Video Tutorial - Cutting Outside of the Box

Hi Best Blogging Buddies...

I've just worked myself up to and done another video tutorial.... this time on cutting outside of the nestability... in response to one or two requests.. 
It's a bit of a grey day here today, and my OH is at work, so I decided that it was a good time to be in my craft room!! 

Hope you like and that it possibly helps someone..  I remember my good friend Christine (the other one) showing me how to do this a long time back now!  But that's what it's all about isn't it?  Sharing how to do things!

Big Hugs to all and Happy Crafting
Christine x

It went well!!

Hi all

Well I was terrified, my tummy was doing cartwheels - but it went well!  What did???  Well at last month's WI meeting (first I'd ever been to), I learned that this month's meeting was to be a crafting evening!!  Right up my street I thought, and offered to lend a hand...  whereupon I was thanked - and given a box with lots of blank cards, some wooden embellies, and a book of 12 x 12 paper - and told that there would be 3 lots of 20 women for 30 mins each on the evening! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhhhhhh I thought!!  Why didn't I keep my big mouth shut, I thought!!!  ANWAY, the night was to also have tables of Sugarcraft Cross-stitch..... so I scratched my head, and got down to coming up with some ideas of what the ladies could put together.... and although I was really terrified, I just showed them my samples......  gave them the materials.... and let them get on with it.... though I was there to answer the questions!  In at the deep end.......as they say...

And it went really well -  Everyone seemed to enjoy the table from the feedback.. and went away clutching their own artwork!  I think there is a 10 year old girl or a frustrated blue peter presenter that loves cutting and sticking in everyone!!

As you can see, I kept the samples very easy to do without insulting intelligence, but I punched the butterflies, cut the strips, did the sentiments etc to take with me.  I did the words on the PC... and cut them out with my new SU Word Window punch - it came in very useful to do 70!!

As you can see from the pics (sorry one is sideways), it's quite a youngish crowd at this brand new WI - not a sign of jam or Jerusalem.....  or even calenders for that matter (no buns large enough for me!!), so we all had a good laugh.....  and I got lots of people who gave me their names for me to do some workshops with!  So today I'm happy.....  that it's over with - LOL!!

Just wanted to share my happiness...

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting
Christine x

Anything Goes at Anything Goes!! Challenge 64

Hi lovely blogging buddies..

Well here we are again - it's challenge time over at Anything Goes...  we had a fabulous number of entries for our Easter challenge, with some amazing cards and Easter projects!!  Why not check out the main challenge blog to see if you were lucky enough to be one of the top five chosen...

Now the challenge this week is a super easy one that anyone can join in - It literally is 'Anything Goes'!!  Ooooh don't you just love challenges like that were you don't have to stick to a theme etc...  So we look forward to seeing lots of entries again.....  it's fascinating to see so many different styles and techniques..

For my card, I've chosen to use an LOTV image - she's called Maisie Two Balloons (such a cutie).  And please note girls, the only pink is on her balloons - ooooh and her bow!!

I've used Magnolia DP - which I've distressed the edges of before adding IceStickles.......  I've coloured my image with Copics....  added Glossy Accents to the balloons to give them a shine, cut the ovals with my nesties (using the out of the box technique so the balloons were cut), then I've finished off with  a Memory Box Daisy Bubble Border Die - with added gems of course!!!  Lots of my crafting goodies are available at The Craft Den - pop over and take a look!

There's lots more inspiration from my fabbie teamies over at Anything Goes - take a peek and let us know what you think! 

Now......  while I'm here, can I also say a big welcome to my new followers....  I'm really pleased you've found your way here and hope that you will stay a while.  I love to read any comments you make - it makes my day!

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting...  (Do you think I'll have to do three pink cards now to make up for this blue one??!! hehe)
Christine x

For an Engagement...

Hi Best Blogging Buddies

Just a quickie from me today, as I'm still not well with this cough etc.... not sleeping much at night so am cream crackered in the day!  Quick apologies here too as I'm not getting to do all my commenting... I've really not been up to it....  But, in the words of Arnold S....... 'I'll be back!!'

Anyway, a friend of mine rang a couple of days back to tell me that her daughter had just got engaged, so I put together a quickie card.  I chose to use an idea from a card by Mandi from Less is More - she'd used something similar in the shape of a butterfly a week or so back, for a new beginnings card.  I just tweaked the shape and used different flowers...  and I was happy with the result!  I diecut a heart shape - then used a Woodware multi-flower punch (Christmas Rose), but only used the smallest flower - bit fiddly getting the card just under the small hole, but worth it!  I used a pearlescent cardstock for the flowers.  Then I embossed them to curve them into the shape, added gems in the centre, and stuck them all over the heart!  Simples......  as my favourite little merekat would say!

Materials: MFT Heart Shaped Die (second to smallest of the set)

I printed the word in French Script font on thePC, then used my brand new Stamping Up Word Window punch.......  to give it the very CAS look.  Hope you like!

Now - a very quick look at the new stash I bought at the Harrogate show.  I know I'd promised to do this sooner, but I've also had problems uploading pics ......  so anyway, it's here now....

It was a fabulous show as always - I met up with the lovely Elaine from A Technophobe's Blog (whose hubby apparently passed this cold on to me....  gee thanks Phil...) and we had a nice natter and a catch up.  Btw, she can't really call herself a technophobe now, as she can handle an IPhone with the best!  And the above is what jumped into my shopping bag before I got back to the car!  (Well OK, the LOTV stamps I bought at the LOTV shop a couple of days previous...)  As you can see, I got lots of ribbons and gems from Mei Flower and Hobby House, some fab new Memory Box dies, a mahoosive doily die from Cheery Lyn,  some pre-scored and cut stepper type blanks from Which Craft....... and a few other goodies too......  Most still to be played with when I feel better!

Right.....I have a hairdressers appt in an hour or so, tho I really don't feel like going, I'm DESPERATE as my grey parting is getting ever wider!  So needs must!

Hugs to all and Happy Crafting
Christine x
Challenge:  MilkCoffee Challenge blog - Flowers

Bug and Roo - Marcie (no... I'm not swearing!! hehe)

Hi best blogging buddies

Well just a quickie from me tonight as I'm poorly sick, as someone (no names mentioned but she blames her hubbie), gave me a cough/cold last weekend at the Harrogate show.... and I can't shake it!  Nor can I sleep....  which wasn't helped by my OH being called out by work at 2.45 a.m. as one of the alarms had been set off!  When he arrived back, I just de-camped to the settee and watched Desperate Housewives till the sun came up...

It/s another little mini circular one from me again... I just love doing these...  and the image is from Lori Boyd Designs - she's called Bug and Roo - Marcie - and isn't she just soooo cute??

The rest of the card is self explanatory I think... apart from the dotty paper and the sentiment which are both from Pink Petticoat.  The paper is actually a more minky colour than it looks on here... nice with the pink.  The little flowers are punched with a Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch..  and I've put Pearl Makers in the centre of each.  There is a bit of daisy trimmiong from my stash... and yes....  there's glitter on this little lady.....  there just had to be or it wouldn't have been me colouring her, now would it?  Don't think it did my cough any good tho!

I thought I'd show you the back of this one too...  I normally just print this logo on all my cards, as I sell quite a few.. but I can't print on the circular ones obviously.  I just thought this was the best solution..

By the way, I still haven't unpacked my Harrogate stuff..... so will make sure I 'show and tell' on my next post as long as my other half isn't looking!!  Ok, I'm off to take some Lemsip (other cold remedies are, of course, available.....LOL!)  Uh oh, it's getting to my head now!! hehe

Big hugs to all and thank you for your lovely comments... hope you're having a lovely weekend.
Christine x

Anything Goes Challenge 63 - Get Ready for Easter

Hi to my lovely blogging friends...

Well it's the weeks have rolled by and it's time for another challenge over at Anything Goes!!  We had such a fabulous lot of entries for the Boyz to Men challenge... why don't you pop over to the challenge blog to see if you were a winner!! 

This time our theme is 'Get Ready for Easter'.... so I chose a lovely digi image that I had stashed on my computer from Saturated Canary - she's called Murray..  and I just love her to bits!

Now, I chose to use a central stepper card for this one, my first attempt at a stepper card... and I'm quite pleased how it turned out on the whole.  I coloured my image with Copics (available from The Craft Den), then matted and layered her with various pastel spring colours - which I also used on the steps.  I finished it off with a bit of ribbon and lace (again from my stash), a couple of Memory Box die cuts (Tessatina Border and Spring Border) to give it dimension, and a computer generated sentiment..... hope you like!

Just take a peek at the challenge blog to see what my lovely teamies have come up with to inspire you.....  and I look forward to seeing your entries!!

Thank you for the lovely comments you leave.... and happy crafting..
Big Hugs
Christine x
PS.... Will tell you all about my fab spa break and the new stash that I bought at Harrogate with my lovely friend Elaine on my next post!
Challenges:  Stampavie and More - Easter

Going to be pampered...

Hi Best Blogging Buddies

Well... in honour of the fact that my lovely OH and me are off tomorrow for a couple of days at a fabbie spa hotel, I decided to make a card to mark the occasion!  So out came LOTV Positively Pampered..  And yes, she had to be all pink and glittery (we'll maybe just refer to this in future as 'a la Christine..' hehe!

I coloured her with copics and promarkers, and I did try various embellishments including ribbons and bows with this image, but decided finally that she and her glitter was all that was needed - so I left her at that.  I did score a grid on the card behind her, then glittered the grid with Ice Stickles... I like the look I think...  No busy DP's tho to take away from her prettiness!

Now, for those hanging on tenterhooks waiting for news of my first WI meeting last week!!  Well, certainly no Jam and Jerusalem despite a lot of your comments!! hehe!  I'd made friends with some lovely ladies before I'd even got through the door - and they'd saved me a seat so I didn't feel so Billy No Mates!  There were about 80 ladies in the meeting altogether - it's a new and really fresh WI group... and I would say the average age is around 40-45 (ish).  Of course my joining raised that average a good deal! The talk was by a lady from 'Colour Me Beautiful' - and was all about the colours you should wear and how you look in the first impression you give means so much.  And there was I sitting in my jeans....  Hmmmm!  Anyway.... despite that, I really enjoyed the talk and made a few new friends, so a success all in all!  And guess what.... the next meeting just happens to be a craft night!  With.......  yes, you've guessed, a card making stand!!  (There is also a cross-stitch and a sugar-craft stand too).  So me being me, offered to help out with the card-making.  Good thinking???????   But now I think I have to come up with a project!!!  HELP PLEASE!!!  All suggestions gratefully received!  But remember, there won't be loads of scissors or DST, and I'm not taking my copics (heaven forbid)...

Hope you're all having a good week.... I'll think of you tomorrow when I'm being pampered having my facial etc... honest!

Take care and Happy Crafting
Hugs
Christine x

What a Sweetheart.....

Hi Best Blogging Buddies

Well, after a manly card yesterday, I just had to get back into my pink mode...  didn't I???  And this lovely little darling dropped through my letterbox yesterday (ooooh errr ... now did I order that? - seems I must have hehe!)  So she jumped the queue cos she's just so darn cute and she'd travelled a long way so must have had jet lag!  (I've got to admit, there were a few dirty looks from some of my other 'waiting to be inked' stamps.... particularly a LOTV fairy.... who did not look at all pleased!!)  Ah well, next time!

I'd like to introduce you to 'What a Sweetheart' from the Little Darlings Cutie Pies Collection - just released by Little Darlings Rubber Stamps over in the US.  And of course, she just had to be pink.... yes?????

Materials used:

• Bazzil cardstock
• Embossed cardstock from Sam Taylors
• DP from my stash - no name on it I'm afraid!
• Ribbon & Lace from stash
• Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities
• Crafts Too Little Heart Embossing Folder
• Pearls from Stash
• Glittter.......... ahhhhhhhhhhhh...

I decoupaged her image,  as you can see with the hat done separately too.... so thought she deserved a big bow alongside!  Hope you like her..... I think I'm going to have difficulty parting with this one.... hehe!

I'm off to try out the Womens' Institute tonight.... I need to get out and meet some friends.... that's the problem when you move to a different area in your late 50's - you no longer meet mums at the school gate, nor are you in the 'pensioners day out' bracket!!  There's a definite gap - especially as I don't work.  I've been quite lonely lately (apart from my lovely OH and my daughter who pops over quite often), so I'm determined to get out there!  Wish me luck, as I'm not the most confident of people!!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting to all
Christine xx

Challenge: Little Darlings Challenge 18 - Pearls

No cracks please!

Hi to my lovely blogging friends..

Firstly I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been leaving me lovely comments lately... you really are a special lot!

Now.... it's Anything Goes Challenge time again.... and this week the theme is 'Boyz to Men' - which covers anything male-i-fied!!  I don't do male cards very often, so had to dig around in my stamps to see what I had - and came up with this rather rude guy on his knees!!  He's by Creative Expressions and comes in a set with lots of other 'old codger' type stamps - it's called Murray and Ethel Set 2.  After I'd coloured him, I decided to 3D his pants...  so I put an extra photo on to show that you can nearly see down them!! LOL

He's really easy to do - just coloured with my copics (available from The Craft Den), matted and layered .... sorry I can't remember the red stripe DP as it's been hanging in my stash for ages and has no name on it.  And I just added a touch of glossy accents on the hearts on his pants, and on his specs.  The sentiment was done on the PC. 

Hope my male creation made you chuckle.... and I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!!  We had some absolutely stunning entries for the Altered Project challenge..... why don't you pop over to the challenge blog to see it you were a winner.... and also to check out my gorgeous teamies male creations to give you some inspiration!

Take care all - and Happy Crafting..
Hugs
Christine x

Challenges:  Make It Monday Challenge 79- Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion 100th Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Yes it IS me with a Tilda....

Hi Best Blogging Buddies...


Yes...... you're seeing right........ tis me with a Tilda image!!  Well, it all started when I was chatting to my good friend Christine (t'other one) the other day, and we were talking about Tilda's and I said I only possessed one, as they're not my favourite ever images - those who know me, know that well!!  Sooooooooo kind lady that she is (and I think issuing me with a challenge at the same time, she immediately inked up some for me and sent me them, along with some fabulous die cuts (more about them later).  Twas lovely to receive such a nice RAK!)

So I set to to do my Tilda proud!  I used Kraft card and Magnolia paper (which I distressed the edges of) that I'd bought from Donacaster show last year, and then the die cut that (because it seemed out of stock everywhere) I persuaded Christine to do some of for me...... I love it!  It's a Cheery Lynn French Pastry Doily Die....  and it's absolutely gorgeous - and now I have it on order!!  I coloured Tilda with a mix of Copics and Promarkers.... shaded too with blues... then glittered her bow and underskirt with Glamour Dust.  The corners are Macarena Corner dies from Memory Box (from Samuel Taylor at Skipton the other day.... yes, ok, I confess,  MORE stash!  Katie at ST's knows now not to say the amount at the till out loud!!..... lovely girl!)  Then a couple of flowers out of felt and using another Cheery Lynn die.  Lastly, I used  a Woodware Butterfly punch and some gems that came from Stamping Bella a couple of years ago!  I think that's all that i have on it - quite a 'busy' card for me!

So don't say I don't ever do Tildas!  Hope you like this one.... I'll do another soon, I promise!

Hope you've all got a nice weekend planned - my OH is off this weekend, but I don't think we've anywhere planned ....  after going to Skipton and Sam Taylors the other day, I can't afford to!!  So maybe just more kitchen planning is in store!

Take care all and have a happy weekend..
Hugs
Christine x
PS... The card looks better IRL than it does on the photos!
Challenge:  Totally Tilda Die Cuts & Punches

Something a little different...

Hi Best Blogging Buddies

Well I did a crazy thing the other day, I joined Pinterest... and I think it's going to become a bit of an addiction (as if I didn't have enough!)!! 

Anyway, whilst browsing boards.... I came across a fabulously designed card, and I'm sorry, but I can't remember whose pinboard it was on!  But I liked it, so clicked on it to find out who'd designed it so I could ask to have a go!  It led to a blog called Blush Crafts and a very nice blogger called Vicky.... who was happy that I tried a version of it.  And I did......  and I'm not happy with it!  Vicky's is so much nicer.....  so I may just give up on this one and go back to image colouring!! hehe!

I think the card is self explanatory.... a bit of machine sewing for the stems, a Martha Stewart Hyacinth punch for the flowers, and I added handcut leaves to mine as my card did look bare with just the flowers -whereas Vicky's didn't...   Hmmmmmmf!!!  Ooooh and the sentiment is from Pink Petticoat btw.

My OH didn't think I would blog it as I'm not that pleased with it... but I decided to show my poor attempts as well as my good ones! 

Take care all
Hugs
Christine x

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh back in comfort zone...

Good Morning best blogging friends...

Well phewwwwwwwwwww here I am back in the land of pink and glitter!  Oooh such a wonderful place it is!  I knew I'd have to get right back into it and as quick as I could......  so this little lady helped me along the way!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Digi -  All That Scraps - Spring Kiki La Rue
• Coloured with Copics and Promarkers
• Nestabilities - Large Labels - run through a....
• Crafts Too - Hearts Embossing folder
• MFT Mini Tabs Quartet has the sentiment on (Most of the dies I've used are from Dies to Die For)
• Sentiment from Pink Petticoat
• Flowers - MFT Dienamics Flower Trio
• Magnolia DooHickey Die - Romantic Lace (hearts along the side
• Ribbon and pearls from stash
• Kaisercraft DP - Bonjour collection - Moriesse
• Tim Holtz Core-dinations Bazzil cardstock
• Glossy Accents on her flowers and shoes
• Ice Stickles around the edge

My goodness, there seems to be a lot of things in that list.... didn't seem like it at the time!  This little lady is so gorgeous to colour... and even though she doesn't have any glitter on herself (well ok... I admit, she actually does on her flowers - coloured with a Spica pen!) there is loads of glitter around the edge of the card which makes up for it for me...

We had a nice day out yesterday in Ripon - just pottering around the market there and treating ourselves to a nice lunch.  I bought some of the most gorgeous pale pink tulips I've ever seen - to welcome spring into our house..  but I really think it's probably a bit early to say that, even tho it's so warm!  And this is a photo of what was over our house when we got home!  The sun was just about setting and was reflecting on the most amazing cloud formation... we had to go out into our little road to watch it as it was so stunning!

Now... I better go and get some breakfast as I'm getting hungry!  But before I go, can I just say a big welcome to my new followers.... my little band grows slowly, but I know that you are true followers - and that means a lot!  Thank you for the comments you leave too.....  I read each and every one and love to hear your feedback - I feel like you're all good friends!

Big hugs to all and Happy Crafting
Christine xx

Challenge:  Dies to Die for Challenge Blog - Anything Goes

Anything Goes Challenge 61 - Altered Projects

Hi all

Well it's time for another challenge over at the Anything Goes Challenge Blog - and this time it proved a difficult one for me, as it was for an 'altered' project.  Those that know me well will know that this is WAY out of my comfort zone!!  Anyway, I had a go, and this was the result..... but if you check out my fab teamies creations on the blog.... you'll see far better!

Firstly I made a small gift bag from card.  Then I used some paper I handmade using Starburst Stains a while back to cover the front of the bag.  I did a bit of ripping and tearing of some lush Tim Holtz bazzil, and laid that along one side, then dyed some rose trimming that I'd bought from the States with glimmer mist (the colour didn't come out as I thought - more blue than  the pinky/purple on the bottle... ). I used some home dyed and distressed seam binding for some ties (yes it IS supposed to look that crinkled...), then lastly cut a couple of fabbie hearts using dies from Tim Holtz Alterations Movers and Shapers (available from The Craft Den).  The hearts are cut from grunge board, then thickly embossed with two tone embossing powder and stamped into with a script stamp while the embossing powder is still hot.   

I promise you that the bag itself looks better in real life than on the photos - the colours do all match!!

We had some fantastic entries for the last challenge - and I look forward to seeing all your fab creations this time......  If you need some inspiration, check out the main challenge blog here to see what my lovely teamies have come up with and also to see if you were one of the lucky winners!

Big Hugs - and Happy Crafting!
Christine x

Am I getting boring now??

Hi all

Hope you're all well and having a lovely weekend.... we're still kitchen deciding so brain-ache is still happening, trying to decide which goes where and why...  Spent another lovely (!) hour this morning in Magnet... I think the girl there is now just humouring us.... waiting for our decision!

Well yet another of these little mini cards.... I so love them!!  This time it's using another of my favourite La La Land images... Marci.  She has such a lovely face don't you think?  Let me tell you, I had real difficulting cutting a second image up to just get the flower off her hat to decoupage... and the cut up image face is now looking at me from the paper bin!!  I'll have nightmares!

Anyway.... materials used:

• Nesties for scalloped circle blank and other circles
• White and pale blue card from stash
• Pink Petticoat Small Roses paper from Vintage Rose set
• La La Land Dress up Marci Digi Image (set at a jaunty angle - meant to be like that...)
• Copics and Promarkers
• Glamour Dust (of course..)
• Glossy Accents on pearls and shoes (though difficult to see in pic)
• bit of bling ribbon from stash
• miniature rose die from Cheery Lynn (blame Pam for that one!) cut out of felt
• Gems from stash

Hope you like!! 

I picked up my lovely Distress Ink Marker Pens today - can't wait to have a go at them... really want to learn to colour with DI's - sometimes it gives a more delicate feel.....  so watch this space!

Can I just say a big welcome to my new followers...  I love to read your comments and a bit about you... it makes the world a small place!

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting..
Christine x
PS.... I will have something completely different to show you during the next week...  am struggling with it, but I'll get there!