The Winner is ....

Hi Everybody,

The offer of the Grand Decorative Ovals was a very popular gift but only one of you could win them and that lucky person is

Talk to the Tail

Congratulations on your win and if you would like to send me your land address I will get them into the post for you straight away.

The draw is done randomly by InLinkz so that it is fair to every one who enters ... which is why I remove duplicate entries so that everyone has one chance to win.

This is such a versatile set of dies and the photo shows just one idea for a card ... and it is in a  Tutorial

I will be adding more cards that I have been making and I will show you some of the newest die sets from Spellbinders.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Happy Birthday Michele ....

Hi Everybody,

We all like to celebrate a Special  birthday and this is one that is very special to lots of people.

The owner of  the wonderful website Want2Scrap ... Michele Parish ...  is celebrating her 50th Birthday today and many of us wanted to make it one she is going to remember.

A group of us all thought that we would get together and have Blog Hop to celebrate this event and to introduce YOU to some more wonderful designers that you may like to visit in the process.

If you would like to take a look at the others in the Blog Hop    ... click the link and you can leave your comments if you wish.

Micheles' favorite colours are pink and black and this is the theme we have stuck to for the cards and projects that have been made just for her.

This is the card that I have sent to the US for her big day.

I hope you will join in and visit as many of the other Blogs as you can to see what some of the others have come up with too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Just a Note ...

Hi Everybody,

For this card I have used some stripy paper to frame all the cut squares that I have used.

Then on the top I have created a frame from the Labels 22 and added  the  Quatrefoil Pattern  ... from Sunrise Crafts   ... to the inside.

The sentiment has been stamped in Picked Raspberry and then heat embossed with clear powder.

The mixture of Organza and Grosgrain ribbon have been tied together using the Bow Maker that is available to buy in    "MY SHOP"  and there is also a   video tutorial   to show you how to get the best from this useful wooden tool.

The centre Rose is from Wild Orchid Crafts  and the pink diamante swirl is from Want2Scrap  

Don't forget the Give Away .... you still have a couple of days to add your name ... if you haven't already. 

The July prize is the Grand Decorative Ovals  along with some other Goodies.  Add your name to the list .. but only once please as duplicates will be removed. 

If you don't have a Blog then leave the URL box blank  and don't worry about the red cross ... it just means that you can delete the entry if you wish..

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Lilac and White ...

Hi Everybody,

This is a colour scheme that I love as it always looks so fresh and clean.

The basic card is white but the beautiful lilac paper behind the Quatrefoil Pattern is perfect.

The Spellbinders dies used are listed below but the Quatrefoil Pattern can be bought from Sunrise Crafts

The card is in the  Hinged Card   style  with the inside of the card lined in the lilac paper.

The white lace wrapped around the card is from Reasonable Ribbon   and is part of their ribbon club pack for July.

The Diamante "Bling" is from Want2Scrap  and I have trailed it from beneath the flowers and leaves.

Labels one has the sentiment heat embossed in silver and the matching Diamante around the edge.

The Give Away is still running until the end of the month and so if you would like to win the

 Grand  Decorative Ovals    then click that link and add your name to the list.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Wedding Purse ...

Hi Everybody,

Spectrum Noir colouring today.

Colours used ....
Scrolls on bag              EB1
Leaves                  CG1  DG1  DG2
Flowers and ribbon    PL1  BP2   BP6

I have gone over the scrolls and the sides of the ribbon with a glue pen and then sprinkled them with Glamour Dust

The flowers on the bag are  decoupaged up

I have used one of the wedding images from the CD "The Next Big Thing" by  Just Inklined   ... but I don't think that this is available anymore as they have brought out lots of new stuff.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and the lattice in the background is the new Hexagon Pattern die that I bought a few weeks ago.

Don't forget that there is a new "Give Away" until the 31 st July and if you want to take part then   click this link     and leave your name and email address.

Click the blue box with the frog in it that says ...  "Add Your Link" ... and that's it your done. The problem from yesterday is sorted so if you couldn't ad your name then ... please try again.

If you don't have a Blog then leave the URL box blank but you will need to become a follower to join in and please come back to check if you are a winner.  You will have until the 4th August to claim your prize and then if it is not claimed it will go to someone else.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty in Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

For this card I have used one of the newer colours from the Distress Inks range and the is Picked Raspberry.

It is very bright ... so test it on a piece of spare card before you go ahead and add it to your project ... then you will know what to expect.

Because of the deep colour I kept my  base card to white and made  it  following the  Filigree Hinged Card   tutorial  using  the
 5 x 7 Enchanted Labels 28

I used the stamp that matches Labels 28 to stamp my design and added it to the card with foam tape.

The sentiment is stamped in silver and heat embossed and is from JustRite Stampers

Floral Ovals has been cut twice and the outer edge of one  ... via the perforations ... has been removed and  layered on top of the full piece.   The mannequin has been added alongside.

The pearls from Want2Scrap  and the beautiful checkered ribbon from Reasonable Ribbon  completes the card



Yesterday I offered you the chance to win some Grand Decorative Ovals from Spellbinders ... along with a few other goodies.

Add your name to the list for the ...    July Give Away  ...   and the problem from yesterday is now fixed and so if you don't have a Blog then just leave the URL box blank. 

Add your name once please as duplicates will be removed and it would be nice if you left me a comment too.   Please join the list of followers and then come back regularly to visit the Blog.

This prize was offered earlier this year and the winner .... unbelievably never came back to claim it ...  and so you now have another chance  to get these dies for yourself.

The draw will be done at random by InLink  on the 31st which is a Wednesday and you will  have until Sunday the 4th August in which to claim your prize ....  and then it will go to someone else if it is not claimed.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July Give Away ...

Hi Everybody,

Here for July is another really good "Give Away"

This is running from today until the end of the month and it  is your chance to win the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals.

Into the mix I have added six metres of coloured ribbon and three packs of "Bling" from Want2Scrap    and that is sure to enhance any cards that you make with these dies.

You will need a die cutter with the larger A4 cutting area to be able to use them.

There are three tutorials on cards created with these dies and you ill find them here ....   with links to the other two cards on that page.

So if you would like to be in with a chance to win this prize then add your name to the list.  You will need to be a follower and please leave me a comment if you have entered your name.

Only add your name once only please as duplicates will be removed.

 Don't worry about the red cross that appears at the side of your name .. it just means you can delete it if you wish.   The problem with the URL box is now fixed so ... if  you don't have a Blog then just leave the URL box blank.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

All White Card ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards is not a very big one being just a 5" square. that has simply been layered up with other shapes.

And the matching diamante Bling from Want2Scrap adds the luxury touch.

The sentiment has been heat embossed in silver and is from JustRite Stampers

The silver and white ribbon is from Mei Flower and I have wrapped it underneath the top layers.

Very simple and very quick for those last minute cards you may be asked to make

More tomorrow ...

Hugs x

Celtic Accents and Motifs ...

Hi Everybody,

The Celtic Accents and Motifs have been used on this red and white card to create two apertures on one of the layered panels.

The base card is just a folded A4 card with one each of the red and white layers ..... with the white layer embossed with a Dotty A4 folder.

A Celtic shape has been added in each corner.

I created  two apertures and embossed the card, then layered this onto a contrasting colour so that it showed  through.

Add matching ribbon around the panel.

Layer this onto the card front with foam pads and add a pearls to the bow to hide the knot.

I have  heat embossed the sentiment, inked through the die with the card still in place and raised it up with foam pads to the card front.

Might be good in a Pastel colour too 

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Spectrum Noir ...

Hi Everybody,

So here we are holiday over ... and now time to get back to work sharing with you the things that I can on my two favorite subjects of Spectrum Noir and Spellbinders. And here is the first card made since I got home and this is featuring Spectrum Noir.

And so that you can colour yours the same I am adding a list of the pens used...

Hair        EB1   EB2   EB7

Skin        FS2   FS3   FS6

Dress      LV1  LV2   LV3 IG2

Mouse     PP1    IG2  IG4

Pumpkin  OR1  TN4  TN6
Stalk        DG1 DG2

This beautiful girl is a digital image from Saturated Canary  and  is called Cinders.

                  

It is the first of many projects I have lined up using these pens and I was so excited to be made a member of their design team that once it became official on the 16th July I couldn't wait to share it with you all..

I have added in the Blinkie on the right hand side of the  page and am proud to display it .... but it isn't just good luck .... I have done a lot of hard work to make this happen.  And I intend to do even more to bring you the best ideas and classes that I can.

Card Making Magic has lots of   Spectrum Noir tutorials   that can give you hints and tips on the pens ... or you may like to join my  Color Style with Spectrum Noir  class with  The Art Studio 

For future reference I will add in the list of colours used on all the Spectrum Noir projects so that you can get the same look and there will be new tutorials added to the Spectrum Noir Blog  .... not just from me,  but from many talented instructors who are waiting to share their skills with you.

I will still  be adding in Spellbinders cards and listing the dies used for all of you who are looking to build your collections

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Penryn Castle ...

Hi Everybody,

Here we are on our last trip out on this wonderful holiday to my "Film Crews" homeland.

Wales is beautiful and green and if you haven't been to visit then you are missing a real treat.

And it you are lucky enough to live here then you are truly blessed.

So today we are in another Castle but this ...  in comparison to the others is a modern day building.

 This one has wonderful rooms for you to view and see where the rich and regal stood, dined  and slept on their visits to this place.

It is huge and has over 300 rooms ... not all open to the public I might add or you would be inside for months.

It is all kept very dark to prevent the sunlight form fading the colours even more ... and some of the colours would have been very vibrant in their hey day.

It is still very luxurious though and some of the paintings must be priceless.

This is the library and it would fit all my house inside it ... and just take a look at that ceiling ... it is so intricate and inlaid with the gold.

He couldn't afford to get crafters block working on something like that.  He would have had to get his MoJo  back pretty quick ....

The close up shows you the fine detail work that has gone into this masterpiece.

And the  stone carving is everywhere inside this beautiful Castle.

The staircases are very wide and ornate and made from stone that was brought in from distant places around the country.

 This corridor has Welsh Slate on the floor and it is lit by windows on both sides.

The area is very bright as there are no colours to fade and it is so cool.

It looks as if the corridor goes on for a long way ...  but that is actually a vary large mirror at the top that reflects the light back
in to the corridor.

The dining room is set out precisely as it was when Royalty came to dinner ...

And to get an invitation to sit at this table meant you ranked with the big boys and had the wealth needed to be there.

This was one area of the huge kitchens and all this is under renovation.

This is the Butlers Pantry and has other rooms running off it.

The cook had her own sitting room to relax in  when she wasn't cooking copious amounts of food.

 And this is the massive Kitchen .... I would get lost in here just looking for the cooker.

Those window are huge and let in so much light but the work must have been hard and endless in a house this size.

Wandering round  makes you think about Downton Abbey and what it must have been like for the wealthy Aristocrats of the day.

So there you have my final visit and now I am back home and need to get back to work.

I have enjoyed my holiday and thank you for staying with me and the photos.

Thank you for all your comments both here and on Facebook and I am glad that you enjoyed my trip.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx