Clare Curd Crafts

There's a new lamp on the block!

2012-01-25T16:32:00.000Z

I don't know what you think, but daylight is essential for all crafters in my opinion. I simply couldn't craft without daylight, and at this time of year that can sometimes be like gold dust! Even in the summer, when I craft in the evening I need to be able to see true colours!

Now I must say I have been the proud owner of a couple of lamps pumping out daylight ever since I started crafting, right back in the days when I mainly did cross stitch and then when I moved onto papercrafting, and I currently have this one,

(wow, look how tidy and uncluttered my craft room looked in 2009) so I was delighted when the Daylight Lamp Company asked me to independently review one of their new lamps.

I was sent the Foldi LED lamp, and I was very impressed with it's looks. Now I know that kind of thing isn't that important when judging the lamp on its lighting powers, but it's important to me. I like something that will look good on my desk, and as you can see, this certainly does the job! Now, can you see what else is cool about this lamp...Well along with it's sleek lines, it's completely fold-able, hence it's name! Now I think this is super handy, as it means that you can take along with you to craft crops and clubs, or use downstairs even if you normally craft upstairs for instance, with minimum fuss. That can't be said for my current lamp, which although is fantastic for lighting my desk, isn't at all portable and I wouldn't even consider moving it just for the evening, or even a couple of days.

The other main difference with this lamp and my desk lamp is the way it is powered. Not only can you use batteries (which will give 8 hours of power), but you can also power when connected to a laptop or PC with the USB cable supplied with the lamp. You can also buy a standard power cable from the Daylight lamp company if you want to use in the normal way. My desk lamp can only be powered my that amazing stuff that comes out of sockets in the wall, so can't always be used wherever you want.

Now I see great advantages with this. Sometimes I turn up to do a demonstration, and there is no electricity supply available at the desk. And sometimes the area I'm demonstrating in (particularly at exhibitions) can be quite dark, and this makes it harder for me to see what I'm doing, and harder for the customers to see what I'm up to. With this lamp I can power with batteries (preferably rechargeable) for a full day, with no danger that someone will trip up over the wires from the lamp, and I can see what I'm doing. Bonus!

Another advantage is that I need good light to take photographs of my cards...after all a picture speaks a thousand words, does it not? More often than not, achieving good light is not as simple as it sounds, even in the summer. Shadows are cast in all the wrong places, leading to unprofessional results. And I can't be doing with that ;). SO I use the Foldi and I can place exactly where I need it, connecting it to either my computer or powering with batteries.

Now for the Sciency Bit...So, what's all the fuss about a lamp that provides daylight? Well for starters it provides much more realistic light - simulated daylight! Tungsten light (normal household bulbs) have a yellow base compared to daylight lamps, and therefore give off a yellow tinge to their light. And therefore on anything they land on! Whereas daylight lamps have a colour temperature more in line with daylight and therefore give off a bluer, more realistic light. So what does this mean? The most important thing is it means that when a daylight lamp is used colours are more true, and therefore colour matching is so much easier.

As you can see from the photograph below, the foldi provides loads of the correct type of light to make the colours in my project pop! You can see how dark it is around the outside of the light, and this was taken at 10am in the morning!

Now for some disadvantages of the lamp...well a review needs to be balanced! The lamp is made up of 30 LED's which cannot be replaced. The thing with LED's is that they last so long that the lamp will last you years and years and years before they give in. Nevertheless, in 30 years time you might want to replace, but can't. ho hum. The other disadvantage is that you can't actually angle the lamp head, you can only flip it up or down. Finally, I think it would be nice to include the power adaptor with the lamp, so you have full choice - but then again, I'm greedy!

So all in all, I love this lamp, I will use it all the time to take photographs of my projects, and when I'm going to my demos.

NEW DESIGN TEAM CALL...

2012-01-11T19:46:00.002Z

Hi there,

I'm so excited to announce that we are looking for a brand new design team on the Fiskarettes blog! If you want to be a part of something BIG, all the details can be found on the Fiskarettes blog, Click here for more details!

Good luck and we can't wait to see your entries!

A step by Step by Product for you on the Fiskarettes blog!

2012-01-03T21:50:00.000Z

Hi there,

I just wanted to let you know that I have posted a step by step project on the Fiskarettes blog. Here's a sneaky peek, but to see more you'll need to visit the blog. I'd LOVE your comments over there!

Exciting News!

2012-01-02T16:11:00.000Z

Hi there, and a Happy New year!

I hope 2012 brings, peace, love and prosperity into your life. And of course lots of crafting!

I have some exciting news...

I am the new Fiskars UK Ambassador for the Fiskarettes blog! I'm so thrilled to have been chosen for this role, so why not click here to visit the blog and become a FISKARETTE. A 'what' I hear you scream - all will be revealed on the blog!

A Freebie "To Do" list for you!

2011-12-22T17:26:00.002Z

Good Afternoon Bloggers!

It's that time of year {well for me anyway} when I start to think about getting ultra organised. Doesn't last much further than the beginning of February really, but the thought is there! So I decided to get me a-designing a 'to do' list to write down all those most important of jobs that absolutely must not be forgotten. I always find I get on much better with a little list of jobs and LOVE crossing them off when they're complete.

Made with my wonderful Serif CraftArtist Studio Professional Software, and the gorgeous American Crafts Blue Skies Digi kit, I thought I would share this little list with YOU! Seems a pity to be selfish and just hold onto it myself. I would love if you do decide to take it, that you could share the love and leave a comment, and maybe even share with others on your blog that the download is here!

All you need to do is click on the photograph to enlarge, then right click to save image.

Enjoy!

It's all gone Looney Tunes!

2011-12-16T20:43:00.000Z

Now for the largest pack of the bunch! *WARNING* this post is photo heavy!

The Looney Tunes hours were so much fun to do - I felt like I was actually IN a cartoon when we were on set! It never failed to make me smile. I hope if you managed to catch one of the hours you enjoyed it too.

So, here are all (apart from the ones we gave away of course!) the cards I made for the show.

What a sweet Tweety Pie! Do you think he's a he or a she? I think he's a he, so I'll say he's handsome.

One of my Fave Characters - Granny with Poor old Sylvester - always got the raw end of the stick!

Another Fave of mine - Taz! Dan (Magic Hands) was soooo good at doing an impression of him!

Sylvester - Great use for Glossy accents on that big nose! Can't really see it though.

The luckiest Road Runner in the World! Barbara Gray told us all about Road Runners - the National Bird of New Mexico. A thick as two short planks apparently and on a death wish every day!

Marvin the Martian. I think he did have a voice - if I recall it was a little like John Major!

The leader of the Pack - Bugs Bunny!

Down but never out!

Love Yosamite Sam!

Wile E. Coyote looking particularly fierce - Apparently the letter E stands for Ethelbert!

Christmas Fun!

I say, I say, I say...Foghorn Leghorn!

Another with Bugs

Pepe Le Phew - Nigel May's Favourite!

Well, as Porky Pig would say...Th..Th..Th..That's all folks!

A little bit of Sir Tim

2011-12-16T20:13:00.003Z

And now for something for completely different...

I LOVED doing the Tim Holtz hours on Create and Craft. You know, not just liked - LOVED. The way I love Vanilla slices and such (please, don't get confuddled - the ones with custard, not cream). I loved being able to play with techniques, inks, embellishments and getting properly messy - the kind of messy which meant that the ink on my fingers wouldn't wash off for days. Yum!

After saying all that - I don't think the making of this card involved any inking whatsoever, but you can't have everything! It did involve stitching though, as you can see, and thoroughly enjoyable it was too! The stickers are from the Crowded Attic collection, and the papers are from the Vintage Shabby paper pack.

This card was made using a circle card blank {no...really?} distressed with ink, I think probably Old Linen and Walnut Stain {although I can't be sure - it was some time back} The resist kraft cardstock was coloured with Fired Brick distress stain, and the glassine paper was used to make the flower and the small circular background. I also applied mica powder to the flower for extra distressed blinginess! The ribbon is just to die for!

This card uses the glass look flat backed gems coloured with alcohol inks, with added pearl adornments. I've also made an alcohol background, and used tissue tape (love tissue tape!!!) to add interest to the background. The letters are from the Newsprint selection from Tim Holtz. Papers again are Vintage Shabby.

Hope you like! Thanks for visiting!

And now for some more...!

2011-12-16T19:48:00.001Z

I told you I'd be back with more! And of course I would never let you down.

Here are the Polkadoodles cards I made with the Magical Winter CD rom, all for the Great Papercrafts Extravaganza in Harrogate all the way back in September....September! Where does the time go?!

Anyhoo, enjoy!

The final card features a page from an old book, which has been distressed further with walnut stain distress ink, then stamped with a butterfly stamp around the edge.

Hope you like! Thanks for stopping by!

Those Me to you Christmas Cards!

2011-12-16T19:01:00.000Z

At last! At last I hear you call!

Eventually I got around to taking some photographs of my cards. The light is just pants at them moment for taking photographs, but I did my best, and I don't think they've turned out so badly. Could've been worse. well, you know.

So here they are. I did these when I joined Dawn for one of her shows on a Tuesday way back when. There are only three of them, I couldn't find any more, but the one with the kraft card base is the one that Sarpreet wanted to see. Enjoy!

I will be posting more cards tonight, from Looney Tunes, Spellbinder, Polkadoodles and Tim Holtz. More cards than you can shake a stick at!

What kind of Tutorials would you like?

2011-12-09T12:43:00.001Z

I couldn't make this into a poll, because I want you to tell me what you would like to see covered in tutorials. Do you want to see the basics, or certain techniques, cards being made from scratch, etc etc. I want to give you what you want, so please let me know here, and leave a comment.

I'm also going to start doing a craft club again in my local area, in Barton Upon Humber, sometime in the new year. If you are interested in coming along, please let me know your details and I will let you know when it goes ahead.

I'm also going to do full day craft workshops in the same area, so if you are also interested in this, please let me know. You can do so by either leaving a comment on click on the contact me button to the right of my blog.

Thanks so much for your help with all this! xx

I Know, I Know...

2011-12-08T19:27:00.001Z

... I really am rubbish at keeping up with this!

Although I'm not on Create and Craft currently, there is always lots to do, especially at this time of year! I've managed to get all my Christmas Presents (I think a record for me!), but I am yet to wrap them. and I say this quietly - almost at a whisper...I haven't made my Christmas Cards yet...I know, I had all good intentions, making one a week, etc etc, but it just never seems to happen. Maye it will be like last year and we will just miss the last post for Christmas, or maybe I will get around to making at least some. We'll see - but do you know what there are worse things that happen!

The other thing(S) I haven't done are post the pictures from the Tim Holtz, and Looney tunes hours, and also a couple of cards from my hours with Dawn, which I have been asked to put on here. Rest assured Sarpreet - I promise I will do that, but the lighting is so bad at the moment it's really hard to get any good photographs! I'm hoping to invest in some proper lighting kit for when the natural light is low - or non-existent!

I also have some exciting things happening in the New Year, and with that in mind I ask for your help in answering a few polls which will help me immensely. I'm really hoping to expand things in the new year, so if you have any ideas, suggestions or things you would like to see, I'd love to hear from you!

So with the fact that I haven't posted any cards for ages, here are three that I did using the Polkadoodles Magical Winter CD Roms. I hope you like them!

Well, as Porky Pig says, That's all folks. I promise I'll be back soon!

The Serif CraftArtist Professional Give Away Winner is...

2011-11-21T11:49:00.001Z

Hi there!,

Well I'm back from another busy week at Create and Craft! I have one more show tomorrow morning at 10am, then I can start planning for Christmas and some new exciting things I'm planning for the New Year!

It's time to announce the winner of the Serif CraftArtist Professional graphics program. Drum roll please....

The random number generator picked out the number...

The winner is....

Jenz Bitz 'n' Bobs!

Congratulations Jenny! Please leave your address for my by using the contact me button to the right of my blog. To get you started there are free digikits available here. For those of you that didn't win, thanks so much for entering.

Don't forget that you can download a sample trail of CraftArtist from Daisytrail, available here, and then download free digikits too!

I've also designed a patterned paper that you can download and use for free! here it is - hope you like it. Just double click to enlarge then save. Please leave a comment if you take it, and I'd love to see what you do with it!

Serif Craftartist Professional Giveaway!

2011-11-07T16:20:00.000Z

Hi there!

Sorry for my absense for such a long time.

I hope you managed to watch some of the hours I've just finished on Create and Craft this past week. I was presenting the Pick of the Week, which was a wonderful collection of Eras Digikits, designed by the geniuses at Serif! They sure do know their stuff when it comes to digikits and crafting programs for crafters!

I had a wonderful time learning how to use Craftartist, then making projects and demonstrating them. It really got me into scrapbooking, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. It will definitely not be the last time I use it, in fact, I bought some additional kits over the weekend and started making another scrapbook album! It's so addictive!

If you didn't see, or weren't lucky enough to be able to get the Craftartist Professional software last week, Serif have very kindly said I can give this fantastic CDrom away to one lucky, randomly chosen commentor! How kind is that. Please note, this does not contain any digikits, (see it like this is your tools - craft knife, scissors, guillotine etc) but you can download digikits either for FREE (yes, free!) or purchase others for a nominal amount over at www.daisytrail.com.

Here are just a few of the projects I made using the software and the Eras Digikits...

So if you would like to win this giveaway, please leave a comment below. I will draw a winner on 21st November 2011 (that's two weeks, as I'm away again at Create and Craft and probably won't get time to post a winner!). Unfortunately only entrants from the UK, and Eire will be accepted due to postage costs.

Our New Addition and another card!

2011-10-05T16:30:00.000+01:00

Hi Again!

Today I wanted to take the opportunity to formally introduce you to the newest member of the Curd Family.

His name is Darren and we've had him for four weeks now. To say that he has been a racing Greyhound for all of his life {a Champion, no less!} he has settled into family life so very well. He is gentle, loving, sometimes playful but usually very lazy! He has the most softest fur especially around his neck and head, and I like nothing better than snuggling up to him for a love. He definitely has a calming influence!

He's four years old now, and ran his last race on the 18th June this year. His registered racing name was Rosewood Mike , and he was a champion in the very first race he ran and won three additional races, a fact I'm very proud of. He's quite large, even for a greyhound, and boy when he sees a cat, don't I know it!

I absolutely love him to death and now, I can't imagine life without him. Joseph is besotted with him too, and Darren is very patient with him.

I also have a card to share. Well, it would be rude not to!

Again it was made with one of the spellbinder border dies, and a Cuttlebug embossing folder, which was inked with white ink before going through my bog shot. The red grid paper is an old Doodlebug design from my stash, embellished with We R Memory Keepers rub ons.

Once I'd cut and embossed the edgeabilities die, I pricked the holes around the swirl and star, and sanded the cardstock to reveal the coloured core. I added mote definition with a white gel pen. One of my all time fave techniques! I hope you like it!

Just a cheeky reminder, I will be on Create & Craft tonight at 7pm with another hour of Tim Holtz!

Well, that's all folks! See you soon! x

Spellbound with Spellbinders!

2011-10-04T19:12:00.000+01:00

Hi there everyone!

So sorry I have been neglecting my blog once again. I don't think I will ever get the hang of it!

Over the past weekend I have been busy getting ready for my three shows {which were yesterday on Create and Craft} and a show at 7pm on Wednesday 5th October, which will also feature products developed by the ubber talented Tim Holtz. I am absolutely LOVING his products! It's really enjoyable to do something different.

I've also confirmed today that I will be joining Sara Davies of Crafter's Companion on Sunday at 12-2pm for Tool Shed. So exciting, I haven't seen Sara since before my holiday so It'll be great to catch up. And with any luck Deano will be presenting so it's sure to be a fun show!

I'll be photographing my cards from the Tim Holtz hours as soon as I can and PROMISE that sometime in the next Millennium they will appear here. In the meantime, here's another card I made with the Spellbinders Christmas dies.

I cut and embossed the main die from patterned paper {I think it's actually Tim Holtz paper - Lost and Found}stencilling through the die with Colorbox Merlot ink before removing, then the frame dies from green Core'dinations cardstock. I also distressed the edges of the papers by sanding and inking with Old Paper Distress ink. The stamp is a very old one I've had for ages, inked in two colours and embossed.

I also cut and embossed the poinsettia and leaved from red and green cardstock. I sanded and shaped the poinsettia and added a few gems. You can just see at the top of the picture I've added a white gel pen frame around the green card.

Well, that's all for now, I promise not to leave it so long next time!

More shows on Create and Craft!

2011-09-22T13:36:00.000+01:00

Hi there everyone,

Just a really quick post to let you know I've just had some shows confirmed by the bods at Create and Craft, I'm flying by my pant tails at the moment, so please forgive me! The shows are:

Tuesday 27th September at 2-4pm and 7pm;
Monday 3rd October at 9am, 2pm, and 6pm

There are some really gorgeous goodies on both shows so I hope you can join me!

Holiday on the Aurora - Instalment One - the ship

2011-09-08T18:16:00.000+01:00

Hi Everyone,

Well I thought it was about time that I told you a little more about my holiday. It seems like forever ago now (why is that?) but I'm left with happy memories. I have sooo many photographs to show you, and they seem to be taking forever to edit! I thought that first of all I would show you our ship - the Aurora.

I took the above photograph when we were on an excursion around 'The Rock of Gibraltar', as it was a fantastic vantage point. When you're on the ship you forget how big it actually is, and it's only when you disembark that you realise how massive it really is. The Aurora isn't even the largest ship in the P&O fleet, at the moment they would be the Ventura and Azura (we went on the Ventura three years ago, and it's huge!) The Aurora will hold nearly 2,000 passengers and about 1,200 crew. That's quite a lot! To get an idea on the size of the ship you can see the size of the life boats and windows from the above picture in relation to Joseph and I stood on the dockside!

This is the Riviera pool, one of the adult only pools on the ship. The other pools all welcome children, and there is a pool which is aimed towards children, as well as a infant pool too. This is on the back of the ship and is known as the terrace pool {for obvious reasons!} I loved this area, reading my book on the sun lounger drinking the cocktail {or mocktail if too early!} of the day, having a little dip in the pool when it got too hot. Ahhh, bliss!

Here's another photograph of the terrace pool, taken early one morning when no one was around. Every evening the crew remove all the sun loungers and the decks are washed., then in the morning the loungers are put out again neatly. It's those little attentions to detail that make a holiday special.

I have a thing about order and neatness {you would never tell by looking at my craft room} and lines of steamers don't escape my camera lens! By changing the photograph to sepia, these chairs look as though they could be from the Titanic! OO-er! These were some of the most relaxing chairs available on the cruise and many a time I plonked on one hoping to read my book, awaking an hour later hoping I hadn't been snoring!

Now for some from the interior of the ship, this fantastic stained glass design is in the coffee lounge area. Yes, they have a Costa Coffee on the ship, complete with comfy sofas and such comfy chairs that reminded me of that one from the Cadbury's advert! On the colder of the sail days this was a great place to relax rather than out on the sun loungers! There is also a library where you can complete jigsaws and take out books.

And this is the fantastic sight that meets you in the Atrium as you board the ship. It is four floors tall, and there is a waterfall that falls behind it, the sound is so relaxing!

I know I've shown you the terrace pool already but I just love this photograph of the wake produced by the ship. Did you know, each ship's wake is completely different, no other ship will have a wake like the Aurora. Aren't you glad I imparted that piece of information!

This is our cabin, taken just after our Cabin Steward Karl had prepared it for the evening. Karl was absolutely fantastic, every morning our cabin was prepared to the highest standards, and in the evening, Joseph's bed was pulled down, our curtains closed and lights on, with a chocolate on our pillows. The beds and bedding were to die for...so comfy! Usually Karl would make Joseph smile by doing something funny with his toys, and as you can see it was the turn of the Gibraltar Monkey! When we said goodbye, Joseph had saved all his bedtime choccys for Karl! Bless! The cabins are more than big enough, especially when you are hardly in there!

Here's a couple of pictures of Joseph and I taken in the cabin towards the end of the cruise. I think these were taken on a formal night, hence Joseph in his waistcoat. He couldn't wait to wear his waistcoat and suit. I was so very proud of him!

And here is Joseph with Mathi {left} and Savio {right}, our waiters at dinner every night. Did you know the waiting staff work EVERY day from 8.30am till 11pm with just a few hours off during the day, for nine months! They work so hard and really do make the holiday! This was taken on the last night and it was sad to say goodbye!

Well, that's all for now - I will post more when I have edited the photographs! Thanks for visiting!

My Memories Suite Digital Software Giveaway!

2011-09-03T21:46:00.001+01:00

Good Evening!

I know, I know it's been so long since I've been on here, and I have so much to tell you - there's so much to catch up on. I need to tell you about My wonderful holiday, and also about a new addition to our family! However, I have a fantastic give away of My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking software, generously donated by My Memories!

My Memories Suite is an award winning digital software package that allows you to create digital scrapbook pages, cards, trading cards and calendars. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to use this software for myself, and I couldn't believe how east the software was to use, seeing as this was the first time I had done ANY digital scrapbooking. This is my first attempt, and I reckon it took me about 45 minutes!

There are templates for you to use, and you can begin by either using these templates, or starting with a completely blank page. I started with a template then added papers, embellishments, text, shadows and of course the photograph! The suite uses any true type font on your computer, and with all those freebie fonts out there {check usage agreements before using :)}there are simply no limitations! Also on the My memories site, there is free papers embellishments etc, as well as kits for purchase, which can supplement the software.

I was so impressed with how easy the software was to navigate around, and also to use. I just began by having a play with all the tools, but 45 minutes later I had a page to be proud of! I can also see this software being used in hybrid crafting, as you can print out papers, embellishments etc, then use them in the traditional way!

So, how do you get your hands on this wonderful piece of kit? I have only two conditions. Firstly, please post on your blog OR facebook page about my giveaway, adding a link to my blog; and secondly leave a comment letting me know which my memories digital paper from my Memories.com is your favourite by 11th September at 10am so that I know that you would like to be in a chance of winning! It's that simple, and it could be you! I will choose a winner randomly from the comments.

However, if you can't wait to see whether you win the competition, or looking forward one week, let's hypothetically say that it wasn't you...My Memories have very kindly allowed any and all of my blog readers a $10 discount on the purchase of the My Memories Suite, AND a $10 voucher towards anything from the my memories website ! How generous is that! Is you would like to go right ahead and download the software at a discounted price, use the Share My Memories code...STMMMS87309....which you should enter when you get to the shopping cart page.

Anyhoo, better get back to editing my photographs from my holiday, and tending to the new addition!

Hello from the Aurora!

2011-08-16T14:15:00.000+01:00

Well hello there!

As you can see from the title of this post, I'm on my holidays, and having a great time! We are on the P & O ship Aurora, and although not as big as the Ventura we sailed on three years ago, this brings its own advantages! The ship is easier to find your way around for a start, and we keep bumping into the same people {not literally} and pass a few moments having a chat.

We set sail on Friday. after Embarkation {I love that word} at 3pm. Joseph was beyond excited, and to be quite honest, so was I, so from getting up to getting on the ship it seemed like an eternity! Once we boarded the ship we were taken straight to our cabin {or state room, as they call them} which is really lovely. I got a bit of a surprise too...I thought we had booked an inside cabin, but it had a window! Bonus!

Then we were called to our Muster Stations for a safety drill, where we had to don our lifejackets, just so we'd know what to do if the worst happened, which it never has, thank goodness.

Now for the sail away. The bit I had been looking forward to most over the past few days. Everyone gathers out on deck and waves to non existant people {well there were a few on the dock waving} whilst listening to a 5 peice jazz band as the ship sails away. Champagne is plentiful and spirits are high. Then for an explore of the ship. There's so much to discover! A theatre, cinema, gym {haven't explored that much though :)} lots of bars, four pools, internet room {and I hope you appreciate this, cos it's costing me a fortune!} spa, kids club, library, shops {yeah!}, restaurants galore and even a COSTA coffee - result!

And here I am after our dinner one night. We are sat for dinner with the most lovely family - Annabelle and Brett with their 5 year old girl. We are so on the same wavelength and are having such a laugh. This picture was taken at the karaoke night, after we had done a duet of 'Vogue' by Madonna. I also did 'Poker Face' by Lady GaGa, on Joseph's suggestion. Such a mistake - have you seen the lyrics for that song - SO embarrassing!

I've also partaken in a few of the classes etc on board. We had a go at beginner's bridge {no idea what was going on!}, daily talks on space exploration, and I'm doing a watercolour class with Jeremy Ford {he writes book on watercolouring you know!}. I've also made a rose corsage which was great fun. Unfortunately there is no papercrafts so I'm getting my fill with the watercolouring! and I've had a one to one photography lesson, which was vewry informative. The photographer said I could follow him around Venice to take photos if I wanted! He doesn't know what he's let himself in for!

Anyhoo, that's all for now, better go out there and enjoy the sun. Joseph is having tea with Noddy tonight so better get ready!

Stop Press! More Hours on Create & Craft!

2011-07-25T19:16:00.000+01:00

Hi there!

I've just found out that I will be guest presenting the Fantastic Miss it Miss out Pick of the Week on Create & Craft, starting this Friday 29th July!

The Hours {so far} will be:

Friday 29th July: 12 midday, 3pm, 4pm, 7pm
Saturday 30th July: 8am, 1pm, 3pm
Sunday 31st July: 4pm & 6pm
Monday 1st August: 5pm
Tuesday 2nd August: 12 midday & 4pm

There are some gorgeous things on the hours so if you can tune it that would be wonderful. Hope to see you there!

It Takes a Long Time to Grow an Old Friend...

2011-07-21T09:47:00.000+01:00

HI there!

Sorry I've been missing for a while, I have spurts of continuous work that tire me out, then it takes me a couple of days to get over it, before I start again!

I still have the projects I did for the Tim Holtz Core'dinations Pick of the Week to share with you {I meant to photograph them yesterday, but completely forgot!} so in the meantime I thought I would share some cards I was asked to do for Create and Craft to show off some spectacular Spellbinder dies...How I love my job! They were displayed at the Doncaster Summertime Crafting Show, and now they're here.

Look how the Tim Holtz Core'dinations paper pack comes into its own when used with the spellbinder dies. Gorgeous! For this Card I cut and embossed the Spellbinder Frameabilities Polka Dot Frame, then sanded using the Sand it Gadget. Core'dinations and the Sand it Gadget go hand in hand! I also used Antique Linen Core'dinations cardstock as the base for my rub on element and greeting, adding Wild Honey distress ink to the edges before adding the rub ons. I love rub ons, but don't use them enough in my opinion. Must put that right!

Supplies: Dies: Spellbinders Frameabilities Polka Dot Frame {in Everyday kit 189279} Inks: Distress inks in Wild Honey Papers and Cardstock: Tim Holtz Core'dinations cardstock; Papermania Hampstead Paper, Tools: Martha Stewart edging punch, Sizzix Big Shot, Coe'dinations Sand it gadget and Dust Buddy Embellishments: BasicGrey and Kelly Panacci Rub ons, Satin Ribbon.

That's all for now. I did about 16 project with these dies, including Christmas, so lots more to show you!

Thanks so much for coming to visit!

Doncaster Summertime Crafting...

2011-07-15T08:38:00.000+01:00

Good Morning!

Well I have been a naughty blogger! I think after my stint on Create and Craft I was completely shattered and it was all I could do to catch up!

Just realised that I forgot to let you know that I will be demonstrating at the Summertime Crafting Extravaganza at Doncaster Racecourse tomorrow and Sunday (16th & 17th July). I'm demonstrating Promarkers and the wonderful stamps created by Stamposaurus on their stand.

If you're going to be there, it would be lovely if you could pop over for a little chatteroonie!

I would love to...

2011-06-30T10:52:00.000+01:00

But I just haven't enough hours in a day!

I've been asked for sneeky peeks of the cards I've been making and the demo's I've been prepping for, but unfortunately I just haven't enough time to take photos of them all and post on here! I'm so sorry!

Now a lot of the prep has been completed, {but there is still so much to do}, I'm so looking forward to getting down to Ideal World and showing you what's what! The goodies are am.az.ing!

So, see you tomorrow at around 12 midday ;) x

Breaking News...More Show added on Create and Craft!

2011-06-28T12:55:00.001+01:00

Well...what a day, a wonderful day, but still one for the memory books!

my head is spinning and my feet haven't touched the ground {isn't that a song?} since this morning when I arrived at Ideal World House with 10 minutes to spare before the start of the Papercraft clinic. I had arrived in order to see and discuss the clinic format with the expert and seasoned crafter Nancy Watt. For you see, I will be filling in for Nancy next Monday for 2 hours at 11am. I also met Dean for the first time...what a character! I can tell we're going to get on like a house on fire!

After catching up with Dawn and Sara, it was off with one of the Create and Craft buyers to look at all the lovely products that's going to be featured on pick of the week, which I can reveal is Tim Holtz! Sir Tim! hee hee! Wow! There are some delish goodies! I'm also going to be doing the Papercraft clinic on Monday 4th July at 11am, so we also looked at questions that had been sent in by Create and Craft/Ideal World viewers.

So... the full list of shows, including extra shows are...

Friday 1st July: 1200 midday, 3pm & 7pm {all on Create and Craft}

Saturday 2nd July: 8am, 1pm & 6 - 8pm {two hours} all on Create and Craft

Sunday 3rd July: 4pm & 6pm {all on Create and Craft}

Monday 4th July: 9am &5pm {Create and Craft} Papercraft Clinic on Ideal World 11-1pm

Tuesday 5th July: 9am, 12 midday, 6pm {all on Create and Craft}

Wednesday 6th July: 9am & 5pm {all on Create and Craft}

Anyhoo, better get on - got lots to do!

My First shows with Create & Craft...

2011-06-23T14:00:00.001+01:00

Hi there,

Sorry for my absence over the last couple of days, I've had a few things to deal with and quite frankly my crafting mojo up and left me stranded! However, hopefully now things should be back to normal, and I have some great news!

I can confirm that my first shows working with Create & Craft/Ideal World will be...

Friday July 1st ~ 12 midday, 3pm, and 7pm

Saturday July 2nd ~ 8am, 1pm

Sunday July 3rd ~ 4pm, 6pm

Tuesday July 5th ~ 12 midday

It would be fantastic if you could join me! I will be bringing you something so amazing, you won't believe it! I'm so sorry but that's all I can say for now!

Winner of Freebie Digi Challenge #2!

2011-06-20T20:11:00.000+01:00

Good Evening all!

I'm sorry I'm late posting the winner of last week's Freebie digi Challenge. I've had quite a hectic day of it to say the least and so unfortunately I will not be posting a new Freebie today. I'm so sorry about this, and I promise normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!

However, I would like to announce the winner of last week's digi challenge was... Wendy!

Congratulations Wendy! Can you please email your name and address using the contact me button at the top right of my blog please, and I will get your prize out to you.

Thank you so much, and sorry for letting you down with the digi image tonight :(

We are Hull KR!

2011-06-19T15:35:00.000+01:00

Hi there!

I promised that I would be back with a final Father's Day card today so here I am! I made this with the sketch {no.222} over at CPS in mind, and had I posted yesterday, I would have been able to enter the card, but as usual I've missed the deadline, so now it's just for fun!

I've made this for a friend who's Dad is mad on Hull KR Rugby team. I distressed the edges of the blue cardstock with Old Paper and Weathered Wood Distress inks, and the edges of the stamped panel and paper print with Old Paper. I stitched thread through the buttons before fixing them down, although with a little forethought I could have stitched them to the paper before sticking the panels down!

The John Byars image was stamped with Memento in Rich Cocoa, before colouring the player in the Hull KR strip ~ right down to the little badges on his arm and pattern on the socks! I hand drew a line of brown ink around the edge of the card before stamping Happy Father's Day around the image.

I stuck two lengths of ribbon together along the length, and fixed to the underside of the blue cardstock, trying with a bow using the two different colours. I'm really pleased with how neat the bow came out!

I {yet again} hand stitched around the newspaper print paper using a pale blue embroidery thread {2 strands}. By the way, if any of you know who makes this paper, or where it's available from, I'd be very grateful if you could let me know as I love it! Finally I added a hand drawn white line around the red paper with a gel pen.

Supplies: Free Digi Image: Clare Curd Crafts; Stamps: John Byars sporting Stamps, Happy Father's Day clear stamp, part of a stamp set of individual words {unknown} Inks: Promarkers, distress inks in weathered wood and Old Paper, Memento in Rich Cocoa Papers and Cardstock: Core'dinations cardstock in shades of blue and brown; Newspaper print patterned paper {Unknown}, Doodlebug Cheerfully Christmas Grid Tools: hot glue gun, pokey tool, Embellishments: BasicGrey buttons in brown and red, Sakura white gel pen, twill in red and gross grain fawn ribbon

Tomorrow sees the start of the new digi Monday challenge, with the availability of a new digi download. Only one this week I'm afraid :( , so it would be great to see you then!

No.1 Dad!

2011-06-18T14:29:00.000+01:00

Hi there!

Sorry there was no post, last night...no card as promised. We had a power cut and my laptop had no juice, in addition to that of course the broadband router is powered by...yes, you got it electricity so I couldn't get on line either, so it was back to Amish ways! It's amazing how much we use electricity when you think about it isn't it, it effects our lives in more ways that you realise until it's not there. And can I say that I can't believe that I have written a whole paragraph about electricity!

So, onto the card I promised you yesterday. This is great if you need a Father's Day card in super quick time, as it's so darn fast {sorry, I'm watching one of my favourite films ~ 'Yes Man' and I seem to catch the accent!}. It's using the final of my FREE digital downloads, available *here*. There will be a NEW FREEBIE {and we all love a freebie, don't we} download available on Monday right here on this blog, so don't miss it! Don't forget I'm running a challenge using any of the Father's Day downloads this week, with a little prize for the winner, and I'd love YOU to be a winner! So make sure you enter *here*!

The rosette is made with papers free with a past copy of 'Making Cards' magazine, designed by Nancy Watt! This is A4 paper and so I cut two strips along the length with a width of 1.5" and glued them together. I scored every 0.5" with my Scor~pal, then attached the ends together to form a continuous circle. I stuck this to a circle using a hot glue gun.

I decided that the greeting as a little too big as is, so I trimmed off the edges and attached to the rosette with a couple of vintage buttons. Kinda simple, but I love it!

Supplies: Free Digi Image: Clare Curd Crafts; Papers and Cardstock: Free Papers from 'Making Cards' Magazine '~Stars and Stripes, designed by Nancy Watt, Doodlebug Cheerfully Christmas Grid Tools: Scor~pal, Hot glue gun, 1.5" circle punch {to make base for rosette} Embellishments: Vintage buttons in navy blue and red, Sakura white gel pen.

I'd love it if you could stop by tomorrow for my final Father's Day card. To be quite honest I have loved making Masculine cards, but I'm looking forward to laking something more girly!

Please, let me know if you download the designs and what you think to them! I would really appreciate it!

My Good News...

2011-06-18T12:57:00.001+01:00

Hi there,

If you are one of my friends on Facebook, you may have heard my news that I have been bursting to tell everyone, but haven't been able to until now.

I'm so pleased to be able to now say that at the present time, I'm in talks with Create and Craft! I'm beyond excited at this new chapter in my life. In my opinion the award winning Create and Craft are taking the crafting bull by the horns and really leading the way in innovative, new and inspiring ideas. With all the new products and demos available, who wouldn't be excited!

I'm so excited {did I say that already?} to be working again with super talented people and friends such as Leonie and Dawn, and of course spending more time with them too! I'm soooo lucky to be able to do something that I love every day, I really don't take that for granted!

As soon as I have more news, you won't be able to stop me from shouting it from the rooftops!

Earthy Father's Day...

2011-06-16T20:21:00.001+01:00

Hi there!

Today I'm sharing a card I created with the fourth FREE digi download available *here*. This card is something completely different to the other's I've created this week, and I love the soft muted colours. I treated myself to a few brand new paper packs {you know when you justify the essential purchase of new papers to keep up to date...!}

I hand stitched the orange patterned paper with a muted green embroidery floss, and as these papers are reversible, it was quick and easy to colour co-ordinate. The brown embossed panel is the reverse of the striped mat, put through the polka dot embossing folder and sanded. I cut the mat for the ticketed panel by first trimming into a rectangle, then cutting the corners with a small circle punch to get the neat shape.

Supplies: Free Digi Image: Clare Curd Crafts; Papers and Cardstock: Core'dinations cardstock in cream , First Edition Desert Blooms Paper Pack {Trimcraft}; Ink: Ranger Distress ink in Old Paper Tools: X-cut 5/8" circle punch, Pokey tool, Quickutz polka dot embossing folder, sanding tool. Embellishments: Brown and Fawn ribbon, green embroidery thread.

I've based this card on an old sketch from Card Positioning systems challenge blog too {CPS 146}, just for fun!

Be back tomorrow with the final card made with the free digi downloads. Hope you're enjoying them! Until then...

Rock 'n' Roll on Father's Day!

2011-06-15T22:31:00.000+01:00

Hi there!

Sorry I'm a bit late with this...I had hoped to get this online earlier, but you know how it is!

I've created a card using the third of my freebie Digi Downloads, which you can find in *this post*! I hope that you download, enjoy using them and enter the digi challenge for a chance to win a prize!

I made this card on Behalf of my friend's son to give to his Dad. They are Rock and Roll Dancers every now and again, and the digi reminded me of the centre of a record, so that's where the idea was born!

I just LOVE the backing paper, but please, don't ask where I got it from, because I can't remember! it was something I printed off the internet without saving, I will try and have a scour around the world wide web to see whether I can find it again. I really hope I can find it, because it's sooo cool! I kept the rest of the card quite simple, as the paper is quite busy and I didn't want to overload the design. The letters are acetate stickers I've had for yonks!

Do you know what I made the vinyl record from? It's the inside of a floppy disc! Yes, you know those ones that you must have lying around somewhere unused and unloved. I just removed the plastic outer case to reveal the disc itself. Just watch how much you handle it, they seem to show up finger prints quite easily!

The jukebox is from a fabulous set of 1950's stamps from Pink Cat Studio. I coloured with Promarkers, trying to get that look of the changing colours that run down the sides.

I punched out the digi download with a 1.5 circle punch and stuck it to the metal part of the floppy disc. I actually had the 1950's retro stylee in mind when I designed the download. Love that era!

The disc can be removed from the 'record sleeve' (which is actually a pocket, with a semi circle punched from the edge.) I made sure the sleeve was large enough for the 'record', and square too.

I also made a reverse for the disc, which acts as an extra message panel. I'm also making this available for you as another FREE download *here*. I hope you like it!

Well, that's all for tonight, I hope you like the card as I LOVED making it! Thanks for all your lovely comments, they really make my day. I'll be back tomorrow with another card made with the fourth digi download. Until then...

OMGoodness! WoW...

2011-06-15T14:04:00.000+01:00

Hi there,

I can't believe it, I'm so honoured to have been picked as one of the top three in last week's Sketch Challenge at I ♥ Promarkers! Thank you so much to all the team there, I really appreciate it. I will display the banner on my sidebar with pride!

Will be back later with a card using the third of my Freebie Digi downloads...

Retro Father's Day...

2011-06-14T16:40:00.000+01:00

Hi there!

Hope you're having a great day. The weather is just beautiful here in North Lincolnshire and this morning I have been doing some shopping ready for our summer holiday. I've pur~chased a few new tops, and I also got Joe some supper cool trendy tops too. He'll wear nothing else at the moment. Where did my baby boy go, he's 6 going on 16 now!

I've made a card with the second FREEBIE digi image available from *yesterday's post*. This is a little more on the retro stylee, so I've tried to match this to the papers...

I've hand stitched {lovin' hand stitching at the moment!}around the edge of the panel, by lightly drawing around the panel with a pencil, then pricking about 0.5cm away form this with my pokey tool. It's stiitched with one thread of burgundy embroidery thread.The corners are a bit dodgy, but what can you do...it's hand stitched, right?

I've drawn a little black line around the edge of the circle, again a little wonky... I've designed the image so that it can be cut perfectly with a 1.5" circle punch!

Supplies: Free Digi Image: Clare Curd Crafts; Papers and Cardstock:Core'dinations cardstock in shades of blue and , ATD Occasions and Celebrations Year Book paper pad; Pink Petticoat Littlest dots Tangerine Tools: X-cut 1.5" circle punch, Stampin' up scalloped circle punch, Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page - Cherish, Pokey tool, COrner rounder large. Embellishments: Red Twill ribbon, white gel pen, red adhesive gems.

Anyhoo, feel free to grab your Freebie, and I will be showing you another card using a digi image tomorrow.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Digi Freebie Monday and Digi Challenge #2!

2011-06-13T22:30:00.003+01:00

Hi There!

Well, it looks as though this is going to be a Monday Evening Challenge doesn't it. Why did I pick Mondays?! ~ well, the reason was that we all need something free to look forward to after the weekend, but I didn't count on the hecticness {is that a word?}that Monday's bring. I'm sure once I'm more organised I'll be posting at 6am...yeah, right!

So what FREEBIE do I have for you tonight. Well Matthew{?}, being Father's Day and all this Sunday coming, it would be rude not to at least help you out a little, wouldn't it. AND I have not just one freebie.....oh no! I have but FIVE FREEBIES!!! Well, I got a little carried away, and it would just be a waste not to give them all.

These are all available to download *here*.There are two of all of them apart from the ticket design with the tree. I've also designed the circular greetings to fit into a 1.5" circle punch perfectly! I would love to know what you think to these and what else you would like to see available so please *let me know*.

I've made this card with the first in our line up, and I will be showing cards I've created with the other digital images every day this week.

Supplies: Free Digi Image: Clare Curd Crafts; Papers and Cardstock:Core'dinations cardstock in shades of blue and white, Basic Grey Cupcake~make a wish, Archaic; Tools: X-cut heart punch {for scalloped edge), Pokey tool, Embellishments: Orange Polkadot grossgrain ribbon.

I really hope you like it! I've used a sketch from a challenge blog called Sweet Stop Sketches, brought to my attention by Sarpreet, Thank you!So with that in mind, I would like to enter the card into that challenge:

Sweet Stop Sketches, SSS112

Now onto the challenge. I would Absolutely ♥ ♥ ♥ to see what you do with this image! So all you have to do is make your creation, then add your name and the URL of where your creation is into Mr Linky! I will judge the winner on Monday 20th June at 10am, so...what are you waiting for?

Whoo Hoo! I made Top Three...

2011-06-13T11:49:00.000+01:00

Well knock me down with a feather! I made top three at the *One stop Craft Challenge blog* with one of my Father's Day cards you can see *here*. I'm absolutely overwhelmed! Thank you to everyone involved. You've made my day!

Waste Not Want Not!

2011-06-12T15:44:00.003+01:00

Hi there,

And a Happy Sunday to you all. I've spent the day doing nothing much, and to be quite honest I like yet loathe days like this. I like the relaxed feeling 'nothing much' gives, although I loathe the feeling on non-achievement. I'm definitely a do-er and to do nothing seems alien.

So this afternoon I decided to so something I have been meaning to do for ages. I hate any waste, and get great satisfaction from completely using up the last of things. I also got Joseph involved, but he got bored quickly as they do at this age and went off to play at being the 'Gas Man' - don't ask.

I'd got some Yankee Candles that hadn't burned away completely, so after removing the old metal plate for the wick and any debris, I broke them up and put them in a sealable bag. I added to the bag any time I had spare wax from the same fragrance candle.

I bought some paraffin votive wicks from candleiciouscandles on ebay, they were very reasonable so make it worthwhile buying some to use over time.

I was going to buy some votive moulds, but I could only find them in fours at the store I went to and they were so expensive for the amount of times I will use them. So I bought these votive holders from a candle suppliers for 99p each and these will do the job perfectly. The only downside is that once they're moulded in there, they stay there, unlike if I'd used a mould.

I used a makeshift Bain Marie from a Pyrex jug {other heatproof jugs are available!} and a saucepan full of water. to melt the leftover wax from my Yankee Candles, this fragrance being my favourite, Creme Brulee. I waited until all the wax had melted before pouring. You can speed up melting time by breaking up the wax into smaller pieces to increase surface area. You see, I did listen in Physics!

Then as soon as the wax was completely melted I poured into the holders. The wick might move around a little but once poured you do have a few seconds to make sure it is centralised. The jug can be easily cleaned by putting it back into the Bain Marie and wiping round with kitchen towel. Make sure you don't burn your hands! End of patronising warning!

Finally, here is one {creamy caramel} which is nearly solidified, and the other {creme brulee} has just been poured. Can you see how the one on the left has dipped a little in the middle? This is what happens when they set, so it's a good idea to leave a little wax to reheat and pour to get a flat, perfect candle. I don't know if they may have lost some of their fragrance, but they smell good to me!

Thanks for coming to visit! Don't forget there's another Freebie Digi Monday tomorrow!

Friends are the Essence of Life...

2011-06-11T17:14:00.000+01:00

Hi There!

Well, what a day! Can the weather decide what to do at all today? One minute glorious sunshine, the next torrential rain. I'm sure that the farmer's are doing a celebration dance though, and rightly so!

I made this quick card yesterday. I was all fidgety and couldn't seem to settle down to anything. Do you ever get days like that, where you feel as though you have Ants in your tummy?

I was initially enveloped by the colour combination from the Color Q Challenge, and I went on to have a look for other challenges to enter. I seem to be addicted to challenges at the moment. Am I a lost cause, or is there any cure? I'd love to know the challenges you'd recommend. I've found Feline Playful through a few recommendations {thank you!},but I'd love to know which ones you enjoy.

I used a clear stamp set I've had for years...I'm so sorry I don't have a clue what it is, or who made it. If anyone has an idea, I'd love you to leave a comment. I used a mixture of pigment and dye based inks to achieve the right colour mix for the Color Q challenge. The colours are just awesome together! I also used cored'inations cardstock on the reverse side so that I didn't pick up too much texture on the stamped images. I added the ribbon through a hole created by my crop a dile before mounting onto burgundy cardstock.

I also used a masking technique to layer the images. I LOVE this technique, so I make sure I keep my masks with the stamp set so I can use until it gets too grotty.

Supplies: Stamps :Flowers, unknown; Kaisercraft Friendship Sentiments; Inks: Colorbox Red and Dune pigment; Mushroom chalk ink and Chocolate Brown dye based ink. Cardstock: Vanilla and scarlet Core'dinations cardstock. Ribbon: Brown Spotty Ribbon from Country Baskets

I'd like to enter the card into the following challenges:

ColorQ Challenge:

Anything goes challenge #42 {masking}
Crafts and Me Challenge #38 {stamp something}
Diva's by Design {florals}
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #55 {Friends}

Thanks for coming by today...It's around dinner time so I'm hoping that we'll be eating soon!

The Winner of the Blog Candy is...

2011-06-10T13:03:00.000+01:00

Hi there,

Just a quick post to announce the winner of the blog candy is...

Sandracraftycardz!

Congratulations!

If you could let me know your postal address by emailing me through the contact me button on the sidebar, I'll get your prize out to you ASAP.

Thank you so much to everyone for entering and putting a link on your blogs too!

Love, Clare x

The Simple Pleasures of Father's Day!

2011-06-09T21:56:00.002+01:00

Hi there,

How are you today? No, really?

It seems now's the time for making Father's Day cards judging by all the challenges out there centred towards this theme. And a good job too, seeing as I need a few of them! Thing is, even though I've been setting challenges for a few years now, I'm stumped. I have made three cards using different challenges. What's the etiquette when it comes to posting these cards. Do YOU normally put each card on a separate post, or all in one post? This time I'm going to put all three on one post as some of the challenges, relating to all the cards expire tonight

{are you keeping up with this}

so I would appreciate your advice.

The first card is this one...

Which I'm entering into the following challenges...

I ♥ Promarkers {sketch}
Tuesday Throwdown #52 {animal}
Designed 2 Delight {Masculine + no flowers}
Here come the boys challenge #3 {Father's Day/Hubby/Partner}
Easy Craft Projects Challenge #39{For Dad}
Crafting for all Seasons #2 {Father's Day}

I got the papers quite recently and loved the combination of fawn {or beige} and burgundy. The stamp {Whipper Snapper}I've had for ages and this is the first time I've got to use it. I really enjoyed blending my Promarkers to colour the image, and surprisingly I loved doing the hand stitching. I created the Greeting on my computer using the cookies and cream font.

The next card is for my Dad's Birthday...

Which I'm entering into the following Challenges...

Sketch Saturday #148
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT # 31 {males}
One Stop Craft Challenge #134 {Texture}
Designed 2 Delight {Masculine + No Flowers}
Easy Craft Projects Challenge #39{For Dad}

I really love this image, it just reminds me of my Dad with Joseph on a walk. My Dad wears a hat just like that! I stamped the Tin Can Mail stamp with Walnut Stain Distress inks and blended with a water brush. The button is from the stash of vintage buttons I stumbled upon in Oxfam. The texture is provided be the embossed blue cardstock, the textured background cardstock, and of course the button. I stamped the Happy Birthday repeat onto patterned paper and I think it looks really effective. I made the greeting on my laptop with the Travelling Typewriter font.

I'm entering this final card, probably my favourite of the lot, which is for my Father in Law...

Into these challenges...

I ♥ to Stamp {sketch, although I don't know if it qualifies as it doesn't have a stamped image!}I used this sketch...

Designed 2 Delight {Masculine + No Flowers}
Easy Craft Projects Challenge #39{For Dad}
One Stop Craft Challenge #134 {Texture}
Here come the boys challenge #3 {Father's Day/Hubby/Partner}

I really have a thing for retro and the 1950's at the moment! I found these FREE vintage printables on Tip Junkie , How gorgeous are they??! There are 6 different designs altogether. The papers are from Die Cuts with a View Green Stack. I coloured the white Core'dinations cardstock and twill with Old Paper and Walnut Stain Distress inks to achieve the same shade as the image. The circle is again hand stitched. I find this very therapeutic. The greeting is made by the travelling typewriter font.

Anyhoo, I hope you've enjoyed looking at my cards as much as I did making them. I'd like to say THANK YOU to all the challenge setters, I've had a BLAST!

Textured presents...

2011-06-09T10:47:00.002+01:00

Good Morning!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the inclement weather we seem to be having! Yesterday was one of those days {here, anyway} where it just couldn't seem to make it's mind up as to what it was going to do...one minute glorious sunshine, the next torrential rain. Ah well, it keeps my washing on its toes!

I hope you'll be pleased to hear that I've been busy in the evenings coming up with some more FREE digi images for your delectation, the next one to be released on Monday 12th June. Don't forget I still have the challenge running to use the last free digital image on a project, and this finishes on Monday 12th June. See *here* for more details.

Today I thought I'd share a card I made Ooo, almost a year ago now for the Letterpress Hour on Ideal World/Create and Craft. I still love this piece of kit and get it out whenever I can. I'll have to show you my business cards I made with help of this little beauty.

The papers are from Papermania Henbury Lane, and I hand drawn a little border around the edge too.

I've inked up the plates as usual using pink letterpress ink, but then instead of using letterpress paper {or card as I would call it} I have used core'dinations cardstock to get that linen effect. You don't really get the debossed effect that you'd usually get when using the correct cardstock however. I love it!

Anyhoo, be back soon with some cards I've made over the past couple of days!

Digi Freebie Monday #1, and a New Challenge!

2011-06-06T21:16:00.002+01:00

Edited 13.06.11 - I'm Pleased to announce the winner of the first Digi Challenge is...

-Agnes- Congratulations!

Please email me using the contact button with your address so I can send your prize! x

Good Evening!

Sorry I'm so late with this...it's been one of those kind of days where you've had so much to do you're not sure whether you'll come up for breath. Anyway, first things first {well if I knew what to do first, there wouldn't be much of a problem!} I completed my cards for Quick Cards Made Easy {I've been asked to do a couple of Subs Extra Cards}, then after delivering them to the post office, writing the instructions and my column, cleaning, putting on dinner, eating dinner, washing up, making sandwiches for tomorrow, I'm now eventually ready to post on my blog, the thing I've been itching to do since this morning. How does life get in the way??

So.... Freebie Digi Monday...How will it work?

I going to be giving you all a free digital image every Monday! It's about as simple as that. The first free digi I provided is *here*, but this is the very first official Free Digi Monday. You can use them as you wish, for cards to either sell or for charity; or to adorn cards for friends and family. All I ask is that you respect my artwork and do not electronically reproduce digital images for sale, and that if you use the images for publication, competition or DT work, you credit my work, and provide a link to my blog. I thank you in advance.

However, to make things a little more exciting, I thought I would combine Digi Freebie Monday with a
Digi Challenge! I would like you to use the image I provide that week on anything you like ~ a card, scrapbook, tag, box, ATC, and post here using Mr. Linky. The challenge will be judged on Monday mornings before the new digi image and challenge is post and set. The winner of the Digi Challenge will win a little thank you prize! I hope that makes sense!

So, the free digital Image is...

You will receive four images as a PDF, two with a textured background and two with a smooth background. Let me know if you like them with different backgrounds! You can download them *here* ...

I've made a card using the digital image and I really hope you like it! It's made from a square card blank and I've cut from the bottom corners to 2cm in at the top to form a handbag shape.

Supplies: Free Digi Image: Clare Curd Crafts; Papers and Cardstock: Free Papers from Papercrafts Essentials Issue 68, Stampin' up, Coredinations White Cardstock, Tools: Martha Stewart Punch around the page - cherish, Quickuts nesting dies scalloped circle and circle, Embellishments: Papermania Ribbon and blue adhesive stones.

So...are you still with me?! Now onto the challenge. I would Absolutely ♥ ♥ ♥ to see what you do with this image! So all you have to do is make your creation, then add your name and the URL of where your creation is into Mr Linky! I will judge the winner on Monday 13th June at 10am, so...what are you waiting for?

Edited 13.06.11 - This challenge is now CLOSED. Thank you for your entries - new challange and FREE digi available later today! x

FREE Blog Candy for you.

2011-06-03T15:08:00.004+01:00

Edited to add: this Blog Candy is now CLOSED. The winner is Sandracraftycrardz! Thanks to everyone who entered x

Have you got a sweet tooth? Well, a sweet tooth for Blog Candy?

Yesterday I promised you a little something, but I never got the chance to post as I took Joseph to Flamingo Land. What a gorgeous day it was, although I must say a little too hot for me! I have designed another Free digi for use on cards {scrapbooks, ATC's whatever really!}, the first one is *HERE*, but I have decided that I'm going to have a special day once a week for giving away freebies, and what better day than the first day of the week ~

Free Digi Monday!

It's probably a day when we could all do with a lift! So be sure to visit next Monday {6th June} for your freebie! I may even have a contest with a prize for the best card made with the free digi - call it a challenge if you will!

Anyhoo,l before I get onto blog candy, I wanted to show you the building of our new patio, that's occurring right now, as I type - I can hear them out of my craft room window. We've had an area that can no better be described as 'waste ground' for years and years, and we decided to get Joe a trampoline {well, actually I really wanted one}, so we thought this was the perfect time to get something done with that area. It's going to look a.ma.zing!

We'll hopefully have the trampoline up tomorrow, so expect to see photographs of me*ahem*, I mean Joseph bouncing happily!

So onto the blog candy...It's not much, I've had a right good clear out {as we say ooop North} and most of my village, schools, friends charity shops and clubs have benefited from my crafty stash, so I have this little offering for you!

If you would like to win this, you have until 10am, FRIDAY 10th JUNE to enter. All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, and put a link to this blog and a mention on your blog. That's it, simple!

EDITED TO ADD: If you don't have a blog you can still enter, but I would really prefer it if you could put a link on your blog if you have one.

Storage Galore!

2011-06-01T13:41:00.000+01:00

Hi There,

Today I wanted to share with you my completely new, and scrummily gorgeous storage systems, made from items picked up from Charity Shops. I LOVE trawling charity shops for things I can use for crafty reasons, I just have to be patient, not look for anything in particular, and also look at EVERYTHING!

This was a Barbie display case, I covered the Barbie sign {to the right, near the Union Flag tile} with pink vinyl, then it was simply a case of placing my inks, brayers and powders.

Yum, I'm much more likely to use them now. All I need to do is add my alcohol inks to the collection then I'll have all my inks out.

Now, I showed you this not long ago for the storage of my Promarkers, but I'd been on the look out for a double DVD storage case ever since I saw a post by Paula Holifield regarding the way she stores hers. The DVD rack was a little grotty, so I covered with white Vinyl from Silhouette and it looks so much cleaner and inviting now.

Paula was also providing a print out of the tabs you need to put into the DVD cases {which act as shelves}, so why don't you drop her a line and see if it's still available. Don't you just want to dive in and splash around in those colours ?!

I'll be back tomorrow with maybe a little something for you! x

Thank you for All your Hard Work and FREE Digi for you!

2011-05-31T13:29:00.002+01:00

Hi there,

I just wanted to share this card with you that I made last night for someone to give to a colleague, and I thought I would share something with YOU too!

I LOVE it! I made the topper in Photoshop, I'm amazed how {relatively} easy it was to do! One of the backing papers is from an old book which I picked up from a charity shop, and I distressed it a little more with Old Paper Distress Inks from Ranger. I'm addicted to sewing at the moment, so you would've had to hold me back to keep stitching off this card!

I used a zig zag stitch {with machine set about half way on the zig zag dial, with the stitch length set just below two} with burgundy thread, and then no thread on the straight stitch to create a pricked border. The card just goes through the machine like a dream, it manages to keep really straight!

So, what do I have to share with you? Well, as I said I designed the topper in Photoshop, and you can grab it HERE for use on your cards! I really hope this link works!! There are 8 on the sheet, and I would love to see what you do with them, so please leave a comment to let me see what you come up with! Also let me know if you would like more things like this!

Well, that's all for now, thanks for stopping by!

The End of an Era....

2011-05-31T12:57:00.003+01:00

Good Morning,

Well, what do you think? Another new look to celebrate, but also commiserate the end of an era. For you see today is my last day of working exclusively with docrafts. It's been a FANTASTIC time, but it's time to move onto pastures new. There are many reasons for this, most of which are not interesting{!}. It's been a very hard decision for me, but once made, I knew it was the right one.

There are many new and exciting developments for me over the next few weeks, developments which I was hoping to be able to share with you today, but as time seems to move so quickly {is it because I'm getting old?} not all the T's have been crossed and the i's dotted, so I have to wait. I'm so sorry...I can't wait to tell you all!

I will miss dearly many of my colleagues at docrafts, and I would regard many of them as best friends. However of course we will keep in touch, it's just sad to know that I won't see them on a regular basis any more. Onwards and upwards.

Very soon though, I will have new colleagues to get to know, some of which are already friends, and I'm looking forward to working with them too! There's always a silver lining to every cloud!

I would like to thank you all dearly for all your support, well wishes and friendship, as I regard you as my friends too.

PLEASE NOTE: I WILL still be writing my column in Quick Cards Made Easy! x

A Cushion for Pins...

2011-05-30T11:57:00.000+01:00

Happy Bank Holiday Monday!

Well, it's a little miserable today here in the North of North Lincolnshire, but perfect weather for crafting, and watching old movies with a duvet! Lovely! I've just been reminiscing with an old movie, 'Rear Window' by Alfred Hitchcock - a classic!

I just wanted to show you the results of some of my first attempts at sewing. Do you like it - it's a pin cushion! It's not perfect, but it's a start and I really like it! The material is from IKEA {No, I don't actually live there!}. I made it after watching this video here and here, I used a plate as a template for the circle, and the rest is history.

Thanks for stopping by today. Tomorrow I will have news of changes happening in my life, so if you can come by tomorrow, I would love to share them with you!

Let's See Where the Road Takes Me....

2011-05-26T10:43:00.001+01:00

Good Morning!

It's a little chilly this morning, but still a great day.

On Tuesday I decided to take myself off on a jaunt around the countryside. I'm very lucky, as living in the North of North Lincolnshire {or to some, South Humberside, but that's a whole different story}I'm actually in the countryside, and also it's nice and flat so no humongous hills to climb!

I took a short drive to Kirmington, as I'd heard from a friend that there was a lovely walk on one of the public footpaths, and I thought I would be able to get some good photographs. In fact I found three or four footpaths, so I'm not exactly sure which one my friend was on about, but still I wasn't disappointed. I took the one that led me into Kirmington village.

This is the 'Marrowebone and Cleaver' - what a great name for a Pub! They serve great food and the welcome is always very warm.

I just love finding things like this! What a little gem. I have no idea what it is, but I love the rustiness and character of it. You would think that living in the country I would come across things like this all the time, but no!

This is the church in Kirnington. What a beautiful sky!

And finally some flowers from the church yard, what a gorgeous sight!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed our stroll around Kirmington as much as I did...I plan to do it more often! x

NO W.O.Y.W.W today :(

2011-05-25T10:53:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry there is no What's on your Workdesk Wednesday today. The reason is that my desk is so boring and non changing at the moment, and I really must get on with all the stuff that's been mounting up over the past few days. I hope you will understand.

Only 6 more days until great changes unfold for me...

Hey Birdie!

2011-05-24T12:57:00.000+01:00

Hi there!

Just wanted to quickly share a card with you, which I made from a few scraps of paper and a label from a Kaiser Craft stamp set. I loved the colours and the little tree on the label and couldn't bear to throw it away!

I used my sketch challenge layout on the docrafts site {which has now finished, just today} and the background paper is from Pink Petticoat, printed onto white core'dinations cardstock.

I really hope you like it, I loved making it!

Thanks for all your Hard Work, and a Couple of Challenges...

2011-05-18T22:01:00.000+01:00

Good Evening!

I thought I would dabble in a couple of challenges today and I've really loved doing it, as it's made me use colours that I may not have normally used. I've also used products that I've had for ages too but not used, so wins all round!

The challenges I would like to enter are:

Neutrals Color Challenge for Color Inspiration for Card Makers Week in the Moxie Fab World,

and

CPS Card Sketches #218

and here is my card...

I had a bit of a challenge in itself trying to find the papers and cardstock to suit the colours. I hope I've got it about right! I ended up printing a Hero Arts Digi Stamp {Friendship Definition} onto silver plain paper from Pink Petticoat, and I love how it turned out! The woodgrain paper is also from Pink Petticoat. The gorgeous image is from the Ubber talented Christine Dark, and it was a pleasure to colour.

I also used embroidery thread through mini buttons before attaching them to the card. The edges of the cardstock and paper was distressed using Weathered Wood, and Black Soot Distress inks.

These were the Promarker colours I used...the one without a written label is Midnight Blue!

This is the insert for the card. I placed the woodgrain panel into Photosho and after much head scratching, I worked out how to create a white centre in which to plae my sentiment. The fonts are Black Jack and Accord Light.

I truly hope you like the card as much as I did creating it, and I would like to say thank you to both Challenges for providing me with a happy afternoon!

W.O.Y.W.W.102!

2011-05-18T09:37:00.000+01:00

Good Morning,

Not long to go now until the PIF for What's on your Workdesk Wednesday, organised by Julia Dunnit over at the Stamping ground. I'm panicking a bit because in order to make my PIF gorgeous, I have to find the electric sanding mouse and manual planer...now that's got you thinking. They're not at my Father in Laws, {or my Uncle, only called my Uncle because he borrowed my Dad's orbital sander 35 years ago...Thanks Peter Kay!} so I'm hoping they're up in the loft - it's such a treck to get up there though, and I don't think I have the energy.

Instead of showing you what's on my desk {okay, I know that's the idea}, as it's very much the same as last week, I thought I would show you what is still a mammoth task ahead of me. I have 117 packs and numerous loose stamps to sort, stamp in my catalogue and file away in CD cases, as I've shown you here. It's a never ending task. I vow that I will buy no more until the job is complete but I just lie to myself. You know how it is.

These are my greeting and sentiments stamps. Yum!...

...and these are my everyday stamps which I need to sub-classify into other sections...

...a closer look at the gorgeousness!...

and these are my Christmas Stamps, which of course get a section all of their own!

Well, that's all for this morning, I hope you don't mind but I'm craving my toast and coffee! Thanks for visiting and having a nosey at my desk - I plan to do the same to yours!!

Some Mothers bake.....I BLOG!

2011-05-17T12:56:00.001+01:00

Hi there!

I was messing around in my craft room on Saturday I think, having a tidy and I was looking at my scraps of paper. I had just used a gorgeous piece of paper from one of the mashouive paper pads to cover a tin, and seeing I had a bit left, I thought I would make a card with it straight away. But what would I use for a main image? Whilst pondering, I realised my 'Retro Mama' desk calendar was still on a two week old date, so I decided to put it right. I came across the perfect quote for me, and immediately mounted it onto cardstock, die cut it, blinged it and adorned my card with it! Perfect. It now sits on my desk and when I see it, it makes me laugh. Because it's so true. If only there was another in the pack which says 'Some mothers bake, I craft' my life would be complete!

Hope you like it! Have a great day xx

My New Ink Pad Storage Holder...

2011-05-14T14:31:00.001+01:00

Good Afternoon!

Well I was hoping to post yesterday, but as I'm sure most of you will have experienced Blogger had some down time following some problems with corrupt data. Just one of those things, and I'm thankful that everyone worked really hard to get everyone's blog back online. It just shows how much we use and appreciate our blogs!

I wanted to show you my NEW Ink pad storage. Well, it stores about 20% of my total ink pads, but it's very nice. I picked it up from a local charity shop for £2.99 and it was crying out for me to take it home. So I did. It was a boring wood colour when I inheritied it, so I painted it white with about three coats of Acrylic Paint...

Then I thought it deserved some decoration, so I spread out fuschia acrylic paint onto an acrylic block, and used as an ink pad to ink up {or should that be 'paint up'?!} a gorgeous stamp from Stampendous...

I then 'randomly' stamped onto the surface of the wood/acrylic painted surface. Doesn't it look cool, and it's SO easy to do!

You can't really see the paint job on the folllowing photo but you CAN see my lovely inks, all labelled for easy use. I have the inks I use most often in here, sat on my desk.

I hope you enjoyed stopping by and looking at my lovely new ink storage!

W.O.Y.W.W 101

2011-05-11T10:22:00.000+01:00

Good Morning!

Well at least I'm not in the hundreds this time. WoW! People get up pretty early to post their WOYWW entries! If you wonder what I'm on about, pop over to Julia's blog at the Stamping ground.

As you can see I don't think much has changed since last week! my phone is still there {although it comes everywhere with me, it has been moved since last Wednesday!} but I do have some new additions to the table! There is the gorgeous Creative Spaces Magazine which arrived yesterday accompanied by a chorus or Angels singing. It's simply gorgeous and I will spend many an hour stroking the delicious pages, wishing the craft rooms, complete with Glitter Stations and Die cutting areas were ALL mine. NOt a cheap mag, when you consider the postage from the US of A, but worth it for the drooling levels.

I also got the sewing book last week, and I'm buying wool jumpers and fabric like it's going out of fashion {maybe it is}. When I get a spare millisecond I will; be making bags and will have more than Posh spice by the time I'm finished.

Underneath the magazine, there is my to do list, which seems to fill up by the hour, but I love that feeling of crossing something off, and I seem to get more done this way too. The candles in the voitive holders are creamy caramel and smell scrumptious!

That's all from me for WOYWW. see you soon!

I've posed a little question...

2011-05-10T21:01:00.000+01:00

Please scroll down for recent posts!

...to the right hand side of my blog, and hope you will take a second or two to answer. Thanks so much! x

With Sympathy

2011-05-06T09:21:00.001+01:00

Good Morning Everyone!

I just wanted to quickly share the card that I made on Wednesday night and which preceded the photo you now see on my WOYWW 100 post. I made this Sympathy card for someone to give their friend, and although this is a card I don't particularly like making for obvious reasons I enjoyed making it as it has a feeling of sereneness about it. I LOVE this patterned paper from Pink Petticoat -it's called Grannie's Wallpaper and this particular shade is Stone. I've printed it onto white core'dinations cardstock to give a textured finish to the pattern.

Supplies: Stamps: Stampendous Agapanthus Cluster, Woodware Salutations clear stamps; Ink: Clearsnap Vivid ink in Brown; Cardstock: Coredinations in White and Brownie. Embellishments: American Crafts Ribbon solid gold grossgrain 5/8th", Anita's wide organza ribbon in white; Papermania Adhesive Stones in burnt gold; Tools: EK success punch photo labels punch;

I really hope you like it!

I'll be posting a tutorial of how I did my wall decal over the next couple of days, so keep checking back! there will also be an offer of blog candy very soon too! Thanks for stopping by and see you soon x

W.O.Y.W.W 100!

2011-05-05T10:43:00.005+01:00

Good Morning!

Well, let's just pretend it's Wednesday, shall we?! I did take this photo this morning, but it was left exactly as I left it on Wednesday night, so Im taking the executive decision that it counts into WOYWW. If you haven't heard or joined in with WOYWW, why not visit Julia Dunnit's Blog and see what all the rage is about. Soon it will be two years since Julia started WOYWW, and there's a PIF on week 104, I'll definitely be joining in. Visit her blog for more details.

My desk is a little more interesting than last week's photo, which you can see here. I was working on a Sympathy card last night which I will be posting later, and I think the pink petticoat paper {by my crop-a-dile}is perfect for such a card. There's also the stamped image I used {top right} and the tag punch from EK Success which I used to cut out the greeting. Can you see the blue electrical tape by the punch? I use that ALL the time for sticking down ribbon etc on the underside of my projects, as you can't see it, it's cheap and very strong. The obligatory cup of coffee is strong arming it's way into the picture too. The flowers are {just about} holding out, but will soon be with the florist in the sky I think. I also bought the DREAM word a couple of days ago from TK Maxx, I love it!

Can you also spot the white flowers at the left? I was inspired by someone's WOYWW flowers which I saw last week {I'm really sorry, I looked at so many blogs I can't remember which one it was!} and I was inspired to have a go at what they were doing {Please, if it was YOU, or you know who it was can you let me know so I can credit them?}. They are from Primark as a bracelet, and they were using alcohol inks to colour them and they looked STUNNING! I don't know what I'll do with them yet, but I can't wait to have a play!

Well, that's all for this week! Thanks for visiting, and I look forward to visiting your desk some time soon! x

Storing Clear and Unmounted Stamps...Answering a Question

2011-05-04T10:07:00.000+01:00

Good Morning!
I had planned to do this post on Saturday, but you know how things are what with a Bank Holiday weekend!

I had a comment on my post here about the way I store my rubber and clear stamps in CD cases, as the person had heard that there is something in the CD plastic that can deteriorate the cling in both ezymount and the polymer. I had heard this also, so I decided to do a little research, both on the internet and of my own.

I made this video{which I would love your comments on, and you can also subscribe to the Clare Curd Crafts! Channel on You Tube, lots of videos to come! } so you can see the results of my own research, but I also mention that I have found some links with more information. You can find these here and here.

So, there you have it. I wanted to do this so that you were all fully informed as to all the information out there about whether storing stamps in CD cases is a safe idea. From what I've discovered I'm still happy to leave my stamps as they are, and I'd love to know your thoughts!

Storing Clear and Unmounted Rubber Stamps Tutorial

2011-04-30T22:46:00.003+01:00

Good Evening!

I would like to say thanks for the lovely comments I've had about my newly refurbed craft room. It has always been a joy to work in there, and I know I'm very lucky to have a room of my own. I've often joked that if I had a gas hob and a shower in there I would never need to leave my room!

I'm going to be showing you how I did the lettering and vinyl decal over the next week or so, but I had a question as to exactly how I store my clear stamps after I posted a piccy of my CD's which you can see here, so I thought I would do a kind of tutorial to show you exactly how I do this.

Here's my folder where I keep all my images of my clear and unmounted rubber stamps. I try and keep this {as much as I can} in occasion categories such as Christmas, girly, masculine, flowers, sentiments etc. The folder allows me to add new sheets within a category whenever I get new stamps. It was my aim once I'd got this system up and running to stamp and categorise them as soon as they were bought, and get them into the CD's , but with the best laid plans this hasn't happened, and at the moment I must have about 100 packs of clear stamps to sort categorise and store! So this is how my system works.

I take my set of stamps, and decide which category it will fit most. In this case I'm storing the 'Born to Shop Go Green' stamp set, so in this case it will go in my girly section. I'm using the lid of an A5 storage box as an acrylic block, placing all my stamps onto this to stamp onto a piece of white card. I used to stamp them with an acrylic block, but found placing, inking stamping and cleaning took so long, it's much quicker this way and just as effective, after all you only need to make out the image, it doesn't have to be perfect. I use a dye based black ink so it dries quickly too.

When I use a lid instead of an acrylic block, I make sure that I press down within the lid to get the best impression possible.

If some of the images don't come out fully, it doesn't bother me, after all it's only as a reference point to remember what stamps I have. Can you imagine trying to find a particular stamp with all your CD's on a rack together - it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack!

I use CD cases to store all my stamps. I get my cases from a local printers for about 20p each, but you can also get them from Tesco {and other leading Supermarkets, I'm sure!} in packs of 10, I usually pay about £3.50 here. Please note: You need to get the normal size CD cases, not the jewel, slim CD cases as these are not thick enough to store even Clear stamps and therefore will not close. Remove the inner section where you normally would store the CD by prizing at the spine edge carefully. This can be discarded {unless you can find another use for it of course!}.

Once my stamping is complete, I 'stick' the clear stamps {or unmounted rubber on ezymount} onto the inside of the cases. This is why I have the stamped record of the image in an easy to find way. Both sides of the CD case can be covered with clear stamps, meaning that depending on the size of the set, you can group some together. Rubber stamps on ezymount can only cover one side because of their thickness.

The stamped sheet is then given a number, and I also make labels with my Brother label printer to stick on the spine of the CD case. The CD's will be in numerical order on the shelf, but not necessarily in the folder as they will be put in their particular category.

If the CD case only contains a particular stamp set then I will also write the name on the spine too.

Now, I hear you ask, what do I do with the lovely images printed onto acetate that illustrates the stamp set? Well, sometimes I cut to size so it will fit into the CD case, but usually I make a card from it!

I made this card using the acetate image of the topiary tree from the packaging, and fixed it to white glitter cardstock using red glitter brads. In fact all of this card is made with scraps! I LOVE making cards from scraps and recycled items! I made the sentiment panel on my laptop, as can you believe I must have about 500 sets of clear stamps, and I've counted 547 woodmounted stamps, and I HAVEN'T GOT a new home stamp?!! The mind boggles!

Supplies: Image: Topiary Tree from packaging of 'Born to Shop Go Green' Papers & Cardstock: Born to Shop Go Green A5 Paper Pack; Papermania Glitter Cardstock; Core'dinations black & white cardstock; Greeting: Made with fonts Accord light SF and LD Charming Bold.

Well, I really hope you found that truly helpful! I enjoyed doing it, and at least it was another stamp set confined to a CD case!

My pottery Painting Result!

2011-04-29T10:58:00.000+01:00

Here is the results of my pottery painting at Live, Love, Create in Brigg. Joesph and I visited the studio last week and spent an hour having a great time. Joseph painted a land rover in camouflage colours{which I'll post another time}, and I did this lovely tile - They have ideas for you to try out for yourself so that's what I did.

I found the whole experience absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to visit again and have another go. The pottery looks so much better once it's been in the kiln and glazed, all the lines within the paint disappear, and the tile takes on the shiny effect. The flowers are placed on the tile using the blunt end of a match stick! What a clever idea! I drew the pattern onto the tile with a felt tip pen, which burns off in the kiln.

They also had a playground party yesterday at Joseph's School, and all the children were given a commemorative mug, featuring the school name, the royal crest and the date of the wedding. What a lovely and generous thought. I hope he'll treasure it forever.

Well, Katherine Middleton is Just arriving at Westmister Abbey to become a princess, so I'd better sign off! Have a great day, whatever you plan to do xx

Pomp and Ceremony

2011-04-29T08:10:00.002+01:00

Well today is the BIG DAY! I can't really say I'm a staunch royalist but I've been so looking forward to this day. I remember Prince Charles getting married to Princess Diana back in 1981' {and Prince Andrew to Sarah Ferguson, but no one seems to be mentioning that!} and it left such an impression on me. I'm going to be encouraging Joseph to watch and so far he seems pretty excited to do so! I wish them all the very best as they start their married life.

I'll hopefully have my pottery painting to show you later today which as you will see is very fitting for this big day!

Love, Clare x

See What I Bought Yesterday...

2011-04-28T17:11:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I decided to get a couple of hours out and about and popped to my local garden centre, which isn't really like a garden centre at all, well it is of course cos it has plants and gardening things, but when I say it's not like a garden centre I mean because it's like a department store.

I had a lovely time walking around all the lovely displays of this and that and even added to my slowly growing pile of christmas gifts that I've started to aquire. I'm adamant I'm not leaving it to the last minute as I usually do, my only trouble will be remembering who I've got what for, and where I've put them all when the time comes!

As usually happens with these trips, I end up bringing myself something lovely home as well as for others and this trip was no exception.

Mmm, these are my lovely new Yankee Candles - you really can't go wrong with a Yankee candle. As you can see though I really do like the sickly sweet ones, and the creamy caramel is gorgeous! My absolute fave is Creme Brulee which they discontinued yonks ago, but I managed to find some online and bought their whole stock! Sorry if anyone else likes it, but I got there first *sticks tounge out*. The only trouble is that I don't want to burn them as I probably won't be able to find them anymore, so I just keep them in a box, take off the lid periodically, and have a good sniff.

Now, come on! Just how super cute is this?! It's a dinky tape measure in the shape of a button, which you can also use as a pin cusion, but I won't be sticking any pins into this baby, I could mark or hurt it or something! I shall keep by my desk at all times in case of a measuring emergency. It's one of those things that you don't really need, but just have to have.

I saw a while back that someone had bought this book, and had posted on the internet how good it was. You even get everything you need to make the bag on the front too! I can't wait to get stuck in!! I've probably mentioned this before, but my Mum and Dad got me a sewing machine a few Christmas's ago and I haven't got around to using it yet {well, not really, only sewing a few stiches onto a scrap of cloth} so this will give me the push I need. I've also bought some material to do a project to make something from 'Making Magazine' , but I'll leave that surprise for another time!

Anyhoo, gotta go, time to pick Joe up from the Childminders, them pop to pick up his pottery painting that he did last week. I did something too - I'm so excited to see it - I'll show you what I did if it turns out okay!

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday no. 99

2011-04-27T14:31:00.002+01:00

Please bear with me on this one...its the first time I have joined in with WOYWW and so I'm a little unsure as to what I'm doing! Please point me in the ring direction if I've got the wrong end of the stick, or not done something quite right!

Needless to say my desk is a little bare at the moment what with having a craft room clear our and sort! I'm painting up an old cassette holder I picked up from a charity shop, so there's White acrylic pain, a palette and sponge brush on my gorgeous new WRM mat. Also business cards from various crafty persons, an apple pie case {naughty!} and my Yankee `Good Morning’ candle. My camera is also present, but that's because I took the picture on my phone.
Maybe my desk will be more exciting next time?!
Love, Clare x

Time to Reveal the Revamp!

2011-04-26T16:10:00.002+01:00

Whoa! Are you ready for this??! I'm so excited and even though it's not completely finished {when can we EVER say a room is completely finished?} I can wait no longer! I probably the only one excited about this, but I can tell you it's definitely given me a new lease of life.

The only before pictures I have posted on my blog are these just showing part of my room and also the colour of the walls as was. There are more on my old laptop but for some reason I can't seen to turn it on at the moment! When I can I'll edit this post.

Well, it's taken a good few weeks to get from that to this, and there's still more to do, but I'm getting there. I've had a masshouive clear out, and now most of the children and adults in the local area are beneficiaries of my clear out - and I wouldn't have it any other way. If I can spread my love of craft to others, then I've done my job.

SO where so I start? At the beginning would be a good place!

I've painted the walls with Cape May by the New England Paint company, it's probably just white to the untrained eye, but you and I can tell the difference, right? ;) I kept the colour above the picture rail just to add a soupcon of colour, but mainly because I couldn't be bothered to paint all the mountainous artexing peaks! I treated myself to a new clock {IKEA} to nicely contrast with the walls and a new 'sideboard, cupboardy thing', which now looks better than 4 of those mismatched plastic drawer things that were all different heights. I've also got a new gorgeously pink scalloped edged WRM magnetic craft mat, which is gorg! Also, I've added some poles, and magnetic strip a la IKEA, great for punches and scissors and the like. I also have the gorgeous white carousel from Create and Craft {on the sideboard} which is such good quality, and my be-utiful giraffe print tote bag from Craft Superstore.

This is now looking to the direction the previous photo was taken. I've made the wall decal myself, and it was soooo easy to do, with help from my Silhouette{close ups to follow}. I LOVE that machine! I invested in some new boxes for my expedit shelves, and these are made from frosted perspex. As I could see through them, I thought this looked too untidy, so I bought 14 sheets of 12 x 12 patterned paper and had them laminated. These fit nicely into the front of the boxes and make everything look uniform, and no longer untidy. The room will make the room look untidy, soon enough! ha ha.

Here's the wall decal in more detail. The 'dream' and 'inspire' words are made from Silhouette Pink Vinyl. It's so easy to do! I'll do a tutorial on how to make your own later in the week. The 'Create' word is made from letters bought from decopatch. They are like a papier mache, and they come white. Tutorial to follow about this!

Mmmm, droool...buttons, brads and flowers! I just LOVE my buttons, brads and flowers and must have spent two full evenings sorting these beauties into colour schemes. I have displayed them in colour schemes too. At the back there is a large jar with flowers, to the middle a medium jar with buttons, and to the front a small IKEA jar with brads. Like a rainbow of fruit flavours!

I also found these handy little plastic baskets on a trip to IKEA too. They are great for storing 6 x 6 paper pads {you can get two next to each other with the spines showing - I'll take a piccy}, but here I've used them for my scrap paper and cardstock. I've already started putting vinyl signs on them to denote the colour, but I'm waiting for more colours of vinyl to be delivered so I can finish this! Can you see, I have no purple scraps! I also have a large one for patterned paper.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! The frame is from IKEA, and I printed off the 'Get Excited and Make Things' onto glossy photographic paper. It was sooo easy and fun to do and now adorns my wall behind my desk. It makes me smile every time I see it. You are allowed to print this out for your own use, as long as you are not selling and making profit from it. See here for details!

This started life as a black drawered unit {I think I have a picture on my old computer somewhere}. I took out the drawers and painted the unit with duck egg satin paint. Once it had had about three coats {and that took ages!} I stuck the drawers back into the unit using 'No Nails' - wow that stuff is so quick to dry, and strong. I also used this to stick the Create letters to the wall. I also want to introduce you to my full set of Promarkers. I coloured a circle sticker and wrote the name, before sticking to the end of the pen for easy selection. The pen layers are separated by coasters which fit the compartments perfectly.YUM!

Finally {for now!} This is my collection of clear stamps - my love, my joy. I still have LOADS of sets of stamps to sort out, but here on the shelves I have 293 - count 'em. CD's full of clear stamps. I know obscene, but they are my Achilles heel!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed a look around my room. Any questions, I'd love to hear them!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T13:16:00.001+01:00

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you a very Happy and Peaceful Easter. Joseph was visited by the Easter Bunny this morning, and he was very pleased with the couple of chocolate eggs he received, hopefully I will get to partake too, and there were no eggs for me :(

Well, my craft room revamp is so very nearly complete, I can almost taste it! I just simply can't wait to show you the photographs, and believe me, there will be lots! that's mainly I've been doing over the past couple of weeks, along with work of course. we've also moved the guinea pigs outside fir the summer, so I can imagine they are a lot happier with fresh air and grass on tap!

Oh, I knew I had something to tell you! Whilst Sheila and I were living it up at Ally Pally, and David and Joe were visiting family, the next door neighbours hedge caught fire and is currently looking very sorry for itself. Apparently, nothing obvious caused the fire, and our neighbour was asleep on the sofa when the fire started. He must have got such a shock! As usual the other neighbours on the cul-de-sac were brilliant, stretching their hoses and bringing buckets of water, so that the blaze was nearly out by the time the fire service arrived. Nothing of great importance was damaged, and everyone was safe which is the main thing...a hedge can be replaced!

Anyhow, I PROMISE, photos of my craft room will follow next week, along with some snazzy new projects I've created for my room.

Lots of love and Happy Easter!

Clare x

Feel Better Soon!

2011-04-16T17:37:00.002+01:00

Hi there, and a happy Saturday to you all!

Supplies: Card Blank: Craftwork Cards. Stamps: Penny Black Love Blush; Sentiment Stamp - Paula Pascual/Personal Impressions. Letraset Promarkers: Flowers: Red, Poppy, Crimson, Burgundy, Leaves:

Leaf Green, Pear Green, Forest Green. Background Paper {inside panel} Pink Petticoat Mocha Grannies Wallpaper.

I coloured the roses using the three shades of red mentioned, and when finished, added a touch of the blender pen to the centre of the petals to remove some colour. I decoupaged the petals also for a more reaslitic effect.

What a wonderful day it has been today - the sun has been shining, and I don't know about you, but it always gives me a rosy outlook on life too. Over the past few weekends I have been working on decorating my craft room, and having a good old sort out, and the transformation is nearly finished. It's so much better than before and I can 't wait to show you the results, including some new storage ideas (well, new for me anyway!). I have a few finishing touches to achieve, so as soon as I've done this I'll post some before, during and after pictures on here.

This afternoon I've really enjoyed myself making the card above. Again, it's on the clean and simple theme, and I just love this style at the moment. The stamp is from Penny Black, and I coloured with Letraset Promarkers. The gorgeous card blank is from Craftwork Cards, I just love these little cards! I covered the inside back panel with paper downloaded from Pink Petticoat. The sentiment stamp is one of the lovely Paula Pascual's designs from Personal Impressions. It's for my friend Chris, who had an operation yesterday. I hope it cheers her up.

Anyhoo, we have another and final Performance of our Festival play tonight, where I play the dippy and naive Joyce (do you think I'm typecast?!) so I'd better get the grease paint on!

Winner of Blog Candy is....

2011-03-29T13:35:00.000+01:00

HI there,

Well, I'm absolutely shattered after the battering I've taken over the past few weeks! But enough moaning from me, who's won the blog candy I hear you shout!

Well its....

The Flying Fresian!

Congratulations! I look forward to sending you your prize!

Time for a little candy!

2011-03-21T16:11:00.000Z

HI there,

WoW! What a week last week was! We had SUCH a scream in Olympia - I can't tell you what hard work - but screaming great fun it was. I will fill you in on our frivolities at a later date, because I want to get onto the real reason I'm posting just now.

I have been sorting my craft room, and found a few bits that I've decided to give away as BLOG CANDY. I know there's not much but every little helps, so they say. Up for grabs there is:

Papermania A5 Boysenberry Capsule Collection papers
Stick it! Wide and narrow foam tape
Xcut No 1. Craft knife
Pampered Pets sitting pretty stamp
Secret Woodland Stamps sets (Pickles and Bubbles)
Papermania Little Cake Shoppe Ribbon
Papermania ribbon Burgundy Floral
Papermania Adhesive Pearls in Lilac and White

If you would like to enter this blog candy, all you need to do is leave a comment. That's all. However, due to costs I will only post to the UK and Ireland. I'm sure you understand.

Entires close on Tuesday 29th March, so what are you waiting for?!

Testing testing

2011-03-15T22:37:00.000Z

Just checking that the email posting is all set up on for blogging at the show and on the go! How cool!

Love, Clare x

London Tarn...Hold on to your hats!

2011-03-15T22:27:00.001Z

Good Evening!

Well, I'm all prepped, packed and pooped! I never thought I would get it all done, but now it's all organised and neatly packed away warm and cosy in my humongous suitcase, everything is calm! I've even got all my write ups for both my magazines done, whoo hoo - go me!

So, off we go to Olympia tomorrow for the Stitch and Craft Show - when I say we, I'm talking about me {of course}, my Bezzie Sheila Halliwell, the gorgeously lovely Phill Martin who will share a demo stage with me for four days {I'm sure we'll be laughing till our sides split} the uber talented Beckie Dreyer, and the fantasmagorical Becky James, doin' her thing with jewellery {what she can't do with a bead is no one's business!}. We are joined also by Becky Rattue and Nicci Pointer, who work at head office and make marketing and events like these work like a well oiled machine. Now have you noticed something - you don't have to be called Becky {or Beckie for that matter}to work at docrafts - but it helps :)

So if you are coming along to Olympia, PLEASE do come and say hello, we don't bite {however it does depend if we've been fed}.

I'll try and post whilst we're away but you know how times flies when you're working hard but having fun! xx

Best Wishes Birdie!

2011-03-09T19:05:00.002Z

Hi there!

Here I am again! I couldn't wait to get back on here blogging.

With me being away with work, I haven't had a chance to craft anything new for you - so I hope you don't mind me sharing a card I made for Project of the Week on docrafts.com a good few month's ago. It's made using the patterned papers from the Born to Shop Nostalgia Collection {which I love}, and one of the Anita's wood mounted stamps, coloured with Kurecolor alcohol based markers. I embossed the pink patterened paper with a polka dot embossing folder before sanding to bring forward the white core of the paper. The scalloped edge is made using 2 inch circles fixed to the back of the pink filigree paper. I really like the contrast between the black circles and the colours on the card.

Well, we have one day of filming Creativity TV left, and I don't know why but I'm so tired - I think I might be coming down with something. Yesterday I finished filming with Phill Martin, and Sheila arrived ready for our filming today. Phill and I had such a hoot, and the same can be said for Sheila and I today too! Maybe that's why I'm so tired - too much laughing!

Last night sheila and I had a lovely meal at the Hop Pole, a 16th Century pub just at the bottom of the drive of the hotel - I had steak pie and I have never seen a pie so big! We were both shattered and dropping off to sleep, I couldn't resist any longer and I turned out the light at 9.30pm, almost unheard of for me!I slept soundly until 7.30am, a veritable lie in! I'm still shattered tonight though - hope I feel better in the morning! I still have things to do to get ready for the Stitch and Craft Show at Olympia.

Anyhoo, that's all for moi tonight - have a great night whatever you're up to - and thanks for coming to visit!

A Big {Thanks!}

2011-03-07T15:38:00.002Z

Good Afternoon,

I've just stopped at Tamworth Services on my way down to Bath, where from tomorrow we'll be filming Creativity TV, and what did I want to do? Have a tinkle, coffee, or post on my blog? Well, actually all three, but it seems I must have got the Blogging Bug again! Now, I must type quickly, as I only have 25 mins battery power on my laptop, and there are no plug sockets to be seen!

Today's card isn't a Letterpress card, although I do have more of those to share with you, I thought you would like to see something a little different. I made this card back at the end of the summer last year I think, to thank one of the Mum's from school for taking Joesph to school {probably when I was on one of my jaunts around the country with work!}. I made it in about 10 minutes and if I recall correctly it was one of my first outings with both the stamp and my new set of Copics. I'm ashamed to say I think that was the last time I used them too {so far}. The stamp is from Penny Black and I love it - it so fits the CAS style of card. The greeting stamp was bought for my by Sheila when she was in Australia - there were four in the set and they all carry these fonts - surprisingly the fonts I use on my blog - by complete co-incidence. No wonder I love the stamps so much.

Last nights Drama Group meeting went well, we are rehearsing for the All England Festivals, and our one act play is called 'Last Tango in Little Grimley'. it's very funny, and if we keep practicing we'll be very good - who knows, we may even win our round!

Anyhoo, with an Americano {with milk} in my hand, and my battery about to run out, I must set off on the dusty road known as the M42 to the beautiful city of Bath. Promise I will try and be back before the end of the week - maybe blogging will encourage me to take some photos of my visit too!

Even More Letterpress Love!

2011-03-06T19:07:00.000Z

Well, I think it's obvious that I ♥ the letterpress!

I'm going to share two cards with you tonight, or I'm going to showing you Letterpress cards all month at this rate!

This card was really simple to make. I used the Everyday Printing Plate Set 2 with Pink Letterpress Ink, and I placed a piece of copy paper approximately 4cm in width over the Printing plate where I wanted the uncoloured section to be. Then I passed the Letterpress through the Epic 6. Then I took the border plate and inked with black ink and placed carefully just on the edges of the white panel. Finally I used the letters from the Everyday Printing Plates Set 4 to spell Hi. Then it was simply a case of adding flowers to the left.

I demonstrated this card on Create and Craft and I think it shows the versitility and practicality of the Letterpress. This was a plate from the Wedding Plate - Twigs and Sprigs inked with navy ink, and the thank you sentiment also from the same set inked with gold ink. I used the sponge spacers to make sure I replaced the card in exactly the same place each time, allowing me to make the same design over and over again. Don't forget to re-ink each time though, to make sure the image is as clear as the first. I than added some ribbon from the Persimmon collection to finish the card. How quick would these be for Wedding or Christmas Thanks you's?!

Even though Sundays are normally a day of rest, not for me today as I've been busy finishing the last three projects for May's Creativity Magazine, and writing the 8 scripts {well I say scripts, more of a guide really} for Creativity TV which we are filming next week. The sketch for Challenge of the Week is also ready to post on Tuesday, but I've still to pack my clothes and check {and double check } I have everything for each of the demos! Sheila has kept me sane and on the straight and narrow though, chatting on Skype as we do.

Anyhoo, must be toddling off - Drama Group calls Darling! x

More Letterpress Love!

2011-03-05T21:07:00.001Z

Hi there!

Did I mention I ♥ the Letterpress?!

Here's another project I put together for the letterpress hour I did on Create and Craft many moons ago. To make this card I used Everyday Printing Plates Set 4 (for the numbers) and the plates from the Letterpress Starter Kit. I stamped the 'on your Special Day' greeting also using the printing ink to make sure the card fully co-ordinated {watch out if you do this though, the stamp is a little more slippery than usual!}.

The background gold flourish is also from the starter kit, and was created by simply moving the cardstock around and passing through the machine a few times. I then cut the heart using dies, and finished the card with burgundy organza ribbon and gems. I also used a little punched heart to cover up a little smudge too!

Joe and I had a lovely day today. We went to the cinema to see 'Gomeo and Juliet' and we treated ourselves to pop corn! Then we went into the amusements on the seafront, and I let Joe loose {or lose, which wever way you want to look at it!}with 50 pence worth of 2 p's.

Afterwards, Joe had his first doughnut! I told him of when I was a little girl and we used to visit Bridlington, I used to have doughnuts made freshly, and I used to love {and still do} watching the machine plop out the doughnut into the hot oil, turned over, then move along the chain until they emerged all golden and lovely! It was then I realised he had never had one - and as you can see he thought they were 'yummy!'

Well, that's it from me for now - off to fold more flower petals! Thanks for coming to visit! x

Letterpress Love!

2011-03-04T20:43:00.000Z

Hi there again!

Ooo I must have come over all funny - two posts in as many days!

Today I've been busy working on projects using beatufiul origami flowers for the May issue of docrafts Creativity Magazine, and gorgeous though they are, the numerous folds, petals and flowers needed have made my fingers sore!

Also the products I need to get ready for the demonstrations at the Stitch and Craft show at Olympia have arrived, so in the evenings next week I shall be cutting and prepping to make sure I'm ready. Can you tell I was a girl guide?! My best friend Sheila Halliwell will be there running card making workshops, with Beckie Dreyer, and Becky James holding Scrapbooking and Jewellery sessions. Phill Martin will also be joining me this year, so there's bound to be laughs galore!

As everything I'm doing at the moment is for something or another, I thought I would show you a card I did probably this time last year for the Letterpress show on Create and Craft. I LOVED prepping for this show, as I LOVE the Letterpress!

Usually with the Letterpress you would use Letterpress paper (which is actually like watercolour paper, thick and almost cushioned) but here I used the letterpress plate onto core'dinations cardstock in a similar colour to the printing ink. I also used a different letterpress plate with no ink applied onto white letterpress paper to give a naked embossed effect, before matting onto turquoise and silver cardstock. The forever friends die cut embellishment finishes the card.

Anyhoo, will I be here tomorrow? Your guess is as good as mine! I'm taking Joe to the cinema tomorrow to see 'Gnome and Juliet', then on to the seaside for a real freshly cooked doughnut. Yum!

Thanks for stopping by - have a great evening!

Fairy Godmother Spell Book Tutorial

2011-03-03T21:29:00.002Z

Good Evening,

Let's not talk about the length of time I've been AWOL shall we? I suppose I have to just face it, life gets in the way every now and again (well, most of the time actually). I've said it before and I'll say it again - I don't know how people keep up with it. I'm going to try though (and I've said that before, haven't I?).

Tonight I thought I would show you how I made the Fairy Godmother Spell Book for the Panto that we (The South Bank PLayers) put on in January. I LOVED making it, and I thought it would make a great addition to a children's themed party. It was so easy to make. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it!Here's Sue (the Evil Queen) and Me (Fairy Liquid!) just before the last performance!

This is photo heavy but pictures say a thousand words!

Firstly, I chose a book - I wanted a reasonably big one, but one that wasn't too heavy as we had to hold and act at the same time - talk about multi tasking! My book about Titanic was perfect.

So I removed the dust cover, and replaced with an A3 size of Green paper - which JUST fit!

I then applied distress inks in Walnut Stain and Pine Needles with a dry baby wipe around the edges to give an old, well used look.

After this I applied Precious Metals (docrafts) and gold pigment ink with a new but still dry baby wipe to the edges of the book, don't forget the spine!

This is just before I embellished the book with the letters...

And this is after! The corner embellishments are Papermania Bare Basic Chipboard shapes which I have painted with Precious Metals in Gold, and the the letters are Papermania Gold glitter chipboard letters. The white lettering is BasicGrey, and I also added a Papermania Gemstone Stickers Crown, and Mosaic Gems.

Hope you like it - I don't know what I'm going to do with it now, but I know it will grow old with me! That's all for tonight!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T12:35:00.004Z

Naughty, naughty...very naughty!

October..OCTOBER! Where does the time go - I really don't think I will ever get the grip of keeping this thing up to date, so it's a waste of words to say I will. I really do want to - every now and again I get a pang of guilt when I think of my poor old blog all unused and dusty, when a few years ago it was full of fun and life...but that's the thing - life {i.e work} gets in the way and before you know it I'm 89 and am tormenting the care home residents with a hot glue gun.

Well, I thought I should update you {if you're interested of course, if not scroll down to the photos - like you do when you go to look at biographies in Waterstone's and flick straight to the funny photos about the middle of the book}.

Am Dram {AKA the Southbank players} is going well. We're performing our Panto 'Strictly Cinderella' on the 13th, 14th and 15 January, with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on the 15th. I play Fairy Liquid, the Fairy Godmother - and you may not recognise me, {well, that's the idea anyway} but we'll see. I really wish I had joined years ago, we have such a good time, and it's something different to what I usually do day to day. I mean, where else can you dress up as a fairy and have no one laugh at you {until you crack a punch line of course!}. The people there have become such good friends. I'll hopefully have lots of publicity shots from tonight, so I'll be sure to post them soon.

I've been to a couple of parties over the Christmas period, but not as many as I would like - and some have definitely been more eventful than others! I feel ready now to tell you the story of how I nearly killed myself on a cold and icy night about 9 nights ago. Well, I was ready then, but I couldn't actually move my arms from whiplash. I hope you will allow me the cathartic release that I get when I tell the story. WARNING: this is going to be a LONG one!

It all started at a Christmas party for the people from Drama Group at Liz's house. I'd offered a lift home to someone, and the party continued to just past midnight. As we were leaving, Liz made the very big mistake of saying 'Drive Carefully'. I mean has she not seen the movies - any line like that and something is bound to go wrong. Seriously. In fact come to think about it - I blame the whole incident on her uttering those words. JOKE!

SO, are you still with me? I dropped off my passenger, wished them Happy Christmas and bid to see them in the New Year. It had been snowing lightly on and off during the day, and also a few flakes had come down in the evening too. I drove off with a smile on my face, knowing Christmas was on the way and soon I would be tucked up in my warm bed. I didn't have the CD player on, and as far as I was concerned I was home and dry....

Then I took one of the corners and the back end of the car started to flick out. So I tried to correct it, and as I did {and this is all assumption, cos it happened so quickly} the front passenger tyre hit the curb and the over correction of the skid left me heading for the bushes and field on the opposite side of the road. I just thought I would hit the bush and drive bumpily into the field until the rough ground brought the car to a halt. How wrong could I be.

I narrowly missed a road sign, by about a millimetre, I'm not joking, then as soon as the car hit the curb and bush the steering wheel was ripped from my hands and I was helpless to steer the car. Then for the bit I didn't expect. There was a drainage ditch just after the bushes, but before the field, a ditch about 4 foot deep. I know this as when I was later stood in it trying to get away from the car, my head was just poking over the top. I am five foot one. Go figure. Please excuse me if the next bit is a bit blurry, cos it was/is to me too. It all happened so fast. All I know is there was A LOT of horrible noise, smashing windows and the car just seemed to spin and flip and I knew I was going upside down, i just knew it, and call it instinct but I put my hands onto the top of the car to try and stop the roof completely caving in and crushing me. Silly I know, but at the time it seemed so logical. I remember the car coming to a complete stop, and me just screaming, screaming, screaming. Then I remember thinking 'I'm still alive', and I developed the weirdest habit pretty fast. Saying the same thing over and over again. Like 'I'm OK, I'm OK, I'm OK' about a hundred times, I suppose trying to convince myself.

Still pinned to the roof of my car by my trusty seat belt, I turned the engine off {can you believe it was still going - I think any way} and just sat there with my hair all dangling down for a few seconds whilst I rooted though my bag looking for my phone, whilst saying 'phone, phone, phone' over and over again. Then it dawned on me. I was say locked into a car which had just been flipped onto it's roof and could explode at any time. So I did what any normal, rational person would do and started screaming 'HELP, HELP!'. Now if you knew the road I was on you would of course have slapped me around the face int he hope of knocking some sense into me as at half past midnight on the 23rd December this road is deserted. Indeed at half past midday this road is deserted. SO I stopped that, and did what any rational woman would do. I started panicking. Then I stopped that and did the most unusual thing for me. I started being logical. I released the seat belt, which of course sent me falling to the ceiling {which was now the floor} of the car, windscreen and all, and this came as a bit of a shock for me, I didn't think I was up that high! And now for what my friend thinks is the funniest part of the story. I smacked my head on the steering wheel as I fell. I know, it's absolutely hilarious. Excuse me Peter for not laughing.
Luckily, the passenger window had smashed when the car rolled and I was able to crawl out, but I was somehow still attached to the seat belt. So I knelt there {which I where I think I cut my knees on the glass,} frantically riffling through my bag looking for my phone. I just couldn't find it. I knew there was only three options.I was rushing too much, it had fallen out of my bag in the car, or it was sat warm and unaware of how much it was needed in Liz's house. Anyway, I eventually freed myself from the seat belt, and once a safe distance from the car, I looked more carefully in my bag. There were scripts, Christmas cards, even a chupa chup lolly, but no phone. No worries I thought, I'll just suck on my chupa chup lolly until I either freeze or bleed to death. JOKE. I knew I had to go a rooting in the debris of my car. Deep joy, what if it explodes as I'm walking up to it and I turn into a stunt double for Velma from Scooby Doo {friends have said in the past I bear a passing resemblance. Thanks, thanks a lot - she's the geeky one with the long socks.}

So, every CD I touched I uttered 'Thank God', thinking it was my phone, until the Thank Gods turned into tears knowing I couldn't find it. And that I was going to have to freeze my toes off {which were wearing the most inappropriate shoes for walking in snow} walking the mile or so into Barrow to knock on the first door I came to. Then I did what I should have done in the first place. I checked my pocket, and it was there. I kissed my phone, I actually kissed my phone. I love my phone. and it worked!

So, who did I call? 999, police ambulance, fire service, coastguard? Bruce and Tess, Davina or Dermot? No, of course not -I called my friend Peter, whom I had just dropped off. Well, it felt as though I had just dropped him off but he'd probably had a three course meal, a shower, watched an episode of Holby City and was tucked up with a glass of cognac by the time the phone rang. Cool as a cucumber, he answered the phone whilst I screamed that I'd crashed my car and that it was upside down in a field, and that David was going to kill me, and could he come? Now Peter is a police officer {hence why I rang him} and used to dealing with these incidents he said "Okay, that's fine", as you can imagine I felt like calmly saying, no it's not fine, my car is upside down in a field with all the windows smashed." I refrained. But bless him, he came on his bicycle as he'd had a drink {hence me giving him a lift.} I can never thank him enough for coming to help me. I can't tell you how happy I was so see his little flashing light getting closer and closer.

Anyway, to cut a long story short {TOO LATE!} Peter secured my car, checked that I didn't have any lasting damage, then Liz's husband Chris came to pick me up and take me home. Now we are just waiting for the assessors to tell us the car is a write off so I can get another car. But, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter, Liz and Chris for coming to help me when I needed a friend. And to all my other friends who sent well wishes and came to visit me. Life is all about friends.

Here's some pictures taken the day after the accident. Or as Peter likes to put it 'the result of some pretty crap driving.' You always say the right thing Peter.

This just shows how close my car was to taking out the sign, which Peter reliably and cheerfully informed me would either have split my car in half, pushed the engine into the foot well of the car, trapping my lower extremities, or turned into a dangerous weapon inside the car, causing all sorts of mayhem. Everyone should have a friend like Peter. No, seriously - he's a star.

I really should take care of my CD's

Mmm, that'll need a bit of beating out!

Anyway, thanks for allowing me to get that off my chest. I can see the funny side now, but I was not laughing at the time.

Love, Clare x

Recycling Christmas!

2010-10-24T18:43:00.000+01:00

Don't get me wrong - I love updating my blog - really I do, but life seems to get in the way! I really envy people who seem to do all that life throws at them, and update their blog on a daily basis.
I've been feeling a little under the weather over the past couple of days, firstly the dreaded D & V bug struck, then just as I was getting over that, I started with a sore throat and a general grotty feeling. This does not make for a happy Clare! I hate feeling unwell (well, I hear you ask - who does!), and usually on a day to day basis I'm quite a healthy so it really knocks me for six when I feel out of sorts. And my life doesn't seem to let up when I feel pants. Cards still have to be made, dinners cooked and children taken to school and put to bed. No rest for the wicked.

Anyhoo, whilst I'm sat in front of the TV trying to convalesce (just before our Am Dram Panto Practice!) I thought I would update the old bloggaroonie with a card or two. I made these cards a good while ago, but as is the case lately they have been collecting dust on my shelf until I took a photo of them yesterday.

The two cards above were made from a recycled something...can you tell what it was? Well, I'll tell you...It was a Starbucks paper carrier bag.! I have wanted to do this for ages, there is something about white on Kraft cardstock that I absolutely adore. I added a little lime tartan paper to the second card from the Papermania Summer Bloom Collection from Stephanie Dyment, and a scalloped border. Even the paper string is the handle from the Starbucks carrier!

I love retro, and these papers are just up my street! However, I'm stumped as to where I got them from! They are digital papers and i have a feeling that the polkadot one may be a Pink Petticoat paper, but I'm sorry I really can't recall where I got the retro bauble one from . The greeting is from a very old woodware set I've had for eons, and a button and scrap of ribbon finishes the card.

This card was again made from scraps... ooo how I love to use scraps! The snowflakes are from a Basic Grey Chipboard pack ( I think it might be offbeat), again very simple - but I love the simple style at the moment. and these colours together look just great!

Anyhoo, that's it for now, If anyone has any tips for juggling life and a blog, I'd love to hear them! Better get off to Am Dram darling!

Card Making Demonstration on Saturday!

2010-10-14T11:44:00.002+01:00

Good Morning!

Well, deadline for blog candy claimants closes tomorrow, and I've just emailed the last 5 people yet to get back to me, So hopefully I'll hear from them sometime tomorrow, as I want to get everything posted out together! The final 5 are: Scotty, Sarpreet (who has an extension because of her wedding in India), Meishan, crafty card Fairy and Margaret's Designer Cards. If you know them, let them know!

I also wanted to let you know that I will be doing a
Christmas Cardmaking Demonstration at Stephen H. Smith's in Scunthorpe (just off the M180/M181) on Saturday 16th October between 10 and 4pm. It would be lovely if you could come along and say hello!

Love, Clare x

Blog Candy Winners!

2010-10-10T13:04:00.001+01:00

I feel as though there should be a fanfare or something!

Good Afternoon everyone, I hope you're having a lovely weekend - the weather certainly is lovely around these parts and I hope the sun is shining wherever you are too!

Anyhoo, without further ado, here are the winners of Blog Candy!

Born to Shop Embossing Folders: Scotty
Papermania Henbury Lane Stamp : Meishan (Linda Ross)
Papermania Henbury Lane Stamp: Lynn
Papermania Henbury Lane Poisettia Brass Stencil: Sarpreet
John Byars Girl Decoupage Packs: Dazie/Lindi
John Byars Boy Decoupage Packs: Agnes/Addams/Crafty Card Fairy
Love Chipboard Album: Melsanford
Home Chipboard Album: Agnes/Crafty Goat Girl (Heidi)
Filmstrip Chipboard Album: Dazie/ScrappyJacky
Parenthesis Chipboard Album: Crafting Diva (Lisa)
Family Chipboard Album: Lindi/Crafty Goat Girl (Heidi)
Penelope and Percy Stamp Sets: Karen Cooke
Docrafts Selection Pack: Carolynne
Docrafts Christmas Selection: Maureen
Papermania Papers and Cards: Margaret's Designer Cards

So...there we are! I have linked your name to your blog, just so you can double check that it really is you that's won! If you see your name on the list, please contact me (using the 'Contact Me' button on the top right of my blog, just underneath my profile picture) by

Friday 15th October at 10am

with your Full name, the prize[s] you have won, address and postcode. Any prizes not claimed by this time will be given to charity.

I would dearly love to let you all know individually that you have won, but unfortunately this is the only time efficient way to do it. I hope you understand.

I will of course continue to post on my blog, and I hope you will continue to join me here!

Blog Candy announcement Postponed Until Tomorrow :(

2010-10-09T14:09:00.001+01:00

Hi there everyone,

Thank you so much for all your entires to my blog candy! It's great that you've visited me over the past month, and I wish you all the very best of Luck! Blog candy entries are now closed.

Now I must make an apology, for I said that the announcement of who had won the Blog Candies would be made today at 2pm, but unfortunately to unexpected family commitments I'm unable to sort through all the entries and choose a random winner today, but resr assured I will be doing this forst thing tomorrow morning and the announcement will be made on

Sunday 10th October at 12:00 midday.

Sorry for any confusion, see you here tomorrow at 12:00!

The Best Type of Candy is....

2010-10-08T20:45:00.001+01:00

Blog Candy!!!
There is nothing like Blog candy to cheer us up as the nights draw in and Autumn looks like it's just around the corner. The lovely folks at docrafts have given me the all clear to give away some crafting goodies to followers of my blog! Thank you docrafts!
However this is no ordinary blog candy...oh no! I have quite a few things which need a new home you see. I thought I would post blog candy every two days, and if you're interested in winning the Blog Candy, then all you need to do is this:
1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)
2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.
3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx
The winner of each blog candy will be chosen radomly, and I hope you'll understand that the Blog Candy is only open to people living in the UK and Ireland.
I'll be posting all the blog candy out on the same day, so this means as I get to the end of my candy offerings, you'll have less time to get those comments in! The first lot of blog candy goes live tonight - so what are you waiting for??

Blog Candy 15 - Papermania Papers and Cards

2010-10-06T14:38:00.002+01:00

Well, sadly this is my last blog candy offering, but I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I have for you all - simply to thank you for visiting and being a part of my blog.

I just want to take the opportunity to thank docrafts again for allowing me to give away these goodies as blog candy, this wouldn't have been possible without their generosity.

So, to finish this feast I have for you...

These lovely mini aperture boxed cards from Papermania™ and an A5 Penelope and Percy Paper pack from Daisy and Dandelion™!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

Please Note: I'm so sorry, but due to poatage costs, Blog candy is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland. :(

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?!

So, you now have until Saturday 9th October at 10am to get all your entries into any of the blog candies you have seen. I will draw a random winner(s) from each blog candy post, and let you knowwho the winners are here at 2pm on the same day. If you are a winner you must contact me (by using the contact me button) with your full name, postal address and blog address by Friday 15th October at 10am to allow for postage. Any prizes not claimed by that date will be given to charity.

Good Luck and thank you xxx

Blog Candy 14 - docrafts Christmas Selection

2010-10-04T17:03:00.001+01:00

Hiya,

Another day, another blog candy offering, and another bumper pack of docrafts®™ goodies today for you all !

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

Please Note: I'm so sorry, but due to poatage costs, Blog candy is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland. :(

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?!

Blog Candy 13 - docrafts Selection Pack

2010-10-02T16:47:00.005+01:00

Hi Again,

They say 13 is unlucky for some...but will it be a lucky one for you?

Today, these could be yours...

Blog Candy 12 - Penelope and Percy Stamp Sets

2010-09-30T16:30:00.003+01:00

Good Afternoon,

Here's todays offering - and something 'clearly' different (corny I know)

I have two clear Stamp sets from the Goooorgeous Penelope and Percy Christmas Collection from Daisy and Dandelion™ to give away! I absolutely ♥ these!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

Please Note: I'm so sorry, but due to poatage costs, Blog candy is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland. :(

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?! Join me here again on 2nd October for more blog candy goodies!

Blog Candy 11 - Chipboard Album 'Family'

2010-09-28T19:48:00.000+01:00

Good Evening!

I'm a little late posting this blog candy today - but better late than never!

Today I have for you the last of my chipboard offerings - this lovely Family Album from Papermania™, and I have two to give away!

Blog Candy 10 - Chipboard Album - Parentheses

2010-09-26T16:30:00.000+01:00

Good afternoon!

Today as my blog candy offering we have another Chipboard Album, this time spelling 'Home' and I have TWO to give away!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

Please Note: I'm so sorry, but due to poatage costs, Blog candy is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland. :(

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?! Join me here again on 18th September for more blog candy goodies!

Blog Candy 9 - Chipboard Album, filmstrip

2010-09-24T16:30:00.001+01:00

Good afternoon!

Today as my blog candy offering we have another Chipboard Album, this time spelling 'Home' and I have TWO to give away!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

Please Note: I'm so sorry, but due to poatage costs, Blog candy is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland. :(

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?! Join me here again on 18th September for more blog candy goodies!

Blog Candy 8 - Chipboard Album 'Home'

2010-09-22T16:30:00.000+01:00

Good afternoon!

Today as my blog candy offering we have another Chipboard Album, this time spelling 'Home' and I have TWO to give away!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

Please Note: I'm so sorry, but due to poatage costs, Blog candy is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland. :(

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?! Join me here again on 18th September for more blog candy goodies!

Blog Candy 7 - Bare Basics Chipboard Album

2010-09-20T16:30:00.000+01:00

Good Afternoon!

Tonight we have something a little different to the last couple of nights. On Blog candy offer tonight is this lovely and ultra versitile Bare Basics Chipboard Album from Papermania ™!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to postage costs, I hope you'll understand that the Blog Candy is only open to people living in the UK and Ireland. I'm so sorry x

Blog Candy 6 - John Byars Decoupage Packs

2010-09-18T16:30:00.003+01:00

Hi There,

I have another treat for you this afternoon - John Byars by Papermania ™ decoupage. This time it's the turn of the boys A4 set, but I have three sets to give away!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you're already a follower to my blog then you already have a tick again this one - winner!)

2. Leave a comment against the blog candy you're interested in. With a link to your blog, or other contact details.

3. Post the details of my blog candy with a link to it. Thank you in advance! xx

I would love to visit your blog and give these away to YOU! So, what are you waiting for?!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to postage costs, I hope you'll understand that the Blog Candy is only open to people living in the UK and Ireland. I'm so sorry x