New Tonic launch - Celtic Dream die set

Good morning - today sees the launch of the beautifully ornate new "Collectable" dies from Tonic Studios..the one I've used on this card is called Celtic Dream.

There are 3 new sets and this one has 10 dies in the pack (I've used 7 of them on  this card).

You can see them on Create and Craft today at 12.00 noon with further shows at 3.00pm and 5.00pm.

I know lots of you will also be very happy to know that there will also be new A4 die storage on the show!

I've used white hammered and pale turquoise card from Papermill as it cuts perfectly with the dies and looks great!

Bye for now :)

Crafty Copy, Larne demo on Saturday - Tonic and Trimcraft

I'm really delighted to tell you that Crafty Copy, Larne, will be stocking a range of Tonic Studios' beautiful dies,embossing folders and punches. I'll be there on Saturday for my first demo with them and will be combining the Tonic range with the super cute Belle and Boo collection from Trimcraft.

There will also be some Indulgence Affections and Silhouette dies (perfect for wedding stationery), Rococo does and lots more - along with the popular Sweet Paris, Belle and Boo, Tiny Tatty Teddy collections from Trimcraft. I'll also have lots of samples with me to show different ways of using the products. Hope to see some of you there :)

Belle and Boo Reverse Canvas project

 The cute Belle and Boo collection from Trimcraft is super for making cards etc but I've used the inside (reverse) of a canvas to make a little decoupage picture frame.

What you will need

Trimcraft Belle and Boo 8x8 papers

Trimcraft Belle and Boo 8x8 Decoupage Pad

Trimcraft Belle and Boo Bunting and Jute

Trimcraft Belle and Boo Plastic buttons

Trimcraft Belle and Boo Grosgrain ribon

Trimcraft Belle and Boo Steel dies

20cm x 20cm canvas 

Dovecraft Crafters Glue

3D Foam squares

masking tape

white card

die cutting machine

How to make one

 1. Using the back of the canvas, add strips of masking tape over the staples - it doesn't matter what colour the tape is as this will be covered.

 2. Cut a piece of patterned paper to fit inside the recess of the canvas (13cm x 13cm) and 4 strips of paper for the sides (2.5cm x 13cm)

 3. Attach the square of paper to the back of the canvas and the strips to the inside edges  - bringing them up over the sides.

4. Cut 4 strips of striped paper (4.5cm x 20cm) and glue around the frame as shown. You could also mitre the corners if preferred.

5. Make up the decoupage and glue to the inside of the canvas...keeping some of the little chicks aside. Add the bunting across the top of the "frame"

6. Cut out the border die from the set in white card, glue along the bottom of the frame and attach a grosgrain ribbon. Add the extra little chicks to the background.

7. Cut out two more white borders and glue to the sides of the frame.

Add buttons on top and add two buttons to the bunting.

Chalk paint!!

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was looking forward to demoing and making samples with some ranges which I haven't used out and about before.

This is the first one - Plaid Chalk Paint!

I have all the mouthwatering colours lined up, checked out and tried out and now nothing is safe!

This stuff is amazing and I'm so happy to be using it :)

I've been very busy making samples for a trade event next week and although I have made some which can't be shown here for a while because they incorporate some other products which have not been released yet, I want to share a few pictures of some of the things I've painted...

 Used with Plaid stencils

I have a bigger "work in progress" which is in the garage awaiting another coat of paint and some wax - so I'll show some photos of that when it's finished.

Demo at Crafty Copy, Larne - Saturday 28th Feb

I'll be a bit closer to home this week - my demo on Saturday is at Crafty Copy, Larne.

As usual the times are 1.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

This will be the first time I'll be having the cute Belle and Boo collection from Trimcraft out with me and I couldn't resist making the card on the left with the little "pull along duck" which actually does pull across the card. The card on the right is a similar design using the Tiny Tatty Teddy collection.

I'll also be demoing the popular Sweet Paris collection along with lots of other products.

I'll update this later :)

Thanks :)

Today's demo at Crafty Angels was well worth the wait. It's been in the pipeline for quite a while and I was really happy to be there for Pat and Marie today. Lots of familiar faces and quite a few new ones too. .so great all round. Big thanks to all who came (even the noisy ones! ) and thanks to Peter for being on hand to help:)

One of the cards from today's demo.

Cardmaking and Papercraft issue 141 - March

Kettle time! I've just come in from the cold (I was at a funeral and the service was in a place of worship right on top of a hill where we live - it's bitterly cold here today) and had the perfect excuse to stop with  cuppa for a few minutes so the postie dropped this in right on cue :)

This issue is full of very colourful Easter and Mother's Day projects and I have a page full of ideas on using gems on cards. Simple, but hopefully effective.

Another sample card for Crafty Angels demo

So......this is another of my samples for Saturday's demo at Crafty Angels, Newbridge on Saturday. I'll be using the beautiful Silhouette Scene dies by Tonic Studios (along with lots more from the Tonic range) as well as the lovely Trimcraft/ Dovecraft Sweet Paris collection.

Looking forward to seeing some of you there :)

Demo at Crafty Angels, Newbridge Saturday 21st Feb

For anyone who is in the area and free on Saturday, I'll be demoing in Crafty Angels, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Saturday from 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

I'll be using lots of gorgeous Tonic Studios dies and punches etc along with beautiful Trimcraft papers, embellishments and dies etc.

This card is an adaptation of a simple Gatefold card showing some of the Sweet Paris collection which I'll be using on the day.

I added a couple of extra folds to a normal gatefold card to create something a little bit different. I used 3D foam squares under the insert so that the sides of the card front could be tucked in when it's open, but it also looks good when they are folded outwards.

Inside the card

I'll be back later with a photo of something "Tonic" for the demo :)

Bangor, Co. Down

 Once again I've been reminded of how thankful we should be to live in such a beautiful country with scenery like this just minutes from our door. (I've also been reminded at how lacking my photography skills are - but I know lots of you love to see these "quick snaps" of places on your doorstep.)

Just a couple of hours on a misty February afternoon in Bangor, Co. Down was enough to recharge the batteries again :)

 ...and this one made me laugh! Who remembers "The Bangor Boat's Away!" from their childhood?

Well, don't believe it! It's right here!

Valentine Card

 Sometimes it comes in handy for the family when their mum makes cards eg for Valentines day ;)

This one is a real "Tonic Classic" using some of the things I love most from the Tonic Studios range.

I love the way the dies can be used to create a cut out pattern in the card so that the patterned paper underneath can be seen through it.

I've made this 8x8 card with the Tonic Studios Indulgence Affections Heart Base dies and added details with the Frond Finesse and One I Love die sets. 

The gorgeous paper is Bella Rose by Trimcraft.