31 July 2012

Cupcakes

Today a couple of cupcake cards and I have actually managed to add some quilling this time.
Quilling is my favourite but it gets a little neglected sometimes when I have lots of cards to do and stamping can be quicker!


I have been trying different 'cake' cards as Sarah at the lovely Wishing Well Cupcakes is taking some cards to add to her stand at events to see if they tempt people.


These lovely little cakes are inspired by a great Quilled Creations kit called 'Cupcake Bakery', I've also used 2mm paper which I am taking more & more of a liking to and obviously it works better for postage too.


The stamps are also from a great set and very en vogue at the mo - they are from a Personal Impressions set which features many things to do whilst keeping calm!


Couple of punches used for layering and some card candy in the corners to finish.
Do visit Wishing Well Cupcakes on Facebook to see where you can buy their treats next!
Jill

29 July 2012

Flower Workshop

Thanks to the 8 ladies that came to yesterday's Quilled Flowers Workshop at Yandles.


It all got quite hectic with people working at different speeds and wanting to try different techniques but everyone finished some flowers and I think we converted some more unconvinced crafters - many are coming to the Christmas workshop so I didn't scare them too much!


Thanks to Val at Aquarius Blog for coming and posting her completed sampler today.  I have probably posted this sampler today which is what we were aiming for yesterday.  Unfortunately I haven't done any other crafting this week as I was sick a few days ago and came close to cancelling the workshop - I managed that but needed a bit of a rest afterwards!  


I will see what I can rustle up in the next day or two as August & September are really busy crafty months and I'm really behind now!

24 July 2012

Olympic Park visit

 So, yesterday's trip was to the Olympic Park to watch the technical rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony.


Bit of a trauma with motorway traffic on the way which meant we didn't have any time to wander round the park first which was disappointing, but at least we made the main event which was also looking doubtful at one point!


Thought I'd post these pictures as there has been a lack of much crafting for a couple of days and I got home at a crazy hour this morning  so will be having an early night.  Obviously I can't tell you about the ceremony - you will have to watch on Friday!


Thanks to the Crafty Bunch members for the lovely Birthday cards too today!
Jill

22 July 2012

Gift Box

Many apologies for going missing for a week - I have been keeping an eye on blogs but not been able to blog myself.


Another busy (& exciting - more to follow!) couple of days to come and hopefully things will settle down.


Today's present that I have made is using a fabulous set of Clarity Stamps that I bought at Newbury (which my brother is very kindly funding for my Birthday!).


The 'Sport' word is one stamp and there is a corresponding set of 8 different sporting activities on individual stamps that sit nicely in the 'O' - great for all my sporting friends and family.


I've stamped up 6 cards in different colours (and sports) and simply mounted them on matching card colours and then on to white card.


The box is made using instructions from the lovely Jenny which are part of her Bright Blossoms stamps class.  It was really easy to make  and thank goodness for my SU simply scored - part of my busy week was trying to perfect some pocketfold wedding invitations for which it was invaluable.


A combo of SU punches added to the velcro lip of the box and present ready to go.  I think there will be plenty more of these in the future.


A bit of Tour de France TV watching this afternoon whilst prepping for next weekends Quilling Flowers workshop.
Thanks for popping by.
Jill

13 July 2012

What the Postman delivered!

Not much craft time yesterday or today so because I was asked I thought I'd add a picture (sorry quality not great) of what the UPS man delivered yesterday!


As soon as I saw the 'Beautiful Season' stamp set in the catalogue last year I fancied it but was actually quite good and used stamps I already had last Christmas and kept this on my wish list.


With a new catalogue looming with even more tempting treats I thought I had better buy it.  I've also been close to adding the itty bitty punches on several occasions so I crossed them off the list too!


I've had a spot of trouble with some of the SU clear stamps so have invested in a couple of their blocks too - lets hope they do the trick.  Finally I got some lovely Wisteria Wonder bakers twine as a purchase bonus after doing the workshop at Newbury and because I made Mum buy a couple of treats too we spent over £45 and got the Everyday Enchantment ribbon & brad set - which is very nice!


Will try and make some cards tomorrow in between playing with some Wedding Invitation samples.

12 July 2012

Even more Mixed Bunch


A last Mixed Bunch offering for the week.  I have made a black & white version of yesterday's card using a versamagic black ink and a couple of variations of black brilliance ink.  These flowers are mounted on plain black card petals.


The final card is a red, white and blue offering - the subject for this months Crafty Bunch card.


It's a bit of a Stampin' Up extravaganza - I've used the diagonal scor-it for the background, mixed bunch stamp, petal punch, leaves from the bird punch, sentiment from Just Believe set and the oval & scallop oval punch.


The next UPS delivery is due tomorrow - oh dear!!


Sorry if this post is all over the place - Mr Blogger doesn't seem to want to oblige tonight.

9 July 2012

More Mixed Bunch

And today I used my own Mixed Bunch stamps and punch.


There are lots of great ideas out there for cards using this set, I've had a small play whilst trying to also get a card for someone at work.


I've scored a piece of white card with the SU diagonal score board and stuck this on a base card.


I've then simply cut a couple of pieces of paper from a Papermania pack in the stash and added these as a layer.


The flowers are stamped in the lovely inks of memento pear tart and brilliance pearlescent thyme.  The flower middles are then stamped in the same and punched out with a 3/4" punch.


Sentiment is from the SU perfect punches set which (as the name suggests) was then punched out with the matching SU oval punch.


Stampin' Up seem to be taking over - but isn't there stuff lovely!


It's also near the end of 'My Mums Craft Shop' great giveaway on their blog if you want to pop on over.

8 July 2012

Mixed Bunch Workshop

There was an option of a Stampin' Up workshop at the Artstamps show at Newbury yesterday so we thought we'd have a little play!


It also turned out to be a nice sit down from wandering round all the stands.


Jo and her lovely team gave us instructions and all the pre-cut paper and card for us to make this card and box.


We got to play with all the punches and stamps and then did an assembly job on all the pieces.
We used the Mixed Bunch stamps and fab petal punch for these really effective pieces.


I was too busy discussing different adhesive options and stuck one of my papers down 'backwards' - good job they are double sided!


We also soaked up more ideas on their stand and all the ladies were really helpful (including tempting us to spend more) and I'm ever hopeful that I can try out some of these ideas one day!


Catching up with visiting today between watching the tennis - my brother is involved in coaching Lucy Shuker who is in the somewhat overlooked womens wheelchair doubles final today so keep an eye out for her too!

7 July 2012

Soggy Saturday!

Will be back with a picture tomorrow.


Just back from another mini break!  A day in Oxford mainly visiting the Ashmolean Museum which is superb, a stay in a posh hotel and a day at Artstamps at Newbury.


Many inspiring ideas again and thanks to Jo Dumbleton and her lovely team for their workshop and great ideas on the stand (and for making me spend more!).


Nearly got taken out by a very large 'puddle' on the way home - hope everyone is safe and dry.
Jill

5 July 2012

Boofle

Sorry for another quick pass.


This card features Boofle who didn't grab me to start with but I have grown to like the little chap.


This card uses some Boofle double-sided paper as a background and 'ribbon' and button from DoCrafts Digital Designer.  After thinking I had a plan I stuck these down and then the plan changed slightly but I'll have to run with what I have for now!


Boofle is stamped using the kiss-technique which I really didn't think would work but I was pleasantly surprised.


I've used a Boofle background urban stamp, inked up with gold ink.  Then used a Boofle stamp inked up in a light brown and 'kissed' them together.




Then with the help of my SU Stamp-a-ma-jig I've used the second Boofle outline stamp inked in dark brown to add definition, then cut him out.  A bit of an event but worth it I think.  I've then stamped some of his features (nose and glasses) on separate pieces of card and added those.  His little button is also from DD.
The 'DAD' is stamped using the Boofle fabric alphabet letters which I've individually cut out.


SU oval punches and peel off greeting added to finish.


I may be seeing some of you at the weekend!
Jill

4 July 2012

I'm back!

Momentarily anyway.  Busy couple of days with watching track cycling, followed by Wimbledon (thank goodness for the roof!) and an extra day in London.


A quick pause before I have another couple of days away.


So apologies for another quick post.  This card was a last minute request from someone at work for a colleague that was leaving.  The sentiment was their choice which I printed off in a snazzy font .


The image is a Smirk man decoupage which I thought rather fitted the occasion.  I've double mounted it and layered it on a matching paper from the Smirk series.


Just caught up on blogs too and there are so many lovely ideas out there.  Anyway, back to it!
Jill