POST IT NOTE HOLDER

While I was having a little play this morning, I cut some bits of mount board and K&Co papers ready to make this little post-it note holder with my Bind-It-All. Once again I used my birdie and attached it to the wires with some brown thread - so that it swings from side to side. I left the ends to hang down so that the bird had some legs.



I got these papers from my LCS shop a few weeks ago and this is the first time that I have used them.

I covered the mount board with the papers, attached the ribbon with the brads to the front and back covers then attached some more K&Co papers to the inside (this helped cover the back of the brads). I also made a little holder on the back cover so that the post it notes stay attached and that they can be replaced when they have been used up.



Some of the ribbons are from local market and some are from the US!

This piccy is just to show you the paper used on the inside and also how I attached the post-it note.



I was thinking of making these for the school Summer Fayre - It gives me plenty of time to get a few of them done. Plus to refill them only costs 39p as the Post It notes are from TESCO.

DARING CARD MAKERS - DISTRESSED (2)

Has my mojo come back???

This morning when I got back from taking the kids to school I was determined to 'make' something. So.... Yesterday when I was sorting through my stuff I found one of the Flower Fairies decoupage images from ages ago that I had started to cut out, but the decoupage bits were no where to be found. So, all I had left was the main image.



So with the Daring Card Makers dare from Friday still in mind - I got an idea to use the little image.



The papers are by Papermania and I distressed them using the blade of my scissors with a little bit of tearing for good measure. I also edged the papers with a gold ink pad and a pale brown. I deliberately didn't stick everything down perfect as I wanted it to look rough. I am quite pleased with the result - as these colours I would normally stay away from - I just don't do yellow or orange!!.

Over at http://sewdelish.blogspot.com she set this little challenge - and I think this card is right for it.

For my Stepping Out Challenge you need to create a post with something you have made (it can be any type of project) different to what you would normally choose. Only you know what you really like, so choose something totally the opposite. Link to this post and make a comment here with your link for everyone to find. I will arrange for a small blog candy prize for the winner so make sure I am able to contact you. I will announce the winner on the 15th May 08 so that you have plenty of time to get creating.

WHERE'S MY MOJO??

Had a really good tidy up today and finally sorted out my ribbons, card and odd bits. I also managed to bring one of my storage draws downstairs, thinking that if I was more organised, I could get on and make stuff.

I thought great, hubby had taken the eldest to watch one of our local football teams play in a final tonight - which meant it was me and the youngest at home. I gave her a bath and got her into bed at 7.30 - and I thought great - some me time!!! Then when I came to 'make' something - zilch!! I pulled out paper - then put it away. Got out my B-I-A - that was put away. Cuttlebug - embossed a few sheets of card then that got put away. Arggghhh!!!

So in the end all I managed to do was emboss a few bits of card, doodle some flourishes (I do that a lot when I am bored) and managed to draw some new birdies.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

Hubby just got back - our team lost 1 - 0 - hubby said that they played the better football, but it just wasnt their night! Poor lads they have done brilliant this season aswell :(

MADE MYSELF...

A little book for drawing ideas/layouts for cards. I have about 3 books laying around with different scribbles etc in, that I thought I would finally put them all together in this little one.



The book measures 4in x 4in and so do the papers inside. All the pages are just plain white - with lots of them for scribbles, doodles and ideas ;)



I just love the colour of these ribbons and they match the paper great! The paper is Hot Off The Press Bohemian Sarapapers and once again I used my little bird. I will have to try and do a different style bird - as I can't add this one to everything that I do ;)

DARING CARD MAKERS - SO DISTRESSING

This weeks Friday dare is...

Hi it's Keryn here and it's my turn to Distress you all, or at least your cards with this weeks dare. You can make a card for any season, any holiday, any occasion but you need to use either a fingernail, curled edges, sandpaper, tearing, anything you like really as long as looks like it's had a fair bit or wear and tear.



I ripped the brown paper and then used my scissors to 'distress' the inside of the cut out square. I then went over it with my Dark Brown Chalk Pad (love that pad) to give it a bit of age.



The little bird shape is something I drew the other day! I covered both sides with Papermania paper and added some thread so that the bird could spin. The flower I received from Alina (Nowalinka) and the buttons are by Doodlebug.



Thanks for looking - now off to have a look at everyone else's ;)

BIND-IT-ALL ADDRESS BOOK

Well I pulled it out this morning and finally (jumping with glee) made this little cutie!!!

Its a small address book that matches the first Bird card I did the other day. And I am so happy with it!!
The Bind-It-All is so easy to use (great news for me) and I never even watched the DVD. I did have to fiddle with the front and back covers as I only punched 5 holes in the address pages, so when I came to do the covers it was quite tight to make sure I only punched the 5 holes.



I wanted to get the photos taken to put on here, that I never even waited for the glue to dry - as you can see with the buttons!



Inside pages I did on my computer, printed them off, then cut them to size.



Well for this being my first attempt, and that I wanted to do something more than just bind a few note pads - I am really pleased with the outcome!! :o))

ITS ARRIVED

Well this morning my postie got pounced on before he even knocked on the door as my new shiny toy arrived. Yippeeeee!!!! :)



Graphicus rang me on Tuesday to say the brown wires that I ordered were out of stock, so I said it was fine to send me the white ones. So knowing that, I ordered some wires and B-I-A Covers from Cutting Edge Crafts on Tuesday morning and they arrived on Wednesday - now that is what I call excellent service plus they don't charge delivery!! So even better :)

Now you will have to bear with me as I haven't even had the chance too play with it. My youngest Avie had her friend over for dinner today after school and she didn't go home until 7 - plus tonight HEROES Series 2 begins on BBC2 at 9pm. So between now and then I am going to do a bit of ironing (sigh) before I go sit down and be a happy soul for an hour! So hopefully tomorrow I will be able to show you something - be it very simple!

LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME...

... To stop and not add any more stuff!!!!

Having a little play about this morning and had another go at making a shabby/vintage looking card but I don't think it worked this time! LOL!!

I got a bit carried away with adding the little beads! I have learned - that you have to make mistakes so you know better next time! LOL!



The paper is by Papermania and its double sided silk screened (LCS) - it has a lovely metallic look to it - you can see the sheen in this piccy. The stripes were the reverse of the paper.



This little vellum quote is from a small album that I bought ages ago from Lakeland.



The braid, ribbons, buttons and beads are from my local haberdashery shop.
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DOUBLE POCKET CARD

Managed to have a go at making one of these Double Pocket Cards tonight and i can seriously say it is sooooo easy. The tutorial can be found here http://www.jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/2008/04/double-pocket-card-tutorial.html. The instructions are so easy and there are pictures as well, so you cant go wrong! ;)

Card with tags in place - not to keen on the tags so I will probably change them!



Card without tags



And I made a little stand for the back so that the card can stand up.



The paper/card is by American Crafts and I have had it for ages. I bought it because I liked the pattern - but its a bit too large for a card. The ribbons are from my local market and so is the button.

So I don't think I did too bad - maybe next time I will use a smaller patterned paper - which I think will give it more impact.

UPDATE ON CARDS

Just to let you know the lady who asked for the card with MEL on the front absolutely loved it - my friend rang me this morning to let me know. Also the little house card that I did the other day, my friend 'bought' it off me to give to one of her friends who has just moved in to a new house and she was delighted with it and she couldnt believe that it was hand made (blush)!! So I am very happy!

SHABBY CHIC OR JUST SHABBY

Now this is the first time I have made a card like this and I really don't know what to call it!!??? I just don't do cards like this. My eldest says its for a 'granny', hubby doesn't like it as there is way too much stuff 'going on', but my youngest loves it because of all the buttons and small flowers! And I am sitting on the fence at this present time as I really don't know if its me!

I drew the outline for the little bird the other night while I was sat reading blogs. There seems to be so many of the little birds popping up everywhere LOL that I thought I would create one without having to go out and but the stamps.



The paper is made by erm I don't know!! I did get it from LCS, but I never ask who the maker is. It is double sided, stripes on one side and the flowers on the other.



The sentiment is an Anna Griffin stamp that I have had for ages - I got it from QVC with a load of other Anna Griffin stuff.



The 'braid' I bought yesterday from local wool shop for 65p a metre (don't know if that's expensive as i have never bought it before!). The rik-rac is from Nowalinka (thank you)!. The buttons are from the market and the small flowers I think i got from Crafty Carrot - but I might be wrong! Oh yeah the legs are made with some gold embroidery thread.

DARING CARD MAKERS - HOT & SPICY

This is this weeks Friday Dare!

This week's Dare theme is a team effort rather than a challenge just thought up by just one of us.
We'd like you to take the phrase"Hot and Spicy" and make of it what you will.
It could be colour themed, food themed or maybe have just a hint of saucy spicy-ness

Here is my take on the Hot & Spicy.



Created the words in Photoshop and then found a clipart chili (took ages to find a decent one). Added a bit of glitter to the edges of the words and also on the Chili. I used foam pads to lift the chili off the card and I also cut around it to give the card some shape.

I also managed to start running out of colour ink during printing - so the colours arent as vibrant as they should be!

GETTING A NEW TOY

I finally gave in last night and ordered myself a Bind-It-All from http://graphicus.co.uk/ for only £29.99. I couldnt let it pass with a price like that.

Cant wait till it arrives!!!! Yippeeeee

Now just checked on their site and the price has gone upto £39.99. I wonder if they had put the wrong price on in the first place. So I'm a happy bunny, I bought it at the right time.

NAME CARD

I was asked the other night to put a card together for a lady who works with my friend. She had seen the brother card and wanted something similar but with the ladies name on the front.

She asked for a pink card with stripes on the letters and also buttons. No Ribbons!!!! And to be honest I haven't enjoyed making this. I find it hard to follow peoples instructions on cards - I like to make them my own way!

Here is how the card started.



And this is how it finished - I ended up changing the letter 'E' as I thought it looked too big with the other letters.



On the inside she wanted Happy Birthday Mate with the 'M' from Mel to start the word mate!



I edged the letters with my pink ink pad then added some ultra fine glitter.



On the edge with the buttons, I cut a curve so the buttons had something to follow and to give the card a bit of shape. The photo doesn't really show you this. I also threaded a few of the buttons with cerise thread.

Well my friend is picking this up on Saturday, as the lady needs it for Monday. Just hope she likes it!!!!

CRAFTS BEAUTIFUL FORUM

Over on the Crafts Beautiful forum one of the member Freehartz asked if we could help her out with her cause. Here is what she is upto...

In case you did not read my cause in the section when I asked to have suggestions for a name for my kit - here is my project: I am developing an non-profit organization that will make a special creative/craft kit and a distribution system to send them free of charge to children in a home situation where their parent is ill. These kits will also have elements in them to help give coping skills to the child, as first our focus will be single-parent homes with one or more children. The children will be referred to us...and there will be no charge to the family, at all. [fund-raising!] Special kits will be designed with the help of professionals for children whose parent is facing terminal illness or has.
This project is dear to us because we went through this situation ourselves and my daughter was left alone a lot of the time to cope on her own at the tender age of 10 - 12, and then some. In fact, she still has issues over it that requires help.

So she asked if we could help her by making some baby cards for her to sell at craft fairs etc to raise money to make these kits a reality.

Now seeing as I have been making cards already (birth announcements) - I was sat last night and made some more Baby Cards as I couldnt get on the computer as hubby was glued to You-Tube!!!!



I managed to make these and hopefully will get another 6 made, then I can get them in the post to Beverly.



I apologize for the pictures (taken this morning) but natural light drains the colour from the cards when taking the piccies, so I closed my curtains and managed to get these shots (not the best).

LOVELY SURPRISE

Today my postman came knocking with a parcel all the way from Poland from the lovely Alina (Nowalinka)!!! And WOW is all I can say! She sent me this as a way to say thank you for her name being chosen in my Blog candy giveaway!

ALINA THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! Your kindness has given me the biggest smile on my face - I look like the Cheshire Cat!!!

In the parcel there was ribbon, lollies (yum), flowers, fibres and I have to say the kids have stolen the butterfly finger nail decorations.



Alina also made me this dinky Address Book that is just way too cute (Alina your address will be the first entry :) ) and I just love it!!! There are 70 pages for addresses (my eldest Caitlyn counted them) and even the inside covers are decorated.



Now, she also made this Angel which is so adorable. Alina has told me it is a 'Lucky Angel' and it will be taking pride of place on my computer. I wouldnt know where to begin in making one! The detail is so beautiful and I apologize for not a great picture, but the Angel is holding a Heart in her hands.



So Alina - Thank You so much for making my day with these lovely goodies!! And it is a real pleasure to be able to have some of your wonderful creations in my hands.

THIS OLD HOUSE

Here is another card using a new Dovecraft Stamp that I got last week for 99p. Just love these little stamps and the price is great as well!



I tried colouring in again using my inkpads and water and I don't think it turned out too bad. I do have Watercolour Pencils - but can I find them - NO! So I have resorted to using ink pads and felt tip pens.



I added a bit of glitter to the door - pity now as I should have used green (Shakin Stevens comes to mind LOL!!) and a small bit on the swirl on the roof but you cant see it! I added 3D foam pads to both layers.

I did a bit of extra colouring just for the image to sit on as I felt it was a bit stark!! Hubby still thinks the card is too bland - he says that I need to add something on the front!! But it can wait as I took the picture and put it on here before he saw it!

BABY STAMP (AGAIN)

Been having a little play tonight with that cute little stamp again!!



As you can see in this piccy the glue is still wet under the buttons.

The paper is by K & Co from my LCS and the buttons are from all over (in other words I cant remember where I bought them ;o))



I know my friend is having a girl but i wanted to try colouring the pram in Blue - and I quite like how this card looks! Very simple!!



The paper is from a local Pound Shop - 12 sheets for £1.00. I used my Chalk Ink Pad to stamp the pram and also edge the card. I just used normal felt tips to do the colouring with a bit of added water.



Sorry to bore you with the same stamp again - but I just like it!!!!
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OH BABY

Been having a little play tonight with this cute little stamp that I bought today and also the paper which is by Laura Ashley.



One of my old work colleagues from when I worked as a barmaid is having a baby girl (2 months 2 go) and she has asked me to do a few sample cards to announce the arrival of said baby. She has bought some from a shop but she also wants some 'handmade' ones for family. So I thought I would give the stamp a try tonight and see how it looked.

Now I am not a stamper - but these small ones are right up my street and I also love the clear acrylic stamps. So today when I was out I bought this little cutie for 99p and also the Laura Ashley Premium Clear Stamps £5.99. Plus I couldn't leave the shop without buying the Contemporary and Traditional paper packs at £2.99 each for the 6in x 6in. So I was a very happy bunny today :o)
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DARING CARD MAKERS - BUTTERFLY, FLUTTERBY

This weeks friday challenge is Butterfly, Flutterby

Hi everyone :) Jo here with this week's dare....
I seem to like butterflies at the mo. This week therefore I would like you to put some butterflies on cards. Stitched, felt, shiny, bright, plain, paper pieced, stamped, drawn... you get the idea :) any theme of card but it must have a butterfly somewhere on the card!

Well here is my go!



I used a Dovecraft Stamp for the background and an Anna Griffin stamp for the Butterfly - I used my creamy Brown Chalk Inkpad on both the stamps. I also added some copper wire to make the antenna for the butterfly. The quote is from a Mariah Carey song that I found on the net.



Hope you like it!!
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JUST A QUICKIE

Got this lovely card through the post today from Tassie to say thanks for the blog candy.



So Thank You and I hope you enjoy using your prize! Nice Paper by the way ;) ;)

WEDDING CARD

I was asked yesterday if I could do a Wedding Card for a week on Saturday and this is what I came up with. Yes I made it early but I may do another more elaborate one yet.

This is quite a simple card that I have put together and the lady asked if it was possible to put the couples name on the front. So once again my trusty computer has come in handy. I very nearly added Sarah & Kirk Are You Sure? on the front just for a joke then thought better of it!!! LOL! ;o)



The verse behind the rings is 'Something old, something new....'



The rings I have had for ages and they are by Crafty Bitz. I have also used a heavy gsm Watercolour Card for the base card. I hope she will like this one but then I might have 2 to show her.

Also the DCM dare 'Shrink To Fit' came in handy with this one and I have gone even smaller than the allowance of 5 x 5 cm and managed to come in at 3.5cm x3.5cm! ;o)

ANOTHER AWARD

The lovely Martine at http://thecrafttable.blogspot.com and also Debs over at http://meandlilg.blogspot.com nominated me for this award. Really chuffed - so thank you ladies!

The "Arte Y Pico" (Art & More) is given to bloggers who share their art and creativity making their contribution to the blogger world.The rules!

1. You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3.Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4.Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

Right then who do I choose???? I have had so many awards this past few weeks that its getting really hard to choose people who havent received the same awards. So if you don't mind I am not going to nominate just 5 people - but please look at my favourites on the right and have a looky!!! There are so many wonderful blogs out there that I think they all deserve an award.

BOOKMARK SWAP

Over on the Crafts Beautiful forum there is another bookmark swap going on. The theme for this one was either ANIMALS or THE SWEETSHOP.

Now as a child we had to learn a poem at primary school and it was called Mr Giraffe - AND this is where I got my idea for the bookmark.

MR GIRAFFE

Mr Giraffe you make me laugh

You seem to be made all wrong

With your head so high

Way up to the sky

And your neck so very long

It seems to me

That your dinner and tea

Have such a long way to go

And I am wondering, and I am wondering

Whether they know which way to go.

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So tonight I had a little play and here is a sneaky peek of what I came up with.



Now I think its cute and so does hubby and the kids - but we have all decided it is very much for a child to use. So I may have another go at this one and try and make one on the theme of The Sweetshop.

If anyone is interested in joining us with this swap go on over the http://crafts-beautiful.com/ and the closing date for signing up is the 19th April.

DARING CARD MAKERS - SHRINK TO FIT

I have finally taken the plunge and decided to try one of the dares from DCM.

Shrink to Fit by Kathy

So this week I'd like you to think small - not small cards, but small spaces of embellishment on regular sized cards.
You are allowed to cover no more than a 5x5cms area of your card with paper or embellishment - the rest of the card must be left plain.
How you use those valuable cms is up to you. So you may choose to split up those cms to use around your card, or use them in a block or a line. It might help to cut a few 5x5cm squares then cut those up to work out good ways of using your allotment. Making your whole card a miniscule 5x5cms is NOT an option!! Lets have no cheating (I know what you lot are like.....),but because I'm feeling generous, I'm going to let you add a SIMPLE greeting as extra to your 5x5 allowance! :-)

Well here is my attempt.



I have been asked a few times if i make Wedding Acceptance cards and i always say no - but when i seen the challenge I knew what I wanted to do. I just love white space on cards and I don't do them very often.
The flourish is a font dingbat that I coloured in using my Pilot Gold Pen. http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

I hope to take part in more of these challenges - if time is on my side!

21ST BIRTHDAY CARD

My friend who asked me to make the 40th card rang me again to see if I would make a 21st card for a lad. She doesn't need it till Wednesday but I thought I would get it done early.



Now some of you know me by now - how critical I am of my cards. I will probably put this to the side, as I am not totally happy with it. I just don't think it looks right if you know what I mean. I think its the stripes on the numbers to be honest. I tried to get them to match, as in the stripes were in line with each other on each of the numbers (hard to explain). Can you see what I'm on about! But it hasnt worked right.



Hubby says its fine but.... well what does he know???? He is even more critical of my cards than what I am. LOL!

I used the Dovecraft Masculine Paper Pack, Dovecraft Brads, computer to print off the numbers and the words. I also used my new Creamy Brown Chalk Pad that I got yesterday to go round the edges and I also used it to colour the brads.