60th Birthday Card

Hi, just popping in to share a recent card that I made for my mum to give to her friend who is turning 60 in October.  The brief was that it needs to be a box card, and pink!

 

These cards are so easy to make, and I find them quite therapeutic.  I used a card blank from Craftwork Cards, as well as the papers and die cut flowers.  I added some punched gold flowers, and I die cut the "60s" from the SU Little Numbers dies, then coated them in gold glitter.  I dug deep in my stash for some Craftwork Card sentiments, and some gold Card Candi.  I haven't used many Craftwork Cards products for ages, as I have been solely using SU, but I do have rather a lot!

 

I'm going away tomorrow for a week, on a school residential trip.  We are going to PGL in the Brecon Beacons.  I'm pretty much all packed and ready to go.  Hope I don't forget anything this time - last year I forgot to pack my toothbrush!  It doesn't help that I am full of cold and have been feeling pretty poorly this weekend - my first quiet weekend in ages!  I had grand plans for lots of scrapbooking but sadly that was not to be.

Hope you all have a good week.  Thanks for dropping by.

Take care

Michelle x

Happy Birthday Mum

Hi All.  Today is my mum's birthday (Happy Birthday Mum!) and I wanted to share the card that I made for her.  We are both fans of Craftwork Cards, so I decided to use one of their kits - Time Flies.  Unfortunately the photo doesn't do the beautiful papers justice.  It was quite a straightforward card to made, and I'm really happy how it turned out.  I know my mum really liked it, which is the main thing.

 

To quote the comedian Alan Carr, "what a week it's been!"  Emily and I have both been ill with a rather nasty virus.  I took Tuesday off work because I felt so dreadful, only to receive a phone call and a few texts messages to say that we were having a two day Ofsted inspection starting the following day.  Needless to say, I couldn't not go in.  It was one of the most stressful weeks of my life!  We won't know anything for a couple of weeks, so fingers crossed!

I was supposed to go on a Uni visit with Emily today, but neither of us felt up to it.  Luckily it wasn't one she was really considering.  I spent the afternoon finishing off some of my Christmas cards (still got quite a few to make!).

Thanks so much for the lovely comments from my previous post.  Have a great weekend and thanks for dropping by.

Take care

Michelle x

 

Hi everyone.  Thank heavens it's Friday!  This week has seemed very long and incredibly busy.  At school we've been getting organised for our week away at PGL in Wales next week.  I'm really looking forward to it but there has been so much to do, and I still haven't organised home life for while I'm away, let alone begun to pack.  Well, that will have to wait until Sunday because I'm off to Scrapbags tomorrow!

 

Here's a card I made for a colleague at work who is celebrating a very special birthday today.  I used some Craftwork Cards products that I found whilst I was tidying up over the summer, as well as glitter and ribbon.  The sentiment is SU.

 

 

The next card was a commission from a friend at work.  I've made a lot of these concertina cards over the years, but never for a wedding.  It's very plain and simple, but I took the lead from their wedding invitation.  I didn't have any letters that were the required size, so with Mark's help, I braved it and dusted off my Silhouette die cutting machine (I've been too scared to use it!!).  I'm so thrilled with the results and will be using it a lot more, particularly in my scrapbooking.

 

I used SU card stock - Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla. and my fantastic Simply Scored to make the folds.

 

And finally, just cos I'm so proud, Edward got an award tonight at his cricket presentation evening - Most Improved Player for Under 14s.  Well deserved (yes, I know I'm biased!).

Well that's me for tonight - I really must go and organise paper and photos for tomorrow.  If I don't see you before, I'll see when I get back from Wales - goodnight :)

Take care and thanks for popping in.

Michelle x

Goody Boxes - Black Magic

Hi Everyone.  I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend, and are loving this weather.  I spent a blissfully cool day yesterday at my Scrapbags crop.  The village hall we use is generally pretty cold in Winter but yesterday it was wonderful and so pleasant to be crafting all day away from the heat.  As Emily's albums are finished, I had a very relaxed time making the class kit and playing around with another kit I had bought.  I am planning to make a start on a book for Edward soon - even though it's four years away!

 

Today I am sharing with you some cards that I made from a Craftwork Cards Goody Box, called Black Magic.  The kit consists of card blanks, paper, embellishments, ribbon, Candi, and 3D foam pads.  I had fun knocking up some quick cards to supplement my box of ready cards.

 

 

(The above card is my favourite)

 

Work is really busy as we "wind down" to end of term.  My class, Year 6, has been working hard on their end of year play, which is a version of Grease.  They are performing it tomorrow night.  I generally take on the role of Props Manager, and this year I have been tasked with making two cars - Greased Lightning and the Scorpians' car.  Have a look at the finished articles.

 

 

 

I have to say that I am pretty proud of them.  They started life as a very big cardboard box, which I cut down, then added a little bit of papier mache, paint, bubble wrap and shiny paper and ta-dah!

Well I'm signing off now as my glass of chilled cider is calling!  Thanks for dropping by.  Have fun and take care.

Michelle x

Four Seasons

Hi All.  Feeling festive yet?  It's a bit of a shocker that it's suddenly December isn't it?  I know it's a bit of a cliche, but where has the year gone?

 

It's been a pretty manic week at work and it's only going to get worse.  This week I have been working on a Victorian shop window for the backdrop of our Christmas play.  Lots of brown paint and fake snow.  We have also had a Christmas Fair on Friday, which was very different this year - it was outside!  It was based on a German Christmas Market, and the atmosphere was fab, the only problem was that it was VERY cold!  I had a stall selling my bits and pieces and was outside from 5pm to 7.30pm.  By the end I couldn't feel my toes despite my thermal socks.  Having said that, it was a great evening and I applaud the hard work of all the volunteers.

 

Today's card is made using the Four Seasons stamp set which is a current Hostess gift.  I chose to stamp the image in red Brilliance ink and added some red sparkle embossing powder and heat embossed it.  I stamped some of the image again, I just wanted the robin in the middle, and heat embossed that too.  I cut the two circles out and mounted the main one on a circle of red mirror card.  The smaller circle was attached to the middle with 3D foam pads.  I used a piece of red satin polka dot ribbon around the middle and stuck the circle element over it using more foam pads.  The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

 

I'm very pleased with how the card turned out, I really like the simplicity of the red and white.  Hope you like it too.

We've had a lovely day today having friends over for a pre-Christmas get together.  It was really chilled and they were good company.  It did mean a massive tidy up beforehand though.  Had to actually put all my cardmaking and scrapbooking stuff out of sight (on our bed!).  Heaven knows where it's going to go over Christmas (Mum and Dad's maybe?).  I really  must have a big sort out after Christmas, I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by it all.

Thanks for dropping by.  Until next time.

Michelle x

Candi Tree

Apologies in advance for the wonky photograph, not sure what happened there. Might have to take Mark to task over this!

 

Today's cards have been made with Craftwork Card's Candi Happy Christmas, stamped in black ink.  I coloured both trees with Promarkers, then added some dimension with extra buttons, a star, some glitter glue and some Glossy Accents. I've listed the Promarker colours at the bottom.  I chose some corresponding card stock to mount them on.

 

 

(Promarker colours - Mulberry, Cyan, Turquoise, Plum,Pine, Lush Green, Poppy, Gold, Burnt Sienna, Cool Grey 5)

 

Today I've had a great time scrap booking with the Scrapbags.  I've managed to complete two layouts for Emily's book, which is miraculous.  After Christmas I must take stock and see how much more needs doing as I will only have 6 months to finish it (eek!).

 

Tomorrow the four of us are going to see Breaking Dawn Part 2, getting slightly excited now!

 

Hope you are all having a fab weekend.  Thanks for visiting.

 

Michelle x

Candi Christmas Wreath

 

Good evening.  I trust you have all had a pleasant weekend.

 

The card I want to share with you today is stamped with the Candi Christmas Wreath stamp from Craftwork Cards.  I stamped it in a black Versafine ink and coloured it in using Promarkers (Mulberry, Turquoise, Cyan and Plum).  I have to say that it took ages!

 

I cut it out (also took ages) and mounted it on some white card, which I backed with SU's Tempting Turquoise - a perfect match, then adhered it to the main card.  I added a Christmas sentiment (Craftwork Cards) and made a purple bow at the top.

 

 

Again, I have used non-traditional colours which I definitely prefer, but I do think this would look great in red, green and gold - I'm just not sure I can face all that colouring in again!

 

Well, I've finally started a little bit of Christmas shopping, from the safety of my sofa!  Must start writing some lists now and getting organised - I can deny it no longer.

 

Have a good week and wrap up warm.  Thanks for dropping by.

 

Michelle x

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was my parents' wedding anniversary and they celebrated 48 years of marriage.  Here is the card that I made for them.  The paper and the die cuts that make up the flower are from the Vintage Flowers and Papers Pad from Craftwork Cards.  I love making these flowers, they are quite addictive.  I did make three different flowers to go on this card but it was too much so I settled for just the one.  The ribbon I already had in my stash.  The sentiment is from a Paula Pascual set which I cut out using the Bitty Banners Framelits from SU.  I love these Framelits and they go through my Cuttlebug beautifully.  I'm getting quite a collection.

 

 

Today I have been making some more Christmas cards.  I've not made as many as I had hoped.  The design I have used is quite time consuming, both in colouring and in cutting out.  Hopefully they will be ready to scan soon (they're drying) and I may be able to post them tomorrow.  I'm still in shock that I have posted something everyday for the past four days!  Obviously this is not me turning over a new leaf, as soon as half term is over, I will be back to my old intermittent ways!

 

I found it quite tricky working today as the light has been awful.  I'm also struggling a bit with my eyesight - I think I need to wear varifocals but have not yet plucked up the the courage to take this step.  Consequently, my glasses are on and off depending on what I am doing - it's quite frustrating.  Getting older is such fun!

 

Hope you are all having a good day.  I'm out tonight with some friends - apparently we are going to be drinking cocktails, so maybe tomorrow won't be very productive!

 

Have fun

 

Michelle x

Christmas Wreath

 

Now I don't really like talking about Christmas in October, but I have started to make some Christmas Cards for a charity event I am supporting.  I've also been playing around with a wreath kit (from Craftwork Cards) that I bought at Ally Pally a couple of weeks ago.

 

I was full of trepidation when I started getting the bits and pieces out of the packet because I have never done anything like this before, but I quickly got into it.

 

I sprayed the back of all the flowers with some Dylusions ink and Glimmer Mists so that the backs were not glaringly white.  After leaving them to dry, I shaped them all with a pokey tool to add dimension.  Then I layered them together to make seven flowers in total.

 

Prior to this, I stained the chipboard wreath with red ink and attached the ribbon.  Finally I added the flowers.

 

The wreath itself is quite small, about 8 inches in diameter, but so sweet.  I can't wait to make some more, I really have the bug now!  Have a look at the photos and see what you think.

 

The cards I have been making do use Stampin' Up products, particularly the discontinued Serene Snowflakes, which I hope to share with you soon.

Thanks for dropping by, and I appreciate your continuing interest.

Have a good week

Michelle x

In the Pink!

Well, it's the end of another busy week.  The first week back at school, and it feels like we have never been away.  And the weather hasn't helped, it's been so awful - I'm fed up with walking to work and feeling soggy by the time I get there.

Here's the card that I made on Monday for my friend who has just got engaged.  The pink stripe card blank is from Craftwork Cards (Spring Fling), as is the vellum message ribbon.  I am so addicted to making 3D glittery butterflies with my Martha Stewart punch, they are on lots of cards I am making at the moment.

Tomorrow is my monthly scrapbook crop, Scrapbags, which is very exciting.  I don't have any pages planned at the moment, but I am taking so much stash that I'm sure that won't be a problem.  I really must crack on with Emily's album because I have only completed one page so far.  I'm definitely way off course with it.  I planned to complete at least one page a month!

Anyway, better go and get packing otherwise I'm bound to forget something (like the first session when I forgot my cutting mat!).  Thanks for dropping by.  Have a great weekend.

Michelle x

Too busy to blog :(

Well the school holidays are nearly over, Edward went back today, but I don't go back until tomorrow.  It's been a busy old time and not the rest I had envisaged.  But on the positive side, we have a lovely new deck, Emily has had four full nights sleep in her new bed and her room has had a massive clear out.  I haven't had a great deal of time to craft but that is a small price to pay I guess.

Here are a couple of cards I managed to find time to make.  They are both made using the Moorish collection from Craftwork Cards.  I bought this kit on a whim and then I found it hard to be inspired by it.  The papers are quite vibrant and strong, so I found that they needed quite a lot of white to make them work, but then I prefer the CAS look anyway.

I'm struggling at the moment to make my nephew an 18th birthday card for the end of April.  It's a bit tricky because he doesn't really have any interests and typical male images just wouldn't work for him.  Emily has helped me come up with an idea so I'm just playing around with that at the moment.  I also must get on and make an engagement card for a friend at work who has just got engaged to her partner after being with him for ten years - so exciting!

Hope you all have a good day.  Thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Beautiful Butterflies

Gosh, it's been a while.  Life has been pretty hectic over the last two weeks - the final weeks of term at work are always completely full-on.  I've had to stay late, go in early and give up an evening for recent school events, but it's been fun.  Now, however I have two weeks off and I am going to try really hard to enjoy them!

My plans are to rest, relax and read (currently reading The Hunger Games series - amazing!), and to craft - card making and scrapbooking.  We are going to try and chill out at home.  Edward has to revise for exams at the end of April, and Emily needs time to sort out her sleeping - not being able to sleep at night and then crashing til the afternoon is not great - so a new bed is going to be bought.  Mark has some time off over Easter - not to rest and relax though, he is going to lay a new deck as our current one is rotting away.

So here are a couple of cards I made last weekend using the new Butterfly stamps from Craftwork Cards.  Actually the card was inspired by one I saw Julie Hickey make on her recent QVC appearance.  I've used Melon Mambo ink from Stampin' Up for the first one  and the second one is a Versamagic ink but I can't remember the colour.  I've cut round the edge of the main butterfly to give it some dimension and given it a little bling on the body.  The sentiments are also from CC.

Apologies that the photos are not great.  They are scans of the cards and they don't do the cards justice.

I hope you are having a jolly weekend.  We've had a lovely day with friends.  Shame the weather has taken a turn for the worst.

Take care and thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Birthday card for Jane

Well, this is surprising isn't it - another post so soon.  Today is my friend Jane's birthday (check out her lovely creations here ) and I wanted to share the card I made for her.

The card base is a cream square card measuring approximately 10cm x 10cm.  I chose one with an elegant edge because I felt it suited the stamp.  The stamp is from the Elementary Elegance set (one of the Sale-a-bration sets) from Stampin' Up - I love this set so much and I know I will use it a lot.

I stamped it on to a strip of cream card using Night of Navy ink and them punched the centre out with the Curly Label punch.  I was going to back it with a contrasting colour, but I really like the cream and navy combination.  I edged the strip the navy card and adhered it to the card base.  I had to trim the edge to get the fancy edge. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the same set as the frame. Then I added some grosgrain ribbon, made a little bow and then finished it off with a gem.

This is one of my all time favourite cards and I think I will have to replicate it soon, and maybe try a different colourway.

I am really loving my Stampin' Up products, I love the way everything matches which makes life so much easier  and the stamps are so beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by.  Take care.

Michelle x

Thanks for joining me today.  I'm pleased to say that after a very long week of feeling ill, I now feel so much better.  I think I need some multi vitamins though, to give me a bit more "oomph!".

The card I am sharing today is for a friend who has just had surgery.  I hope it will brighten her day.

The green card is from a collection called Spring Fling and it's from Craftwork Cards, as are the message band and sentiment.  I cut the aperture from the centre of the card (leaving a 2.5cm border all the way around).  Then I punched out 6 pink glittery butterflies with a Martha Stewart punch, and stuck three together (twice) to make 3D embellishments.

I'm really happy with how this card turned out.  It didn't take very long to make which was perfect as time was short and I like the freshness of it.

I hope you are all having a good week.  Mine will improve radically tomorrow when my washing machine is repaired.  It has been out of action for over a week.  Thank heavens for my lovely mum, who has been doing it all for me (and ironing it too!).  With a family of four, my machine is on at least once every day - it's the one appliance that sends me into a panic if it breaks down!

Take care and thanks for visiting.  I am so appreciative of your comments.

Michelle x

Catch-up

Hi folks!  Thanks for dropping by.  Am I glad it's half term, last week was complete madness!  I am so looking forward to a calm, quiet week.

Thank goodness the snow is starting to disappear,  It just looks horrible and dirty now.  I have to say that all the ice made me spend last week worrying that Edward would slip over and break something before we got him safely off on his skiing trip.  I know that sounds neurotic, but it's just the sort of thing that would happen.  Anyway, I am pleased to report that he did get off safely on Friday afternoon, and I have heard from another parent, that they arrived safely.  Edward didn't take is phone, so it's going to be really difficult for me having no contact with him.

Emily and I had a great night out on Saturday at the O2 Arena, watching Snow Patrol.  It was absolutely fantastic and it did my heart good to see Emily having such a good time.  Emily and I are huge Snow Patrol fans, and they are a great live band.

Yesterday I went to the Stamperama show in Stevenage with my mum.  I wasn't intending to go but the lure of a craft show was too strong!  I paid a little visit to the Craftwork Cards stand to see what was new (may have made a little purchase or two!).  I was fairly restrained at the show and we only stayed for a couple of hours.  I did buy a set of heart Nestabilites, as well as a couple of stamps from Little Claire's, and some scrapbooking paper for Emily's book - see, not too extreme!

I'm waiting for my February Stampin' Up order to arrive, it's so exciting!  I've already planned for March - I am well and truly hooked.  Also looking forward to my Sale-a-bration goodies coming.

Anyway, I did manage to make a few cards last weekend.  They are all from the Secret Garden Project of the Month kit from Craftwork Cards.  As I said before, the colours are so soft and subtle, with just a hint of sparkle, gorgeous.

Well, I'm off to make Mark a Valentines card (nothing like leaving it until the last minute!). Have a good day.

Michelle x x

Secret Garden

Morning!  Hope all is well with you.  I am home from work today as both my children have the dreaded lurgy.  Mark has been suffering since before last weekend, so it is not too surprising that others have succumbed.  I'm waiting for my turn (probably just as half term starts!).

I've spent the morning doing jobs like sewing name labels in Edward's skiing clothes in readiness for his school trip next Friday.  I've also washed them all now, and have sorted through some old clothes to put out in a charity bag tomorrow.  I think this afternoon we might all snuggle up and watch a film,

So, the card I want to show you today is from the Secret Garden kit that I bought from Craftwork Cards.  I can't take credit for the design as I copied it from the ideas sheet that came with the kit.  I really like the freshness of these products, they certainly lift my spirits and make me think of spring. 

OK, so I'm off to mop fevered brows!  Have a great day.  Thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

More Flowers

Hi all, hope your Monday has been OK. 

The cards I am sharing with you today took me ages to make, seriously I really mean it!

First I cut a circular aperture from a 12cm x 12cm white card, using my Cuttlebug and one of my circle Nestabilities.  Then I stamped the flower 12 times (3 colours, 4 of each) on plain white card.  Cutting each flower out was more time consuming than fiddly.  I randomly stuck them inside the aperture, joining them by the petals.  Then using a scalloped and then the same circular Nestabilities I made a frame from coloured cardstock, which I adhered around the aperture.  Finally I added some Glossy Accents to the centre of each flower to add some definition.

Ingredients

Card : Craftwork Cards

Cardstock : From collection

Stamp : Candi Stamps - Craftwork Cards

Inks : Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive - Stampin' Up

Glossy Accents

Hope you like it.  The only thing I haven't figured out, is where to write the message!

Take care and thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Four Frames

Hi everyone.  Hope all is well with you.  Today I am sharing with you two cards that I made last weekend with the Four Frames stamps and coordinating punch from Stampin' Up.  I loves these stamps, particularly the dotty one (love all things dotty!).  The stamps are so versatile as you can put any sentiment you like in them.

The card blanks were ones I cut myself from a sale pack of A5 card from Craftwork Cards.  They measure 10cm x 10xm - perfect for notecards or thank you cards.

Ingredients

Purple card : Craftwork Cards

Paper : The Bloomsbury Collection - Kanban

Stamp and Punch : Four Frames - Stampin' Up

Ribbon : Grosgrain from collection

Sentiment : Find Joy Every Day - Marion Emberson

Inks : Rich Razzlebery, Old Olive - Stampin' Up

Ingredients

Cream card : Craftwork Cards

Paper : The Canterbury Collection - Kanban

Stamp and Punch : Four Frames - Stampin' Up

Ribbon : Grosgrain from collection

Sentiment : Find Joy Every Day - Marion Emberson

Ink : Tempting Turquoise - Stampin' Up

I'm not generally a fan of Kanban, but I really like these papers.  They are very good quality and the designs are so elegant.

I've planned my next Stampin' Up order and have managed to persuade Mark to buy me something for Mothers Day (I've promised he can keep it until the day and wrap it up!!).  I love the Ink Spots and can't wait to get another set - I think I am going to go for the Subtles this time.  I definitely need to expand my range.

I hope you have managed to sneak in some crafting time today.  I spent the whole morning cleaning up after the dog - there was more mud on the floor than in the garden!  I have managed to spend a couple of hours making cards this afternoon though, so that made up for it.

Chloe seems to have calmed down at night.  She is still howling pathetically, but it's each night it's gets less and less.  I think she has finally got the message (famous last words!!).

Take care and thanks for dropping by.

Michelle x

Candi Stamps

Two posts in two days!  Don't get used to it, it wont last!

Here are the two cards that I made yesterday with my new Craftwork Cards Candi Stamps.  I love this flower and have been looking for a stamp like this for a while.  I stamped it in three colours on digi-smooth card stock and cut each one out (a bit of a faff!!), then stuck them on in a wavy fashion.  The centres have Candi in them.  The ink pads I have used are my new Stampin' Up ink spots.  They are divine!  The colours are lush and they have such gorgeous names.

 Stampin' Up ink spots - Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango and Melon Mamba

SU ink spots - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Regal Rose

Hope you like them.  I'm really pleased with how they turned out and I'm looking forward to having more of a play (less than 3 weeks until half term!!).

Off to bed now to make up some sleep that I lost out on last night.  Chloe decided to keep us up until the early hours, howling for no reason.  In the end I caved in and let her come upstairs.  Wish me luck for tonight!

Michelle x

Oh dear!

Hello everyone, hope you are all well.  I can't believe it is Sunday evening again, the weekend goes so quickly.  Hope you have all had a good one.

Why is it that you make New Year's resolutions and then before January is up, you've broken them already?! My main one this year (apart from the lose weight, get fitter ones that I never quite manage) was to not spend so much money on crafty things.  How did I ever think that that was going to happen?!

I have become completely obsessed by the Stampin' Up catalogue, there are just so many wonderful things to tempt me.  I have just bought a set of 10 ink spots in bright colours - they are absolutely gorgeous.  So naturally I want them in the other colour ranges too.  I've bought some stamps and a punch as well - I am very happy with those.  I have put post-it-notes on all the pages where I like something - too many to count!

It didn't help that Craftwork Cards have launched some new products, and you know I am a sucker for all things CC.  So let me show you the two sets of Candi Stamps that I am the proud owner of.

These are great and I have already made a couple of cards with one of the flowers, which I will hopefully show you tomorrow,

Another thing that I have bought from CC are these Message Bands (not sure the photo does them justice).  The set has loads of them in so many different colours, plus lots of sheets of sentiments too - couldn't resist them!

How are you all getting on with resisting the temptation?  I hope I am not the only weak willed person out there!

Have a good week.  Thanks for dropping by, and hopefully there will be some cards to share with you over the next few days.

M x