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

A Wedding and a Birthday

 

Hi everyone.  I've been wanting to share this card all week but apathy has ruled this week!

 

A good friend and colleague got married last week and this is the card I made for her and her husband.  The theme of the wedding was natural colours and wood, and I followed the colour scheme from the invitation.

 

The base card is made from Kraft card stock.  I cut a panel from Very Vanilla and stamped a heart from Hearts a Flutter in Early Espresso, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake all over it.  I mounted the panel on glimmer paper and adhered it to the card.  I then wrapped some natural twine around the bottom third of the card and added a sentiment, which is from Border Banter stamped in Early Espresso.  I personalised the card with some brown rub-ons.

 

 

The next card is a birthday card for one of our Card Swap Group - Ann.  Happy birthday Ann (it's today!).  I used a white square card blank, and cut a slightly smaller square of Pool Party.  I cut a circle from the centre and stamped over the cs with a stamp from Best of Shelli in Versamark ink (you can just about see it in the photo).  I then stamped the same image in Midnight Muse on the white card blank to show through the aperture.  I used my paper piercing templates to add some interest around the edge and around the aperture.  The sentiment is from Morning Meadow stamped in Midnight Muse.

 

That's me for now.  Have a super weekend.  Thanks for dropping by, and all comments are gratefully received!

 

Michelle x

Birthdays Galore!

 

It's been a busy time recently - lots of April birthday, and lots more in May.  The following cards are a few that I made for last month.

 

This first card was made for a good friend of mine who celebrated a milestone birthday.  I cut an oval in the middle of the card and pierced around the outside of the aperture and the edge of the card with a piercing template.  I attached a piece of green Twitterpated DSP behind the aperture.  I cut some chipboard numbers and coated them in Martha Stewart glitter and attached them to the DSP.  A Teeny Tiny sentiment and punched out labels in white and Pear Pizzazz completed the card.

 

This next card was made with a scrap booking kit that I have had knocking around for years and thought I ought to start using!  It was a card made in a hurry for the little boy next door.

An finally, another card made from a pad of scrap booking papers.  Actually I used offcuts from Emily's birthday album, to use them up.  The card was for a 14 year old girl and I hope I pitched it correctly - it's a funny old age, 14!

 

 

Hopefully I will be back soon with some more cards.  Because I have a lot of birthdays in May, I've gone in for some batch making sessions, and revisiting an old design.  But I do have something new to show you that I am very proud of - so watch this space!

 

See you soon.  Take care

 

Michelle x

Something a bit different

 

 

Good morning all.  Hope you are all well.

 

Today's card is a bit of a departure for me, but I was inspired by a card from the current Craft Stamper magazine.

 

I used the Serene Snowflakes stamps from SU (I'm so glad I bought these), with pink and bronze Brilliance ink.  I added a piece of pink satin ribbon and mounted the panel on to some brown glitter paper, which I then mounted on to the base card.  I stamped the sentiment (Paula Pascual) in the pink ink and then punched it out with the Word Window punch from SU.  I also punched the Modern Label from brown glitter paper and mounted the sentiment on to that.  I then die cut the two flourishes from the glitter paper using Die-Namics Fancy Flourish, and added this to the card before finally 3D-ing the sentiment on top.

 

 

What do you think?  I'm really pleased with it, the colour scheme in particular.

 

How's you week been?  Mine has been long and busy as usual, although yesterday our school was shut for an occasional day.  I went Christmas shopping with Mark to Milton Keynes.  We had a really productive and successful day, and apart from a couple of bits and bobs, I'm done!  We had time to meet my best friend for lunch and then to call in at my sister's for a cup of tea before heading home.  We really spoilled ourselves by stopping for a meal at Pizza Express before getting home at 10pm.  We were out of the house for 13 hours!  The kids and dog were well looked after as my parent were at my house.  It was lovely to have a day with Mark, we don't get a lot of "us" time.

 

Well today is a day of Christmas card making (I hope), as well as an overdue appointment at the opticians.

 

Have a great day, thanks for dropping by.

 

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

From the Heart

Here is the card I made for Mark for Valentine's Day (bit late to share, but never mind!).

I made the card blank from a sheet of Kraft card, it's a 14cm square.  I used my new Nestabilities to punch out the hearts.  Then I cut a square of red glitter paper slightly small than the card and stuck it behind the cut outs.  Finally I stamped the sentiment (from a set by Marion Emberson) and drew in the stitching effect.  Simple but effective.

Hope you are having a good day.  My boy is back from his skiing trip tomorrow morning, and I am champing at the bit to see him.  It's been a long week with no contact at all and I miss his cuddles.  No doubt he will be shattered from an 18 hour coach trip from Italy, but I am sure the lure of his Xbox will keep him awake!

Thanks for dropping by.  Take care.

Michelle x

Craft Fair Goodies

Morning all.  Phew, it's been quite a busy weekend in the Frecklepuss household this weekend - well mainly for me actually.  With just one week to go before my craft fair, I have been frantically trying to get everything finished off and packaged.  I'm now finally able to show you some of my creations.

These six packs of cards are my new designs of note cards.  Apologies for the quality of the photo.

Here are all the note cards in more detail.  For this first one, I used some paper that was a free gift from a magazine. These free papers are ideal for this sort of thing.  I made a paper ribbon from black card stock and punched the tag from my new EK Success punch (a really useful one).  The sentiment is stamped from a pack of clear stamps I have had for a while - not sure who they are by.

This next set is very Cath Kidston-esque!  The papers were another free gift, but they are actually from Craftwork Cards.  A bit too floral for me personally but ideal for this look.

I used up scraps from one of my all time favourite paper stacks - Making Memories Boho Chic.  This nine square style is so easy to make, but very effective.  I finished it off with some Prima flowers and a little bit of bling.

Another Cath Kidston inspired look, same papers as before.  The scalloped edges are punched with my favourite Fiskars punches.

Again. more free papers and Fiskars scalloped punch.  The daisy is a Martha Stewart punch which I haven't used nearly enough.  The sentiment is from a Marion Emberson set of stamps.  I added a touch of glitter glue in the centre of the flowers.

And finally, same as above really except that I added a couple of Petaloo flowers as a focal point.  I think the sentiment is a Paula Pascual stamp.

These kept me busy for a while as I had to make five of each design.  I have made matching notebooks which I will show you another day.

I did find time to go to the cinema to see the next instalment of the Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part 1.  I had booked the tickets weeks ago because I wanted to see it the weekend it was released.  It was a great film and now I can't wait for Part 2.  I will probably have to read the books again soon (have lost count of how many times I have read them!).

I am definitely Team Edward - even before I saw Robert Pattinson in the role.  Mark is very tolerant of my obsession thank goodness!

Well off to get back to the mundane jobs such as washing and ironing - the penance for yesterday I guess.  Have fun!

M x

Flower Power

Had a little card making session over the weekend, getting back to my roots - stamping and colouring.  I've made no secret of my love of Marion Emberson's stamps, and I finally got the time to have a little play.  I must say I really enjoyed the simplicity of stamping and colouring and adding a little embellishment with ribbon and sparkle, and my appetite has been whetted for more cards of this type.

For today's card, I coloured it in with my Promarkers, using my favourite colours.  Obviously there are plenty of options available.  I stamped the image three times, more or less in a straight line and just used two colours so it wasn't overly busy.  I made the little bow on the ribbon and stuck it down with Pinflair glue (in a syringe) -  I am quite impressed with the glue, I've never used it before.  I added a little bit of Glamour Dust in the centre of the flowers because I do like a little bit of sparkle!

Ingredients

Stamps : Flowers - Thanks a Bunch and Happy Birthday sentiment - Sunshine and Flowers

both by Marion Emberson

Promarkers : Orchid and Mulberry

Grosgrain ribbon and jewel from stash

Glitter in centre of flowers : Glamour Dust

Hope you like the card.  I feel very pleased with how it turned out.

I hope to share with you my Flower Garden blanket soon, I just have to finish the edging.  I am so pleased that it is almost finished - over 700 hexagons completed - wow!

I am really looking forward to half term (a week and a half to go), as work is getting me down a bit, but I feel in a way that other things have turned a corner.  That small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is definitely burning brighter.  I might even start to feel that life is getting better (although now I am scared I have tempted fate!).  Maybe soon I will feel like sharing.  All I will say at this point is that it has been a very long, hard year.

Hope you are all having a good week,  Take care.

M x

Fifty again!!!!

Apparently yesterday was World Card Making Day (or something like that), so what better incentive is needed to get the crafty stuff out!  This card is the penultimate one from a long list of significant age cards commissioned by a good friend of mine.  It was quite difficult to come up with a new design but I am very happy with how this one turned out.

Ingredients

Base card : Large scalloped - Craftwork Cards

Papers :The Bloomsbury Collection - Kanban

Candi : Craftwork Cards

Glitter : Martha Stewart - Golden Beryl

Thanks for visiting.  Enjoy the lovely sunshine, and fingers crossed it lasts a bit longer.

M x

Lots and lots of goodies!

Good morning!  How are you all?  I'm fine and feel nice and rested after yesterday's exertions lol! So after doing a bit of housewifely duty by doing some ironing, I have been taking photos of my lovely purchases.

My first photo is of the lovely and talented Julie Hickey from Craftwork Cards.  She is such a star, so friendly and helpful, always ready for a chat.  Craftwork Cards is always the first stand Mum and I stop at, whenever we go to a stamping show. 

I wasn't actually going to buy anything from Craftwork Cards this time, but as you can see from the photo below, I changed my mind.  I think I must be one of few who don't actually like their Warren the Rabbit images, and I'm not so keen on Frosty the Snowman either - I don't really do cute.  But I was taken the colours of the papers and card stock that go with Frosty - love the contemporary colours.  Also bought some delicious new Candy - gorgeous metallic, holographic colours.

I got a really good deal on Promarkers - 10 for £15.00, so I bought two lots to take advantage of the offer.  I won't be buying anymore for a while now so why not?

Another must have stand to visit was Sugar and Spice - I am such a fan of Marion Emberson, as I am sure I have mentioned once or twice!  So it was nice to meet her and say hello.  I bought a couple of sets of her stamps - alphabets, as well as a retro flower punch that I have wanted for a while, some silver Glamour Dust, and some crystals and a couple of packets of buttons.

These masks were  a bit of an impulse buy, but I thought they would be really handy for journalling, using Distress Inks and spray inks.

I bought some journalling spots and tags, some plain Manila tags, memo and bingo cards, as well as a script stamp from Paperartsy.

Some more Glamour Dust (crystal), some calendars and a memo stack, some glue pens and some Pinflair glue (everyone is raving about this, thought I would try it out).

The Craft Fairy is a such a great stand to visit - lots and lots of beautiful ribbon, in every colour you can imagine.  It was really hard to choose.  They are so reasonably priced too - about £1.30 for 3 metres. 

Any finally (well nearly!), two new Nestabilities, some magnetic sheets, Promarker fine nibs, a new acrylic block, some Diamond Glaze and even more buttons.

Well, that's all the purchases that I made for me.  As you can see, I had a really successful day.  My only disappointment was that Art From The Heart wasn't at the show.  I had intended to buy some more spray inks, a pack of Moleskin Journals and some pre-printed images.  I also wanted to take some photos of their beautiful artwork for inspiration, but it was not to be.  I have made an internet order since I have been home, so I am sure the products will be will me in a matter of days.

My final, final purchase at the show wasn't for me, it was for my mum, for her birthday in November.  She was umming and ahing between two designs of Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page punches - they were a really good price from Stamposaurus, so I bought one for her and she bought the other.  I'm really glad because she wanted them both so much, and now I don't have to worry about what to get her for her birthday.

If you have stayed with me until the end, thank you!  Hope you haven't been too bored.  It was so exciting to spread all my goodies out this morning and see what I spent my money on.  I won't be having anymore splurges like this for a while now - got to think about Christmas (urgh!).  Just need to find some time to have a play!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, take care.

M x

Special Commission

Although I am trying not to take on any special commissions at the moment, I was asked by a very good friend to make a few cards for some special birthdays happening over the next few months, the first being for her mum who is going to be 80 in October.  She specifically asked for one of my concertina type cards and I thought I would ring the changes by using two pre-scored scallop edged cards and join them together.  I dug out some really old papers, firm favourites though, and used a rub-on on the Candi to subtley add the age.  What do you think?

Card blanks and Candi : Craftwork Cards

Paper : Boho Chic - Lauren from Making Memories

Stardust glitter glue

Prima flowers

Off to watch the new series of Downton Abbey, am very excited!

M x

Good morning!  Well, this is the last day of my summer holiday, so regular postings will now go out of the window!  Here are three more cards to share with you, all for birthdays in September.

 Ingredients

Card, embossed frame and sentiment : Craftwork Cards

Ink : Versamagic Spring Pansy

Ribbon : Craft Fairy

Glitter Glue : Stardust

Ingredients

Card blank, sentiment, Candi : Craftwork Cards

Flowers : Prima

Paper : Sugar and Spice by Dovecraft

Ingredients

Card blank, Candi, Digi Smooth cardstock : Craftwork Cards

Cardstock : From stash

Stamp : Time for Tea by Beth Gunnell (free with Quick Cards Made Easy)

Nestabilites : Large Classic Oval and Large Scalloped Oval

Promarkers : Duck Egg, Walnut, Lime Zest, Sky Blue, Meadow Green, Canary, Peach, Rose Pink

Sakura Glitter Gel Pen

I think it will be unlikely that I will get any more cards made today which is a pity.  My day will be spent getting myself and the children ready for tomorrow - checking bags, pencil cases, PE kits etc.  Making sure shoes are polished and phones are charged and locker keys are found.  I'm trying to eliminate the panic tomorrow - would like the morning to be calm, particularly for Emily - so no dramas would be good!  I'm off to chivvy Edward to get dressed (how is he going to get ready on time tomorrow??!!) so that we can walk the dog.

Have a fun day.

M x

Christmas Cards 2011

So, I finally got round to starting my Christmas cards yesterday.  I didn't think inspiration would strike as I couldn't feel less like Christmas if I tried!  Anyway, once as I had spread out my papers and embellishments things started to happen.

I am using last year's papers from Craftwork Cards called Trim the Tree which I bought in the sale.  I have two colourways - the first is the pink and black that I have used below, and the other is purple and lime green which I will use when I have exhausted the possibilities of the pink/black.

I'm using different sized cards this year.  I usually use a 12cm square or a 15cm square.  This year I have decided to use a 10cm square and the standard A6 sizes.

I have gone for simple styles, I don't like anything too fussy.  I love the modern, contemporary feel of these papers - I have never been very keen on the traditional style with red, green and gold, or the really cute images either.

Altogether I managed to make 17 cards - not a bad afternoon's work.  I made 2 of each design where possible.  Some designs have not been scanned yet, waiting for the glitter glue to dry.  So more to show you another day.  I have to make around 70 cards, so still a way to go. That will keep me quiet over the next couple of days!

Have a great Sunday.

M x

More Blossom

Here are some more cards made with the Blossom kit from Craftwork Cards. The cards themselves are quite small, approximately 10cm x 10cm with a fancy edge. I wasn't sure about these edge cards to start with, but I really like them now, and the beauty is that you can have the decorative edge along the bottom or up the side.

These cards are very simple, just a thin strip of paper, a sentiment and (although you can't see it) a small amount of glitter. Actually it's more of a shimmer - I use a Sakura gel pen for this. It's one of my most used pens. Bit more subtle than glitter glue, although I do love glitter glue too!

I have just discovered a lovely new magazine called Mollie Makes. I've seen it mentioned on other blogs but had not been able to find it. Unfortunately I have missed out on Issue 1, but Issue 2 is gorgeous. I heartily recommend it. In fact, there is a really good subscription offer which is very enticing!

Hope you are having a good week. At least the weather has improved. I have had Edward's cricket whites permanently in for soaking or so it would seem, as he has had so many cricket matches in the last four days. Tomorrow he has an all day cricket tournament for the school. Why don't they make the cricket uniform a more practical colour - green for example!

M x

New Cards 1

Here are a couple of cards that I have made recently. I used Paula Pascual stamps called Simple Flowers and my trusty Cuttlebug and Nestabilities to cut the circles. The beauty of these cards is that they took minutes to make, and that they are very inexpensive. I finished the centre of the large flowers with foiled Candi from Craftwork Cards, and added a little bit of glitter glue to the centres of the smaller flowers.

I'm feeling very happy today as I have a new toy to play with - an early birthday present. It's a new laptop. My old one was a cast off from Mark's job and was painfully slow, sometimes it wouldn't boot up at all, other times it would just switch off with no warning - totally unreliable. Not helped by the fact that Chloe had bitten off one of the keys! Anyway, all my family are clubbing together and I am feeling very lucky indeed.

Take care everyone.

M x

Another day another card!

Can I keep this up I wonder? Probably not!

I made this card for my neighbour's daughter who was three on Saturday. All the products are by Craftwork Cards except the ribbon which I have had for ages. The range of paper is called Sorbet Scoop, and the elephant is a die cut from the range. I love using my Fiskars border punches, they are so useful, I wonder how I managed before.

Hope you have a great day.

M x