Birthday Butterflies

Aft'noon Peeps!

Three posts in one week! I'm on a bit of an energy kick at the mo. I'm hoping to post a bit more often. We'll see....

Just finished another commission for Crafts Beautiful, all I need to do now is to check the instructions and it's ready to post. Then I must start getting on with Christmas cards before I start the next commission. Loving all this creativity!

Here is today's creation. I made it for my Auntie Elma's birthday. I haven't really done butterflies in the past, but I fell in love with this stamp set.

The cloud paper is by American Crafts, the ink pads are Violet, Lime and Mountain Lake by Versacolor and the stamps are Butterflies and Blooms by Craftwork Cards. The card is an A6 portrait top fold. Teal card, purple ribbon, teal twine a few adhesive gems and a rub-on sentiment were used.

The clarity of these stamps is amazing, even when using a normal pigment ink rather than a Versafine. The stamp set has the patterned butterflies, but also some solid ones so you could stamp in layers!

Righto, off to make a brew. Thanks for popping in!

Colette x

Floral Best Wishes

Hello!!! Today's card is a birthday card I made for my Auntie Jean. I've had the stamps for a while and have been itching to use them. As usual with me, I wanted to use really bright funky colours, I knew what I wanted, but did I have the right paper? You know how it is, all the papers/card/stamps etc. you have, you never have the exact pattern/shade/image.

I remembered I had recently purchased an Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 pad by American Crafts. The colours were just what I was looking for. The stamps are the Friendly Flowers set by Paper Smooches and the black ribbon is seam binding (great if you dampen it, scrunch it up and dry with a heat gun). It was then a matter of stamping, heat embossing and colouring the images in with Promarkers.

I had great fun creating this card, and speaking to my Auntie Jean, she was thrilled. Hope you like and thanks for having a peep!  Colette x

Feel Better Soon Card

Mornin' all!

Today I'm showcasing a card I made for a lovely lady, Dawn. She works in a craft shop near to where my Mum & Dad live in Yorkshire. When I took Emily back home, I popped up to the shop. I knew Dawn wouldn't be there as she's recovering from a recent op, so I took this card and a friend who also works in the craft shop passed it on.

With the fold at the top of a white square scalloped card, I trimmed off both sides. The paper is from the Springtime 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park and the stamps are from the Healthy Vibes set by Paper Smooches. I stamped the images in black ink and heat embossed with clear powder, then coloured in with Promarkers. It was finished off with a length of shocking pink grosgrain knotted under the image.

I was aiming for fresh colours with a clean and simple look and I was really pleased with the result.

Thank you for stopping by!

Colette xx

My Niece Emily & Crafts Beautiful September 2012

Aft'noon Peeps!

Well, it's been a tiring but fun filled couple of weeks. My nine year old niece Emily came to stay with us on the 21st July. I'm taking her back home to Yorkshire this coming Friday. I wonder if I will have six hours of non stop blabbing, singing and alphabet games on the way like last year?

Emily isn't here at the moment, Simon has taken her to Bewilderwood for the day, it's only at Hoveton (nr Wroxham) so they didn't have to set off early. Not sure what time they will be back or what state of collapse Simon will be in.

We've had a couple of days crafting, and yesterday she made a head band. I showed her how to make gathered fabric flowers, she picked fabrics centred around pinks and lilacs and away she went. I promised her I would post it on my blog for all to see.

I think she has done a magnificent job. She is going to show my sister Yvonne how to make the flowers.

Emily is also obsessed with our spa bath. Well, more like obsessed with creating mountains of bubbles. Anyway, the other night she decided to do an 'Afro look', here are a couple of head shots.

Very 'cool', Emily!! She also did and Elvis 'quiff', which was hilarious and happened to be my favourite, the Afro is funny though.

On another note, have you seen the September issue of Crafts Beautiful? Here is a peek at my new home cards in this issue.

I just loved creating these. The Dwelling stamp set by Claudine Hellmuth is a particular favourite of mine. They are so versatile, you could actually create a snowy house scene for Christmas cards.

The September is packed, as always with fantastic projects, hints and tips. For more crafting ideas visit Crafts Beautiful. Along with downloadable templates for all projects, including the house shaped card, bird house and sun and cloud motifs used in my feature.

I've got another couple of cards to show you, but I'll pop them on my next post (hopefully next week - after a few days 'rest').

Take care all and thanks for popping by!

Colette xx 

A New Look!!!

Evenin' Peeps!

Well, I've been pondering for a while whether to change the look and colour scheme of my blog. After much searching I've found a background that is just what I'm looking for. The colours are perfect and I love birds and bird cages. So here we are!!

I hope you like :)

Colette xx

A Bit Obsessed With Flowers....

Hi Chums!

I know I said I was going to post soon after the last one, but I just don't know where the time went! Simon's been off on hols for this last week, the weather has been a bit up and down, so we've had a few days out and some pottering around at home, plus, I've had an extra commission to do for Crafts Beautiful - busy busy busy!  I have managed to do a bit of gardening and catching up with the plants. Though I still have some new pond plants to pot (I'm sure they are not bothered about all the rain).

I don't think we're going to get any apples or plums this year, we had plenty of blossom, but with all the wet weather the bees haven't had chance to pollinate the flowers. Oh dear, we'll have to wait and see. It's a shame because the apple tree produces the most wonderful Granny Smiths.

Right, onto the cards. I've got a bit of a thing about making shabby chic roses at the moment, it's so relaxing sitting scrunching and twiddling paper. The first is a birthday card I made for Simon's Mum.

The flowers are a mix of punched and handmade shabby roses in various papers.They were  randomly attached along the top half of the card, then finished with some flat backed pearls and a rub-on sentiment.

Patterned papers - Country Drive; Hello Summer; Summer Days - Echo Park

Dies - Chinese Roses - Marianne Design Creatables

This next card I made just for the sake of it (plus good chance to make more roses). It is only 9cm x 12cm, perfect for a thank you or note card. I kept it quite simple, using a background paper that would not distract from the floral corner.

I chose a 6x6 paper collection with small design, which would be more suitable for a small card. Again the roses are made with the Chinese Rose die. It was then finished off with a simple flat bow.

Patterned Papers - Green at Heart - Basic Grey

Dies - Chinese Roses - Marianne Design Creatables

Lastly, this is a wedding card I made for someone I know. Not really being into the over sentimental slushy cards, I again kept this really simple.

I think the colours are unusual for a wedding card, blues, red, brown, lime and white. But it does work. For the roses, I matched solid card to three of the colours in the paper.

The paper was attached to the lower right hand side of the card, I die cut a heart on the left hand side of a smaller piece of white card (missing off the edge of the heart) and then embossed it with a dot design. This piece was then adhered onto the patterned paper.

The card was finished off with a stamped sentiment, a diamante and a brown scrunched bow.

Patterned paper - Alora - Bo Bunny

Dies - Homespun Hearts - X-Cut

Embossing folder - Swiss Dots - Cuttlebug

Well, that is it from me at the moment. I'm on with another commission for Crafts Beautiful.

Hope you like the cards, thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Colette x

Pirates, Parrots & Booty!

Aft'noon Peepsicles! Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I have been really busy with my commissions for Crafts Beautiful and I haven't been well recently (I'm ok now). Anyway, here is a peep at my Pirate themed projects in this month's Crafts Beautiful. For more crafting ideas visit Crafts Beautiful

I had such fun drawing these illustrations. The only thing is, when I drew the foliage on the branch that the parrot is sat on, I only did five leaves. When I sat back and looked at it, it looked like cannabis!! So a sixth leaf was included post haste. Simon loves the parrot, he thinks it looks peed off.

As usual, the magazine is full of other inspiring projects, articles, hints and tips. The August issue is out now. You can download the illustrations and other templates from the magazine from the website. You need to register (free) to download, once registered you can join the forum and have a chat and you can also download free patterned papers.

Simon and I went to the Royal Norfolk Show on Thursday. It was great going round the animal shows, the pigs were hilarious and I HAD to go into the chicken tent. There was also an art exhibition with some beautiful artwork (beautiful prices too). We then called into a few trade stands (free Pimms on offer - yum) talking to people from companies Simon deals with. Then off to the Members Enclosure for some lunch and a few more glasses of Pimms (not free). All jolly good fun :)

We've been lucky with the weather the last few years on show days and this year was no exception, it was glorious. Hope you've had good weather where you are and not got too wet with all the rain.

Well, I'm off now, coffee calling. I have a couple of cards to show you in my next post (hopefully tomorrow).

Take care and happy crafting!

Colette

Roses, a Monster and Herb!

Hello Chums!

I know, I know, two posts in one week! Wow, I must be on a roll. This one's a whopper too, with two cards and loads of piccies - whay!

Straight down to it then, the first card is a birthday card for a very dear and close friend, June. I designed this with her in mind, and I'm sure she will like it.

I made the three roses using the English Rose dies by Marianne Design Creatables, the roses and all the other paper elements were made using the Madeline 6x6 pad by Prima. The top note label behind the roses was cut using a die from the Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One set. A length of cotton crochet lace, a pearl gem, a rub-on sentiment and an antique key were used to finish the card. Here are some close ups (getting all arty now with the 'ol photography).

I scrunched up the paper after die cutting the roses, then after rolling up, I bent the petals to give them a more aged, shabby chic look.



The butterflies were cut out of a butterfly design paper, I then layered them up, bending the wings slightly and finished with a pearl gem

I saw a pack of these darling antique keys by Creative Expressions and HAD to have.

Right, on to the next card, which is a stark contrast to the one above. This is for a young male relative (though it could work for the bigger boys). I thought all boys love monsters and instead of doing the usual trains, cars etc .....  a monster it will be!



 

The papers and journaling sprouts are from the Jillibean Soup Monster Stew collection and the sentiment is from the Hero Arts Monster Fun stamp set. After stamping the sentiment onto white card, I punched it out using a circle punch and mounted it onto one of the journaling sprouts, I then arranged it with a couple of more sprouts and attached to the front of a square black card blank. I hand cut some stars and an arrow, mounted them onto black card and then fixed them to the card, finally finishing with some purple twine wrapped and knotted on the left side.

Here are some more close ups....



On the inside, I created a simple sentiment, using die cut scallop circles (to mirror the monster sprout on the front) a rub-on and a scattering of hand cut stars. Ta da!!

Now then, you're probably wondering who Herb is. Well this is where we get silly. I was up at the local farm shop last week and I was picking some tomatoes and I came across this one......



.....well, I had to get it didn't I? So then, I put some googly eyes on it (I need to get out more methinks).

Looks good, but I don't know, not sure about the toupee and the eyes seem a bit wide, so I removed the toupee and turned him over, repositioned the 'ol eyes.....





.....that's better. He looks like a Herb, so that's what I've called him. I think he's really cute. Though he's still sat in our fridge, going a bit mushy now :( Oh well, he had a happy, if short life........................might be still edible. I'll put him in a ham sarnie for Simon tomorrow, bwa ha ha hah!

Enough silliness for today, I'm off now for a well deserved coffee, and a chocolate digestive mmmmm. Have a great weekend, will post back soon. Colette xx



Crafts Beautiful July 2012

Aft'noon peeps!

After a glorious few days, the sun has gone! Boo hoo! I know the gardens want some much needed rain, but it was lovely whilst it lasted, and I got so much done. BUT I did get caught out when I was linseed oiling the patio furniture, the word lobster comes to mind!

I'm not a sun bather, even though I have black hair, I have pale skin and eyes, so I tend to burn easy. Freckles tend to come out and have a wild party all over my face. Usually I'm very careful when out in the sun, but Mr Sneaky got me on Saturday, grrr!

Anyhoo! Here are my projects from the July issue of Crafts Beautiful - out now.

I noticed there wasn't a picture of the 'I love u' card, so I've taken a pic of it and a couple of close ups on certain elements.

I also did three cards that you can do using the free papers. The papers are really bright and cheerful, perfect for summer birthdays!

Did you know you can download more of these papers from the Crafts Beautiful website? Plus there are loads of other downloads, papers and projects! For more crafting ideas visit Crafts Beautiful 

I'm loving Zoe Pierson's scrummy ice cream cards in the Cut Out & Keep section on page 31 and Corinne Bradd's cut crotchet cup cakes on page 104 & 105.

That's all I have time for at the mo, got loads of cards to do. Ideas keep popping in my head, then they pop out again. Weird!

I'll be posting back soon with some more makes, promise!!!

Colette xx

A twit and a thank you!!

What'cha Peeps!

I haven't posted for a couple or weeks, been so busy! Just finished another commission for Crafts Beautiful. Just the destructions to compile, then I can print them out and send it all off, hope they like!!!

Managed to get the plants done in the greenhouse last week and some of the pots done around the garden, herbs and stuff. I've also planted a few fuchsias, I love fuchsias, they are so pretty and uncomplicated. There are quite a few hardy bushes in pots that have survived the winter and are now coming back, though I did get some more the other week the replace the non-hardy varieties.

The fern is doing well too, it's still uncurling its fronds. I've never seen a fern as big as this one. When we first moved in, it was November, Simon took one look at it and said 'That's dead'. Shocked, I told him it was a fern, it wasn't dead, it will come back in the spring, they're not cheap to buy and not to touch it if he values his dangly bits. Needless to say he doesn't really do much gardening apart from mowing the lawn and any construction jobs that need doing, I don't think I could trust him to look after the plants - gulp!

You're probably wondering about the title of this post, well, it was my brother-in-law's birthday this week and I did him a card with an owl on the front. It does say 'twoo' inside though, he is not a twit by any means:) Here is a pic....

...and the inside.

Out of all the stamps I have, I couldn't find the right one. I wanted an owl with that 'Why are you bothering me?' expression they have (some might call it grumpy). So I drew my own!  The paper is from the 'Social Club' 6x6 pad by Cosmo Cricket. It's full of lovely manly colours and prints, very retro. I coloured in the owl with Promarkers, matching the colours to the paper. The branch and leaves are cut out from a piece of white card, then mounted over the patterned paper. A few leaves were cut by hand and added to give a bit more dimension. I stamped the 'twit' sentiment on to a piece of white card, wrapped garden twine around it and secured with a couple of staples. The card was finished with the 'twoo' sentiment inside and a 'Happy Birthday' rub-on from Kaisercraft.

My friend Caroline sent me a lovely card and gift voucher for my birthday, so I decided to send her a little 'thank you' card.

The papers and stamps are Doodle Deux by Prima, just a simple card with stamped elements, papers and buttons placed randomly, finished with a  'thank you' rub-on in the top left corner. I just love this collection, especially the little birdie stamp. It was so hard to choose which paper to put on the card.

Off now, going to make a coffee, then back to the typing of the ol' destructions. Have a lovely weekend and thanks for visiting!!