New Tonic Studios dies - release tomorrow (27th Nov)

Tonic Studios are releasing some beautiful new dies tomorrow - "Just Because" sentiments and  Millinery Shop dies.

When I saw the feather in the Chepstow Bonnet set I just had to use it as a quill. It complements the scrolled writing on the Just Because sentiment die so well.

I've used the Royal Frame die set as the background - and embossed the top layer instead of cutting it out so that the sentiment would show up well on top.

There are more sentiment dies in the set and also more millinery dies with silhouettes and hats! So many ideas!

Double Pocket Card tutorial

This is s tutorial showing how I made a pocket card from a sheet of 12 x 12 Botanical Notes paper by Trimcraft.

You'll need to select one of the double sided papers from the pad for this card.

What you will need:

Trimcraft 12 x 12 Botanical Notes paper pad 

Trimcraft Santoro Lace Ribbon 

Centura Pearl card - Mink

Double sided tape

Dovecraft Crafters Glue

Dovecraft Glitter Glue - Crystal

Santoro Adhesive Pearls

Glue Gun

Hole punch

How to make it

 1. Fold a 12 x 12 sheet of paper in quarters as shown. This will be the inside of the pocket and the opposite side (ie the side facing downwards) in the triangle marked will be the front of the card.

 2. Make a cut from the outside left into the centre of the paper on the fold line.

 3.Fold the bottom right quarter in half to meet the centre point.

 4. Now fold the top left quarter over. You can make the fold at whichever measurement you like for this one as long as both edges are parallel.

 5. Fold the top left panel over to the right - this will form the top pocket.

 6. Glue a strip of narrow ribbon along the edge.

 7. Stick the flap down with double sided tape and then add a little more to adhere the right side.

                                                  8.Add a length of double sided tape as shown.

9. Fold the bottom half of the paper upwards to create the second pocket.

Add a length of ribbon along this edge as well.

 10. Now the card will look like this - you can leave it as a free standing card or glue the two back panels together to have a card which you prop up on the mantlepiece.

11. I made panels from Centura Pearl and cut out butterflies from another of the 12 x 12 Botanical Notes papers and added these to the corners with a little Glitter Glue along the bodies.

12. I made a bow from the lace ribbon, attached it with hot glue and added a pearl on top to finish.

Beep beep!

This has got to be my favourite card at the moment! It's made with the gorgeous new Tiny Tatty Teddy range from Trimcraft and I can't wait to demo it when I'm out and about with the range. I'll be adding a step by step tutorial on making it as soon as I can.

I probably shouldn't admit to how much fun I had making this card but ......even when I had finished my samples I was still running the little car up and down the card!

Demo at Silkes, Limerick on Saturday (29th November)

This weekend I'll be heading to Limerick where I'll be demoing in Silkes Arts and Crafts. I'll be using lots of lovely Trimcraft papers and embellishments etc along with Promarkers and am really looking forward to it! Hoping to see some of you there:)

Demo times are 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Cardmaking and Papercraft - issue 138 December

These are some cards of mine which are in the newest issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine.

I've used the Dovecraft Back to Basics Modern range - I love the natural feel of these colours.

You can find the details of products used and instructions for making them in the magazine :)

 See you soon with more :)

Heading home

I'm heading home after a great day in Newbridge where I was demoing in the Art and Hobby Shop in the White Water shopping centre. A big thanks to all who came. We were a bit noisy but no one seemed to mind!

I hope you all enjoyed joining in and trying new folds etc I always love to see the expressions when we all have our heads down and tongues out to help concentrate; )

Only I could manage to get lost in the toilets!  Thanks a lot Margaret, for your clear directions. ..."Sure you'll find your own  way out"      lol!!

Hope to see you all again soon:)

Art and Hobby, Newbridge demo on Saturday (22nd November)

Just a little reminder that I'll be demoing at Art & Hobby Newbridge on Saturday (22nd November) from 11.00am - 4.00pm if any of you are free.I'll be using some Trimcraft Christmas ranges along with other papers etc and Promarkers. See you there:)

I "Love" turquoise

My favourite colour again! From what I've been hearing over the last few days at the show - I'm not the only one who loves turquoise.

I've used The new Tonic Studios Believe/ Love Frames Topper die set, part of the Thank You Topper die set, Sweeping Pampas and Small Lacy Bows along with paper from the 8x8  Neroli pad by Trimcraft and card from Papermill - a perfect combination :)

I'm off now to catch up after a busy few days at the show.

Kings Hall show - thanks

Katie 

I'm not long home after demoing at the King's Hall, Belfast for 3 days at the Craft Show. It's always a great feeling to be working so close to home where I get to meet up with all the "locals". A very big thanks to all who came a long and especially to those who kept me "fed and watered" over the days of the show! Thanks to Karen Donnelly for the scrummy home baked banana loaf!

I was demoing on the Crafty Devils stand and was delighted to see the lovely Katie Skilton working opposite me with Craft Habitat - we were able to keep an eye on eachother over the aisle!

We had a lovely catch up this evening in Carrickfergus and then a whistle stop tour of Belfast before Katie flies off  home tomorrow.

Titanic Centre, Belfast

"R"

Good morning :) I've made a card for those of you who bought the Tonic Studios Pick of the Week in the last couple of days - it's a quick and easy make and would look just as well as a door plaque. Hope you like it :)

I've used the Flora Frames Topper die set with "R" from the DuoCap Initials-Pretoria set on topper made from the "I miss you" topper die set.

The paper is Dovecraft Krafty Christmas and the card is Buff and Mocha Brown from Papermill.

Enjoy!

Kings Hall - Thurs to Saturday this week

Well, I'll be a bit closer to home this weekend - I'll be at the Kings Hall, Belfast demoing lots of lovely Tonic Studios dies with Crafty Devils Papercraft. I'll be in good company, too, as David is coming along with me to help out - I love it when that happens :)

The show is open from Thursday to Saturday and I will be there all three days - right at the front door in my usual spot! See you there :)

Happy Birthday "Deer" Brother

This card was for my brother's birthday and I hope he doesn't mind me sharing it here (Do you, Robert?)

I've used coordinating papers from the Trimcraft Boho Chic collection - I've had these for a little while but love to look at them and don't really like to cut them up (some of you will understand this problem!).

I stamped the Stag  (Dovecraft) with Bark Versamark ink and layered onto Mocha Brown card from Papermill. I also used the same card for Tonic Studios Scalloped Circle diecut, Brother sentiment diecut and the matting. 

A remake..

 This is a remake of one of the cards I made at Paperworks on Saturday - the photo of the original didn't come out well. I've also added the swirls etc which were in my box.

This has got to be my favourite colour combination - pity the light's not great this morning either :(

Close up of the Mr & Mrs die set used in two layers with the Frond Finesse dies at the top and bottom.

Thanks for coming - demo at Paperworks on Saturday

 Thanks so much to everyone who came along to my demo at Paperworks on Saturday....it was one of those days when I think I was going by the calendar rather than the clock! Anyhow, I was engrossed and enjoying myself and I hope you were too :)

These are just a few photos of some of the cards I made at the demo - as usual I was talking so much I forgot to take them all (I know several of those who were there took photos of them so maybe I'll see them around). 

This is a slider card made using the absolutely gorgeous combination of Trimcraft Bella Rose papers with the Tonic Studios First Dance die and Love Arch border punch.

I made this from a 12 x 12 paper from the Vintage Noel paper pad (lush!!!) and Tonic Studios Chic Antique Oval die with a Mannequin die inset....plus two Frond Finesse swirls and  Poinsettia from the Punch and Stamp set.

Inside the card

Later today I'll be recreating at least one of the others which I didn't get a good photo of - it was one of my favourites.

See you later :)

Christ the Saviour is born

 I love Christmas - special family times, presents, carols...and even the turkey but I just thought I'd make a card to say what's it's really all about - hope you like it.

I've used white hammered card, post box red and forest green card from Papermill for the card base, punched and die cut parts.

The beautiful patterned paper is First Edition Vintage Noel by Trimcraft.

I've made the borders with the Tonic Studios Regal Strip Intrica punch.The background die is Dragonfly Delight with an extra layered rectangle.

The flower was made with the Clematis, Lily Poinsettia Punch and Stamp set and I've added tiny leaves from the Royal Fern die set.

Demo at Paperworks, Dungannon on Saturday 8th Nov

 Good morning :) I've been making a lot of Christmas card samples lately for my demos and it's really nice to be doing this baby card for a little change. I've used the Tonic Studios New Baby sentiment die, Love Arch border punch, Carnation Punch and Stamp set and Frond Finesse Swirl die along with Trimcraft's beautiful First Edition "It's A Girl" papers - it's one of the samples for Paperworks, Dungannon where I'll be demoing on Saturday (8th Nov)  - there will, of course, be lots of Christmas crafting too!!

Home, unpacked and ready to roll again!

Well, I'm back home after a couple of lovely days at the RDS in Dublin with Sara and Ciaran from Cregal Art (Galway). It was a great show and there was such a buzz about the stand. So many of you called by to say hello ( and buy from the stand) and it made me feel so much at home. 

Sara and Ciaran  were a treat to work with - so happy and welcoming (to the customers as well as to me!) and I'm sure they will see lots of new customers making their way to the shop in Galway before too long!

I was very busy and didn't get a chance to have a walk round the show but didn't even miss it as I had so many friends from all over Ireland coming to the stand.

I hope you all enjoyed it  - I know I did! It was great craic!!