Layered Stencils

Hi Everybody,

I have been playing a lot recently with stencils as there is so much you can do with them to add that extra something to your design

This is a new one that has been added to Craft Stash and this is the Snowflake/Snowman stencil duo

There are several to choose from and this one was so easy to use.

The video will show you how I created some different ones with this set and it is not long

Snowflake/Snowman Layered Stencil  has been used for this card too but they look totally different and this one is a little more sophisticated

Have a look at the other designs and there may be one that really appeals to you.

But whatever you do have fun playing

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Magazine freebies ...

Hi Everybody,

There are two new magazines on sale tomorrow so here's a sneaky peak at what you can do with them. 

Each one has a video to show you how I made the cards featured here.

The first one is Die Cutting Essentials 29 and the video will give you other ideas as well.

This one is quick and easy ... just what you need when you have lots of Christmas cards to make.

The next one is Simply Cards & Papercraft 168  which has three border dies for you to create a scene.  

It is called Scenic Winter but I have created other cards from the same die set to show you that it is something that can be used all year round and for many occasions

So here we have the winter scene and I have used lots of glitter on the snow for this card.

I used Spectrum Noir to colour in plain white card and I created a winter sky behind it.

But this is the same die set and for this I created a summer scene 

I added the two people to one side and they are flying a kite on the hillside with a cloudy summer sky behind

I had a lot of fun using this die set and I am sure that you will come up with many more as you play.

There are lots of ideas within the pages of the magazine too for you to try.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Bella Clair Border

Hi Everybody,

Today we are making a Gatefold Card and it is easy to do using one of the new dies from Spellbinders designer Becca Feeken. 

This die comes in three parts with two cutting edges and the patterned panel for the border.

The links will be at the bottom of the post for you to see my supplies

Spellbinders Supplies:

• Bella Clair Border
• Francesca Label
• Platinum Die Cutting Machine

Other Supplies:

• Pink Pearls
• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Glitter from Glitter Magic
• Thin pink ribbon

Instructions:

With the colour of your choice take a 20cms piece and measure in 5cms from each side, score and fold towards the centre. Don't worry about the length at present as we will trim it to the required size later

Place the patterned die and the curved cutting piece on the outside edge and cut

Tape in place so the the dies can't cross as you cut.

Move the dies to the other side and making sure that they are level cut these also

Trim the card as need to remove the surplus pieces and make it the length of the die

With the card flat add a line of pearls along each of the front panels as shown

I also added flowers to mine

Stamp the sentiment of your choice and with the Francesca labels die #3 cut it out.

Use the same die and trace around the outside edge onto some pink card  and cut it out.

This will give you a Faux Nestie that is slightly bigger then the sentiment label

(If you need a more detailed explanation please visit Faux Nesties )

Line the back of the card with some pretty paper and add the sentiment with foam pads

Use a piece of patterned paper to line the inside back of the card

With the largest die cut another piece in white and level the bottom

Score a little way down and add glue to this area
(For other ways to make a card stand please visit Creating a Card Stand )

Glue the small strip to the back of the card making sure that the straight edge is level with the bottom of the card

This will allow the card to stand correctly

Add some matching ribbon and slot it through the holes in the Gatefold edges

You can tie this into a bow or leave it open if you prefer.

The back of the card will look like this and stand unaided and leave to more room to add your signature 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Videos ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I have some new products that are on the Craft Stash Website and these are all geared up for Christmas.

Both of these sets are Nesting Dies and they also have a stamp set that will compliment them.

They can be bought individually if you prefer but the price for the bundle is well worth considering.

The Nesting Christmas Tree has been done with Distress Inks and is in contemporary colours ... but it was fun to make and is very vibrant.    Click the links to view the videos

The Nesting Christmas Bauble has been created with Card Candi and I bought loads of this from a craft show.

I have simply glued it direct to the die cut and filled the spaces with glitter.

Another pretty card and again easy to make.

The stamps can be used as additions to any other cards you make but both work really well together.

The links at the bottom of the page ill show you the products I used to make them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Weekend Away ...

.

Hi Everybody,

Last weekend was brilliant and you know part of it as I went to Alexandra Palace to the craft show there.

I met Christine Smith from Crafti Potential for the first time even though we have chatted and been friends for over a year on Facebook. 

We met up with Natalie Helyer and Amy Gray from Craft Stash and had a good natter.

Here we are with the large stained glass window and it was beautiful

And a really big THANK YOU to ALL the ladies who visit my blog and came over to make them selves known and say "Hello"  it was so lovely to meet you all 

On the Sunday Griff and I went to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and that was amazing.

We spent almost five hours in there and we looked at everything.
We tried the Butterbeer ice cream and it was delicious

This was our walk down Diagon Alley and all the sets are just as they are used in the films.

 It makes me want to see them all over again and I do have my own boxed set that my daughter bought for me at Christmas

We came home yesterday in very heavy traffic, but what a really good weekend we had.

And that explains my absence from posting for a few days.

But now it is back to normal again until the next time we go away for a little break

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx