Some new techniques I have learnt

Well I have spent the whole weekend trying out new techniques on my Cuttlebug, extending the cutting dies etc for longer boarders, backgrounds etc. Ive tried doing some pyramid frames on the front of the fairy card. Distressing papers with nails files etc. Lots of experimenting and playing around for two days solid but only managed to actually get three cards made I am happy with. The point is though at least I learned something new :0)

Wow Thursday already

Well this week has flown by and Im looking forward to being back at the workbench by the weekend :0) Im at another crafting class tomorrow which I am really looking forward to as it is a Cuttlebug workshop. I have not been able to get to the breakfastbar here to do any card making as my dad is currently building an new Radio Controlled aircraft so Im back to weekend crafting at my Fiance's parents. Roll on getting our own place.

I would like to thank Cheryl so much for thinking of me for a blog award.Cheryl has a wonderful blog which can be found here always a pleasure a read through.

Two days in a row

Wow I have actually managed two days in a row at the workbench I think I am well and truly back in the crafting groove now. I think the week off has done some good :0)

Looking forward to Friday as I am going to a Cuttlebug class at the local craft shop so I get to spend the morning out of the house and doing something crafty. It is still frustrating having my leg in a cast and I hope that wont cause too much trouble with seating etc. I have been doing some more "kit" cards today to get them done and out of the way :0) I also had a sort through of all my stash, tools etc it all came about as I was looking for some particular paper that I could not find. Three hours later everything was back to being tidy but I had a very sore back and I sat with my broken leg in an odd position so in a bit of pain from that now. I won't be doing that again in a hurry.

Here are a few pics of some of the "kit" cards:

Im back and have been busy

After having a few days away from any crafting, model building etc I feel better for it and managed to get really inspired today to create the following cards (aswell as making up 20 odd Paper Nation decoupage cards - pics of those tomorrow)




I have not tried doing box cards before as you can see the first attempt went a bit wrong but saved in by keeping a strip down the side to write a greeting/ stamp a greeting onto. Ive finally got the hang of my Aqua ProMarkers after much annoyance with them I can finally shade etc with them. The stamps I used on both cards are Kars Ollyfant stamp set. I though the images were really cute.


Take two went much better. For the second one I changed the colours round and rather than sticking the items on flat to the card I used silicone glue to get the 3-d decoupage effect. It was my first time using silicone glue and I think its fab.





I did add this panel to the back of the card so a message can be written and also attached the sentiment which I am thinking of removing and using something else for it.

So thats been my day. Should be doing more tomorrow and will put up the pics of my paper nation cards I got done today I was asked to make some of them up for upcoming events.

Not good news

Well after my hospital appointment yesterday the cast is staying on for longer. Apparently the top Tibia break has healed up but the more serious bottom break has not. So another month of leg cast, then if it comes off I will have to wear a splint for quite some time. I think I can just about forget horse riding and going out on my motorbike and driving this year.

Following that feeling really frustrated and down in the dumps I know it could have been much worse but its so frustrating. At least I can go to the day long stamping and Aqua Pro Markers class at the local craft shop. The other good news is I won't have to book the week off work I wanted in July as Im signed off for the next six weeks.

Hoping that I will have calmed down by the weekend and then onto some crafting to help relax me. I think I will get OH to pick up some crafty magazines for me when he goes shopping tomorrow night. Suppose I had better think about making a cup of tea/ coffee and might go for a longish hobble on my crutches

Out of my creative funk

I managed to get out of my funk today long enough to make a card. It is similar to the one I made for the 103 Penny Black challenge but I slightly changed the position of the stamped images and the sentiment. I have made this one with a Birthday in mind just hope they like it.



At hospital tomorrow so no card making for me fingers crossed what passes for normal service will be resumed by the weekend.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge...Week 104 - Swirls

Well here is my entry for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Swirls

I dont think it as good as previous attempts I don't know what it is with me at the moment I just dont seem to be able to get into the swing of it this weekend. Possibly the heat or worrying about going to the hospital on Wednesday Im hoping they will take this cast off my leg (its been almost 5 months since I broke it) and that I can start physio and get on learning how to walk again.

The good news is I got to use my Cuttlebug, embossing folders and Spellbinders dies I adore it I honestly don't know how I would cope without a die cutting machine now.



Items Used:

. Divine Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder
. Craft House - Tutti Fruitti paper stack (the blue and multi coloured paper backgrounds)
. Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Spun Sugar (pink backing on stamp frames)
. Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Mustard (yellow edging round the card)
. Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Peeled Paint (edging round stamped image)
. Penny Black stamp from the Bubbly set
. 4 x clear self adhesive gems
. Happy Birthday Sentiment from a free magazine gift

I think that is my crafting for this weekend as I think I am worrying myself about Wednesday too much to focus on any tasks.

Digi Day

Well I managed to get some card making time in but had to use the floor. As I really enjoyed the card design I did yesterday (tri/quad shutter card) so thought I would have another go at this style.
Fortunately this card fits in nicely with Digi Day Challenge over on Stamp Something






Card Ingredients

. Bugaboo Bee Bear Digi Stamp
. Two Different designs of backing paper both from - My Minds Eye Spring Papers
. Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Broken China (Sky Effect)
. Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Peeled Paint (Grass Effect)
. Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Dried Marigold (Edging of card)
. Flower Tag from Stash
. Flower Soft Fine Sage - used on grass (darker areas)
. 4 x Pink self adhesive gems
. Heat it Up Embossing powder - Silver Tinsel - used on the Bears Wings
. Heat it Up Embossing powder - Gold - used on sentiment
. See Dees Sentiment
. Purple Eyelet
. Brown Glitter Card
.Light Brown Ribbon from stash
. Multi green Ribbon from stash

Phew I think that is everything I used.

Fingers crossed I will be at a workbench over the weekend so I should be able to be a bit more productive.

My Tri/Quad Shutter Card also Challenge #19 - Just Cute Bears

Well I have just finished off yesterdays challenge to myself. I managed to make the card, use some of my new Wild Rose papers adn use one of my Bugaboo digi stamps. I don't think it is too bad for a first attempt at one of these types of cards. I have made it into a Thank You card.

The good news it fits in with this week's Challenge #19 - Thank You Card over on Just Cute Bears







Items Used:

Bugaboo Bee Bear with Flower
Wild Rose Milton Papers
Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Denim (used to stamp sentiment)
Tim Holtz - Broken China (used for sky background)
Tim Holtz - Peeled Paint (Used for grass background)
Tim Holtz - Dried Marigold (Used as grass background)
Tim Holtz - Old Paper (used on edges of image and fold on the card)
Flower Soft Fine Sage - Used on the grass area to add depth
Embossed gold paper (from stash)
Brown Ribbon with flower image (from stash)
Heat it Up Embossing powder - Silver Tinsel - used on the Bears Wings
See Dees Sentiment



In other news I have just had a Crop a Dile arrive and I got it for the tiny sum (including postage from eBay) £7.25 so a very happy bunny at the moment. It looks like no cardmaking today for me as dad is home and using the bench so I think I might do a bit more to a horse cross stitch or sit down and read through some card making mags. Im trying to avoid watching telly as I never get anything done or end up arguing with it. (Ive been stuck indoors far too long)

My Work Area and Challenge

Well I thought I would get a photo of my work area currently using a very small area of my dads workbench (was supposedly a breakfast bar when dad put it in just long enough to build radio controlled aircraft wings on)

Most of the tools and bits under the area and on the top are dads. Im limited with time using the bench as need to clear everything away before dad gets back from work. Im currently working out of my new tote bag (so happy I bought it). I will get some photos of my workbench at fiance's parents house that I normally use as I have a lot more space there and all my tools, paper, card etc are there.

Ive set myself a challenge for today as well to use my Ultimate Pro and make a Tri/Quad Shutter Card I have never made one before and would really like to have a go. I will also try to use some of my new Wild Rose paper and one of my new Bugaboo digi stamps on it too. Phew I had better get cracking if I want to get it made before I have to pack everything away.

Purchases have arrived

Well it's been a wonderful day here. I had two very large parcels arrive today and I thrilled with the contents. The first parcel contained my new Crafters Companion Ultimate Pro my wonderful fiance paid for that for me. I have been playing with the embossing bits, folding etc and Im the first to admit a bit more practise is needed but wow it is looking like it will be a great to the tools. addition







My second (very large and very heavy parcel) consisted of plain card, Wild Rose Backing papers, 2 Cuttlebug Embossing folders and drum roll...............................

a Cuttlebug



Card making sort of went out the window this afternoon and I have just been playing with my Cuttlebug. I went for a Cuttlebug over the Big Shot for the only reason the Cuttlebug folds up. I panicked when the folders made a cracking noise when I first put some Nesties through and the image was left on the cutting boards a quick google and a huge sigh of relief from me when I discovered that it was normal. I think I will be doing some more playing about later and hopefully back to card making tomorrow :0)