with Teal) is going- that’s the only colour I’m quite sad about. (there’s a teeny piece of Only Orange which is leaving too!).The others are nice but that’s my fave. The Good Friend and Bit of Birthday Cheer stamp sets are bowing out, Sweet Pea designer paper says Toodle’oo and so does the Taken With Teal ink. Pity really, I’ve only just got ‘Good Friend’- and it was starting to grow on me somewhat. Some friends are like that I suppose, in and outta your lives in a heartbeat! Save them from extinction please- it’s the only kind thing to do! Grab a dose of sugar and hop on next to see Hayley – it truly is a rather large hop  from Liverpool, but the distance will be worth it !!!

Take care, see you soon xx

Extra supplies still youthful enough not to be retired; white embossing powder, Versamark ink, Word Window punch, whisper white cardstock and grosgrain ribbon, crop-a-dile, Kraft cardstock.

 

Challenges: Charisma cardz (song Happy Birthday- I know, just not very original!!)

Stampin’Up Mini Catalogue Blog Hop!!

Ta daaaaaa!

It’s today – the ‘inspire-your-head-off-and-write-a-long-shopping-list-Mini-Catalogue-blog-hop’!!! a whole hour earlier than it should have been!!!  (thanks to the clocks going forwards).

You may have come from the lovely Pat and when you’ve done here- hop on over to Amanda’s blog.

Keep looking and scrolling on down because these weren’t the stamp sets I was supposed to be doing. These vintagey tags are using these new products.. Vintage Vogue stamp set. Tiny Tags stamp set. Tag punch (way  too cute)and the delicious new satin ribbon in Old Olive (of course). The rest of the gear will be listed at the bottom as usual.

The next set I’m showcasing is called My Sweet Pea and these stamps are adorable. They’re only £9.95 for 5 stamps which I reckon is a bargain in anyone’s book! They are fun and funky and would do for kids or adults. I have a bit of a bird thing and love the little winged thing. I thought I’d do them in a frame rather than a card (for a change)- but it was a mare to photograph!!! If you look carefully you can see the reflection of my fingers in the lower right hand corner!!

Here’s a closer look!

I used this set again to decorate a choccy bar for last night’s Stampin’Up! party. I love the combination of these colours, Taken With Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turqoise, Rose Red and Old Olive. I haven’t photographed the whole bar- I reckon you know what one of those looks like. Me, I’m rather too familiar with chocolate wrappers!!!

I used the frame and stripy strip from the Simply Scrappin’ Petal Party kit. See how the leaves from the flower make fab corners and also the sentiments from the Tiny Tags double as a really cute flower stem. See how your imagination starts to go in all sorts of directions. I can honestly say this new Catalogue is one of my favourites.

I’ve probably kept you for too long- see, I’m being greedy. I’ll release you to Amanda and you can go and be inspired by her.

Enjoy the hop, and pootle back to me soon – I’ve got allsorts planned. If you fancy anything you’ve seen, I’ll be putting an order through in the frst few days of April- just in time for you to be the lucky few who get these exclusively new products that are so not available in the shops! Makes you feel special doesn’t it!!

My fave project again- I really love these teeny tags!

Project supply list- wait for it…

Cardstock, whisper white, Kraft, Pumpkin pie. Inks- Versamark, Stazon Black, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Ballet Blue, Tempting Turqoise, Pixie Pink, Rose Red, Old Olive.

Stamp Sets. Frames With a Flourish (on the tags). My Sweet Pea (new). Tiny Tags (new), Vintage Vogue (new).

Old Olive satin ribbon (new), Linen thread.

Phew!

Sneaky peek and Blog Hop

Just to tease you- and I know its been too long. This is an itty-bitty peek at one of the things we’re making at my hostesses Stampin’Up party tonight and also you’ll see if you come and join in the blog hop at 10am onwards Sunday 28th March (ok, Sunday, then!).

Its being hosted by ILWS and there are 3 different blog hops consisting of about 15+ per blog hop. All are showcasing the very exciting launch of the Mini Catalogue. But don’t don’t despise it cos its small. It’s packed full of really scrummylicious  stuff. I for one, have had loads of fun experimenting with brand new products never seen before in an SU catalogue. For the moment though, you’ll have to wait. The catalogue goes live on April 1st  and then the fun begins!! ‘ve already got 2 parties booked for the Mini Catalogue and I’ll be posting the date shortly for an Open House at mine where you can come and play with all the products for FREE! Yay!

What a blinder of a week! It was supposed to be chilled and not full. Why do I kid myself that life can be anything other than full on? A friend and I were musing at school about an American publication where lots of Mums talk about what they get up to with their super-sized families. No, I’m not talking obese, but rather 10+ children. Now, you can start to feel a little inadequate when 5 seems like lots of work!! We reckon that a certain lack of state education, school runs and living on a farm could really be advantageous but even so, I can hardly imagine my family doubled or even tripled!!

Tomorrow morning it’s crop/card making  time again. 9:30-11:30am at St. Annes Parish Hall, Dundonald Road, Aigburth, Liverpool. Cost is £4 and absolutely anyone is welcome. Bring your friends and enjoy a creative morning accompanied by cake. It has to be cake as the main thing really, but I couldn’t really call it a cake morning!!

Need to pack my bags. I’m not leaving home, just off to a SU party with an ‘arty’ feel to it. We’re making tags for a change and these are quite intricate but should be lots of fun to make. Come and catch my Sunday post. There are some more unusual projects and I’m sure you’ll be inspired..

This piccy was one of the projects we made at my last Stamp Class– I’ve another one coming up at the beginning of April . April 7th to be precise. I’ve got 4 booked so if you want a place- contact me. Check out the details at the top of the blog under the Classes Tag. This one’s about embossing with powder and you’ll come away some really lovely projects!

See you on Sunday!

Projects- Inks- Tempting Turquoise, Pixie Pink. Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon. Word window punch. Stamp sets- Whimsy wheel and Wow Flowers. Whisper White card stock