Missing in action

I have not been online much for the past couple of weeks, due to family commitments.
I have made the odd card while I have been away, using my new grand calibur and spellbinders dies....

for dads nurses

For mum

Who believes in fairies?

I absolutely adore these stamps!

Slowly getting to grips with the inks too, although I think I maybe a little heavy handed at times.
Need to get my head around the 'less is more' idea.

Variation on a theme

OK its official.....I am now a brayer addict!

Today I managed to use an image from my Joanna Sheen cd, dancing with shadows, imported it into my craft studio professional and created the perfect reflection.
So its cheating a little, but have you ever tried to get a perfect reflection with a brayer??

Pleased with the result I printed a few to play around with different colour schemes.

Almost impossible to pick a favourite.

I also revisted the fairy stamp I bought at Doncaster and put some more detailed elements in the background to look like mountains.

Shrink plastic is just fab!

A shiny new camera

I went out and treated myself to a new camera today.

What a difference it makes having 14 megapixels instead of a measly 2!!

I took some photos of the wedding cards I am making for someone at work. None of the cards have a greeting on the fron so I can personalise them at a later date.

This card was made using some beautiful pearlescent white card and mounted with a mat linen finish silver card. The flowers were made using a punch. The little bird embossing folder is perfect for wedding cards. A little ribbon and some gems to complete.

This card was made using the spellbinders in spades die. One of my favourites.

This card I did using an embossing board to create the diamond pattern and a simple nestie to cut out the aperture. The little flowers were made with a punch. When I made this card I was planning on it being a wedding card but it looked a little boring.....until I added the heart gems!

Maybe not a wedding card anymore but a fabulous birthday card.

Playtime

Had a full day of playtime today, with Sue, my crafting partner in crime.


The morning session consisted of lots of white, silver and pretty things, aimed at putting some wedding ideas together for a card someone has asked me to make.


 The afternoon was sat aside for the brayer!



Slowly getting to grips with it. struggle with making hills in the sky but practice makes perfect. The reflections are a little tricky too.


Here are a few pics showing one of the stamps I bought from the craft show at Doncaster.

I desperately need a new camera, to capture the sharpness and beautiful glitter.

Not before time!

Thought I had better make another blog entry since we have started another month.
The brayer technique has been on my mind and following an unsuccessful attempt, I bit the bullet and bought the same brayer that Barbara Gray uses. Oh My Goodness!!!  what a difference the right tools make, obviously you definately get what you pay for.

I bought the 4" speed ball brayer and recreated a card that Barbara made on create and craft a few weeks ago.

I used archival ink to stamp the deer images, Adirondack denim for the background brayering and wording. I also used a frost versamark underneath the verse although the photo doesnt show this to its true potential.

I used promarkers to give the deer some colour and patterns.

The only thing I would do differently in future is leave the stamped image longer to ensure its dry and invest in some clarity gloss coated card. I tried both glossy photo paper and crafters companion gloss card but my low tack tape left marks....maybe I need to change my low tack tape???

Here is more more eye candy I made a few weeks ago

Rupert image is from the Rupert Bear CD, mat and layered onto rainbow shimmer card and rainbow coloured card.

I mounted the topper onto a plain yellow card which I drew wavy black lines on, using a promarker, to look like Ruperts trousers.

I am going to a local craft fair today so who knows what I will return with.....

Been at it again

Treated myself to way too many goodies this week.

I have been toying with the idea of brayering and today I had my first attempt. Not happy with the result I settled with using cut and dry foam instead.

Here are a few pics of a card I created....

Lots of masking tape and plenty of patience. I used a Big & Juicy ink pad, mountain meadow.

 I used a selection of stamps from the Kanban Spring Silhouettes, the large tree for the main image and 3 of the smaller stamps from the set to create the background. and one of the Creative Expressions natures sentiments. All stamped with Jet Black Archival ink.

 Mat and layered using rainbow shimmer card and gloss black card. All mounted onto a white irredescent card blank. A Martha Stewart punch and a brad provides an embelishment, finished off with some simple clear gems.

Very pleased with the finished product :)

Been Busy

Today I have been playing nicely trying to sort out in to some kind of order, all the crafting gear I have.

I have also made a birthday card for 'mi Julie' however I cant remember if its for her mother or mother in law .

I made it using the Hunkydory butterfly jewels collection.

The big pick up

I picked up the stash yesterday. Would there have been one more bag I would have had to have left it behind. She wasnt kidding when she said I would need a big boot!!

It took me all night to sift through it all, there must be £100 pounds of ribbons alone, little bit disappointed that there was no stamping gear but plenty of card and pretty papers.
Kanban made a regular appearance, as did create and craft and redhotbed.

I also recieved the Humphrey CD from a friend yesterday and made some cards this morning.
I have attached a couple of pics :)

Bargains Galore!!

Well I sat looking through Ebay listings last night and happened upon quite the opportunity.

A lady was auctioning her entire crafting stash due to retirement and down sizing.

It claimed to be over £500 worth of stuff, so I put a maz bid of £70 quid on it. 30 mins later and its all mine for £58!!

Following communication with the seller I need to ensure I have a big boot!

I am picking it up from Brotherton on Wednesday.

I spent a few hours in my craft room this evening clearing space for all my new goodies.

All set

OK I have a few of the cards I made for Fathers Day to post on here.

I made them around 2 months ago but like to be prepared.

The top one I made using a freebie stamp from a crafty magazine and some coredinations card which I ran through my cuttlebug, finished with a piece of ribbon and two little brown buttons made by punching with an ordinary hole punch into off cuts fromm the coredinations card.

The second card I made with images from the Create and Craft Rupert CD, basic matting and layering and some simple little gems.

I particularly like using a brown ink pad as I feel it is softer on the eye and  maybe gives a more masculine look.

Another First!

Okay so this is my first post however, I have done a first post once before. A year ago, but do you think I can remember my log in details!!

So I now have a nice new blog to post some pics on.

I started making cards almost 2 years ago when I couldnt find a card with a motorbike on that I liked, so I decided to have a go at making my own.

Since that first card I have made probably nearing to a 1000 cards.

I went to my first crafting club last week and had a great time. Everyone was exchanging blog addresses.

It also occurred to me that I have no record of some of the beautiful cards I have made.

So the camera is plugged in and charging, ready for me to take some photos of the cards I still have and to record the cards I will make in the future.

Looking forward to my next post which should include some eye candy :)