RDS - tomorrow and Saturday

Who's coming to the Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS in Dublin?

It's not all Knitting and Stitching....there will be lots of papercrafts too :)

The doors opened this morning at 10.00am!

I'm packing up today to come down in the morning and will be there tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.

Come and say "Hello" - I'll be demoing Promarkers and Trimcraft papers with Cregal Art - can't wait!!

Beach themed Scrapbook page

One more make today - a scrapbook page with the new Tonic Studios Mystic Vine dies which are the Pick of the Day on Create & Craft TV today. They reminded me of waves so I used them with the new Trimcraft Sail Away papers.

Even though I say it myself - don't David and Andrew look so cute? Just as well they won't see this!!

Demo at Paperworks, Linen Green, Dungannon - Saturday 8th November

 I've managed to get a little bit ahead of myself for a change! I'm sure it won't last long but I'm enjoying it while it lasts!

This is one of my samples for my demo at Paperworks, Linen Green, Dungannon where I'll be using lots of lovely Tonic Studios dies and punches along with Trimcraft Christmas ranges and Promarkers...with a little bit of Decomache thrown in for good measure :)

It's always a busy day and I'm really looking forward to it - hope to see some of you there :)

Santoro Mirabelle Butterfly

 This is a "fold flat" card made with Trimcraft "It's A Girl" 8x8 papers layered onto Dovecraft Premium A4 Glitter card, Santoro Mirabelle Butterfly stamp coloured with Promarkers.

 Close up photo to show the colours I've used on the stamped image.

HAIR - Ivory, Pastel Beige and Sandstone (with an Ultra Fine nib)

SKIN -  Almond, Dusky Pink

DRESS -  Pale Pink, Rose Pink

HEARTS - Bright Green, Forest Green.

I've also used Pale Pink on the wings and then covered them with Dovecraft Glitter Glue - Crystal.

I've added a touch of Crystal Glitter Glue to the hearts as well to match the Glitter Card.

The flower is made from scrunched up circles of the It's A Girl paper with a Dovecraft Back to Basics IV ribbon and brad.

Colouring faces with Promarkers

There are many different combinations of Promarkers that can be used to colour faces. Here are some of my favourites.I've added a step by step tutorial with one of the combinations but the basic idea is the same for all  - start with the lightest shade, add deeper shades and then blend them together with the first colour you used ie the lightest shade again.

 Almond, Sunkised Pink, Baby Pink Face

1. Stamp the image and colour the face with Almond Promarker.

2. Add shading with the Sunkissed Pink.

3. Colour the cheeks with Baby Pink

4. Now go over the whole face again in small circular motions with the Almond Promarker.

5. Add Baby Pink to the lips and do not blend again.

Carnlough by the sea!..lots of photos

 My last card reminded me that I 'd taken some photos at Carnlough a few weeks ago one afternoon when we just stopped everything and headed to the sea! I love the beach - not for lying on and sunbathing! I just love the sound of the sea on the pebbles :)

 Big kid!!

 What did we feed him on? Making me feel small!!!

 That's better!

Sail Away - new First Editions paper from Trimcraft

I just love the natural colours and the embossing of the "pebble" papers in the gorgeous new Sail Away papers by Trimcraft. This paper (in 6x6, 8x8 and 12x12 sizes) has just been released :) The beautiful Seaside village paper is also textured and the first thing you'll want to do is decoupage some of those little houses. I think this reminds me of holidays in Cornwall...

I've used some Centural Pearl to make a banner on twine and matted the layers onto cream card.

Cardmaking and Papercraft issue 137 - Christmas

Magazine time again - get the kettle on! 

I'm having a lovely Saturday "off" today - a wee trip to St. George's Market, Belfast first thing with "the boys" and then home...to a few deliveries :)

I've opened all my parcels but set them aside to have a cup of tea and a good look through the latest issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine. It's the Christmas issue so everyone has pulled out the stops and it's a really good read as usual!

My commission for this issue was to make some Christmas table decorations so I've made crackers (with the latest Tonic Studios Cracker die), a star garland and drinks' glass charms.

All the instructions are there - you'll need to buy the mag to see ;)

..and, before I forget, here's a quick snap of the banner at St. George's Market :)

Bit of bling

Good morning  - it's a dull day here in my part of Co. Antrim so I thought I'd brighten things up a little with a bit of bling! This is a really quick and easy Christmas card, just the type of card you'll want to make when you have a whole heap of them to do! I've done a little bit of mixing and matching....using the Tonic Studios Royal Frame (and Butterfly Insert )die  for the outside and adding a diecut made with the Multi sided Lantern Box insert in the centre.

I've used Trimcraft First Editions Gilded Winter paper as a background and Dovecraft Gold Glitter card to matt and layer.

British Craft awards 2015

and I've just had an email from Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine to say that voting in the British Craft Awards opens tomorrow and I've been shortlisted in the Favourite Card Designer category. Readers are being asked to vote for their favourite shop, products, people and blogs etc. Voting is conducted online only and everyone who votes will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win 200.00 worth of crafting products.

Visit www.britishcraftawards.com to vote.

I know that lots of my crafting friends are from the Republic of Ireland, and unfortunately cannot vote in this competition  but thanks very much to those who can and do....

All Free Papercraft new Christmas ebook

Have you seen the new FREE ebook from AllFreePaperCrafts?

The eagle eyed among you will spot that I made those flowers on the cover with my Tonic Studios Clematis Punch and Stamp set https://www.tonic-studios.co.uk/product/pick-of-the-bunch-punch-stamp-set-1/ 

I'm really happy to have been asked to contribute to this project. There are lots of lovely Christmas card ideas inside.

You can find the ebook here.. http://www.allfreepapercrafts.com/X-Mas-Cards/Free-Printable-Christmas-Cards-Homemade-Christmas-Card-Ideas

You should get a few great ideas to help you get on with your Christmas cards 

Photos from Vibes and Scribes, Cork on Saturday (18th October)

I really enjoyed the day at Vibes and Scribes in Cork on Saturday. It was my first visit to Cork and I loved it!I didn't get time to see much of the city but I met a lot of lovely people.

The shop itself was like a treasure trove and I could have happily spent a few days just exploring the stock! If you're ever in the area you must pay a visit!

Ok...so I got a bit carried away and totally forgot to take photos but this is one of the ones David, from the shop, took at the time.

If I get a chance I'll recreate some of the other cards I made on the day and post pics..........

Art and Hobby, Jervis Street demo cards from Friday (17th Oct)

 I had a lovely day at Art and Hobby, Jervis Street, Dublin on Friday with Sarah and all the ladies who came along.

It was a real treat to actually meet up with Aga Kilbride after all this time - thanks so much for coming along!

I took photos of some of my demo cards at the end of the day but unfortunately some of them are not good enough to post because of the lighting...or really because I didn't know how to take good photographs in that type of lighting :(

However, here are a few to give you an idea of what was made with the Trimcraft Christmas ranges and Promarkers

The top card uses a mixture of Trimcraft Vintage Noel papers and Back to Basics Christmas Traditional papers etc.

 Trimcraft Krafty Christmas with Back to Basics, Modern

 Winter Woodland

 Winter Woodland

Vintage Noel pocket card