On a pedestal

This is one of my little used Stampin' Up stamp sets that I bought. It's called On a Pedestal, and I really think that it needs to come out of the box a little more often.

I made this card absolutely ages ago, and for one reason or another, have never gotten around to uploading it onto my computer.

The background of the card was made by using the lovely cute little cherries that come with the set, and I stamped them in Real Red and Pixie Pink.

Here is a closer look of the yummy cake. To create the little glittery top, I have used a two way glue stick and SU's Dazzling Diamonds. It gives a lovely effect, but me and glitter?? Well, not a good combination I have found out. lol.

You can build up the cakes as tall as you need or just make them into buns. There are so many different things you can do with this cake stamp set.

Until next time ...

Miley Cyrus - When I Look At You

What a FAB song, I just love it!!!
Enjoy.

Fresh cut notes.

What a classy title. I can't think of anything to call it, so this will have to do. lol.

This card below, is in fact, a Fresh Cut Note card that we completed on our workshop on Thursday evening.

I personally love these little cards, they are great for quick and easy Thank you cards, or just to put in as a notelet when you are posting a gift or other things.

The stamp set that I used is also called Fresh Cut Notes, and this is in the main Stampin' Up catalogue. It was made to fit perfectly behind the aperture in the card, which is already cut to shape. All you need to do is pop out the petals and fit it all together.

I finished my sample card off with Real Red ink, ribbon and card to match. The flowers were punched out. The larger flower is the 5 petal flower punch from Stampin' Up. These SU punches really are the nicest ones I own. I also added a brad to the centre of the flowers.

Quick and simple. Perfect!

I am having a fairly quiet day today, so will be back soon to share a few more things.

Take care, and happy crafting!

Old London Town...

Hi again, and thanks for visiting.

I have a very lovely job in crafting, and love everything about it, but sometimes - just sometimes - something comes along that makes me wonder why I ever wanted to do it! Now this card is one of them.

This is a card that has given me a massive headache for the past week. And still it goes on.

As part of my 'job' I take in commissions for cards and things. In fact this week, as I've said before, is quite manic. I have got three different card commissions to finish, a Stampin' Up evening (Thurs) which I had to prep for, a Stampin' Up party yesterday evening, demonstrating at the Liverpool Hobbycrafts show all day today, some project tutorials to do with promarkers, TV show to make samples and demo's for, Kim's projects to chop and sort out for next Saturday, then it's back to project planning for my Docrafts demo's when the kit arrives, hopefully next week. I am then full steam ahead with demo's right through until the beginning of June. Somewhere amidst all the mayhem I have other smaller things to do too.

In between all of this, we have family coming over from Australia in the middle of May. Actually, it will be nice to see them as we haven't for a few years. Now the volcanic ash cloud has lifted and flights have resumed, I think there is a little less panic now on their end knowing they will actually be arriving! lol.

Get back on track Jo!!

The card.

This was one of three cards that were ordered for completion by the 20th. This one was for a gent who is celebrating his 60th birthday, who has built most of London, is a millionaire, and worked (obviously) in construction. But he didn't build with bricks and mortar. He did modules. Now, what on earth are construction modules? Even Mr. Google didn't know! So, as far as I could understand, they were metal things, hence the mirror board. The theme of London is as near as I could get to the brief. Now I've been asked to change the wording along the bottom, so that needs slight adjustment. I just love these Easel cards, they are so effective yet so simple.

The second card I was asked to make is still work in progress. The brief was to make a wedding card for a couple marrying in Cuba. I worked the card using tropical colours and a beach scene. Due to the ash cloud, they were unable to fly out so are now marrying in the UK. The card now needs changing to something more conventional. I will upload the before and after cards later.

Card number three was for a 40th birthday. Completed with lovely decoupage images from Kanban, it was fine and just needed some wording added, but have now been told is unsuitable so needs a total rethink.

You know, I think this just about sums up my week really. If I ever get these three cards finished, I will post them for you to see.

Until then, happy crafting!

Birdy punch? What birdy punch??

Question - When is a bird punch not a bird punch?
Answer   - When it's a tulip!

See. You should have guessed that one.

This card was one we had planned for our Stampin' Up! Craft Evening over at Bullcroft Memorial Hall for last night. Lots of prep and sorting, cutting and measuring go into doing these evenings, and for me and Sheila, and everyone who comes along, they are very special! There is nothing like crafting with a bunch of like-minded folks and getting a prize (or four) for it.

The materials are always ordered a month or so in advance, so once a project is decided there is no going back. This causes a little bit of a dilemma sometimes, because as crafters, we invariably change our minds to what we want to do.

For this reason, we have lots of projects in the pipeline for doing, but if you did want to come along to one of our evenings, then please let us know what you would like to do, or have a go at, and we'll try to schedule it in.Why not come along to them all? You'll love it!

So... back onto the tulips. They were made with this punch -

This is the Two Step Bird punch which is in the Mini catalogue at a very cheap (get it??) price of just £13.50.

I LOVE THESE PUNCHES!!! The reason I love these punches is because they fold flatter than my standard punches. I now have two of this style, and I need all of the others changing over to it NOW. As you can see, they lie flat but still release to a proper style punch when you release the slider on the back of it. Great idea!

The card was then finished off with a strip of paper from the lovely Tea Time papers from the main catalogue, and also the oval all stamp set and punches, again from the main catalogue.

On this close up photo, you can see exactly what bit I've used to create the tulips - yep, the wings.

It was a wonderful class last night, thank you all so very much for coming along, and thank you for your orders. I am sure you're going to enjoy playing with your new things when they arrive!

I'll be back later to show you another project from the three things we made last night.

Oh Plum Trees!

Hello?

Is anyone still there??

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days, life is just getting in the way again - well, work is really. Not that I'm complaining, but it's all systems go at the moment.

To start today though, I just wanted to share with you that my lovely, wonderful, charming Sis -Lesley- is coming over from Canada later on in the year! It was absolutely fantastic news to me and mine, as it will be nice to meet up with her and hubby Gary, sit chattering 'til all hours and have a general catch up! Wilma - I'm so looking forward to seeing you!!!! (Wilma/Betty are our nick names for each other lol)

Right then - onto my proper post, and I am stunned with how much blossom there is already on my lickle plum tree!!

I haven't even trimmed it back yet, and there are squillions of these blooms! You know what that means..... lots of yummy plums!!

Other than observing the joys of Spring and everything popping into life, I have been busy making a few projects.

This one is a little taster for you -

I can't share the whole thing just yet, well, until next Sunday actually, as it's for the Dabble Day I'm doing over in Bawtry, for the lovely Kim Sutton. This is the front section of 'whatever it is' we're making. lol.

So, I really must get on for now - late nights and early mornings are not ideal you know, for three little furry pumpkins who like to sleep in! Honestly, they are sooooo laid back these woofers are! They hate mornings. I hate mornings. Gawd, they are so much like me! (Well, apart from they're furry and I'm not. Well, not too much anyway!!!! lol)

So, check back soon and there are a few card projects coming up.

See ya later!
Jo xx

What can you do with punches?

This -

I used a variety of different punches to create this little card for you all. I made it a few weeks ago and we have made it at Sheila's card class, so sorry for the delay in sharing.

The card is made entirely from Stampin Up products. The punches are the oval and a range of different circles. The stamp set is also stampin up (will have to check the name tomorrow). I have done a little stamping technique called 'stamping off' to create the shadows on the branches, which in turn add a little dimension to the card.

I hope you like it.

I am really playing catch up this week, as I have little bits to finish off for some commission cards that need to be done for tomorrow. I also need to get myself sorted for the Liverpool Craft show at Aintree this weekend, where I will be there promoting the Stampin' Up range of products.

I also have a private demo to do next weekend and for this I need to sort out the project, do loads of cutting and packing and before all that - decide what I am actually going to do.. lol.

So. I promise that I'll be about soon to share a few more things with you.

Woof!

Hello again all.

You know sometimes you just have a whim to make a card? A card for no particular reason? Well, this is one of those cards.

I have had this stamp for a long time now - I love little doggy stamps, so whenever I see one that catches my eye, then I tend to buy it. And this stamp is soooo cute. He looks just like my Scooby when he's running in the woods - his ears fly all over the place too. Cute!

Here's a closer look of the little wuffkins.

To colour him, I've used a couple of different mediums, markers and prismas. I laid down a base layer of prismas, then went over the top of it to enhance the shading with the brush markers. I think it looks quite vibrant. What do you think?

I hope you check back tomorrow for a new card.

Love Jo xx

Fancy a cuppa?

Here you go then..



I just wanted to share this very quick photo taking by the most Luvverly Kirsty Wiseman. We chatted over a coffee in Sainsburys last week after our shows on TV.

What a laugh this lady is. And as you can see - is also quite good at taking the odd photo or two.. lol.

Sunny, sunny sunshine..

Hasn't it been a wonderful weekend again?! I'm getting a bit used to this lovely, sunny weather. It's nice and warm, but not too warm for me - but just in case it was, I've bought myself a sunhat. lol.

And take a guess to where I've been?

Do you recognise it? It's the Leas in Folkestone - again.. lol.Doesn't the weather look nice. There was a gentle breeze coming in from the sea and in points it was rather chilly, but a nice three mile stroll along the Leas all the less. We also looked at property again, and did you know that these little apartments you can see along the back of the grass are VERY expensive?!

Looking at property in Sandgate again, the prices per month for a rental, vary from around £600 to £1895 per month?! Blimey!!

I just had to take a photo of this chappy sat on the grass. Maybe enjoying the sun??

Paul noticed his hair first, but what a masterpiece! I bet that took alot of gel. Could this be my new look? Mmmm.. I'd have to think about that.

We also had time to nip along by the Dymchurch railway line.

Now, I first went on this little railway when we only had Leyton and Carley - many years ago now. I think they were only tiny, probably around 1993. The journey on the train takes you from Hythe to Dungeness. It is soooo peaceful over in Dungeness. In fact, I wouldn't mind one of the little cottages on the flat land there.

Everything was starting to bloom too. These little catkins looked really bright against the dullness of the trees, so I just needed to take a photo.

That's all for now - I'm really tired from all the running around we've done this weekend, but promise that I have some cards to upload for you tomorrow.

Have a lovely evening. See you all soon x