Manchester Craft Show

Hi Everybody,

Yesterday saw us tripping down the motorway to visit the craft show that was being held at Manchester Central.

It was very good and I went with my prepared list and my saved pennies.

This time I went looking for particular items.... and although I try to stay true to my list I always come home with the extras.

The photo shows some of the items that I bought and they include some beautiful glass beads to make my Hatpins with, sentiment stamps and various coloured card.

They Glass beads  are in the pots at the front of the photo and are in shades of pink and turquoise.

The card I bought is shown underneath the pots and of course I had to buy some Spellbinders.

But this picture of the ribbons was my absolute bargain of the day ....


The front ribbon was some that I bought at £10 for three rolls ... and as there is 25 yds on each roll it was a good price.

But the ribbon shown to the left and right of those rolls was what really caught my eye.

We wandered around and passed a fabric stand and there sat a lot of rolls of ribbon at £4 a roll  ...or three rolls  for £10 ...... had have you seen the size of these rolls  ??????

I couldn't hazard a guess at how much is on each roll

I couldn't just walk away now could I ??

And given the choice which would you pick at  three rolls for a tenner the ones at the front or the ones at the back at the same price ???

That ribbon will last me a long, long time and so I bought  six rolls of  the colours that where there and came away feeling really pleased with my purchase.

More tomorrow .... and probably with ribbon on it !!

Hugs xx

Challenge No. 8

Hi Everybody,

Today is Challenge No. 8 over ate Paper Creators   and the theme for this months project is ...  "For the Boys"

I have used the "Mommas Little Clown" image and he is so cute.

It is a pre-coloured image ... so no need to get the pens out. All you need to do is print and create your card.

I have used Spellbinders Fleur Di Lis Rectangles  in the background and the paper, which has been matted and layered,  is from my "Stash"

The ribbon has been simply tied in a knot so as not to be too frilly for a boys card.

The pearly swirl is just a little touch to stop the card being too plain and that is from Want2Scrap

A very easy card to make especially if you are in a hurry or you have been asked to make a card at the last minute.

If you would like to enter the challenge then pop over to Debbies blog and add your entry. The winner will win £10 to spend in the shop and there are lots of lovely images for you to choose from.

They are for boys and girls of all ages  and they cover many different occasions.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spiral Blossoms ...

Click to Enlarge

Hi Everybody,

I thought I would make todays card a little more intricate and add guess what ???? .... some flowers.

But these have been created from a mixture using the  Spellbinders Spiral Blossoms and  Bitty Blossoms.

Spellbinder Blossoms  is a short video to show you how I make the flowers and if you have the Bauble Blossoms then this other video will help you to create full flowers from them too.

The Bauble Blossom flower dies are available from Save on Hobbies for a really good price.

So the card has a mixture of dies used on it and the back ground has been embossed with the Basket Weave folder.

The swirl from the Bella Rose has been stamped first and then embossed in silver before carefully cutting it out with the matching die.

The edge to the card have been framed in pearls from Want2Scrap  and the verse is from JustRite stamps and that too has been stamped and embossed in silver.

The flower petals have been sparkled with Glamour Dust and  I really like this card as it is much prettier in real life.

More tomorrow

Hugs xx

Pretty in Blue...

Hi Everybody,

Many of the cards I make are at the very least 5 x 7  and often much bigger than that.

But todays card is just a small A2 size made using the A2 Curved Matting Basics.

This seems to be the size that is popular in America and so I thought I would show you one that I have made.

It has been made in the Hinged card style and I have lined the inside.

The front has been layered using the A2 Curved Borders One  and it looks lovely on the side... and the bit that was waste I have added to some foam pads and matted along the top of the curve.

I have cut two ... one blue, one white ... of the Venetian Motifs and layered them off set  and then in the centre I have added a sentiment from Lili of the Valley and cut it out with a plain circle.

The Organza ribbon is from my "Stash" and a white pearl has been added to the centre.  Just a little bling from Want2Scrap   to finish it off and that's it  ... done

More tomorrow

Hugs xx

Tone on Tone...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is the ever poplar white on white and this one is an A5 size.

I have put this together very simply but the effect is rather pretty.

The background has been embossed with Garden Lattice and double layered onto silver and white card.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley  and I have stamped it with Versamark  and embossed it in silver.

I have cut it  from Labels 20 and used the  smallest one in the set.... but I have layered it up onto the largest one and then added the matching pearls to that,  and around the edge of the card,  from Want2Scrap

Persian Accents are framing the Labels 20 which have been added with foam pads.

The filigree pattern at the bottom of the card is two of the Gold Elements One  dies crossed over each other and the trimmed with pearls.

I have tied a large double Organza bow using the Bow Maker   which is available in MY SHOP  and added a pearl flower head to the centre.  I am happy to send the bow makers anywhere ... just place an order if you would like one.

I like this card and it looks much better in real life ... more tomorrow.

Hugs xx

Pretty Pink Lattice

Hi Everybody,

Before I tell you about the card I need to tell you something first....

The Bow Makers that I have added to "My Shop" are going very well but I have kind of shot myself in the foot with the P&P

I didn't realise that they were quite as heavy as they are and so I have not added enough to cover the cost.

The first ones have gone out this morning and I have paid the extra postage to get them on the way to you.

If you have already ordered yours then I will honor the postage that has been charged ... but if you have yet to order one then I am so sorry  but I have had to increase the postage.

They are still a very good price though and I hope it won't put you off buying them and thank you to those who have already ordered.

Now onto the card....  This is quite a large card at 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 " but it has been made very simply.  The base card is white and has been embossed and the pink Grateful  Lattice has been added to the top.

The flowers are rolled from the Spiral Blossoms dies and a silver bead placed in the centre of each.

The top part of the card is two of the Grand Decorative Circles layered together then cut in half.

One half is added to the top part of the card and the other half has been turned into an easel for the back of the card to display it.

The Diamante Flourish is from Want2Scrap  and the trim is some that I bought from the local fabric shop for 10p a metre ....needless to say I bought loads!

And last but not least .... one of the winners of the Wild Orchid Flowers has emailed me to tell me that she has now received her prize and is highly delighted with it.  

Hugs xx

New Video Tutorials ...

Hi Everybody,

Adding a beautiful bow to your cards can be the finishing touch and there are many ways to get a good result.

This is a Double Bow with Tails made from 1" wide Satin ribbon ...  and a large Dazzler added to cover the knot.

And I used my  ... "Griffy Creation" ... the Wooden Bow Maker which is now available to purchase in  MY SHOP

He has been nose to the grind this weekend making them and then we made a video to show you how I  used mine to get the bows for my cards.

Using a Bow Maker  is not a long tutorial but you will have time for a cuppa ...

 The second Video that I promised you was for a variation on the Hinged Cards.

This one is the Filigree Hinged Cards and both these cards are featured in the tutorial.

I loved the pretty Pink Baby Card form yesterday and this is one for the boys.

The little rocking horse is made from Felt and is from Mei Flower   and the pink bib from yesterdays card is also part of the same Baby Range

The sentiment is part of a collection from Lili of the Valley and there are mixed saying on each one.

I use scissors to cut them out and then layer  them to a circular Spellbinders and add them to the card front with foam pads.

I really hope you will enjoy both of the tutorials ... and after a busy weekend we are going out this evening for a lovely meal in our favorite restaurant .... and this time  I will rememeber to take my bank card with me !!!!!

Hugs xx

Baby Card

Hi Everybody,

Today we have been busy creating two videos that will be live in tomorrows post and this is the card that will be the subject of both.

The first video will be how to create the Filigree Hinged cards from any of your fancy edged Spellbinders.

This particular one is using the 5 x 7 Detailed Scallops and it makes a good sized card.

The effect is enhanced with the large triple bow that is made from Organza ribbon with a flower centre... and that is the subject of the second video.

Griff has donned his woodworking hat again and created this handy little Bow Maker. 

 It is available to buy now at My Shop 

It is made from solid wood and will sit neatly on your worktop there for whenever you need a bow to add to your designs.

The video will show you how I create some pretty bows that can be added to any of your projects.

The bow maker has been made with dowels that can be moved into the different holes to create various sized bows ...  from really tiny ones up to 4" ones.

And there are two thin dowels and three thicker ones. You will need two thicker ones to make a bow the other is a spare should you lose one.

They are very easy to remove from the holes and place in a new position.

This triple bow has a Dazzler for the centre to hide the knot and will be added to a card soon.

The flowers on the featured card  are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they are the Cosmos Daisies.

The circular sentiment is a set available from Lili of the Valley  and I have added it to a Lacey Circle.

Hugs xx