Congratulations, and Celebrations!

Hello there!

Well, I did say yesterday that I would be back with a card, but unfortunately the day progressed so fast that after putting Joe to bed, then doing all the household chores, that it was my bedtime before I knew it.

Anyway, here I am - with a card so it's not all bad news! This is a card that I made a couple of weeks ago for Mrs. Zaitschenko, the new Head Teacher at Joseph's school. At the moment she is the current Key Stage 2 teacher, so it's really great that the new Head Teacher will be someone that all the children know.

I embossed a cream A6 tent card blank with a quickutz embossing folder, then I used a gorgeous wrapping paper from Paper Chase to create a lovely accent on the card. The wide grossgrain ribbon is also from Paperchase, and I used tortoise shell buttons from my stash to finish off the panel. To finish the card I used white doodlebug rubons to spell out my greeting - as you can probably see I nearly didn't get all the letters of Mrs. Zaitschenko's name on the card!

TIP: when adding lettering to a card I always start at the end on the word, and work back - this helps me try and make sure that I have enough room, rather that guestimating how much space I'll need then running out!

That's all for now - I'm off out this afternoon for a trip to the hairdressers for a cut and colour - I haven't had my hair done since April so I'm really looking forward to it!

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

stampin' Chic Colour Challenge #3 Turquoise and Yellow

Well, here is my offering for the Colour Challenge over on the Stampin' Chic Blog! it was Sheila and Kath's turn to set the challenge this week, and again as lots of the other DT members have said, yellow is not a colour I would normally reach for, but knowing Sheila very well, she LOVES yellow. She even has a yellow car (which is super easy to spot in a car park, making it a doddle to locate your car!) I created the main image using my new crafting bestest friend - The Quickutz Silhouette SD. I cut out the branch from one of the files, and added the stamped flowers which are from the flower border stamp from the Doodles Stamp Set. I also cut the tab with the Silhouette, it's so great how you can resize things to get them just the right size for a greeting or anything! The greeting of course is from the Sentiments Set. I finished the flowers off with some Anita's 3d Clear Gloss, my other crafting best friend.

Well, I hope you like it, I really enjoyed making this one too! Thanks for a great challenge also Sheila and Kath, I shall certainly be using this combination again!

Supplies: Papers: Papermania Clare Curd Signature Range 'the Big One'. Doodlebug Bumblebee la fleur, Core'dinations Cardstock in white and aqua; Stamps and Ink: Papermania Clare Curd Signature Range Doodles and Sentiments, Colorbox Amber clay chalk ink; Embellishments: branch and tab from Quickutz Silhouette SD electronic Die Cutter, Doodlebug Swimming Pool Boutique Trims.

Love, Clare x

Oh My Lordy Goodness!

I've just finished three days of hard labour at DO HO (Do Crafts head office) and it's been wonderful! Dan and I have filmed 6 videos of the week, and I've caught up with everyone and the crafting goss. We even made sure we fitted in bowling too! I think nearly all the head office entered into a bowling tournament and we took up seven lanes of the bowling alley. I was put with the sales team as they were short of a person, and had heard how spectacular(ly awful) I am at bowling! despite the handicap of me, we came second, however the warehouse team were the triumphant winners. It was great to spend time again with some of the Territory managers that I haven't seen since the Do crafts Roadshow last year. They are an amazing bunch of people who are great fun to be around.

We were still filming at 6pm tonight, so I decided to stay in Bournemouth for another night, rather than end up sitting on the motorway for hours on end in the expected bank holiday traffic. Also my journey home takes at least 5 hours normally, so I didn't relish the thought of setting off home so late. Anyhoo, I wanted to share some cards with you that I created using the Forever Friends Easter Surprise Decoupage pack , plus a few other choice embellishments and papers. The first three cards and ATC are featured on the Do Crafts website here.

I think this is one of my favourite decoupage images from the pack. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to make it into a square design. Then I knew I wanted to put the deep lilac colouring with chocolate brown, and the rest is history. Don't you just want a bite! The instructions for the card is here where you can also see the card in greater detail by hovering over the image.

Look at those gorgeous daffodils and how the shy little bear is hiding behind them! Oh, he is just sooo cute! I added a little (or a lot!) of red to this card as I didn't want to just keep using the obligatory green and yellow for a spring card. I think the red filigree paper by Doodlebug also lifts the card somewhat. I cut the greeting to make almost a feature of the sentiment, and added thread to the buttons too. The instructions and a zoomed image can be found here. This little bunny has a basketful of quacking fun! I have coloured paper flowers with ink to match the card and added punched circles to the flowers too! Instructions etc can be found here.

I made this ATC with left overs from the 'Bunches of Love' decoupage, and a spare greeting. I don't normally do ATC, but wanted to get the very most out of the Easter decoupage kit. The instructions etc are here.

The following cards are Just for You!

I 'borrowed' some papers from the Papermania Spring Burst collection to add to the Forever Friends decoupage. The scalloped border around the bear was made using a heart punch, with the top of the heart used as the scallop bit. I also added some Papermania Element flowers and lime green satin ribbon - yummy!
I used papers from the Anita's essentials pack for this card. I also added a little gold glitter glue to the centre of the tulip and cut up one of the greeting panels.

lastly, this was a really quick and easy card, made with whatever I had left. I also added a sticker from the Easter three packs. I also sanded the core'dinations cardstock. A simple card just to cheer someones day.

Well, I hope you like them. Off to bed now for a few hours of snooze-aroonie before setting off back to home an an Easter weekend. Have a great break everyone!

Love, Clare x

Stampin' Chic blog - Limited Supplies Challenge

Hi Everyone!

This is my card for the Limited Supplies Challenge over on Stampin' Chic Blog. The challenge this week is to use only one patterned paper. You can use stamps, brads, buttons and ribbons, infact anything to embellish the design, but you must only use one patterned paper!

This one sure was a challenge for me too! I chose the black and white flower paper and coloured in the flowers with purple and lime green vivid inks used as a watercolour. I cut out a few of the flowers for a main image, and used the gorgeous, delectable Doodlebug sugar coated Limeade cardstock, and a few gun metal adhesive pearls to finish the card.

Don't forget to pop over to the Stampin' Chic blog and join in. Type your link into to Mister Linky, and leave a comment to enter the just for fun challenge. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Love, Clare x

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #75- Let's Do Lunch!

I got all my magazine work that I needed to get finished in the day yesterday, whoop whoop! Which means playtime for Clare! I decided to do the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge, as I have looked longingly at these sketches for ages, but unfortunately never had time to partake - until last night. This is sketch #75.

So I blew the dust off this fantastic girlie stamp from Denami Design that I've had for absolutely ages and only used once, and immediately knew the papers that I should use. Last week I found through blog hopping a free download from Gina K's Blog (uuber talented designer) for some DP called Neapolitan, scrummy!

I coloured the image with promarkers and added theborder to the strip of DP using Doodlebug paper frills. The paper flower is new from Papermania, and due to hit the craft shops March. The greeting was created with the gorgeous Doodlebug mini rub ons. I also broke out the pearl brads to create interest down the side of the image too.

I really enjoyed making this, hope you like it!

Love, Clare x

Was it Miss Scarlet, in the Drawing Room with the Lead Piping?

Well, I don't know about you all but I'm well and truly pooped today! I decided this morning I was going to go for a really long walk around the village this morning. Only problem is, our village ain't all that big, and so rather than going for a long walk, I just walked faster to burn off the chocolate mousse I had last night at a Murder Mystery Dinner that I went to.

Do you know, our village is like the Mary Celeste? On my 35 minute walk around the village, I saw three passing through cars, and one man walking his dog. And it was a lovely sunny day too. Takes me back to when I had first had Joseph, and just to get out of the house and maybe speak to someone as I was going stir crazy (I was diagnosed with Post Natal Depression soon after), I went for a walk around the village, and in the whole hour saunter I was out I didn't see a single person. It was as if everyone had been taken by aliens. So depressing!Living on a cul-de-sac doesn't help too.

Anyhoo I digress, here is the final card I made for the LI video of the week. I just love the LI paper pack that fully co-ordinates, and the colours are so fresh and yummy too. I also used Doodlebug Simply Sweet mini rub-ons too, which are one of my all time favourite things. I simply could spread 'em on toast and gobble 'em up!

So, watcha doin' this evening? Whatever it is I hope you have a great one and I'll speak again soon.

BTW, it wasn't Miss. Scarlet with the lead piping in the drawing room, it was Charity Ball on the 18th Hole with a 9 iron! and I got it right!!

Love, Clare x

I can't 'bear' to be without you!

Sorry I have not posted for a good few days. I was away at the weekend at my Mum and Dad's and now I'm down in Dorset filming some Video's of the Week and doing a few other things.

I have made this card in celebration of St.Valentine's Day! It was just so easy to make, and probably the quickest card I have made in a long time too! I love making cards that take time, enoying the process and hopefully the final result.

I created the frame around the main image by punching out 7 flowers from red core'dinations cardstock. I stuck them to the underside of the circle. easy peasy and effective!

It's under New Projects over on the Do Crafts Website if you need more details about the products used, or how it's made. You can also comment here too, and it would be lovely to know what you think.

Love, Clare x

New Year, New Beginnings...

I really don't know why, but I just love the start of a New Year. I suppose it's the opportunity for a fresh start, a new leaf and new beginnings. Metaphorically we can wipe the slate clean and start all over again.

I must admit, there's not much at the moment that I would change...I have an fantastic and amazingly supportive family, a gorgeous and intelligent little boy who is the joy of my life; a job I used to dream of doing, and a lovely life in general...but there are always some tweaks that can be made aren't there?

Therefore, I Clare Curd solemnly promise that:

1. I would like to lose a couple of stones in weight at least. I know my excess weight does nothing for my looks, or health. I would love to lose a bit more, but let's start slowly, shall we?

2. I'm going to blog every day, be it chatter, or cards. I will always try and include a picture if I can.

3. If I could put in more hours of work, I would, but seeing as though David and Joseph can only be so understanding, if I did more I would probably have an appointment at the divorce courts. So, I'm going to try and be more productive with the time available, and have even been very organised and drawn up an 8 week running rota of work!! How's that for a start? I wonder how long that will last for?

4. Finally, I Will try and keep up with the house work. A clean house is a tidy mind after all(apparently)!

With the second promise in mind, here is a card I want to share with you today.
I made this card for my pages of the January Creativity! Magazine, and now it is Project of the Week over on the Do Crafts website. I didn't realise that it was my turn again this week, so it was a lovely surprise when I logged onto the site to see my card staring back at me.

I love this stamp - as soon as I saw it I have been itching to use, but never seemed to get the right moment until now. I knew that I would remove the centre of the image, and layer up to give the card depth and interest. And just look at that scrummy glittered cardstock from Doodlebug. Isn't it to die for? I just love that colour combo. The ribbons are NEW too - from Anita's, there are oodles of colours to choose from, in stripes, spots, sheer patterns, thick and thin widths, all on a spool for just 49p. WOW!!

If you would like instructions on how to make the card, or want to see the card in closer detail, click here.

Thanks for looking and I really hope you have all had a great New Year's Day!

Love, Clare x

Heartfelt Sympathy

Yesterday I had my nails done to perfection ready for QVC, and very lovely they look too. I then had a dream, so should I say nightmare where all my nails started to break and were all jaggered! I suppose it's just a worry thing about everything going alright, but when I woke up this morning I actually thought it had happened, itn't it horrible when that happens! The space between reality and dreams is narrowed to non-existsnce and you just don't know whats real anymore. Luckily it only last for a minute or so, and your back to normal. But it's horrible just the same. Today's card was made as my contribution to the Pink Poison DT, and it's entitled Heartfelt Sympathy, but luckily I have no-one to send it to at this festive time. And lets hope it stays that way. However, I thought I would still share it here, as the Fancy Fleurs stamp set is gorgeous, and the images can be used for anyone who likes flowers.

I stamped the flowers with colorbox pigment ink and embossed with clear powder. I always do it this way (a coloured ink and a clear embossing powder) as I find that the image is finer, with more detail, and there are no specks of powder that escape from the outline and make the image look dirty. I think I stamped this twice and decoupaged some of the leaves and the flower heads. I coloured the flower heads with Twinkling H2O's and added some white to achieve the shading. The leaves were coloured with Whispers Pens using the watercolouring technique.

The DP's I've used are from Doodlebug, including the embossed cardstock which is called eyelets impressions cardstock. I used grey core'dinations to create the card blank, and the ribbon is Beetle Black Boutique Trims from Doodlebug. I really hope you like it. I'm sorry (again), but at the mo I don't have time to list all the supplies, but I promise, I will start doing it againg as soon as my workload lightens a little (when will that be I ask myself?!)

love to all,

Clare x