Wednesday 29 July 2009

Another little video tutorial

Here's the second video I did on my peaceful afternoon - these are a bit addictive and a fantastic way of sharing. I hope you like them too.. I will be doing more, even though I need to set the mobile up a little straighter - and the right way round!

This video will show you how to make a little gift box/bag which you can fill with goodies or chocolates, and is easily made from a single sheet of 12 x 12 paper.

Tuesday 28 July 2009

A little tutorial ..

When I did my demo over at Brigg, the wonderful ladies who came to watch my demo asked if I had a tutorial or two of how to do certain projects... well... I have had a play this afternoon whilst everyone was out, and took a couple of video's on my mobile phone - I don't know how to work it from the video camera onto the computer, so this will have to do. Let me know what you think and I will possibly try to do a few more.

I apologise for the fact it's upside down, note to self - practice!

This video is to make a little topper, using a 6 x 6 inch square of paper.

Monday 27 July 2009

do you want more?

Sneaky peeks I mean!

Obviously for copyright reasons, I can't show you the cards in full, as they were made using the new board which is due out ANYTIME from Diamond Card Craft, and it's the same one that I showed you the peeks from the other day.

Here are some more bits from the samples I made up - and as soon as I am able, I will tell you more about the new board and show you the fantastic things you can do with it!



Yep... it's a christmas card!!! That time of the year that us cardmakers and crafters love!!



Awwwwww. this beautiful little bunjy wabbit is making another appearance...


And another section of the card in more detail...

Well... I just had to do it!

Sorry 'n all... but it had to be done.. Hehehe..




The countdown is now pinned on my side bar. I just thought I'd share it with you all, as my darling daughter pointed out to me last night it's only 18 weeks away - guess who's getting excited?? Then my wonderful son asked what I wanted for Christmas!!!! Yikes!

Sunday 26 July 2009

It's that time again..

I just really don't know where this week has gone! It's flown past so quickly, and my sister in law arrives tomorrow for the week.. so not much blogging going to be goin' on then!

However, today sees the release of the new ROSIE DEES challenge.. and there are some fantastic DT cards over there too for quite a difficult subject to make cards for.. nip on over.. and you'll see what I mean.

Here's my sneaky peek -
You'll find the rest of the card over on the challenge site.

Last week, our theme was for a baby card.. I gave you a sneaky peek last week, but I can show the rest of it to you now. Here it is.

The papers and lace were from the Craft Den in Sheffield and the stamp is from Joanna Sheen.. one of the little Messy Rabbits. I coloured him in with the promarkers which I got from Lili of the Valley. The flowers are punched from an X Cut flower punch and I added a little flowersoft into the centres of the flowers.

As I say, this week has gone so quickly. I have spent most of the last few days making samples for something special (see sneaky peeks below!) and yesterday I was doing a demo over at Brigg Garden Centre. What a wonderful day.. the staff were so lovely.. the customers were wonderful and we had a right old laugh. Thank you sooooo much to each any every one of you who stopped by.

I did promise to upload some step by steps, so will be on with those this week - or if I can get updated to the 21st century, I may just make a video or two!! Watch this space.

Friday 24 July 2009

Sneaky Peek...

Oh what an exciting week I've had so far!

Martina is off school for her holidays at the moment, and it's lovely to have her at home again. I love school holidays.. always have done - it's the best time of year. Carley has also been off work this last week, so it's been a full house all round. That's what I love most - having my family around. It's great!

When I used to work at the chippy many moons ago, Jimmy, the owner, used to think I was bonkers because I loved the children being at home. In fact, on my occasional visit to see them all, he always says 'you always loved the holidays didn't you?' just as a mum or dad was bawling at their child somewhere in the background.

After all, that's what being a mum is all about isn't it? Time with family. Fun. Laughter. Stroppy teenagers. It's great! And I wouldn't swap it for the world!!

Anyway.. work. I've had a busy week so far with samples for my demo tomorrow over in Brigg Garden Centre. I just needed to tidy a few up really, not make any new ones, although I may run a quickie one up today if I get chance.. but what I've been working on is sooooo fantastic!!

A new board is soon to be released by Diamond Card Craft and I am sooo pleased with Phyll as she trusted me enough to help with some of the feedback etc. Well. I got my board yesterday, and it is absolutely fabulous! I love love love it!!!!

I'm not telling you anything about it as it's top secret.. but you're just going to need it when it comes out!

Here's part of a card I made yesterday.

Obviously, I can't show you all of it just yet as it's one of the designs that will hopefully be in the packaging. The stamp is from Stampin Up.

 Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for the new board over at Diamond Card Craft and I'm sure news of its release will be on there. It's a very unique board.. it's so exciting!!!!!

Well, that's all for now. See ya later x

Wednesday 22 July 2009

Who's challenge is it?

Well.. I can't for the life of me remember who's challenge this was for. I've just tried to find it and haven't a clue where I saw it.. lol.

So, here it is.. unnamed.. unknown.. but still soo pretty! I love this stamp so much!


In fact.. I decided to colour them both in .. slightly different.. but make two cards in one. There are no greetings on them at the moment, as I don't know what they are for yet, so the sentiment will be added later.

And just to show you the colouring in more detail, I took some close ups for you too.

I know there are a few people who like the distress inks to colour, but I am loving the copics that I have. I can get deeper shading than I can get with my distress inks, but I suppose each to their own. I think anything works if you like working with it, doesn't it?

That's all for now.. swiss roll is in the oven and I need to help go finish it.. quiche is cooked and ready for munching later.

Love Jo x

More samples for you..

I have another Docrafts Demo this weekend over in Brigg, so if you are in the area, call over and say Hi.. it would be lovely to meet you!

Here are a few samples from my demo last weekend which I forgot to upload last time I did my samples..

 
(actually.. this is a new one from today!)

 
And... I couldn't resist showing you this cutie little dumplin.. all laid out on the sofa thinking that life is just tooooo tiring!

Monday 20 July 2009

Rain Rain Everywhere...

And not a drop to drink!! Well.. I suppose there is, lots of it, as we have been a bit washed out recently haven't we?

I did take advantage of the lovely raindrops around the garden and got some little photos to share..

Hope you like them.

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A bit of this... a bit of that...

Whilst toodling around the net this morning, I found a question that was asked about the difference between prisma's - copics - inkense pencils.. I have all of these, so thought I'd do a comparison.

I stamped my image using the Stampin Up Soft Summer set (which you can order from me if you would like it) and coloured in the three types of colours.

These are all the cards together -

So onto the first one, and this is the close up. This is the copic markers which I purchased from the Craft Den, Sheffield.
And here's the card
This second one was Derwent Inktense pencils (I bought mine from Staples, but other shops would sell them)
And here's the finished card with this colouring - the colours are really vibrant on the cardstock (I used SU Whisper White).
I don't know why the cardstock looks red on the photo - it's actually Rose Red from SU Rich Regals cardpack which I find more of a deep pink.

This last one was coloured with prisma's and sansador, again on Whisper White. My prisma's were bought from Ebay and came from the USA.
The technique of shading with with prisma pencils is slightly different than with the inktense. You really are better adding slightly different shades together, then blending.
Out of all of the cards, this one must be my favourite. I just love the colours, they are so soft and lovely. The cardstock is Elegant Eggplant from the Rich Regals SU cardstock. I added little pearl gems to finish.

That's it for now folks.. take care xx

Sunday 19 July 2009

Rosie Dee Challenge

Evenin' All.. how are you this nice, rainy, wet, miserable weekend? Hasn't it been a bit of a washout? We did manage to get the dogs out for a walk yesterday evening after I got back from my lovely day demoing at Southport, and also this evening after dinner. Why are dogs always wanting fussing and loving when they're wet through??!!

Oh well.. Tonight is the new challenge over at Rosie Dee's Challenge, and here is a little sneaky peek of my card -

The theme of the challenge this week is to make something for BABY. I'm not showing any more of my card, you'll have to pop on over to the site to see the rest of the card.. but I can show you the one I made last week - here it is in full.

The stamps are all lavinia stamps and I coloured the image with copics and added a little bit of gold sparkle.

Friday 17 July 2009

Big Bloomers and pig flu!

Oh what fun!!

I was having a good laugh the other day with my 'chat' with my online buddy Rosie and we decided to send each other a card to suit the chatter! The subject of Tena lady came up as we were laughing so much... this is my card I recieved yesterday -

(apologies for the photo - it's off my phone) The card looks beautiful in real life... and yep.. it's a tampon.. lol.. as you can see as it says on the front - not a tena lady! Witty lady with a wicked sense of humour. Thank you so much Rosie.. it made me giggle.

Here's the cards that I sent on  -

I can share as I know they've been recieved. They're a doddle to make, and they look so effective. I used some gathered ribbon around the edges of the thong and bra to give it a different look.. and of course.. for such a funky lady, I had to include a tattoo or two!

As well as doing this lovely card swap, I had a very important card to make for my sister, Julie. I got a phone call from my mum the other day to say she'd started oinking! She's got Swine flu, and was diagnosed the other day. Of course, I haven't rung her as I don't want the infection getting to me down the phone LOL.. joking! She's been really tired with it, so I thought better not to ring in case I got her out of bed.

This is the little card that I made for her -
'flu by to say put ya trotters up and take it eeeeeasy' is the wording I chose.. quite apt - but it took alot of thinking!! I just love this little piggy - another die cut from Lili of the Valley.

Right.. that's it from me..

See you all again soon!

How very Tweet!

Wandering through the blogging world last week, I came across a wonderful little birdhouse template - I can't remember the link so need to go back through my history and links - which I thought would be absolutely brilliant for the challenge over on LOTV this week.

The theme this week is Animals, and I had some of the fantastic die cuts leftover from sample making for the program on Create and Craft. And what did I have that would go with my birdy house? Of course, the little parrots..

Don't they just look the cutest? Would you like to treat yourself?? Then take a nosey over at the Lili of the Valley website where they have got some fantastic offers on at the moment, there are stamps, die cuts, and even promarkers on offer. (the promarkers are selling for £1.75 each now, which is reduced from £1.99!)

And if you'd like to join in with this challenge, don't forget to take a mosey over to the blog.

I've had a busy-ish week trying to get new samples made for my demo this week over at Southport, The Range, so I'll have more cards to show you later.

Until then.. happy crafting xx

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Little additions and a bit of chatter

Hi everyone.

Just a quickie this morning before I get up and start the day. I made this little card yesterday as it's a new stamp that has never been inked..

Isn't she lovely? She's an Elizabeth Bell stamp, can't remember where from, but all her stamps are definately must-have's. This one caught my eye because it's the first 'pregnancy' stamp I've seen that appealed to me, so thought it would come in useful.

The papers I got from the lovely Lynne at the Craft Den, I think they're Bo Bunny, but don't hold me to that. I kept the card simple and just added a little flowersoft for the strings of the swing. The image was coloured with prisma's. I don't use these often enough these days, although the effect is wonderful.

By the way.. before I disappear again, did you hear that High Hopes stamps are only going to be selling wholesale from 1st August? How gutting is this? I can understand their position at the moment, and I wish them all the best.. Must order some stamps before the end of July though!

FOR SALE
Don't forget if you're loving Stampin' Up, there is a great offer on at the moment where you can earn yourself a free background stamp. Ask for more details if you're interested.
I've also got some Eazi Score and Eazi Box boards for sale. Just let me know if you need more details. These are the brilliant score boards that I went onto Create and Craft with. The possibilities are endless with these two boards!

Sunday 12 July 2009

It's been a while...

Sorry everyone who's been visiting and seen nothing new. I've had a very busy week this last week and time got the better of me, and besides me coming on here for a general natter, I couldn't show you anything that I've been making. Sigh.  Yesterday I had a demo up at the Range, in Doncaster, and I'd like to thank each and every one of you who turned up to make the event a success. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces.
I have got something to show you now though, and I hope you like 'em.

The first **ta-da** goes to my Challenge card over at Rosie Dees last week, and as you know I showed you all a sneak peek.. here's the full thing I made.

I made it as per the sketch last week, but decided to use it to make this little book. I've turned it into a little photo album with photos of who? You guessed it.. the woofers. It'll make a little prezzie for Moi for Christmas.. lol.  Incidentally, the papers and everything else to make this little book came from a prize I won over at Rosie Dees Challenge a while ago, and seeing as it was my first DT entry over there, I thought it was appropriate to use it.

Here's a sneaky of my project for this week, which has just gone live on the blog, and the theme is Wedding. Nip on over .. there are some fantastic cards over there.. I've gone all mushy over one of them - but I'm not saying who's it is!


So, back to the demo yesterday. I had made loads of samples to take with me.. some rather unique ideas too, a little bit of consumer crafting and me - stupid - forgot to photograph them. A lovely young girl came with her mum and nana, and I let her take a few of my samples as they are easy to recreate. She was so enthusiastic about her crafting too which is really lovely.

Here are some of the cards I took with me.
Oh I lovey this lickle birdy. Everything on this card was made by using the contents of the Goody bag - stamp included for the bird! - and everything matches, lovely quality and some new products too! Fantastic!! I watercoloured the little birdy in brown whispers pens and created the little background.

I think this must've been the favourite card of the day. The spotty background is the new Papermania Handmade papers which are absolutely stunning. I didn't think I would like them, but they're fantastic! The trees are dimensions stickers - I love these for a quick, instant card you can't go wrong!

This card started off life as a tryout with Kathy's sketch. but I really liked it, so finished it up for the demo.

This is the little Daisy - or could it be Dandelion? Whichever it is, it's sooooo cute!! Love his little antlers and baubles.. lol.

This was a very quick card that I ran up at the demo. It is using the handmade papers at the bottom - these are lovely.. so pearlescenty and glimmery, perfect for christmas. The bunny is a sticker, placed onto white card and the top section is stamped.

Well.. that's it for now.. I'm off for my cuppa nettle tea. It's my first one today so my brain is actually quite functional - so far I've tidied up my craft studio so I can actually get in it!, I've also had the tyre replaced on my car, and been laptop shopping for my daughter. Fun day all round if I say so myself - and hubby cooked dinner. Yum!!

Night all..

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Sue's done her time!

LOL... Sue has been blogging now for two years, and I've been on her fab blog a few times. Today however, whilst popping on, I found out she's got some blog candy up for grabs - and it's awesome!

I missed my two year anniversary of blogging, and thought this is a fab way to celebrate it!

To stand a chance of winning the candy, you need to take a look at her blog HERE and answer which ones of these 99 you've done! Mine are shown in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (at comprehensive school.. lol)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world/Disneyland Paris (All three on more than one occasion) Not a chance!!
8. Climbed a mountain (yes, but not a very big one.. it was one in Wales!)
9. Held a praying mantis No, but I have held a tarantula on more than one occasion.. and stick insects  - these are the same aren't they??
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (yeah right!!)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child We did foster, but never adopted
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (shortly before I told 'em to stick the job!)
24. Made a Snow Angle ??
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping Skinny Dipping? Me?? More like bloody chunky dunk!
27. Run a Marathon I've eaten a few!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Stood in the rim of the Grand Canyon
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an erupting volcano in person.
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (with my son when he was teeny tiny)
47. Had your portrait painted (at art college - we had to do each other!)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling Never never never a chance on this one!!!!
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Been in a movie ( a wedding video.. does that count?)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia (flew over it during a snow fall - looked magnificent!)
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Cookies for charity
62. Gone whale watching
63. Been given flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
70. Visited Buckinham Palace
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt or blanket
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Been to the top of the Empier State Building
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life  by giving blood most probably..
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit (take it this is American? But yep.. did get sued for driving without due care and attention - after the accident last year! Great eh?)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (and a wasp!)

49 out of 99.. not bad I guess! There are a few things I'd like to do on this list, but all in good time..
 

Sunday 5 July 2009

Rosie Dees Peekie time..

OOOOooooohhhhh How exciting is it today? I've managed to get the bloomin' charger working on the computer - OLE! Mind you, it's bent in half at the end and held in place with a water squirter! Cool technical stuff here you know.. hehe..

Anyway, I've just popped on to show you a quick sneak peek of my 'item' this week as part of my three month stint over at Rosie Dees Challenge blog.

I'm not showing you the whole thing - you'll have to take a mosey over to the blog to look at all the other fantastic DT entries.. what a selection!

Here it is.. and this is my last word for tonight - I'm not feeling too well actually, so milky drink and off to bed me thinks!

Friday 3 July 2009

LOTV

Oh what a joy it was to make this card. This was what I entered into this weeks challenge for the LOTV Blog -

The sketch for this weeks challenge was created by our very own Mummy Fairy, Jacqui. It was a great sketch to work with too. The papers and little fluffy sheepy are from the LOTV range. Check out their shop here. There is also a show currently on Create and Craft too with their new products on.

I haven't anything else to show you for now, as my samples for my demo tomorrow at Samuel Taylor's in Leeds are all packed and sorted ready to go. I'll photograph them when I get back and put them on for you to take a peek at.

Today, I've spent the day wandering around McArthur Glen, East Midlands. Did I say wandering? I meant I'd had a business meeting with a lovely lady! I can't tell you what about for now.. but I'm sure I can tell you the exciting news relatively soon! Very very very interesting stuff though! So watch this space! We did find time to do a bit of shopping too - Papermill to be more exact. They have some really lovely coloured card in at the moment in their new range - well, who could resist at £4.99 a box?? Not me, I say, not me!!

Well.. I'm off to unload my goodies for now. It was a hard journey back - a 10 car pile up on the M1.. slow traffic... air ambulances.. quite a while to get home! Now I'm gonna make a cuppa tea!

A little black and white challenge..

After being busy all week with one thing and another, I thought I'd have a bit of fun for me...

I decided to take a peek over at Rosie Dees Challenge blog and have a go at their colour challenge.. this is it -

Sunday, 28 June 2009

Rosie-Dee's Challenges - No.41

The final week here in June for our Colour Combo month.

This week we've chosen Black & White as our theme.


I bought some copics the other week from the Craft Den at Sheffield, and also some wonderful papers (Bo Bunny), and basically gave it a go.. here's my card.


Isn't this little GJ just the cutest.. she just reminds me of my stroppy daughter.. lol. She came from a swap I did with a wonderful lady called Teri. I did decide to colour her face in skin colours, as I thought she may look a bit odd with grey tones.

I absolutely love these papers and will probaly - most definately - have to go and purchase some more!!!


Here's a close up .. you can see the texture of the papers is absolutely lovely! Just to add, Lynne at the Craft Den also does mail order.. just ring her and she'll sort it for you. Link on her site HERE


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