Chris decided ...

... to go Christmas for her shoebox card. Another really pretty but simple card however it could have been even more simple if I'd read the instructions - *lol* I was going by the look of the sample card and cut all my green squares and then the embossed bits to matt and layer.  I matted them all up and then found the ribbon, which I thought was very long for just a tiny bow. Then I read the instructions - *oooops!* The green card should have been kept whole and the ribbon wrapped around it to make the squares. What I had thought was white card (remember, looking at sample card but from a distance) between each white embossed square was, in fact, the white ribbon.  Anyway, it was too late for me to do anything other than matt and layer and hope to get the spacing right.  It doesn't look it in the photo but it is in fact pretty good - *LOL* 

Some glitter glue was used on the roofs of the buildings to make the snow sparkle. Embossing done with Cuttlebug embossing folders and nestabilites used to cut the greeting plaques.

  Thanks for dropping by .....

Kim's secret squirrel ...

... and shoebox contribution. Secret squirrel was given to me, Cally and Greta as we'd made the fish card, which was Kim's shoebox card, before when we had our playday at Greta's. This time, instead of stamping the 'water' I tore different blue papers to make the waves. The fish are made with SU ornament punch, 2 step bird punch, small heart and the blossom punch. Modern label and window slot (I think it's called) for the greeting. This card is so cute. 

Secret squirrel card was made using the SU 2 step bird punch and the same label punches as above. Craftwork Cards Card Candi used in the corners. Spellbinders Label die to layer the bird onto. Another really cute and simple card

  Thanks for dropping by .....

Susan's shoebox ...

... card contribution. Cream, pink, brown and ivory card stock, some of which was pearlescent.  Ivory card was used to make an A5 card blank. Stampin' Up butterfly stamps, butterfly punch and border punch. Lili of the Valley greeting. Nestibilities.  After I'd taken pot luck on the double stamping of the butterflies it was discovered that Kim had bought her SU Stamp-a-majig with her - doh! 

  Thanks for dropping by .....

A while back ...

... I decided I was going to try 12.7mm magnetic tape for my nestie storage instead of the 25mm I had been using.  Today I finally got around to trying it. I've been collecting sets but not wanted to 'decant' them until I'd found the notebook I'd lost and in which I'd listed all the dies/punches/folders that I own. Today I was going through cards that need to be finished and what did I find amongst them? Yep, my notebook! It was on the cards I would have to do it again (already bought another notebook) and it took an age to do it in the first place.  Anyway, back to topic .... 

I wasn't too sure how successful the narrower tape would be but I can report that, although it's not quite as strong as the 25mm (less surface area so wouldn't be), is lighter (less bulk) ... it does work effectively. I will now stay with the 12.7mm tape as you can get 10m for virtually the price of 5m of the 25mm, so works out cheaper as well.  Wish I'd bought that in the first place now as I wouldn't have had to buy any more for a good while but .... I reckon I've now got enough to last for as long as I shall need it as most of my dies are bought and it's only odd sets, when I buy them, and not nearly the 100 odd I had to deal with when I first started storing them the way I do now. 

At this point I should say that I do have another item for nestie storage .... Joy Crafts! A3 Magnetic Metal Die Storage Folder.  Yes, that is A3 (there is an A4 version as well) but I needed something to store my 12" Grand Borderabilities and .... some Grand Label Dies.  My CD wallet just doesn't cut the mustard for such long/large dies :0)  I'd already got a few of the Quickutz version for my mega/long nesties but they're not even A4 size so really didn't work for the long borders.

I don't have a Grand Calibur or any other A4 sized large cutting machine but I checked out the measurements of some of the dies for the Grand Calibur and found that some weren't far off the maximum size that the Cuttlebug would take. I figured that there were 4 sets where all the dies would fit so I bought one to try (Grand Labels Four, set of 6 dies) and all but the very largest die goes through the Cuttlebug. By my reckoning that means that all of that set may go through the Big Shot as I believe the slot it slightly wider but it will need to be a Big Shot owner that confirms, or denies, that.  It is only the overhang around the cutting edge that makes it too wide for the Bug. Being quite happy that there was only one die I couldn't use with the bug I bought Grand Labels Eleven (set of 6 dies) and that has the same result. Only the largest die won't fit the bug.

I've revisited my estimations of the other sets as the narrowest cut measurement should be 5¾ inches or less. If it says 6 inches technically it should go through but that bit of overhang will stop it - and the plates are only 6 inches wide - *LOL*  The only thing that may be needed are extended plates or running the die through the Bug twice - top and tail.

Anyway, here's what I reckon will fit, and won't fit the Bug from the available Grand dies (but I won't be held accountable if they don't -*lol*)

Grand Large Label - all of them (all fit - I've bought, I've tried and they do!)
Grand Ovals - all of them (all fit - I've bought, I've tried and they do!)
Grand Labels Eleven - 5 out of 6 (have proved this one as I have them *grin*)
Grand Labels Four - 5 out of 6 (another proved as I've these as well * bigger grin*)
Big Scalloped Circles - 3/6
Big Scalloped Ovals - 3/6 definitely.  Possibly 4/6
Creative Book Pages - 4/6
Grand Labels One - 4/6
Grand Scalloped Ovals - 4/6 definitely.  Possibly 5/6
Grand Circles - 4/7
Grand Scalloped Circles - 3/6
Grand Squares - 4/7
Grand Scalloped Squares - 3/6

OK, there's only 4 sets where all will fit through but reckon there's enough choice to make it worthwhile buying some without buying an A4 machine to use them with - unless you really, really want/need to use the very largest in the sets *grin*

Anyways, that's been my day today. Listening to Harry Potter while sorting my cards into order of needing inserts, matching with envelopes or just general finishing and then, once notebook came to light - decanting my newer dies into their new home, labelling them, updating notebook and revisiting my list of what will and what won't go through the Bug with the Grand dies.  Tomorrow I'll get it looking more like a work area than a dumping ground and I might even get some crafting done .... but then again?

Oh ... and we had a visit from prospective new Grand-daddy Philip and his soon to be wife Paula (eldest son and future daughter-in-law), eldest grand-daughter Chloe and future step-grandson Ben ... followed by a visit from youngest son, Wayne and our little Emma. Zac and Amy were safely tucked up in bed fast asleep - *grin* Lovely day!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Afternoon workshop ...

... with Alex Kamann, 3rd June.  White on White and they were stunning cards!

The first card was a small 4" x 4" one.  The card was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder.  A strip of white card had a greeting stamped on a lower corner and then stuck to card base and trimmed to size. A plaque was cut from white Bazzill Bling (or similar) using the Spellbinders Labels Eighteen.  The flower was made from several layers of tissue paper cut with the Spellbinders Blossom 3, although any circle die/punch with a bit of shape to the edge would do.  Each layer was joined with a brad through the middle. Every layer was scrunched up then 'fluffed' out to make the flower.  Brad colour doesn't matter as it can't be seen.  A few leaves were punched and the flower and leaves were mounted onto the plaque which was then stuck to the card base.  Stickles glitter glue was dotted over the flower to lift it.

The second card.  This one was a 6" x 6" card.  A square, slightly smaller, was cut and embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder.  The edges were then distressed with Antique Linen from the Distressed Ink range. A plaque was cut using the Labels Eighteen set and the edges distressed as before.  A greeting was stamped in one corner of it, in the same ink so it all tied in.  

Using a slightly larger die from the Blossom 3 set, several layers of tissue paper were cut.  This time, before they were all put together, the edges of the shapes were lightly distressed and then they were all put together and 'scrunched' in the same way as the first flower.  A piece of vellum was stamped with a text background stamp using white Stazon and a couple of Martha Stewart butterflies punched from it.  Another piece of vellum was used to hand cut some leaf shapes and veins were embossed onto them.

The embossed square had a length of ribbon wrapped round it at the point where the embossing folder join was and then it was adhered to the card blank.  The label was attached using foam pads.  A foam pad was also used to attach the flower and then the leaves positioned and stuck with wet glue.  The butterflies were also attached with wet glue and, although the sample card didn't have them, I chose to add diamanté gems to lift them as the butterflies were a bit 'lost' against the textured background without.

I love these white on white cards although they're not the easiest things to photograph to show the detail involved.  I also love this flower.  It's so easy but so effective.

Managed to get instructions printed for the shoebox card and put into packs so they're now all done.  Just got to decide what I'm taking to our weekend and start getting it together.  Kindle, MP3 (perhaps), tools, and .... no idea!

Had a Groupon day yesterday. First I had a facial deal that was an experience!  Never had a facial like it before but for £14 it was exceptional value. Lasted 1½ hours and included a neck, shoulder and face massage - mind you, some of it seemed more of a slap around but it was very therapeutic. A young Chinese lady so think it was all based more on oriental methods than European.  Will I be going back?  You betchya! Even at the full £36 it would be well worth it.Thinking of trying her manicure, pedicure and one of her massages. If they're anywhere near close to what I've had by Balinese ladies she will be getting my repeat business.

The second one was the meal at The Brasserie in the Marina.  Paid £25 for a meal to the value of £52.  What I like about this Italian restaurant is that there's very little pasta on the menu. I had fillet steak medallions cooked with bacon and sliced parmesan with rocket garnish and seasonal veg, not that I had any veg as there was plenty on my plate without it - there being 2 steaks and 2 rashers and enough rocket and other leaf to make a small salad. Paul had veal cooked in some Italian way as his main and calimari as his starter (I had tiramisu for dessert, no starter). I tried his calimari but it's not something I've ever liked, no matter how many times I've tried it however ... this time I've got to say it was lovely. The best I've ever tried.  Beautiful meal and everything cooked to perfection.  We cabbed it there and back so were able to have a bottle of wine to round it all off and bonus, although pretty breezy and hence, chilly, it didn't rain, sleet, hail or snow - *lol* Lovely day all told.

... and now some ...

... CRAFTING!  I know, 'bout time!  There's not been much a) because of holiday/vacation and b) 'cos I've not been doing any *hehe*  Simples really.  Anyway, on Friday last - 3rd June - Cally and I made our way to the Glitterpot for a workshop with Alexandra Kamann.  Alex is a new tutor to the Glitterpot, well, new-ish, and completely new to me and Cally. We will be doing more classes with her. Lovely lady and beautiful cards. So impressed with both. She will be a real credit to the Glitterpot.

There were 2 workshops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon and we stayed for both.  The morning workshop was called Ladies and Gentleman and the idea was to show us how easy it was to make a card for both a female and male, using the same stamp and just making a few basic changes.  I loved these cards and I loved the stamp which, along with a couple of others in the range, found their way into my shopping basket - *LOL*  Both cards were a small A6 in size.  The stamp used was from the new Papermania range of Me to You, called It's Me

Female card - Image stamped in brown versafine and coloured with Derwent Coloursoft (would be Prismacolor if I did this at home), blended with Sansodor (I'd use Zest-It) - shades of brown, pink and black.   The image was then cut out using Spellbinders Labels Eighteen which was drawn around onto pink cardstock and cut out to make the mat.  Designer paper and a touch of white satin ribbon coloured with a pink copic. Sentiment from Personal Impressions, Double Sayings by Paula Pascual. The rose was made from a roughly hand-cut wavy edged circle, cut in a spiral and wound up. The leaves were also hand-cut. Simple, but very effective card and I love it!

Male card - pretty much the same except the image was stamped in grey Versafine and coloured with shades of grey, pale blue, black and pink for his nose.  The satin ribbon was changed for twill tape and the rose for a button with twine.  Same Spellbinder's Labels Eighteen die and matt, just mounted onto browns and greys to tone with bear instead of the pinks for the female card.  I decided on a landscape card rather than the portrait one that Alex had as a sample.  My button was bigger and carried my image better that way.  I've not put a sentiment on this card yet as I've not decided who the recipient is going to be :0)

Click on any image to enlarge.

Dad day yesterday and - shock, horror - no major crises!  Quite a pleasant visit.  Gave him a haircut, wrote up his shopping list, had a chat and tried to explain he's going to be a great-great-grandad.  He had a silly grin on his face but he had difficulty understanding.  Still, I've time to work on that one.  Heard from holiday company about our holiday in September ... the private transfers have been arranged.  Can't use the normal coach 'cos Paul can't get on it so it costs us more to go private - fault of being a wheelchair user.  No choice but we have to stand the extra cost, although they gave a small reduction on the cost of the holiday.  Pence in comparison to what we've got to pay but guess any reduction is better than none.  It always costs us loads more (as it probably does most wheelchair users) to have a holiday because the most accessible places cost more and so does the transport!

I managed to get my shoebox packs finished so there's another card I've made .... my sample.  I may show that before the House Party but then again ..... you might just have to wait - *LOL*

Today - a treat.  I bought a couple of Groupon vouchers nearly 3 months ago and they're due to run out soon so, this afternoon I've got a facial and this evening we're going out for a meal.  It'll probably snow, hail, thunder, lightening and possibly a bit of sunshine.  Can't remember when we last went out for a meal on our own and it was years ago we last went to this particular restaurant.  It was good then.  Wonder what it's like now ... La Brasserie

Thanks for dropping by .....

More from last ...

... Wednesday but not before I vent!  I'm so cross with myself.  Stupidly so really 'cos it's not something I have much control over.  It took me nearly all day yesterday, on and off, to clear, sort and clean 2 pretty normal sized kitchen cupboards.  Why am I annoyed?  Because it's a job that used to take no more than an hour!  Heaven knows how long it's gonna take to do the rest of the kitchen but I have to do it in stages.  Anyway, insides done now it's on to the outsides ....

On the plus side, I've been getting feedback on my stamp storage *grin*  Not asked for but offered .... in a way.  If  "you're PeeJay, aren't you?  You've cost me loads of money" counts?  Seems some of the ladies that I see at the Glitterpot have been reading my blog.  One bought some of the multi-media cases (is having to buy more as well) and organised her stamps and had so much space left from doing so that she went out and bought another desk *LOL*   Another lady came and said something similar but she hadn't been and bought a desk ... just 100 of the multi-media cases, has gained space and can now find her stamps easily.  So glad that I've managed to help some people and it's good to get feedback.  Got to say though, the idea wasn't entirely mine.  I'm sure I've seen it on my 'travels' somewhere but I've put my own slant on it.

Anyway, on to another couple of projects from the day with Debs ....

Forever Friends

Decoupage enlarged and printed from a CD and mats cut with Nesties Grand Labels on a Grand Calibur.

Necklace (worn in a previous post)

Made using Metallic Mesh Ribbon.  Really strange stuff.  It's quite wide when you get it but you have to run it through your fingers several times to stretch it and from there you can start to play with it.  Not only can you use it for jewellery but you can also make bows, butterflies, flowers and all sorts with it, just by pulling, shaping, stretching and ... if you don't like what you've done just run it back through your fingers and start again.

It's Dad visit day today.  Wonder if he's any better with his hearing aids this week.  I do hope so otherwise this could become a major problem if he doesn't get back into using them as he's done for years.  I'm taking him some of my baking this week.  He's had my soup when I've made it (note to self -  make more!) so thought I'd take him some cake.  He's got a very sweet tooth so I'm sure it will be welcomed more than the soup was - *LOL*  Was also wondering when my brother is likely to visit him again.  He's not been near since a week before Christmas.  Sooo difficult to call regularly when you live all of 20 miles away!  I despair of him sometimes.  I shall be asking him to call while I'm away but pointing out that it's really not necessary if he's not going to call until the day before I come home - like he did last year!

We've been having some glorious weather of late and I truly think that Spring is well on it's way ... well, it should be as it was officially the first day of Spring yesterday - lol!

Thanks for dropping by .....

Projects from ...

... Wednesday.  Well, a couple of them anyway.

All stamps on the first card were from a stamp set that came free on the front of a Docrafts magazine some while ago.  Loosely coloured with ProMarkers, I loved the freedom to colour this one any way we liked without having to worry about blending, staying within the lines etc 'cos it didn't matter.  Cartoon style drawing lets you get a way with all sorts - *lol*  The main image was stamped onto a piece of card (mat) that then had 'windows' cut into it (with nesties in this instance) and the sentiment and handbag stamps were stamped through the windows onto another piece of card (mat).  The edges of the mats were coloured using the ProMarker chisel tip and a ruler.  Width of the colouring can be adjusted by where the ruler is positioned and at what angle the nib is used.

The following card was the first one made.  Reason being, the centre of the flowers.  Debs had discovered, purely by accident, that if you put a big blob of PVA glue in the centre of the flower, covered it in glitter and allowed it to dry that it dried leaving the glitter raised, brad style.  The idea was to replicate that but, in the event, we ended up with something completely different.  Our glue sunk in the middle and we ended up with a raised edge, like a doughnut, and have to say .... I love it!  I will certainly be playing with big blobs of PVA again ... just to see what I end up with although, I don't generally 'do' glitter well, not loose glitter anyway - *lol*  The other highlight of this card was the ruched ribbon.  I'd never used ribbon in this way before but I will be using it again.  On this card the ribbon was ruched by making running stitches along the centre and then gathering it up, fixing the ends behind the mat and then playing with the positioning of the ruches before sticking it down with a bit of tape to stop it moving around - although it could be left loose.

Plans for yesterday went a bit awry - as can be seen from the blog.  I did go into my crafty corner for a while and I can see the desk again - yessss!  Then I decided to start on the blog makeover.  It's going well and I think I've most stuff covered.  Was stuck for a while on one thing I wanted to do, even though I'd found really good instructions on how to do it.  Just couldn't find the relevant place in the template.  I just took time out to cook dinner, which was delish ... and quick but not good 'cos it's not encouraging Paul to take the cooking reins back - *lol*   Seemed to be just what was wanted 'cos I came back and found it!  So it's job done and just the final bit of tweeking to do ☺

Thanks for dropping by .....

Christmas meet shoebox project #5

An A5 card with a bowed front. Had difficulty lining the decoupage up through the aperture with this one. Could have done better!

Deb's shoebox kit

I think that this was sourced from a CD but don't know which one - sorry!

Circle nesties for aperture, plain and scalloped.

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox project #3

I love this one ... well, I love them all but like the simplicity and impact that this has.

Jan's shoebox kit

Ingredients:

A6 card blank

Score board for scoring lower part of card and border (Hougie board in this instance)

Strip of DP paper

Circle nesties for matting.

Nellie Snellen Multi frame circles or Nestie Lacey Circles

Stamp or Digi image (this one was from Pink Gem)

Colouring medium (promarkers used here)

Greeting and SU window punch

Stickles glitterglue

 Enjoy!!

 

Christmas meet shoebox project #2

A second card made at the Christmas crafting day.

Carolyn's shoebox kit.

Ingredients:

3 inch square card blank.

Contrasting card for backing

Scalloped and plain circle nesties

SU window punch and a stamped greeting

Stamped or digi image and colouring medium

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox projects.

At the end of November (27th to be exact) I had a day of crafting with a group of friends. We used the shoebox idea again where we each supplied everyone with a 'kit' to make a card or project. We ended up with 12 projects each on the day ... some simple and effective and others with a bit more of a difficulty level ... but far too many to get through in one day. I've still to do some of the projects - and put finishing touches to others - but I've finally got round to photographing those that I have finished so there'll be a few posts to follow.

Where I can I will put details of items used but mostly ...... I have no idea - lol!

Cally's shoebox kit
based on a card we made at a Jackie Huckstep workshop at the Glitterpot

Ingredients:

Bazzill Bling

Nesties labels

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Crafts Too embossing folder (greeting)

DP for backing

Snowflake punches

Gems & Ribbon

Enjoy!!
 

Blue, Blue Christmas Workshop

Thursday 11th November - Afternoon session with Jane ... yep, that very talented lady ... again!

Hero Arts Clear Design stamp set used for both cards - Tree-Mendous.

The first card was an A5 card base covered, patchwork style, with squares cut from a variety of blue DP.  Nestability Labels 4 were used for the white and navy blue mats.  The tree, which was stamped in dark blue ink, was adhered to the mats using foam pads. The same ink was used for the greeting and to stamp a few of the snowflakes onto white card which were then punched out with different sized circle punches.  The Woodware Big Holly Leaf punch  was used to add detail and, to finish, blue/gold peeloff dots were used for the holly berries and to embellish the tree and the centre of the snowflakes.

The second card, A6 sized, landscape card blank and again used a patchwork design of blue DP but used in a more abstract way.  Martha Stewart Snow Flurry edge punch was used on a strip of DP with the punch outs saved to add extra embellishment once the main card was finished.  The tree was stamped 3 times with dark blue ink and then each cut out with a narrow white border.  This tree is not symmetrical and the border being left helps to disguise the fact that it can't be matched exactly.  Once cut, each tree was scored down the middle and one tree was stuck, both sides, to one of the others so forming a 3d tree. This was stuck over the patchwork on the base card.  Glitter glue, gems and punch outs were used to further embellish.

Ideal cards for using up those oddments again.  I think the monotone theme of these is the eye-catching feature and changes could be rung by changing the main colour.

Enjoy!!
 

Embossable Christmas Workshop

Thursday 22nd October - morning at the Glitterpot with Jackie Huckstepp.

Yep, 2nd day running and another workshop at the Glitterpot. This time with Jackie using Crafts Too embossing folders and another selection of designer papers, punches, dies and embellishments.  Again, I'm not sure of the DP used but guess it's not really important as long as you can find what you like.

Ingredients

Embossing folders - Crafts Too: Noel,  Christmas Greetings & Cuttlebug: Swiss Dots

Core'dinations card for embossing/distressing

Nestabilities Labels One

Punches - Selection of snowflakes, corner rounder

Gems, ribbon, stickles, brads

DP - Noel card, Echo Park.

Enjoy!!

 

Christmas Flowers Workshop.

Wednesday 21st October - with Jane Gill at the Glitterpot

Getting a bit behind with my posting. Life keeps getting in the way! This workshop was an all day one and was based around the Woodware Christmas Flower combination punch (Jane's design). We made one card and matching tag in the morning and the same in the afternoon. I'm unsure of the ingredients of these cards but a selection of designer papers, nesties, Martha Stewart punches and stamps were also used.

Ingredients (as much as I remember)

Woodware super duper Christmas flower combination

Martha Stewart punches - Modern Garland & Lattice (although any would do)

Scallop circle and plain circle nesties.

Stamps - Merry, Merry Christmas from Woodware Rocket Christmas & Penny Black Christmas Text

Papers - Basic Grey

Stickles & Liquid pearls.

Enjoy!!