Maybe the Last Before New Year...

This is very probably, almost certainly the last post before New Year. Don't you just love New Year? I'm not all that bothered about the partying on New Year's Eve (give me glue, stamps and patterned paper with a comfy desk chair and a coffee anyday!) but I mean the promise of a new start, of maybe turning over a new leaf and doing things differently than the year before. I just love it!

David, Joseph and I will be partaking in a New Year's Eve Party however, and I must say I am looking forward to it very much. We are going around to one of Joseph's parents houses, and there is sure to be lots of frivolity and joviality to say the least! When I am feeling up to it (the after effects of a couple of glasses of plonk can have repercussions for days, now I'm old!) I will post the what promises to be the most hilarious photographs!

I thought I'd better share with you my final (I think) offering of Christmas card Cheer for this year. It seems wrong to show them next year, for tomorrow, all the Christmas decorations will be removed in my quest for the turning of a new leaf.

This is Sheila's (my bestest friend ever)Christmas card for this year. I made this card with the gorgeous BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses paper pack, and then of course that forever handy core'dinations cardstock, available in every colour you can imagine! The stamp (bought last year from Little Claire's, and only used for the fist time here - why do we do it!) is coloured with Promarkers. I also added shimmer dots to the tree and irridescent glitter glue to the snow covered ground.
Now, I'd better explain the greeting "Why would an Elephant Hold a Star? (printed on my computer). I chose the image on purpose, having an animal doing something it might not normally do, as Sheila has this thing about that. Whenever we go to a Crafy show, I usually look at the Penny Black stamps, and Sheila always says - "Now, whenever would you see a mouse having a bath in a cat bowl" or " whenever would you see a hedgehog dressed as a ballerina" She just doesn't get it. So inside the card, the greeting continues...When it's Christmas of course, DUH! ha ha ha!

This card was made for David's mum and Dad, using another stamp I picked up a couple of years ago and until now I had never used! Maybe that should be another of my New Year's Resolutions - no more spending until I have used everything at least once - yeah right!!!

I stamped the tag in Colourbox merlot ink (I think my favourite colour) and embellished it with a Papermania white gel pen and crystal Sakura pen. I covered the base card with Papermania Bare Basics kraft paper and stamped the snowflake background with Colourbox frost white ink. The patterned paper is BasicGrey (either Wassail or Figgy Pudding - can't remember which now). I created the greeting on my computer and printed onto white patterned paper from the same pack. Lovely Jubbly!

This card is for my Mum and Dad. I chose my favourite colours for this one, and surprise, surprise - another stamp I've had forever and not used - until now!

I stamped the main image (hero arts) a couple of times onto patterned paper (again BasicGrey, I must have been having a BG moment!) alternating between white and turquoise patterned paper, and white and black ink. Then, as you can see, I built up the image, and voila . I wish I'd used this stamp sooner! Again the greeting was created on my computer.

So, that's all for now. All there is left to say is I wish you all a very Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. Have a great evening, whatever you decide to do. Off now to bake Chocolate berry waffle and caramelised onion puffs for tonight! YUM!

Love, Clare x

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

Haven't you found that life has been so hectic over this festive season? I have needed about 6 pairs of hands over the past couple of weeks, trying to get everything done. Cards to make, gifts to wrap, plus there has been ta new batch of Creativity TV to film and the matter of a docrafts Christmas Party to attend to. what a hoot that was I can tell you. Unfortunately I didn't take any photographs of the night out (I didn't trust myself with my camera for fear of mislaying it, and let me tell you, it was a wise decision considering my state!) but I know people who did, and if they give their permission to share then share I shall!

Today I wanted to share with you some cards I made for friends and family. As th cards use the same layout, and all I had to change was the inage, they were relatively quick, although I always get carried away with colouring, and get lost in time! All the images have been coloured in with promarkers.

The Christmas tree is a stamp from Doodlebug , and the greeting is from Stampendous I think. I have had that stamp set for ages, and it's great as there is usually a greeting for all occasions. I love the hand written style too. I hav added some Anita's 3D glitter glue to the tree for a tinsel effect, and a couple of gems.

This is a stamp from Sugarloaf stamps. The greeting is computer generated, and I think the font is called FG Jeana.

I love this little house - I'd love to live there! This again is a doodlebug stamp and the greeting is computer generated.

Once I'd coloured the image, I added Anita's crystal 3D glitter glue to the roof and the snow covered ground, and added tiny gems to the tree.

Well, that's all for tonight, better get back to Wallace and Grommit - Curse of the WereRabbit, and playing transformers with Joseph - riviting...NOT! Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas time, spending time with the people you love.

Love, Clare

I'm Not Sure if This is a Good Idea!

Did you guess correctly? No, I wasn't back last night, but I was meaning to. However, Friday night is our Family Slumber Party Night where we get chocolate and watch a movie of Joe's choice. I was going to post on my blog whilst we eatched the film., but I got quite into it. We watched Bee Movie - have you seen it? It's really good! Then we watched The Littlest light on the Chirstmas Tree, which was a £3.00 cheapie from Tesco, but Joe loved it. The animation wasn't exactly Pixar, but the story was lovely and Joseph loved the songs, he even clapped after one of them bless him!

Now the reason for the title, well, I've had a couple of glasses of squiffy juice, and I don't trust myself with these keys, although I do have the back up of spell check. May I apologise in advance for any spelling mistakes or unnecessary waffle which may come from my fingers! But I soooo love you all (as you always do when you're feeling a little 'happy'), that I really wanted to write to you all tonight, so it's a larroped me or nothing at all.

I'm also sat here with a eye lid looking like I've been street fighting with Lilly Savage, when actually it started swelling last night, and now it looks all puffy and hurts when I blink. I think it's what they call a pike or a stye or something ( I used to get a few when I was a child). we're filming more Creativity! TV next week, so I'm gonna look the tops! Also it's the docrafts Christmas Party on Friday, and I'm soooo looking forward to blinking at the sun as I step out into the open air, putting on my glad rags and dancing the night away. I may even treat everyone to a song rendition or two, judging by the way I feel after couple of small glasses of vino. I bet they can't wait.

Well, tonight I wanted to shpw you some of the other items that I made for the Christmas Fair that I did to raise money for St. Andrews Children's Hospice, in Grimsby. These are the note boards that went down really well, I had sold two before we had even opened the doors! I think I'll just show the photos for these ones, as I think they speak from themselves, and not the vino is having that sedative effect....

I apologise for my laziness of not taking the boards from their cellophane blankets, but I took these just before the fair, and I was in a bit of a rush, not having eaten all day and with only one cup of coffee all day, with still loads to do.

Hope you're having a great night. Off to bed now. zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Love, Clare x

Post it Note Holder Tutorial

Can you believe it...I know....don't keel over on me. Two posts in 24 hours. That must be some kind of record for me!


Well, tonight I thought I would show you how those little post it note holders from yesterdays post came into being. Of course, if you know how, please turn away now. I'll shout you when were finished!


Firstly, before the lowly post it note was turned into a princess by the fairy godmother (ie me!) it was but a piece of cardstock measuring approximately 17 x 8.5cm. As you can see on the photo, I have also made a score line, about the thickness of the post it note pad. Now, of course you will need to adjust the measurements of your base card to reflect the size of the post it note pad, but I think they are all pretty standard, just check afore ye cut. The cardstock I have used here is white core'dinations cardstock, but on other post it note holders I have made, I have changed the colour to complement the papers and even the post it notes!

Now I have turned over onto the textured side of the card and cut two squares of patterned paper (this paper is We R Memory Keepers Tiffany Collection). Isn't this paper just gorgeous? Well I call it paper, but really it's double sided paper - almost cardstock, complete with glittered areas! I have cut these squares leaving a small border of white card around the edge.

Then I have turned the card over again (are you dizzy yet!) and attached ribbon to the centre of the edge of the card on each side. I used about 18 cm of ribbon each side, making sure there was about 14cm hanging over the edge. I use the markings on my craft mat to make sure the ribbons match up on each side. As you can see I have nicked David's electrical tape to fix the ribbon as it's strong and won't be seen by the time I've finished! I've had this tape for about 6 months and David still hasn't noticed - what does that tell you about David and his D.I.Y habits!

Now I made two squares of white core'dinations cardstock to fit the two panels exactly, and stuck them over the inside of the folder. Simples!

Finally, I stuck the post it note pad to the left hand side of the card, which not becomes the bottom. For heavy things, or when I want to be sure that something will stay stuck, I use a hot glue gun. Then I went ahead and decorated the outside of the holder!

I did all the holders as a batch, that is I cut all the card together, cut all the panels together, and stuck all the ribbon together. You can still use different patterned papers and colours, I usually spend sometime choosing my papers before hand and getting everything together before I start. You can guarantee though I'll change my mind!

Well that's it....You can look back now!!

Will I be back tomorrow? What might I have...who knows! Come back and visit again x

Love, Clare x

Not for the Want of Trying!

I've been meaning to get around to doing this for ages, writing in my blog that is...honestly, I have - but what with one thing and another time just passes me by! Take last night for example, after putting Joe to bed, I settled down with a burning laptop on my knee, (I swear it's got hotter since I got a new power cable for it!) planning to edit a couple of photographs I had taken over the weekend, when for some reason I couldn't get my photoshop to open, I even uninstalled it and re installed it and the same message came up " Invalid address' or something. So, to cut a long story short ('too late' I hear you shout) I downloaded a free editing suite called 'PhotoScape' and I really like it! It seems quite easy to navigate around, and I can pretty much still do what I did on Photoshop (I only used a teensy weensy bit of it!). However, if anyone knows why my Photoshop isn't playing ball, please let me know (although I suspect the dreaded Windows Vista might have something to do with it!)

So, what have I been up to...well, let me see. I think I'll start from last Thursday as it really isn't viable to start from last year! It was my Birthday on Thursday and it started off as a pretty dismal day, but ended up more positively. David (my hubby) was away in Russia with work, and as it was also my Wedding Anniversary, it was quite sad to be spending it without him. However, for my birthday/ Anniversary present he bought me a beautiful platinum diamond ring, to replace my engagement ring I lost two years ago (well I didn't lose the ring, rather the stone lost me - at a craft show of course! I can just imagine a crafter finding it on the floor, and taking it home to stick onto a card - goodness - how expensive would that card be!). Sheila was meant to be coming over to spend a couple of days with Joseph and I, but unfortunately she had hurt her back badly, and how did she do it I hear you ask - crafting!!! She was cutting card all day, not turning properly (tut, tut, Mrs Halliwell!) and the next day and for the following week, she seized up like a rusty old pair of pliers! So, anyway she couldn't come and I was mightily disappointed - I love Sheila so much (as a best friend you understand...nothing more) and I knew had she come it would have been one of the best Birthdays ever (apart from the one that I actually got married on, I suppose), but it wasn't to be. So, I sat around and moped for a while, the postman came and gave me a big cuddle - at the door - that will get some tongues a-wagging around here I can tell you, and then I went out in order to cheer myself up with some retail therapy. Consequently I bought myself a zoooooom lens (or telephoto lens to you photographic types out there) assistance provided by the lovely Katy Godbeeer (ie. I asked her which one to buy and she told me, they don't call her the all knowing one at Docraft towers for nothing you know!). It's not the best, but the best for what my money could buy. Needless to say I haven't used it yet as the opportunity hasn't arisen, but it willl, and soon I'm sure. Then I went around to a friends for Fish and Chips and rose wine - a fine combination!

Then, Friday was the local Christmas Fair - and I was to have a stall to raise money for such a wonderful charity - St. Andrew's Children's Hospice. I had been feverishly busy in the evenings everyday for about a month (and weekends too) trying to get enough cards and gifts together to make a pretty penny for them. I thought I would show you some of what I made (more to come in later posts).

These are some post it note holders I made, and they are so easy to do, that I made 8 altogether I think! I changed the design of each one, but still they were quick, as I did everything in batches. I choose all my colour schemes at the same time, and did all the trimming together etc. I think all together they took me about 4 hours, which I don't think is bad. Just a quick tip: If you're planning on cutting everything at the same time, make sure all your post it notes are the same thickness, it makes it easier as you can just use the same measurements each time then!

Here they are, all bagged up and ready to fly off my table! I simply used a DL sized card bag and once I had tied ribbon around a rubber band which was fixed to the top, I trimmed the top off the ribbon. They make them look much more appealing, yet cost pennies and are so quick to do.

And here is a close up of a little tag I made. These were pre-cut tags, although of course you could die cut or punch your own. I stamped a large flower design with colorbox cat's eye dune pigment ink, and also inked around the edge with the same colour, then stamped the 'to' and 'from' wording with merlot ink (probably my most favourite colour!). They were so quick yet so sophisticated, I had to hold myself back from making loads!

This post it note features my free downloadable papers available here from the docrafts website! I printed them onto white core'dinations cardstock to give them a gorgeous texture. There is also a little bit of doodlebug glitter card on there (this project is great for using up your leftovers!) and a die cut butterfly. I think I have some photos somewhere of how I made these, so I will post them another night!

Finally, I wanted to share with you this absolutely scrummy photograph of Joseph with his bestest 'gurl'friend! Don't they just look so gorgeous together? It was taken on Sunday at a local garden centre where we went to see Father Christmas.

I wonder whether one day in the future she will be my daughter in law? After all, Joseph says he wants to marry her - although to Joe 'marry' probably just means sharing your chocolate buttons. Oh well, stranger things have happened - you only have to watch Jeremy Kyle to know that!

Oh yeah, and just in case your interested, episode 4 of Creativity! TV is available to watch now for one week! Look here!

I'd better skid addle,

Love, Clare x

Thank You for My Award!

Well I received a lovely surprise in my inbox over the weekend - and award from Sarpreet! I haven't been on Sarpreet's blog for a while (or any other blogs to be honest, and I can't wait to catch up, hopefully over the Christmas period to see what everyone's been up to!), but there are some gorgeous things on there. I'm following now so i have no excuse to check it out when I have a minute. Thank you Sarpreet for my award, I am honoured!

To accept the award, I am to answer each question with a one word answer, so this should be fun!

Where is you mobile phone?


craft studio

Hair?
Brown

Mother?
home

Father?
Home

Favourite food?
Olives

Dream last night?
didn't

Favourite drink?
coffee

Dream Goal?
peace

What room are you in?
Craft Studio

Your hobby?
Crafting/photography (sorry)

Your fear?
spiders

Where do you want to be in 6 years?
here

Where were you last night?
craft studio! (I live in here, honestly!)

Something you aren't?
Unkind (I hope!)

Muffins?
Blueberry

Wishlist Item?
Zoom lens

Where did you grow up?
Barnsley

Last thing you did?
coffee

What are you wearing?
Tracky bottoms

Your TV?
Off

Your pets?
bonsai tree

Your Friends?
the best!

Your life?
busy

Your mood?
okay

Missing someone?
MJ (forever)

Vehicle?
Toyote Aygo

Something you are not wearing?
nail varnish

Your favourite store?
I have to be impartial, sorry

Your favourite colour?
all except yellow

Last time you laughed?
last night

Your best friend?
Sheila Halliwell

Last time you cried?
Yesterday (miss you forever MJ)

One place you go over and over?
Kitchen

Person who e-mails you regularly?
Facebook!

Favourite place to eat?
Frankie and Benny's

Phew, I think that's it!
Now I have to pass on to 5 blogs I think are tops! Please do go and have a look at their offerings - I love them!

Renee - Stamping for Sanity (love the name of her blog!)

Beckie Dreyer - Life is short - Live it!

Kim Costello - Paperbabe

Jan - Lillypuss Cards

Amanda - Amanda's Paper Palace

Chris - Sketching Stamper

Whoops, that's six! Got carried away, oh well, they're certainly deserved!

Well, that's all for now - thanks for visiting!

Love, Clare x

Have you seen what's NEW!

Good evening!

Sorry I have been a naughty blogger again, but where does the time go? we're half way throught November already!! we'll soon be tucking into Christmas pud at this rate!

Now don't get all light headed on me, as I have a card to share with you, but first I want to tell you about something very exciting! Have you visited docrafts.co.uk recently? well there's happenings going on with the launch of Creativity! TV.

There is a free preview, right there, right NOW! Click here to be taken straight to it.

When you become a member of the creativity! Club, you will be to enjoy a weekly episode of Creativity! TV, but there will also be free back issues of docrafts Creativity! magazine, available to download online, plus free exclusive downloads such as printable papers and templates. Not only this (can we fit in any more!), but as a member of Creativity! club, you will have exclusive access to card making, scrapbooking, jewellery and home decor projects, and as the icing on the top of the very large cake you will receive a FREE subscription gift worth £19.99

which includes an exclusive set of clear stamps, Creativity! Club membership badge, Creativity! Club mug, Creativity! Club cotton shopping bag and last but not least a Creativity! Club mouse mat. There will also be more free gifts throught the year too!

There will also be instant messaging, an exclusive chat forum and online savings! Membership will cost only £2.50 per month, so watch the docrafts website for more information and to be one of the first to join the club!

So...now I want to share a card with you that I made for the current issue of docrafts Creativity! magazine. I would love to share something brand spankily new, never seen before by the naked eye, but unfortunately everything I have made recently has been for magazines or for Creativity! TV. Boo hoo.

I just love the colour scheme on this card! The burgundy swirl paper is from the Papermania 'Home for Christmas' Jesse Edwards Collection, but still works so well for an everyday card. I teamed it up with core'dinations cardstock and paper from the Papermania Regency Collection. I also stamped Squeak onto the same paper and cut out for a different effect. three burgundy brads and brown satin ribbon finishes the card. I truly hope you like it!

Well have the rest of a great evening! I'm putting decoupage together infront of the TV tonight. Bliss!

Love, Clare x

Quickutz Silhouette SD on QVC

I'm so looking forward to Tuesday. Why? Because I'm getting to show off the wonderful Quickutz Silhouette die cutting machine on QVC! I absolutely LOVE this little gem, it sits on my desk, takes up hardly any room and it's always on call to be used at a moments notice. I also found that if you can use the very basics on a computer then you will find using the Silhouette a doddle!

I'll be on with Leonie on QVC during the 'Papercrafting with Quickutz' hour on Craft Day, Tuesday 20th October between 6 and 7pm. So, if you are thinking of getting this , tune in and learn more about what can be achieved with this amazing machine, and the fabulous offer too! You can watch live by clicking here.

Love, Clare x

Read all about it!

Good Morning all!

I just wanted to let you know about an exciting new opportunity which could see you being featured in furure issues of Docrafts Creativity! Magazine! If you have a crafty story to share and fancy adorning the pages of this coverted publication, simply click here for more details.
Love, Clare x

QVC Make and Take

Well, I'm back from the QVC Customer Experience, and let me tell you, we had a great time but I'm exhausted! As promised, here is the make and take card that the QVC customers got to make at the Docrafts table.

It's made using the scrumptious Joyeux Noel Papers from Papermania (TM) and Stephanie Dyment, and Papermania (TM) Christmas Duo Stamps. The baubles are stamped with Colorbox vivid inks, I love these as they are so...Vivid and can be used to watercolour by putting onto a non-porous surface and adding water from a brush. I hope you like it!

I just thought I'd share some other pictures I took...

This is our make and take table. All ready, neat and tidy for our first make and takers! You can see the card above on the table too!

Here is the lovely Rosemerry Merry! She is certainly one of the loveliest poeple I have met on my QVC journey. She's getting ready to do Make and Takes of a wonderful maze book with American Crafts Products.

Anyhoo, better go and spend sometime with hubby - I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully to tell you all about my evening with Tito Jackson, Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight!

Love, Clare x

Blog Candy Winner

Good evening all,

Just a quick post to announce the winner of the Blog candy to celebrate world card making day. The winner is Linby! Congratulations Linby. Can you let me know your postal address by clicking on the 'contact me' button on the right of my blog. Thanks!

Also thanks to everyone who has become a follower, and all that put a link on their blog, it's much appreciated.

Love, Clare x

Blog Candy to Celebrate World Cardmaking Day '09

This blog candy is now closed. The winner is Linby!

Congratulations Linby, I hope you enjoy it!

Happy World Cardmaking Day 2009!

I thought it only right to celebrate World Cardmaking Day, and also the return to blogging (aren't I doing well, I think I've done four posts this week!) by offering BLOG CANDY!! Yippee!!

This blog candy will be on offer for one week only, ending Saturday 10th October 2009. To be in with a chance of winning it, this is what you need to do.

1. Follow this blog. If you already do, thank you - you will still be eligible to enter.

2. Leave a comment here to let me know you have followed and would like to enter the draw, this applies to all entrants, previous followers included, I will randomly choose a winner through the comments.

3. Pass on the 'blog candy' message on your blog, leaving a link to my blog.

And it's as simple as that! I'm afraid that this blog candy is only open to residents of the UK and Ireland, I truly hope you understand. Last time I offered blog candy I posted to the Phillipines and it cost me a fortune. I'm not sure whether the poor winner received it either!

Don't forget to check out the world cardmaking site, and also Docrafts.co.uk for lots of inspiration on this exciting day.

Happy crafting and lots of love,

Clare x

Wow!

I've just been looking through the products section of the Docrafts website to get some item codes for the cards I've been making today, and I just spotted such a bargain which I thought was amazing! They have the 'Let it Snow' set of Christmas Clear Stamps from Papermania (TM) for just 99p reduced from £7.99!
Here's a project I made some time ago with the stamp set, you can get the instructions for this card here. The beauty of this stamp set is that the designs are timeless and will be 'en vogue' forever!

There are also loads of other bargains here, so why don't you go and see if there's anything you *need*!

Love, Clare x

What an Experience!

Good Morning all!

I'm just finishing up everything for the QVC Crafting Customer experience next week in London. It's alot of hard work getting everything ready for the two days, and once we're there it's so busy and there's much to do, but it's so wonderful seeing all the QVC customers, having a chat and sharing our love for craft.

As last year, I'll be there with my Docrafts hat on, doing Make and Takes, and we also have demos of some of our newest products to appear on QVC too - you could be the first to see these goodies! I want to keep the make and take card a secret until the Event, but I've taken a sneeky peek for you...

I'll also be taking along with me the cards and other items made with the Forever Friends (TM)Birthday and Christmas TSV's, so if you would like to come over, have a look and take some photos for inspiration, you'd be more than welcome.

So, if you've been invited to the QVC Customer Experience this year, it would be lovely if you could come over and say hello! Hope to see you there.

Please note: The QVC Customer experience is open to invited QVC customers only, I wouldn't want anyone to travel from afar and not have an invitation. Thanks!

Love, Clare x

A lot of Little Occasions...

Good Morning!

I never seem to get any time to make cards for myself these days (all together now...awwww), and when I say 'for myself' I mean cards that I can freely send to people whenever I need to. I usually save all my cards just in case they are needed for another reason - a video, a kit on QVC or whatever. Usually, the time frame to make these cards is very small, and so 'back ups' are a lifesaver! I then keep them 'till I think I will no longer need to call on them, and recently I've begun selling them to raise much needed funds for a local Children's Hospice. It feels good to be able to give something back by doing something you love.

Anyhoo I'm waffling as usual, so let me get on. These cards came together very quickly, over half a day or so. Even though they are all different, the layout stayed the same, saving time on what can be the most time consuming part of the process. It was also a great way of using up my scraps of card. I just love that feeling!

I used a number of elements and greetings to make up my cards - specific greetings such as Happy Birthday or Thank you, to more generic ones such as wishing you joy or I hope you know how much I care. I kept the main card base colour and embossed panel (various Doodlebug inpressions cardstock designs) white, taking my colour scheme from the Anita's Sticky ribbon which I applied to the top and bottom of the embossed panel. Then all I had left to do was choose an embellishment which would fit with the occasion and colour scheme of the card. To keep the process enjoyable I used a number of mediums - stamped images, buttons, fabric flowers, and die cut embellishments. You should have seen my desk by the time I'd finished!

So now I have about 18 cards to keep me going for a while. Well, that's all for now!

Thanks for coming on over!

Love, Clare x

What Do You Think?

To celebrate my return to blog land, I have given my little home here a refurb, courtesy of the Cutest Blog on the Block. That site is just great - they have backgrounds and matching headers, perfect for the girl on the go. I could spend hours redesigning my own, and believe me it would take hours - I'm no photoshop expert, but you can't be a master at everything :)

Back later with something I was working on over the weekend.

Love, Clare x

Happy Birthday From All of Us!

Well, haven't I been a naughty blogger? What with one thing and another I've not been posting as often as I should. As usual, life has just got in the way! I'm going to make a concerted effort to be a good blogger from now on, so please forgive me.

I thought I would start my return to blogging with a little explanation of how I made this card which features in Clare's Corner of the September issue of Docrafts Creativity! Magazine. As you can see I took pictures at the time of making this to show you how I created it, so I suppose the thought was there!

First of all, I created the main centre panel of the card using my fantastic Quickutz (TM) Silhouette SD Machine. I used a number of images, available through the Quickutz Silhouette Website. I just LOVE my Silhouette machine, there are loads of new die cut images available every week on every conceivable subject, and I just love looking through them all as they are so inspiring!

Now for the purple panel on the left hand side of the card. As you can see it's a negative of the pink patterned part of the card. Firstly, I created an extra row of the pattern on the silhouette SD and placed it onto a panel of purple core'dinations (TM) cardstock that I previously distressed using a sanding block. Then I used the waste portions from the pattern and stuck them down using repositional adhesive and moved the row of pattern down until the whole panel was filled with the waste 'diamonds'

I then applied clear pigment ink using a Clearsnap (TM) Watermark ink pad, and then clear embossing powder.

It was then time to remove the waste 'diamonds'. You can remove the diamonds before you apply the powder, but sometimes there is a little residue adhesive left, and the powder can easily stick to it. I find that once the powder is heat set, the adhesive is easily removed. Whatever works for you! (the brown sheet is just a Teflon baking sheet which I use to protect my cutting mat from the heat from my Heat Tool.)



The powder was then heated until the powder melted. I make sure that as soon as the powder starts to melt, I move to the next area to avoid burning the powder.

This final picture is just to show you the finished look that is achieved. I love the way that even though the card has been sanded, a glossy, and almost darker look is achieved where the embossing powder is applied.

And there you have it....that wasn't as painful as I thought - my return to blogging that is. I hope you found that helpful and check in again soon to see what I've been up to. I'm going to try for at least every day from now on!

Thanks for coming by!

Love, Clare x

Clare's Craft Club Postponed

Hi there everyone,

This is just a quick message to let you know that the craft club information/enrolment night being held on the 9th September that I had spoken in person to some of you about has had to be postponed indefinitely. I will be away with work, and this couldn't be changed. I am very disappointed about this as I was so looking forward to it, but this is a postponement and I will be arranging a date in the near furure.

I'm sorry I couldn't contact each of you personally, but I have lost the book that all your details were written in and despite my best efforts I cannot locate it anywhere. I truly do hope you get this message saving a wasted journey.

Love, Clare x

Q...V...C!

Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be on QVC tomorrow, on Craft Day! I'll be showing the Forever Friends Christmas Wishes Kit. I'll be on strutting my stuff somewhere between 1 and 2pm and 6 and 7pm. So, if you missed out last time when the kit was part of the TSV, of you fancy treating yourself, take a look!

Love, Clare x

Oh, What a Night!

Well, I got back from Dorset in the nick of time. I had set off at 1.30, needing to be home for 7.30pm, thinking I would arrive with time to spare. However, not taking Friday rush hour traffic around the M25 and the Nottingham roadworks (when will that ever be finished?), how wrong could I be. And there's nothing more infuriating than sitting in a traffic jam knowing you need to be somewhere. As it was I didn't do too badly - as I pulled in the drive at 7.40pm (the car still looks as though it was joy riden into it's parking space!) and ran in the house.

The reason for this urgency - We were having an all extravaganza 'Michael Jackson Live in Bucharest' Party! My friend Michelle and her two daughters were coming round and we were going to strut our stuff (and probably sob a few tears) to the King of Pop! David and Joseph had vacated the building (Joseph would have loved it, but David has no taste, and the MJ thing is not him. Oh well, I suppose people have to have some faults!)

So they arrived and the fun started. It was wonderful to see the two young girls absolutely mezmerized by Michael and his moves, and the sheer spectacle of him in concert. Charlotte - the youngest (at 7 years old) kept saying "I wish I could have really seen him live". What's happened is so sad for me - I just can't tell you. even now after 7 weeks I still cry every day. I know you think I'm probably mad for admitting this, but he WAS my life when I was in my teenage years, and I can't help how I feel.

Anyhoo, as you can see from the photos we bopped till we dropped! Then through "Heal the World" we got out the candles and did out thang.

Thanks for a wonderful night Girls, and Michael of course!

Love, Clare x