Tuesday 9 December 2014

Did you miss me?

Sorry for the prolonged absence, I really was trying to be a good blogger for a while there and then Christmas started to get in the way, in a good way.  I've been tasked with arranging the Christmas party at work, which is on Friday this week and so I've been concentrating on this and getting my house/fridge/freezer ready for the festivities, I think I'm about there now, there will be only 4 of us this year but you would think I'm feeding the five thousand the amount of food I have in - well, it is Christmas!

Anyway, here I am back with you sharing another design team card (should have shared this days ago, oops! sorry).  This card uses one of the new Darice embossing folders that were launched yesterday on Create and Craft, this one is the honeycomb one and I can see it as being really versatile for creating fabulous texture in the background of a card.  I used one of the Sheena Douglas sentiments with it, and cut a bee out on my scan n cut using a free download from Birdscards (thank you for that!), I did use a bit of clear wink of stella on the bees wings to give it a bit of sparkle and then just some ribbon and black card for matting and you're done (oh, forgot to say that the card I embossed onto was Core'dinations colourcore card, lovely stuff!).


Anyway, that's it for me for the moment, I promise to try not to leave it so long next time, I will try and remember to show you some of the Christmas cards I have been making.

TTFN

Rach
x

Monday 17 November 2014

Crafters Companion November Challenge

Well, the theme over at Crafters Companion this month is "Christmas/Winter", and as I haven't played with my Makey Bakey Mice stamps much recently, I thought I'd unbury them from all of my other goodies and set to it (I am also desperately behind with making Christmas cards this year so I needed to get on with it!).

I chose the image, 'trimming the tree', he's such a cute little fella!.  Coloured him with my trustee Spectrum Noir pens (colours after the piccie), and then cut him out with one of my spellbinders bauble dies and inked around the edges using TH distress ink 'iced spruce'.  Mounted this onto some beautiful sparkly green cardstock and put a double bow at the top using my fabby Ultimate Pro.  The background is Centura pearl hint of gold, embossed with the Embossalicious Vintage Decorations embossing folder, I then used a green metallic rub on to highlight the embossing and mounted this again onto the sparkly green cardstock, this is all matted onto a 7x7 card base.  For the sentiment, I used the same stamp set as the image and used a green pigment ink stamp, then used clear embossing powder and heated, I then cut this out with a spellbinders circle die, this is matted onto a gold paper star cut out with Diesire Classiques 'stars'.


Spectrum Noir colours used: FS1, FS8, TN1, TN3, TN5, TN7
JG2, CG4, CG3, LY1, CT2, CT4, CR10, DR5, DR7
IG1, IG2, Blender

Well, hope you find the time to enter the challenge this month.

TTFN

Rach
x

Sunday 16 November 2014

More Bebunni loveliness

Hello again, it's a lovely sunny Sunday Morning here in Plymouth and I'm getting set for one of my favourite days of crafting, I always try and make something on a Sunday (besides the roast dinner!) and I'm really trying to get started on those Christmas cards.  I have loads of card companions printed out from various CD's The Snowman & Snowdog, Father Christmas, Party Paws, Mulberry Wood, Crafters Companion really do have an awful lot of incredible CD's, oh and of course not forgetting the stunning recent Moonbeam Meadows CD's.

But for today I thought I'd show you two more of the cards you may have seen on telly for the Bebunni launch - I really will never get tired of this little rabbit!

 This card uses the stamp set 'Brighten my Day', I used the diesire classical frame, and used the inside of the frame to create the size for the cutout bunni, I just used a pencil to draw where the image did not catch the frame and then cut out, cutting around the bits that were outside the pencil lines, rub out any pencil that remains and voila the bunni sits in it beautifully.  All of the papers are from the CD and I added the little stars which are one of the new coordinating die sets.

The pens & pencils used were: SN Pens: IG1 – 3, CR6, CR4, CR2, CG1, CG2, LY1, LY3, GB3, OR1, GB4
SN Pencils: 119, 114, 059, 020, 022, 061, 062

This card was made by using the Chantilly lace stamping frame to create an easel card base and then cutting the frame again in orange to mount the image onto (image and sentiment from the Flower Garden stamp set).  I only added a few butterfly gems to this one as I didn't think it needed too much extra embellishment.

The pens & pencils used were:  SN Pens: IG1, IG2, IG3, IG5, GB3, OR1, OR2, CR4, GG1, GG2, PP1, BP2, TB1, TB4, CG3, LG5, LG2, TB1, TB3, CT2, BT1
SN Pencils: 118, 115, 067, 051, 017






Anyway, hope you enjoy your Sunday, whatever you're up to!

TTFN

Rach
x




Friday 14 November 2014

Morning all


Well, we've made it through to another Friday and at least the day is starting sunny.

The Bebunni Floral shows may now be finished and you will all be looking forward to receiving (or may already have received) your goodies, so I hope you all have as much fun playing as I have with this particular launch.  

This card uses one of the Decoupage sheets, and for someone who keeps saying she doesn't like decoupage, I seem to use it more and more!  I used some lovely red pearlescent card I got at exeter, my Diesire Cameo stamping frame, the embossalicious Regency Swirls folder onto centura pearl hint of gold and then a sentiment and ribbon, simple, quick (if you exclude the cutting out of the decoupage) and lovely (well I think so!).


Anyway, really hope you like this card, and hopefully be back soon with some more as I really need to get cracking on some Christmas cards!

TTFN

Rach
x

Friday 7 November 2014

Quick and simple crafting

Without it looking quick or simple!

Hi all, I'm back again with another fabulous make from the new Bebunni Floral range.  Now anyone who knows me, knows I'm not really a floral kind of girl, but for this range I have to say I would most definitely make an exception sooo beautiful and the florals are done in a really elegant way (not granny's living room).

The reason this card is quick and simple is that it's really only made with a card companion sheet from the CD and an extra piece of backing paper which I colourised to coordinate, a little bit of matting and layering onto a foldback card (z), a few gems and you're done, but like I said, it does not look quick or simple, so you can wow friends, family or whoever you're selling to and it'll be our little secret!


Well, I'll be back again tomorrow with more goregousness from Bebunni - enjoy your Friday, the weekend is nearly here!

TTFN

Rach
x

Thursday 6 November 2014

Crackers again!

Or should that be still?!

Well, I'm back again, hope you're not bored yet 'cos you shouldn't be, I have to say this has been one of my favourite launches to work on, such beautiful papers, images AND dies too!

Today's make is again from the shaped card section of the CD and is the 'bonbon crackers'.  Each page that prints has two crackers on, which glue together to give a triangular cracker - think Toblerone), I just printed the page twice to give me four crackers, two of which I cut out the panel with bebunni on and replaced with acetate which had been embossed with the Rose Vine embossing folder).  The crackers will hold chocolate balls quite comfortably so makes a fabulous little gift (I'm thinking teacher gifts), and then I decided to break out my Big Score and made a pizza box to put them in, decorating with papers and images from the CD.  The stars you can see on the box are one of the new Bebunni Floral Dies, and I really think this is going to be so versatile, I can even see this appearing on Christmas cards!


Well, I hope this has further whetted your appetite for this incredible new range - come back again tomorrow and I'll have more from this incredible range to show you!

TTFN

Rach
x

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Bebunni Shaped Card

Well, following on from yesterday, here's another one of my makes for the new launch (Monday at 8 a.m. on Create and Craft).
 
This time it's from the shaped cards section of the CD and is a Screen Card, it's so pretty and so completely different, but so incredibly easy to put together (looks stunning though!).  It actually prints as two pages from the CD, the first being the screen card and the second the embellishments (bunnies and flowers).  I printed this onto Centura pearl and then printed the reverse side with the coordinating paper from the CD.
 
Ooh - completely forgot to mention that as well as the CD and eight stamp sets, there are also some new coordinating dies including hearts, butterflies, stars and the STUNNING Cabbage rose die I used on the second panel of this card - it cuts and then embosses, so I cut it 3 times and layered it up to give the 3D effect (used Coredinations colourcore pastels, which I sanded to reveal the core).


The only other thing I added to this card was some gems, which were plain aurora gems that I coloured with my Spectrum Noir pens - so love the versatility of these.
 
Well, see you all again tomorrow with another peep at this fabulous range, I am so in awe of the work that Crafters Companion put into these ranges so that we crafters can create such amazing makes with such ease!
 
TTFN
 
Rach
x

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Bunches of Love

Well, I have been hiding away for over a week now playing with the new Bebunni Floral range, which is launched on Create and Craft as the 4 day deal on Monday 10th November (drum roll please!), and can finally start sharing with you the stunning images.
 
This card was made using the Bunches of Love stamp set, which is one of eight sets (all equally gorgeous!), I coloured the stamp using both SN pens and pencils (love how the addition of the pencils adds further depth to the images).  I used Coredinations colourcore pastels for the yellow matting and also for the flower (diesire small sunflower).  the backing papers are from the CD.  This is such a beautiful range and it's yet another opportunity to fall in love with the gorgeous bunny (if you hadn't already with the stunning Christmas range!).


SN Pens & Pencils used: SN Pens: BG1-5, FS6, CR2, CR3, CR5, IG1, OR1, OR2, GB1, GB3, TB1, HB2, FS9, PP6, LY1,  LG3, LG5, DG2, CG2, CR1
SN Pencils: 118, 113, 114, 041

Well, I hope you like my first little peep at the new range - I'm off now to play with all of the lovely things I bought during birthday week, which have sat as yet unused on my desk.
 
TTFN
 
Rach
x


Saturday 25 October 2014

Going Crackers!

This post is for one of the I'm a Crafters Companion facebook group members, and anyone else who's just bought the big score and wants to have a go at a very quick and simple project.

This cracker gift box is made using one sheet of A3 cardstock and doesn't just have to be for Christmas, I've done one to hold maybe a Wedding gift.  Once you understand the principle of this shape, you can size up or down to your hearts desire, maybe making mini ones using A5 card or thick paper to put on the Christmas Tree, or stack in the middle of the Christmas table.


Okay, so here's the instructions:


On the long side of the card, score at 7, 14, 21 and 28 cm

On the short edge, score at 6, 9.5 and 13 cm, then turn the card and do the same on the other short edge.

Fold and burnish all of the score lines.

On the long side, you will have 7 cm sections and then a small scored section at the end, this is where you will later glue the cracker together, first you will need to cut triangles out of the sections between the 6 and 13 cm score lines, the point of the diagonal being on the 9.5 cm score line, but not going all the way to the middle of the 7 cm section (you need to leave about 1 cm in the middle).

Once you have done the end, fold the next 7cm section and now you will cut a triangle that when opened up looks like a diamond.  Do this for all the sections, on both ends, you now have the base of your cracker.

Use a strong glue (I used collal tacky glue) to glue the cracker together.

You can now decorate your cracker however you like: I used:

For the middle of the cracker 4 mats 6.5 cm x 15.5 cm and 4 mats 6 cm x 14.8 cm

For the ends of the crackers 8 mats 6.5 cm x 5.5 cm and 8 mats 6 cm x 5 cm

Hopefully these instructions will make sense, please get in touch if they don't and I'll do step by step pictures.

Hope you're all enjoying your Saturday and the new Create a Card dies that Sara is showing off on Create and Craft today - I really will have no pennies left.... ah well, beans on toast again it is!

TTFN

Rach
x

Sunday 19 October 2014

Happy Birthday to you!

Well, this week, Crafters Companion are celebrating their 9th birthday, but instead of receiving gifts, they are giving loads away!  With every order placed during Birthday week there are free gifts, double loyalty points and free delivery, and as if that weren't enough, there are loads of special offers during the week, and some incredible new products!

One of the new products being launched this week is an incredible A3 scoring board, it will have the same box base and box lid measurements you are familiar with on the boxer board, so it will give you a wonderfully familiar feel, but on a larger scale.  This will allow you to play with the wonderful new A3 Centura pearl card and A3 Double sided cardstock - both can be found here.

Well, to kick off as it were, I decided to have a go at a pizza style box made from a single sheet of the gorgeous new A3 DOUBLE SIDED!!! centura pearl (amazing stuff - can't praise this enough, its gorgeous!).  I made the box 5 cm deep, and it really is big enough to get quite a lot in.  I used the Sweet Treats CD papers for this one, the strawberries are templates which are also on the CD - I can just imagine a large strawberry with lots of sweeties inside, or maybe jewellery for a special occasion, you could even use gems to create the seeds on the strawberry.... hmmmm

Anyhow, I digress, I used strips of one of the patterned papers and cut it with the diesire lace border 2 and then scored this to create the rosette - hope you like the combi photo, if not just let me know.


Well, hope you like my first peek at the fabby stuff happening this week!  and check out all the other wonderful items from my teamies - they are just such a creative group!

TTFN 

Rach
x

Friday 17 October 2014

Woo Hoo - see the blinkie!

Yep, if you take a look on the left hand side of my blog, you will see that there is a new blinkie!  I've finally been approved as a Spectrum Noir Accredited Colourist, boy am I chuffed! All the hard work, blood, sweat and tears has been worth it (only joking, Leann made it really easy with all of the tutorials on YouTube).

And to celebrate, I thought I'd show you a work in progress, this is an image I've coloured, but not managed to get onto a card.

The stamp is from House of Zandra and was one of the ones I picked up at Exeter recently (trying to make more of an effort to use my craft stuff instead of just hoarding it).


For those who wish to know, these are the SN colours I used:
DR6, DR5, CR11, EB5, EB6, TN7, TN6, TN4, TN3, TN2
BT7, IB2, BG3, BG1, IG1, IB1 & Blender

I have to say I really enjoyed colouring this in, and now I know how to do it properly I can get a really good result (some of my work colleagues have commented that they thought my toppers were printed as they couldn't believe they could be coloured in by hand!).

Well, that's my news for the minute - some exciting stuff coming, but I'll tell you about that another time... Ha, such a tease!

TTFN

Rach
x

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Well, it's definitely Autumn!

Okay, so the weather has taken a decided turn for the autumnal and the evenings are drawing in - I love it!

I can't be alone in loving Autumn and Winter, I was built for comfort not speed and so uncovering in summer is really not good (there is a court order in place preventing me wearing less than a t-shirt and shorts to my knees!).  But by the time Autumn arrives and I can snuggle in my jumpers (when my washing machine doesn't eat them, but that's another story!), I am happy as the proverbial pig in poo!

This next card is a homage to my favourite time of year, and in fact the image used is a Scruffy Little Cat called Autumn, so very appropriate!  I used Coredinations Colourcore Neutrals for the matting and for the Diesire Chantilly lace stamping frame, the backing paper is one of the ones from the Scruffy Little Cat 6x6 Darks paper pad.  The sentiment is from the Ashleigh stamp set (the leaves are a die set from Impression Obsession).  I coloured Autumn with both my Spectrum Noir Pens and pencils (colours below)



SN Pens & Pencils: FS5, FS4, FS3, CR3, OR1, OR2, GB7, EB3, BGR2-4, GG3, IB1, IB2, GB8, GB10, EB6, TN3, TN6, TN9, IG9, EB1, EB2, TN1, TN2, TB1, TB3, LY1, CT4, CG2, CG4, DG3, 095, 087, 089, 118, 111, 088, 076, Blender

Well, anyway I hope you like this & will watch the remaining shows on Create and Craft with Leanne and the gorgeous Scruffy Little Cats (and the pens & pencils), she will be back on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

TTFN

Rach
x

Monday 13 October 2014

Crafters Companion October Challenge - Buttons or Bows

Well, October already & soon be Christmas (YAY!!!!!!).  The challenge theme this month over at CC UK Facebook page is Buttons or Bows, and there is also a bit of a change this month to the rules:  To be eligible for the random prize draw, you do not have to use a CC product, just follow the theme for the month, to get top card honours (card of month or top 3) you still need to use CC products but there is more scope there, if you are short on a few items, I would say though with Birthday week coming up soon, this would be an ideal time to increase your CC stash!

For my Card this month all of my papers, ribbons and sentiment came from the Vintage Christmas CD, I think I actually picked something from most of the sections on the CD - Ribbons & bows, 3D bows, postcards, designer papers, sentiments etc... you get the picture, I had soo much fun with this, the images are so beautiful and print fabulously onto all of the Crafters Companion papers.  I used a 7x7 card base in cream and cut off a bit of the front, then covered the front with a backing paper, ribbon strip across the middle and then layered up the postcards (they were all matted onto Coredinations colourcore brights card) down the front.  I put the sentiment onto some green coredinations so that it looks like a tag and then raised this using 3d glue gel and put a 3D bow on it, a couple of sparkly dots at the bottom and it's job done, a really fabulous but very easy to make card.


Well, I hope you like this one and are starting to get yourself ready for the festive season!

TTFN

Rach
x

Saturday 11 October 2014

An Oldie but a Goodie

Well, some time ago now, Crafters Companion launched the Snowman & Snowdog  and Father Christmas Party Collection CDs and I was on the launch for this.  Being the naughty blogger that I am, I did not get round to actually blogging everything I had made at the time, the good news is that this means I still have lots of things to show you from my makes!


These baubles are from the CD, each one prints out onto two sheets of card, complete with loads of lovely embellishments (I cheated with the cutting out again and used the Scan n Cut, which picked up every element on the page and cut it out perfectly).  Once cut out I spray n sparkled all of the individual sides (silver).  I put a hole into two of the sides (top and bottom) before putting them together and added the ribbon at the top for hanging and then snowflakes and sparkly shamballa bead below.  Then I glued all the points with Collal Tacky glue to form the cubes you see, once together I added the holly decoration, which also came on the sheets.

I think I will be making more of these to go on our tree at home this year as I really loved how they turned out - shame I couldn't get better pictures of them, but now I have my new daylight Ruby angle poise Lamp I should be able to get better pictures next time.

There are actually 12 different baubles on the CD and 12 more on the Father Christmas CD so plenty to choose from.

Well, hope you like & see you again soon

TTFN

Rach
x




Thursday 9 October 2014

Crafters Inspiration Magazine 5

Well, I took delivery of my Crafters Companion Inspiration magazine number 5 at the weekend, and I have to say ITS AMAZING!!!  I'm not in it, but the girls have done an absolutely outstanding job, it's full of all sorts of Christmas fun, from fudge to decorations, napkins to aprons and pretty much everything in between. 

So, although I'm not in it, having received it and all of the fabulous goodies that came with it, it would have been rude not to have a play wouldn't it?  I was dying to try out an idea in my head for a present card.  I took a 7x7 black card base and printed one of the Vintage papers from the CD and matted this onto the base, then I used some Coredinations colourcore Brights in green and using the small snowflakes embossing folder I embossed only the corners so that I was left with a cross in the middle (slightly offset).  I used some Vintage photo distress ink to give it an aged feel and then used some red ribbon to create the wrapping for the present.  I cut out a scalloped tag from Kraft card and then stamped this with one of the sentiments on the stamp sheet that came with the magazine and threw on some Frantage Aged Ivory embossing enamel (possibly a little more blizzard than light flurry).  I stuck this to the middle of the card using Collal 3D glue gel and then made a bow on my Ultimate Pro and stuck this over the end of the tag again with Collal 3D glue.  The only other addition was some red pearl drops I picked up at the Exeter show.

Having made one of these cards, it would be very simple to replicate with different ribbon, different embossing folders or embellishments.


Well, hope you're liking the magazine as much as me!

TTFN

Rach
x

Tuesday 7 October 2014

And now for something completely different

I'll get back to showing you all my lovely Crafters Companion makes in just a bit, but I wanted to share something completely different for me today.

When I went to Exeter recently one stall I did find completely lovely was the House of Zandra stand.  You may be familiar with the artwork as it's been used for Katy Sue designs, with the shoes and bags etc..., but Sandra Wright has her own website now and goes to shows.  Her artwork is so different from others out there and I just fell in love with one particular image on the 'Fabulous Christmas' CD that it was my first purchase at the show.

I used one of the Invertage pages to make this card and several other images from the CD layered up onto a stepper card, copious amounts of glitter and a bit of acetate (you can't see this very well) and I think this is such a lovely card I may just have to keep it!

I did cheat with the cutting out of the individual items, they were cut on my Scan n Cut (well it has to earn it's living sometime!).

the image in this card is the one that I fell in love with, but I will say that there are so many for you to fall in love with, you will probably spend an entire afternoon just browsing the CD, anyway, if you want to get hold of the CD, or any of the stamps that they make, these can be found here (I'm so good to you).


Anyway, hope you like & will come back soon.

TTFN

Rach
x

Sunday 5 October 2014

Dream Boat

Well, I hope you all enjoyed the Moonbeam Meadow launch this week, and I'm sure some of you are already merrily making cards, it's fab isn't it?!

This card was made with the 'True Love' stamp set, coloured with my trustee spectrum noirs and mounted onto Diesire Cameo Stamping, the backing paper is from the Everyday CD, as is the little epiphany at the bottom, some ribbon and gems and you're there!

Whilst this card design looks very complicated, it really isn't and you should have a go.  I used three squares of card 6x6, which you score and crease on the diagonal, then you glue together so that they come to a point, if you google 'teepee card' there are loads of tutorials, including some youtube videos which will help.


The pens I used to colour this image are:


TN1, TN2, TN4, IG2, IG4, IG5, IG8, BT1, CR6, DR2, DG2, GG3, TB1-4

Anyway, hope you're having a fab Sunday & see you soon.

TTFN

Rach
x

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Everybody say 'aaaaawwwwww!'

Well, I hope you're all enjoying the shows on Create and Craft this week - the team have done an astounding job with all of the stunning makes, I can't wait to have a play with the Christmas CD and stamps!

Anyway, for today, here's another of my makes from the Everyday CD, which is every bit as amazing as the Christmas one, but with the added bonus that you're not humming Christmas Carols in March!


This card was made using the card companions section, which is an amazing place to start if you need a card in a hurry (and we all need those!) I teamed it with some Coredinations Colourcore pastels and my Diesire Ornamental flower frame bit of ribbon and some dew drops and your done, a great card (even if I do say so myself!) for a little one who 'pops' out unexpectedly.

Hope you all have a great day - don't forget Fiona's shows today!

TTFN

Rach
x

Friday 26 September 2014

A Little Bird told me

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I went to Exeter Westpoint for my annual pilgrimage to the Craft Fair, it was not quite as good as usual, well not for card makers as there seemed to be a lot more cross stitch, sewing, quilting and knitting stuff than there has been previously.  In spite of this I managed to spend a small fortune (well, it would be rude not to) and got myself a lovely new angle poise lamp with a daylight bulb so that I can carry on when the weather turns all gloomy (no gloom in my card today!).

Not long to go now until the launch of the wonderful new Moonbeam Meadow range - Monday in fact, so set your alarms and be up early to watch Sara on Create and Craft with this lovely range.

I was so lucky to get to play with the Everyday CD and stamps, they really are so much fun to work with.  The papers on this card all came from the CD, including the border piece across the middle, the spiral flower and the bow above the birds.  The birds are one of the stamp sets that comes with the range (there are 6 in everyday and 6 for christmas), along with the sentiment.  I used Spellbinders Labels 28 to cut out the image, the matting and layering was done using Coredinations Colourcore card.  The Leaves were cut with the Diesire Leaf 2 die and the butterflies are also diesire (Beautiful butterflies).


The image was coloured with my trustee spectrum noir markers:

TN1, TN2, EB2, LY1, GB1, GB3
TB1, TB2, BT1-3, GB5, CG1, CG2
GB2, GB4, CT2

I really think you will fall in love with this range, and I know I always say this, but I have to admit (and not because I'm on the design team), Crafters Companion really do bring the most wonderful ranges to the market, and they make sure that everything you could possibly need is included.

Anyway, 'nuff of my waffle - hope you're having a great day & see you again soon.

TTFN

Rach
x

Wednesday 24 September 2014

You're gonna love this!

Okay, so I haven't blogged in aaaaaggggggeeeeesss, but I have been making stuff, lovely stuff in fact!

Launching on Create and Craft on Monday (8 a.m.) as the four day deal is the new Moonbeam Meadow Range, which will include 2 CD's - Everyday and Christmas, 6 stamp sets for each range (Everyday & Christmas), plus a HunkyDory papercrafting kit!!

I was asked to work with the Everyday CD and Everyday Stamp sets, and boy can I tell you, I had such a fabulous time!!  The peak I'm showing today, is actually a book cover for one of those plain old A5 spiral bound notebooks you can pick up for £1 all over the place - I think it turns it into quite a nice gift idea.  I used the fabric companions from the CD for the images and then cut up a pillow case (brand new one I would add), ironed on the images to the fabric (there is one on the front and one on the back), used some wadding to pad it out, bias binding around the edges, and a bit of elastic to create a closure and there you have it.  You could add sequins, seed beads, ribbon, whatever you fancy to jazz it up a bit, or leave it plain and simple, the images are so gorgeous anyway!

Well, hope you like it, and I'll be back tomorrow with another make from the range to whet your appetite!

TTFN

Rach
x

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Crafters Companion August Challenge

Well, hasn't the weather changed - I'm looking out on a dreary, wet day, ah well, looks like summer is over for another year!

My lovely buddy Alison made it over on Saturday and we had a fab time, she made loads of cards, and I didn't!  But I did manage to get most of my Spectrum Noir accreditation test ready to send off, I've only got the final image to stamp and colour, still got to pass it, but we'll see.

Anyway, onto the card for today, the theme for the August Crafters Companion challenge is 'all about school' - now many of you will be getting children ready either for first day of school or the return to school, so this should be right at the front of your minds.  You could make a bookmark, a teacher gift, card, or just something that has a school or academic theme, there are so many possibilities, so come on people, let's see what you can do!

I chose one of the shaped cards from the Mulberry Wood everyday range, I printed a backing paper onto the back so that the inside of the card was decorated as well, and then printed the image again a couple of times so that I could decoupage the image, and then added WELL DONE using my scan n cut - fairly simple, but would have made a great card for a teenager just passing their exams.

Hope you all have a great day & manage to stay dry!

TTFN

Rach
x


Friday 15 August 2014

Sorry, been hiding under a pile of snowmen!

OMG! I did not realise it had been so long since I posted on here - bad blogger!

It's not entirely true that the whole time I've been buried under snowmen, but it is true in part, I have been working on the next big launch for Crafters Companion, which is the 2014 Snowman & Snowdog CD.  It's cram packed with beautiful things, and is not just for card makers, there is so much there you can have a truly amazing house decorated with everything Snowman & Snowdog over Christmas.  There are baubles, bunting, crackers, wine glass charms and soooo much more, I had a blast using it all & will definitely be making more in the run up to the big day!

Anyway, onto todays make, which is actually one of the cards from the CD, it's a spring card, but I played about with it a bit and put it on a stepped base, add some snowflakes and ivy (all Diesire dies), some frantage snow, and some gems and voila!


Anyway, hope you like, and I'll be back later with some more to whet your appetite for the launch tomorrow.

TTFN

Rach

Thursday 17 July 2014

Sorry - been playing with my new toy

Well, sorry for the extended absence, I haven't really been creating an awful lot recently, I have been hiding away playing with my new Scan n Cut, which my Mum very kindly offered to get for me (and I really wasn't going to look that particular gift horse in the mouth! - not that my mum is a horse!).

As part of my experimenting, I took the lastest download from Crafters Companion and used the scan n cut to fussy cut out all of the embellishments, well I say all, it could not handle some of them that were in yellow as the contrast was obviously not good enough for the screen, but it did most of the work for me.

I used the Rachelle Ann Miller stamp 'Squeeze' for my image and coloured with my Spectrum Noir pens - have to say she was such a joy to colour, I love these images (the white dots were done with a white gel pen, I use a Pentel).  The only other things I used were some coloured card and my trustee collal glues.

Hope you like this, it's the first time I have done this pocket style of card.


Pens used: FS1, FS8 FS9, GB2, TN2, TN5, TN7, EB1, EB2, BT2, BT4, BT5, CR3, CR4, CR6, CR8, CR11.

Well, that's it for me today, will try and come back soon with some new things - there is an exciting launch or two coming up with Crafters Companion soon!  Ooh I'm such a tease!!!!

TTFN

Rach
x

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Crafters June Challenge

Okay, so I'm really late posting this, but hey, I still got in there before the end of the month and so there is still time for you all to enter out there, just click on here to take you to the entry page.

The theme for this month is tags, boxes and bags, so I thought I would make a gift bag using one of the gorgeous new Scruffy Little Cat images and the gorgeous Lola sat on her bath seemed ideal to me! I coloured her with my specrum noir pens and pencils and I used glossy accents on the bubbles.  The bag I made by printing onto two pieces of Centura pearl paper (from Camden Town CD), glued the two pieces together into a tube and then creased to give a boxy shape, I then scored 2 cm at the bottom and cut a piece of card to fit inside, and used the 2 cm crease to glue the card to the paper sides - that probably doesn't make sense so I will try and do a tutorial at some point.


I know some of you like these things, so here are the colours used to bring Lola to life:
Hair: CR11, DR5, DR7, EB3
Bodice & eyes: BT3-5
Bottles & potions: BT1 - 3
Bath: GB3, GB5, GB7, TN1, TN2
Ground: IG1
Skin: FS5, FS7, FS8, FS9
Bubbles: IB1
Pencils used: 097, 072, 063, 062, 005, 009, 017, 092, 084, 023

Anyway, hope you are all having a lovely day & enjoying the last of the sunshine (with Wimbledon just started and Glastonbury at the weekend, the weather is bound to take a turn for the worse!).

TTFN

Rach
x

Sunday 22 June 2014

Crackers Anyone?

I learned to make this Cracker gift box last year & I love it, it's really simple to do - will put up a tutorial at some point so you can all follow along.

I used the Bebunni papercrafting kit for this one (A4 paper pad, die cut toppers and epoxy stickers), the papers in the pad are just gorgeous and they are all double sided so you can do fab fold backs easily.  I also used Diesire Lace border 4 and Holly dies and some ribbon.


Well, the range is released tomorrow and you will be able to see for yourself all of the wonderful things you can create.

TTFN - may be back later with more!

Rach
x

Thursday 19 June 2014

Here comes Santa Claus!

Lol! no you haven't just missed the last 6 months of the year and screamed into Christmas (although each year it seems to creep up in just that way!).  But I spent the entire weekend last weekend listening to Christmas carols and playing with the soon to be released Christmas Bebunni range (I sooo love being on the Design Team!).

You do not have to wait too long to get hold of these little beauties for yourself, they are launching on Create and Craft on Monday 23rd June as the 4 Day Deal - save your pennies this weekend, you're going to need them all!

Anyway onto today's little beauty from me - this is Bebunni with Poinsettia, and is one of the eight stamp sets in the release, each come with their own sentiments, one of which I've also used on this card.  There are also two 5x7 embossing folders, and if you look carefully at the green panel, you can see the Christmas wording on the paper - that is embossed using one of the embossing folders.  All of the papers for this card were printed from the CD (one of two CD's) and as you can see some of my old diesire dies made another outing.


I coloured Bebunni with my trustee Spectrum Noir pens and pencils (SN Pens: BG1, BG4, BG6, PP1, PP3, CR5, CR11, DR3, DR6, CT2, CG3, JG1 Blender.  Pencils: 033, 047, 045, 024, 119, 008, 089, 034 – 037)  Oh and I used some glue and glamour dust on his hat.

Anyway, hope you like my little sneak peek - come back for more soon!

TTFN

Rach
x

Saturday 14 June 2014

Introducing Nicola!

Well, continuing on from yesterday where you were introduced to Jessica, today's little beauty is Nicola.

I decided that Nicola would look just stunning decorating the front of a gift bag - she has a very plush 'present' feel to her & I can imagine some gorgeous smellies or bath products inside the bag.

The bag itself is made from a couple of sheets of Centura Pearl paper, onto which i printed a backing paper from the CD.  I used some gold edged ribbon from my stash for the handles, and also as decoration around my rolled flowers.

I cut the Chantilly Lace Doilie from mat black cardstock and the sprayed this with gold spray & sparkle - it doesn't show up very well in the picture, but looks stunning IRL.  Nicole is matted onto Coredinations colourcore brights - pink, and I also used this for one of the rolled flowers.

I hope you like it - I love making these gift bags, and can see me making loads of these with a christmassy theme to give presents in this year - they become a card and gift all in one!


For those of you who would like to know the colours used, with the pens, I used: 
IG1, IG2, TN1-3, TN5, TN9, EB3, EB4, FS5, FS7, FS8, PP1, PP2, PP4, PP6, GB2, GB3, CR3, DG2, BT2, Blender
Pencils: 007, 009, 033, 034, 039, 058, 087, 088, 096, 105, 119

Well, back tomorrow with another peek at the upcoming gorgeousness!

TTFN

Rach
x

Friday 13 June 2014

More New Scruffy Little Cats

Well, everyone has loved them soo much that Crafters Companion are bringing you more of the lovely ladies!  They are such fun to colour (especially if you combine your pens with the new Spectrum Noir pencils - a match made in heaven!) and I'm sure you'll find one that reminds you of your best mate/ neighbour/ aunty / mum, in fact there should be one for everyone!


This little beauty is one of four new releases, which will be the pick of the day on Ideal World at 9 p.m. on Tuesday 17th.  Introducing Jessica, I've used papers from both the pad that came in the first SLC collection and one from the CD, just love the black and blue gingham, simple matting and layering using kraft card, few buttons, and a sentiment from the stamp sheet and voila.  I chose the odd card shape for two reasons - firstly I noticed that the Jessica stamp has a natural triangular layout and second, when combined with the second triangle, you get a fab stetson type shape!

The pen colours used were: TN1, TN2, TN4, FS2, FS5-8, EB2, EB3, EB5, DG2-4, IG1, IG2, BGR1-3, LG3, CR5 and pencils: 007, 035, 038, 047, 059, 088, 094, 096, 116, 119.

I really hope you love these as much as we on the design team have, they are just so fab and so different and well.... just so much to LOVE!!!!!

Hope you all have a fabulous Friday and hope the sun is shining with you.

TTFN

Rach
x

Friday 30 May 2014

Wow! Doesn't time fly

Life is just screaming past at such a fast rate of knots at the moment, blink and I've missed another week - before you know it Christmas will be upon us!!!

Anyway, here's a card I made recently for my sister in laws birthday using Scruffy Little Cat, Chanel - they are all sooo gorgeous I just love them!  I coloured her with Spectrum Noir pens & pencils - will add the details later (in a bit of a rush this morning).  The patterned papers are from the darks SLC paper pad and the flowers were made using the template on the SLC CD.  You can't really see it in the photo but the necklace that she is holding has been accented with glossy accents and glamour dust.


Hope you like & I'll finish this post later - soz.

Rach
x

Thursday 22 May 2014

Crafters Companion May Challenge

Okay, so I know we're nearer the end of May than the beginning but you can still enter the Crafters Companion monthly challenge for the chance to win £30 to spend in the CC online store!!!! (I'd need to win LOTS of time to buy all the stuff I need).

The theme for this month is masculine cards so I picked out a lovely Mulberry wood character called 'Relax' and coloured him with my trustee Spectrum Noir pens (colours used at the end of this little post).  The backing papers I used are from the Mulberry Wood everyday CD and are: coordinates 1, design 6 colour 5 and coordinates 2, design 6 colour 1.  I also used the centre of the Enchanted Spring diesire die and scalloped tags die, little bit of bakers twine and pearl dots and you're done!


Okay, so now to spectrum noir colours used (grab a coffee, you may be some time!):

Bear: TN3, TN5, EB3 and IG6 for nose
Deckchair body: GB2, GB8, GB10
Stripes: TB1, TB3
Wellies: LG4, LG5 & DG3
Fork: TN5, TN7, BG1 & BG3
Dog: EB1, EB2, EB3, EB5
Grass: LG1, LG4 & LG5
Butterfly: TB1 & TB5
Newspaper: IG1 & IG3
Outline: IG1
Blender used variously throughout

Told you it may take a while!  Anyway, must be off to get ready for work 

TTFN

Rach
x