Something Beginning with F

Hello there,

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend - we had some lovely weather here yesterday. I am definitely the lucky one today - I am off up north to visit the Crafter's Companion store in Newton Aycliffe (I have my purse under lock and key!)

On a crafty note, I have my next DT project for the new challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz. This month we have had five Tuesdays, so we always have a 'Something Beginning with' theme on the fifth Tuesday - Cyndi has chosen

'SOMETHING BEGINNING WITH F'

Here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

I decided on 'feathers' and used this lovely die which was free on a recent magazine purchase. Quite a simple design using some book paper and a circle of kraft card (which was run through my bark embossing folder and dusted with a little distress ink to bring out the embossing). Hope you like it.

Hugz, Jan xx

Circles of Happiness

Happy Saturday,

I hope everyone has the chance to enjoy a great bank holiday weekend. I have lots of catching up to do after being out all week completing my training, but am hoping to spend some time in my garden with a few crafty bits and a nice cool drink!

We have a brand new challenge over at Fantasy Stampers today and it fits perfectly with the lovely weather. So for the next two weeks we would love so see projects that fit the theme

'SUNSHINE COLOURS'

Here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

There is definitely a circle theme going on there! I used some pretty design paper from my stash, along with pieces of gorgeous bright yellow and orange cardstock for my layers.

I die cut three circles out of the yellow layer, letting the dies go off the edge of the card, then trapped the design paper between the two layers of card so it showed through the circles. 

I used my Stampin' Up 'Flower Shop' set to stamp the two flowers for my focal point, using Ripe Persimmon and Scattered Straw distress inks. I also stamped lots of smaller flowers in the same two inks using my Stampin' Up 'Petite Petals' and then punched them out with the co-ordinating punch (so quick and easy!)

I love the sentiment on this one (just from a set I have had forever) and it fits in really well with the training I did yesterday about having a choice about how you feel and taking charge of how your day will be. So, I challenge you today - go on, 'Make your own Happiness'.

Hugz, Jan xx

A Furry Friend

Hello there,

I'm back today with my DT project for the new challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz, and this week Sharon has chosen the theme of

'A FURRY FRIEND'

Now my little furry friends are never very far away, usually sat on my feet when I'm crafting - I wouldn't be without them ...

OK, so here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

I made a little set of notelets and a gift box to keep them in. The stamp is an old freebie that came with my Craft Stamper magazine a few years ago - don't you just love him.

I stamped him directly onto the card, then stamped again on a scrap of co-ordinating paper and paper pieced him.

The sentiment was created on my pc, then punched out and added to the cards.

I made the little box to match, to keep them all together ready to use.

Hugz, Jan xx

Some more News!

Good morning everyone,

You might remember my post from 1 July explaining my decision to take voluntary redundancy from my job in school of 14 years.

I could only hope that it was the right decision for me, and said that I didn't know what the next chapter would include, but what a difference a few weeks can make.

As many of you know from Facebook, I now have a fabulous new job (that I wouldn't have been able to pursue while at school) working for Crafter's Companion in their new store based in Chesterfield. To say I am excited would be an under-statement!

I have also undertaken their demonstrator training programme and am ecstatic to say that I passed - so I am also an Accredited Crafter's Companion Demonstrator all ready to let loose on our local craft stores!

There I was wondering what would be the best route to follow, and a door opened that I could only dream of - to work in the industry that has been my hobby for so long. My dream job!

So, I start today with a week of induction training, then we have to get the store ready for the opening - I can't wait. As for the finances, I'm not sure they will be much better as I think I will be spending most of my wages on crafty stash (well, it would be rude not too, when it will be just sat there under my nose!)

So, my mantra of 'things can only get better' sure did work - I feel so lucky to have been given this opportunity and I can't wait to move forward and start the next chapter in my life.

Big hugz, Jan xx

Do you believe in Magic?

Happy Friday,

We are off car shopping today - my hubby wants to upgrade our current car and buy a newer one. Why do I get so nervous when spending lots of money - I can spend it on craft supplies without any problem at all!

I have my next DT project for you today, for the next letter at the Alphabet Challenge and this time Pat has chosen the theme for the letter 'M'

'MYTHICAL'

So, here's what I created using one of my favourite digital images by Mitzi Sato-Wiuff ...

I absolutely love the idea of anything mythical or magical, and this little dragon fits the bill perfectly. I know I used him a while ago for a similar theme and couldn't believe it when I checked back that it was almost a year ago!!

I printed out the image six times and created a 3d decoupage effect in a box picture frame. He is coloured with my Promarkers and a little added sparkle from my gorgeous new Spectrum Sparkle pens from Crafter's Companion.

I printed the quote onto a piece of background paper cut to size, then added some distress ink in Dusty Concord, a couple of stamped corners and two little stamped dragonflies.

I also added a little extra colour to the natural frame.

Hugz, Jan xx

Flutterby Butterfly

Good morning,

Well, we spent most of the day yesterday crafting of a different style - painting the kitchen! It looks so much brighter now, just have to put up the new blind and I think we are nearly there.

I have a new DT project for you today, for the next challenge over at Cardz 4 Galz and this week Julie has chosen the theme

'BUTTERFLIES OR DRAGONFLIES'

Easy peasy, no dilemma, butterflies for me every time! Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I used a Creative Expressions die by Sue Wilson called 'Mini Striplet - Butterflies in Flight' to make the main feature on my card. I cut the inside piece of the striplet into a piece of coconut white cardstock, then added some double sided adhesive behind the aperture before filling it with clear glitter.

The little butterflies also come with the die and were cut from scraps of pink cardstock. I stamped some tiny flowers onto the white to make a background, then added my sentiment (which is from a magazine freebie set).

Hope you can come and join us.

Hugz, Jan xx

When the Stars come out ...

Hello there,

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I last posted! I seem to have been busier since I finished work, than when I was there - but in a nice way, because most of it has involved crafting! I am waiting on some news that may change my direction completely - I do hope it's good news!

But while I wait patiently, we have a brand new challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz and this week Joan chose the theme of

'WORDS'

I love making projects where the wording is the focal point - so here's what I came up with for my DT inspiration ...

I decided to have a change and make a tag this time (I know we are 'Cardz' 4 Guyz, but I am feeling a little rebellious today)!

I love starting out with a piece of white card (Neenah in this case) and then treat it to a covering of distress inks in Mermaid Lagoon (love this one), Blueprint Sketch and Chipped Sapphire to give a reverse ombre effect.

Then I stamped my quote in black archival ink - this one is from an LOTV set of Quotables called 'Life's Journey'.

I added some smaller stars using a stencil and more of the distress inks, then stamped the larger star onto a scrap of co-ordinating paper, cut it out, and added it to my project.  

There are some tiny little star gems in the design too, which are just twinkling nicely in my photo.

Hope you can come and play along with us this week,

Hugz, Jan xx

By the Seaside

Good morning,

Well, that's just where I would like to be at the moment - by the seaside!

I have such a lot going on at the moment (but I can't talk about it yet).  I thought I would be having a rest once I gave up my job - but as they say, 'As one door closes, another one opens!' I will fill you in as soon as I can, I promise :)

We have a brand new challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz today, and it was my turn to choose the theme this week. So, as my title suggests, we would love to see your 'BY THE SEASIDE' projects. Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I chose a lovely turquoise piece of design paper to represent the colour of the sea (well, in some lovely hot places anyway!) and kraft card to represent the sand.

The turquoise piece has some of my favourite Stampin' Up splatters stamped on it using Gathered Twigs distress ink, then I ran it through a Hessian embossing folder for some texture.

I stamped the main focal images straight onto the kraft card, using some freebie stamps from my Craft Stamper magazine and distress inks. Then I chopped them into four different sized pieces before assembling them onto my card.

I used some natural twine, together with a button and a stamped 'It's Your Birthday' sentiment to finish off.

See you at the challenge,

Hugz, Jan xx 

Love Heart Bag

Good Morning,

I hope everyone has had a good week - mine has been a very busy one this week (well, the last couple of days anyway). I am hoping to get back into my craftroom later today :)

We have a brand new theme over at the Alphabet Challenge today, and this time it was my turn to choose, so for the letter 'L' I chose

'L for LOVE'

This is such a generic theme and can be incorporated into so many occasions, so here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

I decided to have a change from cards this time, and decorated this little kraft coloured paper bag.

I used up some scraps of design paper from my stash and added some faux stamped stitching around the edge. The next layer is the gorgeous die cut 'Bloomin' Heart'  from Stampin' Up, which is cut from some rose coloured cardstock. I added a smaller heart next, which is raised on some dimensional pads, then the little stamped sentiment. 

Embellishments include a piece of pink polka dot ribbon, a length of string pearls, a couple of die-cut flowers (also from the 'Bloomin' Heart' set) and some adhesive pearls.

Hope you can join us with your own 'Love'ly' creations.

Hugz, Jan xx

More Black and White

Hello there,

I'm out most of the day today, so scheduled my post for this morning.

It's time for our next challenge over at Cardz 4 Galz, and this time Sharon has chosen the theme of

'MONOCHROME'

I absolutely love this theme, translated as 'Black and White' or 'Varying Shades of One Colour' - I went with the black and white for the second time this week! Here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

I made this one for a friend's birthday later this month and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  I thought it might be too busy, but I think it works.

I used my Spellbinders 'Scalloped Borders One' dies again and layered the pieces up over the background design paper (which is from a really old paper stack with no packaging). I used one of the 'Decorative Labels Eight' dies to cut a background for my sentiment, which is from the Stampin' Up 'Birthday Blooms' set.

I added a piece of black and white ribbon, a couple of stamped flowers, layered up with a little black dazzler in the centre.

Hugz, Jan xx

Where would you go?

Good morning,

Wow! Four weeks since I finished work already! Where does the time go? I have been very busy in my craft room making lots of bits and pieces in readiness for the Christmas Fayre at school in December - I am planning to try my first table top sale. Never thought I would hear myself discussing Christmas at this time of year, but there you go. My biggest problem is where to store everything - I have some larger home decor pieces that are taking up a lot of room now!

Anyway, back to the here and now - we have our next challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz today and this week Helen chose the theme of 

'TRANSPORT'

This is a great theme for a male card - lots of choice. Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I was looking for an image on the internet because all my transport stamps are vintage cars and I wanted a change - so was looking for a nice steam train like the Hogwarts Express, as my girlies have been busy with all things Harry Potter this last week, taking part in an Instagram book competition and Sam has just received her new hardback 'copy of The Cursed Child', so has her nose firmly glued inside it!  

I found a beautiful image, but decided to keep it simple in black and white to match the design paper which is from my Prima 'Cartographer' paper pad, and added a few little embellishments to finish off.

Thanx for reading my ramblings - hope you all have a good day.

Hugz, Jan xx