I think I'm back on line!

Hi folks, I think (fingers crossed) that I'm now sorted with my new service provider.   After a lot of unplugging and plugging in and general messing about changing settings, today seems okay. 

Of late I've been very unproductive as regards paper crafting, I just don't feel the urge or have the creativity to get going, but I've not been totally idle!     I have wanted to try making jewellery for some time and with the help and advice from my DT mate Judith, who makes some stunning pieces, I've made a start......

These are my first pieces and I so enjoyed playing that, guess what....yes, I have just ordered more beads!  Actually, lots because they all look so nice!  It's a pity I didn't take a piccy of the bracelet undone, as I used two strands and plaited (probably not the right terminology) the beads which you can't see.  I used the Bug to cut foam mats for the earings so felt I would post in the Cupboard.  As for the JT - that's a story for another day!

Hope you're having a great BHM.

I might be missing....

I'm not sure if I will be about for the next couple of days due to changing over my phone/broadband service to another server.  BT assure me that it will not be a problem which will make a change from the problems I have been having with Talk Talk!  Fingers crossed!!

Spellbinder Summer Party 23rd to 27th May

The first links in the Spellbinder Summer Party giveaway starting 23rd May are:

Debbie Olsen
Latisha Yoast

Hope you'll  join in and someone will be lucky!

Tippy Thursday and a lesson in colouring

Hi, Thursday again and this morning I have something different for you.  Glenda Waterworth owner of Chocolate Baroque has today posted a tutorial on colouring which is sooooo good and when I've finished this post I off to look for my pencils!  Thanks Glenda for your video - your work is inspiring!

http://glendawaterworth.com/2011/05/18/whats-the-story-morning-glory/






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Spellbinders Summer Surprise! Announcement
You’re invited to a Party!
An exclusive die template release from May 23-27! Ten of Spellbinders’ amazing designers will contribute to the Summer Surprise posts and prizes!


Visit the Spellbinders Blog daily from May 23-27, to enter the daily contests. Daily winners will receive all five of these fantastic die templates, the actual featured projects and a copy of Nestabilities Basics and Beyond, our latest book!

I will post links for you on Sunday 22nd - entering is free and you COULD BE A WINNER!

Now it's Caitlin's Birthday!

Today I have been working on my eldest Granddaughter Caitlin's birthday card - Caitlin is 8 on Friday and very excited to be reaching this great age!  I thought Mo Manning digi image ideal for an excited 8 year old and I just love the dog!

I'm finding my Grand Nestie Squares really useful for matting and layering - they are saving me messing about trying to get things square!   I know some folks are good at this, but me....not so!

I always feel chuffed when I manage to use something in the drawer - it makes buying the item seem worthwhile.   This is what I got out to cut the sentiment - it's called Birthday Wishes by Provocraft and includes a candle embossing folder and the word die.  To achieve the two tone effect I cut two different colours, then because I'd placed DST on the back of my card before cutting, mixing the colours was easy. 

Megan's in the Cupboard

Hi, I have to apologize for the lack of blogging in the Cupboard - life is throwing a number of things at me that are taking up my time.

However, I'm hoping that I've sorted many of my committments and my crafting will soon be back on track!

This is something that I've done recently for my Granddaughter who was 5 on Sunday.  I've not done any scrapping before and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it  - and she liked the monster!

 

I have been watching the Serif Craft Artist Platinium demos on C&C this week and download a few free digi kits.  Interesting and very clever -  I might indulge myself - well I have been working hard and we all deserve a treat or two! (lol) 

Thanks to you all for your recent visits, I hope to post tomorrow.

St Lukes Charity Card Appeal

I was awarded a winner's banner for my card for St. Lukes Charity Card Challenge last month, which I was delighted to receive and wanted to share this with you because if you can help them they would be very grateful.

The challenge this month is to make a card with patterns.....

 You will notice that I have used a Marianne Creatable die frame. 

I cut one in black  -  taped the cut out pieces in place before removing the cut from the die,

then added a white die cut over it to make the cuts stand out.
I also used 2 MC butterfly dies - by cutting and embossing a double layer, it gave the paper cut some strength for shaping the wings.

Thanks St. Lukes and good luck with your worth cause.

Award

An award from Valerie
and Val - thank you ladies - I very much appreciated you thinking of me and for your support and encouragement.



Step 1 - Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award!
Step 2 - Share 7 random things about yourself
Step 3 – Award 7 recently discovered bloggers with this award
Step 4 – Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won the award

Apart from crafting my other hobby is Crown Green Bowling
I'm very fussy about getting things straight
I  organized a Jubilee street party for 350 folks - it was fun but I lost my voice for 5 days afterwards!
I went back to college at 40
Weddings make me cry
I love creme caramels
I hate mobile phones

I'm passing this award on to these ladies, all craft addicts and who produce beautiful creative artwork - pop over and say hello - you will not be disappointed.
Ann
Eileen
Eva
Heather
Jules
Julie
Paula

Friday's Followers Gallery

The card I'm putting in my FFG today is this lovely artwork from
Eileen showing great use of a circle die to create a moon!

As well as some super stamping and a great layout,

Eileen has used a brayer to create her background, an art that she has perfected.

  If you pop over to her blog  you will find some delightful work. 

 Thanks Eileen for allowing me of show off your fab card. 

Alphabet Dies

I have been making a card for a friend who is retiring from work this week .......

I know from experience that folks like their names on cards, so I started cutting letters with my Olivia Provocraft Alphabet dies in white card....they looked lost....so I cut again in red and shadowed the letters on the white....still not right, so I cut again in the charcoal grey that I'd used for the mat....and BINGO!  I reminded myself of my Grannie's saying "if at first......try again".   Those were happy days! 

I've not tried this way of using letters before, but it works well and if you use double sided  tape the letters easily join together and easy to place on your card.  Another first, but not the last!