Sorry - been busy!!

Sorry I haven't been around for a while but I've been busy trying to get all my Christmas cards made. I'm nearly done (only got about 10 left to go!!) and will post the finished cards on here after Christmas once I'm back from my three-week break over in Dublin with the in-laws.

There was also the small matter of the Sergeants' Mess Christmas Ball which was on Saturday (where we won a 22" LCD TV in the Christmas draw - not bad for a night's work!). I managed to get a beautiful dress (had to be floor-length). No doubt someone will post some photos on Facebook before long so I'll let you know if any surface!!!

Well, I'd better get back to my Christmas cards - we're going over to Dublin on Thursday so haven't got very long, especially as I'll have to do all the sorting out and the packing!!!

I've only got one more post before I go away (my Design Team entry for the Flutterby Crafts Monthly Blog Challenge), but I want to take the time now to say a big MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone, but especially to those who have become good friends over the last few months.
Have a good New Year too - and remember, everything in moderation!!!

Flutterby Crafts Design Team Entry - Everything's Coming Up Roses

Here is my entry for this month's blog challenge over at Flutterby Crafts. The theme for this month is 'Everything's Coming Up Roses', and the lucky winner each month will win a £10 voucher to spend in the shop.

The size of this card is 12.5cm square and is made from burgundy card from the Papermill Shop.

The rose was stamped using the large rose stamp from the Non Sequitur Memories Of Italy set, Versafine Crimson Red archival pigment ink and watercoloured using Whispers Cherry Red and Chestnut Brown permanent dye inks from the caddy.

This was matted onto a piece of white card colour tinted with Tim Holtz Shabby Shutters Distress ink and overstamped using one of the flourish stamps from the Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer Flourishes v.1 set and Whispers Savoy Green permanent dye ink.

This was matted onto burgundy card to match the card blank.

The corners of the card blank were stamped using the same flourish stamp and Brilliance Moonlight White pigment ink.

The patterned papers are from the Basic Grey Eva paper pad (a purchase from my recent excursion to the Glitter Pot!!).

The decorative corner was created by stamping one of the corner stamps from the Stamps Away Book Plates, Anchors and Corners set on a piece of matching Eva paper and cut out. A paper piercer was used to add holes through the small circles.

The other design team members that have added their cards to this challenge are:

Joanna
Pamela
Stacey
Tenia
Tracy

You can view their cards on the Flutterby Crafts blog or by clicking on the link above and going to their own blogs.

EXCITING NEWS - I'M ON A DESIGN TEAM!!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I have been selected to be on the Design Team of my local craft shop, Flutterby Crafts.

They are starting a new online challenge on their blog later today, and, as far as I know, a prize will be up for grabs. Once it is up and running I will add my card to my blog.

Please head over there and have a look. They are in the midst of developing their online store but the bricks-and-mortar shop in Thatcham Berkshire is a very welcoming place full of goodies (and they are hoping to start stocking Penny Black stamps soon much to Tracy's delight!!).

Weekend At Flutterbys

Well, I went to the open weekend at Flutterbys and have to admit I was very restrained.

The demos on Saturday were on the BIA and the Dreamcutz and watercolouring with pencils. The D/Cutz looks like a handy tool - but a bit expensive and takes up quite a bit of room. And I really should get my pencils out again - I've only used them once or twice.

Today's demo was using crackle mediums to both crackle paints and to add a craquelure effect over a picture. Tracy was using napkins over the crackle effect and it looked great.
So, my purchases were some inkpads (Distress and Versafine), two different types of crackle medium, and some of the Dovecraft £1 stamps and stamp sets.

The new premises are so much better than the last - lots of room to move about, and demo areas. Lynn is also looking to get some new ranges of stamps (including Penny Blacks) and it also looks like they are opening an online store.

Well, I've got a few cards to make (not to mention my 70 0dd Christmas cards!!!) so I'd better go and get them done.

Going To A Demo

I'm heading over to Flutterbys tomorrow (well, later today actually) near Thatcham for a demo day. Tracy Watkiss, Graham Hansford and Michelle Saxon should be there, and of course I am only going to watch the demos - I'm not going to buy anything!!!

They are having their grand opening at 10am as they have moved their shop into larger premises, so hopefully I'll be able to get up and ready in time!!!

Last time I went to see Tracy do a demo, she had some really good projects (although of course I haven't got round to making any of them!)

So, I shall update you tomorrow and let you know how I got on and what I didn't buy!!

Demo Day at Flutterby Crafts

Well, just got back home from a demo at Flutterby Crafts just down the road in Thatcham. It was a Trimcraft demo by the lovely Tracy Watkiss.

She had some beautiful samples and made every effort to show us how we could make them ourselves, and even made us templates so we could remember how they were done when we got home.

Today I learnt how to make an origami box and lid from two sheets of 12x12 paper, and an origami frame book to go inside. There was also an origami card with a diamond pocket on the front for the envelope-like flap to tuck into. That will definitely be on my 'to be made' list. Looks a lot more difficult to make than it actually is. (It's an easy card to make, isn't it Tracy!) One of my favourites though was a little book that had lots of flaps that can also be made from 2 sheets of 12x12 card. Tracy had made it with the Once Upon A Time card and was beautiful, no, delicious!!!

Haven't got any photos to add to this blog, but hopefully will have some once I've attempted the cards and books.

Naturally enough, I had to spend SOME money (would be rude not to!) and treated myself to the Goody Bag, the two different types of Laura Ashley papers from Dovecraft and some stamps. I look forward to using them after my in-laws have been and gone next month. (The dreaded pack away - I'm not looking forward to tidying everything away so they can have the use of the spare room).

Well, I'll head back to my recording of the Andy Murray match - I'm an hour behind so no-one tell me the result!!