Wednesday 30 September 2015

A little bit of journalling - Trimcraft's latest LaDeDah release

 I've been busy making up sample pages of the gorgeous new LaDeDah books from Trimcraft using lots of the coordinating embellishments along with some of the new dies etc. I've been given lots of photos of these cute twin girls (Maggie and Lily) to use and the pages are perfect for this type of photo. I've got some more pages almost finished but I want to add more details.
Because the album will be sent off to Lily and Maggie's mum I've left most of the journalling spaces empty for her to add her thoughts and memories.I love that the journalling pen which comes with the albums also doubles as a glue pen!
Beautiful little girls and beautiful journalling books - what more do you want? ;)

 wink emoticon

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine issue 149 - November


 Good morning! Issue 149 of Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine is on the shelves and, as always, is full of inspiration for your crafting. My contribution for this issue is a set of 5 cards using Graphic 45 Gilded Lily papers. I've added a couple of peaks - not too much...you will just have to buy the mag to see the rest.
I'm looking forward to taking a while later to enjoy all the other projects in the issue.


Saturday 26 September 2015

Happy 93rd Birthday!

 This is a card for my mum's 93rd birthday tomorrow! That is some achievement - the 93...not the card!!
I've used the new Happy Birthday die from Tonic Studios, Baldour Numbers, Fanciful Flourish, Cameo header dies and Clarice Alphabet dies along with the new papers.


Friday 25 September 2015

Still playing! Trimcraft Foil Applicator

 I'm enjoying trying out different ideas with the new Trimcraft Foil Applicator. I love this one - a leaf die (one of Trimcraft's new First Edition dies), textured card, FE copper foil.....gorgeous!!
I've been trying different paper, card, colours shapes etc and having lots of fun!!
I'll get round to making a card or something soon :)

Thursday 24 September 2015

New Foil Applicator from Trimcraft

I just got this little gem a couple of days ago and am looking forward to trying out lots of ideas with it. I've never done any type of foiling before so am looking forward to this! I'll report back when I have something to show :)

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Yesterday - work and pleasure


 Chaine Memorial Tower, Larne

I had to go to Larne yesterday and because it was such a beautiful day I grabbed some photos. The coast was so bright and sparkly we just had to follow the road on round to Glenarm too ;)

Larne harbour

 The Barbican, Glenarm Castle









Glenarm






Monday 21 September 2015

Belfast Craft Show info....

Good morning, I have had lots of pm's and emails etc from folks on both sides of the border asking for clarification on the Craft Show/Fair at the Titanic Exhibition Centre next month.Hope fully this will answer some of your questions...
The show has indeed been cancelled. I have been sent a copy of an email which was sent to anyone who had pre bought tickets online. The email is dated "Sep 14, 2015 3:18 PM" and part of it reads..

"Re: Belfast Creative Crafts & Gift Show, TEC, 15 – 17 October 2015
It is with deep regret that, after over 25 years of doing business, I am writing to inform you that Trident Exhibitions Ltd has ceased trading. This means that the Belfast Creative Craft & Gift Show has been cancelled.
For some time the profitability of the Creative Crafts Shows has been diminishing. Despite major changes over the last 6 months, it became clear after the latest event that the company is unable to continue, by virtue of a marked downturn in business.
The company affairs are now to be put in the hands of an Insolvency Practitioner who will be in touch in due course."

Unfortunately I had already had to cancel my demoing there because the dates overlapped with my hospital treatment but I was looking forward to calling in if possible and catching up with as many of you as possible, perhaps on the Saturday. I feel so sorry for all involved, especially those directly employed by the company. It's a sad end.
HOWEVER THE SHOW WHICH IS DUE TO TAKE PLACE IN APRIL 2016 IS NOT AFFECTED AS IT IS ORGANISED AND RUN BY A DIFFERENT COMPANY.

Hopefully that will answer some questions.

Friday 18 September 2015

Sneak preview of some new Trimcraft dies

I've had a big box full of gorgeous new dies delivered and have been given permission to share a card with you just to give you an idea of what's to come! I made this slider card using the Trimcraft First Edition "Falling Leaves" papers and a combination of dies from a couple of the new sets - and I have also made a tutorial on how to make this card which I'll share next week....:)

New Tonic Studios release - patchwork dies

 Today sees the launch on Create and Craft of some beautiful new Patchwork Perfection dies from Tonic Studios.
I've used one from the Vineyard Squares set and cut out a row of them down the side of the card and attached blue card behind it.
The large diecut down the left side of the card is from the Art Deco Collectable set.


Thursday 17 September 2015

How to make a mini album with Dovecraft's Serendipity collection by Trimcraft

There are so many different papers and embellishments which I love in the new Dovecraft Serendipity collection by Trimcraft that I want to make something to show off as many of them as possible in one item so I decided to make a mini album.

You could adapt this to make different sizes but this one measures 11cm x 11cm and I think that's cute! Each page has a tag or pocket for adding messages or photos.

You will need:
Dovecraft Serendipity 6x6 papers
Dovecraft Serendipity Wooden Frames
Dovecraft Serendipity A5 Glitter Stickers
Dovecraft Serendipity Adhesive Gems
Dovecraft Serendipity Mini Bunting and Jute Twine
Dovecraft Serendipity Paper Blossoms and Leaves
Dovecraft Serendipity Paper Doilies
Dovecraft Serendipity Sequin

First Edition Flower die set
First Edition Borders, Frames and Buckles die set
First Edition Tag die set
First Edition Lock and Key dies
First Edition Nesting Stamp dies
First Edition Window dies
First Edition Border dies
First Edition Foliage dies

Dovecraft Crafters glue
Dovecraft Perma fix tape
Twine
white card
double sided tape
large circle die /punch (7.5cm)
die cutting machine

How to make it:
To make the cover - 
1.Cut a piece of white card measuring 11cm x 23cm and score on the long side at 11cm and 12cm.
2. Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper measuring 11cm x 11cm and attach to the inside of the cover with double sided tape.
3. Cut a strip of contrasting paper measuring 0.75cm x 11cm and glue to the inside spine. 

To make the pages - 
4. Cut 5 pieces of white card measuring 10cm x 10cm and 4 pieces of card measuring 10cm x 4.5cm. Score at 2cm and 2.5cm.
5. Glue the strips to the pages accordion style as shown above.
6. Cut 9 pieces of patterned paper measuring 10cm x 10cm and attach to the pages with double sided tape.
7. Glue the pages to the inside back of the book.

8. Cover the outside of the album in the same way as the inside  - but this time cover the spine in the same paper.

And now for the fun part - decorating the pages :)
9. Glue three pieces of bunting to the inside cover. Cut 3 tiny flowers from the First Edition Flower die set and attach one on top of each bunting with a gem in the centre of each.
Cut out a tiny border from the First Edition Borders, Frames and Buckles die set (brand new!), trim to fit and glue along the top of the bunting.

10. Create a pocket on the top page with a piece of patterned paper measuring 10cm x 4cm and add part of flower chain glitter sticker at the top.Attach the pocket with Perma fix tape along the bottom and sides.
11. Cut 2 tags with the Tag die set from white card and cut another (the same shape as one of the white ones) from patterned paper and glue on top. Add glitter stickers and twine.

12.  Create a little pouch from a piece of 6 x 6 paper following the photos below.
13. Cover the white areas of  the pouch with patterned paper. Add paper blossoms on top with a gem in the centre. Die cut a tag, add  twine and insert in to the pouch. Glue the pouch to the page.

For the opposite page  - 
14. Cut a piece of white card measuring 13.75cm x 6.5cm and score at 5.5cm. Cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 6cm x 5.5cm and glue to the top. 
Cut a strip of card measuring 2cm x 19cm and score at 4.5cm and 13.5cm. Fold over and secure at the back with Permafix tape.Cut a strip of patterned paper measuring 2cm x 9cm and glue on the front of the strip. 
Add a strip of patterned paper measuring 1.5cm x 6.5cm across the bottom of the tab  - 0.5cm up from the bottom.
15. Attach to the page with Perma fix tape.
Die cut a little frame and glue on top then hang the piece of card from the tab.

16. Die cut a heart lock and only glue the bottom half to the page. Die cut the 2nd size of the Nesting Stamp dies, add a glitter sticker and tuck in behind the top of the heart.

For the opposite page - 
17. Fold a doily in quarters and glue the outside edges to the bottom right of the page. Add a heart glitter sticker on top. Cut a piece of card measuring 12cm x 7cm and fold in half. Add a glitter sticker on top. Fold over the corner and add another sticker. Tuck in behind the doily.

18. Cut a triangle of paper (each side 7cm) and attach only the outside edges to the page with Perma fix tape. Add a bow glitter sticker with a gem on top. Die cut a window frame from white card. Layer a piece of patterned paper measuring 4.25cm x 7.75cm onto a piece of white card measuring 4.5cm x 8cm and glue the window die cut on top. Tuck into the triangular pocket.

For the opposite page - 
19. Cut a piece of white card measuring 6.5cm x 11.25cm and score at 2cm and 6.75cm. Fold over to create an open envelope. Round the corners and add a narrow strip of patterned paper to the top tab. Cover the front with patterned paper and add a glitter sticker. Cut 2 lengths of twine 30cm long and glue down the centre of the back of the envelope leaving the ends loose. Glue the envelope to the page and tie the twine in a bow.

20. Cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 10cm x 5cm and attach with Perma fix tape by the left side, top and bottom to the left side of the page. Add a sequin to the bottom. Die cut a tag, add a heart glitter sticker and twine. Tuck into the pocket.

For the opposite page - 
21.Glue a piece of patterned paper measuring 2.5cm x 10cm onto a piece of white card measuring 3cm x 10cm and attach across the page with Perma fix tape at the sides. Die cut a white border and add on top.
Die cut a large white circle, then die cut a circle tag from patterned paper and glue on top. Add twine.

To decorate the outside cover.

22. Cut 3 x 60cm lengths of twine and tie a tiny knot at each end. Lay across the centre of the album. Cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 5cm x 7cm  and attach to a piece of white card measuring 5.5cm x 7.5cm with double sided tape. Add a wooden frame on top and a floral glitter sticker in the centre. Glue this on top oof the twine on the front of the album using plenty of glue. Die cut 2 leaves and glue to the front with a few gems as berries.

For the back - 
23. Cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 7.5cm x 5 cm and glue in place over the twine.


Enjoy!! :)






Serendipity by Dovecraft

 A burst of colour this time! This is the Dovecraft Serendipity collection by Trimcraft and it had all the colour you could want! Patchwork, spots, flowers, buttons and bows! There is a whole set of accessories which you can use to embellish your cards and projects including bunting, doilies, paper flowers etc. 




Wednesday 16 September 2015

The Dark Hedges and Ballycastle


Firstly, I want to say a great big "thanks" to everyone who has been in touch since my post yesterday - I've got lots of messages and pm's on FB still to read but I really appreciate every single one!
Now a bit more R&R (I'm learning!)
Last Saturday we just packed up a flask of tea and took a drive to the Dark Hedges. It was a really cold and windy day but that didn't stop the tourists on the Game of Thrones trail. We just went along for the beautiful scenery but most others seemed to be on a tour round different filming venues. Most of them waited patiently while others got their photographs before posing for their own. We had our tea in the car while a wedding photographer set up his camera for the bride and groom but decided to leg it and join in when the next two coach loads arrived.

 David looks freezing!



Ballycastle


Ballycastle harbour


On his way to Mortons!! 




 Antrim coast road near Cushendun