Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine, issue 174 (October)

The latest issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine will be in the shops very soon. My commission for this edition was a set of 10 ways to use twine on cards etc for Christmas. It was a lovely surprise to see one of my cards on the front cover :)

There's lots of amazing projects inside this issue which I would like to try and also a fantastic free gift - a Create a Scene embossing folder, stamp and die. 

Foxford, Co. Mayo

 River Moy, Foxford, Co. Mayo

We stayed in Foxford for a few days with Brigid and Harry Feeny and couldn't have had a more relaxing time. The atmosphere was so peaceful and the people we met certainly made a great impression. Thanks to Harry and Brigid for looking after us so well  - the breakfasts were amazing! (See bottom of post)

 Absolutely everyone that we met on our walks along this river bank stopped for a chat :) I think we rush about too much for this at home but I really appreciated it.

Admiral William Brown - an amazing story behind this sculpture. William Brown left Foxford to go to America aged 9, became orphaned soon afterwards but went on to found the Argentine Navy. There's a very interesting little museum which tells the story of his life.

Ballylahan Castle

 Foxford Studios, beside Foxford Lodge where Harry runs watercolour classes

Wild salmon from the River Moy

"Himself", waiting for breakfast :)

Glencar, Co. Leitrim

Some photos taken in Glencar, Co. Leitrim on our way through to Co. Mayo a couple of weeks ago. I've seen the signpost top Glencar many times when we've been rushing past and this time we made a point of going down the road to the waterfall.

Demo at Craftworld, Belfast on Saturday 2nd Sept

 I'll be demoing lots of new Christmas papers and dies etc from Trimcraft  at Craftworld, Belfast on Saturday (2nd Sept) so if you're crafty and free feel free to join me. I'll be there from 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

I made this pocket card with the Trimcraft "Gift of Christmas" papers, First Edition Christmas Sentiment dies,along with the Dovecraft "tag" and "Holly Wreath"dies.

Miss You - Tonic Studios Fair Dames

 Good morning :) I have a 6x6 card to share today which I made with the Tonic Studios "Stylish Anastasia" dies from the Fair Dames collection. I've added some flourishes made with "Beethoven's Rhythm" dies and added some Sunburst Gazania flowers. The tiny flowers are made with a very old Tonic mini punch. Miss You is one of the Tonic Studios Mini Moments dies.

The paper is "Storyteller" from Trimcraft .

How to Make a Winter Woodland Scene Light Box Frame

Trimcraft have just released their new Christmas dies and the Craft a Card dies are even more fabulous than the last ones! I've used the 6x6 Woodland Craft a Card die as the background for this decorative frame and all the instructions are below -I hope you enjoy making it!

You will need - 

Trimcraft First Edition 6x6 Craft a Card die  - Woodland FEDIE201x17

Trimcraft First Edition Reindeer Themed dies  - FEDIE194x17

Trimcraft First EditionChristmas Tree dies -FEDIE195x17

Dovecraft Wreath and Holly die set

Dovecraft Premium "Time to Sparkle" 6x6 paper pad

Dovecraft A4 Heat Resistant Acetate

Dovecraft double sided tape

Dovecraft A4 Luxury Heayweight card

Dovecraft Crafters Glue

Simply Creative Gold Gems - 3mm and 6mm

3D frame 17cm x 17cm Empress Tree

Folk Art Chalk Paint  - Metallic Gold

Folk Art Chalk Paint - White Adirondack

Plaid Mod Podge - Matt

Set of battery lights (20)

Die cutting machine

Hot glue gun

Sandpaper

Drill / tool to create hole in back of wooden frame

How to make it - 

 1. Paint the frame and inside "box" area of the frame with Metallic Gold chalk paint. Set aside to dry.

2. When the gold paint has dried, paint with 2 coats of white paint. Leave to dry, then use sandpaper to create a distressed finish.

 3. Drill a small hole near the bottom of the back of the frame to thread the lights through. Cut a 13cm square of black and gold paper, mark the hole and cut out. Add a thin layer of Mod Podge to the back of the frame and to the back of the paper. Adhere the paper to the frame.

 4. Thread the lights through the hole and wrap around the outer edge of the frame - secure in place with dabs of hot glue.

 5. Cut a 15cm square of acetate and score 1cm in from all sides. Cut out the little corner pieces and fold the edges upwards.

 6. Slip the acetate down into the frame covering the lights. Keep an equal distance from the top all around.

 7. Die cut the Woodland scene and trim to 13cm square. Attach to the top of the acetate with little dabs of glue around the edges.

 8. Die cut a reindeer, 3 trees and the holly as shown above.

9. Cut one of the trees in half. Cut strips of acetate and attach to the back of the tree, reindeer and half tree as shown - fold back tabs and add double sided tape.

 10. Attach the trees and reindeer and varying levels to create a dimensional look. Glue the other tree to the frame as shown.

 11. Attach the holly to the top of the frame at the corners with acetate.

 12. Add lots of gold gems to the berries on the die cut and replace the frame on the front.

A magical winter woodland scene :)

Demo today at Art and Hobby, Jervis St - photos of the cards I made

Well, that was a crazy day!! Thanks so much for the fantastic welcome to Art and Hobby, Jervis Street, again. I know I say this every time, but I really mean it - thank you all very much indeed for coming along, for the craic and support. I'm really glad you enjoyed the new ranges I had with me today. 

Here's a few photos of some of those who came. I'm kicking myself now that I didn't remember to take any photos after lunch when we were joined by the others. Hope to see you soon again :
Thanks very much too, to Stephanie for inviting me, letting me take root in the shop and for looking after us. Also to Jenny, for doing some overtime to make sure everyone got their project sheets :)
Thanks very much for the lovely pressies too - I feel very blessed to have made such lovely friends x

...and the cards I made - 

 These are the cards I made at the demo today with the gorgeous new Trimcraft Christmas papers and dies. I'm just home after a long day but I'll update the details at the beginning of the week :)

This has a little pocket on the front and on the inside but I don't think it's clear from the photo.