Saturday 30 March 2013

Stampin’ Up Saturday ~ Everything Eleanor

This is one of the first sets I bought when I became a Stampin’ Up demonstrator and still one of my most often used. There are a lot of different stamps within the set, which all co-ordinate perfectly to make a wide variety of card designs.

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I can’t claim full credit for this design as I saw something similar a while ago, but can’t remember where. I liked the idea of the label stamped partly off the page. I’ve used two of the flowers, the scroll and the label to make this card. There is a third flower in the set, which can be seen on the card I shared on Wednesday.

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Pictured again here with some of the other stamps. There is a stem for the flowers, a bird and an ornate circular frame, which would make a great journalling spot on a scrapbook page. Each card uses two shades of ink and two colours of cardstock. I’ve added a sentiment from Itty Bitty Banners, cut with the matching framelits.

  • Everything Eleanor stamp set
  • Itty Bitty Banners stamp set
  • Bitty Banners Framelits
  • En Francais background stamp
  • Old Olive & Basic Grey ink
  • Crumb Cake & Soft Suede ink

Please get in touch, if you would like any more information on the products used, or you are interested in card making classes or hosting a workshop in the North Dorset area. I can be found on Facebook or at angelfishcrafts{at}gmail{dot}com.

Happy Easter everyone. I hope the sun shines on you this weekend.

Friday 29 March 2013

Friday Finds ~ Spring Infinity Scarf

I’ve been saving this, because it has been so very cold and it didn’t seem quite the time to be sharing a lightweight scarf. It is supposed to be Spring though and I’m going to be making one, in the hope that warmer days are on their way.

There are quite a few tutorials out there. This one from The Cottage Home is nice and straightforward, with only a small amount of hand sewing involved and that’s always a good thing.

If you feel the need for something warmer, then this cowl from The Crimson Owl  might be more up your street. I have shared it before, at the end of 2011, but most of the pictures from older posts have disappeared. Has anyone else noticed this happening on their blog?

Stay warm this weekend.

Wednesday 27 March 2013

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday #199

Squeezing in under the wire this evening. Picasa updated itself and then refused to recognise my card reader. I’ll keep it brief.

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This is what the kitchen table looked like late yesterday afternoon. The makings of a sample for class. I’d cut the kits on Monday and then couldn’t find my finished card.

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Here it is with the matching gift box. For more crafty spaces, head on over to Julia’s place and I’ll be round to visit tomorrow.

Saturday 23 March 2013

Stampin’ Up Saturday ~ Bird Builder

As promised, the card I made using the Bird Builder punch.

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I saw this beautiful card and was inspired to make a simpler version, more in keeping with my own style. I also wanted something that would be suitable for a card class, which means being able to complete in around half an hour. It’s easy to replicate, only a little patience needed, for punching and adding all those leaves.

  • Bird Builder punch
  • Small Heart punch
  • Heart framelits/nestabilities
  • Whisper White cardstock
  • Silver Glimmer Paper
  • Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

The punch consists of a bird body, separate wing and a branch. There are so many other things that can be made with it and you know how I like to get mileage out of my craft tools. I’ll share another idea (or two) next Saturday.

In the meantime, please get in touch, if you’d like any more information on the card or the products I used. Find me on Facebook or at angelfishcrafts{at}gmail{dot}com

Wednesday 20 March 2013

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday #198

Here’s the contents of the kitchen table yesterday, before I cleared it all away for hot chocolate after school.

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I made a wedding come anniversary card, with a pair of birds, for last week’s class. When I came to take a photo afterwards, I realised my sample was looking a bit grubby. It spoilt the look of the white on white design and I just had to make another cleaner one for posterity.

Peeking in at the back of the table, the Hairy Dieters. I’ve cooked several recipes from this book, even though none of us are on a diet, and they’ve all gone down well. The Paprika Chicken is a favourite with the whole family and The Mechanic is a big fan of the Keralan style prawn curry.

It’s a day of hospital waiting rooms today, for me and my girl, so I’ll share the finished birdy card on Saturday. Want to see what everyone else has on their desk? Check out Julia’s blog for a list of folk joining in this Wednesday.

Sunday 17 March 2013

Stampin’ Up Sunday ~ Perfect Postage #2

A few more cards using the postage stamp punch this week.

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Another variation on the Christmas design, I made previously, for a New Baby card. I didn’t have any pink or blue seam binding, but I did have plenty of white. I dyed a couple of lengths, with inkpads, to give a pretty good match.

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I adapted the 1st Birthday Card to make one for my niece, who was 17 yesterday. Switching the bunny for a heart (also from Perfect Postage) and the abc background for a Happy Birthday sentiment, which reminded me of a post mark.

  • Postage Stamp punch
  • 1” Square punch
  • Small Heart punch
  • Perfect Postage stamp set
  • Memorable Moments (numbers) stamp set
  • Morning Post alphabet stamp set

The Morning Post alphabet is definitely an investment purchase, at £33.95 for the clear mount (rubber) version, but it has so many possibilities. Pair it with the Postage Stamp punch at £14.25 and you can make a wide variety of cards, suitable for different occasions and the letters make great titles for scrapbook pages. 

Sale-A-Bration ends on Friday, which gives you a few more days to earn those freebies, if you place an order worth £45 or more. There are lots of great products on offer. For more details about those, or any of the products I’ve shown here today, please contact me at angelfishcrafts{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll be happy to help.

Friday 15 March 2013

Friday Finds ~ Easter Bunnies

Last week it was felt chicks, this week I have little knitted rabbits for you.

Rebecca Danger has a selection of free patterns (including the rabbits) available on her blog and even more to choose from in her Etsy shop. If knitting is your thing, then why not check her out. Have a lovely weekend.

Saturday 9 March 2013

Stampin’ Up Saturday ~ Perfect Postage

I think of my stamps and punches as an investment and before purchasing, I always make sure I’ll be able to come up with a variety of card designs using them. The Postage Stamp punch has certainly earned its keep since I bought it.

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I’ve used it here to make a 1st Birthday card for a little boy. There’s a prettied up girl version in pink, but that has a recipient in mind and her Mummy sometimes reads my blog. The elements could easily be switched to make it a welcome baby card, birth announcement or christening/naming ceremony card.

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If you’re a regular visitor to Stampin’ Up Saturday then you’ll probably recognise this design. I like to get mileage out of them! I did something very similar for Christmas cards last year. I made this in red for a Valentine card and changed to a neutral palette, with a touch of gold, for a wedding card.

  • Postage Stamp punch
  • 1” Square punch
  • Small Heart punch
  • Perfect Postage stamp set
  • Memorable Moments (numbers) stamp set
  • Morning Post alphabet stamp set

Sale-A-Bration is running for a couple more weeks, still time to earn those freebies. Spend £45 and choose from a variety of stamp sets and other products on offer. For more details about that, or any of the products I’ve shown here today, please contact me at angelfishcrafts{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll be happy to help.

PS I’m having a few technical difficulties getting the new blog up and running. I’ve posted here, rather than miss another Saturday.

Friday 8 March 2013

Friday Finds ~ Easter Chicks

I found these cute little felt chicks, put together with a simple blanket stitch.

There is a printable PDF pattern available with photographs and clear instructions. Even if sewing is not your thing, it’s still worth clicking through to Myrtle & Eunice, just to see the chicks (with added legs) re-enacting Riverdance, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and the Can Can. So funny.

Wednesday 6 March 2013

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday #196

Just like last week, there is no actual crafting happening here today. I went away at the weekend for a DIY craft retreat and had a brilliant time. When I got home on Monday afternoon I couldn’t face unloading all my craft stuff from the car so it stayed there until this morning. Now it needs sorting out properly.

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It’s rare that I craft away from home and I had no idea what to take with me. In the end I grabbed an empty cardboard box (just visible at the back) and took stamps off the shelf until I couldn’t fit any more in there. I did the same with inkpads into that shoe box. Punches and card went into the cupcake carrier at the front.

My scoreboard and boxes of various random stuff went into the bag at the back and my tool tote came along too. Just how many pairs of scissors do I need?! The carrier bag houses a pile of patterns that Karen kindly gave me. She was having a clear out and remembered I was taking part in The Love What You Wear Project.

It’s all back where it belongs now and I might just get the chance to use some of it again soon. The lounge floor from me, but other folk will be showing their desks as is the convention on a Wednesday. Join in at Julia’s place, or just have a nosey. Everyone is welcome.