WOYWW

Oh dear!  This is what greeted me this morning when I opened my craft room door.....

As many of you will know, we have been redecorating our bedroom and buying new furniture.  Hence I have inherited a new chest - this is what throw the room into confusion!  I started moving this and shifting that, even got to hooving the bit where the chest is and then I was ill.  There is a bug going round our bowling club and lucky (!) me picked it up.  After two days of ..... and ..... I feel completely empty and weak - but my boiled water and dry toast breakfast this morning will probably sort me out!
My desk

this is how I left it.  I thought I'd try make-up sponges with DI's - not sure if they will work - £1 from Poundland.  The papers are BG and you may just catch a glimse of one of my new stamps.

These are four more stamps from the NEC and a completed card using another new stamp from Elusive Image stamp.
Well that's all WOYWW'ers, think I'm going back to bed! Being bitten by one Bug is bad enough, but to catch another is just not on! If you are not yet a WOYWW'er - why not check out the link on my sidebar and join us?  Catch up with you soon.

Cuttlebug, Nestabilities - Borderabilities

Good morning, not sure where the Spring has gone, have you got it?  Here it's cold, grey and wet!

My card today will make you think of better days....I've use another one of the Lavender stamps from Sheena Douglass.

For the card:
6 x 6 White Linen card
CB folder: Swiss Dots
Spellbinder: Borderabilities Spades Die
Decorative paper
Creative Expressions - Lavender Stamps Set
Gems, ribbon and Inks

After finding the lyrics of old ryhme Lavender Blue, I copied and pasted to my PC.  Then I changed the spacing and font and printed the verse on a decorative paper to give that bit of extra interest and togetherness.  This made a mat for the bottom of the card,  for the top half  - emboss with the Swiss Dots folder.  This folder is one of the few where you can emboss the whole or part of a larger card.  If you have not used this technique - check out the labels section - Making a 6 x 6 card.

With the Spades die cut a white border and one from the DP, and place the offsets of one into the other (you will see this in the above picture).  You then have one for the front and one for the inside!

I made two tags, on one I stamped the image and using the same stamp shadowed round the edge,  then with Cut'n'Dry foam inked the edges again.   To the acetate tag  - a few gems, then all I needed was a bow!

A fresh looking, summery card to brighten the day!

Thanks for dropping by, hope you enjoy your day whatever you are doing.

It's a boy!

 Hello Jenson......

 Welcome to the world!

The image for the card was a digital from the very talented Chris Dark at  Sketching Stamper Digi Stamps that I coloured with Promarkers and then triple embossed. (yet, again!)
then I used - Nestabilities Labels 2
                    CB - Vintage Corners
                    CB - Alphabet Harmony
                    DP  - K & Co Wedding Collection

NB:  In answer to a question   FAO: MUNKEEZMAMA

Thanks for your comment.  You asked about the card I used for my Mice birthday card - it was a texture called "leather" (I think) - but sorry I can't tell you where I got it from.  You should be able to find it in most craft shops.  Couldn't reply direct you left no contact address. 

Friday - Followers' Gallery

Sorry I missed my Tippy Thursday post, but I had a late offer of a lift to the NEC Craft fair and how could I resist.  Wow, what a day!  Tiring but some super crafting goodies on offer -watch this space - I was tempted to buy!  I cannot wait to get crafting - new stamps and things certainly give that feeling good factor.

Today, I want to show you a card that I found when visiting a Cupboard follower.   Max left me a comment  - so I popped over there and this is what I found.

Great card Max,  love the way you have used the Happy Birthday folder, your stamping, layout, and card style is fab.  Thanks for sharing and I'm real pleased to add your card to the Gallery.

WOYWW

Well - it's Wednesday again and WOYWW time!

I've had a busy week "messing" about with my new SD stamps. Here's my desk....

it looks pretty unmessy I hear you say....but take a look round

I sort of spread!  The only things not covered were my cards.  I just had to have a tied up!  I was so keen to get started with the new stamps that I started this and then started that, and then started again.  In the end, although I managed to finished one card - I found that I had no lightbox moments (or Ping as Paula would say) left!  Starting again was the only option....

so this is my desk this morning and the room is looking less cluttered now, but still no ping!  Hopefully later something will click!. 

If you enjoy chatting and having a nosey at how others craft - why not join us on WOYWW.  Click on the link on the side bar.  See you over there....and thanks for dropping by.   

I

Thoughts - Lavender Stamps

Lavender has always been a favourite of mine, not only do I love the perfume, but the flower and leaf colours are varied and beautiful.  I have a Lavender border in my garden, that when you brush past you get a lovely scent. My oil burner is topped up with Lavender oil  to help me relax and get to sleep.  Is it any wonder I like Sheena's stamps! I asked you yesterday, did you remember the lyrics....

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green,

When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.
Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?
Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.

Call up your men, dilly, dilly, set them to work
Some with a rake, dilly, dilly, some with a fork.
Some to make hay, dilly, dilly, some to thresh corn.
While you and I, dilly, dilly, keep ourselves warm.

Lavender's green, dilly, dilly, Lavender's blue,
If you love me, dilly, dilly, I will love you.
Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly, And the lambs play;
We shall be safe, dilly, dilly, out of harm's way.

I love to dance, dilly, dilly, I love to sing;
When I am queen, dilly, dilly, You'll be my king.
Who told me so, dilly, dilly, Who told me so?
I told myself, dilly, dilly, I told me so.

. 
You may have heard this version.....but have you heard this....
The earliest surviving version of the song is in a broadside printed in England between 1672 and 1685, under the name Diddle Diddle, Or The Kind Country Lovers, this is the first of ten verses:


Lavenders green, Diddle, diddle,
Lavenders blue
You must love me, diddle, diddle,
cause I love you,
I heard one say, diddle, diddle,
since I came hither,
That your and I, diddle, diddle,
must lie together

I'd not heard this before!  Wonder what the other 9 verses said!!

I thought a good way to use these words with the stamps was to copy them and then print them over DP to give added interest to the stamps.

Now being in a very relaxed mood - I shall craft diddle diddle!

Cuttlebug Cupboard - Sheena Douglass stamps

One of my favourite crafters is Sheena Douglass - I like her experimental and fun approach to crafting, her sharing of tips and techniques and encouragement to mess about with the products.  And, then, of course there are her stamps!

Having just received one of her stamp plates, Lavender - this was what I came up with.....

Materials used:

8" x 4" Black card

CB folder D'vine Swirls

Scoreboard

Stamps: Lavender - Creative Express

Promarkers

Glue, Ribbon

Black  and Clear Embossing Power

I started  by debossing one edge of the card with the D'Vine Swirls, then finished the pattern with a few scoreboard lines.  On the other edge I stamped one of the images with a clear Ink-it-up pad and embossed with black powder. 

Next the stamped image  - coloured with Promarkers, and then triple embossed.

I wanted the mat to make the image stand out - so as well as mounting on 3D pads, I added an irregular amount of Prit stick glue to the edges of the mat and then black embossing powder. 

You can see the results you get with this method.  I also did this on the edge of the base card.

My finished card.....

Lavender Blue.....can you remember the rest of the lyrics?  I tell you tomorrow.

Messing about was fun - thanks Sheena!

Friday - a few answers

Good morning, is Spring really here? It's a beautiful morning here in North Staffordshire - bright, sunny and WARM! Hip, hip, hooray!  This is what we want and need to boost our crafting spirits!

Last week I  made this card which many of you liked - it was my pre Spring card .  I've had a number of queries about the embossing folder I used and where you can get it. If you click on the shop link on my sidebar and then go to embossing folders you will find details of the Crafts-too-you folders that are available. I really like these folders, they are slightly bigger than the Provocraft CB folders and don't seem to crease as much, I think this is because the pattern is not as deeply embossed. Saying that, if you look at this card you will see the embossing is lovely.

A question also about the stamp:  This is one of four stamps in a set called "Viva La Flora Collection" from darkroom door.    A bit expensive, but beautifully packed in their own tin box!  

Sorry I have not been able to reply direct to some folks, but you left no contact details. 

Spellbinder Nestabilitie Dies - BIG Scallops Lg and Sm

BIG SCALLOPED SQUARES LG  S4-253

Big Scalloped Squares LG, a set of 7 square shaped Nestabilities® die templates. Each side of the square features 4 ⅞" wide scallops, which scale down as the die size deceases

Coordinate with S4-126 Classic Squares LG and S4-254 Big Scalloped Squares, SM.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½", which becomes a ¼" border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼". Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛" borders when layering.

Approximate die template sizes:
1. ⅝" Square
2. 1⅛"
3. 1⅝"
4. 2¼"
5. 2¾"
6. 3¼"
7. 3⅞"

BIG SCALLOPED SQUARES SM S4-254

Big Scalloped Squares SM, a set of 7 square shaped Nestabilities® die templates. Each side of the square features 4⅞" wide scallops, which scale down as the die size deceases.

Coordinate with S4-128 Classic Squares SM and S4-253 Big Scalloped Squares, LG.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½", which becomes a ¼" border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼". Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛" borders when layering.

Approximate die template sizes:
1. ⅜" Square
2. ⅞"
3. 1¼"
4. 2⅛"
5. 2½"
6. 3⅛"
7. 3⅝"
--------------

BIG SCALLOPED OVALS LG  S4-251

This set of 5 Nestabilities™ die templates features scalloped cutting and embossing edges in an Oval shape. Big Scalloped Ovals LG have 10 half circle curves along the outer edge of the Oval shape. Big Scalloped Ovals LG will bring a soft and delicate look to your oval art.

Big Scalloped Ovals LG stack and layer with the S4-112 Classic Ovals LG and S4-252 Big Scalloped Ovals SM die template sets.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½", which becomes a ¼" border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼". Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛" borders when layering.

Approximate Die Template Sizes:
1. 1⅛ x ¾"
2. 1¾ x 1⅜"
3. 2½ x 1⅞"
4. 3¼ x 2½"
5. 4 x 3"

BIG SCALLOPED OVALS SM S4-252

This set of 5 Nestabilities™ die templates features scalloped cutting and embossing edges in an Oval shape. Big Scalloped Ovals SM have 10 half circle curves along the outer edge of the Oval shape. Big Scalloped Ovals SM will bring a soft and delicate look to your oval art.

Big Scalloped Ovals SM stack and layer with the S4-114 Classic Ovals SM and S4-251 big Scalloped Ovals LG die template sets.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½", which becomes a ¼" border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼". Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛" borders when layering.

Approximate Die Template Sizes:
1. ¾ x ½"
2. 1½ x 1⅛"
3. 2⅛ x 1⅝"
4. 2¾ x 2⅛"
5. 3⅝ x 2⅝"
--------------------------------

BIG SCALLOPED CIRCLES LG   S4-249

Big Scalloped Circles LG offer a 6 piece Nestabilities® die template set of scalloped edge Circles. There are 12 scallops on each die template, scaled down as the die templates decrease in size by ¼". The largest die template features ⅞" wide scallops.

This die template set coordinates with S4-114 Standard Circles LG and S4-250 Big Scalloped Circles SM. S4-124 Classic Scalloped Circles LG and S4-115 Petite Scalloped Circles LG offer different sized scallops.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½”, which becomes a ¼” border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼”. Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛” borders when layering.

Approximate Die Template Sizes:
1. 1⅛"
2. 1½"
3. 2⅛"
4. 2½ "
5. 3⅛"
6. 3½"

BIG SCALLOPED CIRCLES SM S4-250

Big Scalloped Circles SM offer a 6 piece Nestabilities® die template set of scalloped edge Circles. There are 12 scallops on each die template, scaled down as the die templates decrease in size by ¼". The largest die template features ⅞" wide scallops.

This die template set coordinates with S4-116 Standard Circles SM and S4-249 Big Scalloped Circles LG. S4-125 Classic Scalloped Circles SM and S4-117 Petite Scalloped Circles SM offer different sized scallops.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½", which becomes a ¼" border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼". Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛" borders when layering.

Approximate Die Template Sizes:
1. ¾"
2. 1¼"
3. 1¾"
4. 2⅜"
5. 2⅞"
6. 3¼"

-------------------------

BIG SCALLOPED RECTANGLES  LG S4-255

Big Scalloped Rectangles LG, a set of 5 Nestabilities® scalloped rectangular shaped die templates. Each side features ⅞" scallops, which scale down as the die size decreases.

This set coordinates with S4-132 Classic Rectangles LG and S4-256 Big Scalloped Rectangles SM.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½", which becomes a ¼" border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼". Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛" borders when layering.

Approximate die template sizes:
1. 1¼ x 1⅛"
2. 2 x 1⅝"
3. 2¾ x 2⅛"
4. 3½ x 2¾"
5. 4⅛ x 3⅜"

BIG SCALLOPED RECTANGLES SM  S4-256

Big Scalloped Rectangles SM, a set of 5 Nestabilities® scalloped rectangular shaped die templates. Each side features ⅞" scallops, which scale down as the die size decreases.

This set coordinates with S4-130 Classic Rectangles SM and S4-255 Big ScallopedRectangles LG.

The difference between die template sizes within a Nestabilities® set is ½", which becomes a ¼" border when layering. The difference between LG and SM Nestabilities® sets is ¼". Combining both the LG and SM sets of Nestabilities® will allow for ⅛" borders when layering.

Approximate die template sizes:
1. 1 x ¾"
2. 1¾ x 1⅜"
3. 2⅜ x 1⅞"
4. 3¼ x 2½"
5. 4 x 3⅛"


Hope this will lighten the confusion!  I have taken all the details from the Spellbinder site.

WOYWW

Here we go again, WOYWW.  If you need a cheer to start your day; if you think you're the only crafter in the world to work in difficult conditions; if you think you're the  most messiest, untidy crafter in the world - or  you might be the most tidy of crafters working in the most ideal workroom  and have solved all your storage problems.  Whatever, why not pop over to WOYWW (link on sidebar) and join our fun - share your crafting space with us!  You'll find you're not alone others craft like you!!

I've been busy....

It's gone! (but the settee still remains a shelf).

It's gone to here - at last!

In this little storage area  I have four boxes.  Here I keep my embossing tools, powders, etc.,  My lightbox - little used these days!  Large envelopes and packing stuffs, and in one box all the cards that I cannot bear to throw away and which when I discover them again give me pleasure thinking of my family and friends.  The top of the boxes is a useful and handy place to keep a folder.  The folder houses peeloffs, stickers, and sentiments which does get in a mess if I'm too lazy to put things away, but is also quite easy to sort out!

As for my desk - this is how I found it this morning.  Quite tidy - it doesn't look like much is going on!  On the left are some decoupage embellishments drying.  I recently lashed out on some Pinflair glue so I thought it was time to open the package.  I still think this is expensive, but it's quick and easy to use and you don't have the mess of little bits of paper everywhere.  In the middle is my small guillotine, I've been cutting up thin strips of printed sentiments, and on the right is a pile of stuff that I'm working on, but not getting anywhere with!!  Funny how some days you can't make decisions and then on others things are just right from the start.

Now it's back to the bedroom....the new headboard has just this minute arrived!  Hope it looks as good as it did in the shop!!  Have a happy day whatever you are doing...see you soon.

Cuttlebug - Embossing Folders

Embossing folders can be used in different ways - you can emboss a mat and layer on your card, or you can emboss direct on to your card.  This is the method that I favour.  To get more use out of your folders you could try this......

This picture show the positioning of the folder.  Doing it this way enables you to get the folder right up to the centre fold - the card and folder are then past through the Bug. 

This is a card made using this method.  Thinking of you and sympathy cards are already difficult.  You want to say something, but not go over the top.  Simplicity is my answer! 

Folder: Swiss Dots
Image:  Chris Dark - Bluebells - partial coloured
Distress Ink:  Weathered Wood

This next card is again made using the same method with the same image coloured differently, but a different folder.

The folder is D'vine Swirls - a great around folder for any occasion.  But, here again you can ring the changes

Here is the embossed pattern that is mostly used.

 This is the debossed pattern which I have used for a different look.

Not all folders can be used sideways on your cards, some patterns like leaves, birds or hearts would be going the wrong way!  You can, however, use folders from the bottom, but this does mean having to cut the joint, but it can be retape!  The small 2" x 2" folders are more useful if separated (check out one of my anniversary cards on the Labels sidebar: Love and Marriage) - but warning retape them after use or you could lose the pieces!

Have a good day....

Cuttlebug embossing - Spring

It's beginning to feel like spring!  This must have influenced my mood this week, because on this card I've gone for a bright, cheerful, fresh green DP and a stamped image by Darkroom Door.  On crisp white Linen cardstock embossed with the Daisy folder from Crafts-2-you , I think you will agree this is a defo card for Spring day!

The image is stamped on glossy photographic card using an Airondack ink pad. I have found that I get super results combining this type of card with these inks, because the image dries almost instantly - this means no smudging!

Well back to my desk....I'm scheming for tomorrow.....!?!?!?....Hope you have a great day.

Nestabilities - Octagon Classic and Scallop Dies

You're right  -  It's for a boy!

On this card I've used the Baby folder to emboss 2/3rd of the front, embossed 3 lines with a scoreboard  and then with a SU punch made a decorative edge.  On the inside I did the same punched pattern on DP.  Very quick and easy, but effective! 

Nestabilities Octagon classic and scalloped dies make a simple mat for a stamped image, and because of the baby folder you don't need a sentiment!

I think this is a classic baby card.  What do you think?

Tippy Thursday - Triple Embossing

Hi, what a difference a day makes!  Today the sun is shining, and my men from yesterday have departed leaving me just the one loveable hunk.  We are warm at last - the bathroom and porch windows and door are fitted and the central heating is back on.  I did have lots of calls yesterday, but they were of the solving  not the mithering sort.  Thanks for all your lovely messages, your support cheered me no end!  AND, some even made me laugh - you are a witty lot!

Now it TT and as you know I do a regular post passing on news I've heard or seen or ideas that have just jumped into my head, but today I going to answer a question that I have been asked about Triple Embossing.  When you know how to do a technique you assume that others already know how to, but just in case you don't  ....  this is what you need.

A heat resistant mat is a good idea - you can also use this when using Distress and Alcohol Inks.  They save your surface and clean up beautifully.

A heat gun

Stamp Pad - I use clear Ink it Up (only because I already had 2 in my stash), but if you are buying there are other makes like Versamark and Perfect Medium which are possibly better - they seem to be stickier!

Embossing Powder -  I use Cosmic shimmer Clear and also Cosmic Shimmer Ultra Thick Clear, but any colour or make works. You can also emboss with the clear and then add a pinch of coloured powder to your last coat.  This is how I acheived this look with a die cut heart.

You can triple emboss a coloured stamped image (click on Triple Embossing on the Labels sidebar and have a look at my cards) or a die cut.  You can also emboss thick card and then stamp into it - I've seen this done but haven't tried it yet - it's just another one of those things on my list - I'm sure you will know what it mean because I'm betting you have a list too!

When you have stamped and coloured your image, you ink it over with the clear embossing pad and then add a layer of powder.  I do this over a piece of paper with a centre crease so it tips back into the pot easier. Now you melt the powder keeping the gun about 3" away and in one spot -as soon as the powder melts move on to the next spot.  If using a fine powder you have to do this three times, or you can use the Thick powder and reduce the layers.  This powder works best if you melt from underneath, otherwise it tends to fly! 

There you have it!  You probably have most of the things you need somewhere in your cupboard.  If you are interested in the cost of some of these items - click on the sidebar of my supplier and have a look around.  Liz stocks most of these things and her prices are reasonable and the service excellent. 

Well that all folks, now I'm off to do some wallpapering.  Hope the paste sticks as well as my triple embossing powder! 

Back soon, have a good day whatever you are doing.

WOYWW

Do you ever think you are being overtaken by "other things" when all you want to do is sit blogging and playing with  your "craft things"?  My life is like that at the moment.  Today I have 2 men knocking out windows, 1 man watching footie, and another man due to arrive any time to mend the central heating which decided to breakdown yesterday.  With the bathroom window and side porch windows and door gone, the garage door open and the heating off - it's what you would call COLD today.  On top of that we have not finished decorating the bedroom 

as you can see the paper is still on the sofa!  Things started to go pear shaped when the bed got moved to paint, and we discovered after many years that it looked and fitted better in the new spot than the old! This meant that the furniture we were going to have didn't fit, so back to the drawing board.   But, after measuring this and that, moving this and that, and moving this and that back, I think we've solved it! (fingers crossed and all that). Now all we need to do now is to sell some! 

Anyway, my desk on WOYWW

I did manage two cards yesterday made with my new stamps, and I was planning a third which I'm sure Julia will notice.  The card with black bits on is one that went wrong - slim cards will not take triple embossed panels.  The ink pads were left out in frustration because I was trying to stamp on acetate.  The stazon pad decided that I needed a new one!  The memento and archival wouldn't dry and the acetate wasn't heatproof.  

In the end things got left and I went out bowling and guess what - we lost our match!

Two other annoying things happened yesterday, one I had a visit from a Talk Talk representative trying to get me to sign a contact with them, but I'm with Tiscali (who are now Talk Talk) so I was a little confused!!  On top of that she wanted me to pay a connection fee of (only she said) £29.99, but I aready connected to them aren't I? And, the freebie router, I  don't want either because I have just bought one - she was very annoyed when Dave said NO, and said she had wasted her time on us....!!! pardon !!!  Whose time?  I hadn't asked her to knock on my door, mind you if she had come today she wouldn't have had to knock - there's no door, it's on the drive.

The other thing was a email I received from supposedly the Inland Revenue saying I had a tax refund due of £988. 46 - great news, I just needed to fill in a claim form with my details!  Think this is SPAM!  Apparently it been on the tele and radio - so I thought I warn you. 

I'm sure things will improve as the day goes on.....