We are Hull KR!

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!

Rock 'n' Roll on Father's Day!

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...

Storage Galore!

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

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

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!

Time to Reveal the Revamp!

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!

Feel Better Soon!

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!

Congratulations Baby!

Good Evening all!

Thought I should come here and post a card that I made AGES ago, and completely forgot about! I think I made it back in December on behalf of my friend who's sister had just had a baby boy. I'd had this stamp for ages and never used it (you don't say!) and thought I should team it up with some papers that I'd also had for eons and never touched.

I really wish I could tell you where I got the papers from, or what brand they are, but I have had them for so long, I really have no clue! I love matting with black cardstock though - it really makes all the colours pop!


I used my Promarkers to colour the Penny Black image and paper pieced the hammock onto the same patterned cardstock as the circle paper layer. Just look how cute this little hedgehog is...I love his feet!

I'm off to the doctors to hopefully get my blood test results on Tuesday. I got a letter on Monday asking me to go in to discuss the results, so as you can imagine I'm apprehensive to find out what they found. Unfortunately though, I have been unable to get an appointment as you have to book for the same day, and when you try and ring, the phone is constantly engaged for about 2 hours, then when you do get through, all the appointments have gone! So...I'm just going to go to the docs on Tuesday morning and wait for them to open to get myself in! I also had two biopsies about 10 days ago, and the results for that takes about three weeks, so I will be glad when I know what's going on!

Well, that's it for tonight. Hope you are having a lovely Easter!

Happy Easter Greetings!

Good Morning!

Well, what a night! I think I'm coming down with something, as I've got a sore throat and just don't feel right. Great! I didn't get to sleep last night till 4am, and so I'm like a zombie this morning. Just in time for Olympia Craft show. I knwo there's about 10 days before the show, but i have all the prep to be getting on with so this has just come at the wrong time. Oh well, just carry on regardless.

Last night, I thought I would have some fun doing a couple of challenges, so again I looked to the Penny Black Challenge blog for an exciting Saturday night (oh, I know how to live it up!) The challenge this week is Recipe 3..2..1! 3 brads, 2 ribbons and one flower!

As I so enjoyed doing Amy R's Friday Sketch Challenge a couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd do this weeks sketch. All her sketches are really lovely and are a joy to use. This is the sketch on the left and this my card:

Again, this is another Penny Black Stamp that has never touched ink. How terrible! I'm just loving the Penny Black challenges, as they are giving me a chance to use them! it's called 'What a spring!' and I thought it would be perfect for my Easter cards this year. So I've stamped 6 images, and plan to make them into cards over the next couple of weeks. A you can see also in keeping with the Penny Black Challenge I havebeen a good girl and used two ribbons, three gorgeous papermania Butterfly brads and one scrumptious Prima (I think) Flower!

I've stamped them in versafine Onyx black ink, but found that when coloured with promarkers started to bleed a little, making me not a happy bunny. Must get some memento ink that Katy has suggested. So the image is half Promarkers and half Vivid inks used as a watercolour medium. The greeting is Woodware clear stamps.

I love this little flower, I've topped it off with a dew drop in green.

Supplies: Stamps:Penny Black ' What a Spring!' (2002), Woodware sentiment. Inks:versafine Onyx Black Vivid ink pads in Tuscan Tan, Brown, Red; Promarkers. Papers:DCWV Nana's Kids glitter and embossed Stack., Doodlebug Pink Cardstock. Embellishments: Papermania pastel designer brads, Prima flower, green Dew Drop, Anita's ribbon in wide organza and Grossgrain, large scallop edged scissors.

Well that's about it for today, off now to make cards for one of the up and coming Videos of the Week over on Do Crafts.

Thanks so much for coming to visit! Have a great Sunday!

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

Clearly a Friend

I have been dabbling again - I couldn't help myself with these gorgeous papers from BasicGrey. They are from the new Offbeat collection I just absolutley adore those colours, and together they are a knockout combination.

I started with the papers and the design came together from there. I used the Cup of Stuff stamp set again from Pink Poison - you can never get bored of this set, with such beautiful sentiments too, suitable for all sorts of occasions.

Again, I coloured the stamped image with Letraset Promarkers and then used Anita's 3D Clear Gloss to achieve the shiny raised effect. I decoupaged the flowers and the cup (but only because I'd coloured the cup and I didn't like the colour!) I added a faux stiched effect to the border of the DP by pricking holes and using a white gel pen. I tore the Montego Bay Core'dinations cardstock to reveal it's cheeky hidden core, and then stamped my sentiment with white ink and embossed with Heat it up! Seafoam White embossing powder. The little brown domed circles at teh end of the torn panel are Chocolate Drops from Craftwork Cards. They come in all sorts of different colours, and there must be hundreds in a pack for just £1.00!

The acetate I used to make the card is from Papermania - this acetate is amazing! It's so lovely and thick, it's great to use as a card base, but still folds easily with the help of a bone folder. To cover up the adhesive on the reverse of the card, another panel of card can be fixed that is the same size as the front, and a panel can be added to add any message.

Just in case you were wondering, here are the deets of the Supplies:

Stamps: Pink Poison Stamp Set: Cup of Stuff

Papers and Cardstock: BasicGrey Offbeat Collection (unexpected); Snowflake and Montego Bay Core'dinations

Colour: Colorbox black pigment ink, clear embossing powder, Colourbox Frost WhitePigment ink, Heat it up! Seafoam white embossing powder Letraset Promarkers

Accessories: Papermania plain acetate, brown twill/ribbon (think I got this from some packaging!)

Hope you like it! Thanks for visiting today.

love, Clare x