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Tuesday 30 October 2012

Wrap around box tutorial

Last week I showed you this box and card made from a wonderful dotty designer paper from the Patio Party range. Well I didn't stop there! Here's another version, using a lovely wintery-looking paper from the Patterns designer paper stack (neutrals) this time:


Would you like to know how it's made? Come and have a look:


I'm going to start with a piece of Sahara Sand card stock, 4" x 4" and a piece of designer paper, 8"x 8 1/8" - don't miss out that extra 1/8" on one sided because it's important!


First I'm making a simple box by scoring 1" in from the edges all the way round the card stock.


The score lines are flattened with a bone folder and I use my lovely paper snips to cut flaps as shown above.


Rounding the corners gives a nice neat finish inside the box.


I always use Sticky strip on boxes and bags - it's so strong that I know nothing will come apart! (It's also useful for keeping bra straps in place under strappy dresses!)


Here we are - the basic box! Now for the wrap around bit!


I'm basically going to score at 2", then 3" in from the edge on three sides but on the fourth side (which should be one of the long sides, the piece that's 8 and the extra 1/8") I'm going to score at 2 1/8" and 3 1/8". This makes a nice, neat finishing flap.


All those score lines need folding crisply, so out comes the bone folder again!


I'm going to cut away quite a lot of the designer paper at this point - basically leaving just a cross shape like this:


Notice that the longest flap has had its corners rounded - that's going to be the one that shows.


Now the bottom of the box can be glued to the middle of the cross shape leaving  flaps that fit round it. The box I've shown you today is the perfect size for a brooch or other piece of jewellery - or indeed a lovely stamp from the Mixed Medley hostess set (I know lots of lovely people who would squeal if they found this under the tree!)


The box is ready for embellishing now. I used Cherry Cobbler seam binding to tie it up and the merry Christmas sentiment from Mixed Medley, which cuts out perfectly with a 3/4" circle punch, mounted onto a glittery snowflake from my Snowflake Season Simply Scrappin' kit.

Are you shocked at all the designer paper I've wasted? But of course it's not wasted - it's perfect for making a coordinating card! Come and see:


I've cut four pieces out of the designer paper waste using a square punch and arranged them in a grid. All it needs now is a gorgeous, glittery layered snowflake and some of that luscious Cherry Cobbler seam binding! I wonder if this counts as a snippets card? If it does, I think I get to frolic about in Di's Snippets playground with all the big girls! Whooopee!

Do you need any Stampin' Up goodies?
I'd be delighted to order any Stampin' Up items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

Well this has been a long post so I think it's high time I stopped rambling on and did something useful instead! I'll be back for Three Minute Thursday tomorrow when I'll have a fast Christmas card to show you. Enjoy halloween if you're celebrating it!



Watercolour Winter poinsettia

I'm making loads of Christmas cards now, because I'd love to get them done ready for early posting this year, and I'm finding the CASE this Sketch challenge excellent inspiration! I almost missed the entry deadline again this week but I'm hoping to just squeak in with today's card! Come and have a look:


I'm a huge fan of the Watercolour Winter stamp set in the seasonal catalogue and thought the poinsettia would make a lovely focal point for the circular element in the sketch.


It's a two step set, with an outline and a filler stamp for each image - which is why it looks so arty! I stamped it several times and cut out sections to layer up on dimensionals, finishing the centre with dots of glue embossed in gold.


The background strip was masked off using post it notes and stamped in versamark using the En Français background stamp. I clear embossed this, sponging over it with green inks before removing the masks. A strip of Raspberry Ripple card stock balances out the flower...



... and this lovely sentiment from Beautiful Season, which I inked in versamark then straight into Raspberry Ripple ink before stamping and clear embossing.

This is the fabulous sketch I've been working with today.

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Watercolour Winter, Beautiful Season, En Français
Ink: Certainly Celery, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple
Card stock: Very Vanilla
Other: Clear and gold embossing powders, versamark, heat tool, 1 3/8" circle punch, paper snips, stamp-a-majig
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

It's half term here at the moment and I'm enjoying having all my children wandering in and out. I spotted my youngest son tucking into an apple yesterday morning and asked him if he'd mind bringing me one, so he did - in the style of the wicked queen from Snow White. "Would you like one of these apples that certainly aren't poisoned in any way?" he said holding out the bowl. I selected one and he made me jump with a very convincing witchy cackle. Perhaps he's practising for halloween. I was rather hoping one bite would've sent me off into a really long sleep but no such luck I'm afraid!

Enjoy your Tuesday! I'll be back tomorrow with a tutorial for my wrap around box so do join me for that.

Hugs,


Monday 29 October 2012

Anniversary with an extra surprise

Have you visited the Pink Paper Bakery yet? I do recommend having a browse there - it's full of fun projects and techniques. I was delighted to be asked to appear as a guest designer there today and have decided to bring out my new Peekaboo Frames Bigz L die for the occasion!

This die cuts six different shapes with little doors in them. They're perfect for scrapbooking of course, and for advent calendars, but I love them for cards too. Children love to open the doors to see the surprise underneath and they can be a great learning resource too! Today's idea though is to use the Petite Pairs sentiment set for an anniversary card. Come and see:


Once I'd cut out my peekaboo frame I wanted to give it a bit of texture, so I clear embossed a heart design on it using my Confetti background stamps and ran it through the Big Shot with the lattice embossing folder. To give it a mat I stuck it onto a piece of Riding Hood Red card stock and cut round the shape with some sharp paper snips.


The heart on the front has been stamped with the woolly heart design from Make a Mitten - you can use these stamps for so many different occasions! The sentiment label on the front was scored and embellished with a tiny heart cut using my owl punch and given a touch of sparkle with Dazzling Details.


When you open the little door, you get the full impact of the other half of the sentiment. Notice that only a part of the woolly design from the front is repeated on the inside - it's easy to do this with markers.


Finally, I mounted the frame onto a scored panel before adding it to my card base.

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Make a Mitten, Confetti, Petite Pairs
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Naturals Ivory, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler
Punches: Owl builder, Full Heart
Other: Big Shot, Peekaboo Frames Bigz L die, Lattice embossing folder, Simply Scored, versamark, clear embossing powder, Dazzling Details in Cherry Cobbler, Cherry Cobbler marker, stamp-a-majig
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

My husband and I were married 18 years ago today. We always look back with great affection on our wedding day. After a solemn church ceremony we retired to the most beautiful hotel for a wonderful feast with our friends and family, then went on to the local village hall where we danced the night away at a Barn Dance. It really was a great idea - everyone was up dancing, young and old and I think there may have been a few aching bones next day! I remember the lovely lady who made my dress sewed a loop into the train so that I could hook it over my wrist while I danced. 

Well time marches on - although we did get an extra hour in bed in the UK this weekend as the clocks went back to GMT. I shall be back tomorrow with a Christmas card. See you then.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Watercolour Winter cloisonné technique

What a glorious, sunny, frosty morning it was this morning - just the sort of morning that sets you off nicely on a Christmas card! I played with the sketch at Less is More, turning it on its side. Come and have a look:


I started by stamping my lovely Watercolour Winter holly into versamark, then straight into Soft Suede ink before stamping onto my card stock. I clear embossed that, sponged the background with Tempting Turquoise ink, then coloured the holly and berries with markers. Tiles were cut out with my large square punch and arranged onto a strip of Tempting Turquoise card stock.


This provided the background for a cute robin - I do love a robin on a card! This one was made with the bird from Everything Eleanor - I stamped him in Soft Suede ink and then coloured over his breast with a Tangerine Tango marker before cutting him out with my sharp paper snips. I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the holly and you can just about make it out in this photo. It's lovely and sparkly in real life.


I love the cloisonné effect of the holly and will certainly try this technique again. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes which is a real go-to set for me. I stamped it into Soft Suede ink and used my Tangerine Tango marker on the words before stamping to give it this slight glow.

This is the Less is More sketch that I've been working from today.

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Watercolour Winter, Everything Eleanor (bird), Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Soft Suede
Card stock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Other: 1 3/8" square punch, versamark, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Dazzling Diamonds glitter
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

After I've posted this, I must get off to the market to buy the week's fruit and veg. Last week my lovely husband went and when he'd come back I heard a groan from the kitchen. "Are you alright?" I called. "No!" came the reply. "I've just bought seven melons by accident!" I giggled. "How did you manage that?" I asked. "I don't know," he said in an agonised voice. There was a pause before he said: "I hope everyone likes melons!"

I hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are. Enjoy your weekend won't you!

Friday 26 October 2012

Polka Dot designer paper gift set

Joining Stampin' Up is even better value than usual at the moment! Until the end of November, you can add a free pack of designer paper worth £9.95/13.25€ to your starter kit AND you can get another free pack every month for the following five months! What a deal! The starter kit costs only £99/129€ and, even if you're not interested in a business venture, you may be surprised at how low the minimums are - it could be worth joining just to get discount on your own purchases. Do email me if you'd like to know more - I'm happy to give you all the information you need so you can see if it might suit you. If you already know you'd like to join, click here to join my team.

What would you do with your free designer paper? Here's a little project I made with a gorgeous bold dotty paper from the fabulous Patio Party pack:


I wanted the paper to take centre stage...


... so I just added ribbon for a bit of texture and a die-cut leaf behind the sentiment label. You can hardly see from the photo but I stamped the sentiment again and cut out the word happy to pop up for a bit of extra interest.

You can see it better in this photo - and the ruffle of the seam binding edge. I adore the combination of Always Artichoke with the gorgeous new Summer Starfruit in-colour! I made a little box to go with the card:


I like the way that on the other side of the dotty paper you catch a glimpse of cakes!


And this is how it looks when it's all done up. This wrap-around-style box is my favourite at the moment and I'll be showing you how it's made next week.

Here's what you'll need to make today's project
Stamps: Perfect Punches, Mixed Medley (for the box label)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Summer Starfruit
Card stock: Whisper White, Always Artichoke
Punches: Large oval punch, 3/4" circle punch, corner rounder
Other: Patio Party designer paper, Always Artichoke seam binding, white stitched grosgrain ribbon, bakers twine, Little Leaves sizzlits die, Big Shot
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

When my daughter saw the project on her way in from school she told me she liked it. "It reminds me of you," she added, sailing past my desk. "In what way?" I called after her. "It's dotty!" she said and disappeared up the stairs cackling.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you very soon,

Thursday 25 October 2012

Three Minute snow flurry

I always post a three minute card on Thursdays to inspire those who have little time for card making and today it's a Christmas design that would be good for making multiples and posts easily too. Come and see:


White texture on white card stock is always an appealing look and these snowflakes on the gorgeous new Northern Flurry embossing folder almost make a Christmas card on their own!


All that's required is the addition of a Real Red border, this fabulous ribbon-style sentiment from Sassy Salutations and a few sparkling rhinestones.


These snowflakes are as pretty as the real thing and much warmer! AND they are just the thing to enter into Sandra's Rudolph Day challenge today!

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Sassy Salutations
Ink: Real Red
Card stock: Whisper White, Real Red
Other: Northern Flurry embossing folder, Big Shot, Basic Rhinestones, stamp-a-majig
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

It's cold enough here for my fingers to go purple while I type despite the fact it's not even winter yet. I have discovered though that the stretchy top I bought to wear to zumba is coming into its own... now if only they'd labelled it 'Blogging Top' I would've bought three!

See you tomorrow,

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Merry Minis and bright!

Here's a clean and simple Christmas card I made for the lovely Marie's CAS challenge over at Get Creative, Addicted to Stamps and More where they want to see markers being used, and 52CCT where the theme is Christmas Lights (and, may I just say, where I was absolutely delighted to win last weeks challenge with this card!)



I started by stamping a sentiment from my Jolly Jingle wheel which I've split into lots of useful sentiments (click here to see how I did it.) The Christmas lights wire was doodled round it with a Gumball Green marker before the lights were added.


I love the retro shape of this gorgeous bulb image - we actually had some like this when I was a girl! There are three different designs of the light/ornament in the Merry Minis stamp set (I've used the plain one here), as well as stars and Christmas trees too. And, what's more, they've all got coordinating punches to cut them out, which gives you lots more time to eat mince pies and watch re-runs of The Two Ronnies Christmas Show!

I used this great sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch to make my card (but unfortunately didn't make the deadline for the challenge... hey ho!) I can see that this great site is going to be very useful resource for CAS card makers.

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Merry Minis, Jolly Jingle wheel (sentiment)
Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade
Card stock: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade
Other: Merry Minis punch pack, markers
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

I'm not wittering much today because unlike the chirpy sentiment on today's card I am feeling neither merry nor bright. See you tomorrow for Three Minute Thursday though.

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Lion-taming with Zoo Review

It's my great honour to be guesting for the wonderful CASology challenge today! The cue word this week is 'Wild' and I love the way these single words really get you thinking. I reached for my Zoo Review set to make my card which I thought might make a fun anniversary card. Come and see:


CAS cards can sometimes take minutes but this one was definitely not in that category! I stamped and coloured the lion using Watercolour Wonder crayons and markers, scored a double frame around it with my Simply Scored, cut it out and mounted it on my card base. Now it was ready for the comedy touch!


I thought it was time this wild fellow was tamed a little bit so I gave him a red rose to hold between his jaws and I'm sure we'll see him up and tangoing any time now! The rose is from my Apothecary Art set, stamped, coloured and added with a glue dot. The stem was doodled in with a marker.


I stamped the word 'thing' using a sentiment stamp from my Beautiful Season and added a computer generated 'wild' which I cut out with my paper snips. This card makes me giggle and I hope it might have turned up the corners of your mouth too!

Here's what you'll need to make this card
Stamps: Zoo Review, Apothecary Art, Beautiful Season (sentiment)
Ink: Watercolour Wonder crayons and markers
Card stock: Whisper White, Naturals White
Other: Simply Scored, paper snips, stamp-a-majig
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on +44 (0) 1280 820593.

Lions always remind me of the first board book my daughter had as a baby. It had pictures of lots of animals in it and I'd make the appropiate noises for her entertainment as we looked at it together. I didn't realise the impact it made on her though until one day I used the phrase 'I'd draw the line at that' while talking to my husband about something and my baby daughter made a little roaring noise!

I think I might have something festive here tomorrow so do join me for that!
Hugs