Flower Girl

Woodware - Sketch Challenge no 9

2012-02-06T00:01:00.000Z

A fabulous stamp from Magenta (37.186.N) coloured with coloured pencils. It's quite a big stamp which does not show very well on this photo (12cm x 4.5cm). I've added glitter glue to the feathers and swirls so it catches the light and matched the image with some Magenta background paper too.

I've used my Essential Birthday stamp set JGCL519 and added some ribbon from the new stock at Woodware, this particular one is from the box 51405 in blues and greens.

Colouring techniques always makes a great class and I usually cover water colour pencils, regular crayons, marker pens and powdered chalks to name a few. I've been told the classes can be very relaxing!

Woodware Challenge - 3D delights

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000Z

Oh, I love 3D......here I am using flowers of course. These are a little different from my usual flowers made from paper because they are punched from card stock, shaped and stuck to polystyrene balls. So you get this amazing round flower and it's very easy to construct.

I have embossed a piece of cream card and trimmed it to the size I want for my background. I have then cut in half (using a sharp craft knife) three polystyrene balls (Woodware FPC-Balls) and have stuck five halves to the embossed card using a good blob of PVA glue. Allow that to dry while you punch lots and lots of red (or blue) flowers from textured card using the Woodware punch 826-26 lilac blossom.

Each flower will need very severe cup character using the mat and shapemate tool. Cover a polystyrene ball with PVA glue and stick the shaped flowers onto it starting at the base and working your way up. Then stick more on top of these flowers to cover any gaps. Once the glue is dry you wont see it! Add some leaves and arrange on your base card.

My Fascinator!

2012-01-26T15:00:00.002Z

You all seem to have liked my floral hat! The template is from Artemio, pay attention girls, this is a Woodware product! The code is VIGR112, a huge template (12" x 12") with two daisy designs on it.

I think my hat looks huge in this photo but actually it's not, just the angle of my camera (took my own photo).

If you are struggling to find these Artemio templates and they do loads of them, first check out the Woodware web site for all the designs and codes and blog for ideas or contact The Stamp Man in Skipton to see if they can get them in for you.

Should the demand be there maybe I could do a class making these 'titfers' (thanks June!). It's so easy, great fun and such a cheap hat for a wedding!!!

If you want to try it on, see me in Birmingham on the Woodware stand in February or at The Glitter Pot!

Woodware Challenge - Artemio Template Teasers

2012-01-25T00:01:00.001Z

Judith has sent us all a different template from Artimio. She sent me the flower one (very nice of her) and this is what I came up with, something different - Ascot here I come!

Woodware Challenge - Cool, cool colours

2012-01-19T00:01:00.003Z

I'm fed up with winter so I've made some cheery little flowers in cool colours to brighten your day. These are Everlasting flowers and one of the most popular flowers we make in a beginners floral punch craft class.

Use the multi ray sun punch from the Leone Em range of punches and punch seven suns from white 80gsm paper. Colour each with powdered chalk and shape each flower with the character shaper tool giving the shapes cup character. See the Leone Em books for this technique. Layer them together and finish with the FPC1-01 stamens punch. Fabulous!

For the stems I have used my Essential Birthday set of stamps JGCL519 and a Blue Breeze Kaleidacolor ink pad. Add some little punched leaves (shaped of course) in contrasting blue card.

A touch of turquoise glitter glue in the centre of each flower just adds that little something special.

Woodware Challenge - Handbags at dawn

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000Z

I got a new handbag for Christmas by Cath Kidston...it's fab-u-lus!

Here I have created a handbag card using one of the Woodware handbag shaped cards (which are not stocked now but if you still have a pack you can use one of the cards to make a template for the future!).

The stamped fastener is from Woodware JGCL522 Jewel Garden which I have embossed in gold and have coloured the flowers in using Mica paint palettes from USArtQuest. Woodware tiny pearls and gems are used to add some bling.

Woodware peel off borders are also good for adding detail around the edges.

Woodware sketch challenge

2012-01-07T00:01:00.000Z

Do I have any creative juices left?

I've made dozens of cards from my new stamps over Christmas and New Year so this sketch challenge is a real challenge for me today!!!

I'm using a Magenta cling set Happy Birthday.

The image has been embossed using a black VersaFine ink pad and clear embossing powder. Then I've used a small amount of powdered chalk applied with a ball of cotton wool to the background then I have used coloured pencils to colour the image in. I've only used three colours, red, green and black.

The girls from Magenta colour their stamped cards so well and I have picked up lots of tips from them over the years such as the use of white crayon over darker colours to blend and add highlights, very effective.

Woodware Challenge Thanks.......

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000Z

We will all have a few thanks you cards to do after Christmas and here is a quick and simple idea even the children can have a go.

I have used Stampendous retro alphabet set SSC055. Stamped in black and coloured with Sakura Stardust pens keeping to three colours. I have used a black Sakura Identipen to write the words very much on the pearlescent card background. Its easy to hand write messages with a pen, just draw simple lines to create the letters and add round dot to the end of each line, it transforms a simple letter into a fun letter.

Alphabet stamp sets are so useful, I tend to stamp the letters individually that way I can get my spacing better. If you can't stamp in a straight line then stamp the letters at jaunty angles like I have here.

Some Woodware paper flowers and gems just finish the card off.

Pleas can I have a lap?

2011-12-22T17:41:00.002Z

For days now (weeks even!) I have been making card samples using the new spring and summer stamps which will be launched in February 2012.

My poor cat Elliot feels very left out as he does like a lap in the afternoons. Here he is waiting to get on my lap while I sit at my very untidy work space. It's not very easy stamping with a cat on your lap!

So if you see any stray ginger car hairs on my new samples, you know exactly where they came from!

He's so cute, just love him to bits.

Woodware Challenge Richness of red

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000Z

My new peel offs, the same design as the stamps sets JGCL547 Our Special Day, JG546 On Your Wedding and JGCL549 Bubble Hearts. The peel offs come in gold, silver, white, black, red, pink and two shades of purple.

I love the shade of this red, the colour says 'romance' and 'love'! The shine of the peel off gives it a real sparkle to.

To fill the bubbles I have used Card Candi (Very Merry Silver) and green and red gems. I have stuck the Card Candi on to the card with silicone glue as I find that the neatest and easiest way.

I've made the base card, which is A6, with Woodware cream linen finish card. It was easy to make and quite quick, essential if you are making 150 of them!!!

Woodware Challenge Week 29 – Look what I did with my tin!

2011-12-14T00:01:00.001Z

Here we have a round Woodware tin decorated with felt fusion and the ice cream images from my Ice Cream Parfait set JGCL507. The stamp set has been around for a couple of years now so it's good to go back and use things again.

Make good use of Woodware's chippie tags to add messages to the tin and to stick the ice cream images on. They are strong and with the thickness, make great 3D embellishments. I love to use lots of ribbons in contrasting colours tied in knots on the top of the tags.

The inside pages which come with the tin, I've decorated with patterned papers, again keeping to the colour theme of pinks, pale greens and yellows. The message stamped around the edge are on the stamp set.

Use it for writing down recipes for ice cream based desserts. It will make a fabulous present.

Woodware December Sketch Challenge.....

2011-12-08T00:01:00.001Z

A minimalist but cute card for this weeks challenge. Using white shrink plastic (just love the stuff!) and my JGCL501 Melting Snowmen stamp set and a few coloured crayons to create the little detail on the snow line across my A6 tent fold card.

The greeting comes from JGCL515 Christmas Sentiments stamped in pale blue to match the background. Finish off with some stickles glitter glue in diamond.

Why not have a look to see what the rest of the girls on the DT have been up to and remember you can play along to pop to the Woodware Blog

Tags for Gifts

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000Z

For my selection of hand cut tags I have used my Tree Quartet set JGCL550 and Stampendous embossing powder set Merlot EK06 to create the colours for the trees. I've spritzer the background with coloured ink, I've decanted some of the Memories Mists into the Woodware mist-it bottles. The edges of the tags have been inked with a contrasting pigment ink pad.

The other stamp is my Christmas Verses JGCL551 and they too have been embossed with the same powders as before. Decorate the trees with gems and glitter glue. Don't forget to leave a space to write who it's to and from.

The background paper to my photo Magenta paper MEMOR-217.

Pick a colour and go with it....

2011-11-26T00:01:00.000Z

I got carried away with my bubble theme, so here is my one colour card.... and it's gold again!

These peel offs (93194) are from the bauble and wreath design and I have made the card up with the new sized card packs from Woodware, they are a whopping 20cm square!

I have cut a 19.5cm square from linen finish card, edged it with a Sakura gold pen and stuck that onto the base card.

The bubbles are filled with micro beads (use glossy accents to stick the beads on) and gold glitter glue. It takes longer to dry that it does to make the card!

I have drawn the swirls across the top with a Sakura gold medium Pen Touch pen (41501) and the extra fine Pen Touch pen (41101). The gold ink in these pens is just wonderful. When you first use the pen, take off the plastic wrapping, and holding the pen upright, press down on the nib with a finger to release the pressure. Then press the nib on some paper a few times to get the ink flowing.

I've drawn the gold lines from the baubles to the swirl with the extra fine gold pen and have added some little bows too. Use the gold peel off circles to decorate the swirl. I love to add a line of gold glitter glue under the greeting, it just finishes the whole thing off.

Wedding Bells.....

2011-11-16T16:22:00.002Z

....or should that be hearts?

Here is a sneak preview of my new peel offs. A peel off version of my bubble heart stamp set and they are really fantastic! They come in black, white, gold, silver, dark pink, red, purple and lilac. This sample shows the white on a black background and then cut out before mounting on to a white linen finish card.

The wording also comes as a peel off in the same colours. It makes a wedding card look very sophisticated. All it needs is a touch of silver.

Birdie blocks

2011-11-16T16:06:00.002Z

I'm obsessed with covering wooden blocks!

Remember the good old days when all we wanted was rubber stamps on blocks? Well now we all want clear or cling so this is what you do with unused blocks. They make great alternatives for cards. (Woodware have loads for sale, contact The Stamp Man for more details).

The blocks I've used in this project are about 6cm square. I've covered them in patterned paper and punched out some birds, branches and little leaves all from the new Woodware punch (see a previous entry on my blog for more info).

The message is from my Essential Birthday stamp set JGCL519 and I have added some pearls to the background paper design and edged the punched birds with contrasting ink. Some of the birds have been stuck to the block flat and some are in 3D with the help of some little foam pads.

Draw in the legs of the birds with a fine black pen and add some small dots for eyes.

I display these blocks in a line so remember when you are making it up how you are going to display it and in what order it should be (I've numbered mine in pencil on the base so I know at a glance).

Woodware Challenge Traditional Christmas

2011-11-14T00:01:00.000Z

Traditional Christmas says to me red and green...so here we have my idea.

I've used Woodware's A4 craft card for my base card which I folded in half, so its quite a big card being A5. The background patterned paper is called Helsinki no 22253.

The stamp is JGS260 Festive Background and I've used a set of embossing powders from Stampendous EK06. It contains just the right colours to match my traditional Christmas theme. Stamp with VersaMark onto cream card, emboss with three or four of the embossing powder colours and I like to add a bit of distressing to the edges created with a VersaFine vintage sepia ink pad.

Punches used to create the wreath are 826-25 and 830-45. And a small circle 815-30. The holly leaves and the berries have been given the floral punch craft treatment to bring them to life. I have stuck all the holly leaves to a doughnut shaped circle about 8cm across which acts as a good base for your wreath. Mount it onto your card with foam tape.

I have spritzed the wreath once finished with a mica shimmer spray to give it some WOW factor, but that's optional!

As you can see another little shrink plastic tag adorns my card which is made from white shrink plastic, JGCL551 Christmas Verse and JGS155 Snowflake Medley.

Woodware sketch challenge

2011-11-08T00:01:00.001Z

For this weeks challenge I have used my wonderful bubble tree peel off in gold.

I still enjoy filling in all the bubbles on this peel off, it's somehow very relaxing. There are new ones on the way too so look out for my bubble heart designs (similar to the stamp set JGCL549) out as a peel off very soon.

Magenta paper has been used on the background (MEMOR 187) . I have used a die for the cream and brown ovals and the brown oval is edged with the gold Krylon pen. You can decorate the bubbles with anything you like from buttons (colour white ones gold with the Krylon pen), pearls, gems, peel off gems, glitter glue and seed beads.

Use the circles from the peel off once you have removed the outline to decorate the card background.

Just one layer

2011-11-02T00:01:00.003Z

I was so tempted to make a chocolate cake with 'just on layer' of delicious chocolate butter cream for this weeks blog but then I made these three pyramid shaped cards which have just one layer on them! But still have a 3D effect.

So that will be the punched border using the Crafty Edger and floral lace cassette.

The stamps are from my Tree Quartet set JGCL550 and I have embossed them with gold, purple and red embossing powder to match the borders.

Simple decorations of Woodware gems and dots of glitter glue add a touch of sparkle. These pyramid cards can be sent flat, just apply some double sided tape along a tab along the long edge ready for the lucky person who gets one to assemble it in a flash!

To create the shape, draw three triangles together (joined along the long side) and add a glue flap to one of the long sides. Make a template to use again and again.

Now perhaps I will make that cake after all!!!

Woodware Challenge Spooks and Treats

2011-10-27T00:01:00.008+01:00

These little gift bags are for my friends children and I've decorated them with the felt fusion black cats.

I've used cellophane card bags, drew some little gold dots with a Sakura Pentouch gold pen onto the bag (which you might not be able to see very well from this photo!), filled them with sweets and added a simple tag.

Now I'm ready for trick or treat night and can hand these out when the children come round to our house!

The felt cats really add a nice touch and stick well to just about anything.

It's a blue, blue Christmas.....

2011-10-21T00:01:00.001+01:00

Here is a sample for a very quick Christmas card using my JGS155 Snowflake Medley stamp which is new this Christmas. I've stamped with VersaMark and used white embossing powder onto a textured card in pale blue.

I have used some snowflake punches from Woodware 821-14 and 821-46 to add some decoration to the ribbon and the shrink plastic tag is stamped with the same snowflake stamp plus a greeting from my JGCL551 Christmas Verse set. I love little shrink plastic tags and I seem to have used them a lot this year!!

Frame the blue stamped background with silver card onto a white base card for a clean and simple look.

Look what I did with my flock...

2011-10-15T00:01:00.003+01:00

It's only a little bit of flock I know but it makes great centres for flowers!

Here I have used some bright pink ( Stampendous raspberry tart FL817) in the middle of these wonderful hydrangea petals I have made with some heart punches (come to The Glitter Pot to see how its made!!). They have been made using some floral punch craft techniques.

The base of the flower is the Jumbo Stampendous cling Hydrangea set CRS5005. I've used my JGCL519 essential birthdays (I use it all the time 'cos its fab!). The Crafty Edger has been used to good effect teaming it up with some spotty ribbon. Note the little pink pearls decorating the border and the corners of the greeting.

Its a big card because the stamp is big and I love using Woodware's ribbed craft card which comes in A4 packs of 15. Just score, fold and there you have it, a great card base......just love the texture. All the background papers are from Magenta and available from Woodware.

A visit to Rye

2011-10-07T10:44:00.002+01:00

I went to Rye with my husband last week for a quick break, we had some fabulous weather. It's such a nice town and we could have spent all the time eating because there are so many nice restaurants and tea shops there.

I did pay a visit to Craft Magic, somewhere I have wanted to go to for ages. I met Lisa and Richard who own the shop through Woodware, such a nice couple. They showed me around and told me all about the wooden shapes they make for deco-patch. I was most impresses! They hold classes and can do children's parties too (very brave)!

The shop is right in the centre of Rye just off the main street down a cobbled road, its very pretty area and I think they have the best shop sign I've ever seen.

I recommend a stay in Rye, a cream tea and a crafty visit to Craft Magic.

Sketch Challenge.....

2011-10-03T00:01:00.003+01:00

I've been making Christmas cards since June so thought I would take a break from bells, holly and festive fun and make a Spring card from my tulip set. The code is JGCL532 and is in the Christmas - Easter 2010 stamp supplement from Woodware.

I have used some pale yellow and green gingham paper to match the colours of the tulips which have been painted with water colour pencils.

The gems in each corner are gold mosaic pieces MR5525. The wording is on the stamp set and I've stamped with VersaFine vintage sepia. The corners of the cream card are punched with 820-02 squared (I call it the south/west corner punch).

Something for the boys

2011-09-27T00:01:00.002+01:00

Here is a card I made with my Top Trucks set JGCL516. A stamp set I designed and Woodware brought out a couple of years ago. I've stamped and coloured the trucks with water colour pencils and then cut them out. The wording is from the same stamp set.

The cut out trucks are stuck to the card with foam pads and the chippie letters are coloured with ink pads to match the truck colours.

There is also a tractor and a Landrover (drawn especially for my brother who loves them!) on the set and here is an example of how you can use the tractor. Note the good use of the picnic punch FPC4-06 from Leone Em for the grass edge.

The colours of Autumn

2011-09-21T00:01:00.003+01:00

This is my Zentangle type owl stamp that came out in Spring 2010 (JGCL524 Wise Owl). It's taken from a drawing I did years and years ago as an art student.

Zentangle is all about doodling, you can fill a shape with lots of different designs, or just doodle until a shape or design appears. There are lots of books on the subject and I find it very addictive and relaxing. So next time you are chatting on the phone or on a long train journey to somewhere wonderful get out your black fine (a Sakura one preferably!) pen and start doodling.

To make the owl I have stamped in black, sprinkled with clear embossing powder and heated the image, do this several times onto patterned papers, choose ones that co-ordinate (these papers are from Woodware, shades of brown, red, and yellow ochre just like autumn leaves).

Cut out sections, shape the reverse with a large embossing tool and layer up on to a complete image which is mounted on the base card. Use silicone glue for this 3D effect, which allows you to adjust the position of the pieces of paper and keeps the shape of the paper after embossing.

This picture is the same image but using different papers.

I've mounted this on to Woodware ribbed recycled craft card.

Sugar and Spice....and all that's nice

2011-09-15T00:01:00.002+01:00

..that's what little girls are made of!

I love baking cakes nearly as much as I like eating them, so last year I brought out a set of cake stamps with Woodware (JGCL523 Tea for Two) and have used some of the images in this little keepsake cake book full of my favourite cake recipes.

The second of my photos shows the cakes have been stamped on white shrink plastic, coloured with coloured pencils and shrunk before layering onto cream and pink card to decorate the cover. They come out really dinky.

I do try and encourage people who come on my craft classes to bring in home made cakes for immediate consumption.

A little bird told me.....

2011-09-11T14:14:00.006+01:00

Yesterday I received a long awaited Woodware punch....it's huge (840-10 owl set) and I've already been playing! I've made some very simple cards using the Woodware ribbed recycled craft card as my base cards and some pretty papers from my scrap box. The greeting is from my JGCL510 essential birthdays set.

I've added small googly eyes to the owls for fun. The legs of the three birds have been drawn in by hand using a fine black Sakura pen. All the shapes have been edged in a contrasting ink to set them off against the background.

I love my idea (can I say that?) of the owl and moon on the black background. It's really easy to do. You need a blue Woodware circle punch, black and white card and an A6 base card. Simples.

So what are you waiting for, geeeeeet punching!

Here is the punch next to the cards to give you an idea of what it looks like.

Woodware sketch challenge

2011-09-09T00:01:00.002+01:00

It's all go.....so much to do this month.

So, here is my sketch challenge layout, as usual it contains flowers. I have a floral punch craft class on the 9th September at The Glitter Pot and we are making Impatience, so I thought it would be a good idea to use the sketch from Dorothy as my inspiration.

The base card is A5 and made from Woodware cream linen finish card 2807. I've covered the front with a neutral paper and used the same linen card for the front panel which is set off and layered with olive green card. I used a die to cut my scallop and plain circles.

The stamp is from my new 'On Your Wedding' JGCL546 and is stamped using green ink.

The instructions for the flowers are in Leone Em's FPC book 2 (red cover) on page 21 with a nice picture of the finished flowers on the opposite page. The instructions list all the punches but just in case you need 815-03 flower, 811 plier circle, 821-04 flower and 821-03 birch leaf.

I've used Woodware red A4 paper from the FPC-P1 bright paper pack which I would have liked to bleach (the flowers really need white blotches on them) but the paper would not bleach. If anybody out there knows of a 80 to 90gsm coloured paper that bleaches please let me know.

I've drawn some elegant swirls with little drops of Liquid Pearls LP11 ruby red to add a finishing flourish and some dots around the scallop oval too.

Dreamweaver winner!

2011-09-08T18:26:00.002+01:00

This week I picked my winner from the comments on my blog following the Dreamweaver blog hop. I wrote all the names down on little bits of paper and put them on the floor. I then encouraged Elliot my gorgeous ginger (he's 13 you know) to pick a winner with his paw. The first piece of paper he walked on was going to be the 'one'.

When I opened it......it was Sara K!!! So congratulations Sarah.

I'll see Sarah, as she comes to lots of my classes at The Glitter Pot.

Here's Elliot, just after picking the winner...it was all

to much for him so he had to lay down!

A Christmas tree quartet

2011-09-08T15:41:00.003+01:00

I've had a request following a crafty demo at The Glitter Pot last weekend to see my Christmas Tree Quartet set and the samples that I have done. So, here they are! I've used a Stampendous (EK06) embossing powder set for all the images. The colours are wonderful with names like lettuce and mushroom, ummmmmm! Don't forget to dress up the trees a little with matching gems or glitter glue.

The idea for these stamps came to me on a train journey travelling up to Craft Range in Burnley. I'm always sketching in my little ideas book and its amazing what you can see from the train window!

Have fun with the stamps.

Dreamweaver

2011-09-03T06:00:00.004+01:00

This is one of my favourite techniques using Dreamweaver stencils and black paste.

I've used the ginger jar brass stencil LG626 and have embossed on to thick vellum, then I have cut the shape out around the embossed edge. I've added powdered chalks (lime green and turquoise) and to the vellum vase which is not too easy to see on the photo but it gives the vase just a hint of colour. I have also cut out a plain white card version so stick the vellum onto it using Miracle Adhesive Film 2788.

To make the leaf decoration, I have used the leaf stencil LG616, greaseproof paper, black paste and the pallet knife. Secure the stencil to the paper using low tack tape and apply the black paste in the usual way. Peel the stencil away from the paper and wash the stencil straight away. You are left with all the leaves on the greaseproof paper. Let that dry - this can take an hour or two.

Once dry, put the stencil back over the leaves and apply a layer of glue using the Stamp and stick glue pad GLUIPAD and a finger dauber. With the stencil still in place, dab on Metallic Fix (mica powder) in any colour you like with a small stencil brush. Remove the stencil and clean. Your leaves are now ready to use.

Prepare your base card. My sample card is A6 and I have covered it with black card. I've stamped gold and grey patterned paper with Magenta 37163.H and made a little embellishment with a wooden coffee stir stick which I have coloured and decorated with peel offs.

The paper collar on the vase is made from a strip of card with frayed ends and the little square keeps everything stuck together.

Peel the finished leaves carefully away from the greaseproof paper (they are quite flexible but soft and delicate), put some PVA glue on the reverse and stick to the vellum vase. Make good use of the half leaves too and stick those to the edge of the vase to give the vase 'roundness'. Mount the vase onto the card with foam pads.

This technique only works with small solid shapes and you can make a batch and use them later. I re-use the greaseproof paper several times.

Next along the hop is.....Terrece at http://www.made4ubyt.blogspot.com/

Fancy Folded Flower

2011-08-26T00:01:00.001+01:00

Here is a great way to make a flower from punched circles.

Punch 10 circles from the Woodware blue circle punch, edge with contrasting coloured ink on both sides of nine of them and fold as shown in the photo. Leave one circle unfolded.

On this example I have put the folded circles through a die cutting machine in an embossing folder but you can leave them plain if you want. Stick the pointed tip of each folded circle near the centre of the remaining circle spacing them out evenly.

Punch eight more circles from the Woodware green scallop circle punch, edge with ink and fold as before. Stick the points of each circle in the middle of the flower and add a couple of the blink blink shapes to the middle. Embellish with a red pearl.

Take two colours.....

2011-08-16T00:01:00.004+01:00

I love blue and brown.....so here is my two colour challenge.

This huge flower is made from three of Woodware's scallop circle punches. From the biggest pink one 840-07 then the lilac one 839-04 then the smaller pink one 828-01. You could even use the blue one too 830-25.

Punch one of each from patterned papers, this is Magenta paper, and edge both sides with a contrasting ink pad. Then cut towards the middle but not all the way to form the petals. Use the character shaper and mat to curl the petals inwards and stick and nest together off setting the petals if you can.

Finish the centre in anyway you like, I've used a circle punch 821-19 and a button. The greeting is from my Essential Birthdays set JGCL519. Hope you like it.

Woodware Christmas Stamps

2011-08-12T15:02:00.000+01:00

The new Woodware Clear Magic stamps are all in stock and on the website now.

Christmas Stamps

2011-08-10T12:18:00.001+01:00

Jane's new Singles Clear Magic Designs are in stock at Woodware. The rest will be here very very soon.

Woodware file challenge....fabulous feline files

2011-08-10T00:01:00.003+01:00

This is my card using the Woodware mini file pack 2786. It just had to have cats on it!!

The files come in a pack and each sheet has a variety of sizes. Here I have used six of the smallest sizes. I have coloured three sides of each file using a yellow pigment Yink pad.

I have then stamped cats from Stampendous SSC074 clear set with a black pigment ink pad.

The A6 base card is covered with gingham paper from Magenta and the files are arranged on the card and stuck down with double sided tape.

The idea was to make a little story which unfolds as you open each file on the card. So take a look at your stamp sets and see if you can create your own story in pictures. You could even write your story inside each file with stamped images on the front.

Sketch Challenge

2011-08-04T00:01:00.000+01:00

I've been inspired by the latest block colour fashion pieces in my nearest John Lewis! Colours such as fuchsia pinks tops, orange jackets and purple trousers are worn together, each piece made up of a solid colour in wonderful silk. It makes me feel like going to Morocco!!

So here is my block colour card using the Woodware sketch challenge layout.

The card is 148mm square and I've used Woodware recycled card on this project along with matching candy bon bons and paper flowers from the Woodware range. I've secured the flowers together with a purple felt brad - just love those things for my flower centres.

I've added faux stitching around the sides of all the pieces of card using Sakura glaze pens and the greeting is from my Essential Birthdays stamp set JGCL519, stamped with Kaleidacolor Berry Blaze ink pad.

Crafty Edger

2011-08-02T16:53:00.004+01:00

Woodware sent me some new corner and edge cassettes this week and here is a photo of the 6"x6" squares I did following the instructions in the packaging. I need to play with it some more but just had to show you the wonderful designs.

The instructions that come with the cassettes are very good but once you have punched the middle of each side you need to place and punch the corner cassette on the bottom right hand corner each time you turn the card in the paper holder.

Summer fun.....

2011-07-29T00:01:00.002+01:00

Picture the scene.....sun lounger, Pimms, golden sandy beach, clear blue sky and a huge, yummy ice cream sundae smothered in chocolate and caramel sauce with nuts and a wafer on the side.

So I went into the garden on this cloudy day to photograph my card on my hydrangea bush! Not quite the picture I had in mind but my Hydrangea is very nice this year!

Back to the card.... I've used Woodware triangle cards, stuck two together covering the base with patterned papers. Punch holes for the ribbon and stamp the message across the top of the patterned paper.

Stamp the ice creams on white card, colour with watercolour pencils, cut out and decorate with glossy accents. Once dry attach to the card with silicone glue. Add another message on a punched circle to finish. The stamp is my JGCL507 Ice Cream Parfait and as you can see from the photos, it makes a nice alternative to a flat card.

Now where did I put the sun cream?

A Touch of Pink...and a sneaky peek!

2011-07-23T00:01:00.001+01:00

I have two pictures for you today... a pink dragon (no relation to the nasty dog in Harry Potter) called Fluffy. She's coloured using Sakura pens and water colour pencils to give her that sparkle appeal dragons just love!

The base card is made using Woodware craft card. The gems are pink candy bon bons and I have stamped the message onto white shrink plastic. The name 'Fluffy' is stamped using a wonderful Stampendous set called Retro Alphabet code SSC055. I love using alphabet sets - so versitile - they allow you to write any message you want to make your cards even more personal.

Having just finished all my card samples for the Winter 2011 Woodware catalogue here is a 'sneaky peek' of one of my designs, sorry can't show you the whole image as that would spoil the surprise when the catalogue comes out.

Hope you like it!

Wall Art

2011-07-11T00:01:00.004+01:00

Anything but a card......well let me see what I can make.....I'll need one 12"x12" box frame, a fabulous piece of art work and a nice to wall to hang it on. Bingo!

My bubble butterflies (stamp set JGCL542) are not just for cards and this big piece I did earlier this year while looking after my parents for a few weeks certainly filled any spare time I had.

It's so therapeutic filling in all those bubbles with buttons, beads and bling.

I've also included a close up of some of the colour ways you can choose.

Woodware sketch challenge

2011-07-05T00:01:00.002+01:00

The main element on this card, besides the lovely flower of course, is the panel made from strips of Magenta papers. I learnt the technique with Susan Pickering Rothermel and just love making them!

I've used USArtQuest products and Magenta papers. Us

ing a piece of thick chipboard, any size will do, cover it with Great Tape (PPA201). Cut up a collection of patterned papers into strips of different widths and lengths.

Begin with one piece and stick to the sticky chipboard, continue to cover the chipboard creating a mosaic design all over. Don't worry if your strips are too long and hang over the edge.

Once you have covered the chipboard trim any strips. Take a contrasting ink pad and colour the edges of the chipboard. Using Perfect Paper Adhesive in gloss (PPA104) pour a generous fifty pence piece size piece of glue into the centre of the chipboard and spread around the surface using a palette knife (or an old credit card!), add more glue if need be. Allow to dry. This can take about an hour.

The finished result is a glossy masterpiece! Want to be more creative? Why not sprinkle Mica Flakes, Mica Delights or micro beads all of which are available from Woodware.

Product list.....

Crafty Edger

Magenta papers

Great Tape

Perfect Paper Adhesive

Floral Punch Book 1 for flower instructions

Orange punches, balloon, daisy and snowflake to make the flower

FPC tools and mat

Woodware gems

Woodware 826-28 swirl punch

Brown gingham ribbon

Peeloffs 92664

Birthday Wishes

2011-06-29T00:01:00.001+01:00

Flowers again I'm afraid...but I just love making these lilac coloured flowers - well, actually they can be made in any colour, very nice in red! Would you believe they are made from a bumble bee shape?

The punch is FPC7-03 insects. From the bee shape I cut the wings and legs off (so awful!!) and just use the body for the petals. I give 'half moon' character to each petal and then stick them to a small snowflake. Make two of these and stick one on top of the other. Colour as you see here with a Tombow marker pen and the centre is made from a little sun punch and yellow paper, each one is given 'cup character' and three stuck together.

All the flowers can be found in the Floral Punch Craft books.

The greeting on the card is my JGCL519, a handy set of clear Birthday theme stamps where all the words are separate so you can choose what you want to say.

Pretty paper poppies

2011-06-24T21:39:00.003+01:00

I've been visiting lovely Burnley in Lancashire the home of Craft Range!

Craft Range is a wonderful craft shop and the only one I know that has the most fantastic cafe serving the best quiche in town. I took a workshop there last Sunday following their demo day.

As you can see from my photo, we made poppies on an easel card.

The flowers are from the new floral punch craft book and are great fun to make. The poppies are made from red paper, punching the shape and cutting the petal to size from the Woodware Amphora vase. We made our own leaves just to show how clever we are!

If you ever find yourself in Burnley, you must stop by at Craft Range for a visit and some lunch.

White with a hint of black!

2011-06-23T00:01:00.000+01:00

What ever happened to flaming June? Wet weather though is crafting weather so make good use of it. Dorothy is cracking her whip again and I have come up with this A5 landscape card using my Bubble Butterfly peel off in white.

I like making these shaped A5 cards but don't like to have a fold at the top of the card so I cut the A4 card in half. Keeping the pieces of card landscape, score one of the sheets about 4 to 5cm from the left edge. This is now your top piece.

Fold this and stick the folded strip to the second piece of card. This creates a nice flat 'spine' perfect for attaching a ribbon as I have done here.

The punch used to create the 'lace' panel is CP42-01 Inspire flowers, punched several times and stuck to each other with PVA glue. You need to cut a section of the card out of the top piece of A5 card and that can be made to any size.

Stick the butterfly peel off on to some vellum and decorate with some of the amazing Woodware gems, pearls and glitter.

A bunch of flowers

2011-06-17T10:06:00.000+01:00

Here is a carnival of floral colours! Each flower is made with Woodware flower maker embossing punches CP32-21, CP32-22 and CP32-23. The centre is a blink blink punch, code number 821-78. The punched flower edges have been coloured with ink pads and all shapes given the 'Jane' treatment using floral punch craft tools and the mat.

I've put these flower heads on stems made from florists wire so they will fit nicely in a vase. But you can still add them to a card because they will sit quite happily on their bottoms with a bit of PVA glue to keep them in place, all you need is a greeting!

Woodware Sketch Challenge 1

2011-06-11T00:01:00.002+01:00

On the Woodware Blog this week it is a sketch challenge and here is mine.

I have used the Gerbera JGS251, it is a single large stamp. All the stamping was done with the Russet Chalk Yink, it was also used to edge the paper and card layers. The main image was stamped on sticky backed canvas and then cut out, and coloured with the yellows and oranges from the Stargazer Mica pallet. I removed the backing from the canvas and attached foam pads to the centre then brushed Pearl-ex powder on the sticky side of the canvas this prevents it sticking.

The canvas falls nicely to easily give shape to the flower.

the centre of the flower was filled willed with a punched out button and then a real button on top.

The Happy Birthday is from JGCL509

I hope you like this card to see the rest of the teams designs visit the Woodware blog.

More next week have a good weekend.

A little thank you...

2011-05-31T16:41:00.002+01:00

Having just read all the lovely comments on my blog, I wanted to thank you ladies - and gentlemen (Neil xxx) - for saying such nice things about my flower cards.

Here is a card showing you yet another rose. I've used my Woodware singles clear stamp of a rose JGS151, stamped it with black Versafine ink and clear embossing powder, heated it to emboss the image. Then coloured it in with a Sakura metalic and stardust pens. Apply the pen directly onto the stamped image, so for this image I applied the colour at the base of each petal where it would be darker, then using a water or paint brush drag the colour all over the petals. Apply more colour if need be by applying the pen to a non porous surface such as a piece of acetate and use that as your palette. The Sakura pens are wonderful for colouring and give such an amazing shimmering look. Give it a try.

The name's Bond, James Bond

2011-05-30T00:01:00.002+01:00

I like a man in a dinner jacket!

The rose is the main feature and the look of the card would be perfect for weddings, 21st birthdays and valentine cards. Add your message on the pocket perhaps.

In nut shell.....the rose is made from the Woodware green heart punch, punch ten hearts from red paper and put four together overlapping the sides and in the shape of a fan, then do the same for the three hearts, then the two hearts leaving one on its own.

I use a PVA glue for sticking together.

Colour the petals with a darker red ink pad directly to the paper and shape each one into a cone. Fold a little of the pointed end of the single heart up and then flat, then make that heart into a thin cone. Cut the pointed end off the two middle cones and curl the edges of the hearts with the DEET tool on the moulding mat (see the FPC books by Leone Em for the technique).

Now stick one inside the other starting with the largest. And there you have a perfect rose. Add a stem and some leaves before gluing it to the lapel.

The rose instructions in more detail can be found on page 42 in the first (green cover) Floral Punch Craft book.

The make up for the base card is simple....cut shapes for the lapel, bow tie and pocket from black card. Cover part of the 148mm square base card with black card and stick the shapes to the card with black foam squares. Use a black Sakura glaze pen to draw the detail stitch lines.

Oh...and before you stick the pocket on the base card, fold down the top and stick some cream or white card behind it to make a handkerchief.

The buttons add detail and I have used a regular black button on the jacket and some white Woodware Candy bonbons stickers for the shirt buttons.

I teach Floral Punch Craft at The Glitter Pot so why not come along, check out their web site for the class list.

Posy of Roses Wedding Card

2011-05-24T00:01:00.004+01:00

Here is the Flower Girls first card for the Woodware Wedding Card Challenge. As you would expect it is flowers. The card is 21cms Square made from 2 pieces of card. The ribbon and the punched border cover a hinge that is the join in the 2 pieces of card. The card has been completely covered in White Foliage Vellum.

The flowers are made from Heart punches in the Regular and Large size and the leaf is the Large size Birch

With lots of character shaping to create the curving of the petals and the veining on the leaves.

The wording is on a tag punch and it should appears as a Woodware Clear Magic stamp in the summer.

2011-05-20T12:04:00.001+01:00

New Dreamweaver stencils added to the Woodware web site.

Woodware blog is on it's way....

2011-05-05T09:47:00.003+01:00

I'm looking forward to the new Woodware blog and sharing some photos and ideas with the craft shop owners around the world. Lets hope I can update it more than my own blog!

Here is a little photo to keep you happy.....one of my bubble butterflies from the trio on the set of stamps. It's stamped, the circles are filled with glossy accents in stages and then different coloured glitters are poured on top of the glossy accents. The result is a rich, delicate and very sparkly butterfly. Woodware have two new different sets of fine glitter and the colours are wonderful. By using glossy accents, the glitter has a slightly raised appearance on each of the circles.

Looking forward to chatting and sharing on the Woodware blog soon.

Flowers for Friends

2011-04-22T06:32:00.002+01:00

Have been looking through the new Floral Punch Craft book (IX, blue cover) by Leone Em and made these two large flowers at The Glitter Pot a couple of weeks ago. I love the Gerbera though it did take a lot of fiddling about with lots of different sized circles and plenty of cut up petals from the Woodware purple sized daisy punch.

We used black flock for the centre of the Gerbera and for the Marguerite Daisy we used yellow fluffy stuff from Woodware. Fluffy stuff makes great centres for big flowers. It comes in a bottle with a variety of colours, squeeze some out onto your flower centre and heat it with a heat tool till it doubles in size, allow it to set though it won't go really hard it does remain 'puffed' up providing the cat doesn't walk on it!!

Bubble Butterflies in Wickford

2011-04-22T06:13:00.002+01:00

Last weekend I drove up to Wickford in Essex to do a demo at In2Crafting and to see Rene and John in their 'newish' shop. It was very impressive and they have a good range of craft products. I bought a brad making set. It included three circle punches, lots of fancy silver coloured brads and clear adhesive dots to cover the design of your choice (you punch an image out of paper, cover the brad and then a dot). I do love buttons, brads and bling on my cards!

On the demo I used my bubble butterfly sets and showed a keen group of customers how to use black shrink plastic, ideas with the stamps and ways to decorate them. I also made some big flowers from scallop circle punches which proved very popular!

If you are in the area why not stop by and visit In2Crafting, its right in the centre of Wickford near the Co-op in the Ladygate Centre. They have a great workshop area upstairs and also sell model kits for the men in your life. Don't forget to visit the bakery round the corner!

Here is an example of my 'single' big butterfly stamp and how it looks al 'blinged' up! The wording stamp is from my Woodware Essential Birthday set. Have fun searching for lots of gems, brads and buttons to fill your circles. In2Crafting have quite a lot to inspire you.

Summer on my mind!

2011-01-31T16:51:00.006Z

Here are some cake and ice cream inspired cards we did at The Glitter Pot last Saturday. The templates used are my own design and should you want to get a copy, please visit me at The Glitter Pot next time you are passing and I'll let you have one!

Hope you like my ideas! Can't wait for my new stamps to come out.....end of February will soon be here!!!!

The tag is a Woodware punch and the wording is from JGCL519. Layered Bazzill card, glitter glue and the score board was used to create the embossed lines on the ice cream cone. The card stands up as only the ice cream cone is the card base, the fold is under the pink ice cream!

Here we have a cute little girl cup cake with a shrink plastic tag from the new Hero Arts 'Things' cling set. Googly eyes add a little something extra and would be great for children's cards or party invitations. The cupcake is embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder and small amounts of glitter glue applied to the tops of the embossed dots.

This cake really is piled high! A length of card was scored and made into a concertina. I punched holes across the top and threaded a ribbon through securing it on the reverse before mounting it on the card. Random shapes were made from Bazzill card and each piece was decorated differently, embossed, stamped and I created patterns with glitter glue too. Another shrink plastic tag was added, and the Hero Arts words was used as mentioned above.

Fluffy is out in February!

2011-01-12T06:05:00.003Z

Have been working hard on new stamps and making cards with them for the new Woodware catalogue. I like to ask customers in craft shops and on my classes for ideas for new stamp designs and this time I have drawn a couple of cute dragons for a nice lady called 'Fluffy', not her real name.... but I met her in The Glitter Pot ages ago and she wanted a dragon, so here is a picture of the card I made using Fluffy's little girlfriend! Fluffy is green but also purple, orange and multicoloured....you will have to wait to see him in the catalogue.

Fluffy, if you read this, I hope you like her!!

Rocket Christmas

2010-12-15T21:01:00.002Z

Just had to get one more in before bed. I'm off in a minute to make a mug of Ovaltine, snuggle into my bed with my book 'The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo', it's brilliant.

Anyway.... here is my rocket tree card. The Rocket Christmas set of clear stamps. Take a selection of textured card and stamp the different shapes on the stamp set on the reverse of the card. Cut out with scissors - no need to keep it neat. I cut mine out slightly larger than the stamped image. Now turn the pieces over, edge them with contrasting coloured ink pads and arrange them on a prepared base card.

Once you are happy with your design start sticking them down. I have stuck two or three down with 3D foam pads to give it some depth.

Add some gems, stamp and cut out the base as before and stick in position. Make a shrink plastic tag and stamp the greeting, shrink and attach to one of the raised sections with some pretty ribbon.

It's easy to do and you can make your tree really tall and slender or cute and fat by adding or taking away some of the shapes. Just another way of using the stamp set (this is my favourite!). I love these colours too, I even wear them!

Bubbles for Christmas

2010-12-15T20:48:00.002Z

Yes, it's me back again, twice in a week I hear you are cry!!!!

Thought you might like to see my bubble wreath peel off in action. It's a tall card, A4 card folded in half long ways, cut some Bazzill Bling to fit and attach a ribbon to the top leaving it long enough to reach the base of the card. Stick the Bazzill to the base card. Attach your bubble wreath peel off or stamp it, yes folks you now have a choice! On my sample I have used a gold peel off. Decorate with what ever you have in your craft stash, buttons, beads, gems, sequins, brads, peel off gems...I could go on. What's most important is a colour scheme... here I've chosen gold, pretty classic and always pleasing. But the design works with all sorts and even mixed up colours for a dramatic, contemporary look - try orange, purple and lime green yummmmmm!

I drew the ribbon using a stickles glitter glue bottle. Yes, it is easy, have a practise and then draw your bow in pencil. Once you start using the glitter glue from the bottle, be brave and keep it moving till you have completed tour ribbon.

I chose a nice peel off (I never use peel offs I once said in a class!!!) for my greeting to make it quick and stylish. All that you have to do now is leave it to dry.

I love making these........now you try....go on..... sparkle!

Crafty Christmas Cheer!

2010-12-12T11:03:00.004Z

Here is a nice wintery scene of my back garden on the 2nd December. We had 16 inches of snow over two days. No cars, trains or planes! It was so peaceful and beautiful.

Here we are, very pleased with our Christmas wreaths from back left June, Carol, Georgina, Fizz, Gloria, Clarissa, Gill, Janet, Sandy and in the front Trisha, Claire, Sarah and me.

My last class of the year was yesterday at The Glitter Pot and we all had a fabulous lunch too! Thanks to everybody who came Fizz, Sarah, Clarissa, Trisha, June, Janet, Gill, Sandy, Claire, Georgina, Gloria and Carol who all bought some scrummy food to share. We really did have a feast! The lunch is now a regular Christmas event at The Glitter Pot so put it in your diaries ready for 2011 girls!

As you can see, we are pictured in the shop holding one of the items we made, Christmas wreaths from circles of card with stamped and cut out images to decorate them. Everybody made a fabulous work of art which I hope will always come out of the decoration box each Christmas.

I rushed home to watch Strictly Come Dancing, had a glass of wine with dinner and was ready for bed by 9.30....you girls certainly know how to tire someone out!!

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a crafty new year.

Night Owl...or an early bird?

2010-10-09T05:21:00.002+01:00

It's 05.30 in the morning and I can't sleep. So here I am at last on my blog... long time no see.

I seem to have been making Christmas cards forever and needed a change of scene so that's why I've chosen my owl card. I drew this picture may years ago and have now made it into a stamp and I like the results especially when I can use the paper piecing technique. The stamp set is on the Woodware label of course and can be found at The Glitter Pot and other Woodware stockists (I hope!).

Christmas card making classes this year have been a very busy affair and it seems you all like my Bubble Wreath set. When customers come to my classes and show me the cards they have made (Clarissa, has done loads!) I am so impressed and just when I think I can't teach another class I look at these cards and say 'Jane, I just love everybody on my classes and must continue!" So I'm already planning next years dates at The Glitter Pot right up to September 2011 (do I get a holiday please?).

My last class of the year at The Glitter Pot is on December 11th and we go out with a festive flourish of boxes, tags and such for Christmas. I'm also planning a fun lunch that day too. We had one last year and everybody brought something to eat and shared it so I hope you will join me again on the 11th.

Must get back to finishing next summer's stamp designs once it's daylight! So watch this space.

Have a Heart hang up card

2010-08-24T05:46:00.002+01:00

I know it's been a while....but here I am at my computer, the sun is just coming up and I've been up since 4.00 am, too many things on my mind with thoughts about cards to make and ideas to get down on paper. I have just come back from a wonderful day up in Kendal with Grosvenor Papers. The craft shop there is wonderful and I just love the girls who work there, they always look after me so well. I was demonstrating my new Christmas stamps which you can now see on the Woodware web site.

This photo is not Christmas I know but a new idea I have for making large 'hang up' cards. This heart is from a template I drew and it's about 20cm across. We made this card at The Glitter Pot last week or was it two weeks ago (time flies when you are having fun!). I cut up strips of patterned papers 2cm wide and long enough to cover the width of the card. My colour theme was green and chose a real mix of papers with texture, glitter and embossed finishes.

I also used some of Tim Holtz's crackle paint and painted a large Bazzill flower for the centre piece. I really like the paint effect but it does take several hours to dry. Try it on chipboard, grundgeboard or just about anything that has a bit of body to it. You can spritz it with distress inks after it has dried to emphasise the cracks a bit more.

The wording is from my Essential Birthdays stamp set JGCL519 by Woodware. This can be found on The Glitter Pot web site.

For the Demonstration weekend at The Glitter Pot on the 4th and 5th September I'm going to make some other shapes of 'hang up' cards perfect for Christmas using some of my new sets. So see you there, don't forget to bring your cameras, there will be lots of very clever and inspiring people at the demo weekend and you won't want to miss a thing.

Things you can do with a scallop circle....

2010-07-16T17:46:00.002+01:00

I made this card some weeks ago at The Glitter Pot, and I've only just got round to putting it on my blog! How lazy am I. Actually, I've been very busy creating some more Christmas stamp designs and then making up the samples. They should be in the shops by early August or if we are lucky end of July. I was making the samples during that amazing heat wave we had three weeks ago, it was 28-30 degrees here in West Sussex - I think that was summer.

Back to the card... you need three different sized round scallop punches or dies, closed tweezers, a medium daisy punch, a large daisy punch, patterned paper/card (which ever goes through your punch), contrasting ink pads and PVA glue.

Punch one circle from each punch and two from the smallest punch, (you now have four circles) edge all the circles with an ink pad. Cut the circles into half, then quarters, then eighths. Holding the shape from the scallop end uppermost in the closed tweezers, roll it around the tweezer till it spirals. Take it out of the tweezer and repeat to all the shapes.

Punch four daisies from same paper. Stick the curled shapes from the point onto a daisy petal. You will now have eight shapes per daisy. You have to keep the differently sized circles together on one daisy. Make up four daisies. Put one inside the other using PVA glue. Shape the large daisy to fit in the middle. And there you are - a fabulous flower for your card.

Weekend at Craft Range

2010-07-04T20:04:00.002+01:00

Just got back from a teaching a brilliant Floral Punch Craft workshop to 15 gorgeous ladies in Burnley, Lancashire at Craft Range. Not only was I treated like royalty, I had great fun too. I stayed with Deb and Mick and on my last day looked out of my bedroom window to see two deer walking casually round the front garden.

The shop is full of wonderful things and some very inspiring samples. The staff are lovely especially Janet who looked after me most of the time. She is a very talented lady and gave me some great ideas for card making and products to buy!!

I hope to be going back there in October to teach another FPC class. So if you are in the area why not pay them a visit and come and make some paper flowers.

A bouquet of roses

2010-05-31T11:26:00.002+01:00

I've just finished a wedding card for a friend's son's wedding in a weeks time. Although the roses didn't take long to make, I had such trouble getting my layout right!!!! Wedding cards are so personal, especially those made by hand for a very special person in your life.

The brides bouquet is to be a hand tied posy of cream, pale pink and pale apricot old fashioned roses. I wanted it to reflect that and keep the card simple. So a large cream base card was made. I created a flat, wide hinge on the fold on the left of the card, covered it with a Magenta vellum which was held in place with a cream ribbon and an adhesive behind the rose posy.

The circles a die cut from cream and pale green card. All the leaves were punched and then stamped onto a leaf stamp to create the realistic veins, they were then shaped and added to my arrangement. I was pretty pleased with the result and my friend loved it. I hope the bride loves it too! I enjoyed making it.

New Zealand rain forest....

2010-04-29T16:17:00.005+01:00

On my last class at The Glitter Pot we used peel offs - not a product I use a lot but these Magenta leaves are rather special. We peeled all the leaves off the backing sheet and stuck them onto pale coloured vellum, such as pink or yellow. We then sat around chatting while we cut the leaves out right up to the peel off edge. To give the leaves some movement, they were placed on a moulding mat and we used a floral punch craft tool to curl them. After the base card was decorated and covered in suitable pattered paper, we applied a nice big blob of silicone glue and took each leaf, starting with the biggest, and arranged them in a (nearly) circle pushing the end of the leaf into the glue. We finished with the smaller leaves and some seed beads in the middle. As you can see, the effect is stunning and the flowers are great made with either copper, gold or silver peel offs.

Cutting the leaves out is not too tricky, just take your time and do what I do, sit in the garden on a nice sunny day with your ready stuck leaves on the vellum and snip away. It took me half an hour to cut out one sheet of peel off leaves.

I know you would much rather see a photo of my latest card...but I must share a couple of holiday piccies with you. I had such a great time in New Zealand and have been very inspired and rather obsessed with leaves, trees and dark, damp places! This photo is of the wonderful New Zealand fern taken from above...I just love the green.

I know you would much rather see a photo of my latest card...but I must share this photo with you. I had such a great time in New Zealand and have been very inspired and rather obsessed with leaves, trees and dark, damp places! This photo is of the wonderful New Zealand fern taken from above...I just love the green. I have lots more...but won't bore you now. On the long flight out to NZ, I designed my Christmas stamps which are now be made in the US. Can't wait to get my hands on them and I hope that you will like them when they come out in August (we hope).

Shoe shop at The Glitter Pot

2010-03-10T21:41:00.004Z

Following my class last week where we made shoes at the lovely Glitter Pot. I thought it only fitting that I take a photo of all the shoes we made, and don't they make a wonderful picture?

We had a lovely day and everybody said the class was very relaxing, even Gill thought so too! I love to see Gill on my classes. Always news about her sheep and her fabulous photos to look at. I'm sure she has been enjoying Lambing Live on BBC 2 this week.

We also made a fridge card and a pretty box to put it in. It makes a perfect and unusual card.

I'm off on my hols soon, going to New Zealand and I can't wait. Must buy some Ugg boots and take loads of photos. Missing you all already.

Have planned lots of new classes for my return in April so look forward to seeing you all soon at The Glitter Pot. Meanwhile keeeeeeeeeep stamping!

Fridge cards in snowy Birmingham

2010-03-01T17:14:00.003Z

I have a spare five minutes and just must update my blog.....I have been busy and away a lot during the past couple of months. From heavy rain in California to snowy Birmingham.

Had a great three days demonstrating on the Woodware stand at the trade show and saw lots of wonderful Woodware customers. There were five of us demonstrating and we each did a make and take too.

My first make and take were these little 'fridge cards' I designed especially for the show. I'm making them at The Glitter Pot this Friday the 5th March and demonstrating them at The Art of Craft in Farnborough on Saturday 6th March if anybody would like to join us please come along. They are such fun little things to make and great to stick on your fridge as a little surprise for that birthday person.

The ones here are only about 6cm square which I think adds to their appeal. You need a piece of 6cm square card, a piece of patterned paper 10cm square and some wadding (the type you would use for quilting. Layer all these together and wrap the paper around the back of the card. Decorate as you wish....oh, and don't forget to add any brads to the paper before you layer up! Add ribbon and stick a piece of magnate (Woodware do A4 sheets of it now) on the back to hold everything in place.

Stick to the fridge and admire.

Super Stampendous Day

2009-12-09T18:17:00.005Z

Here's a fun card to make with a new Stampendous set SSC1058 Snowy Short Stacks. It's based on the flip technique where you can stamp different things on several sheets of paper and when you flick through the picture changes. From my photos you can see how simple it is to make. The drawings are really cute and would appeal to all ages. The card is on view at The Glitter Pot where I took the class last week.

A Christmas Art Impression

2009-11-22T14:39:00.005Z

The weather was awful but some of you brave soles ventured out to The Glitter Pot yesterday. I love it when the weather is bad, because that means I don't feel guilty by spending the whole day stamping inside my cosy craft room and not working outside in the garden!

The Glitter Pot is always a great place to visit and I was having fun demonstrating with Art Impressions stamps and creating Christmas cards. I had taught a busy (and noisy) class on the Friday and as you can see from the photos, we made some splendid cards.

During the morning everybody created six festive toppers using the Art Impressions stamps and in the afternoon we made two cards, one of which is pictured here with a winter scene and stag in the snow!!

The picture was stamped, and placed inside a box frame (which we made too) and then mounted onto an A6 cream card finished off with a greeting from my Christmas messages set of clear stamps (little plug there!).

All the toppers are now made into cards and can be seen at The Glitter Pot. Check out the web site for all the Art Impressions stamps.

For all you great photographers out there, my flash was on so its all a bit bleached! Sorry, but hope you enjoy my ideas. I love making cards with Art Impressions.

Flowers with a twist

2009-10-28T06:35:00.005Z

I'm so excited to be taking another Floral Punch Craft class at The Glitter Pot on the 12th November. It is a Christmas theme but we are making Carnations then using the same punch to make a Christmas tree (I like to add little bonus ideas in my classes`! Now that project is in the morning, in the afternoon we are heading for spring and making Rhododendrons. I like to be organised and I'm looking forward to spring already so these flowers really fit the bill! But you can also make a Christmas tree from the punch used to make Rhododendrons too. Its different from the morning idea.

So come along and book your place or even better than that, come and see me at The Glitter Pot this Saturday (31st October) where I will be demonstrating Rubber Stamp Tapestry for Christmas.

A little bird told me....

2009-10-02T20:36:00.002+01:00

A taster of the new, but few, stamps I'm bringing out very soon with Woodware. Its been a very busy few months and I'm working on the spring releases for 2010 already.

This little birdy is fun, a little bit hippy and can be used all year round. The set includes some Easter images too. So look out for them at your local craft store. I'll be using them pretty soon at The Glitter Pot so don't forget to pick up your class list for November and December very soon.

Grafton Crafts

2009-08-22T20:55:00.007+01:00

It's 9.00pm on Saturday 22nd August and I've just finished a perfect gin and tonic, a big plate full of fish and chips washed down with a glass of wine, I'm tired!

I've been up to Grafton Crafts all day. They are in Kimbolton near Huntingdon, yes, a long way north and way up the A1 girls!!! I've been demonstating my new Christmas stamps for the very first time and have had a lovely day with Jenny and Yvonne and all the girls who work there.

There I met the lovely Emily who is a real treasure and a very talented girl too. She was demonstrating Kanban products and we exchanged ideas and techniques. Here is a photo of her making me a much needed coffee on my arrival! As you can see I've also taken a picture of the shop interior and a couple of the reindeer cards I made for them.

The green reindeer card has glossy accents on it and then I used my very big embossing tool on the back once it was dry and guess what, it made that superb cracking effect! Just love it. Will have do it again at The Glitter Pot at their birthday weekend bash. If you want to see my new stamp sets see their web site, I'm sure Bryan and Carolyn have got them all!!!

Thanks again to all at Grafton Crafts, hope to see you all again soon.

A cosy, traditional Christmas

2009-08-10T19:21:00.004+01:00

No sooner have I finished my Christmas stamp designs, I'm told to get creative for the next lot due out in February next year!! So now I'm busy thinking of ideas, hence the absence from my blog!

Thought you might like to see another set due out very soon, catch them at The Glitter Pot where I will be demonstrating them on the 5th and 6th September at their third birthday weekend bash.

I've been pretty busy too teaching and demonstrating and last Saturday I went to The Eternal Maker in Chichester for their second birthday open day. They have just moved to new premisses on Terminus Road and boy, what a fantastic place they have now, its BIG and beautiful. You just have to go and see them. The shop does a lot of sewing (quilting mainly), knitting and felt making but they do have a nice area for rubber stamping too (which I hope will grow and grow). I really recommend them. If you go say 'hello' to Anna and Mum Sarah who own and run the shop. I'm sure they live there are so many creative ideas displayed around the shop they must spend all their time there!

Dinner beckons - I must eat and keep my strength up to keep up with you all!

2009-06-18T16:19:00.004+01:00

Its June, so it must be nearly Christmas!!! Well it is in our house... at least it is in my 'creative' room. I've been hard at it for weeks but now I have my ten new stamps sets in my hand so its head down and start creating some great cards for Christmas. I've even designed some for later on in the year that might inspire you to make Easter cards, wedding or valentine cards and a little something for the boys too.

I am planning classes from August/September onwards so do keep a look out at the craft shops where I teach.

I thought you might like a little taster... so here is my stylish reindeer on an A5 card using Woodware products.

Having lost my dear cat Sylvester at the end of May all this work has kept my mind very busy, I don't feel so sad. Thanks to all of you for your kind messages and cards.

2009-06-02T17:58:00.002+01:00

It is with great sadness I have to tell you that we had to put our dear 16 year old grey cat Sylvester to sleep last Friday the 29th May. He had kidney problems and went down hill very fast. I miss him being around but we have Elliot, our ginger tom to help keep us on our toes.

Sylvester, who belonged to my brother, came to live with us six years ago. He was such a treasure, never a hiss or a growl! I'm taking his ashes back to Winchcombe near Cheltenham where my brother lives, to be buried in the pet cemetery in the grounds of his house. Sylvester loved the garden there and would take summer evening strolls with the family so I think he will be happy back in that peaceful place.

2009-05-14T20:15:00.014+01:00

Yellow Thursday and Rubber Stamp Tapestry

Here we are at The Glitter Pot again using fabulous Magenta bird stamps to make sunny, cheery cards (shucks - we missed Easter!). There were six of us on the class which was really nice for a change! I had a turn at sitting down and actually making a card with the girls! On these cards we used Bazzil Basics, Doodlebug paper and coloured the stamped image with Inktense pencils. Die cut scallop squares, distressed edges with Tim's ink pads and embossed card with Cuttlebug embossing folders.

We also made some of my fun sprinkles by using up the scraps from the card making session. Just cut strips of very thin card in three of four

colours. Using a sharp pair of scissors, snip the strips into little squares (don't forget to put these into a little pot as you go!!). Apply some silicone gel to the area you want to 'sprinkle' and just pour over the pot of little squares. Shake off the excess and leave to dry for about 10 minutes. You might just be able to see this in the centre of the flowers and along the bottom of the large sunflower card.

In the afternoon we played with Rubber Stamp Tapestry and made two cards, one of which is pictured here. In a rare moment of madness I chose lilac for my colour theme. I always though purple was for the sole use of Julie Hickey! Hope she doesn't mind me pinching her colour for a while.

Making your own buttons is easy with an inch and a quarter inch punch, some white shrink plastic, powdered chalks and one of the little stamps from your RST set. All the cards are on view at The Glitter Pot. So see you next time on a class! Bye for now.

2009-05-07T18:43:00.008+01:00

Demo days at The Glitter Pot

If you missed it, you really missed out! We had a wonderful two days last weekend with lots of fabulous demonstrators plus me! I was in the studio with...wait for it...Francoise Read and Julie Hickey. Looks like I've really come up in the world! The weather was nice, customers cheery and of course Bryan and Carolyn on hand in the shop helping everybody feel at home. Thanks to everybody who came and made it a great success.

On the Saturday I was making my paper flowers and here are a couple of cards showing you some nice new ideas. On the Sunday I made scrapbooks in a tin which you can see in the shop. The scrapbooks are from Woodware and make great presents for special occasions. View them on The Glitter Pot web site.

The wonderful hydrangea has been made using styrofoam balls, Bazzill card stock and lots of glue! The photo shows you the products I used and if you are very clever like Joanne, you will be able to create your own with out me. But it would be much nicer to see you and come to a class at The Glitter Pot. In fact why am I showing you this card at all!

The orange flower is created using an insect selection punch by Leone Emm which has a wonderful little ant on it, great for picnic cards and scrapbook pages. Most people though they were spiders! The products as always are in the shop. I've one more sample up my sleeve but I might save that till next time!

At The Glitter Pot again on Saturday (can't get enough of the place!) repeating my chocolate themed class. We eat cake and chocolate Minstrels all day and just have a chaotic time with die cutting and folding techniques! The studio is a busy place. Will show you my cards next week.

Supper is ready and I'm starving. See you all soon.

2009-04-12T19:02:00.004+01:00

Long time no see everybody, are you all still there? I promise to try and keep in touch and update my blog more often. Must take my ca,era with me to classes 'cos I've had some brilliant photo opportunities during my classes around the country and I've not recorded them!!!

I've been up in Yorkshire and and Lancashire teaching this week and Easter has come at just the right time to give me a quick break before the next batch of classes this week. The Glitter Pot went well last Saturday, a chocolate inspired class with mini Easter eggs, home made chocolate cup cakes with pink, yellow and mint green icing (yummmy!). I think the girls liked them. We made some fun cards with browns, greens and pinks. The class is being repeated in May so I can't show you photos just yet so I don't spoil it for the ladies due on that date!!

Here we have another 'extreme' floral punch craft flower for you. It's big, about four inches across. I'm making them with some wonderful ladies in Farnborough this Saturday at The Art of Craft, another very fine craft store with terrific staff.

You will have to make do with this pretty picture of some very cute lambs at the back of my friends garden in Skipton. What a place to live, fantastic views and peace and quiet. I just love this time of year and seeing the lambs in the field was such a bonus.

I'm in the process of designing my new Christmas stamps for 2009. I've done six sets so far and if I have time hope to do some ideas for Valentines and Easter next year with a few others thrown in for good measure.

Don't desert me just yet, I'll be back to show you more things to inspire you and news from fun classes. Watch out, it could be you pictured on my next blog.

The cat's whiskers..

2009-01-30T16:10:00.002Z

I have a very happy cat on my lap at present... he's so pleased to see me because I've been away in LA for a week (trade show) and he won't let me out of his sight. I've come back with some great ideas for classes and demos so keep a look out for those on The Glitter Pot list. I tried out some fun make and takes and picked up inspiring catalogues. Not much to report really other than that. Looking forward to seeing some of you ladies on my classes this week especially my Rubber Stamp Tapestry class. Let's hope the stamps are in in time!!!

This is just a little taster of my new set of cat stamps. There's lots of images on the clear set so you can make nice background paper and even shrink the cat images using shrink plastic.

There are some fun new classes coming up at The Glitter Pot and Crafts U Love during February and March so please look out for those.

I'm back....!

2009-01-15T16:49:00.002Z

I've not been hibernating, just getting on with lots of ideas for classes and new stamp designs.

We had a great class last week at The Glitter Pot making extremley big flowers, here is an example of the flower we made. There is another card on display in the shop, so if you missed the class or were just too busy (Joanne, where were you, we missed your company) you can perhaps work out how I made it.

I cut up a large punched Woodware Cherry punch, edged the petals with black pigment ink. Using the DEET tool and mat, made lots of long character lines along the petals which created a kind of corrugated effect and curved the petals at the same time.

I then punched a 2 inch circle and stuck a petal at 12, 3, 6 and 9 'o' clock positions. Then filled in the gaps working towards the middle in the same way. Leave an inch circular gap in the middle.

Punch out lots of smaller regular daisies from black card and cut them up into individual petals, then make a single character line with DEET through the centre.

Using Woodware black Fluffy Stuff add some little blobs all over a 1 inch punched circle and heat to puff up (this stuff is brilliant for FPC projects, just watch out for it on my ice cream cards which come out in February!). Stick lots of petals around the edge of the circle from the back. Then using a good blob of glue stick this circle in the middle of your flower. Now you can see why it is important to leave that gap in the middle of your flower.

Hope you enjoy my card.

2008-11-19T22:01:00.002Z

How about this shot then girls? What a line up!

Taken down in Exmouth on the 13th October at a Japonica workshop day.

I'm on the far left and Janet Caudrelier who owns the shop is on the far right. We had a great day and lots of exciting projects went on through the day. Her next one is in March next year so if you are in the area why not join us for another fantastic workshop session. Just contact Japonica for more info.

Thanks to all the girls who came to The Glitter Pot today to do Doodlebug and Magenta classes with me. We had a really nice day. The cards are all in the shop and I forgot to take photos of them again to put on my blog!!!

Off to Chichester to The Eternal Maker tomorrow to do Floral Punch Craft. So must go the bed and get some beauty sleep. Eastbourne on Friday and them Crafts U Love for a demo day on Saturday - gosh it's all go!!

2008-11-05T18:18:00.003Z

Budapest was fantastic and very interesting, would love to go back and have a session in the thermal spas.

My next class at The Glitter Pot is on Saturday 15th November when we will be using the Art Impressions selection of trees. There are quite a few tree stamps in the range and I've got some interesting ideas up my sleeve. I look forward to seeing you all again if you have booked a space. There is a reserve list of people who can't get on the class so I might just try and persuade Bryan and Carolyn to put on another repeat for you.

I'm off to The Stoke Gallery in Gosport, Hampshire this Saturday to take a floral punch craft class. We are making 'mock orange blossom' and a session making leaves of all kinds, colouring them and learning how to put them together to make a leafy display. Fancy doing that at The Glitter Pot next year?

Just thought you might like to see a nice little photo of me with Leone Em taken a few years back while we were teaching in Skipton, Yorkshire. Have a fun week. Bye for now.

Today at The Glitter Pot

2008-10-24T20:37:00.002+01:00

Thanks to all the ladies who came to my Rubber Stamp Tapestry class today, I think we all had a great time and everybody made some beautiful pictures ready to be mounted onto Christmas cards and Birthday cards. Once my samples are completed ie made into cards too! I'll get them photographed and on my blog. But there are lots of ideas at the shop. Off to Budapest on Sunday, no not to teach rubber stamping or floral punch craft but to get some quality time with my hubby and some serios relaxing for me. The cats are going into their usual hotel with Aunty Maureen till Wednesdy, I miss them already.

Poinsettia Perfection

2008-10-16T22:02:00.000+01:00

Another great class at The Glitter Pot with some smashing ladies a couple of weeks ago produced this brilliant card in the floral punch craft class. Its easy peasy using a Christmas tree punch cut up to make the petal shape. Want to find out more? Then come and see me at The Glitter Pot this Saturday 18th October when I will be demonstrating Rubber Stamp Tapestry, see you then.

I'm off to Luton this Sunday to teach more floral punch craft to 18 ladies who are customers of Inspire Craft, a little gem of a shop stocked full of wonderful things and run by two fabulous people Helen and Paul. We will be making daffodils, orchids and fuchsias.

Last weekend I was in Exmouth at Japonica doing a workshop day. I used my Winter Warmers set of Christmas stamps and we made cute tags with stockings and hats. Janet (who owns Japonica) has some very nice customers. Lets hope I get invited back there again soon.

Silver Bubble Fun!

2008-10-16T21:55:00.000+01:00

My bubble tree Christmas set seems to be a bit of a hit with you lot. Here is a picture of the card we made in my last class with The Glitter Pot, Bryan took the picture for me as the card is in the shop on display.

You can use anything to put in the circles from peel offs to buttons, gems and brads, just rummage through your bits and pieces box and see what you can find. Change the colour too, how about pink and purple or orange and lime green.

A fun day with 128 petals!

2008-07-19T18:15:00.000+01:00

Had a really good class today at The Glitter Pot, wonderful group of ladies who made some brilliant Azaleas and Camellias,(they had 128 little daisy petals in them!). I had to leave my ard at the shop for everybody to see so will have to make another one to post on my blog so you can see what you missed.
I'm going out for dinner tonight to out local pub which I love so no time to chat too much. I've not said hello to my cats yet so must do that now before we go.
Thanks to everybody who came to my class today - it was very nice.