It was far too nice to be sitting inside crafting today, so I took my entire bead stock into the garden and beaded outside in the glorious sunshine, cocktail on one side (or a glass of iced water in reality!) and crafted to the sound of sea and summer!
The sea had a big influence over my creations, with this fresh blue necklace, bracelet and earring set created from silver plated chain, glass beads and my favourites - Swarovski crystals!
I have a fair to attend in the next few weeks, so I'm needing the re-build my stocks. I think this pretty, danity piece will be taking pride of place in the centre of the table.
If you would like a piece similar to this, I am accepting commissions. Please contact me with your requirements for further details. Also please take a moment to check out my Etsy pages where I have some of my crafts for sale. I hope to be adding more product to these pages in the coming weeks. Visit http://www.creativecrafteruk.etsy.com
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Jewels of the Sea
Friday, 27 June 2008
Top 10 websites every crafter should know about:
- www.trimcraft.co.uk – for crafting projects, hints, tips, forums, community, blogs, photos, beautiful products.
- www.printpattern.blogspot.com – for the latest in design, print and patterns, extremely popular website among designers, updated regularly. A great source of inspiration.
- www.hobbycraft.co.uk – for your nearest store (
- www.craftsulove.com – for mail order supplies
- www.docrafts.co.uk – for hundreds of crafting projects, hints, tips, friendly forums, new products.
- www.craftzine.com – magazine showcasing cool projects and brilliant ideas.
- www.youtube.com – for numerous ‘How To’ videos on various crafting topics. A search for ‘How to make cards’ for example, will list many results.
- www.etsy.com –sell you handmade crafts online for minimal listing fees. Also provides a lively forum, where there is always someone with informative answers! Lots of good articles and hints and tips about promoting your products and selling online.
- www.fiskarscraft.co.uk for tools and projects.
- www.creativecrafteruk.co.uk – how could I resist? Tell all your crafting friends and spread the word. Miss this site and miss out!
This is just a tiny fraction of some great crafting sites out there, if you know of any others that you visit regularly please share by leaving a comment.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Cutting Edge
Isn't it great how some days everything falls into place for you? I'm having one of those days and feeling so positive today. It makes up for all those days when it seems the world is against you!
I received a surprise parcel containing this little crafting gem.
This is the new Fiskars Finger Craft Knife ensuring complete control over your cutting as it is used similarly to how you would hold a pencil. The blade cuts wherever your finger is pointing and the this helps with precision and greater control.
I love this new addition to my craft box!
Available from Fiskars stockists nationwide. Visit www.fiskars.com RRP £2.99
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
All Kitted Out!
So how was your day? I've been a busy little crafter today, beavering away with some gorgeous new kits, soon to hit the shops, but that's all I can divuldge right now. The kits were stunning and they were proof that the designs and colour co-ordination chosen within a kit is the most important aspect. I designed few classy cards and they were all that was needed for promotional purposes - I hope my client is happy with the results!
Do you craft using kits or do you prefer to chose your crafting papers and embellishments individually? What is your favourite kit theme? Do you have favourite designs or colours? If you were designing a kit what would you like included in the pack? Please leave your comments.
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Survey-ing the Crafting Situation
How's the craft projects going everyone? Did any of you follow my project instructions over recent weeks? I would love to see your results, if you would care to send me a photo of your creations.
I have made a special 50th birthday card for a German friend this weekend and personalised this with a motor caravan rubber stamp which I designed myself. I am quite pleased with the results and I hope she will be too!
I have also created a small survey which I hope you would consider filling in for me. Click Here to take survey It will only take a few moments and provides me with valuable information for what you would like to see on here. I want to make this blog a place that you will enjoy and would welcome your feedback.
Thank you for your time.
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
50 Years of Marriage
Isn't it strange how you often need two similar cards at the same time? I needed two Golden Wedding Cards this week for family friends and wanted to create something simply elegant for the happy couples.
These are ideal cards to feature in my series of beginner's cards as they are so easy to make.
Both use similarly embossed gold card bells bought as embellishments from a craft shop, although these could be created yourself using a Sissix machine or similar die cutting tool. The card on the left combined these bells with basic gold peel off sticker wording on a patterned card. The bells have been layered with sticky foam pads to make them look more three-dimensional.
The card on the right has been created from an aperture card. The circular aperture is lined with decorative vellum and the bells layered on top. Simple gold peel off lettering is added for the greeting and decoration in the corners, with co-ordinating adhesive ribbon across the top and bottom of the card.
Important Copyright Information:
*Please note this design is copyrighted. Please do not recreate this card to sell or enter into competitions, send to magazines or pass off as your own. You are welcome to adapt this card to use for your own personal card giving for friends and family. Thank you for respecting the laws of copyright. For other permissions, please contact me.*
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Wedded Bliss
For another installment in my beginner's series of cards, here's an elegant wedding card!
You Will Need:
A6 White card blank with circular aperture
Holographic Card
Spare White Card
Embossed White Heart With Doves Embellishment (Or rubber stamped image)
Wedding Day Rub Ons
Sticky Foam Pads
Glue Stick
Scissors
Decorative Silver Peel Off Corners
Instructions:
1. Place holographic card behind the aperture and stick into place. Cover the inside of the card with more white card to hide the raw edges.
2. Place the 'embossed heart with doves' embellishment on the holographic background using sticky foam pads.
3. Position the peel off decorative corners at the corners of the card.
4. Rub on the Wedding Day rub-ons below the embellishment to finish.
By making your own insert, slightly smaller than the card, adds a little luxury inside!
Important Copyright Information:
*Please note this design is copyrighted. Please do not recreate this card to sell or enter into competitions, send to magazines or pass off as your own. You are welcome to adapt this card to use for your own personal card giving for friends and family. Thank you for respecting the laws of copyright. For other permissions, please contact me.*
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's reading my blog - which I am pressuming is not too many, as crafting is more commonly a female hobby! Please speak up and leave a comment though, if you are a male crafter reading my website, I'd love to hear from you.
However, as I said previously there is only one man a girl can truly rely on - and that's her Dad! Thanks for reading my blog Dad - HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
With All My Heart - Dad!
Her Dad - is often the only man in her life, a girl can really depend upon and mine is no exception!
With father's day fast approaching I have another in my series of beginner's cards for you to try. This card says 'Happy Birthday' but can easily be adapted for Father's Day on June 15th (UK).
Did you know the Father's Day celebrationin the UK is always on the third Sunday in June, so may fall slightly differently each year!
This graphical design has been created using two strips of luxury, rich brown paper across the top and bottom of an A6 cream card. A checked adhesive ribbon, then placed across the centre of each and lined either side with a gold straight line sticker. Three brown buttons are placed in a line at the top left and bottom right of the card on the ribbons, with co-ordinating adhesive gems placed in the centre of each.
The focal point of the card, sees two hearts layered up (a brown one behind a text patterned one) with scrabble tiles 'Dad' across the centre. Although optional, 'Happy' and 'Birthday' gold stickers are positioned above and below the word 'Dad'.
Important Copyright Information:
*Please note this design is copyrighted. Please do not recreate this card to sell or enter into competitions, send to magazines or pass off as your own. You are welcome to adapt this card to use for your own personal card giving for friends and family. Thank you for respecting the laws of copyright. For other permissions, please contact me.*
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Dad - You're A Star!
With Father's Day just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about your Dad. Will you make him a card this year? A handmade card is so much more personal than a shop bought one and you can even adapt it to suit his likes. Try making this card for example, in his favourite football team's colours or adding his name to it.
You Will Need:
A6 Cream Card Blank
Patterned Paper
Paper Shapes (or punched shapes) - Circles and Stars
Star Tag
Adhesive Ribbon
Scrabble Tiles Lettering
Scissors
Glue
Instructions:
1. Cover the front of the card in patterned paper. Trim off 1cm from the front opening edge of the card.
2. Apply adhesive ribbon along the inside back, outer edge of the card. (When the card is closed, this should be visible on the opening edge!)
3. Add a star tag to the spine of the card and secure the strings on the inside of the card.
4. Glue three circles down the front of the card. Layer three stars on top. Place a scrabble tile to spell 'Dad' in the centre of each of the stars.
You could also write his name on the tag!
Important Copyright Information:
*Please note this design is copyrighted. Please do not recreate this card to sell or enter into competitions, send to magazines or pass off as your own. You are welcome to adapt this card to use for your own personal card giving for friends and family. Thank you for respecting the laws of copyright. For other permissions, please contact me.*
