KSL Creative

Manchester

2012-02-08T13:58:00.000-08:00

Arrived in Manchester thanks to Kay Rutter,a little less eventful than our ride home from Exeter, all I have to say is Snow..........to that one.
I will actually be demonstrating for J & C Creations at this show, big shot,spellbinders and the new LONDON range of Penny Black stamps which we ordered at CHA.
Here are a few more photos from our trip to CHA.
The dress was made of individual flowers in waves of different colours,the bolero jacket was made of beads.The stand owner took 6 months to make it,she said she was virtually doing it in her sleep.
There was even a shoe to match.....
It is taking a time to upload images tonight so I will do some more tomorrow.
Hope to see some of you tomorrow at the show.

CHA

2012-02-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

No more guessing, I went to CHA the Winter craft trade show.Jealous....,I know I was of others who went in the past.OK I went to the Summer one in Chicago a few years ago but that was smaller than the winter one. It's been on my list of things I wanted to do, like spend Christmas day on the beach in Australia,that sort of thing.....
The reason I didn't actually say I was going was I wanted to surprise some of my American friends including Sue Wilson.
I went with Denise and Jennifer from J & C Creations,who really wanted to go this year.
We found some lovely products,which I let you know about as they arrive or you can check on J & C Creation's blog.Follow the link on my blog.
Well for the first full day we went to Disneyland, nobody could believe me when I said I'd never been to a Disney anywhere.The first shock we had was that is was 80 degrees and we were walking around in t-shirts.I'm not keen on scary rides but there were plenty of others to go on including a paddle steamer.There was lots to see and plenty of Shopping to do.We had a meal in Downtown Disney,waited for an hour for this but enjoyed the people watching and listening to a violinist.Later on we saw the fireworks and then walked back to the hotel.

Just a couple of photos to leave you with, others are on J & C Creations blog.
I'll post some more tomorrow.

Sandown

2012-01-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

Well I just finished my my first show as a self-employed person,this was with Kay at Sandown.It was great catching up with everybody on set-up day, then meeting some of the regular visitors to the show.
It was a little quieter than usual,so as a treat and surprise to Ali from Ali-Craft, we each took an hour to do a workshop with her.It has been an age since I did a workshop with somebody else teaching.
I decorated a little wooden chest with Graphic 45 papers,distress inks and some pieces from Tim Holtz idea-ology range.It was great fun,wish I could have played longer.Kay did a mirror frame with some paints from Paper-Artsy.

As I didn't have time to finish it on the day, I had a play at home. So I added some gold leaf and swirly pearls.The pearls I altered by colouring them with Spectrum Noir pens but you could use any of the alcohol ink pens or alcohol inks. I used Glossy accents to attach the idea-ology pieces and to highlight areas of the paper.
Hopefully I'll have another chance to do a workshop soon, but it's given me an idea with what to do with those wooden boxes I've had stored for years.....

Well my next adventure starts tomorrow and I'm really excited, I'm not saying what yet,there are a few who know but I'll tell all in a few days time.
So I'll have to go now and finish sorting out.
Thanks for all the lovely comments,let me know what you think about the box.

Welcome

2012-01-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

Just a short post to welcome my new followers and to thank those who have posted some really nice comments.I appreciate those that have been made, as it's nice to know what you like.
I'm hoping to post as often as I can,with all this extra playtime I can make a lot more cards.
That's until the craft show season starts of course.
The card below was made from pieces I die-cut at the NEC, I decided to leave them white after seeing Sue Wilson's card,first time I've tried a card like this.
Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

I've have quite a few adventures to look forward to this month,details to be posted later.
Happy crafting

2011-12-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

After a few weeks of winter cleaning... and getting ready for Christmas I'm now ready to start a fresh.What to play with first,I've been so used to being given a limited collection of products to work with. I may have to do the same to myself.
On the run up to Christmas I managed to make quite a few cards,here's a photo of one of my favourites,

For this card I used the Heirloom ornaments 2011 die from Spellbinders. Once cut, the shape was left in the die then embossed it using the polka dot mask,then inked using one of the new winter seasonal distress inks.Doing it in this way leaves a plain white edge to the shape.
The poinsettia was stamped using another of the winter seasonal inks, then the whole shape was embossed using Aurora Crystal embossing powder.To create the background I tore a piece of paper to use as a mask,inked around it and overstamped in the same colour using a wording stamp.Removed the mask then stamped the sprig with jet black archival ink.Both the sprig and poinsettia came from the A5 unmounted stamp set Snowflakes and sprigs from Creative Expressions.
I've used this die in so many different ways, hopefully I'll show some other cards in the very near future.,

New opportunities

2011-12-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

Well my announcement is that I have left Creative Expressions to go back to being a freelance designer and demonstrator.
Recently I have been working at alot of the craft shows with both Kay Rutter (Hougie) and J & C Creations, and have really enjoyed meeting fellow crafters.This meant I did not have a lot of free time and was missing a lot of crafting time.
I'm hoping to now have time to play with lots of different and new products.
First things first, Christmas cards and Christmas shopping.Spending spree tomorrow at Lincoln Christmas market really looking forward to this as it was cancelled last year due to SNOW!!!Weekend means time to tidy the studio and then to make my Christmas cards, have at least 100 to make.What design to do,that might take some thinking time......
I know I've shocked some people with this announcement but I hope to now keep up with my blog and let you see what I've been making.
Who knows what I'll be doing in the future but it will be fun experimenting on the way.

Did you see this in last months Craft Stamper?I used some of the foundations papers and the button tree stamp from Creative Expressions.

2011-11-30T13:33:00.000-08:00

I know,long time no blog,sorry about that.Needed to sort out a few things in my life as well as my daughter borrowing my netbook for college work.lol.
Last weekend I was demonstrating at Jo Channon's shop Lets Create in Lincolnshire and one of her ladies really loved this card.
The background was made using three shades of blue Cosmic Shimmer sprays,then die-cut using a spellbinder die.The tree and wording was stamped and embossed with cosmic shimmer true white.

Short and sweet blog today but tomorrow there will be a longer one with an announcement, so please check my blog tomorrow.

Christmas Tatty Launch

2011-08-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Christmas Tatty had her first appearance today on Create and Craft and this stamp was very popular.It's one of mine and Jo's favourites, there are so many different techniques you could use with this stamp.For this card I used one of my favourite distress inks Chipped Sapphire,I always say,this doesn't look like the colour on the lid.Once stamped I used a damp brush to pull out the colour from the lines.I stamped again to cut out the individual buttons to 3D over the first image.The ribbon, American seam binding, was even coloured with the distress ink.
This was the first day of shows,there's another 3 tomorrow,Jo's going to be very busy again plus she's on her own this time,no Nigel.

There was no real break between the first shows Jo and I were busy deciding on products for two more shows that are just before the POW.It's all go,right I off to think about card designs for flowers and girly stuff.

Here's another Tatty sample from today's show.

Murray & Ethel

2011-08-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the launch of some brand new Murray & Ethel.We promised a while ago we would bring some new designs, so I hope you will love these as much as the previous designs.
Some of the sayings definitely made me laugh out loud,hope they have the same effect on you.
There will be some new products and some old favourites but all work well with these designs.
Here are a couple of cards

There are 5 plates all together, so plenty of choice to be had.Hope you enjoy the 3 shows 11am,1pm & 4pm.
After dropping the cards of in Peterborough with Jo I'm back to working with our new Tatty stamps.These will be first aired on the 11th August.

To answer the question I left in my last post I stayed in a house boat,at a place called Wayfordbridge Bridge near Stalham.If you want peace and quiet this is a great holiday, very relaxing.

Back to work,need to finish off these samples for Jo.

Christmas !!!!

2011-06-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

My latest cards were made using our new Christmas stamp plates, designed by Sam Poole.It was hard to get in the Christmas spirit as I'm in summer holiday mode.I started these cards straight after finishing the steam punk ones,so I used the same colour distress inks Frayed Burlap (liking this colour) and Weathered Wood.A bit different for Christmas but they seem to work,love experimenting.

What do you think ?

Well the packing is done,just need to decide what to take in the crafty line.I need something to do while my husband's fishing. I have knitting,cross-stitching,a good book what else .......
I shall not be crafting all holiday even though I'd like too, we plan to visit some new and old places to us.Shopping maybe, eating and drinking definitely.

I'll try and post through the week from our holiday destination,Oh by the way guess what we are stopping in, it's not a caravan, a cottage,or a boat....

Steampunk Thursday

2011-06-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to show a couple of samples I've made for the show on C&C tomorrow.

These stamps are great for men's cards,but look out for a couple of cards for the ladies on the show.
I like to have a go at the artsy style but also like to show stamps like these can make "normal" cards.
Just a few more layers to do on the last card then I can hand them over to Sam Poole for the show.
Don't know what's next but I'm on holiday next week,which I'm really looking forward too.Let you know where I'm going in a later post.

Spellbinding Weekend

2011-05-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

To begin with I'd like to thank the staff and customers of the Inkspot shop in Hamilton for a lovely day on Saturday.A long way to go but my husband and I made a long weekend of it.Thanks to Lynn for all the cups of teas and to Trisha for lunch and to both for making me feel so welcome. Just wish I had more time to look round the shop it was like an Aladins Cave of goodies.

My demos included using the Calibur with dies and embossing folders.I had already been busy with these as I had samples to make for the Pick of the Week.Did not get much chance to watch any of the shows as I was travelling so I don't know which samples were seen. So here are a few of my favourites;

The 3D birdcage was inspired by one of the Spellbinders design team,I added some of the flourishes to the top as greenery.
I didn't think I'd like using the birdcage but it turned out to be one of my favourites.It combined well with Sam Poole's stamps Meadow Flora and British Wildflowers.The cage was die-cut using the metal sheets from Walnut Hallow.
Using the waste left from cutting out the large butterfly, I stenciled through using Dusty Concord distress ink,then overstamped with archival ink.The smaller butterfly has been cut from vellum and edge with the same ink.
Hope you like these samples,now for more Tatty Button.

Enchanted Fairies

2011-05-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Long time no blog,sorry.Hopefully I can get back in the swing of posting again.
I been very busy organising product lists for quite a few C & C shows as well helping to make card samples for them.
The latest samples I have made, are for this Sunday, which will be the launch of our Zodiac Fairies.Drawn by Linda Ravenscroft,these are the same fairies as seen on the Enchanted CD by Card Creations.
Photography isn't mine,need new batteries in my camera, so I asked our Ryan to take a couple of photos for me.Thanks Ryan.

The fairies were painted with Cosmic Shimmer drawing inks, which are great for painting these detailed stamps, as the inks have a really fine brush.The colours blend easily with a damp paint brush,but still leave some cosmic shimmer behind.
When layering the cards up, I found the fairies work really well with Spellbinders
nestabilities. There are plenty of choices there........
Another busy messy day tomorrow,with inks and sprays,so time to go.

I'll Try Again

2011-03-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

That was my shortest post I've ever done (Computers arhhhhhhhh....).
Oh well I'll try again.
Tomorrow will be Tatty's first ever retail show,I hope people will love her.I know her designer is very excited,in fact she is busy designing more stamps etc.This will be your chance to buy Tatty first before she visits C&C.
I also have our new Cosmic Shimmer drawing inks,they have a very fine brush,which will give you some fun techniques to try.Just give me a chance to perfect a few.

Here is Tatty with one of her animal friends,there are already a few in stamp form,with more to follow.
I used Cosmic watercolors to paint with and the pink background was embossed with a Creative Expressions embossing folder called floral.

Pip the mouse one of my favourite characters,I made Pip female here using the flowers from one of the accessory plates,that was before I found out Pip is in fact male and has a girlfriend Whoops...........

Looking forward to tomorrow, Oh I forgot to say a certain TV personality is on the stand with me,clue...... look at the photo in a previous post.
Can't work it out, I'll post another photo tomorrow.
Goodnight.

Tatty's First Retail Show

2011-03-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

More Tatty Cards

2011-02-25T12:35:00.000-08:00

I've been asked to show more of my Tatty Button cards on my blog and I'm always willing to help where I can.

This card was fun to make,I used one of the new nesties to make the toadstool pyramage and then decided to find my sewing equipment to add an extra effect.The holes were first made using pricking tool, then using black cotton thread carefully stitched through.Then of course I had to add buttons,at last I have a use for all those buttons I brought in my early crafting years.

Just love those Distress Inks and this card proves you can use them with the Tatty stamps.Colour used was walnut stain and the raindrops were made with Crystal Lacquer.

More samples to follow in the next few days,at the moment I'm busy getting ready for the Glasgow show and yes Tatty will be travelling up north with me.

2011-02-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post before I leave for Stitches.Another good day yesterday,had fun meeting more of our customers and catching up with many of my crafting friends. The very creative Ange Lee,designer of our Tatty Button took this photo of Jo and I,Thanks Ange.

Time to get ready,last day,but I looking forward to getting back to my workroom and playing with all our new products.

Tatty Button Launch

2011-02-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

Day 1 of the trade show is now over,chance to relax but need to go bed soon as I will have to get up early for another day there.
Today we launched our Tatty Button range of stamps and CD,it's great to show what I've been working on for the past few weeks.She is character with a story behind her,which gives a plenty of scope for more stamps and CDs.But first here are some cards made using the stamps;

Tatty on the swing was the first one I ever made with this range,she was stamped and embossed then painted with Cosmic Shimmer watercolours.The shape I stamped on was cut out using one of the new Spellbinder dies.Just love their new range of dies launched at the Winter CHA.I was very lucky to get to play with these before they were launched here.Look out for more designs on here as I show you other Tatty samples.
Hopefully there will be another post tomorrow as I think I better go bed now.

Today's Show

2011-01-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone enjoyed today's shows,Jo did a great job of showing different techniques with the stamps,film and fibre.I loved using the embossing folders and it seems everyone else will from how popular they were.We will hopefully show more designs very soon.
Here are some samples I made for the show.

I didn't have a lot of time to play with these images as I'm working on something top secret,which will be released at the trade show in February.Can't wait to show everyone what I have been working with.Maybe there will be some sneak peeks next month,a little closer to the show.

Purple Dream

2011-01-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

Can't believe I'm posting for the third day running,it's probably because I have some cards to show that I've actually taken photos of. It's usually a rush to get the cards to the demonstrator before the television shows.I will have to make a mental note to take photos before I post them.
This card is definitely for those who love purple!!!

Yet another card with the bicycle,I think this is my favourite image off the plate,the wording background coming in second.

I wonder if I can keep this run of posting going,will have to make some more cards tomorrow and take its photo.Here's hoping!

Two Types of Transport

2011-01-17T15:50:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post before I go to bed,late I know but I was busy having fun with Eco inks and Sam Poole's new stamp sets.
You'll see why I titled this post as I have from the following cards;

The bicycle card was inked with the Cherry Blossom Paris Trunk,and I don't know if it shows in the photo but I embossed with the masks before I inked.The masks work really well through most of the different die-cutting machines on the market.Sorry I forgot to say a set of masks will be on the show on Friday.
The green card was inked with another Eco Paris Trunk,this time the colour was Blotter.These inks react in a similar way to the Distress inks,giving a soft edge to cards and also lifting when sprinkled with water.This effect was used on this card,it is one of my favourite techniques.

Try lightly spraying a stamp with water then stamping onto an inked surface( either Distress or Paris Trunk ).Leave for a couple of seconds then blot with kitchen towel.See what happens!

Right I really must go to bed,lots of cards need making tomorrow.If I remember to take a photo,I'll post some more very soon.

Paris

2011-01-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

Well I know it's a long time since I blogged,but been even longer since I went to Paris.I was still at school,so guess how many years that is? lol.
These new stamp plates from Sam Poole brought back many memories,the sights and sounds from my very first trip abroad.
Although they can be used to give the vintage look,I think they will be great for holiday journals and scrapbook pages.
I've used different products to those which will be shown on Create & Craft but this just shows how versatile these stamps can be.

For this card I used Weathered Wood,vintage photo and stormy sky distress inks,the papers are from Fancy Pants.
The view belows shows the effect of using the Elegance mask over the background paper and sponge Perfect Medium through it,then apply clear embossing powder and heat.

This next card is my favourite of the two,I love the colours and how the design worked out

.

I used Vintage photo distress ink for the background and jet black archival to stamp the image.The ornate frame just adds that special touch.

Hope you like these cards and stamps as I do,well I am off to play and make some more.
I forgot to say the shows are on Create & Craft 21st January at 9am and 1pm.

Today's Spellbinder Show

2010-12-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately some of the samples I made for todays show,were not delivered to Jo in time due to the snow. Luckily I had taken some photos before posting,so here are the ones that never made it to Peterborough.

Hope you like them.

Eco Safari

2010-11-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Good title,covers the two T.V. shows which are on tomorrow. The first is an ECO show using the paints and glue of course.This time there are some new stamp sets and some new surfaces to paint on.Jo and I have spent most of today covered in paint,all in a good cause though, the results of which you will see tomorrow.
Ok I give in,here is a sneeky peek of something I've enjoyed working on.
The second show is on Ideal world and features some new safari animals.I just love this little guy.

I hope you do too.

Anybody want a cold !

2010-10-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

This time I managed to be ill after Ally Pally,some of my friends will remember me not having a voice during a couple of the shows.At least I didn't end up in Barnet A&E but that's another story.
I had a great time at this one, it was lovely to work with fellow demonstrators,Sam,John and of course Julia.The hours flew by.Retailers and shoppers complained of aching feet,my problem.....jaw ache,too much talking I think!! So many customers wanted to know how to make our crackers using the new template,.I couldn't disappoint them,could I.
The sample they were really interested in was the one using the "caught in crystal technique". If you go to www.creative-expressions.co.uk on the workshop link,Suzanne Saltwell has done a step by step for you.I'll hopefully post a photo soon.
There was still at lot of interest in my tissue boxes and window cards,I'm so happy these are still popular.They are great for this time of year as presents and for raising funds.Have to get my thinking cap on for another idea.
Here are a few samples I've done in the past;

Back to School

2010-09-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not sitting here with a big smile on my face honestly !!!
My youngest is back tomorrow....does seem a bit silly to go for only a part day on a Friday.Weekend then before she starts a proper week.
I do have the older one at home as she is busy looking for another job,at least I can give her a list of housework to do...lol
Today I'll post some cards samples from the last Spellbinders POW,had fun making these,the ideas just seemed to flow;

Photography & Rain

2010-08-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Very apt words for yesterday and the cards for today.
Skegness managed to stay dry for four hours for us,enough time to shop and have lunch in the gardens.Walking back to the car was fun,so glad I carried my raincoat all day.Would have liked to have taken more photos but we didn't have time to stop,rain was forecast.When I have time to download them,I'll show you a picture of something that became quite attached to us!!!!
Ok here are the cards;

The first card was made using a necessity, Black Soot distress ink,makes an effective, quick card.
The other two used some Fancy Pants papers and distress ink.The film strip I stamped on acetate using Jet Black Archival ink.
If you have any requests for card samples let me know, I have quite a few stored on my computer.
Back to work on Thursday,with everyone out tomorrow I might have a quiet crafty day.

Ladies' Day

2010-08-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

I don't mean at the races but samples from the Elegant and Party ladies show.

These three samples were made using our double-sided paper range to which Christmas colours have just been added.
Well I'm looking forward to tomorrow,a day out with my husband.It's only to the seaside but at least it will be relaxing.Hopefully it will stay dry for some of the time,don't enjoy shopping in the rain.
Will post some photos tomorrow and of course some more cards.

Oh Nuts !

2010-08-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

The cards for today were made using the stamps from the A5 plate called Oh Nuts.I've been meaning to post these for a while,a friend of mine asked for some ideas.So here at last are those samples,sorry for the long long wait.

Look out for these on a future show along with a new plate Sam Poole has also designed.
Well I kinda enjoyed a day off today,if you call shopping for school clothes and equipment that.At least that's done now..... usually leave it 'till the last week.This year they've gone back to wearing blazers,shame she will only wear it for less than a year.
Tomorrow will be housework and card making I think,and a trip to the local craft warehouse.Need a new guillotine and I suppose I'll look to see what else takes my fancy.

Partridge in a pear tree

2010-08-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here I am as promised,no daughter to borrow!!! my laptop.

This was one of my favourite cards I made from the set using distress ink of course and silver shine embossing powder.Those nesties do keep making an appearance ,talking of nesties I know I have something to tell you....... but I think I'll save that 'till a later date.

This one used Lava Red Shimmer mist and Black Sparkle embossing powder.
Thanks for the comments,I will try and post at least 2 cards a day to get through the backlog and then post some more up to date samples.
Well I'm going to have to wait to visit my craft room it's raining,never mind I have plenty of blogs to read.
Did you know Creative Expressions have a facebook group!

Missing for 4 months.

2010-08-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ok I'm a bad blogger,will try to improve that, promise LoL
So many card samples to show you, that are building up in folders on my computer.
Life is as busy as ever,card making,card making and more card making.DO TRY and fit in the dreaded housework,life with two messy daughters I have too.
I had the pleasure of demonstrating at Stevenage for J & C Creations,last Sunday.It was a very warm but enjoyable day.It made a change,normally I go just to shop there,oh and to chat of course.Managed to chat to some lovely customers as well as the other stall holders.

This was one of the cards I had on display,it was made with a stamp from Sam's Winter Wonderland stamp plate.Using Black Soot distress ink applied with cut & dry foam.The deer was embossed with clear embossing powder over Black Soot.I stopped myself from adding glitter to this one and I'm glad I did, just love the simplicity of it.
Ok one more card to show for today,more tomorrow I HOPE.

Another simple card using Broken China and Bundled Sage.
Have fun crafting.

Samples for Ally Pally

2010-04-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

I've remembered to take some photos as promised,only a couple,don't want to give to much away.

With the perfume bottle one I've been playing with the Cosmic Shimmer Utec again,it gave the glass like finish I wanted.Both "cards" show stamps designed by Sam Poole,the playing cards are on a new plate having its' first showing at Ally Pally.
I used two of the new distress inks Rusty Hinge and Bundled Sage,loving the new colours, Chipped Sapphire and Victorian Velvet are my other favourites at the moment.
There's a twist with these "cards",I'm not saying what until Saturday,see if you can guess.
One more day of sample making to go,how many more can I do? I wonder......

Countdown

2010-04-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

I see Linda(LB Crafts) is doing a countdown to Ally Pally,I love the reminder to how little time I have left to do samples.
Well I will try to do my own as to what I'm hoping to demo this time.Must remember to take some photos tomorrow, too late today.
Did anybody see Sheena today on C&C? She didn't even remind me that it was her birthday. So it's kinda late but a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me.I shall probably be the same come August and not want to be reminded how old I am.( the same age as Sheena by then lol)
We were both very busy over the weekend making samples for the TV show,it's a shame you did not get to see more of them. Hopefully if you are going to Ally you will get to see the other card samples, I even made a coaster. I forgot to take photos of these,I was just glad to get enough done.
I do have some of the previous show,love the canal stamps,I could have easily made many more.They were so easy to use,building up the scenes and then painting with distress inks.

This was one of my favourites,the design was divided up after I painted it.The trees just happened to be in the right place,no planning here.... promise.
At the NEC I was demoing the Cosmic Shimmer Ultra thick embossing crystals,these I was melting in a pie dish,NO... I didn't eat the pie first, we had new ones for sale.
As a reminder here is the recipe;
1)Pour some Clear UTEC into a foil dish,heat from underneath(don't want a snowstorm)
2)Once melted add other colours of UTEC,play,experiment here there are some lovely combinations.
3)Once you have enough,(trail and error here,depending on size of dish)heat from the top to make sure all the UTEC is in liquid form.
4)Either a memory frame (RANGER) or a cookie cutter is place on a RUBBER stamp,you do not need to ink this first.
5)Gently pour the liquid into the mould making sure you get into each corner.Now leave to set for at least 5 minutes.Remove from stamp ,while still warm dust with mica if required or when cold add glitter glue,apply with finger.
Hope this will clarify some points.
Don't worry about the rubber stamp it is molded at such a high temperature,nothing much can damage it.
It's great for jewellery,but I know some ladies were going to try to make buttons,I would love to see those.
Here's hoping I remember to post tomorrow with photos.

It's Snowing Again

2010-01-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

Just looked out the window,it looks very pretty but I think I've had enough now.I'm not keen on driving as many of my friends know,( thanks for all those lifts, they were very much appreciated)this weather does not help.
I should have said at the beginning Happy New Year a bit late I know,to busy reading everybody else's blog to do my own.There are alot of new ideas and new products to soon be released here and in the states.Can't wait for some of them to arrive and to start playing.
I had a fairly quiet Christmas,started to do some cross stitching again.This was easier to do as my shed was rather cold and took a while to heat up.Eventually I managed to go down and work on some cards for a C&C show on the 6th January.
The next show is on the 13th January,not sure on the time but I do know the products as I've made two cards and a box so far,several other pieces are part way there.Hope to do some more later tomorrow as I'm at Colemans sale spending some Christmas money.I think it will be on beading products as one of my other Christmas presents were some beads,tools and a mat,thanks Nat.My two girls are very keen that I learn to make jewellery.....I can see where this is heading.My very first necklace I made at a workshop at Colemans,thanks Jo and Jeanette,I gave to my oldest for her 19th birthday,I do feel old........
So to the show next week,we have papers,card,inks & more inks of the alcoholic kind,I'll post some pictures when I can.
So I think this will be the end for this post, more tomorrow I hope.

NEC

2009-11-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

Well that's day 2 over,not quite as busy as Thursday but busy all the same.The show is so large I haven't managed to walk round it all yet.Okay I have done some shopping and maybe I be doing some more tomorrow.
The Create-A-Scene window packs have been flying followed by the square tissue boxes.I'm so please customers have been loving these,some have had these on their main shopping lists and spent the show looking for them.
My hands seem to be permanently covered in ink,signs of a lot of distress ink demos.I could play with them all day and very often do, thanks to Sheena requesting them for the C&C shows.

One customer asked if I could post a picture of the boards on show as she hadn't a camera,so here they are.
If anybody has any requests for photo samples,how to or techniques please post a comment I will do my best to help.
Need to get crafting,I have to make a couple of samples for tomorrow.

Countdown to NEC

2009-10-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

After a busy day at Colemans Warehouse,I am having a relaxing evening.Housework tomorrow,ironing(did I just type that,not my favourite word.)while watching F1.
Then back to making samples for the NEC.
Sheena has been busy making samples for the metal show on Monday,then on Tuesday we may make some more for the POTW which is on Wednesday.
I'll post another nail watch on Monday night as I'm having a new design for the NEC,I've there abouts decided what it will be.....Christmas..ish.
Looking forward to the show,I've looked up on the exhibitors list and J & C Creations are stand D30.So I'm looking forward to meeting any of my blog followers and hoping to introduce some more.
Hoping will we be very busy .....so I can't shop because I need to save but I may get some Christmas presents so that doesn't count.
This is another of my window cards which you will see on Tuesday on C&C.
Have fun crafting.

Day 3 SECC

2009-10-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

A busy Saturday now over,more stock of the window templates arrived,great.Still have blue fingers due to the amount of distress ink demos I did especially with Broken China.I was surprised that Weathered Wood was another favorite followed by Black Soot and walnut stain.
What was I doing.......building a scene with Sheena's Christmas stamps,using the trees.Cut and dry is nearly no more,everybody loved the look using it gave.
A lot of interest was taken in the stepper card with acetate,I promised to give the sizes of the score lines on my blog.So here is the step by step.

1) Cut a piece of card 15.5cm wide by 18cm long.
2) Score along the length at 1,2,3.5,5,6,8,10,11,13.5,16,17cm.
3) Fold the card along the score lines to make the steps.
4) Glue the step pieces together.
5) Cut a piece of card 4cm by 15.5cm,and stick this to the bottom.
6) Stamp,decorate and cut out the pieces to build a scene,and glue to the steps.
7) Cut a piece of acetate 20cm by 15cm,decorate with stamped images if required.
8) Attach the acetate to the inside of the first folded piece and the other end to the last.
9) To add ribbon if required gently squeeze the acetate together at the top of the card and punch two holes.Thread the ribbon through and tie a bow.

Day 2 SECC

2009-10-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

Having a great time meeting some lovely people in Glasgow.My hands are inky of course,distressing,painting and as many other distress ink techniques I can think of.Customers seem to be liking the tissue boxes and the window die-cut packs have sold out,next delivery tomorrow hopefully.
Thought I'd start a nail watch on here,many of my friends like to see the nail art designs I have done.Well I don't wear makeup,not in to shoes or handbags,I don't enjoy shopping for clothes,so this is my one luxury.Never thought of having it done until my daughter insisted I had them done.Being a demonstrator my nails are always on show,so its nice for me to have them looking good.
Here's the first photo;

SECC

2009-10-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

Here I am in my hotel room,nervous and excited about tomorrow.At the show tomorrow I will be showing my new tissue box templates and also the window die-cuts I designed to go with Sheena's Create-A-Scene stamps.
Each template comes with enough card to make 15 boxes 10 white,3 cream ,2 black.
The Create-A-Scene window kits have 6 die-cuts,6 pieces of acetate and 6 pre-scored cards.There are also box envelopes which were made to fit them nicely.
Although Sheena will have them on Ideal World on Sunday at 5pm this will be their first showing as kits.
So if anyone is coming to the SECC or the NEC in November please come and say hello, on will be on J & C Creations stand.
Here are a couple of photos of the boxes and cards.

Topiary Trees

2009-10-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

I promised some ladies at Ally Pally I would post instructions on how to make the topiary Trees from the sensational circle stamp,Ok I forgot until today when I came across the instructions I written for Ideal World.So here are those instructions;

1.Choose one of the seven "Sensational circle" stamps.
2.Stamp,emboss and cut out 20 of the circle images.
3.Decorate as required.(paint,Glitter etc.)
4.Score down the channels around the triangle.
5.Glue five of the circles together(tab to tab)for the top and five for the bottom.
6.Glue the remaining circles together to form a band.
7.Glue the top and bottom to the band to form the complete shape.
Note:One of the circles will need to have a hole punched in it,large enough to insert the dowel.
8.Paint the dowel.
9.Using oasis in the container for support,insert the dowelling rod and place the decorated ball on top,applying glue to the dowel if required.
10.Add decorative chippings to the top of the container,glue in place with crystal lacquer if required.Tie ribbons round the dowel for an extra effect.

Sorry if anybody was waiting for this,memory is not great at times,too many things to think about.
Will add a photo later.
Check out Sheena's updated website(link on the right)there are video clips on it aswell.

Found it,picture added.
Bedtime I think.

Ally Pally,TV and more

2009-10-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

I know it's been nearly a month since I've posted but this is the first chance I've had to post on my new laptop.
There has been so many tv shows to prepare for as well as Ally Pally,my day's have been non-stop,with homelife and work.
I'm managed a long weekend with a very good friend but I was still on the mobile discussing forth coming shows.
Ally Pally was great,this time I had several products to sell that I had designed.The response to them was encouraging,quite a few wanted more designs.
What were the designs.......Window die-cuts and tissue box templates.
Here are just a few samples;

The idea for the window die-cut came about quite a while ago when Sheena drew her first Create-a-scene.There was a lot of interest at Autumn Ally Pally 2008,but using a craft knife to cut out all those panes was putting people off.So producing a die-cut window seemed to be the best idea.
The tissue boxes gave us another "canvas" to show off Sheena's designs as well as many of our other U-mount stamps.I've always liked making practical things not just cards,some of you may have seen the inexpensive notebooks that I've covered to give as special gifts.
Sheena will be demonstrating these on the 25th October on C&C.Unfortunately I will not be able to see the show,as I will be demoing them at the SECC in Glasgow.Well I just hope somebody can record it for me.
Jayne Nestorenko will also be on C&C the next day with some new designs from Holly Berry House(Medallions) this time they are unmounted and very 3D.More info later but I can say this, they are not Medallions.
I try to update you all more often as there is alot happening at the moment,I will also be able to post at Glasgow this year.Looking forward to that show,I have a shopping list ready this time.
Right back to making my window cards now, need double the supply,some for Sheena and some for Glasgow.

Sheena's Workshop

2009-09-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

Back from a very busy but very enjoyable weekend with Sheena.The journey started with my husband dropping me off at Jay's Craft in Milton Keynes.Sheena had a demo morning and a workshop afternoon here.Plenty of messy fun and laughter had here,then we packed up for the long journey home.
How does Sheena concentrate on these long haul trips? She sings along to a variety of songs, of course I had to join in.Sheena was very good although Russ(hubby)wouldn't say that!!!! I was my usual tone deaf self but it was great fun.
Saw the Angel of the North for the first time,shame I didn't have a camera ready,the sun was just setting behind it,so the figure was black and very imposing.
Once there I was introduced to all the pets, 2 dogs 3 Cats,good job I love animals.
Early night because tomorrow was going to be a busy day.Slept well and woke to an early morning cuppa from Sheena,made just how I like it,milk in first.Then off to the venue,the room was perfect,staff very helpful,couldn't wait for those bacon buttys but needed to set up first.
The Ladies arrived and were very excited, I couldn't understand why !!!! There were four projects to do,so after the introductions we got down to business.
I was most excited to meet Bev the Blade,she couldn't understand why.I just like meeting people that I hear about,Linda (Papercraft World)is at fault for this one.
After morning coffee ( tea in my case ), buffet lunch and afternoon tea with chocolate muffins we were full. Full stomachs as well as full of inspiration.
Exhausted from the day it was then pizza,a bottle of wine and a good film and off to bed.
Monday began with breakfast at Ikea,then a tour and shopping at the Metro centre and then to Costco.I will definitely be back to do my Christmas shopping here,so much choice and lucky for me Sheena has another workshop in December.
Back to the house for cake and tea, but then we did some work before I left for the airport and the journey home.
Tuesday off but to tired to do much apart from the school run and watch C&C.Wednesday spent the day designing 3 cards for a magazine article,ideas there but need to do more.Thursday,Jayne Nestorenko is on C&C on Friday at 11am, needed to do a couple more cards for this.
Tomorrow will be finishing the metal cards for the magazine,then to get messy.Of course this has to be something to do with Sheena.Her next show is on Monday at 3pm and involves fruit.Here's a card I've already done for the show.
After this long post I'm tired,so it's off to bed for me.

Middle of August and haven't posted.

2009-08-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone,I've been busy I know that.Looking forward to the 22nd, as I have a week off,my first full week off this year.With the added extra of a Bank holiday on the following Monday.
But as many of my friends know, I'll be crafting most of the week.Trying out those ideas that get put to one side because I don't have time to really play.
Scrapbooking of course,will be doing this next Sunday on my Birthday at our local crop.People think I'm mad but aren't all crafters,at different levels of course.I'll be with most of my longterm friends,will all have a good laugh and there are cream cakes for afternoon tea, there's another good reason.
Spent today demoing at work,showing the new stamps designed by Sam Poole.The stylish Christmas set of three were very popular.These will be on C&C on next Sunday at 5pm,
Here are a couple more samples using those stamps.

The red candle has been stamped and embossed with Berry red from the multi set of festive embossing powders, Cosmic Shimmer of course,these will shortly be available in the larger individual pots.The image as then been placed in a cuttlebug folder and embossed,and no the embossing powder does not flake off.Cosmic Shimmer embossing powders seem to be flexible to a certain extent.Then I embossed the image again and cut out the candle with holly. Using foam fixers to 3D the image to the card.
The robin has been embossed in the black sparkle,I added a few more swirls of dots to fill the spaces with a black perfect medium pen.This powder looks a solid black but catch the light on it and then see how many other colours you can count with in it.
Well time to, as my friend Wendy (studio490) says
Make Art.
Hopefully post tomorrow.

2009-07-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

Today has been a day of spraying and embossing,with cosmic shimmer products of course.Found out that the shimmer mists will work on glossy card,so of course had to have a play.Sorry not a very good photo,light isn't brilliant in my work room so I have to have the light on.
Testing some new colours today for two of the cosmic shimmer ranges,I'm saying no more,except one I've been asking and pleading for.
I was looking forward to a day at the seaside this Sunday,but my daughter has decided she would like to stay another week at her friend's Nan's.Maybe next Saturday then,a least the craft shop will be open,promised to call in next time we went to the coast.
Oh well I suppose it will be housework,housework and more housework,unless I can hide in my shed and craft.There are quite a few techniques I would like to try out,maybe if I rush round Saturday I'll have time on Sunday Lol.
What shall I do now ? Cross-stitch,stamp or HOUSEWORK, I know what one I'm not doing.

Sheena's All Day Workshop

2009-07-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

Can't wait,Sheena's asked me to help out and I'm really looking forward to it.The food looks good as well lol.An added extra is that I get to travel in Sheena's new car.She is demonstrating and doing some workshops at Jayz crafts in Milton Keynes the day before,so I'm travelling back with her. Flight home has been booked,so I must remember my passport!!!
On the crafting side,I've finished the dogs and cats which will be on at 9am on Thursday.Now it's Stylish Christmas,this show has been rescheduled for 23rd August so I've a little more time to make these samples.Between now and then Sheena has a show on the 12th August,Fruit being the key word here.
This is our regular visitor,her name is Poppy.Since our cat Tiger died, at the age of nearly 22 years, we decided not to have another one.We get all the entertainment value we need from Poppy,she follows us around the garden, and house if she gets the chance.
Well I'm of to do some cross-stitch and watch CSI.
Back to card making tomorrow.

Cute cats and Puppy love

2009-07-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

These are the new stamps from Cherry Green,which will be shown on C & C on the 30th July.Not sure on the time, will post that later.Already made 12 cards and I still have a few more ideas to go.These are a very different style to Sheena's,which means the crafting techniques I use are often very different.The up sales often dictate the colours and styles of card you can do.For this show there are watercolours,glitters and dye based ink pads.Here are a few of the cards,as you can see nesties work really well with them,even to make the base card.
After cats and dogs I'm back to Christmas with Sam Poole's newest creations,which will be shown on the 4th August at 6pm.
Away from work,I actually did some scrapbooking tonight at the club I run with my friend Julie.Usually we talk too much to do anything creative.I made a double page layout with photos from a holiday we went on in 1993.As you can see I don't scrapbook in any order.It all depends what photos I've got to match the paper I've just brought or the class kit I'm doing.
Right,time for bed,and to read my new book which I find hard to put down.It's called the Knitting Circle by Ann Hood,Yes I can knit as well but no very often.

Christmas Show Tomorrow

2009-07-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

Sheena's on at 6pm live on Ideal world as well as C & C.
Had fun with these stamps,decided on my Christmas card design for this year while making the samples.
Ok the Holly and Ivy have been on before but they are still some of my favourites,so versatile,they look great with the new christmas create-a-scene.Again there is a brilliant tree which always works well on christmas cards. Distress inks, Sheena would have these on every show if she could,yes.....I enjoy working with them as well, as the cards will show.
Which samples to show.....I think it will be one for the ladies,then one for the men in our lives.
Hope you like them.

Talk about being busy,Sheena's on again on Thursday with Sam Poole,our new stamp designer.Early start as well,8am,at least I can watch some of it before I leave for work.Good luck Sam,or should I say break a leg as it's show business.
Here's a card I did for that show

C & C Tomorrow

2009-07-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

Sheena is on tomorrow at 9am,so live on Freeview.Yipee,well I would be happy if I wasn't working,at least I can now see C & C on my TV from now on.
Here are a few more samples that will be on tomorrow (if all the samples are shown !!!!!!).

Hot Monday

2009-06-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well it was lovely and cool in my workroom today,the heat didn't affect me 'till I drove home.Made nearly 3 more cards for the next show and was given the details for the following one, which is on the 15th July.
Below is the layout I made at Anna's crop,love the colours. I might make this one half of a double layout,there is enough papers left to do this.

Birds,Flowers & Embellishments

2009-06-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

This the title of Sheena's new show,which is on the 7th July.Lots of different products on this show which we haven't used before,the gray matter will be working overtime here.
Below is one of my first cards I made for the show.

Another busy week ahead making more samples,I'm glad I have air-conditioning in my room at work,especially if it gets as hot as they say on the news.
Had a lovely day at Anna's crop (Scrapping Angels)today,tea,cake,a kit and lots of chat.I'll show the layout we did,once I've put a title on it.
Sue Wilson will be on C&C on Wednesday at 3pm,It will be a show full of summer ideas,great for scrapbook pages as well as cards.....
Well I now off to finish that page
Don't forget Sheena's last show is being repeated at 7pm tomorrow on C&C

Show 's Tomorrow

2009-06-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

I know, I gave the wrong date for Jayne's show but back at base we all had the 21st written down. At least it gave Jayne a few more days to get ready.So it is the 23rd June at 9am,this means I'll have to drop my daughter off nice and early at school, in order to see the whole show.
I can now give you a couple more sneek peeks.

Sheena will be doing a nestie show on the 25th June,below is one of my favourites I made today.

Sorry I forgot there were 2 cards on this picture,my favourite is the rose one,just love the colour combination.The shading around the edge was done with cut and dry foam and the Jet black Archival ink pad.I would have used black soot distress ink normally but don't have this product on the show.So the alternative was to use the archival and I love the look it gave.It pays to experiment with what you have.

Well I'm still waiting for Gas man to come,apparently we have a faulty part on our gas meter which was fitted about 2 years ago.So I can't go and craft,oh well I shall have to watch C&C instead.Looking forward to watching Jayne Bentley at 10pm tonight,she is a great friend of mine.She was the one who converted me to using Fiskars micro-touch scissors.

Circles,circles and more circles

2009-06-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

As promised here are some sneek peeks of samples I've made for Jayne Nestorenko's show.I know I know, Christmas !!! but we have to start early with our samples to give you time to buy the stamps to make yours.

I had great fun playing with paint and glitter,the latter being on face as well as on the card.My regular shops have stopped saying "Did you know you have glitter on your face?".They just expect it to be there now,it's part of my uniform,I suppose.

There are so many items to be made with these stamps not just cards,watch Jayne on Sunday 21st June 2pm-4pm on Ideal World and see for yourself.

Early night tonight.
Busy day making samples tomorrow.
Bye

Sample Cards for Sunday

2009-06-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading Sheena's blog, you will have seen a preview of a few of the cards for Sunday's show.Here are a few more to tempt you;

This card was made using vintage photo distress ink,stamped,allowed to dry or heat gunned,then using a damp paint brush drag out the colour from the stamped image.

Again I used distress ink,this time it was faded jeans and vintage photo.The two colours were blended using cut and dry foam,then the image was stamped with Archival black.To give a bit of dimension 3D crystal lacquer was used on the wall and gate.

Hope you love the ideas and will watch on Sunday for more inspiration from the Wonderful Sheena( no she hasn't paid me to say that!!!!!!!!)
More samples tomorrow from another show I'm helping with,all I'm saying is Circles!

Blog ready

2009-06-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

At last I can post,seems to have taken for ever to sort my blog out.Having limited access to a computer didn't help,mines very poorly, so I have to sneek on to my husbands.
I'm hoping with this blog to show you some of my card samples I make for Sheena Douglass,Jayne Nestorenko,Cherry Green and Carol Jones.This will give you a chance of a closer look, which will hopefully inspire you to have a go.
Just spoken with Sheena, whose just back from a very busy weekend at Dawn Bibby's.She says if anybody would like a sneeky peek of her next 3 Create-A-Scene stamp sets to check her website out.The link to this is under my favourite website.
Hopefully I'll post some sneeky peeks of my own tomorrow(cards made with Sheena's new stamps!!!)