Seven Birthday Wood Nymphs

Happy Birthday to Crafter's Companion



A card that can be transformed into bunting

A close up of the Toread called Flora

Happy Halloween every-one!  Busy, busy…hubby is actually hanging up skeletons around me as I type and we don’t even have little ones in the house!

I tried to come up with something different with this project.  I fancied entering the Crafter’s Companion 7^th Birthday Competition (with a bit of luck I may even be considered for a guest design team spot).  I thought it would be good to do something with a bit of a wow factor.  I was also looking for an excuse to play with the Toreads (wood nymphs) stamps because of their cute and cheeky little faces and to practice my colouring in.

I had a ball with the colouring in, doing some natural colours and some more unusual.  I will definitely be creating other projects with these stamps as they could be used in many different ways.  I stamped with rich cocoa memento ink on Neenah card and used copic pens to colour in.  I added some highlights with my trusty sakura white gel pen (I would be lost without it) and a Kuretake very fine brown pen.  I added freckles just because I felt like it, not sure if wood nymphs should have freckles but why not!

I mounted the wood nymphs on some die cut shapes (spellbinders & x-cut), cut from core’dinations ‘Core Couture’ card (I used Collal 3D glue gel to give a bit of dimension).  I was drawn to slightly Halloween colours, greens, purples and oranges but that wasn’t even planned it just happened. 

Then came the dilemma of what to do with my wood nymphs!  I thought about bunting or a wishing tree table decoration that could be used for a birthday celebration but then I noticed that the competition called for a card.  So thinking cap on, I hope you like what I came up with.  It’s a bit of a mega birthday card.  It’s made from A3 centura pearl card and re-enforced with an old box because of the size.  As there was a lot of effort in the colouring in (as well as the fun) I wanted something that would have a longer life, so my tags are attached with just a little bit of foam tape so that they can be recycled back in to birthday decorations for future birthdays.  This made me think that it might be a sweet idea to make a new tag for a child every birthday so that they could have an every growing string of bunting and you could write a little message or memory on the back (as number one son will be thirty on his next birthday I think I may have had this bright idea a little late!).

Extras used: Hunkydory/Crafter’s Companion foiled acetate with leaves (part of Toread range); papermania brads and glitter strips; purple, orange and green matt card from stash; sticky letters from stash (TPC Studio); paper shapers flower punch; fuzzy wool and little pegs from stash (from bargain shop).

 

Steampunk Heaven

Feminine Steampunk Collage Fun

A close up of the flowers, butterflies and bits and pieces

I do like steampunk designs not quite sure why, may be because I was brought up when films like ‘The Time Machine’ were on the TV or because my son liked his sci-fi when he was growing up or just because they are different.

This creation is made from a Jem’s Designs paper pack.  Cutting it out (even the little spokes) was nice and relaxing.  I inked the edges too.  It’s a feminine version of steampunk so I added a Marianne die cut butterfly with a Tim Holz ‘thingy’ for a body.  I thought it lent itself to some of my other favourites: a collage design; some die cut shapes; adding extra bits..like the clock face (Kanban stamp); 3D flowers (Jem’s designs & spellbinder shape); metal charm key (stash); brads (stash); Marianne die cut key; some glossy accents on the girl’s goggles.

For the background, I had fun embossing some matt gold card with a cuttlebug folder with cogs on it and inking over for a rusty effect.  It’s all on an 8” by 8” card square with Tim Holz (washi style) tape round the edges (must do more things like this as I really enjoyed it).  Then I have stuck the whole thing on a pinflair easel which I have decorated with some IndigoBlu glitter flakes. 

I was thinking of adding a few words, ‘Dream’ and ‘Imagine’ possibly but as it’s quite busy already I might just leave it.  There's room for a message or tag on the back.

Not every-one’s cup of tea I know but I hope you like it.

It will be more tea and wood nymphs when I put the laptop down (I have been colouring quite a few).  Hopefully that will be my next post.

 

18 Today

Bit of a cheeky extra blog today. 

Happy Birthday 18 Today

This is a project I completed in the summer but didn’t take photos.  My daughter has kindly just sent me these pictures over to add to my blog.

Matching Box

It was a special request for a friend of my daughter who was turning 18.  I was told she was in to union jacks and minis.  I had just got some suitable Kanban card so I went to town.  I didn’t have any-thing with a mini on it so I used a picture from the internet which I coloured with red and blue pens so it would blend in.





a heart pocket, hearts and buttons

Rather than make a card I made a memory book.  It’s made of two 8” by 8” kraft card blanks stuck together in a concertina giving lots of sides to decorate.  Although you can’t really see in the picture there are lots of hidden pockets and opening sections to add messages, keepsakes or photos.  As well as adding layers, inked edges and faux stitching I have also added a few stamped butterflies and and some hand written words.  My favourite is the legend ‘Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you’ve imagined’.  Thought this was a good sentiment for an eighteen year old starting out in the world.  There’s some brads, gems, ribbon, buttons and butcher’s twine too, the toppers, bunting and butterflies are from the Kanban kit.

I used my crafter’s companion ultimate pro to help me make a box.  There was a decorated gift bag too, but sorry no photos of that.  You may have noticed I like decorating things but it really was so enjoyable I didn’t want to stop.

Mr & Mrs Gingerbread

Gingerbread Fun

Now, for something completely different, I would like to share a card I started at a recent craft class.  Karen Wilson holds the class at her shop ‘Craft-ed Creations’ in Alloa (my home town).

I only started going to the class a couple of weeks ago, and it is wonderful getting to ‘play’ with other crafters.  Fresh ideas, good company and tea and biscuits, who could want more?

The main focus of the card is the decoupage gingerbread lady (from Craft Creations Ltd).  She was die-cut so pretty easy to pop out.  Karen had the base stepper card and backing papers ready for us so it all came together quite easily.  There is also a wee cheeky gingerbread boy sitting on a rolling pin on the other side.

I had been working on another project that night too, so I finished this one at home (best homework ever).  I couldn’t help myself and added some white dots with my sakura pen.  I think it looks just right (although I admit the dots and dashes thing is turning in to a bit of an addiction!).  I added just a sprinkle of polar white flowersoft for icing sugar and a little bit of ric-rac ribbon and was really pleased with the result.

The card was such fun to do, I think I’ll be doing another one (the same but different of course).

Karen also has classes for scrapbooking which I hope to start attending soon.

Wedding Day

The Happy Couple

Update: I didn’t manage to post a blog yesterday as I was finishing this card and getting ready to go to the wedding in the evening.  We had a lovely evening and the bride was really beautiful.  The venue (Orocco Pier) overlooked the forth road bridge and the day photos were shown in the background on a screen in the evening (I thought this was a great idea).  They were simply stunning.

Inspiration: The bride to be is the wee sister of one of Mr Bell’s oldest friends and a lovely girl in her own right, so I wanted to create something very special with a touch of bling.  A little bird told me the bridesmaids would be in navy so I wanted to add just a little accent with navy ribbon. 

Main Products: Stampavie Sarah Kay ‘Happy Couple’ stamp (I love these images I think they are sooo romantic); do-crafts (capsule collection) cream textured card for layers; glitter card (from create and craft ages ago) some tiny Anita’s gems.  Spellbinders, x-cut and Marianne dies (the intricate heart with birds and flowers is a Marianne die and I think it is really special, I did have to put it through my cuttlebug a few times but it was worth it).

Secret pocket and love birds

• Techniques: Image hand stamped with memento rich cocoa ink and coloured with copic pens (mostly warm greys for a vintage feel but with a touch of colour and white sakura pen for highlights). Lots of layers added with spellbinders, x-cut and Marianne shapes.  Plenty of glamour dust added.  Flowers made from two different sized punches and a few brads then glittered (a variation of a flower I saw Mel Heaton demonstrate a couple of years ago).  Inside the card there are a few hearts for decoration.  One of the hearts is a secret pocket for a money gift (I like adding little pockets like this and it’s useful too!).  I have re-enforced the swirls with glossy accents and PVA glue underneath (you just have to be patient while it dries, did get some funny looks from hubby when I shouted ‘don’t touch my swirls!’).  A few white and gold fine line peel offs for borders and gold glitter congratulations peel off from stash.
• Favourites: 8” by 8” card; inked edges; faux stitching and dots; Marianne swirls; extra details inside card.  Not to mention a matching envelope.
• Extra bits - because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits: the flowers and swirls are my favourite sort of addition but I was blown away by the sparkle on the horse shoe that I bought from Karen Wilson at ‘Craft-ed Creations’ in Alloa (Karen has some absolutely fab sparkle as she also makes wedding invitations). The navy ribbon has a thread of silver and was from Karen’s shop too.  Yummy.

This pic is a wee bit fuzzy but gives and idea of the matching envelope.

Watch this space: a sneak peek at some Christmas creations next (but a cup of tea first I think!).

Goose Girl

Goose Girl in the snow

Two secret pockets and a tag inside

Update: Busy day today, got my nails done in the morning then went shopping for a new frock this afternoon (thankfully I found something that covers my lumps and bumps).  Going to a wedding tomorrow hence the need to get dolled up.  Heaven above, look at the time and still no blog.  Cheating just a wee bit as this is a card similar to  the 'Anna Karenina' one that I made earlier.

Inspiration: It's the ‘Paint box Poppets’ stamps from Crafter’s Companion again. I love original artwork and really fell for these.  My favourite colour is purple so I went with purples and lilacs this time.  As it happens my new frock is purple too.  It's getting pretty cold here today (in Scotland) and they say snow is not far away so I think the image is quite appropriate.

• Main Products: Crafter’s Companion Painbox Poppets Winter Collection – Goose Girl rubber stamp; Memory makers papers (printer dead so I couldn’t use papers from CD, but loved the effect these papers gave me).
• Techniques: Image hand stamped (rich cocoa memento) and coloured with copic pens.  Layers of co-ordinating paper with inked edges; little bit of ‘Kanban Kandy Kore’ paper put through an embossing folder then sanded to look like really rich material; couple of pockets and a tag inside.
• Favourites: Kraft card; ‘Hunkydory Colour Me’ card; faux stitching; extra details inside card; spellbinder and marianne shapes.
• Sentiment: I have not added a sentiment again so that it could be made in to a Christmas card or a winter birthday.
• Extra bits (because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits: Flowers and swirls from my favourite Marianne dies plus a few brads; little dots on the image with sakura opaque white gel pen and some fine liner pens to add to the richness.  I have only part stuck down some of the swirls so that there is a touch of dimension but the down side of this is that they can be a little delicate.

Watch this space: still working on a few projects at the same time, must get better organised!.

Time for a Party

A touch of Cabaret, a touch of Chicago and a hint of steampunk

A very special inside, blank for your own message.

Update: Another day, another blog post.  I need to get my skates on today as I have a few things to do in the real world.

Inspiration: I know I have a weakness for adding every-thing but the kitchen sink to my cards, so this is another attempt at a monochrome creation in the hope it adds a bit of class.  It has a touch of ‘Cabaret’, a touch of ‘Chicago’, and just a hint of ‘steampunk’. 

• Products: Kanban - Mackenzie backing card and elements; Kanban Moulin Divas and Steampunk stamps; black and cream card from stash; Spellbinders and Marianne dies; few brads.
• Techniques: Image hand stamped on cream card and coloured with copic pens; layers; sort of collage style.
• Favourites: Kraft card; inked edges; faux stitching; extra details inside card.
• Extra bits (because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits: I was well happy with the flowers that have a clock face in the centre, it was bit of an accidental experiment so hope other people like it as much as I do.

Watch this space: juggling between wood nymphs, wedding and Christmas…ooh it’s so tough to decide!

A Blog a Day

Lake District last year - Happy Days

I am happy to say I have joined a group of like minded people who are aiming at a crafty blog post a day.  I posted my 'Time for Tea' project earlier today, so I better get on with all the work in progress I have so that I have something good to post tomorrow.

Time for Tea

You just can't beat a good cup of tea.

I love adding extras to the inside with room for a secret message.

Update: Every-one likes tea, don’t they? In times of crisis, or even celebration you can’t beat a good cup of tea.  I am going to enter this card in the Forever Friends ‘Bingo’ challenge –Line: Blue + Ribbon + Buttons.

Inspiration: The Forever Friends bears and I are old friends.  The ‘Best of British’ paper crafting items were an excellent excuse to play especially after all the big events of the summer.  Jo Austin demonstrated them on TV, but being me I wanted to add as much to the card as I possibly could.  I love decorating the inside with extra layers and tags.  Not every-one would think of FF as vintage or shabby chic, but I thought the papers looked great after being attacked with my Tim Holtz gadget and sanded.  As in my other projects I love the whole patchwork and faux stitching effect which takes me back to my childhood and my mum’s sewing projects.

• Products: Do-crafts Forever Friends ‘Best of British’ paper crafting kit; few mats and layers inside; flowers from my favourite Marianne dies; spellbinders label shape.
• Techniques: Decoupage teapot, with glossy accents added; decoupage bunting with some metallic embroidery thread added; pocket and tag inside.
• Favourites: Kraft card; inked edges and faux stitching; extra details inside card.
• Extra bits (because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits:
• Paper flowers; ribbon (do-crafts Portobello road + ‘Inspirations’ for the ‘Every-thing stops for’ ribbon); button from an old cardigan with 'butchers twine' bow; tag inside, few brads.

Watch this space: more projects in the pipeline.

Boofle

I love cuddles

Update: Just a quick wee post today.  If you’ve not met him yet, Boofle is a knitted dog made from a Grandad’s old cardigan.  He’s got personality and has a very tactile look rather than looking like a drawing.

Inspiration: I first fell in love with Boofle when I saw a cuddly version in a card shop.  I was delighted when do-crafts brought out some paper crafting treasures (Jo Austin did some great demos on tv too).  No. 1 daughter suggested I do more small cards.  Leanne was also taken with the twisted easel card I made for her.  As a non-crafter she was really quite taken with the novelty of it so that’s why I chose this style.  The backing papers really lend themselves to a sort of patchwork quilt look which together with faux stitching is one of my favourite looks (possibly because I grew up in a house with a lot of sewing going on).

• Products: Do-crafts Boofle papercrafting kit.
• Techniques: Bit of layering on a twisted easel card, some edging with Fiskars zig-zag scissors (this takes me back to getting to use my mum’s pinking shears on special occasions!).
• Sentiment: a simple ‘For You’.  It covers a number of occasions and is just right when you want a fresh and light message.
• Favourites: Kraft card; inked edges; faux stitching.
• Extra bits: a wee Boofle bow or two.  The rosette and faux buttons are from bits in the kit.

Watch this space: So many ideas and Halloween just around the corner too...

Anna Karenina

A young Anna Karenina?



Update: Going to make a big effort to do a blog post every day this week.  Lots of projects on the go…so I better get on with it. 

Inspiration: The ‘Paint box Poppets’ stamps (artwork by Christine Haworth) from Crafter’s Companion were my starting point. The images have an old world romance about them that I love.  Once I had coloured in this image it reminded me of two things Anna Karenina and a furry hat I had as a child (honestly the seventies you had to be there!).  I had the pigtails too. 

Main Products: Crafter’s Companion Painbox Poppets Winter Collection 'Snow Princess'; Making memories papers 'Vintage Hip Collection Paisley' (my printer was on the blink so I couldn’t use papers from matching CD, but it gave me a chance to use these papers that I picked up in a sale last year.  I was pleased with the slightly different result).

• Techniques: Image hand stamped (rich cocoa memento) on 'Hunkdory Colour Me' card and coloured with copic pens.  Papers distressed with Tim Holtz tool and sanded with crafter’s companion Sand It block.  A ribbon of ‘Kanban Kandy Kore’ paper put through a ‘Darice’ folder then sanded to look like rich curtain material.
• Favourites: Kraft card; faux stitching; extra details inside card; spellbinder lacy oval shape.
• Sentiment: I have not added a sentiment.  It could be made in to a Christmas card or a winter birthday.
• Extra bits (because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits:
• Flowers and swirls from my favourite Marianne dies and a spellbinder flower plus a few brads; little dots on the image with sakura opaque white gel pen and some fine liner pens to add to the richness.

Watch this space: Itching to get on with my wood nymph and autumn projects.  Wish I could take better pictures the colouring is better in real life (honest!).

Work in Progress Day

Love is in the air - stamp is called 'A Little Bit Country'

This image reminds me of my childhood

I had a few fizzy pops last night so I am taking it easy today.  In the mood for some colouring in so I put a jumper on over my pyjamas and have my copic pens out.  Heaven.

I have taken some photos of some of my recent Sarah Kay colouring projects (with a bit of paper piecing too).  They are not quite finished as I need to make them in to cards and add some hand-made embellishments.

I am a bit fussy.  I don’t always like cute but love these ones.  They have a sort of vintage feel and they remind me of my childhood.  When I was a girl ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and ‘Holly Hobby’ were all the rage.  I can remember making my mum a Mother’s Day card with my own hand drawn ‘Holly Hobby’ style figure on it (hidden face, big hat and patchwork pinafore).  Looking back the outfit might be described as a ‘zentangle’ design as I had doodled a different design on each patchwork square.  I am drawn to the Sarah Kay images as they just remind me of things like that.  I also had a children’s cook book that my Aunt in Australia had sent me.  I am pretty sure the artwork was by Sarah Kay too.  They are also sooo fab to colour and practice shading on the clothing - jeans are great fun.

 I will post the completed cards when they are done.

The Beautiful Game

Mr. Bell loves football. Mrs. Bell loves colouring in.

The Beautiful Game + a pint.

'Football's not a matter of life and death...it's more important than that' - Bill Shankly

Update: One for the boys.  I like colouring in.  I don’t really like football, except Scotland matches but watching them would break your heart.  I have attached a photo of Mr. Bell watching England play when we were on holiday in Turkey (our holiday chums were supporting England!).  Mr. Bell is the one with his head in his hands.

 

Football can break your heart

Inspiration: The man in my life is fond of a wee beer (as are a few of his friends!) so I fell in love with the whole ‘Flippen Men’ range as soon as I saw them a few years ago (all the images show a man with a pint in his hand in various situations).  I recently got this stamp as it gave me an excuse to play at colouring in.  The Bill Shankly quote is spot on.  Mel Heaton is the first person I saw demonstrating copic pens and I have been collecting and playing since.  Thanks Mel.  The beauty of the pens with this stamp is that you can customise the jumper for your loved ones’ favourite team.
Products: La Pasche ‘Flippin Men’ stamp; Dark Cocoa Memento ink; Hunkydory card; copic pens; spellbinder label shape.
Techniques: Image hand stamped and coloured with copic pens, mat and layering.

Favourites: Kraft card; inked edges; faux stitching; extra details inside card.

Extra bits (because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits:
Backing paper from stash has a collage of vintage football players from cigarette cards.  I only had one sheet so I will have to have a go at making something similar next time.  As the card is intended for a male I couldn’t add my usual bows, flowers, flourishes and glitter (heart breaking).

Batman to the Rescue

Every-one needs a superhero!



ripping papers is fun

 

Update: I made this card last year as a special request for my daughter to give to her boyfriend (now fiancé) after I had made something similar for her brother.  I took it as a great compliment that she trusted me to make a card for her.

Inspiration: Number one son was very in to graphic novels as a teenager (especially the Sandman series), so this sort of artwork had some level of respect in our house (the artwork in the Sandman books is amazing).  There is also something cool about the more retro comic artwork used here that can work for a lot of people. The kit came with lots of witty sentiments that just made you want to make something just so you could use them.

Products: D.C. Comics kit; A3 card used for bigger easel style card; mirri, textured and wood effect card from stash.

Techniques: Ripped papers and lots of glitter, mat and layering and funky angles to emphasis the comic style.

Extra bits (because where’s the fun in making your own cards without adding extra bits: One of the batman symbols hides a space for a hidden message; lightning bolts added in black pen free hand; a few brads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bo Bunny Birdcage

Birdcage magic

Card and matching envelope

 

 

Update:  I’m in trouble with number one daughter because I have not updated my blog (and quite right too).  I have been busy with some other things, not to mention the many works in progress that are awaiting that special finishing touch (watch out for an aurora of polar bears coming soon).  My daughter being a genius came up with the idea that I post the current projects as they are then show the completed result when they are ready, so that is what I will do from now on.  Meantime, I have some previously completed projects that I made for her and my son-in-law to be.

Inspiration:  Something beautiful for a beautiful person.

Products:  First, is a birthday card made with Bo Bunny papers, a clarity butterfly stamp and a fantastic birdcage die by Marianne.  The papers were the starting point as the newsprint, swirls, butterflies and vintage feel were right up my street.  I have added a bit of cream lace and faux lace (made with a lacy border punch) on the inside and flowers, swirls and butterflies again from Marianne dies.  There’s inked edges, glitter, dots and dashes and a patchwork of layers inside.  The papers and colours are so beautiful they would carry any project well.  I was having so much fun I just kept going so fully decorated on inside, on back and on matching envelope too.

Extra bits: overstamped happy birthday on front; bit of sticky bling; butterfly on back stamped and coloured with distress inks just for the fun of it.

Next:  need to work on taking better close up photos...and..

Watch this space for a super hero next…

Happy Birthday Mum

A twisted easel card made from a fab Hunkydory kit.



I love adding hidden messages.

It was my Mother in Law’s birthday earlier in the week.  Jean loves her garden and flower arranging so I wanted to make a cheerful floral card.  I used some very pretty elements from a Hunkydory kit.  My favourite bit of card making is adding bits so I have added kraft card, ribbon, a flower brad, faux stitching and a hidden message tag.  Yummy.

The wrapping paper I had in my stash was pink and purple, so I made tags and decorated a gift bag with some cute pink card that came from a Hunkydory free gift. 

Top Tip:  Instead of using ribbon to decorate the parcel I have used some funky pink and purple wool from my stash.  If you watch for unusual wool when it is on sale you can get some real bargains.  It is much more interesting than curling ribbon and lasts so much longer.  I have quite a range of colours and textures now and some of them only cost £1 from a market stall.

Here's a picture of Campbell's Mum and myself before we went to see Phantom of the Opera last week.

Wedding Car

The Wedding Car and box with acetate window, complete with L plates.

A close up of the car and yes it is just made with card a few brads, glitter and glue.

 

 

 

Hello to every-one in blog land.  I’ve still got toothache so my crafting mojo is not at its peak.  Thought I would post a project from a few years ago that I was quite proud of.  It was made for a work colleague who was getting married and I used a template from ‘Arty Farty’.  The photos don’t show as much of the detail as I would like but I am happy to say that the bride liked it.  May be I will have a go at making another one so that I can take a better photo.