Reminder - blog prize

A little reminder that there are two days left to enter the blog giveaway.

Since the original post was published, Blogger has removed all blog followers who do not follow on Google. So please have a look and add yourself again if you have been removed.

  Only followers of this blog are eligible to enter for the prize.

See THIS POST to enter.

The winner will be picked on Saturday 30th January. :)

Demo at Easons, O' Connell Street, Dublin - Feb 6th Feb

I'll be demoing the gorgeous new Love Story papers from Trimcraft - along with lots more - at Easons, O'Connell Street, Dublin on Feb 6th. ....that's next weekend! I hope some of you will be able to join me. Looking forward to seeing you there :)

How to make a 3D pop up card with the Reflections dies and paper pad

Tonic Studios recently released a beautiful collection called "Reflections" consisting of dies, stamps and toppers all on the fairy theme. I've used the dies and papers along with some other Tonic products to create a "pop up" card  - and you can see how I made it below.

You will need:

Tonic Studios Reflections Fairy Wishes Paper Pack

Tonic Studios Reflections Fay and My die set

Tonic Studios Special Occasion Die and Stamp set

Tonic Studios Floral Fancy Decorative Mini die set

Tonic Studios Simply Blooms  8x8 paper pack

Tonic Studios Simply Nature 8x8 paper pack 

Tonic Studios A4 silver Mirror card 

15cm square white card

white card

Funky Glue

double sided tape

gems

die cutting machine

I used these Tonic Studios supplies for the card...and also some A4 silver mirror card

How to make it:

1. Score and fold the front of the card in half.

 2.Make 2 slits in the fold of the card at 5cm from the top and bottom. The slits should be 2.5cm long.

 3. Push the part between the slits into the centre of the card and make the folds crisp with a bone folder.

4.Layer a 6.5cm x 14cm piece of pink floral paper from the Simply Nature paper pack onto a piece of 7cm x 14.5cm piece of silver mirror card and attach to  the folded back front with double sided tape. 

Layer a 11cm x 14cm piece of yellow spotty paper from the Simply Blooms paper pack onto a piece of 11.5cm x 14.5cm piece of silver mirror card and attach to the inside of the card with double sided tape.

5. Use the inner die from the Special Occasion die set to create a pattern around the sentiment topper from the pad.

 6. Use the outer die to remove it from the paper.

7. Use the same outer die to cut a shape from silver mirror card.

8. Glue the sentiment topper onto the silver die cut and glue this to the "pop up" part inside the card.

 9. Use the outer die from the Fay and May die set to cut out the Fay and May fairies from the pad.

 10. Glue this topper to the front of the card  - leaving a little over the edge.

 11. Cut out 2 white corners with the Floral Fancy die set and glue these to the card - one on the fold back part and one on the yellow paper. Add gems.

Trimcraft Love Story papers

HI, I've been busy making cards (and  tutorials) with the new Trimcraft First Edition paper pads but I'm keeping them up my sleeve for the time being. However, the papers are just too pretty and I had to share this one. 

I've also used several Trimcraft First Edition dies - Butterflies, Foliage, Traditional Sentiment and Layered Flowers.

Blog giveaway - Trimcraft "Kitchen" and "Gardening" die sets

It's time for another giveaway! I have several crafty items up for grabs and am going to add them over the next few weeks starting with these two fantastic die sets from Trimcraft.

Mother's Day and Father's Day all sorted...and lots in between!

YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG TO QUALIFY

If you are not an existing follower you can click on "Join this site" in the right sidebar and follow the prompts.

All you have to do is leave a comment below.

I will choose a random winner on Sat 30th January

These are two cards I made using dies which you will get in these sets :)

How to make a 3D card with Tonic Studios Pampered Pets dies

I've made this tutorial to show how you can use the Toby's Sill dies from Tonic Studios' Pampered Pets collection to make a 3D card.

This card will fold flat for postage :) 

You will need:

Tonic Studios Pampered Pets "Toby's Sill" die set

Tonic Studios Pampered Pets " Love Cats" die

Tonic Studios Midsummer Morning  8x8 paper pad

Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Buttermilk

Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops - Caribbean Ocean

A4 white card

white card

kraft coloured card

double sided tape

Craft Tacky Glue

Die cutting machine

masking tape

gems

 1. Score and fold a piece of A4 white card in half to create the card blank. Cut another piece of white card to measure 15.5 cm x 16.5cm and score at 1cm and 2cm from each edge on the 15.5cm side.

 2. Use the 2nd largest die from the Toby's Sill set in the centre of the scored panel.

 3. Cut out the rectangle from the centre.

 4. The centre panel will now look like this.

5. Take another piece of white card and cut out the window outline as shown....

6. Add detail with the next die in the set.

7. Position the rectangular die on the cut out window to show you exactly where to position the curtain die. 

 8. Remove the rectangular die before cutting out the curtains.

 9. Cut another curtain die beside the first and then position the other two cat dies as shown and cut out.

10. Your window will now look like this - you will have two small die cuts (shown at the right) to use on another project).

11. Glue this die cut directly on top of the panel with the window aperture.

12. Cut a piece of kraft coloured card to measure 10cm x 2.5cm and  glue to the back of the window box.

 13. Cut a piece of patterned paper to measure 11cm x 16.5cm and attach to the centre of the card front with double sided tape.

 14. Add strips of double sided tape to the narrow fold back at each side of the window panel.

 15. Turn the card over and attach the panel to on top of the patterned paper.

 16. Die cut the Love Cats die from kraft coloured card and snip off the leafy part - glue these to the card as shown above.

17. Add detail to the leaves with Buttermilk and Caribbean Ocean Crystal Drops.

Add a couple of gems to the top of the window.

Enjoy! 

How to make a Kensington bag (Tonic Studios)

The new Tonic Studios Kensington Hand Bag/ Gift Box die set is really versatile and can be used to make lots of different variations from wedding favour boxes to little gift bags and many more in between.

I've used it to make a little gift bag with handles and a buckle and I've made a tutorial below to show you how it's done :)

You will need:

Tonic Studios Kensington Hand Bag /Gift Bag die set

Tonic Studios Essential Card Pack - Natural Neutrals

Tonic Studios Metallic Satin Mirror Card

Tonic Studios Funky Glue

Embossing folder (I've used an older Cuttlebug folder "Mesh" but there are many similar folders around)

Tonic Studios Nuvo Embellishment Mousse - Mother of Pearl

3D foam squares

die cutting machine

 1. Die cut two of the outer bag shaped dies from brown card.

2. Die cut two of the sides in cream card and fold along the debossed lines as shown.

 3. Die cut two each of the dies shown above - to decorate the outside front of the handbag.

 4. Emboss these pieces with your chosen folder.

5. Using a soft cloth or a piece of kitchen roll, lightly rub some of the Embellishment Mousse over the embossed surfaces and gently buff. Take care to get an even coverage for best results.

6. Attach the embossed pieces to the bag front and back with Funky Glue.

 7. Glue the cream sides to the inside of the bag front.

 8. Glue the base of the back over the cream tabs. 

 9. Glue the back to the tabs of the side die cuts.

 10. Die cut 2 handles from brown card and 2 gold ovals for each side (ie 4 gold ovals in total)

 11. Lightly "shape" the handles between your finger and thumb.

12. Glue the ovals to the front and back of the bag and then add the handles on top.

 13. Cut out a gold "buckle" and add a narrow strip of gold card across the centre.

 14. Glue a 13cm x 0.75cm strip of cream card on top of a 13cm x 1.25cm strip of brown card and cut a point at the tip.

14. Glue the straight end to the back of the bag.

15. Attach the buckle to the bag front with 3D foam squares ( cut these in half to fit).

Enjoy!