More Traditional Colours...

Happy Tuesday,

Well the car is packed, the ferry is booked and we are all set I just have to collect Mr Next door from the airport on Thursday and off we go!


Today's card continues the Christmas in July session however this is a replacement as I really didn't think the card I had made for today was up to scratch so here is a more traditional Christmas card.

The large piece is cut, as I have so many times, with the Sue Wilson Californian background die I then cut a square from the centre to make a wide frame.  Of course I added a few pearls and mounted the frame on a piece of DoCrafts home for Christmas paper, cutting a large frame around the edge and centre.

The interesting technique on this card is the panel at the back.  This is made by stamping the holly swirl stamp form Sizzix in versamark on silver mirror card and embossing this in white detail embossing powder.  Next I ran the whole piece through my GC using the matching embossing folder this raises an area around the stamping giving a beautiful 3D effect.  I made two of the panels and hand cut pieces form one of them to be used in the spray with the ribbon on the front.

The remainder of the spray at the front is made with a ribbon bow, a snowflake and some silver mirror baubles all cut form spellbinders.

Ingredients:
Sue Wilson Californian Collection Background Die
Sizzix Holly swirl stamp and emboss set
Spellbinders Baubles Die
DoCrafts Home for Christmas Sentiment Stamp, backing paper and ribbon.
Creative Expressions Detail White embossing powder.

Hopefully this traditional style and colour choice will get you in the Christmas Mood!

Enjoy...

Changes

Happy Friday,

Everything Changes and so today I have an announcement to make.  After 5 years I have decided to return to the U.K  This has been a complex decision however it is made easier by then fact that we maintain a house in the U.K. as Mr Next Door works there lol!  There are lots of reasons for this move however I am really excited that in a month or so I will be home and will be able to shop properly! lol


I decided to show a card today that is one of my favourites.  Now as I will be organising the move, moving and hopefully setting up a new craft room in the U.K. I will need some time away from crafting to manage it all. Therefore I have been busy making, photographing and scheduling as much work and posts as I can.  so for the last few days or so I have been spending as much free time as I can in the craft room.


 Today's card is my favourite of all those I have made so far ( as i write this I am looking at a pile of cards and creations awaiting write ups!)


I started, as always at the moment, with the Sue Wilson Californian collection background die. however I wanted to do something different with this and as strange as it may sound I woke up with this card in my mind.  I could see small white flowers at each junction of the die, set against a duck egg blue.  I got straight into the craft room and created this!

I mentioned the other day that I started a card by getting the different coloured cards and papers out first. Karen asked is that how I usually work and I'm sorry to say its not.  I tend to sketch out a card in my mind or on paper based on an idea or a die or stamp.  I then work out which colour I think it would work in.  A lot of times I start with die cut pieces that are laying on my desk and just play til I'm happy!  As I said this card started almost finished as an image in  my head.

Ingredients:
Sue Wilson Californian Background die
Blue & White smooth PMD Card
Sizzix small flower die
Spellbinders Belly Band One die
Crafters Companion Sentimentals range stamp
Creative expressions PVA Glue Pearls

Enjoy,  John x.

Flower Tutorial

Happy Thursday,

Here, Finally, is the second part of the flower card and box tutorial.  In the tut I have shown the flower in yellow so here is the card I made to use the yellow flower.  I have mounted this onto a filigree card cut with the new Sue Wilson striplet die.  I love this die, as you may be able to tell over the next few weeks as I have made loads with it!

I understand that Mrs Duck has a beautiful card featuring this die today on her blog well worth a visit!









For today hopefully you will enjoy the video and, as always, enjoy...

Mothers Day...

Happy Mothers Day to all mums,


This is the gift I made for my Mum today...

It is based on the simple premise of die cutting hearts with felt then hand-stitching them together using contrasting embroidery thread in blanket stitch.  Now although I thought this was simple I started it before valentines day (not usually that organised!)  However I am glad I did, I had to teach myself to blanket stitch for a start, thank you you tube.

I cut the hearts using a sizzix Bigz heart die as this cuts felt beautifully and the die cuts 3 different sizes in each pass. Once almolst stitched together I stuffed the hearts with the contents of an old pillow (the same one I used for the Pin Cushion box's I made back in February)

This was an organic process and so I learnt at the end I really should of stitched in the ribbon loops during the process rather than attaching them at the back.  To neaten the back I stitched each ribbon loop on with a button.

Finally I decorated each heart individually using buttons, bows and felt cut letters to spell out MUM before threading them onto a pink gingham ribbon (Ebay bargain) for hanging.

I have popped in a pic of the box I made for this from yesterdays sneak peak in case you missed it. I will Let you know if she liked it!

Enjoy your breakfasts in bed mums!

Something Different Sneak Peak

Happy Saturday!












Today's something different is a sneak peak for tomorrows Mothers Day presentation.  Firstly this is the box I made to contain the gift... The box is made in the same manner as my Wendy House box (thanks Heather for the name) that I demoed last year.  Click HERE to see the original post and HERE to see the tutorial.

The gift itself is made using these hearts that I die cut using a Sizzix heart die in felt and hand stitched in embroidery thread in contrasting colours.

What I have done with the hearts and how I have decorated them will have to wait until tomorrow as my Mum checks the blog and I don't want to spoil the surprise.

For today,

Enjoy...

Finally The Card...

Happy Sunday,

I would firstly like to thank you all for the brilliant comments yesterday from the box I mad for this card.  I was blown away by the reaction to this one, as I am sure you all know when you like something it really is scary to see what other people think, will they agree with you or have you made a dud!

Todays post and card is to show what was inside yesterdays box and was the reason for making it.

Firstly here is the opening of the box with the card popping out!  As you can more clearly see the box is a hinged fold witch protects, and hopefully showcases the card and the flower.

The card is made again using Spellbinders Gold Elements one Corner however this was cut in a darker shade (I really hope everyone's monitors show the colours properly as the two shades of lilac are really complimentary)  This was matted onto white then the original box lilac and finally a white hand cut card blank (sizes to follow on the tutorial)

I made the flower using the lighter shade using the Sizzix Peony die which I cut 5 times to get enough petals.  The die gives you the star shaped based, leaves and 5 different petals.  I shaded the petals with purple distress ink before shaping them using a ball tool.  Next I simply started layering them as per the instructions.

Finally i added a few pieces of distressed ribbon and a couple of Wendy's beautiful hatpins.

I loved making this and the finished result, here's hoping you do too!

Enjoy...

Tuesday Quickie!

Happy Tuesday,

Just a quick post today as, once again, running short on time.  I seem to lock myself in my carft room and create when I think,"must post something for tomorrow" I realise how late it is!!





Today's creation  is made using no die cuts at all just simple stamping, using Versamark, and Mica powders.  I stamped the hearts and fussy cut them before mounting onto a layer of stamped Kraft card which I had also stamped and added Mica to.  This is double mounted and added to a piece of card embossed with sizzix spots folder.

Very simple but would do for loads of occasions!

Enjoy...

Something Different and Softer (hopefully)

Happy Saturday!

As fellow crafters I am sure most of you have felt about your creations the way I feel about this post.  I am almost reluctant to post this as it is one of those that although I thoroughly enjoyed the day it took to make, I feel that others could view this as an easy quick project!  (there again how many times do I make something that I say is quick and it takes others a while! lol)




however whilst I love it I'm not sure it looks as complex as it was.  So i throw this one over to you!

Today's something different is a Thank you Card set with a box that could be used for holding any kind of stationary.

I started by making this square box in really thick cardstock (what the Americans call chipboard which I find strange as chipboard is what my dad used for shelves when I was a kid!)  The box is a perfect square with a square fitting flip / hinged lid.

I have covered this in 2 matching patterns from First Edition Neroli (see once something is on my desk it can hang around for ages like the floral pavilion pack last year!)  the pieces were cut in panels, distressed in Fired brick distress ink and stuck on.


The contents were based on my mums want for a set of thank you cards and the simple card I made on Monday, click HERE to be reminded.  I wanted some simple cards that could be made in batch´s and this style was so easy to replicate using just one die and one sentiment stamp.

 The cards are made from plain cream card at 13.5 x 13.5 cm square (handcut) as I have an old Sizzix Bigz XL die that cuts an envelope at 14 x 14 cm however this is pretty much a standard envelope size so you don't need the die.

I used the two matching papers from the outside of the box, the pattern behind the die cut bird and the stripe down the front.  The sentiment is, again, from the Crafters Companion Sentimentals range.










As you can see from this picture I lined the envelopes using the stripe and made the flaps using the pattern so that everything ties in.

There are a couple of other ´bits´ inside this et however I am saving those for another day, don't want to overload everyone.

A nice gift that I may save for mothers day!

Enjoy...

Heart Box Tutorial

Happy Tutorial Tuesday,

I'm sorry but this isn't a video tutorial I am hoping to follow this one with a video on how to turn this into a pin cushion box

Now I used a Sizzix die, called simply Heart Box, click HERE to see which die I mean.  However this can be cut by hand or using a heart die.

First either Cut your pieces using the Sizzix die 2 pieces of each heart and 4 of the sides are required.







To cut by hand measure all way around the edge of the hearts and split the measurement in two.  Cut 2 pieces this length and as deep as you want the box to be, the die is at 2.5 cm add 1cm score across at this measurement and cut tabs (use the picture above as a guide.

Next to create the lid fold over the tabs, glue and adhere to teach side of the heart right on the edge.  Do both sides and you will have a lid that looks like the next photo

Decorate the side of the lid using a strip of paper the width of your side all the way around, this secures the 2 side pieces and makes the lid look smooth.

This next pictures shows the side all finished, as you can see I have made sure that a fold goes into the point of the heart .









Finally add your decorative top piece which finishes the lid ready for decorating.  In this example I have used distress ink to give some depth.

To neaten the inside cut a further heart using decorative paper however cut off a thin edge so that it fits inside!

To make the base use the same pieces however fold and glue the sides but place them inside your lid. Next you simply place the last heart shape over the top, lining it up with the sides, and remove the base.

Secure the sides to the bottom and follow the same routine of using a strip of paper to secure.

I have added loads of pictures to try and show what I am talking about!

This will result in a base and lid that can be decorated in any way you want!

Enjoy...

Wendy's Hat Pin Box Revisited...

Happy Sunday...


Here is the box I remade for Wendy to say thank-you for the wonderful hatpins she makes me Click HERE to go to her Etsy shop for the pins.

This box is the same as the one I mistakenly published last Sunday, click HERE to see that post.  However as all of this week has been a red and white love fest I thought I really should calm the colour palette down a little so this one is made with beige Laura Ashley type fabric.





The box, as before, has a padded domed lid and makes a perfect pincushion.  With this version I have lined the inside of the box with the same fabric and highlighted the colours with lace and ribbon.

Tutorial for this one, with pictures, is written and will be out next week, however now I am back from the U.K. I will try to make a video tutorial for this one!

Enjoy...

Lets Replace Saturday

Happy Saturday Guys!

Due to my being an idiot and not scheduling properly todays project and post went live last Sunday!  Therefore I have had to remake and re-post one for today.  Now The reason I had to schedule so far in advance is that we have had a bereavement in the family and I have had to fly back to the U.K. for the funeral.  Therefore I am writing this on Monday morning when I really should be getting ready for work.  That said here is the replacement project, what I have done is throw together some valentines (or mothers day would be an idea as valentines day was yesterday) sweet box's.

The box is cut from an A3 sheet of cardstock using the same Sizzix box die that I used for my Christmas boxes to make the advent calendar / ornaments.  Click HERE to see what I'm talking about.

This first box is decorated using more of the Home for Christmas papers this time with hearts on.  I simply inked the edges of the paper with red distress ink and the edges of the box with white chalk ink.  The tag is two scalloped hearts punched holes to make it look like a button and ribbon threaded through.

This box is decorated with felt cut hearts in pink and the tag is two of these blanket stitched in red.  A few buttons and thread and finished.

As you can see the box folds open and you can get a lot of sweets inside (or maybe even a ring!?!)

These box's are cut from a Sizzix die as I said and I am planning to have some box's precut for Christmas as they proved very popular when I made a decoration with them for the mantelpiece I have also used these box blanks for some wedding favours and place cards but more of that when the Bride has seen the samples and chosen!

  Hopefully I will be working with Wendy to add some products and projects to her Etsy shop.


Enjoy...

Hanging Hearts...

Happy Valentines Day!

We are getting close to the end of the red madness I promise guys, I am working as you read this on some nice, simple pastel stuff!  Today's creation is on the picture on Monday however the group photo is deceptive as this box isn´t hanging.

I thought this would make a great container for sweets, flowers and all manner of gifts, also made in white or cream it would make a nice wedding favour or flower holder for the bridesmaids.

This is based on the same Sizzix die from earlier in the week however It can be hand made and cut without the die. 

For this one I die cut 2 of the hearts and 4 of the side pieces however I cut off the folds from the side pieces and stuck 2 together.  Next I embossed the hearts and rubbed white chalk ink over before making up the box.  Once the 2 hearts are stuck to the sides it leaves the top open, the hanger is made simply by sticking ribbon to each side.  This I did by punching holes in the sides and threading the ribbon through.

Finally I decorated this with the Marianne ivy die I featured last week however this time I inked the die with green distress ink for the veins. This was finished with a simple paper rose and the banner with TRUE LOVE sentiment.

In this final picture I have loaded some of the die cut and padded hearts (more to follow as these will be used for Mothers Day)  You could fill it with flowers, sweets, chocolates whatever you heart desires.

Enjoy..