Make, Do and Gem

Hi! My name is ...

2012-01-31T09:00:00.001Z

Gemma!

At Embroiderers' Guild we are all encouraged to make a name badge so we have a better chance at remembering names! It's really great for me - I meet so many new people at WI alone I can't really cope with trying to remember any more!

Here is my badge ...

I stamped my name on to paper and traced it on to the plain calico, then satin stitched over it in black cotton.

The tiny hexagons are paper-pieced. Very fiddly and not too symmetrical, but very cute.

I'll be wearing this to WI as well - we've started giving out sticky labels there to help everyone get to know each other.

Kindle cover

2012-01-27T11:41:00.002Z

I challenged myself to make something new last week - a Kindle pouch.

It's just a bigger take on the phone pouch I made myself a while back, but needed to have a flap and some sort of fastening so the Kindle doesn't fall out.

Also, it was for a male friend, so I couldn't just go for my usual flowery fabrics.

And here it is!

Luckily I had some of this funky boy fabric with cars and bikes and boats and planes, which is great for a small feature panel. It also matched in with the chequered fabric and I went with the traditional blue and red fabrics for the main construction.

This is the back, with two panels. I pinked them round the edges and stitched on with a zig-zag stitch. There is a layer of batting and the lining is a plain calico.

A Formula 1 car on the front and the flap has a press-stud for easy opening (and also because I had no velcro).

I used measurements from a tutorial online and it actually came out a little long for the Kindle, but it does the job.

Love, love, love

2012-01-23T09:00:00.006Z

With Valentine's Day coming up I thought I best prepare a card to send to Jenson Button! Well, you never know!

I've gone for what I hope is quite a sophisticated look and used Crumb Cake and red.

The little envelopes are made with the Petal Card Double Punch, which cuts and embosses, and the DSP is the now retired Love Letter series. The images are from a hostess set from last year called Cute By The Inch but it is one of my all-time favourites. The ribbon is Real Red Taffeta Ribbon.

Hopefully it will help me win Jenson over!

Latest quilt progress

2012-01-20T09:43:00.005Z

Having spent all of Christmas working on my quilt I had to put it away for a while and do something different. I was getting hexagon blindness!

I've been drooling over several quilt patterns and new fabrics recently and have in mind a "proper" quilt to make, but first I really should finish the Japanese hexagon one.

So, last night at our Buns & Roses WI meeting I took my quilt along to get going on it again.

I now have nine and a half rows sewn together and it's looking pretty good.

It's getting pretty big so it keeps me warm as I sit and stitch.

I was delighted to be able to share my project with the WI ladies too. I received so many compliments on it and everyone wanted to know how (and why) I was doing it.

I do have a slight conundrum though - the edges.

When I started I thought I would leave it pointy as there are no raw edges and all the shapes are finished as they go. But now I'm not so sure - it feels like it needs something to finish it.

Any thoughts? I might keep the pointy edge but go round it with some binding. I could just straighten it off, or add a border, but the latter would be extra work and it's already taking rather a long time!

All input is welcome!

A new patchwork project

2012-01-13T09:00:00.002Z

Keeping up the tradition of doing a million things at once I have started work on a patchwork bag.

My mum bought the kit for me as a Christmas present at the Knitting & Stitching Show and I was itching to get started as soon as I got back to Leeds and had my sewing machine set up.

Good job I bought a rotary cutter and ruler as there was a lot of cutting and I had to be quite precise!

This is the front all pieced together ...

And here is the back ...

I'm quite pleased so far, despite it being a little wonky. It was quite tricky to put together but there were no major incidents and I still have all my digits attached even after extensive use of the rotary cutter!

Next up I have to start quilting it and making the flap, which involves some machine applique.

Bright birthday card

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000Z

Winter can become rather dull, so when Hayley asked for a card for a boy who was turning one earlier this month I decided to got for bright and bold.

I combined some Celebrations DSP with card stock from the Brights family, a big star and some coordinating brads.

If you ever need cheering up I can highly recommend playing with some bight coloured card!

The Quilt

2012-01-05T09:00:00.002Z

I managed to find quite a bit of time while I was home over Christmas to work on my quilt and I'm pleased to say I am making good progress.

If my calculations are correct, I just need to make another four hexagons and then I will have enough. That would bring the total to 294, although it might need to be more in the end. At the moment I'm too scared to lay it out on my bed and see!

This was it a couple of days ago with six whole rows sewn together.

I'm now up to nine rows, so that could be half way done, if all goes to plan!

Pippa liked to help me work on the quilt too!

A final Christmas present

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000Z

One final Christmas present to show you now I know it arrived safely.

My lovely friend Kat has a company called Flamingo, so when I found this cross stitch pattern in my stash I knew it wuld be just the ticket.

I only just got it finished in time for Christmas - it was trickier than it looks because of all the fractional stitches.

And I very nearly had an incident with Hayley's staple gun while mounting it on the canvas. I'm not allowed to use it anymore ...

Anyway, it was great to get back into a bit of cross stitching as I've not done it for a while. Maybe I should dig out all those unfinished projects ...

If that was Christmas, we've had it!

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000Z

I've become a bit slow on the blogging front again, but with all the excitemen I haven't a clue what day it is!

This year I've had several Christmases with different friends and parts of my family. I'm pleased to report that Santa is not on Facebook or Twitter and is therefore still under the impression that I have been a good girl! So I got several fantastic presents, and some money which I have spent on underwear and craft goodies!

Am also loving my hire car - so much fun being able to drive myself around wherever and whenever I want.

Anyway, on to a gift I gave. You have seen this before, but it was finished off and given to my mum.

It's the peacock art piece I did at a workshop with the Embroiderers' Guild.

Hayley mounted it on to a canvas for me so it is now a work of art for my mum's wall.

She was rather impressed!

In other news, the Japanese hexagon quilt is coming along nicely and I am pleased to report that I have very nearly finished all the pieces. Then to sew all 298 of them together ...

Happy birthday Hayley!

2011-12-19T11:00:00.005Z

Today is my good friend Hayley's birthday and in the spirit of crafting and needlework here is the card I made for her.

Paper patchwork is just as much fun as fabric pathcwork, but much quicker! I still go a bit wonky though!

So simple to do - squares fo different DSP (retired Springtime Vintage and Newsprint in this case), stuck on to a plain piece of card then cut out in the Big Shot with the Top Note Die.

Then finished off with a couple of buttons and a ribbon made from the Victoria Crochet Ribbon.

We're celebrating Hayley's ageing this evening with food and booze.

The Owl Punch - not just for owls!

2011-12-16T08:00:00.003Z

Owls are too cute, but did you know the Stampin' Up! Owl Punch is also great for making other creatures?

Like penguins!

Heather, who is Helen's sister, had asked me to make a card for a friend who was moving to a new job. "She likes penguins and music" was the brief, so out came the Owl Punch et voila, penguins!

So easy and so much fun to make.

I am reliably informed that she loved the card and I'm a bit gutted I was so well prepared with my Christmas cards this year, otherwise I'd have done penguin ones!

A 70th birthday card

2011-12-13T09:00:00.001Z

This week, Helena, the Chairman of the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes, celebrated her 70th birthday.

I was tasked with making the card so I decided to do one similar to my nanna and grandad's 60th wedding anniversary one.

This design just works for me and it's nice and easy to achieve.

I decorated with Pearls to add some glamour.

Here's to many happy returns for Helena!

Japanese quilted wall hanging - Finished!

2011-12-11T09:00:00.000Z

I got restless the other day and finished off my Japanese quilted wall hanging.

It is finished off with the sashiko quilting to make the clouds and add some detail on the waves.

In my tradition of not bothering to measure and cut things properly it is a little wonky and not quite square, but I still love it.

My mum bought me a similar kit with a lucky cat (maneki neko) so I have that to do over Christmas.

Christmas gift bags

2011-12-09T09:00:00.002Z

I've been super organised this year and have all except one of my gifts bought/made and wrapped.

Once again I have kept the packaging simple with brown paper for those that are wrapped and brown paper bags for more awkward things to go in.

Here are the sacks, using the gift labels I made for Buns & Roses WI the other week.

Simple but effective!

Christmas stocking

2011-12-06T08:34:00.003Z

As well as teaching at our Buns & Roses WI Christmas Crafts workshop last week I also managed to get started on one of the other projects - a Christmas stocking.

The sewing machine came out over the weekend to finish i off and it's now ready to hang on my dad's fireplace when I get home for Christmas.

Lots of hand applique here, and it has my usual level of wonkiness as nothing was properly pinned or measured.

Hope Santa comes and leaves a few gifts in it for me!

Christmas Crafts workshop for Buns & Roses WI

2011-12-02T09:00:00.004Z

Last night was our Christmas Crafts workshop at Buns & Roses WI and I was helping the girls make a Christmas card and gift tag.

I focused on the new Stampin' Up! DSP Holly Berry, which is just yummy. I don't normally go crazy about Christmas things but I really love the designs in this range.

Here's the card everyone made. I CASE'd the design from my talented friend Vicky.

And this is the tag, utilising more of the DSP and the Notably Ornate stamp set.

Quick, simple but effective - the way Christmas should be!

Japanese quilting

2011-11-30T09:00:00.004Z

I am still busy crafting, promise!

Most of the things I can't show you as they are Christmas presents, and you never know who's reading!

Last weekend was the Knitting & Stitching Show, and I was there for three, yes THREE days. Once to help out on the WI stand and twice for some shopping and workshops with my mum.

Am delighted to say that I did not break the bank. Most of what I bought was Christmas presents for others and I chose some for mum to send on to Santa to bring to me. As long as I stay good for another few weeks!

One of the things I did buy myself (of which there were only two and one was paid for with my pocket money from my nan) was a Japanese quilting kit.

I fell in love with it and was going to save it as a project to do over Christmas, but I got restless last night so out came my machine!

All the fabrics were pre-cut, except for the moon which I had to cut and turn, so it only took me about an hour to put this together.

I just need to finish it off now with a bit of sashiko - Japanese hand quilting.

Then it will become ... something. Probably a wall hanging. Unless anyone has other suggestions?

Quilting as performance art

2011-11-23T09:00:00.002Z

Oops, I seem to have gotten a bit lax with my blogging again. And I was doing so well! Life must be getting in the way!

As usual, lots going on, but my quilt is coming along nicely.

I have now completed three and a half rows and still have plenty of hexagons ready to be stitched on.

It is 18 hexagons wide at the top, so every other row is 17 wide.

I've not yet figured out how many rows there will be in total, but at at a guess of 18 I would need 315 hexagons.

There are two reasons I have made such excellent progress recently.

Firstly, I spent the whole of Sunday in bed with Helen working on it while watching Warehouse 13.

Secondly, this:

Hayley and I used it in a spot of performance art while having a drink in the pub the other week. She tells the story better on her blog: Hayley Mills-Styles.

Tomorrow I'm off to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate to help on the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes stand (it's E9 - come and say hello if you are at the show anytime!).

I'm back there on Sunday with my mum, so next week I should have more regular updates. For a while at least!

Flirtatious fabric accessories

2011-11-12T09:00:00.004Z

And more fabric projects!

Today's items use the Flirtatious Stampin' Up! fabric, which has three patterns - two in pinks and one in purple. Yum!

First up, a Suffolk puff brooch - possibly the quickest and easiest stitching project in the world!

Made from just a circle of fabric with a running stitch all around they edge, you can literally make these in 15 minutes.

They have loads of other uses as well as brooches - stick them on headbands, hair clips, or anything at all!

Also, some sort of zipped case. It's completely the wrong size for a pencil case (I didn't bother to measure or plan - I just stitched away!) but would be quite useful for makeup.

On one side is a hexagon patchwork flower.

And the other has a patchwork triangle pattern.

I may go a little quiet for a while now as I'm about to start working on Christmas presents, but I'll try to update on other things!

Beau Chateau fabric birds

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000Z

Another fabric project today!

I made these two little birdies from the Stampin' Up! Beau Chateau fabric and showed them to some of my SU family at our team training last month.

Here they are sat on my sewing kit.

They look rather inquisitive.

I even made them a nest from a witch's broomstick!

A great little project to work on of an evening and I might have to rustle up some more. I have visions of them sitting on branches as a funky mobile, or just hiding around my room.

I've used up my first pack of this fabric now. Best go order some more!

Another Christmas tree decoration

2011-11-08T11:34:00.002Z

Just stopping by for a quickie today - another Christmas tree decoration.

This time I used the Stampin' Up! Candy Cane Christmas fabric and decorated with sequins and beads.

Don't forget the FREE tutorial is over there >>>

ARGH ZOMBIES!

2011-11-05T09:00:00.002Z

Hehe, it's ok, not real live ones!

These zombies are made of felt and they were our Buns & Roses workshop this month.

They're really cute actually, and not in the slightest bit scary. I blame that on the felt and bling!

He is my favourite. I love his dangly eye (although I didn't do mine correctly!) and the way his arms are kinda lurching.

Pumpkin has brains coming out of his head. Yikes!

I put loops on so Hayley can hang them from her Christmas tree, although I might have to keep them to go on mine!

Petite Pennant Punch ... Not just for bunting

2011-11-04T09:00:00.001Z

Honestly! You can make flowers too!

See! How cute?! It could also be a windmill!

The DSP here is the new First Edition range, which being newsprint is right up my street.

Elegant Eggplant Scallop Dots Ribbon is just one of the many new products for this year.

And the brads are from the new Antique Brads pot, which are FAB!

Just another card to show why coordinating stamp sets and punches are so wonderful.

Bunting

2011-11-03T09:00:00.002Z

Yes, I'm still in love with bunting. Must get round to making myself some proper bunting (Did I tell you I have a new sewing machine? A story foe another day!).

This card is another made at Julie's training, where we went to town with the Pennant Parade stamp set and matching Petite Pennants Punch.

Extra dimension thanks to the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and flowers from the Boho Blossoms Punch. And Rhinestones for bling!

Blackwork bookmark

2011-11-02T09:00:00.002Z

A bit of a sneak peek for you today!

Later this month, the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes is again hosting a stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate.

I have been helping to organise our stand and managed to talk myself into designing and making a kit to sell to visitors.

This is what I came up with ...

A blackwork sampler bookmark on aida band.

I hope people buy it and can understand my instructions and charts!

A little Something for Christmas

2011-11-01T10:00:00.004Z

Back to the Christmas prep today - not long to go!

My cards this year will be focusing on the Something For Christmas stamp and the Holly Berry DSP.

I've also gone a bit crazy for embossing powder!

First up, a quick and simple card. I stamped in Cherry Cobbler and used Clear Embossing Powder. A bit of matting and it's good to go.

And then, some Gold Embossing Powder and the Holly Berry DSP. These patterned papers are gorgeous, and some even have glitter! I shaped them with the Top Note Die on my Big Shot.

Did I mention how much I love heat embossing powder?! Great effect.

Now to write my list for Santa. I have been really good this year. Honestly!

Yet another wedding card

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000Z

My friend Hayley seems to have gone to dozens of weddings this year. It's keeping me on my toes coming up with new cards for her to give to the happy couples!

Here's the latest one ...

I kept the colour scheme neutral with Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake and added some bling using the Gold Embossing Powder. I also used my Big Shot and the Square Lattice Embossing Folder to give texture.

The gold birdie is holding a tag featuring a sentiment from Tiny Tags and punched out with the matching Jewellery Tag Punch.

Swirls are from the Scribbles Swirls Die and the flowers are stamped in Versamark with the now retired Punch Potpourri hostess set, and embossed. The gold powder works brilliantly even on the fine details. The flowers are punched with the matching Boho Blossoms Punch.

I am reliably informed that the proceedings went off without a hitch and Hayley promises no more weddings until January!

Beau Chateau raggy bag

2011-10-30T10:00:00.000Z

You know when you make something that you just absolutely love and are so proud of? This is it!

I've seen loads of these raggy bags in blogland, made using the Stampin' Up! fabric and the Scallop Square die on the Big Shot so I just had to give it a go.

It takes 19 squares of the fabric for the outside, and 19 in a plain fabric for the lining. Also, 19 squares of batting to give it a bit of extra weight.

Each square is quilted on its own, then lined up in rows to make the basic bag template.

Then simply pull it all together and stitch up the sides.

Add handles ...

And a fastening loop. I stitched a press stud on for easy opening and closing and a decorative button.

I just love my new bag! I'm using it to carry around my craft stuff (it's full of quilted hexagons at the moment).

I feel more quilting and bags coming on - the Big Shot really does make sewing projects so quick and easy.

Go go gadget pouch

2011-10-29T09:00:00.003+01:00

Another fabric project today, using the Timeless Portrait fabric from Stampin' Up!

My BlackBerry case was getting a little battered, so I decided to make myself a new one.

The longest and most difficult part was deciding which of the five ranges of Stampin' Up! fabric to use!

I settled on Timeless Portrait and to keep things simple I did a bit of quilting in purple thread and a random zigzag stitch.

I feel another tutorial coming on! The case is lined with a plain black fabric and I used some batting in the middle to give it a bit of padding (I am always dropping my phone).

Hopefully you cansee the stitching. And a pueple button!

I'm going to make a confession now and admit that this one was too small for my BlackBerry. I am not very good at measuring accurately! But no fear, I will add it to our next craft stall and hopefully sell it as an iPod pouch.

Also, I REALLY want a decent sewing machine so am trying to save some pennies. Please noone show me pretty fabrics or cute buttons or my money box will be empty again!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree ...

2011-10-28T09:00:00.007+01:00

I never remember the next line to that song!

Anyway, some 3D Christmas tree cards for you today.

First up, this one was made at Julie's training a few weeks back.

We used the Penannt Parade stamp set and matching Petite Pennants punch to make the tree. The newspaper background is from the First Edition DSP.

The new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch and Ruffled Ribbon also feature.

And I made some similar ones using the Holly Berry DSP.

Please note the GORGEOUS Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon and the glitter on some of the papers in this range.

I have managed to make most of my Christmas cards so far this year, but am still a bit short on gifts!

Presents

2011-10-27T10:00:00.000+01:00

I have managed to make a couple of gifts for my loved ones recently.

First up, a cushion for my dad and step mum for their new home.

Cross stitch design on evenweave, made into an envelope cushion. I did rather well actually, even pressing the seams correctly!

And I had a visit to the Candle Factory in Burwardsley and mde candles for Helen and Hayley.

Such good fun to dip them in wax and twist them together. Had to have one for myself too!

I've managed to be very busy with my crafting recently, and have blog posts lined up almost every day, so please come back!

Creating art with the Embroiderers Guild

2011-10-26T09:00:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday I attended an all-day workshop with the Embroiderers Guild in Headingley.

The original plan was to make a little book, but I ended up creating a work of art (I use the phrase loosely).

I love peacocks, so I had taken along some feathers and a load of matching threads, wools, buttons and beads.

There was a lot of Bondaweb and some tea staining involved to build up layers on the calico and create all sorts of textures.

It was a great day and I really enjoyed letting my creativity out with no particular purpose or reason.

Tea and bunting

2011-10-25T10:00:00.000+01:00

Tea and bunting - two things that go together perfectly, so today I have two projects to share.

First up, my very own, hand-painted teacup!

I painted it at a Buns & Roses workshop earlier this month, and we just got them back from being fired and glazed.

I've not used it yet - too scared of dropping it!

And to go with it, a bunting card from our team training.

Lovely bunting with the Petite Pennants Punch and the Just Add Cake DSP. The background is given added texture with the Square Lattice embossing folder.

Best get kettle on!

Stampin' Up! fabric boxes

2011-10-24T10:00:00.004+01:00

Another idea for your new Stampin' Up! fabric today.

These little boxes are super easy to make and are great gifts (so if you're expecting a present off me this Christmas look away now!).

Basically, you cut two hexagons of fabric, sandwich a hexagon of pelmet Vilene in the middle, fold up the corners, et voila!

Heres a Timeless Portrait one. It works great as a little sewing basket on my desk.

And this is the Candy Cane Christmas fabric. A few of these on the coffee table filled with choccies will be just right!

I may sort out a tutorial for these soon!

Diamond wedding anniversary card

2011-10-23T20:45:00.006+01:00

Yes, you read that right, my nanna and grandad have been married for 60 years! Amazing!

They had a big party with all their friends and family last night, so I'm back in Cheshire for a few days to join in the fun.

Here is the card I made them ...

I just had to use the retired Springtime Vintage DSP as the rose is so pretty. I also made the most of my new Scallop Square Die and the Big Shot, with the Timeless Type Alphabet Dies for the numbers.

I'm pleased with the postage stamp look.

Who would have thought a bit of decoupage could look so classy?! (I've become obsessed with Create and Craft TV recently, so usually see some hideous layering effects!).

And a little decoration inside too.

It's great to be back with my family - curry with my dad today and shopping with mum tomorrow!

Beau Chateau accessories

2011-10-20T09:00:00.001+01:00

The Beau Chateau Stampin' Up! fabric is my favourite. Ok, ok; one of my favourites.

It's all vintage and shabby and chic and cute and I've made several things with it already. For our team training I went all out with the accessories.

Firstly - I glammed up a pinny!

I made the basic pinny at the Knitting & Stitching Show last year, but never got round to finishing it off. Eleven months on, it is now all stitched and being worn with pride!

On the pocket I did some Big Shot flowers and a scrunched up strip to make a flower.

And some more Big Shot Fun Flowers. I edged it with the Victoria Crochet Trim and some netting.

Mummy Julie took this pic of me.

I also rustled up this bow which I stitched on to a hair clip. I made my own fabric button with cover buttons.

Here it is in situ (thanks again to Julie for taking the pic).

And finally, a brooch using the Fun Flowers die on the Big Shot.

I made two flowers of each size and added in some Seam Binding Ribbon, Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon and Victoria Crochet Trim.

Next on my to-do list with this fabric is a necklace.

Japanese folded fabric Christmas tree tutorial

2011-10-19T09:00:00.000+01:00

If you would like to make your very own Japanese folded fabric Christmas tree decoration I have put together a tutorial with all the instructions.

You can find it here ... Japanese folded fabric Christmas tree tutorial and there is also a permanent link in the menu bar over there >>>

Please come back and let me know how you get on! And if you have any problems just get in touch.

Happy crafting!

Sail away

2011-10-18T09:00:00.000+01:00

Ahoy! Avast! Land ho! etc etc

Today I have a sail boat card that I made at our team training.

I just love this - such a cute scene. It makes me want to float out to sea, although those waves do look a bit choppy!

We had a bit of punch art here - the best bit is the half scallop circles used as masks for the clouds, then daub on blue ink around to colour in the sky.

This is a great way to use the Petite Pennants Punch and Pennant Parade stamp set - they are so versatile.

So, who's going to singing that Enya song all day now?!

Stampin' Up! training with Julie's Jems - Fabric Christmas tree

2011-10-16T09:00:00.001+01:00

Yesterday it was my SU mummy's all-day training session, so I spent a fantastic few hours getting my craft on with some great friends.

Julie had asked me to do a section using the new Stampin' Up! fabric so I got to share my love of sewing and show some projects that I have been making recently.

The one that got the most "oooohs" and "ahhhs" was this fabric Christmas tree made using a Japanese folded patchwork technique.

I was shown how to make this by some of my good friends at the WI, and I knew the Deck The Halls fabric would be just perfect.

It's nowhere near as complex to make as it looks - it boils down to ten fabric triangles folded like origami then stitched together.

Finish with some buttons, a pot and a loop of ribbon and it's ready to hang on the wall!

By popular demand, I will be putting together a tutorial on how to make this in the next few days, so watch this space!

Finally, here is the yummy cupcake I had after our lunch!

100 quilted hexagons

2011-10-14T09:00:00.001+01:00

I have now made 100 of the quilted hexagons Japanese folded patchwork style.

It doesn't look that many, but they are piled up a bit as I just threw them out of the bag!

The latest calculation suggests I will need 250 to 300 altogether, so about a third of the way through now! I've not properly figured out how wide and long it needs to be, so the total may keep changing!

Here are some of my favourites so far ...

These use some of the new Stampin' Up! fabric.

Some bright colours.

I particularly like this birdie.

And some with flowers.

I think it's time to start sewing them together. I might have the quilt finished by next Christmas!

Cuptown Girl

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000+01:00

That was the name of our October workshop at Buns & Roses WI as we were painting teacups and saucers!

We had the lovely Suzanne from Potterdoodle come along to show us how it's done, and she had all sorts of goodies for us to play with.

I stuck with the simple paints and paintbrush, as my artistic talents are non-existant, but there were also stamps and stencils to inspire.

Here's my cup ...

I went with patchwork hexagons on the saucer.

The colours look rather pale, but once it is glazed and fired they will be all bright and shiny.

I'll have a photo of the finished thing next week when we get them back.

Cake please!

2011-10-09T22:00:00.003+01:00

Nom nom nom. Cake is gooood. Although being a member of the WI hasn't improved my baking skills, I do get more chances to practice my eating skills!

On Saturday, Buns & Roses WI were at the Morley Literature Festival. We were asked to provide cakes and serve tea and bring some of our wares to sell.

Being the master baker, Hayley was charged with creating 70 cupcakes, but she had to use my kitchen as hers is non-existant at the moment!

I also helped by choosing the sprinkles. And licking the bowls.

There were four creations - a chocolate brownie and vanilla cakes with different icings - chocolate, orange and vanilla.

I did the dipping into sprinkles as well. Then I ate the leftovers.

Actually, I did my fair share overall! I made the labels too.

I knew this stamp set would be perfect for something, which is why I've kept it despite the fact it retired at the beginning of this month. It is called On A Pedestal.

I'm still mostly busy with fabric at the moment, but I also have a cold so feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Changes to Stampin' Up! hostess benefits

2011-10-03T09:00:00.000+01:00

With the launch of the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue, there have been some changes to the benefits that workshop hostesses can earn.

Now, depending on the total value of the products ordered at your workshop, you will earn a certain amount of hostess pounds to spend.

These can be spent anywhere in the catalogue, including the new hostess-only section.

This area has many new stamp sets and a pack of DSP that can only be bought by hostesses. Best of all, they are available at below retail value. So you get more for your money!

Take a look at the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue for full details, then get in touch to book your workshop.

Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in October and get FREE goodies

2011-10-02T09:00:00.001+01:00

Becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is a great way to explore your creativity, make new friends and earn some extra cash.

If you join my team, Gem's Gems, in October, SU will give you a FREE In Colour kit on top of the amazing value of the Starter Kit.

When you sign up this month, you will not only get more than £250 worth of products for just £119, you also get the card stock and classic ink pads in the 2011-2013 In Colours.

This means five extra ink pads and a pack of assorted A4 card in the beautiful new colours - Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo.

It's worth £27.95, so sign up now to take advantage!

If you want to find out more about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator just get in touch, or go here:
In Colour promotion.

New Stampin' Up! catalogue out now

2011-10-01T08:00:00.004+01:00

Hurrah! It's October 1st and that means the brand new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue is released.

There are so many exciting new products that it's difficult to know where to start. You can see everything in its full glory on the website Stampin' Up catalogue.

You already know that one of my favourite new things is the beautiful fabric, so you can expect many more projects using that, but first, a card.

This is the gorgeous Everything Eleanor stamp set which is so versatile with lots of different elements. Definitely a must-have.

The flower is cut out, which is not too fiddly, and decorated with pearls. I also used the new Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon, another of my favourite new items.

Once you have decided what to order first, give me a shout and I'll get your new Stampin' Up! products to you ASAP.

Retiring Stampin' Up! products - Get them before they're gone!

2011-09-30T20:00:00.000+01:00

The new Stampin' Up! catalogue is just around the corner, and that means we know that certain products from the current one will be retiring.

Click to see the retiring products list and then call or email me to place your order.

There are some fab discounts to be had too!

Items will be available until September 30th, or sooner if they sell out, so don't delay!

More fun with fabric

2011-09-28T09:20:00.005+01:00

On Monday I spent a few hours with my SU mummy Julie playing with fabric and making some projects for her all-day training event in a couple of weeks.

I'll hold off showing you most of the things I made so as not to spoil the suprise for my fellow demos attending, but here are two mini cushions I rustled up.

This is SU faric but unfortunately not a pattern available over here (its good to have friends overseas!).

The hexagon flowers are so pretty and easy to make. I used a technique called English paper piecing. Basically, you cut out small hexagons of paper (takeaway menus are the ideal weight!) and then tack a slightly larger hexagon fabric over them. Then stitch all the hexagons together into a flower (or any shape you want) and remove the tacking stitches and take the paper out. Not as fiddly as it sounds, but it's hard to describe!

I machine stitched them on to the plain fabric I had (don't ask me what it is or where it came from!) then made that into the front of the cushion covers, with an envelope-style back.

And here they are in situ on my blanket box. I even made proper tiny cushion fillers by chopping up a big cushion pad.

On to the next project ...

Potty for patchwork and an SU peek

2011-09-26T08:57:00.005+01:00

Wow, I really am getting rubbish at blogging regularly! It's the end of September, only 90 days until Christmas and there just aren't enough hours in the day!

As usual, I have been working on several things at once, and card making is still playing second fiddle to sewing at the moment. I have bought so many pretty fabrics recently and my head is swimming with ideas!

But, I have made a couple of things that combine my love for sewing and Stampin' Up! What could such projects entail? Well, here you go ...

Stampin' Up! fabric! Oh yes! I am in heaven! There are five ranges in total, each containing three different patterns. Not long now until the new catty is launched and you will get to see them all, but being a demo I already got my little paws on some samples! Muhahaha.

I have been giving patchwork a go, so I made this star and stitched it on to a cushion cover. There is a name for the style of star, but I'm not yet up to speed with all the lingo!

And I couldn't not do a bag for life while I was at it. These were leftovers so I just created a geometric tower.

I have many more projects planned with the different Stampin' Up! fabrics, so keep an eye on my blog over the next few weeks! Best get on with some stitching!

A very special day

2011-09-11T12:20:00.003+01:00

Yesterday my dad got married at Runcorn Town Hall.

I managed to make them a card before I came back down, using some of the retiring DSP - Play Date, punches and my Big Shot.

I love the Cherry Cobbler red so that was my card blank and the big hearts, with the little ones also in the heart printed paper. I ran the Very Vanilla matting through the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and finished off with some Pearls on the little hearts.

We had a wonderful day. Jacki looked beautiful and they were so happy.

I had to do two readings at the ceremony, which I think went well (the registrar offered me a job so I could have a new career in public speaking!).

We had drinks at the pub then went for a curry. Then more drinks. I bought us some nice bubbly (Moet 1998 I think it was!) and there were plenty of stories and sillyness.

This is the beautiful rose bracelet the florist made for me.

And here's dad and Jacki cutting the cake.

Now the fun is over and I'm heading back to Leeds for a week of WI and work.

Japanese folded fabric patchwork

2011-09-04T19:34:00.002+01:00

One of the things keeping me quiet recently is Japanese folded fabric patchwork.

I learnt about this at the Knitting and Stitching Show last year, and I'll be learning more at a WI workshop later this year.

One technique uses two different sizes of hexagon fabrics, stitched together on top of each other at an angle with wadding in the middle.

I find them quick and easy to do and the best bit is the quilting is done with each piece as you go along.

I've done about 60 so far in all sorts of different materials (I had to do a lot of stash shopping- oh no!).

The plan is to make them into a quilt, for which I will need several hundred!

Each one takes about 30 minutes, so a few more hours yet ...

Free Stampin' Up! gift this August

2011-08-31T19:00:00.000+01:00

As if you needed an excuse to buy more Stampin' Up! goodies, this month you could get a fantastic free gift with your order or workshop!

When you place a £75 order, or host a £250 workshop, you’ll also receive a free gift from Stampin’ Up!

It includes a beautiful, exclusively-designed cosmetic bag, along with Rich Razzleberry 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, and a 24-piece Clip Assortment.

This offer is only available this month, so get your wish lists sorted and credit cards at the ready and get in touch to place your order!

And don't forget, if you host a workshop you can earn freebies from the catalogue today, so why not get your friends round for a crafty gathering this month?

Bag lady

2011-08-24T12:01:00.003+01:00

Hello! Just a quickie to prove that I am still alive!

I've been working on all sorts of different bits and pieces recently, mostly little things to keep me occupied of an evening without too much thought or stress!

The patchwork bug has well and truly bitten me so I have been playing about with shapes and different fabrics.

Here are three bags for life that I decorated.

The hexagon flower is my favourite. The fabric was a bargain from Samuel Taylors in Leeds.

I had a few issues making the diamond one and it's not exactly perfect, but with the button and a few beads I think I pulled it off!

And the hexagon border one is pretty successful too I think.

These will be on sale at our next Buns & Roses craft stalls - we have two coming up and have sold quite a lot of goodies on the market stall so we're trying to restock!

I am also working on a quilt. A bit ambitious but I am using a Japanese folded patchwork technique and each piece is finished and quilted as you make it then stitched together at the end, so it's not too bad.

Other works in progress include something for my dad and step-mum for their new house and to celebrate their wedding and pieces for my embroidery certificate.

What's this? ... A card!

2011-08-17T11:37:00.004+01:00

YES! I have a card to show you. It's from a little while ago, and is only a quick and simple one that I CASEd from the amazingly talented Vicky at Crafting Clare's Paper Moments.

For this one, I ran with the idea of inking on to a clear acyrlic block and using that to create a spot of colour direct on the card blank. It's easy - just rub the ink pad on to the block then stamp it down!

I then drew on a stalk and added some yellow flowers, punched with the Boho Blossoms Punch out of Greenhouse Gala DSP. I secured them with Rhinestone Brads and finished with a sentiment from Sincere Salutations.

Now that I finally have all my craft stuff set up properly in my new room I really must make some new cards. Problem at the moment is I keep getting distracted too easily and want to try out lots of new things!

I'm OK

2011-08-14T10:49:00.004+01:00

Just becoming even more rubbish at updating my blog! Yikes!

It's been over a week, so what has been happening?

Well, I have been doing a lot of work for starters! It's now more than a year since I became self-employed and *touch-wood, fingers-crossed etc* all is well.

I have also been busy with the WI, as ever. Buns & Roses needed a new venue, so I'm pleased to say we found a fab new home, and I have put together my first issue of the West Yorkshire News monthly newsletter as Editor.

There has been crafting time too, and even a day trip to York! Myself, Hayley and Helen had a day out to visit the Quilt Museum and York Minster, both of which were amazing and full of inspiration.

I even had a go at a little bit of quilting myself. I got into my head an idea to do a series of pieces, entitled "I'm OK". It came from an exhibiton I saw a long time ago, where the artist had written home to friends and family during his travels, simply saying "I am still alive". My goal is to do these little bits regularly, in whatever craft form I feel inspired by at the time, as a reminder to myself that I'm OK.

So this is the first, using some fabrics I bought at the Quilt Museum. It's a rather rough-and-ready attempt at quilting (I did it all by hand, in bed, while watching nature programmes on iPlayer!).

Oh, I have also bought myself a Filofax, as my little WI diary just did not have enough room for everything that's going on!

Going crazy ... for patchwork!

2011-08-05T08:53:00.005+01:00

Last night was our Buns & Roses workshop on crazy patchwork. We all made purses using lots of bits of different fabrics.

I made this one in advance as an example to people.

I must admit this was my second attempt, as when I was making it I was a little worse for wear and tried to use small pieces of fabric that were too fiddly to turn and stitch. I got annoyed and started over, but this one turned out pretty good!

Last night I made this one ...

So now I need to finish it off!

They're the perfect size for business cards, and very handy for a few bits like hair grips and bobbles too.

I've some crafting time pencilled in for the weekend, so hopefully I will have more to show next week.

Extra! Extra! Earn even more free hostess rewards in June and July

2011-07-31T22:00:00.000+01:00

Stampin' Up! have done it again - they've brought us yet another fabulous offer!

Between June 1st and July 31st, hostesses can earn £20 worth of EXTRA FREE PRODUCTS.

How? Simply by hosting a party with product sales over £250.

Yep, that easy! Just by getting your friends round and having some fun getting creative with me and Stampin' Up! you can earn loads of freebies.

And of course, the £20 is on top of all the other goodies you would normally receive!

Here's the figures ...

For more check out the Extra hostess rewards page. Then give me a call or send me an email to book your workshop!

Hurray for freebies!

A big load of Big Shot cards

2011-07-29T13:05:00.002+01:00

Well, I have made it back for a quick blog again!

Not sure where I'm up to with letting you know about my life, but I have just moved house, so that has been providing me with much stress and hassle the past few weeks. And little time for crafting.

But I have had to make a few new cards, and the Big Shot came in very useful for saving me time!

I managed to make these four very quickly. Well, once I had dug everything out and stopped faffing about!

I have also mastered the art of making more of one of the same card at each time - economies of scale and all that!

Here I used the Fun Flowers die, which is simply marvellous. They are a really good size so you can use them as the main focal point. They're also perfect for brooches from fabric or felt.

And the Beautiful Wings Embosslit makes the sweetest little butterflies!

I teamed the butterflies and flowers with Springtim Vintage DSP, and added the Top Note die embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder for added dimension without taking away from the main focus.

Weekend is here again already, and this time I'm off to our Buns & Roses WI 80s party tonight, and the Embroiderers Guild meeting tomorrow. Then I shall attempt to chill out and watch the racing!

A motorcycle card on a motorsports weekend

2011-07-24T08:00:00.001+01:00

Is somebody stealing time at the moment? I think so! At least, mine is going somewhere!

Actually, I do know where its gone - I have moved house, had loads of work on and many things to do for the WI.

I was in London for a couple of days to visit the National Federation of Women's Institutes HQ and also for a spot of tourism - I went to the National Portrait Gallery and the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

I managed to get (almost) everything in my new house with the help of my lovely friends.

Work has been crazy busy and is keeping me out of trouble.

And the WI seem to keep finding things for me to do as well!

All this means not much crafting has been going on. I can't even remember the last time I made a card! Hopefully next week when I have my craft space set up again I will be able to rectify the situation.

Now, in honour of the motorsport weekend (both Formula 1 and MotoGP this time!) here's a card using the Motorcycle stamp.

I also used the Big Shot and the Top Note and Swirls Scribbles dies. The sentiment is made from Basic Phrases.

All my cards are now for sale at Leeds Kirkgate Market as part of the community stall, where Buns & Roses WI are selling lots of goodies. If you're local, do go in and buy our goods!

My niece's birthday

2011-07-16T08:00:00.000+01:00

Apologies, as usual, for not blogging very often. I am in the process of moving to a new house, while also juggling work and WI duties. It's all very hectic but good fun! Still, hope things calm down soon.

Earlier this month it was my niece's birthday, and although I forgot to send a card from myself, I had made one for my mum to give to her.

She's such a little cutie, hopefully I'll get to see her soon and make up for forgetting to send a card (although I did speak to her on the day).

Anyway, here's the card.

I used the cute Fox and Friends stamp set, which was the first one I bought when I discovered Stampin' Up! I gave them little party hats which are the point from the Star Punch, with a little Rhinestone on top for a bit of bling.

The sentiment is made from Basic Phrases and the DSP is Play Date - great for kids.

And to finish, some Flower Brads.

I will do my best to find time over the weekend to schedule some posts so you lovely followers don't have to go without!

Getting ready for Christmas!

2011-07-08T14:38:00.004+01:00

At our Julie's Jems training session this week we were all about the dreaded C'word .... Christmas! It's only five months away, and considering I try to make all my gifts I really should start thinking about it now!

At least we got a couple of cards and a gift box done, so I can say I have started my preparations!

Here's one of the cards we made. In fact, they were both the same design but the other one didn't have the ribbon and Rhinestones.

We used the Ornament Punch to make the baubles from the Jolly Holiday DSP, stuck them down and stamped the sentiment before running it through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

Hopefully you can see the quilted effect here.

We also made a gift box using the Pillow Box Dies. The two boxes were just slotted into each other (one was also embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder) and this time we used a strip of the DSP to decorate and a bauble from the COntempo Christmas stamp set.

I might keep things simple this year and just make the same card and gift for everyone and mass produce these designs!

Buns & Roses at the I Love West Leeds Festival

2011-07-05T09:10:00.002+01:00

On Sunday, Buns & Roses WI took part in the I Love West Leeds Festival, this year in Bramley Falls Park.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we were there to sell our wares on our craft table and help the kiddies make name plaques for their doors.

Here's Helen, Hayley and me at our stall. Doesn't it look amazing?! We sold quite a lot of stuff, mostly thanks to the wonderful Liz, Secretary at the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes, who did a great job promoting the WI.

Here you can see everyone hard at work creating their plaques. We had lots of amazing helpers on the day and it was hard work, but enjoyable.

You can see my plaque hanging below the sign in the second picture. It's now on my office door at the Federation.

And here are some that the kids made, hanging to dry in the sunshine. They all got really into it and there were some very clever and creative uses of the stash we provided.

The I Love West Leeds events are going on throughout the month, so if you're local then do check out the festival website.

Butterflies and leaves and a spot of interior design

2011-07-01T08:13:00.005+01:00

Just time for another quick update this morning! I cannot believe it's Friday again, and now we're in July. Time flies!

Yesterday I decorated my office at the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes.

How good does it look now?! I'm so pleased with it. I chose green for the WI and purple as it's my favourite colour. These are also the colours of the Suffragettes, but Wimbledon too unfortunately, which I hate!

I painted a few lines of Jerusalem on the wall: "I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem, In England's green and pleasant land".

I'm rather pleased with my painting skills and it's a lovely place to work - I can see out to the canal too and watch the boats go by. The pictures and quote on the wall remind me of all the work the WI has done in the past, and how much more there is to do.

I actually have a card to show today as well! Just a quickie, and apologies for the bad picture as it had already been paackaged for sale!

I used the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and the Leaves #2 die, coupled with a random piece of DSP.

Nice and easy and good for any occassion!

Stil plenty going on to keep me out of trouble, so I best keep at it!

A new stitching style - Jacobean embroidery

2011-06-29T08:00:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Jaboean embroidery workshop run by the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes at their office in Rodley.

I love these day classes - you get to learn new things alongside fellow crafters and we have lots of fun too.

Well, with all the chatting and faffing about with the wool (I didn't really like working with it!) I didn't get much done, but I finished my piece off over the weekend.

Most of the stitches I had done before, but I learnt some new ones called coral stitch, spiderwebs and pinwheels, which are fab, and practiced my blanket stitch, which I've never been very good at.

The coral stitch is the ling thin stems. It's kind of knotted over itself every cm or so. The little blue flowers are the web and wheel stitches. Very impressed with these two so must remember to use them again in future.

I think the laid trellis work is a lovely effect too, although I did get a bit muddle with the couching down so the pattern went a bit wrong in places!

Lots of French knots for the middle of the flower and the yellow things at the outside that look like caterpillars are called bullion knots.

Don't think I'll be working in wool again anytime soon, but I'm very pleased with the finished piece.

Carr Manor Craft Fair

2011-06-27T08:00:00.001+01:00

Sam and I had a lovely afternoon at the Carr Manor Primary School Craft Fair on Saturday, despite not selling very much.

Here's our stall, doesn't it look pretty? Sam brought the tablecloth and bunting, which is essential for any craft stall!

Here are some of mine and the Buns & Roses goodies - cards, owl bookmarks, bags for life, stitched pictures.

And here are Sam's items - her gorgeous bath products including salts, scrubs and bobmbs. Find out more about her crafty exploits on her Corsets, Crafts and Cupcakes blog.

Don't the jars look fab? Sam invested in a stash of Stampin' Up! goodies so she could make all her packaging. It looks so beautiful all together.

Today I'm at The WI office in Rodley - not on official business but just taking the opportunity to work in a different environment and see some of my best friends at the same time!

This evening I'm off to the Craft Club in Headingley to share something (as of Sunday afternoon when I scheduled this I have no idea what I will be crafting!), then it's a pretty usual week.

A couple of quickies

2011-06-25T08:00:00.000+01:00

I finally managed to find a little time to make some cards the other day, so I did some very quick and easy ones.

Here I've used the Boho Blossoms Punch to make the small flowers in different colours, and added a tiny pearl centre. The sentiment is from the SAB set So Happy For You.

And this features a stamp from the hostess set Cute By The Inch and hearts made from the Brights DSP stack with the Small Hearts Punch.

Quick but effective! I'm at a craft fair in Chapel Allerton today so hoping I sell a few cards!

Where has my craft time gone?

2011-06-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

I seem to have lost a lot of my crafting time recently. Well, I've had some but I don't get round to doing big projects - just bits and pieces for my embroidery certificate or helping other people!

So that's my reason for still not having many photos to share, but once again I'm going to take the opportunity to clear out a few that have been lingering in my "to share" folder for a while. They're not particularly exciting, but I made them, and that's what this blog is all about!

Remember the gift bags Chris showed us at our Julie's Jems training a while back? Here's one in pink.

And here's another mander book. I made this one for Tessa just after I moved in to her lovely house. I used the music pattern from the Newsprint DSP as she's a jazz singer.

Finally, an album I picked up from TK Maxx, with frames in the front for adding some pics to the cover. I just used the Springtime Vintage DSP and some lacey bits and ribbon and Pearls to decorate them.

Actually, I did make some new cards last night, but my BlackBerry broke so I can't take any pics!

My new one should be on its way so hopefully I will be back to instant email and Twitter/Facebook access soon and be able to feel like I'm still in the 21st century!

As promised, news from the WI

2011-06-17T08:00:00.002+01:00

Here goes then with the latest tales from the WI.

As you know I've been getting more and more involved with this wonderful organisation for a few months now and really couldn't wish to be part of a more open, friendly and accepting group of women. And I mean that about Buns & Roses, our West Yorkshire Federation and the National Federation of Women's Institutes.

Remember the early days of Facebook when people would boast about having 100 "friends", hardly any of whom they had ever spoken to, let alone met?! Well, I can safely say that I have 207,000 very good friends in my fellow WI members and although I may not have spoken to or met them either, I know they would be there for me if I needed them and that I would happily return the favour anytime.

This is precisely why I have been getting more involved and am proud to already be the Denman College Rep for West Yorkshire, the Editor of our monthly newsletter (I have my own office and I get to decorate it!) and a member of the Home Economics & Handicrafts Committee.

As of this week, I now also sit on the Executive Committee at West Yorkshire and am so excited to also be President of Buns & Roses WI, as of our meeting last night.

Georgiana felt the time had come for her to step down, and with the approval of the rest of the committee, I have now officially taken on the role.

I don't expect it to be easy, but I know it will be fun and I'm looking forward to it.

Buns & Roses have had another bit of excitement this week as well - we are featured in the current issue of Woman magazine! Please do go out and get a copy (or at least flip through it in the shop - you'll see us on page 19!).

That's all the WI gossip for now! I am sure there will be more very soon and I will return over the weekend with crafty pics!

Father's Day card and an apology

2011-06-15T08:00:00.000+01:00

Firstly, an apology to my big bro, Matthew. It turns out he does read my blog and his wedding anniversary is not until the end of July, so I have spoiled the surprise of the card he will be getting from our mum! Sorry bro! Maybe she will send a different one instead ...

And further apologies for being a bit lax with the blogging recently. I have been super busy with one thing or another, mostly the WI! Having taken on the role of Editor of West Yorkshire News I have been chasing copy, designing layouts and battling with budgets so far this week! There is fun WI stuff happening too - today I am doing a Jacobean embroidery workshop for the day and later this week I will let you in on some super exciting Buns & Roses news!

For now though, male cards.

I was so glad to see the Plane and Simple set in the Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue. It is ideal for my dad, as he is the treasurer of his local model flying club and loves to build, fly and crash model airplanes! It's also a good alternative to golf and beer!

Now, I'm fairly sure my dad doesn't read my blog, so here goes with the card he'll be receiving for Father's Day! If you see this dad - sorry!

I went with neutral tones and some embossing and distressing to add interest without having to go for the traditional embellishments such as buttons and ribbon. I used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder for the background piece of cardstock.

The splodges were made using the Sprizer Tool and the edges of the card were roughed up with the Cutter Kit. The label (this is one for my stash to sell hence why it says happy birthday and not happy father's day) was attached with a brad for a bit of movement.

Right, time to get busy with a needle and thread!

Another wedding card (sorry!)

2011-06-11T08:00:00.001+01:00

Yet another wedding card I'm afraid, this time an anniversary one for my brother and his missus. I made this for my mum to give to them.

Shamefully, I have no idea when their anniversary is, so I doubt they'll be getting a card from me! I might even have missed it!

Ah well, they get one of my creations via my mum anyway!

I used the Always Elegant here and created the background by repeatedly stamping the big swirly pattern on to Whisper White cardstock in Crum Cake ink. A subtle, beautiful pattern. It was mounted on to a square Crumb Cake card blank.

For the focal element, I used the sentiment from that set in Cherry Cobbler ink. I used te Word Window and Scallop Oval punches for the frame. Then, lots of flowers using the flower stamps from the Punch Potpourri hostess set, punched out with the matching Boho Blossoms Punch.

I made some tiny rose buds from Whisper White 3mm Taffeta Ribbon
and decorated with lots of Pearls.

A very pretty card, and the Cherry Cobbler just gives it that wow factor and brings it to life.

Today I'm off to our Buns & Roses WI 1940s/50s day and I have a very pretty dress to wear and dance around in! I will be back with tales and pics soon.

In the meantime, why not head over to our B&R blog to read all about the national AGM this week.

Goldwork and The WI AGM

2011-06-09T09:10:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I was at the Liverpool Echo Arena for the WI AGM.

I had been asked to attend in case the press wanted to talk to someone about being in the WI. As it happened, it was pretty quiet, but I had a great time anyway.

Being sat up in the VIP boxes was spectacular - I could see the whole arena and all 4,500 fellow members. When we all stood up to sing Jerusalem it was absolutely incredible.

I won't bore you with all the details here, as I'll be putting something up on our WI blog soon, but I will share some pics of my finished goldwork that I took along.

The Picture Framer in Burley did a wonderful job framing it.

And here are each of the four sections close up ...

Now I just have to decide where to hang it!

Cards for bikers

2011-06-07T08:37:00.004+01:00

Just a quickie today as I have muchos to do - pick up my framed goldwork, get my hair dyed, do some work, prep for the WI AGM tomorrow ...

It's my friend Flower's birthday this weekend (he is Hayley's husband) and he's a biker, so of course the new Motorcycle stamp from Stampin' Up! makes an appearance!

I went for simple, as I was quite pushed for time when making this and wanted to do a few in the same design so some could go in my box to sell at craft fairs.

I simply stamped the image on to Whisper White and matted it on to a piece of coloured cardstock. I used the sentiment from Plane and Simple as well as the long patterned stamp from that set - it looks a bit like a tyre track!

Job done! I'm pretty sure he'll appreciate it.

Right, must crack on ...

Owls and booze

2011-06-05T08:00:00.004+01:00

Another card commissioned by my friend Fay for you today!

She needed a good luck card for someone who has just got a new job. "She is going to be a feature writer and likes booze" was the brief!

Here's what I came up with ...

I teamed the Newsprint DSP (embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper folder on my Big Shot) with some patterns from the colour family DSP stacks.

It's fun to make owls using the Two-Step Owl Punch - I used DSP for his waistcoat too.

The banner at the top is a die I got from a blog candy win and the sentiment is from the hostess set Something To Celebrate.

Here's owl enjoying a cocktail from the Cheers To You set!

I like this one as it reminds me of a bar I visited in Minneapolis many years back. It had a newspaper theme with pages all over the walls. And it did great cocktails!

A bunch of balloons

2011-06-04T08:00:00.000+01:00

Today I have a very bright and colourful card to share, so if you're still half-asleep this should wake you up!

On Bank Holiday Monday, Helen came round for a crafting session. She did some more scrapbook pages (she's done loads now and they're fab!) and I made a few cards.

Helen brought with her a request from her mum for a colourful card in which to put some money for a five-month-old girl. She didn't want to go down the typical baby pinks route, so I came up with this.

The balloon is from the Party This Way set. I stamped several in lots of bright colours and used Daffodil Delight card stock for the base. I attached them all in a bunch with Linen Thread.

Hanging off the bottom is a present! This is just a square of the Sweet & Sour DSP, which is also lovely and bright. I added some Old Olive grosgrain ribbon for the bow and used a Rose Red button to hold the thread together. Helen's mum wanted the card to say "A present for Grace" so I wrote this in one of the Four Frames stamps and punched it out with the coordinating Decorative Label Punch.

Inside she wanted somewhere to put money, and once more it was Big Shot to the rescue! The Scallop Envelope Die is a perfect little pocket for a couple of coins or a note and it fits nicely inside the C6-size card. I cut this out from Sweet & Sour DSP to match the present.

I hope baby Grace will appreciate all these bright colours! It was definitely a fun card to make.

Fascinator making with Buns & Roses

2011-06-03T09:45:00.003+01:00

Last night was our fascintaor making workshop at Buns & Roses WI. Hayley very cleverly gave it the title (Sina) Major Tom, sinamay being the scratchy material used to make fascinator bases!

Anyway, seeing as I have made several fascinators now I was there mostly to run the bar and help other members, but I did find time to make a little brooch in the same method.

I used some of the waste sinamay in a rectangle shape. It is also curved at the opposite corners so is quite funky.

I covered it in brown silky material and edged it with orange gingham ribbon.

To decorate I scrunched up some bright orange fabric and orange lace and fastened on with some buttons.

In the opposite top corner I folded a bit of the same gingham ribbon round the edge and added another button.

And here it is in-situ!

You can see some more pics of what we got up to and the creations of our lovely members at the Buns & Roses WI blog.

Owl punch projects

2011-06-02T08:00:00.007+01:00

Yesterday was our monthly training at Julie's and as well as being joined by three of my lovely SU sisters I was delighted to have my SU daughter, Alex, come along too.

As well as business talk, gossip, tea and cake we found time to make a couple of projects.

The focus was the Two-Step Owl Punch, which is a fab item and super cute. Not to mention right on-trend at the moment.

First we made this card. We used the Top Note Die, Little Leaves Sizzlit and Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder on the Big Shot to create the focal area. The sentiment is from Curly Cute.

Here you can see the beautiful, deep embossing a bit clearer.

Then we made a cute little gift pouch to match.

This was made by sticking together two cut-outs of the Scallop Envelope Die. They fold together into a littleholder that would be perfect for those tiny chocolate bars.

It was decorated with a piece of Springtime Vintage DSP, which was also used for the owl's chest, and some Seam Binding Ribbon.

Two great projects that were so quick and easy to do but look amazing.

Wedding cards with lots of embossing

2011-05-31T08:00:00.000+01:00

What did I do before the Big Shot came along?! I'm not sure how I managed to cope without quick and easy die cutting and yummy embossing options!

Back to the wedding theme (is everyone getting hitched at the moment?!), here are two cards for newlyweds. Hayley asked me to make one for her sister, who tied the knot at the weekend, so I made another one to go in my craft fair box to sell.

The navy one is for Hayley's sister - that was their colour scheme. I think these Mr and Mrs hearts are so cute. For the pink one I used some of the Springtime Vintage DSP. Both have some ruffled Seam Binding Ribbon and Pearls.

Here you can see some of the embossing a bit better. It would still be cute without it, but the Big Shot and embossing folders just add that extra something - a bit of texture can work wonders, especially when you don't want to go overboard with colours.

On the Mrs I used the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder to give her dress a pattern. The Mr's jacket and the background were run through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

Thank heavens for the Big Shot!

A day of stitching

2011-05-29T08:00:00.001+01:00

Yesterday was dedicated to stitching, and very good it was too.

In the morning I got a bit more of my goldwork done from Denman College. It's very nearly finished! Hoping to get the last bits done while I watch the F1 today.

The main event was a trip to the Embroiderers Guild meeting in Headingley. Hayley came with me and we spent a lovely couple of hours chatting to the ladies and making a raggy brooch.

These are quite simple to do, but it does take a little more thought than Hayley and I put in. As a result, ours ended up rather more flat then they should have been. Still, they looked good anyway.

They're just made from strips of fabric, folded up and stitched on to a circle of felt. I added some little rose buds from wrapped strips to the middle of mine, which then made it flatter, but prettier!

In the evening I practiced some canvaswork stitches.

I love the texture this simple technique creates. I used Madeira Lana wool on some evenweave. It's not actually that color - white thread on camel fabric in real life!

To finish off the evening I ordered some hardanger supplies, so expect pics of yet another type of embroidery soon!

Surprise blog candy reveal

2011-05-27T08:00:00.000+01:00

Time for my Birthday Surprise Blog Candy reveal! I know the lucky winner Veronica has received the goodies now, so I can safely share some pics!

First up is a pouch made with a mobile phone or MP3 player in mind. Fortunately, it fits Veronica's new phone just right! I made this at our Buns & Roses meeting last week using some new fabric that we got from Leeds Kirkgate Market. I just love it!

The back is plain felt and I added the little bit from the edge of the fabric where they check the printing lines up and the colours are right (there is a technical name for it but I forgot!)

Next up a Suffolk puff brooch. Veronica told me she likes autumn colours and this fabric with the leaves was just right!

I used a Stampin' Up! button and ribbon here too. These are so quick and easy to make. Well, unless you keep snapping your thread!

The third item was a cross stitch bookmark. Veronica likes to read crime novels, so I though this would save her hunting around for clues on where she's up to!

The charts were from a magazine and I just put them together on an aida band and added the wording. I made the tassle from gold thread and finished the back off with a piece of felt (handmade by Hayley).

Here's Sherlock Holmes peeking through the keyhole!

Finally, a meander book using the Springtime Vintage DSP.

I went with the lovely blue flower piece and decorated the front using Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and some other random bits in a similar green, and the Fun Flowers and Timesless Type Alphabet dies on my Big Shot.

The little pockets inside each have a tag in for a few words of wisdom.

I loved making all these and I'm glad Veronica enjoyed receiving them! I might even do another blog candy in the future!

Wednesday fun

2011-05-26T09:00:00.002+01:00

I had a very busy day Wednesday with lots of WI things - my favourite kind of things.

I spent most of it at the West Yorkshire Federation office sorting out things for my role as Denman College rep and also learning about running our monthly newsletter. I'll be getting involved in that too; I'm a woman of many talents. And not enough hours!

It's always fun being at the office with some of the other members and having a good gossip!

Here's me and Hayley being daft!

The evening was spent with Hayley and Helen as usual.

Here's Helen knitting me a hat!

I spent my time doing some tiny blackwork pieces as practice pieces towards my NFWI Embroidery Certificate.

I'm testing out different fabris and threads and getting used to how the patterns work - it makes my eyes go funny after a while!

Finally I helped Hayley set up her blog to showcase her artwork. It's still new but do head over and become a follower and you'll get to see some of her wonderful artwork in the coming weeks. Hayley's blog.

Tales from The WI

2011-05-21T10:43:00.002+01:00

Today I'm catching up on all the WI happenings from the last week or so, and there have been a lot!

Firstly, up at the West Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes I'm on the Home Economics and Handicrafts Committee. We sort all the crafty goodness out. The latest news is that I'll be running a card and gift bag workshop there next year and also that we're doing the WI stand at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate again. I'll be manning the stand at some point and hopefully teaching a workshop too. Exciting!

The next piece of gossip is that I'm now the Denman Rep for West Yorkshire! You know I loved my week there doing Elizabethan goldwork, so it just seemed like a good plan! I'll be helping spread the word about Denman to WIs around the county and will hopefully be able to get back down there very soon.

And finally, and most excitingly, I have been asked by the National Federation of Women's Institutes to attend the AGM in Liverpool next month! They needed a few members to act as reps for members of the press to speak to about what the WI is really like and what we get up to. I'm mega looking forward to it - 5,000 people attend and we have speakers, including Sir Steve Redgrave, and sing Jerusalem of course! Because I'll be with the press office it should be a good way to get a bit of a behind the scenes look at the WI as well!

There are other bits of WI-based fun, but they won't mean much to most people so let's just say that being a member is keeping me very busy and creative!

Finally, a pic of myself and the Buns & Roses committee at our meeting this week.

Getting back on board with blogging

2011-05-19T08:28:00.006+01:00

I've been a bit of a naughty blogger reently and not managed to update as often as I would like. In a way it's a good thing as it means I'm so busy, but it also means that my busy-ness hasn't been through cardmaking, which I am sad about. I hope to have a good session this weekend though and build up my cards for upcoming craft fairs, so I should be able to build up a stock of photos to share in future!

It's my dad's birthday today. I sent his pressie and card in the post so I hope they arrived safely and on time! I got him a Lewis Hamilton McLaren baseball cap, which I know he will appreciate and use. He likes to wear a cap when he flies his model airplanes. I bought him one from the MotoGP at Donington Park many years ago, but it is a bit knackered now, to say the least! So the new Hamilton one should keep him the sun out of his eyes this summer.

I also sent him a card using the Motorcycle stamp from Stampin' Up!, but I have already shared that with you (it was the swap I made for the Jems when the Mini Catalogue came out).

So instead, here is a card I made for Helen's dad, who had his birthday a few weeks ago.

This is the Sail Away stamp, another of the single ones in the new Mini Catalogue. I knew the page from the Newsprint DSP with the maps on would be perfect, but unfortunately I only had two tiny scraps of that one left, so I just scrumpled and inked them up and had them poking out from behind the image.

I used the Top Note Die and Square Lattice Embossing Folder in my Big Shot to make a nice background. Then I used the Jewellery Tag punch to make the label and attached it to a button with Linen Thread.

Daddy Helen was pleased with it, I am told!

I have lots of exciting WI news to share with you, but I think I will leave that until tomorrow as we have our Buns & Roses meeting tonight and there'll be more gossip from that too!

Clearly For You and more business

2011-05-16T21:22:00.005+01:00

It's still busy, busy, busy in the life of Gemma!

I was a very good girl yesterday and got a lot of work done (while also managing to watch the MotoGP, The Spy Who Loved Me and have a soak in a bubbly bath with my book for Buns & Roses WI Book Club). Productive or what?!

I needed to do this as today it was the Home Economics & Handicrafts Committee meeting at the West Yorkshire Federation of WIs. As always, we nattered and drank tea and got a lot planned. We have lots of great things to organise, including my own card making workshop next year and our slot at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate this November.

So I still could do with a few more hours in each day!

Unfortunately I've not had a lot of time to do much papercrafting recently. But I must get back on track as I have craft fairs and a market stall to prepare for!

PLEASE can I have more time?!

I do have a few photos stored up still though, so here's a card using the Clearly For You set.

This was one of my very first must-haves from the 2011 Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue as I love vintage things and the way you can mix up the different stamps within the set.

For this one, I cut out the squares and rolled half with the Sanded Wheel in Basic Grey ink to give texture and the other half I used the rectangle pattern image from Clearly For You.

I used the decorative elements in Melon Mambo and Old Olive on some of the squares, then scrunched them all up and distressed them by randomly inking in Basic Grey. Simply rubbing the ink pad gently over the card stock does the job.

This one has already come and gone as one of my fellow WI members bought it for a wedding card! I hope the happy couple liked it!

Time for another early night now so I have enough energy for all the things I have planned for tomorrow! The to do list includes work, stitching, card making ...

Learning to draw with The WI

2011-05-13T21:05:00.004+01:00

Last night was our monthly workshop at Buns & Roses and we were learning how to draw.

We had a lovely illustrator called Steve Beaumont come to teach us and he was very good.

By starting off with shapes we all managed to draw a pretty realistic lady!

Here's my effort! Have to admit I'm not that keen on it. I liked it better before I did the face and hair!

Anyway, it was fun and I will definitely be a bit more confident giving drawing a go in future.

We have just started a Buns & Roses blog so please come and see us there for more pics and stories!

I also went to see the Asda WI yesterday - they are called the Trolly Dollies! And also had a quick visit to Leeds Kirkgate Market to organise selling some of my goodies there!

So it was a very busy and exciting day.

A little something for my SU daughter

2011-05-12T08:00:00.001+01:00

On Tuesday evening my lovely downline and friend Alex came round so I could help get her started as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

There was no time for crafting unfortunately, as we focused on business things, but we had a good time nonetheless.

I had made her a little something to say welcome to the Gem's Gems team and here it is ...

A little gift bag using the Scallop Envelope Die on my Big Shot.

These are really fun and easy to make - simply cut out four envelopes and stick them together so that the flap becomes the bottom of the box and the scallop bit is turned down over the top edge. Then decorate as you wish.

I used the Springtime Vintage DSP and added flowers made with the Fun Flowers Die and a bow from Seam Binding Ribbon.

I then filled it full of goodies - loads of bits of ribbon and a pot of buttons and brads.

The little pot is an empty SU one, which I just covered with another flower made using the Fun Flowers Die. I have also added texture by running the shapes through the Big Shot with an Embossing Folder - Square Lattice and Perfect Polka Dots.

Being an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is great fun and a fantastic way of making some money from being crafty. The Starter Kit costs just £119 for £230 of goodies and has everything to get you started.

If you'd like to find out more about joining the Gem's Gems just ring me or send me an email and we'll have a chat.

Vintage scrapbooking

2011-05-10T09:20:00.004+01:00

Whenever I go to antique fairs I always hunt out old photos. I just love the colours, the outfits and, best of all, some of the poses and situations.

It kills me that such precious memories can be thrown away so easily, so by buying a few I hope to save these people, whoever they are, and help them live on a bit longer.

But until I started scrapbooking I never really knew what to do with them. I've only done two pages so far (one was about a year ago now and the one I'm sharing today was finished a couple of weeks ago!) but at least I have a plan and so these people won't be stuck in a shoebox forever!

This photo appealed to me because the lady is so pretty, and also the because of the story. The writing on the photo tells us that she was Tina, and died in Rochester on the 6th of July 1923.

I used the Springtime Vintage DSP to make my 8x8ins page look like a wall. The border is Taffeta Ribbon and Seam Binding Ribbon. I distressed the edges a little to give it that worn look.

I made a frame for Tina's picture using the Decorative Label Punch. I had to position the shapes all around, then I sponged on some Champagne Shimmer Paint and then to neaten the line between photo and frame, I stuck down some Sticky Strip and covered it in Champagne Glass Glitter.

I also used the Decorative Label Punch to make a plain picture frame for some journaling, if I can ever think of anything to say about Tina.

I feel much better now that she has a proper place. Now to do some more vintage photo scrapbooking!

Busy week this one. Last night I went to see the ladies at Wilsden WI to help give a talk about Denman College. It was good fun and we sang Jerusalem!

I also have two other WI meetings this week - Buns & Roses and a new group at Asda - my SU daughter Alex is coming round for chat tonight, tomorrow I have a networking event to go to ... It's all happening!

Charity shop goodies

2011-05-09T08:00:00.003+01:00

I've been trawling the charity shops in search of some bargains recently and have found some lovely things, so today I'm going to share my new treasures.

On Saturday Hayley and I went up to Otley as I'd been hearing all about the many charity shops and an awesome antique place. Took ages on the bus but it was a lovely day out, despite the rain. We stopped for cake and tea as well. Nom.

Anyway, here are my purchases.

We found this little wooden table and letter rack to use as displays for our craft fairs. Just £3 each!

No idea why I bought these two, but they amused me. The wording on the leather pouch reads: "My lady's friend for use at either end". Ooer missus! This caused me much amusement. I am guessing it is intended to hold a nail file. The soap bar doesn't really smell that great, but the packaging is cute. Just 50p each for these!

This is my favourite purchase - a miniature Oriental screen. It seems to be painted on to silk. One side has these lovely landscapes ...

And the other has birds and flowers. Simply beautiful. No idea where it will live but being a big fan of Japanese style I had to have it for just £6.50.

The book on the left I actually picked up at a charity shop in Frodsham last week. The other was one of today's purchases. Both should help me with the WI Embroidery Certificate I am about to start studying for. £1.99 and 99p respectively.

And finally, something completely different - a bright and funky top. Just 49p for a new look! It has a racer style back and is a baggy fit.

I am well and truly hooked on chairty shops at the moment. Will give the ones in Armley a visit this week!

Christening items

2011-05-08T08:00:00.001+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a lady called Sharon, who had been given my details by my step-mum Jackie.

She was in need of some Christening items - customising two blankets and four personalised cards for the Godparents.

Of course I was happy to put my skills to good use and here is what I came up with.

These are the four cards - the babies are twins called Amy and Tom and they each have two sets of Godparents.

Here's a close-up of one. The embossing was done with my Big Shot using a folder I had found at a craft shop in Whitby. I printed out the wording on to Stampin' Up! cardstock, which worked brilliantly! I kept it quite simple, adding just a little flat bow in Pretty In Pink or Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon.

And here is the blanket! I stitched the cross and name and date on to a piece of white evenweave, as well as a few decorative bits in metallic gold thread and some sequins. The patch was then edged with gold ribbon and sewn on to the blanket (which was a bit tricky with the tassles I must admit!).

I hope Amy and Tom and all the family have a lovely day today! It's strange to think that I may have created some family heirlooms!

I'm always delighted to help with embroidery or papercraft commissions so please do give me a shout if you need anything!

Beautiful Wings Embosslit card for my grandma

2011-05-07T09:00:00.001+01:00

Before I went home I needed to make a card for my grandma's 80th birthday. She likes pretty things with roses and butterflies and is always in her garden (her strawberries are to die for!) so I went with lots of pink and made the most of the Big Shot and accessories.

Here is what I came up with. I made a blue one to go in my craft fair box as well.

I made the most of the beautiful Springtime Vintage DSP, using a bit for the background and then another cut with the Top Note die on my Big Shot. I trimmed this one down along the perforations and cut another in plain cardstock for the frame.

The butterflies were cut with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, which I simply adore. I also added some decoration using the Swirls Scribbles die. A few Pearls finished off the butterfly.

The sentiment is from Sincere Salutations, which works just perfectly.

My grandma loved it! I also gave her some yummy smellies made by my friend Sam over at Corsets, Crafts and Cupcakes.

Tomorrow I'll have some Christening pieces to share, with stitching as well as card making, so please come back!

Birthday surprise blog candy winner

2011-05-06T12:23:00.003+01:00

Big thank you to everyone who left a comment for my birthday surprise blog candy draw. Indeed, thank you to everyone who has ever left me a comment. I read and appreciate every single one!

**Drumroll please**

And the winner is ...

Number 9 - Veronica.

She said:
happy blog birthday Gemma - finally found my way back to you! Hopefully Blogger and BT willing will manage to leave a comment and add your blog to my list .....

Congrats to Veronica!

Please email me at makedoandgem@googlemail.com, telling me a bit about yourself and your postal address so I can make up some goodies for you!

Thanks again for reading. Back to normal service now that I'm back in Leeds and have rejoined the 21st century, so look our for some projects over the weekend.

J'ai retourne!

2011-05-05T17:13:00.013+01:00

Yes blogland, I am back in the land of working interwebs (unless I've just jinxed it!).

I've had a lovely time with the family, so bear with me while I recall all the tales and finally manage to share some pics for the first time in a few days!

Saturday I went out with mum for a mooch round Chester. We didn't buy anything except coffee and lunch, but it was still fun. Then we went back to the farm to see Bodd.

Here he is!

Bodd isn't fazed by the cows at all - here he goes to get a wash from one of them!

Of course I got a good cuddle and a kiss!

We discovered that some kittens had just been born - literally within the last day! I want the grey one!

Mum then went to send the cows in for milking.

Bodd and I watched and this nosey heffer came right up to say hello!

Sunday I had lunch with nanna and grandad, and I also got to see my aunty Lynne and Uncle Ian and also went to watch my niece Ziva swimming. My sister-in-law Yael went in with her and me and niece Tabitha sat and watched. Well, Tabitha slept!

Dad and I managed a trip to the cinema to see TT3D - a 3D film about last year's Isle of Man TT, which was amazing. Guy Martin featured heavily and we ate loads of popcorn and sweets!

Then last night it was my grandma's 80th birthday, so we surprised her by getting all her kids and grandkids together for a meal! Was lovely to see them all again, although grandma embarassed us all by asking for great grandkids. She'll have to wait a few more years yet!

So that was my week back home.

Finally, a reminder that you have until midday tomorrow (Friday, 6th) to enter my birthday surprise blog candy draw here. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon with the winner.

Out in the sticks

2011-05-04T07:56:00.003+01:00

Apparently that's where I am, for technology is failing me.

My internet connection is less than useless, and all attempts to upload pictures are ending in utter failure. Which is getting rather annoying now. I hate when things just don't work when they're supposed to. It's like they randomly turn off the internet signal here. It is quite early, maybe there is a curfew ...

Also I'm still not feeling well and I'm getting REALLY bored of it, so that's not helping my sanity much either.

So, although I have pics to show you, I still can't share them. They'll just have to wait until I'm back in the 21st century, AKA Leeds, tomorrow.

Anyway, if this even works at all, why not enter my birthday surprise blog candy draw here and cheer me up a bit! Closes on Friday at midday.

A duo of competitions!

2011-05-02T09:47:00.002+01:00

Yet another Bank Holiday to contend with! I've actually had enough of them now!

I was hoping to share some pictures of Bodd and the farm today but the email was too big and it didn't work, so they will have to wait until later in the week after I've seen my mum again.

Instead, there are no pictures! Just a reminder of my blog candy competition and a new one direct from Stampin' Up!

To mark my one year blog anniversary, I will be making up a very special prize of handcrafted blog candy for a lucky follower/commenter.

All you have to do is be a follower, then visit the surprise blog candy post and leave a comment on it.

I will draw the winner at midday on Friday, May 6th.

How would you like to win some free Stampin' Up! products too?

SU are offering prizes throughout May, with a new competition every Monday.

Just visit the Stampin' Up! Specials page and answer the question.

Must get on with some work for a few hours now. I'm still battling with some sort of mystery illness which involves a cold and a dicky tummy.

But I get to spend some time with my dad this afternoon which I'm really looking forward to. We're off to the cinema to see TT3D - a 3D film about the Isle of Man TT. My first ever 3D film too!

Popcorn will make me feel better, right?!

Ahoy there!

2011-05-01T15:16:00.004+01:00

I'm all at sea with today's card. Ho!

My friend Fay asked me to make a card with a boat for a friend of hers who loves sailing and luckily, the Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue 2011 has a fab new stamp called Sail Away.

I saw this design on the SplitCoastStampers site and just loved it, although it turned out to be quite time consuming because of all the different elements.

The edges of the sails were coloured in using Blender Pens and the three stripes of cardstock were run through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.

These were matted on to Whisper White and Crumb Cake cardstock then I tied some of the Real Ride Striped Grosgrain Ribbon around and ruched it using some Linen Thread.

All this also made the front of the card quite heavy, so I added a piece of Whisper White to the inside to balance it a bit and added a little stripe in opposite corners to complete the nautical theme.

Fay loves it and rekons her friend will too, so the hard work does pay off!

I have just passed one year of blogging, so to celebrate I have some surprise blog candy up for grabs. Please check out Friday's blog candy post and leave a comment to enter! You have until midday on May 6th.

I'm back at home for a few days at the moment and although I'm still battling with some sort of illness (the cold has now developed into a poorly tummy) I am managing to get in some quality time with the family, including Bodd! Pics coming tomorrow!

Blog candy on my first birthday!

2011-04-29T08:00:00.003+01:00

I have been blogging on these pages for a year now (yes, that's 52 weeks of crafty ramblings, tales of Bodd and dodgy picures!).

So to celebrate I have some blog candy up for grabs! Just my way of saying thank you for reading and commenting. It's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself!

I would love to be able to tell you what is up for grabs, but as yet I've not made the prizes! But I will, and I plan something stitchy and something papercrafty, and maybe one or two surprises! Let's pretend it's not because I've not had enough time but because I want to wait to see who the winner is so I can personalise the prizes! Yes, that works!

So it's a bit of a gamble on my birthday surprise blog candy, but please do have a go!

All you have to do to enter is be a follower and leave a comment on this post saying why you read my blog (and please be honest - the winner will be chosen randomly so you can say what you want!).

I will draw the winner at midday on Friday, May 6th so you have a whole week to enter!

Good luck and thanks for being part of my blogging world.

Thank you flowers

2011-04-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

It's always nice to say thank you, and even better if you do it with flowers.

So to say thank you to the ladies I met at Denman College earlier this month I made some hanging tag decorations using the Fun Flowers die on the Big Shot.

I used all sorts of different DSP and colours of cardstock, embossing some bits then sticking the three flowers together and adding ribbon for hanging.

Here are all the colour options.

The best thing about paper flowers is you don't need to water them, which is good for me, as my plants always seem to die!

Just Believe gala

2011-04-27T08:00:00.004+01:00

Today's offering includes three cards made using the Just Believe stamp set. I've had these pics stored away for ages and never got round to sharing.

These two were made at my SU mummy Julie's class a while back. We used the Woodland Walk DSP, several punches, as well as the yummy Pearls.

And here's one I made for those reminder tins. I love this as I think it's rather 70s and reminds me of funky wallpaper. The main image was stamped on to Watercolour Paper and then lightly sprayed with water to make it bleed a little.

Tonight is the weekly get-together with Hayley and Helen, and this time we're at mine for a pyjama party. Scary films and popcorn at the ready!

Scrapbooking with Helen

2011-04-26T08:00:00.002+01:00

Yesterday Helen came round to get started on her first ever scrapbook so we had a good play, despite my lack of concentration and ability to think coherently because of a stupid cold.

Helen had ordered lots of bits at my Stampin' Up! workshop last week to do an album about her trip to Liverpool with friends. As she hasn't done any scrapbooking before I suggested we get together for a couple of hours to get her started.

We began by choosing a couple of pictures for the first page. The ones we went for are of Helen and a friend having hot chocolate in a yummy cafe. The colours were very funky - brown and yellow, and the cafe had big yellow flowers so we incorporated those. Luckily Helen had been well prepared and got some leaflets from the cafe so we used those as well.

We used a nuetral background and DSP from the Regals stack. The flowers were made using the Fun Flowers die on the Big Shot in coordinating colour card and DSP, and we also embossed some of them. A few buttons, a flower brad, the title and pic from the leaflets and a piece of chipboard Helen had found somewhere and we were done!

Here's Helen looking pleased with her first scrapbook page, and rightly so!

The second page we did featured a few of the Liverpool sights. The Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals and the statue of Queen Victoria. The greys and greens worked well together in the card and DSP, and again, a piece of patterned paper Helen had bought in Whitby. The cartoon images across the bottom are from a sticker book Helen bought in Liverpool - always thinking ahead!

It is titled Did you know ... as the pics were taken on a sightseeing tour of Liverpool. The guide had explained that the Anglican Cathedral was built by a Roman Catholic, and vice versa! So I learnt something as well!

After that we were done in so we nipped out for a buffet and I spent the rest of the evening trying to fight of this damn cold by doing housework!

I'm just going to have to battle through it as I have many things to do, as always, and not enough hours in the day.

Easter weekend

2011-04-25T09:49:00.005+01:00

I think this is about the only Easter weekend I've not spent with my family. Very strange, but I kinda did it without realising. I'm going back later this week as we're having a gathering for my grandma's 80th birthday (it's a surprise and all her grandkids wil be there) and I didn't want to be away from all my crafty goodies for too long!

Anyway, I have spent the time with some of my good friends instead. Yesterday I was round at Sam's to help her get started with the Big Shot and begin making her boxes, labels and tags for her yummy bath products. We had a good play, and this is one of the little boxes from the Mini Milk Carton Die.

The milk carton is made from Crumb Cake cardstock and we wrapped a piece from the Subtles DSP stack around it. Then made the label using Four Frames and the matching Decorative Label Punch, coloured in with the Stampin' Write markers. I added the wording using Just Perfect Alphabet and handwriting. Finally, it is (very poorly) tied with the Pretty In Pink 3mm Taffeta Ribbon.

We were both very pleased with how it looks - just the right balance of cuteness and vintage.

We also experimented with embossing the card once the template had been cut, which also looked pretty awesome, and using a Stampin' Around wheel and the Spritzer Tool to create a design on the carton, but I forgot to take pics!

After all this crafty fun we went to the pub for a cheeky beverage and sat in the sun for a while.

And now I have no idea what day it is and what I should be doing! Best go figure it out!

Exciting WI news and a day at the seaside

2011-04-23T09:38:00.005+01:00

Well it may only have been a couple of days but a lot has happened since my last update!

Thursday evening was the second birthday party for Buns & Roses WI. As well as having our usual drinks and chats, I was delighted to be made Vice President of the group. Hurrah! I'm so excited and can't wait to be helping out the committee and doing even more with The WI! Hurrah some more!

Then yesterday I had a day at the seaside with Helen, Hayley and her hubby Flower.

We had to do a detour on the way up to Whitby as traffic on the A64 was going nowhere fast, but the scenic route was much nicer anyway.

But we got there, only to find that Dracula was out to play and the mist was so bad you could only see a few metres ahead! Stood on one side of the bridge you couldn't see the other! I was a bit disappointed as not only did this mean it was cold and I couldn't get a tan, but also that I couldn't see the church and abbey.

Anyway, it was still great fun, and we had a good wander, played the arcade games, ate fish and chips and did a bit of shopping.

I bought this old watch face with the intention of making it into a piece of jewellery. One day!

here are my wins from the 2p machines!

We decided we would go for a quick run to Scarborough as well, and we got there about tea time, just in time for a walk along the beach and a paddle in the sea, and some more arcade games and one of those simulator things.

There was still a bit of mist over the cliff.

Here's what I won on Scarborough's 2p machines!

So that was Thursday evening and Friday!

Today I'm going to nip into town for some craft supplies as I have a few bits for a Christening that I've been commissioned to do. I'll work on them in the back garden this afternoon I think!

Hope everyone enjoys their long Easter weekend.

Love is in the air!

2011-04-21T08:42:00.005+01:00

Wowser, I can't believe it's Thursday again already, and coming up to the end of April too! Where does the time go?!

Last night was our weekly get-together at Hayley's. She, me and Helen generally just sit around and gossip and do something crafty. Last night they made LOTS of cakes (and I mean lots - more than 50 cupcakes and a BIG one!) while I did a bit of work and also finished off my short story for The WI's Lady Denman Cup Competition. I am pleased with it, especially as I haven't done any non-fiction writing for many years. Really enjoyed doing it too, so I must do more!

Anyway, on to today's card.

This was another made for Georgie's wedding earlier this month.

I was still in the Bashful Blue and Real Red phase, which I think is a stunning combo! I stamped the Eiffel Tower from the Artistic Etchings set in Basic Grey, and also the circle motif, which was stamped off on to my paper first so it was lighter.

The little envelope was made using the Petal Card Double Punch, which cuts and scores! I then made the hearts using the Heart to Heart Punch and the butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit. A quick tag was added with Linen Thread et voila!

This evening is the Buns & Roses WI second birthday party (hence all the cakes!). There will be lots of exciting news and I'm looking forward to catching up with all my girls.