Crafty Sue

Layout - Done!

2012-01-14T17:25:00.002Z

The finished layout - started circa 2010....I've been waiting to get some better snapshots of me and my daughter together but decided that I'm never going to be totally happy with any of the photos of me so decided not to defer any longer and get on with it. It's a layout based on a design by Nichol Magourirk. I can't remember what the papers are except they came in a kit with a scrapbook, but I really like the soft pastel colours. That's one less unfinished layout.
Thanks for looking,

What's on your workdesk? Wednesday 136

2012-01-11T09:43:00.003Z

It's that time of the week again, WOYWW? Follow the link to have a peep into the lives of other crafters, you won't fail to be inspired by all the amazingly clever crafters there are in the blogosphere.

So, on to my desk this Wednesday. As you can see it's quite a clear desk this week. Now that I've finished 2011 Project Life (yay!) I've put away the day to day stuff that I had been keeping out ready to ready to hand. Actually, read "put away" to "put in another room, out of sight". I had been dithering about doing Project Life in 2012 simply because it is so time consuming but once I started looking back through my album and simply loving all the memories it brought back, that I've decided to give it another go this year, but I'm going DIGITAL and have downloaded the templates from Jessica Sprague! Eeek, I'm not very clever on Photoshop Elements and have already come across no end of problems but I won't bore you with the details...

So, back to my workdesk. I'm determined to finish off all those nearly done layouts so this is one that I started some time ago. It's a layout featuring me and my daughter but I really didn't have any nice photos so put it to one side. Over Christmas I think I managed to get a couple of nice ones so will try and hopefully will be able to do the finishing touches.

In the top RH corner is another layout - one I had finished but two friends of mine are interested in scrapbooking and are coming round once a week to do an album for their sons and are using my layout as a starting point. I'm really looking forward to getting on with some scrapbooking this year and really will get those unfinished layouts done - watch this space!

Have a great week crafting,

Sue

2012-01-10T14:46:00.002Z

Another birthday card, same design as before but different colours - I think I like this colour theme better than the red and black, it's a bit softer and suits the person it's intended for.

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time trying to suss something out in Photoshop Elements and I am afraid it is defeating me - I've been on several forums asking for advice but to no avail. I've one more option to try and if that doesn't work I am on the point of giving up - not something I do easily. So, off I go and see if this last attempt works....fingers crossed x

Production line

2012-01-05T21:24:00.003Z

A good afternoon crafting - first of all some really cute thank-you cards for my kids to send to relatives. The ones in the left hand corner are courtesy of Mary-Anne and are super cute! They have matching envelopes and are a really sweet size. I have used an image from the Silhouette library designed by Lori Whitlock for the other thank you notes and added the image to make matching envelopes - both cards brilliant for batch-making.

My daughter asked me if I could make her a card for her friend's birthday so I thought, make one card, might as well make two: I was in the mood by now :) Only thing is, I really should listen to the customer brief - she said pink and black but somehow I heard red and black....I made matching envelopes by sticking a bit of the black flourish paper inside the envelope and cut a couple of strips of scalloped card for the outside edge, it makes a difference I think to have the envelope to match.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sue
x

WOYWW: 135

2012-01-04T17:10:00.002Z

What's on your workdesk? Wednesday 135.

Not a lot really. Still got my Project Life album to finish - I've been working on Christmas week and then it's the last week in December and a little bit of titivating and then it's DONE, hurrah! I've loved doing it and really love looking back over the year but it has been VERY time consuming. I'm so looking forward to doing lots more different projects this year and squeezing in some scrapbooking. Talking of which, you can see a little book that a friend of mine got me for Christmas. Haven't had a chance to have a proper look yet. That piece of paper in the middle is our tickets for the cinema to go in the PL album - we went to see Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and it was very good. I've read the book and it has pretty much stuck to the main script and Daniel Craig is very nice eye candy.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all the very best for 2012.

PS: many thanks to you all who explained to me the numbering system. If only I could remember to put my number after the comments now...

Sue
x

Fimo teddy

2012-01-03T21:01:00.000Z

I've been wanting to have a play with Fimo (or any polymer clay) and thought it would be cool to make my own buttons and embellishments. Well, I then had an idea, my friend is starting a new job and she likes teddies so why not have a go making one....honestly, nothing like setting myself a challenge is there. The first thing I attempt is going to be a gift - although I did hand it over saying it's the thought that counts, lol.

For a first attempt I think it turned out ok, but not without mishaps.....as I took it out of the oven the head came off and then the arms! All I can say is thank goodness for glue. I made a simple card to go with the teddy and a little box to put Teddy in.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

WOYWW 133

2011-12-21T13:06:00.002Z

What's on your workdesk Wednesday? Well, a slightly tidier desk this week - it doesn't mean I'm on top of things though although I do feel I may be getting a little bit closer. Cards all made and posted, presents that need to be made all done too. You can see I've finished the second of the notebooks that I was covering with the recipients favourite designer paper and added titles cut on my silhouette, and the diary I am making for my daughter still just needs a few finishing touches. The big book in the front is my Project Life - I'm a bit behind, that page is week of 21-27 November. I've really enjoyed doing Project Life but it really does take up so much time - I guess if I had used the Kit then it would have been a bit easier. Not sure if I'll be doing i next year....

The paper with the holes down the edge was my practice for the Bind it All - is anyone else like me? I feel like a surgeon undertaking a major operation and have to do no end of practices first and then just hold my breath and hope it all lines up! I've used my blades quite a bit this week on the Woodware Trimmer to give fancy edges to pages - I've got a couple of border punches but find them such a pain to line up.

So, that's about it - most crafting done for Christmas.

Have a lovely holiday and enjoy!

NB: I think I may have got this wrong...I've only just jumped on board the WOYWW and had assumed that the number after was the total number of posts and that's what each week is but do we number them according to how many we actually participate in? Hopefully someone coming along will let me know, thanks.

More last minute cards

2011-12-17T22:35:00.006Z

I'm so behind this year with making my christmas cards - I just don't feel that christmassy at the moment and keep forgetting that it is only next week, yikes. I made some cards during the week (which you can see on my messy desk in the last post) to give out at work and then had another go today, courtesy of MaryAnne - these have been a lifesaver.

Quick inserts printed off from my Silhouette. I kept them all the same except for changing the colour of the sentiments to match the cards.

I was like a production line and got so carried away, I've made my cards to give out at work for next year!! I'll just have to remember where I put them.....

All bagged up and ready to be put away, Aaah bliss.

Thanks for looking,

What's on your workdesk? - Wednesday 132

2011-12-14T18:04:00.004Z

What's on my workdesk this wednesday - well a lot of mess!

The good news is that the light bulbs got fixed in my room that I craft in - I can't call it my crafting room. I do have a crafting room but it's rather small and so I seem to have spread onto the dining room table so, anyway, I have light!

This is my workspace today - I've been having a mega Christmas Card session. Why oh why do I leave it to the last minute every year! Yet again, I've had to discard any ideas of making some wonderfully creative cards and make do with some quick and simple batch cards. I've used the cuttlebug to give some dimension and used a mixture of printing and cutting on my Silhouette for speed.

Can you see the messy pile of stuff with red circles? That's my nearly finished garland. I've been following a free class at Jessica Sprague with classes uploaded every day for a week and I managed to keep up with the class until Thursday. I've still got to embellish the garland a little more and make the box that it goes into for storage. It was a great class and I learnt how to use clipping masks in Photoshop so it was well worth the time I spent on it.

In the foreground is my Mac and my Iphone - I couldn't craft without either of these two. My phone is new and the camera on it is fantastic and even better, it has this cloud that hovers over the phone and when I take my photos it magically floats off and puts them on my laptop without me having to upload them - how brill is that?!

If you want to see what others have on their workdesks follow this link, it's great fun.

Wedding Album

2011-12-13T07:23:00.004Z

I made this couple of weeks ago and the photo has been on my desktop ready to upload but life has been so hectic lately! I've made it in a similar theme to the baby album I made last month. The wedding had a theme of red and blue - "very modern but nonetheless, amazing" - my daughter's words as she was the guest.

I created this embellishment on my Silhouette and it has this amazing function of moving text onto a path ie wavy line, square, or circle as in this case. It opens up so much scope for sentiments etc. The more I play with my Silhouette, the more impressed I am, it's an amazing digital cutter.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

WOYWW

2011-12-07T15:04:00.003Z

Just seen this over at Stamping Ground What's on your workdesk Wednesday and what a great idea to see what other crafters are getting up to. Its a little snapshot into other crafter's life....and what's so good is to see there are other messy crafters out there as well!

This isn't exactly a picture of my project but rather my friend Sue's but it is on my workdesk - well the kitchen table actually as the light bulbs have gone in my craft room and I can't work out how to get them out of the holder to change them...anyway, I digress.

We are making a diary - I'm a bit further on than Sue but thought this was a good picture to show the work in progress. She's coming round tonight to glue it altogether and bind it. Hopefully will get pictures up by the end of the week.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sue

From that to THIS

2011-12-05T16:15:00.005Z

I wanted to make a couple of stocking fillers that weren't going to cost the earth and take too long (as Christmas is coming way too sooon) but are personal to the person receiving them.

From that

I bought a couple of cheap(ish) notebooks and a sheet each of Orla Kierly and Kath Kidston wrapping paper.

To This

I pulled apart the binding on the notebook enough to be able to slip off the cover and then recovered the notebook in the wrapping paper. I put in some elastic to hold it together and then slipped the covers back on and used my bind it all to squeeze the bindings back in again.

I've only done one book so far but it was pretty easy and not too time consuming. I am probably going to add a little something on the front or may be on the inside of the cover just to personalise it a bit more.

Thanks for looking

Sue

Echo Park Subway Art frame

2011-11-17T14:10:00.004Z

Been sooo busy making yet another album for Ashleigh to give as a wedding present - I found this quite hard as she didn't want the "traditional" type of wedding album as the happy couple are not traditional - so we went with the theme of their wedding invitation (which is pretty damn cool) and used red and blue as the basis of the album. Loving some of the elements but not liking a couple - still, it isn't for me and I found that one of the hardest things, listening to what someone else wants and making it even though I'm not very keen. Photos to follow later.

The other project I've been working on is this Echo Park subway art - this is also a wedding present and Ashleigh pretty much left this up to me to do what I wanted. I love this saying and think it's particularly relevant to a young couple setting out on married life and also it's very "now" as subway art seems to be everywhere. I'm feeling a bit under pressure cos the bride is a graphic designer and hope she doesn't cast too critical an eye on my work....

Thanks for looking,

Sue

New job card

2011-10-29T14:38:00.005+01:00

Some great news - Ashleigh has got a job! She was getting a bit disheartened but perseverance and patience paid off and she got the job she wanted.

I got the idea of the card off a well known on-line card company and swapped our details and individualised it using my Silhouette machine.

Another project - a coffin for Halloween filled with chocolate eyeballs! Sent off to Sean to enjoy :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Baby Book

2011-10-28T22:18:00.004+01:00

The colours are not showing up very well in these photos - the book was a lot more pastel coloured than showing here. It's a present for a young lady who works with my daughter and is leaving to have a baby. Really enjoyed making the book, just wish I had been given longer than a couple of days warning :)

Mum's birthday card

2011-10-24T22:21:00.002+01:00

It's my mum's birthday and she will be 82 this year!

I cut 2 x 2 inch squares and coloured in the background with a make-up sponge and then stamped on top. I then backed each square onto coloured card. For a change I typed the sentiment straight on to the card and then used an embossing tool for the two lines. I was a bit stuck what to do for my card, so I got inspiration from the Sir Stampalot gallery - there are some fantastic cards on there, go take a look.

2011-10-15T17:09:00.002+01:00

A couple more cards, the first one for my friend's son who is 18. It's a bit plain and I really ought to have done more but, as usual, in a bit of a rush!

The second card is for our friend's 65th - quite a quick card to make but the glitter goes everywhere! We're all off out this evening to celebrate his birthday - should be good fun!!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Two more cards

2011-09-30T16:36:00.003+01:00

Two more cards - one for a friend who I work with or should say did work with as it's her retirement card.

She is also a card maker so have gone with that theme - hope she likes it! Felt a bit under pressure, always do when I'm making a card for someone who makes them as well.

Second card is for my nephew who wanted Air Hogs Wave thingy - have no idea what it is but have followed that theme for the card.

I've lifted his head off (badly) from a photo and stuck it on an image that I got off the net. Hopefully he will be so chuffed that he won't worry that he looks rather odd shaped!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Sean's birthday card

2011-09-08T22:01:00.003+01:00

The colours haven't come through very well on these photo's - the border looks a little peachy but in reality it is brown!

It's my son's 20th birthday tomorrow - I can hardly believe it, time has flown by. It just seems not long ago he was just a little toddler.

Male cards are always a challenge and I must admit to seeing a very similar design in the shops and thought "I can do that" - and here it is. It's just a variation of fonts mostly, very easy to do. I've made the insert to match the card using a couple of images from the Silhouette library (again).

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Birthday card to match present

2011-09-08T21:56:00.003+01:00

Sticking to the Orla Kiely theme, I've made this matching card. The images are all from the Silhouette on-line library. I really like making the inserts to match the card and it's all very easy on the Silhouette - where would I be without it!

And, best news of all, my friend whose birthday it is, is getting one for her birthday!!!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Sue's 50th

2011-09-04T19:55:00.004+01:00

In my last post I said I was making a calendar with cards for my friend Sue's 50th. Well, I've had second thoughts - I didn't think it was such a good idea as she would be giving away the cards and so not much of a present for her.

I've thought long and hard what to do, and as I know she adores all things Orla Kiely, I've made her this Orla Kiely-inspired frame. I've cut everything on the Silhouette and tried to stick to Orla's colours. Hope she likes it.

Close-ups

Thanks for looking,

Sue
x

new cards

2011-08-24T13:50:00.003+01:00

Been trying to get a few cards made for a project I am making for my friend's 50th birthday. Not absolutely sure it is such a good present as the idea is that I make a birthday book with a card for each month to be slotted in. What I'm not so sure about is the fact that she will be giving away the cards (hopefully) for someone's birthday so it doesn't really seem to be much of a present for her. These are the birthday templates that I downloaded from here.

I'll set out mine slightly different - I think I shall use patterned paper and stick the months on, but not definitely decided yet. Here are a few cards I've made so far.

I'm trying to keep things simple but hopefully nice enough that she will like them :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Graduation card

2011-08-04T22:06:00.003+01:00

A quick card for my friend's son, Matt, who has graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama with a 1st! I am certain we will be seeing a lot more of Matt on the stage.

This card is from the silhouette library and I've done a bit of print and cutting, and welding to get it to all come together.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Summer Tray

2011-08-02T20:14:00.007+01:00

I've been so busy with Project Life that I've not had much chance to do any projects - I loved doing the last tray project at Sir Stampalot and when I saw the images that Kerry Bradford had designed for her tray, I knew it would make the perfect gift for my friend's 50th birthday.

I've used most of the images from Kerry's designs but added some designs from the Studio library - I also had to scale up the images as well, as Kerry's images are designed for the Gypsy tray and I've used a Kaisarcraft product.

I also went with the beach theme for her birthday card - I first saw this card at the Sir Stampalot Gallery designed by Louise. I've kept to her theme but made adjustments along the way. (It looks like it's on red card but that's just the background of the photo).

I really enjoyed making the project and the card - I just wish there were more hours in the day!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project

2011-06-24T14:30:00.003+01:00

We did this amazing project at Sir Stampalot - class tutor, the lovely and very talented Lisa.

I love doing these day classes at SS, knowing that there will be no distractions having to get lunch ready or feeling like I ought to be doing the housework - 6 hours all to myself to craft, utter bliss :)

It was a busy class and the time just flew by - I had done a lot of preparing the night before, cutting what I wanted to use on my silhouette although I could just as easily have just used the papers provided as they were lovely. I've bought another tray to do for a friend's birthday on a different theme, in fact I can think of several themes that I would like to do.... Busy time ahead!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Weeks 23 & 24

2011-06-24T14:15:00.002+01:00

Project Life 2011 - Week 22

2011-06-09T14:58:00.002+01:00

What can I say, another week to post.

It's very scary how quickly time is passing - we're almost half way through the year already. I'm pretty sure that my album will be bulging at the seems but hopefully it will all fit in as I don't want to start a second album.

I saw a really good post on Ali Edwards' blog the other day, about the first year of her daughter and the album she had made - it is soo cute and I would love to do one for each of my two kids but I really don't think I have enough of the bits and pieces that make the albums so special - I've kept a few things from when they were babies and will have to go through them and see if there's enough.

Anyway, I've enough to do just keeping up to date with Project Life.

Thanks for looking,

Project Life 2011 - Week 21

2011-06-06T13:08:00.003+01:00

Week 21 - wow. Must admit, it is very hard work to keep up with this project. I read on Scrapbookers Inner Circle that the Project Life kit is becoming available in June for the UK from Amazon - that is GREAT news - just a bit late for me this year and not at all sure I would continue with this next year. Still thinking about getting the kit and using it just as a normal photo album....

Project Life 2011- Weeks 18, 19 & 20

2011-06-02T20:18:00.007+01:00

A big catch-up! Managed to get three weeks done - life has been busy which means lots of photos to choose from but not enough time to get them ready for the album!

Week 18

Week 19

Week 20

Birthday card

2011-05-28T13:36:00.005+01:00

Up and coming birthday of my friend Debbie. I've used my silhouette to cut out the lattice pattern for the card front and used a layered flower shape as embellishment. My silhouette pens came in useful for the sentiment.

I've printed the lattice shape for the insert to tie the card front together with the insert.

We're going to a BBQ tomorrow (hope it's a bit warmer than today) to celebrate. I've bought this gift from a lovely quaint gift shop in Stamford for Debbie - not sure how I'm going to be able to wrap this up though! (Looking at the photo, it looks like a little seat! - it's actually a type of basket.)

Thanks for looking,

Project Life 2011 - Week 17

2011-05-19T07:20:00.005+01:00

A good week - We started the week off with a long bike ride to prepare for a cycling holiday that we were considering but it made my mind up that it wasn't a good idea - 4 days in a row in the saddle was going to prove too much. We've booked up a walking holiday instead along the North Norfolk Coast.

The photo's show Steve repairing his puncture - we were at

the Millineum Bridge admiring the view when suddenly we could hear a hisssss....

The end of the week brought love and romance into our lives - our daughter returned home after 5 months in France on the same day as the Royal Wedding - what a great day!

Thanks for looking,

Another thank you card

2011-05-18T20:58:00.003+01:00

This is a design from the Silhouette online store cut just as it is - although i must admit it took several cuts before I got it right - the card is very thin and if i used too much pressure on the blade it tore the lettering and if I didn't use enough, it didn't cut through.

Eventually got it right and then went and made a stupid mistake by sticking the insert upside down! What a muppett :) So had to do it all again. Note to self: check inserts are on the right way before sticking down.

Thanks for looking,

Week 16 Project Life

2011-05-13T18:23:00.003+01:00

You can see that i have included the little tag book that I made for my friend's son, Jack, in this week's project life. I'm trying to include any little projects that I do during the week. I've used the layout of Becky's project life kit this week, well certainly on the right side, and it definitely makes life a lot easier. If you knew all your photos were going to be landscape 6 x 4 you could plan ahead a lot and batch print the photos - still, never mind, may be next year....especially as i hear that Amazon UK is going to stock them :)

Thank You cards

2011-05-11T17:21:00.004+01:00

Following on from my Easter Card I decided to do the same for my thank you cards - I don't have a lot of time and these are quick and easy to make. I used double sided patterned paper to fill the negative space on the front and these then give you a pretty insert :)

Swiss dots cuttlebug folder came out again - I just love those swiss dots. Embellished with buttons and a little tag - job done!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011 - Week 15

2011-05-10T14:57:00.003+01:00

Just spending a bit of time catching up with Project Life - it is so easy to get behind with this project and then it's oh so tempting to give up......but I'm still trying to keep with it, it's so nice to look back over the last four months and see what we've been up to.

I've managed to capture a bit of what Ash and Sean have been up to this week - Sean has been in France "bouldering" and took some great photos. I've focussed on him getting to the top of this peak. He's even put together a few sentences for the journal.

Ashleigh had her 22nd birthday whilst working in France (pure coincidence that they are b

oth there at the same time). To mark the occasion I printed off (nearly) all her Facebook Birthday Messages and on the other side of the insert, I've printed off her most recent profile pictures - decided to use Facebook as this is the main method of us staying in touch!

On Saturday me and a few friends had a lovely weekend in Richmond, stopping off in London and as a big surprise, Steve had managed to get us into No 10 Downing Street! Wowweee, were my friends impressed! We had a tour round and went into the many rooms - the highlight was having our picture taken on the grand staircase with all the ex-Prime Minister's photos hanging on the wall in the background. Will definitely have to scrapbook that day.We then went on to Richmond and had a lovely time in the sunshine walking along the River front and having pre-theatre meal at the Piano and the Pitcher. We went to see Tell me on a Sunday in the evening at the very lovely Richmond Theatre. On Sunday we had a walk to Twickenham, it was hot and we stopped at the pub on the River front for a cool drink. It was a great weekend.

Thanks for looking

Sue

silver wedding

2011-05-03T21:41:00.004+01:00

Yet another anniversary card - this time for my friend's 25th Silver Wedding Anniversary.

I'd seen a design something similar to this on the Silhouette Blog and remember thinking that I would like to do something similar - i just love those little birds, they are sooo cute.

All images are from the Silhouette library - love birds by designer Alaa' K and the entwined heart by Ginny Nilson. I just copied and pasted the lovebirds into rows and then changed the bottom two so they could share a kiss. Gave it a border and then printed it straight onto the card base.

For the insert, I followed through with the border and found a nice simple verse.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Wedding Anniversary

2011-05-03T20:48:00.005+01:00

30 years!! Where have the years gone...I truly can't believe we've been married that long - it sounds so long yet the years have flown by. I was very excited as I had a surprise present for Steve - so to give him a clue I made our anniversary card in the theme of the surprise...

Ha ha, can you guess?

Yep, a hot air balloon ride - he's always said that he would like to go up in one so I booked us two tickets - date to be decided.

I downloaded an image and added my greeting and made a little pocket for it to go in, to put inside the card.

Really looking forward to it (I think).

Thanks for looking

Sue

Ashleigh comes home

2011-04-28T19:56:00.003+01:00

Can't believe it! Ash is home tomorrow after being in France for six months working for a ski tour company. She's had a great time but is ready to come home now -and we're well ready for her return.

She was away for Christmas and her birthday so we've got a special present here waiting for her. I've used a tag from Charmed Cards and Crafts free digital download and inserted it into the Silhouette and traced an edge around it to be able to cutit out and then reversed the image to allow a sentiment on the reverse. Can't wait to see her :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Journalling Tags

2011-04-26T20:08:00.003+01:00

My friend's son is going on a journey - Round the World - what a journey! Lucky thing, I am trying to persuade Steve that would be a good idea for us to do next year as his retirement present to us :)

I wanted to make something for him but knew he was limited on space so rather than making a big journal I hit upon the idea of tags. He's not going to be able to go into detail but he can just about get his thoughts down to remind him of where he's visiting. I've either used ready-made print and cut images from the Silhouette Store or made the images into a print and cut. I've inkedthe edges to give it a much travelled look, hope he has a fantastic time!

Thanks for looking,

Project Life 2011 - Week 14

2011-04-18T17:31:00.004+01:00

I started the week off with determination - I will exercise every day! And so I set myself a timetable which I find is an easier way to keep to a routine - and it worked as I got up early every morning and did my routine and I even managed to cycle into work a couple of times.

We had our monthly book group meet to review Room and get next month's choice. Room was very good so if you feel like a good read I highly recommend it.

We went to Nottingham to book Sean's accomodation for September - it's right smack in the centre of Nottingham and looks great - he's going to have a brilliant time! The weather was fab and we drove in my TT and had the hood down on the way back - magic. Whilst we were there, we went to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem - supposedly the oldest pub in England which is steeped in history.

The sun was still strong enough to sit out early evening and enjoy a Kir Royale :) Haven't we been so lucky with the weather, so early in the season - I'm guessing the rain will come soon....

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Easter 2011

2011-04-13T12:56:00.004+01:00

Just had time to make a quick bag of eggs to send off to Ash with an Easter Card - quite simple but effective. I love Swiss Dots embossing folder - it turns a very plain card into some special, I think. The bag topper is off the Silhouette store which I have turned into a print and cut for speed - much quicker than cutting out each individual piece. just hope it arrives in time for Easter!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011 - Week 13

2011-04-13T11:27:00.004+01:00

Still continuing with this project - some weeks there is lots happening and others not much at all - but this is what the project is all about - recording the day to day stuff as well as the good stuff.

I'm hoping that in years to come when great-great-grandchildren are looking through the album they will get a glimpse of what an ordinary life was like in the year 2011.

I've made an extra insert this week to put in my Mother's Day flowers which my lovely son and daughter arranged to have sent to me. This is the first year where they have both been away from home on Mother's Day and I missed them both very much.

Thanks for looking,

Project Life 2011 - Week 12

2011-04-07T16:47:00.003+01:00

With the nice weather remaining, I tried to cycle to work as many times as I could - it is such a nicer way to travel to work. Steve finished his rehabilitation course with not much of a better outcome. We had a great get together for the WAGS (Wistow Annual Growers Society - or something like that) where much jollification was had along with rather too much wine....

Project Life 2011 - Week 11

2011-03-28T23:05:00.003+01:00

It's funny cos the start of all my weeks begin with me doing a bit of exercise - I'm a great one for saying "I'll start on Monday" - just wish I could keep up the motivation all week :) It's the same wit the diet - by the weekend I feel in need of treats for being so good during the week and then put on any weight I may have lost!

Big news this week was that Sean got offered a place at his first choice Uni to study Graphic Design - Well done Sean. And how do you like the decal on my laptop? Steve bought it for me for my birthday - I love it, very clever of somebody who designed it, who knows, may be that will be my boy some day....

Last weekend we went to Kew Gardens and had the most idyllic day - the weather was simply gorgeous and wandering around the Gardens was just beautiful, it really was a perfect day. We loved it so much we bought an annual membership and will definitely be going back there.

I've made the big 6 x 11.5 collage in Photoshop Elements - it's a great programme and I am ever so slowly getting to grips with it. The little coin stuck on the collage is one Steve made as a souvenir of our trip - well, I say "made" - really, he popped in the pound coin, turned the handle and out it popped :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011 - Week 10

2011-03-23T16:35:00.002Z

Week 10 - Sean had his big interview this week for Nottingham Trent - it's his first choice so he really wanted to impress. He felt it went well but you can never tell...

On Friday our friend's son Matt was performing in Guys & Dolls at The Central School of Speech and Drama - loads of us went along to support him and it was a terrific night - Matt was excellent as were the whole cast.

The funny looking picture at the bottom is where I had my ring cut off - I've got a lump on the inside of my finger which needs surgery so I've had the ring cut off in plenty of time.

And I couldn't let this week go by without mention of the catastrophic earthquake in Japan.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011 - Week 9

2011-03-16T13:04:00.006Z

My birthday was this week so I had a lot going on- and it was also our monthly reading group meeting which coincided with my birthday so my lovely friends all brought some lovely nibbles along and we celebrated it together. Managed to get lots of photos for the project - that's a good thing, because of this project I am taking loads more photos than I normally would. I got some fantastic presents from my friends and my lovely husband.

I had so much to say this week I've included an extra long journaller (Ali Edwards) - these are wonderful when you've got a bit extra to document.

A very useful present that I got from Steve was a Photoshop Elements 9 book - I'm really trying to get my head around Photoshop and sometimes it all comes together, like it did with my photomerge of all my birthday cards - I'm not saying it worked first time, but I got there in the end :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Mother's Day

2011-02-28T12:56:00.005Z

Yay, I'm getting ahead of myself - not something that happens very often, lol. As i had caught up with Project Life i am trying to look ahead and see what needs making rather than so last minute which is what usually happens. I've even managed to do an insert with a picture - the designs for the front of the card and the insert are all from Rivka Wilkins and are on the Silhouette online store. The little flowers are from my stash - they were used in a layout last year and I had plenty left over - so happy I remembered that I had them as so often I forget what I have and then go and make hard work for myself.

Project Life 2011 - Week 8

2011-02-28T10:25:00.004Z

Another week has gone by and this brings us to the end of February!

I'm find this this project ok as long as I can keep up with it - but it's all worth it when I look back over what I've done so far, it will be a great collection of memories that hopefully will provide an insight as to what life (well, my life) was like in 2011.

Everywhere I go, I find myself keeping all the little tidbits that you come across knowing that I will be able to use them in this project - it takes the pressure off having to take photos all the time.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

21st birthday card

2011-02-25T21:10:00.005Z

At last, I've had a chance to make something else apart from Project Life. It's my friend's daughter's 21st birthday coming up. I've cut the numbers out on my Silhouette on white card a couple of times and then once in patterned paper to try and build up the image and make it appear to be like chipboard.

The base of the card is one inch bigger to allow for "birthday" in LD Rock Biter font.

For inside the card I've then matted and layered Celebrate to match the outside of the card. It was a nice change to make a card, will try and get my mother's day cards done this weekend.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011 - Week 7

2011-02-24T16:43:00.003Z

Love is in the air - Valentine's Day was my inspiration this week:

My silhouette came into it's own this week and I used it for practically everything. Not sure how I would manage without it. This week is a tribute to my wonderful family and friends

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011- Week 6

2011-02-19T13:38:00.007Z

Quite a busy week - I had our monthly book club on Tuesday when we reviewed my book choice, The Ice Cream Girls, which everyone thought was very good :) Sue's choice for February is Twopence to Cross the Mersey, a book she had read when she was younger and had very fond memories of it.

Sean had two Uni interviews, one at Norwich and one at Kingston. He was lucky enough to hear the next day that Norwich had offered him a place. He's still waiting to hear from Kingston, and on Saturday some very dear friends came to stay for the weekend, so all in all, a very full week.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011- Week 5

2011-02-15T16:29:00.005Z

A big week this week- we went out to see Ashleigh at her ski-resort so i've put lots of photos in which means adding an extra page. I'm loving doing this project - it's a great way to document the year - it's a bit time consuming not being able to use Becky Higgins kit but I'm liking the variety of the pages.

I'm really trying to get used to using Photoshop elements and cropped all my photos using elements but would love to be able to do more. I've used my wonderful Silhouette for cutting the elements and for the journal blocks. The new studio software is brilliant especially the wrap around font update.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011 - Week 4

2011-02-08T19:01:00.003Z

Week 4 already! Although of course we're actually on week 6 and i'm just a couple of weeks behind = never mind, i will catch up. Not worth fretting about it :)

Week 4 was my build-up to my holiday combining it with a visit to see my daughter - or should I say a trip to see my daughter and combining it with a ski-ing holiday.

So, as you can see, lots of prep work for the big trip.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011 - Week 3

2011-01-26T14:06:00.004Z

Week 3

I'm finally managing to catch up - well, at least i'm only halfway through Week 4 and have managed to finish Week 3! I've used images from the online silhouette store to help with the journalling tags. You won't believe how many times i've wished that I could have had Becky Higgins kit to make it easier, but when it's all done, I am pleased with it and at least it's a bit different to the kit version.

My aim this week is to do most of Week 4 before Friday as i go on holiday on Saturday, yay!!! I'll be able to take lots of photos and will have a lot of catching up when I get back so the more I can do before I go away, the better.

OK, I'm off to the post office now to post yet another item that my son forgot to take with him back to Uni :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Project Life 2011

2011-01-23T21:31:00.010Z

I've finally managed to get Weeks 1 and 2 done, phew! It would be so much easier with Becky Higgins> kit but never mind, who said I like easy :)

Only one week behind now ;0

Thanks for looking,

Sue

2011-01-18T19:13:00.006Z

How can it already be the middle of January? Probably something to do with the fact that I am always behind in my projects and trying to squeeze in as much as I can in as little time as possible :). I didn't make any new year's resolutions but I did kinda promised myself to finish one project before starting another, and broke that promise almost immediately! Still trying to finish off my December Daily 2010 I decided to take part in Project Life 2011. I had put off doing this as Becky Higgins Project Life kit is not available in the UK and it would mean putting it together myself but in the end, I decided to give it a go. Needless to say, I am way behind with it. I've taken the photographs but not done any journalling yet and then I got sidetracked by doing a layout using a 12 x 12 as my introduction.

I've used a sketch by Nichol Magourirk I'm not really sure I like the off-straight top half - it's annoying me every time I looked at it, lol. I'm pretty much a neat and tidy layout kind of gal bhopefully it will grow on me, cos I'm not doing it again - it took me hours to do it.

I've used various October Afternoon papers and elements have been cut in the Silhouette.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

4 - 8 December 2010

2010-12-17T22:44:00.004Z

I have been trying to keep up with the December Daily but it is hard work to find the time to put it altogether.....I have done a few more pages but not finished them off yet so I am going to have a concerted effort tomorrow to try to catch up :)

I've got to the point where I need to get the photos on the pages and then will embellish at a later date. I've got some days done with the photos but still need to journal. My album is getting very FAT and I've learnt a lot as I am going along and would certainly do it differently next time, but that's ok, this will all help with next year's album - but first of all, let me get this one done :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue

3 Dec

2010-12-05T22:04:00.004Z

3 December brought me to Jim's Yard Restaurant at Stamford with another two couples. We had become friends when our boys went into Year 7 and they are all left school now and in their first year of Uni.

We recently decided to meet regularly once a month and go out for a meal and a good natter. On this occasion, we invited the men along as well, as it was our Christmas outing.

Thanks for looking.

2 Dec

2010-12-05T20:07:00.002Z

Well, today was one of those days when I didn't do very much - got up and went to work. I did pop into Town after work and so whilst I was there I took a couple of photos of the decorations in John Lewis department store. I went all the way up the escalator to the top and must admit, I got a couple of funny looks from the staff - I swear even a store detective started following me around.....

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Day 1

2010-12-05T19:55:00.002Z

1 December - This happened to be the first Wednesday of the month which also happens to be when we have our monthly Reading Group gathering and this monthly was especially nice as we all brought along some seasonal treats :) I can't believe we've been meeting since July 2004! It's just a group of friends that like reading and we take it in turns to host a meeting and choose a book - it's my turn next month to choose.

On my layout I have listed all the books that we have read since we started the group, 76 books in total. I've used my Silhouette to add the photographs and embellishments.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

A couple of quickies

2010-12-05T17:01:00.004Z

Just a couple of quick cards, one for my daughter who is in France for six months.

I was sending out an advent calendar so made the card to let her know we are thinking of her very much. The second card is for my friend Bev, who is 50 this weekend.

They are Lavinia stamps which I bought at the Hobbycraft show and haven't had much of a chance to play around with them yet, so pretty much based it on a card she had designed with them.

Have finished Days 1, 2, and 3 of my December Daily which I will be posting shortly.

Sue
x

It's done - well, almost....

2010-12-01T09:29:00.003Z

At the stroke of midnight, I placed the last number on the last page, LOL. I managed to upload the photos but it would be too much to hope that they are in date order, oh well, just so long as they are in the album! I'm just waiting for the ink for my printer to arrive and then I can finish off the title and still got to decide how I'm going to bind it but at last December has arrived and it's time to start filling in my December Daily.... I'm out tonight at my monthly reading group get together, so guess what the first photo will be?

Nearly there....

2010-11-29T21:56:00.003Z

I can't believe it's the 30 November tomorrow, the last day before 1 December (Obviously!). I've desperately been trying to complete my December Daily in preparation for the start of December and I am very nearly there :)

Just completed all the transparencies and the dates for each day. I haven't stuck them on yet or even done my cover and I still can't decide whether to bind the project or use binding rings - I really want to bind it but think it just may be too bulky.

One more evening to go and hopefully it will be sorted....

It's all coming together..

2010-11-20T18:05:00.004Z

Finally decided on the patterned paper to use for my December Daily - I was going to use October Afternoon but couldn't get it right now, are you like me? Deciding upon something and then wanting it straight away! So, opted for My Minds Eye Dear Santa, which I love so am very happy with my choice. A bit pricey but well worth it :) I've made a few more acetates and put together some of the numbers.

It's very exciting - I'll just have to make sure that what I'm journalling each day is equally exciting :)

Have a nice weekend,

Sue
x

December Daily 2010 Preparations

2010-11-17T22:25:00.006Z

Aargh, What a mess....!

If you haven't heard of Ali Edwards December Daily pop on over to Ali's Blog and find out all about it. I have decided to join in this year and am way behind in my preparations.....as usual. Everything seems to take so much longer than I anticipate and I take forever to make a decision :) I have already changed my mind and after cutting and covering my cover, I decided to change the size from 6 inch wide to 6 1/2 so that I can have a margin and use my Bind it All to bind it together rather than rings. Not sure if I will try and save my cover or make a fresh one.

First Cover

As this is my first year I am pretty much following Ali's design and have used her daily templates which you can find here. I managed to find a few reasonably priced acetates at the Hobbycraft Show last week and being very frugal I cut each one in half to spread the load a little. I've also been printing a few off myself with designs from the Silhouette Store.

Printed Acetates

I've also used some designs from the store to attach to the front of each acetate with the date.
I've cut some extra numbers and used glossy accents to give them a glaze.I can't make up my mind whether to cover the back of each day with patterned paper or leave it blank.....see, told you I have trouble deciding.....

Will update when I've done a little more,

Thanks for looking,

Sue

The Graduate

2010-10-30T17:19:00.004+01:00

I've been so busy these past few weeks. For October half term I looked after my two nephews and it was so much fun but boy, what a responsibility. It was loving having them but I must admit to enjoying the handing back :)

I started this layout a couple of weeks ago and have just finished it off today. It was adapted from Nichol Magouirk's Celebrate the Season April 2009 Easter layout - I'm never really too sure about scraplifting and how much is just darn copying. I hope I've made enough adjustments to call it my own. It's just I'm pretty useless when it comes to starting from scratch and I just love Nichol's style so much.

The layout is of our daughter graduating (obviously). It was such a big day and we were very proud of her - she really was unsure about going to Uni but thinks now it was the best thing she has ever done.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Brother

2010-10-07T17:12:00.004+01:00

Another layout to go in my daughter's album. It started life as a double layout but I never really was very happy with it and so rather gingerly I managed to remove the photo's and do something completely different. I know some people don't approve of removing layouts once done as they show the journey made in scrapbooking, and perhaps if it had been in my album rather than one for my daughter, I might have left it alone.

I've taken inspiration from Nichol Magourirk - I think I've mentioned in the past how much I love her layouts, she manages to get lots of detail without overdoing it. I've used Cosmo Cricket papers and Bazzil card. The banner running through the centre is based on the original one that came with the papers but I needed it to be 11 inches so I made it using the print and cut feature on the Silhouette:)

There's one other layout I'm itching to change.....

Holiday memories

2010-09-26T18:50:00.005+01:00

I've had the whole day to myself :) but I did have chores to do :(

But I did find a little bit of spare time to make a couple of cards. The first one is for Saturday Sketch and I've used the print and cut images by Samantha Walker cut on the Silhouette. I am so excited, the Silhouette has a new design programme and it looks AWESOME - just got to get used to it now.

Also had time to fit in another card using some distress inks, my oh my, what a mess! Love playing around with the inks but must remember to keep wiping hands to stop getting fingerprints on everything LOL (and also scan the card straight....)

Have a good week.

Sue
x

Bunting

2010-09-25T22:56:00.003+01:00

Haven't had a lot of spare time as my son is off to Uni next week, so been spending my time getting all his stuff together. He's off to Loughborough to do an Art Foundation Course and I popped into Colemans this afternoon to get some art supplies and spent a small fortune! I was very good and stayed out of the craft section.

Sometimes I just can't decide what to do and flicking through a magazine is enough to spur me on. I was looking through an old copy of Craft Stamper and liked a card they had made so I did my version of it - similar but no stamping involved, LOL. My friend's daughter has a 21st birthday coming up, so this might be winging it's way there, or not....there's still a couple of weeks to go, so might make a different one.

Challenges: Allsorts - Plain and Simple

Flower Power

2010-09-16T12:43:00.005+01:00

Short post today. Just had a little bit of spare time and managed to make this card. I've used the Cuttlebug swiss dots folder for the background. I then cut a strip of red card and used the EK success border punch. I've cut the flower sentiment, the flower stalk and the ticket on my Silhouette.

Colours of Autumn

2010-09-12T18:59:00.004+01:00

This is my first attempt at brayering - well, the first that I'm prepared to let anyone else see, lol. First of all I masked off the area to leave a rectangle and then used Big and Juice Mountain Meadow ink pad, staying up the yellow and red area. I then overstamped in Archival Ink with the Poppy stamp from Clarity Stamps. I cut the corners on the Silhouette and then just matted and layered with matching Bazzil card. Sentiment stamp from Woodware. It's a pretty simple card and undecided as to what to do next, my daughter said, sometimes less is best!

I'm entering this in the Allsorts Challenge Blog for Colours of Autumn. I'm sad to think Summer is nearly over but I am looking forward to Autumn with the lovely autumn colours and long walks in the countryside, falling leaves, bare trees and the wonderful sunsets . (Apologies for the odd little black spots -think my scanner must need a clean!)

Christmas

2010-09-07T22:19:00.003+01:00

Made a few cards in the last couple of days and will upload the others when I've got more time - but I really must get to bed right now. By the time I got to this card I needed inspiration so went on to Sketch Saturday to follow their layout. The centre, snowflake and sentiment tickets are cut on the Silhouette. It's scary to think that Christmas is not too far away....

Sunflower Bunting

2010-08-30T12:15:00.005+01:00

I can't believe this is my first post of August and the month is nearly over - where on earth has this month gone?! I am sure I have been crafting but don't seem to have much to show for it - I've been having a practice at Barbara Gray's techniques - how can she make it look so easy and yet when I try it doesn't turn out at all like hers :)

Once a month I get together with some friends and we take it in turns for hosting a meal - and this month it was my turn.

There was a theme of Sunflowers as we had all been given some seeds to grow and then see who had grown the biggest Sunflower - I am not at all green-fingered and didn't manage to grow anything. To make up for it though, I made Sunflower bunting - I work much better with paper than anything organic!
Hope you are all having a wonderful Bank Holiday Monday!

Sue
x

Spider Henry

2010-07-28T20:50:00.006+01:00

Look at this wonderful digital image of Spider Henry illustrated by Alison Acton for Whiff of Joy - and it's FREE - you can get it here.

The design team have made some super cards and there is a gallery for everyone to post their cards - It always surprises me how everyone's card is so different even when using the exact same image.

I've coloured the image in with Copics and then used glossy accents over the red parts. I've cut the web on my Silhouette along with the background circle/arrow. I wasn't sure where I was going with this one and just about made it up as I went along. My nephew has a birthday early August so think this one will be spinning it's way to him.

So, that's two cards this week and I really must now get on with my holiday journal.....

Thanks for looking,

Sue
x

Summer flowers

2010-07-26T22:04:00.006+01:00

I'm back from my holiday - LOL, if you can call it such! Two weeks of walking isn't everyone's idea of a holiday but I had a great time. It was very challenging which made it all the more rewarding and it was wonderful to see England so close up and personal; the Lakes were spectacular but no more so than the North Yorkshire Moors which had their own special beauty.

So, on to today's card - I'm entering this in Sir Stampalot Challenge and also Saturday Sketch. I have used October Afternoon Thrift Shop: Needs Paint papers. I love these papers and really had to make myself use them rather than just keep them on my shelf and take them off and look at them every now and again :) I've coloured the stamped image in with copics and tried to give the card a bit of a distressed look.

Hubby got himself the new IPhone and I've got his old one. He thought it was very intuitive and didn't need much instruction to use but that was before he gave it to me! I'm just off to have a play with it now and see what scrapping Apps I can download.....

Thanks for looking,

Sue
x

Holiday Journal

2010-06-12T23:02:00.004+01:00

Well, with only three weeks to go until my holiday I really thought it was time to stop thinking about making my travel journal and to actually get on with it! I've given it so much thought and yet when I actually sat down to make a start, I have made it competely different, lol. That's always the way, don't you find? I haven't got very far, but at least I've got the pages cut and covered the front and back. I've sourced a few maps and have got quite a bit of info.
Oh, better tell you where I'm actually going - I'm doing the Coast to Coast walk with hubby Steve. The route is from St Bees to Robin Hood Bay and is 190 miles long, which works out at an average of 14.5 miles per day. Shorter days occur early in the tour, where steep gradients and rough going are encountered during the crossing of several high passes in the Lake District. The days get longer towards the end of the tour, with 24 miles, mostly on level ground, between Richmond and Osmotherley being followed by a day of 21 miles over the Cleveland Hills and North York Moors, YIKES. It seemed like a good idea at time of booking.....

Take care,

Sue
x

Grandparents

2010-06-11T16:44:00.003+01:00

Whoohoo, another layout completed :)

I used a layout from Becky Fleck's Pagemaps, a brilliant book (and website) when inspiration has gone walkies.... It's not a layout I was particularly drawn to but after a while it definitely grew on me more and more as I went along. I've used the sketch pen in the Silhouette to draw the "grandparents" lettering and then used the blade to cut out the two phrases - where would I be without my Silhouette.

I'm entering this layout in the Charisma Cardz Challenge as this week their challenge is spots and stripes and the prize is Cute Critters digi set so pop on over and see what they're about.

The sun's out - hurray! Have a nice weekend :)

Sue
x

Baby layout

2010-06-01T22:27:00.007+01:00

Yet another layout completed for my daughter's Scrapbook Album. The photo's aren't of the best quality but they didn't make digital cameras in 1989 although I did work out that if I just copy the photo onto photo paper rather than scan them in and print them, they actually come out not too bad. It's one big learning curve.....

The Sir Stampalot June Challenge is "Punching" and although I used my Silhouette for most of my cutting, I have used the EK Success border punch for the matting of the photos and the two borders going over the page, so I hope that counts :) Yet again, some fabulous prizes are up for grabs so get on over there!

I've used my Silhouette to cut out the text and I'm loving this stork - it's designed by KI memories and available on the Silhouette Online Library. As I had done on my previous wedding layout, I cut out the footprints in the same pink colour to give the impression of embossing. The silhoutte is brilliant at cutting out even the tiniest of objects which you can see from the safety pin! The safety pin and footprints are images designed by Nathan Jenne, and again, are available in the library.

Nearly forgot to say, I was browsing through the Silhouette Blog over the weekend and what a pleasant surprise to see my layout on their Friday Blog! WOW, I was well chuffed :)

I'm really loving doing these layouts, they bring back so many memories. I've done a couple more this month and will post them later in the week.

Hope you all remembered your pinch and a punch for the first of the month!

Thanks for looking,

Sue
x

Butterfly and Blossom Layout

2010-05-12T17:39:00.012+01:00

Hi everyone,

Been very busy crafting over the last few days, trying to finish off layouts that I had started and not got around to completing - this layout is to put in the album that I made for my daughter's 21st birthday - LOL, it's an ongoing project as her birthday was last month!

She was bridesmaid to her Aunty Tracy when she was 11 - and my goodness, not sure if you can see but her face was covered in freckles! I remember she really hated them but I always thought they looked gorgeous - they've all disappeared now much to her pleasure.

So, on to the layout - I've entered this in the Sir Stampalot May Challenge as it features butterflies and blossom. There is a fantastic array of goodies to win so get on over there and take a look - it's good enough to make you want to take up crafting even if you've never been interested before! I've used my good old trusty Silhouette to print and cut the flower background and then coloured it in with Copic markers trying to pick up the yellow and green in the bouquets. I've cut the flower several times and decoupaged it to give it depth. I bought some stickles the other day and find them very addictive - they're just so gorgeous and used yellow and green for the butterfly trails and the accents round the flowers.

I've cut out the borders in the matching colour to give the impression of being embossed - first time I've tried this and me thinks I will be doing this again as I really like the effect.

It's been very odd doing this album for my daughter - I've been looking through so many photographs since she was born and remembering all the occasions when they were taken - it's made me very nostalgic, if I shut my eyes I can remember what it felt like cuddling her as a baby. In fact, next layout for the album is when she was born :) LOL, you can see I haven't made this album in any particular order!

Thanks for looking,

Sue
x

Butterfly box

2010-05-03T17:44:00.004+01:00

My daughter has just turned 21 - it doesn't seem any time at all when she was just a little tiny baby and now, 21 years of age! I made this Easel card/box to put a special gift inside - she's mad, mad, mad about butterflies and I thought she would like this - which she did :)

I have cut the butterfly on the Silhouette and then mirror imaged it and welded it together so that I had a back to it. I then made the box and and slipped the extra edge ofthe butterfly under the paper which I had used to cover the box - sounds very confusing but I'm not very good at describing how it's done, sorry. I cut out some extra flowers to layer on the butterfly and decorated with gems. I have used glossy accents on the 21 to give it depth and layered it on scallops decorated with gold stickles. A couple of extra butterflies dipped in glitter and a scalloped border to finish off.

Sir Stampalot have a fantastic prize for this month's challenge which is butterflies and blossom so I'm having a go - pop on over there and you can see what their fantastic design team have been up to.

Baby card

2010-05-02T16:10:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

A couple of quick cards. My cousin has just had a baby boy and this is a very quick and simple card cut on my Silhuette. Design by Samantha Walker - very cute isn't it. Could have done more but to be truthful, just wanted to keep it clean and simple.Second card, up and coming friend's birthday and this is a card inspired by Jennifer McGuire - It's not as good as hers but hey, I'm still learning :)

Got the sewing machine out and really must learn to sew straight! The Butterfly is a hero arts design and cuts fabulous.
Hope you're having a super Bank Holiday weekend - even though it's raining as I type this!

Thanks for looking,
Sue
x

Happy 21st

2010-04-12T09:34:00.005+01:00

It's my daughter's 21st birthday on Tuesday - oh my goodness, where has the time gone?!! Anyway, we invited friends round on Sunday to celebrate and for the occasion I made this banner. She is well chuffed with it :) She has a thing about butterflies and if you look closely you can see a butterfly fluttering onto each letter.

We are celebrating on Tuesday as a family and then she has big celebrations at the weekend when she is back at Uni. Oh to be 21 again *sigh*

Thanks for looking.
Sue
x

10 Things layout

2010-03-27T19:40:00.002Z

I am making an album for my daughter's 21st birthday and this is the latest layout "10 Things I Love About You". I have scraplifted the layout but I cannot remember where from, it's that long ago. I printed off a copy and have only just got around to doing it, so apologies to the designer for not giving credit.

Again, all cut on the Silhouette.
Thanks for looking,
Sue
x

Easter cards

2010-03-27T14:15:00.008Z

Here's a couple of cards for Easter. I have cut all the shapes out on my silhouette - both designs by Lori Whitlock who is a designer for Silhouette America - I find myself liking Lori's images the most out of all the designers - they seem to be the most versatile and easy to cut. I've just discovered glimmer mist and am holding myself back from spraying everything with it, LOL. The brad on the Happy Easter card is a Floradoodle which I have had in my stash for ages just waiting for the right time to use it. Am entering them in Charisma Cardz Challenge as their theme this week is Spring.

Mother's Day

2010-03-09T18:27:00.003Z

I've been seeing a lot of these Easel Cards lately and thought I would give it a go....they're really easy to do and don't use up an awful lot of card and I think they're just that bit more interesting - I would love to see my MiL face when she receives this card as I am sure she won't have a clue how to set it up, LOL.The flowers have been cut on my Silhouette and the little tag has been drawn using the pen on the Silhouette. Papers from Daisy Bucket. The inside sentiment is a print and cut and I have used the pen again to write our message.
We're going out for a meal on Sunday with my MiL and family - to a little pub just outside Lincoln, so we're picking up my daughter on the way. Should be good family time.

Thanks for looking,

Sue
x

Bear birthday card

2010-02-23T22:41:00.003Z

I've taken a night off tonight from making a travel journal for my daughter's friends - she has 4 friends who are travelling to Kenya over the summer and have put in an order for a journal each so I have been beavering away making a start on one of them. It's nearly done now and am just hoping that it is what they are hoping for....

Anyway, I really felt like a change from the journal so have made a card for a friend's birthday coming up soon. I've taken inspiration from Stamp in Style - she has some wonderful cards on her photostream. It's all been cut on my silhouette and then paper pieced together. I am now looking at it and wondering why on earth I thought it would be suitable for him - apart from the rugby ball and the bear looking a bit rotund :) it's all a bit random, LOL. Oh well, it's got his name on it now, literally!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Charisma Cardz Challenge

2010-02-15T23:47:00.003Z

It's my friend's hubby Robert's birthday coming up - Men are so hard to make cards for, sigh..sigh.. Eventually decided on "his favourite things" and opted for a black and white theme. I have cut the boxed images on my Silhouette and it has done a super job - just look at that bike! I am entering this in the Charisma Cardsz as their challenge this week is male cards. Thanks for looking,

Sue

Saturday Sketch

2010-02-15T18:07:00.002Z

I haven't posted for a while but I have been very busy playing with my Bind it All and made a diary for my daughter, Ashleigh, but forgot to take a picture of it before she went back to Uni! I also made a mini scrapbook using white card for the inserts and lovely flourish paper for the cover. Again, this was for Ashleigh to give as a present to her friend - Ash filled it with photo's of their trip to see Take That last year - her friend was very pleased with it.

Anyway, on to today's card. I've entered this in the Saturday Sketch challenge. I've used a Clarity Stamp and had my iron out and Angelina Fibres and been having a play -and also had a bit of fun with my sewing machine. I've been left with some bits and pieces that I haven't used on this card so am off now to see what I can do with them. Have a good week!

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Allsorts Saturday Sketch

2010-02-02T21:50:00.003Z

Another card using the Print and Cut feature on the Silhouette, this time a cheeky little monkey. The heart borders and heart embellishments also been cut on the Silhouette. I'm entering this in the Allsorts Sketch challenge. There are some really good cards over there made by the DT team and had a quick look through the other entries, WOW, there's some talent out there!
Am trying to get an early night tonight, we have our monthly book club meeting tomorrow and I haven't finished the book yet!

Sue

Saturday Sketch

2010-02-01T19:49:00.002Z

I've used one of the lovely print and cut Kokeshi dolls from the Silhouette library and used the sketch from Saturday Sketch Challenge.

I've got the sewing machine out again and it really is good fun. This is the first time I've tried embossing with the nestabilities - I'd always wondered how to do it and saw a programme on tele the other day showing how it's done, pretty easy really, LOL. OK, off for a bite to eat and then an evening in front of the TV,

Sue

Another Wings of Hope card

2010-01-30T11:57:00.004Z

Another card using the Wings of Hope digital stamp which you can get here.

I've treated myself to a crafting goodie - can you guess what it is?
A nifty mini sewing machine - it's fab! I had been wondering what to spend my John Lewis vouchers on and as I love the look of sewing on cards and my hand stitching is rubbish decided to get this. I've only had a quick play but had no problems with it so far. Expect to see lots more stitching on cards, LOL.

I've coloured Pegasus in with Whispers brushstrokes and cut out all embellishments on my Silhouette. Again, good old Daisy Bucket papers used for the matting.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Wings of Hope

2010-01-28T20:37:00.002Z

This beautiful carousel Pegasus is drawn by Crissy Armstrong "I drew this carousel angel horse with wings, and we have called it, “Wings of Hope”. From now until the end of February 2010, this limited edition digital image will be available to purchase, exclusively in Whimsy’s online shop. Whimsy has agreed to donate all proceeds from the sale of this stamp, minus the Paypal fees to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund for Haiti."

I have used my Silhouette to cut the outline of the image and then coloured in with Copics. It all looks a bit faded on the screen, but looks a bit brighter in reality. I've used Kaisercraft papers to back it onto. It was tempting to go overboard on the embellishments, but I've kept it simple and have let Pegasus remain the focus.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Saturday Sketch

2010-01-24T20:18:00.004Z

You know how it is, you start off on one blog and then follow a link to another and then another and before you know, you forget where you started! Well, today that happened and I ended up at Saturday Sketch blog.
I love doing sketch challenges, they give me focus and today I made a couple of cards using images off the Silhouette online store. which I fell in love with the minute I saw them. Yet again I have used Daisy Bucket papers, my favourite :) and bazzil card. I'm thinking ahead as it's my birthday in March and if I am lucky enough to receive any presents, I will already have two thank-you cards ready to go. I couldn't make my mind up which one to put forward for the challenge so I have done both. Thanks for looking.

Fruity Card

2010-01-23T19:14:00.001Z

This real cute image is a Tina Wenke stamp coloured in with copics. I've matted it onto some designer papers that I got free in a magazine over the summer and embossed the sentiment . The theme for Charisma Cardz Challenge is Fruity Colours so I have taken part in that challenge. Thanks for looking,

Birthday Card

2010-01-20T21:15:00.003Z

I've made this card for my friend's forthcoming 50th birthday. It's one of my favourite Sarah Kay images coloured in with Copics. I've used Daisy Bucket papers which I absolutely love, they have a real nice texture to them and a sketch from Creative Inspirations latest challenge. It's great using a sketch as I tend to take forever anyway, choosing papers and colours so anything that makes life easier is good for me.

I've also managed to squeeze this card into the Copics Colour Challenge this week. I don't have the exact colours but have used colours within the same tone. Note to self: Must get some more Copics, LOL.

Thanks for looking.

Bind it All project

2010-01-18T21:45:00.005Z

I had been thinking about getting a Bind-it-All for ages and guess what Santa brought?! Yes, you guessed, the nice pink version along with a tote bag and tool set. This is my first project: a log book for my 24 week rowing plan! We bought an indoor water-rower a couple of months before Christmas and my New Year's Resolution was to actually follow a training programme . I'm on Week 3 now - only another 21 to go! Do you think my training will get easier now it is in it's own lovely bound book, LOL. I think not....

As luck would have it, Creative Inspirations Wednesday Blog and Charisma Cardz Thursday challenges this week are to use something new so I'm entering my bind-it-all project. The papers I have used are Daisy Bucket and the label and and border are cut on my Silhouette.

Birthday card

2010-01-14T22:41:00.003Z

Birthday card for my friend's son. Men/boys are so hard but using their name is an easy way to make it work. I have used papers from GCD studios namely Planes and Trains. I love this paper, it is so touchy feely. I wanted to give the impression of patchwork and hope I've achieved that. As usual, it has been cut on my Silhouette. I love the button border and am definitely going to use it again.

Sue

Thank you card

2010-01-09T17:28:00.003Z

A thank you card for my SIL for putting us up (or should that read putting up with us!) over the Christmas period. We had a really great time.

I had seen Nichol Magouirk making these cute butterflies using ribbon and had a go, but the paper ones came out much better. So, I incorporated it into my thank-you card, matting and layering it on a thank you background which in itself is matted onto a cuttlebug swirls background. The cut-out swirls were done on my silhouette along with the tag.

Thanks for looking,

Sue

Birthday card

2009-12-20T17:20:00.001Z

It's my friend's birthday on Christmas Eve, and I have made this card using aTina Wenke stamp coloured in with Copics. The frame is cut on my silhouette along with the flower, which i have matted and curled up a bit to give it a bit more oomph. We are going round tomorrow to hand over the presents and have a wee little celebratory drink....

2009-12-19T15:36:00.003Z

Gosh, i have been so busy lately making all my christmas cards, why oh why didn't I start a few months ago! I did "cheat" a little towards the end and use My Craft Studio to make a few cards - those cards that you know will just go straight in the bin once Christmas is over. Here's just one card of many that I made: