Announce It With Style

Help

2009-03-11T21:55:00.003Z

Help. I've lost my header and my crafty blogs rankings thingy!! Was trying to be clever and see what gadgets blogger had that I could use and have lost them in cyberspace. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Progress?

2009-03-11T19:33:00.002Z

Had a couple of fairly useful meetings earlier today. Can't reveal all just yet but hopefully both the wedding stationery and teaching sides of the business have some exciting new developments in store. Well its exciting for me anyway!
Second of my five after school classes at the local high school tomorrow so I had better go and do some preparation.

Red Nose Day!!!!!!

2009-03-10T22:22:00.005Z

Well I made it to my Tuesday class despite having a nose that would rival any seen on Comic Relief. We were working with the Cuttlebug and in particular the embossing folders.
Some old faces tonight who I haven't seen for a while. Was nice to catch up with the gossip! Have two young girls in the class now. They come with their mum and grandmum. I was working with them using peel-offs and chalks and the finished cards were making the adults jealous.lol

Coughs and sneezes

2009-03-09T17:07:00.003Z

Had to cancel my Monday papercrafts class with my ladies with learning difficulties. I am full of cold and coughing, sneezing, snotting and sniffling all over the place. Wouldn't been fair to pass it on!!

Tomorrow night I have a card making class so hopefully I will be feeling a bit better because I think I may have at least two new starters.

Anyway must make some samples or I won't have anything to show them.

New car

2009-03-07T21:36:00.003Z

Well, we toddled off to Durham fairly early this morning to pick up the new car and as a result I am typing this in bed. As a woman the only thing about cars that interests me is how much will it cost and what colour is it. Hubby loves the colour but I am not so sure. Its a very dark shade of grey/green. He likes it because its an OAP colour but he is after all three years older than me and as such much nearer to pensionable age!
Anyway his new baby is parked outside the front door and his old baby has parked her weary bones upstairs in bedroom. I know which one he prefers though and its not the wife!!!!!!

Extended Schools Programme

2009-03-06T21:45:00.005Z

Yesterday afternoon was the first of a 5 week papercraft course at the local high school. It's been organised as part of the extended schools programme where kids are offered a number of after school activities.
Nine attended and they spent the session making mini coaster albums. Next week they will decorate them. It seemed to go well! At least I thought it did!
Tomorrow we are collecting the " new" car. Our old car, a Ford Focus, is dropping to bits so hubby decided it was time for something newer. He loves VW's so we are getting a Golf and as we are buying it through the business I will need to work twice as hard to pay for it.

Alnwick Weddings website

2009-03-05T11:58:00.005Z

Well so much for being more organised in 2009. This is my first post for over a month.

Today is my birthday and I am well over 21. Actually I am well over 51 but we won't go there.

I am trying to concentrate more on the wedding stationery side of the business now. Just before Christmas I joined the Alnwick Weddings website ( http://www.alnwickwedding.co.uk/). The website was set up a couple of years ago in a bid to promote the town and recommend local companies to couples who want to get married in Alnwick. As part of the Keep It Local campaign the website was also featured in the Northumberland Gazette.

In the past week I've been in touch with a few of the other wedding companies on the site. Networking, networking, networking. How can you tell my book for bedtime is on marketing.

Blogging Along

2009-02-01T01:18:00.004Z

Its 1.15am and I have just put down a good book on blogging by Andy Wibbels. Its "Blog Wild! How Everyone Can Go Blogging". It has some really useful tips on using your blog to market your business.
Borrowed it from the library. It might just get lost down the back of the sofa!!

Bad blogger ! Naughty Blogger!

2009-01-31T12:41:00.002Z

Well, seems once again I have been a bad blogger. It's been three weeks plus since I last posted. And my excuse this time? I have none....
I could say I have been really busy. I could say I had to complete my tax return. I could say I have been feeling under the weather. All true but still no excuse. Will try to do better.....

MISI

2009-01-06T11:24:00.005Z

I am so excited (and I just can't hide it). Just opened a shop on MISI. (www.misi.me.uk) . I have named it Chris Coxon Crafts and I intend to sell all things papercraft eg cards, journals, mini albums, etc . I will let you know when I have listed anything. So watch this space!
But first of all I need to prepare some samples for tonights class. You would think having just had two weeks break I would be ready. Oh no! I am a firefighter and do everything at the last minute. So got to go!

2009-01-01T23:10:00.002Z

Happy New Year to you all! I spent the first day of 2009 going up and down the aisles of Saisbury's along with a few other saddos! It was very quiet.
I also finished making a coaster album for my friend to give her sister for her birthday. I really like making mini albums. Just as well seeing as I will be making more for my papercraft taster sessions.
My great niece will be a year in February and I need to finish the baby album I started for her. She will probably be 21 before she gets it at this rate. Good grief, considering it's only four pages I should finish it before her birthday surely!
Tomorrow, I intend to put aside an hour and plan the month ahead. My New Years resolution- be much more organised!

Roll on 2009

2008-12-30T22:50:00.005Z

Well it's New Years Eve- eve and the first time I have blogged in a fair while. I am not a one for New Year so I will be going to bed early. Think I would be with me being Scottish and all that but it brings back too many memories of people I have loved and are no longer with us so it's bed for me!
Hope you all had a happy Christmas. The TV was rubbish so tended to go to bed ( notice a theme here) with one of the books I got as a Christmas present.Love reading- especially crime novels and my daughter gave me a good one by Stuart McBride - Flesh House. I would recommend it if you like cannibalism!
Must start preparing for next terms classes. I have been asked to run two five week papercraft taster courses. Hopefully it will lead to something more permanent.
Two of my other classes may have to be cancelled. The numbers are not looking good.
Anyway be back soon and wishing you all a Happy New Year

A tale of Christmas past.

2008-12-03T17:19:00.005Z

This is another card sample using the Split Negative technique. The stamp is "Four Little Birds"by Stamps Happen.

We started a tradition in our household three or four years ago where my husband makes the Christmas cards. Although he is very artistic we decided that in view of the number of Christmas cards we needed he would use rubber stamped images and each year we buy a new rubber stamp just for that purpose. Last year we bought the "Four Little Birds" stamp.

So I left hubby with the stamp, some white card, watercolour pencils and the trusty Staz-on to return a few hours later, thinking he would have completed quite a few of the robin images. I found to my surprise that the robins had changed to Birds of Paradise and taken on every colour the box of watercolour pencils could provide. Needless to say this year I am making the Christmas cards.

Split Negative Technique

2008-12-02T13:13:00.004Z

I saw this technique done by Lori Craig on Splitcoast Stampers and just had to try it out in my card making classes. They loved it and came up with some excellent ideas and I will post them in a day or two.

Still not mastered the camera and neither it seems has my daughter, although she is still better than I am!! She took this photo in fading light with the flash but there is a lot of reflection. Sorry!

Baby Step/Stair fold card

2008-11-18T11:33:00.005Z

Just finished this stair/step foldcard for a member of my class. Used my Cricut Create and Don Juan cartridge for the lettering. I need to spend more time working out the pressures and blade depth. The letters are not as crisp as they should be.

Also need some lessons on taking and editing photographs. The image is a little dark and blurred. In fact, I need to go back to school and learn all the computer technology they teach the kids now!

And what about my efforts in being more self-disciplined. Well, I did manage to reach my craft room by 9 o'clock this morning but unfortunately I am still sitting in my pyjamas.

Hmnn! I suppose one out of two ain't bad. I think there's another song in there somewhere.

Self-discipline failure

2008-11-17T10:46:00.002Z

Well so much for day one of self-disciplne! I intended to start work, fully dressed and breakfasted at 9am, but I switched off the alarm clock, turned over and went back to sleep. If it hadn't been for the phone ringing I might still be in bed.
I actually managed to drag myself into my craft room at 10.am, still in pyjamas, hair dripping wet and starving hungry. Not a good start!
Just means I will have to work an extra hour at the end of the day. Must go and get some cereal now.

Self discipline in the craft room!

2008-11-16T18:39:00.003Z

Its Sunday and I have just finished my preparations for my Monday class and my weekly accounts so I am quite pleased with myself.
I have decided that if I want to make more of my business I need to be more self-disciplined. Hmmn!
I have been reading a few internet articles and found an excellent business website www.sparkplugging.com/craftboom which offers some really good advice for people working from home.
I am determined to put some of that advice into play. I am going to work set hours, deal with things as they arise instead of putting them off and try to make the most of my opportunities by trusting my instincts. Sounds good .Well thats the plan anyway.
Only time will tell if I can pull it off.

Surprise Pop-up Card

2008-11-13T17:02:00.004Z

I made this Surprise pop-up card for my class tomorrow. I got the instructions from the Splitcoast Stampers web site. I am not very happy with my sample but time is getting on. Will probably try again over the weekend and post the image.

Step Fold Card

2008-11-09T22:13:00.005Z

I made this step fold card for one of my classes earlier in the week. Got the idea and measurements from Split Coast Stampers. Really quick and easy to make. Made it using Sissix die. The wording reads" Friends Brighten Your Day"

Loved it so much I made one for my friend's grandaughter .

Sorry for the quality of the photo but I snapped it earlier today in dull weather. Thats my excuse and I am sticking to it!

2008-11-03T11:56:00.002Z

I mentioned in my last blog update that I was thinking of opening an Etsy shop and selling unusual favours. The basques and waistcoats for miniature spirit bottles is the kind of thing I was thinking of. What do you think? Will they sell? I would welcome your comments?

Blog before bedtime

2008-11-02T22:15:00.003Z

Quick blog before bedtime. Finished samples for class with learning disabilities but it's been hard and had to push myself. Thats the trouble with having a weeks holiday. You just don't want to go back to work.
I am thinking of trying to sell some of the more unusual wedding favours we make either on the Etsy or Folksy web sites but need to expand on the number of designs we offer first.
Anyway tomorrows another day.

I don't believe it!!!

2008-10-31T16:39:00.012Z

In the words of Victor Meldrew -I don't believe it!!! I've blogged twice in two days. Probably because I am avoiding work on the costings for my wedding stationery site. All those figures and no chocolate! It's all been put aside for Trick or Treating. Still I'm sure they won't miss just one fun-size pack of Maltesers.

This card was inspired by Dawn Wheeler in issue 34 of Papercraft Essentials. I didn't have a punch or Nestability die for the scalloped circle so I cut out small circles with a Woodware punch and glued them round the edge of the larger punched circle.

I stamped the image using a Penny Black stamp on watercolour paper and mounted it on a pearlescent card.

Well back to the costings. Now where did I hide those Maltesers.

Let The Wind Blow High

2008-10-30T16:17:00.004Z

Had no time to blog recently, sorry!

This is the last of the cards I batch scanned earlier this month. I stamped one of my House Mouse stamps on watercolour paper and coloured it with Twinkling H2O's. It was mounted on a pearlescent card and finished with Sissix leaf die-cut in the corner.

I have spent the majority of this week catching up on work for the wedding stationery side of the business. I had to agree the proofs for an advert in a wedding brochure for Bamburgh Castle, work on long overdue costings for the http://www.announceitwithstyle.co.uk/ website and prepare a mini album of my designs, for the administrator of Bamburgh Castle to show to brides. Busy!Busy! Busy !

It's here already! My Cricut Create

2008-10-24T22:20:00.004+01:00

Well, I ordered it yesterday morning and it was delivered by parcel post this morning. How quick was that! Its been sitting in the corner of the room ever since, however.
You know when you were a kid and you saved, what looked like, the best Christmas present, to open last and then when you open it, you are disappointed, because it's not what you thought it was. Well thats why I am frightened to open it! I am still really just a 54 year old kid.
I'll open it tomorrow....

I just went and did it!!!!!!

2008-10-23T21:35:00.002+01:00

I managed to persuade my husband that I needed a Cricut Create for the business. So today I ordered it. There is a fantastic offer on the Pinnacle Crafts website. It cost £199 with free P+P.
I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it! Thats a song isn't it?

Under the weather!

2008-10-15T19:59:00.006+01:00

This gatefold card was made for someone who may be feeling under the weather. One of the samples I used for a stamping class. The dog reminds me of our miniature daschund. Probably why I bought the set of stamp in the first place. I coloured the image with Sakura glaze pens

Sorry can't remember who the stamp manufacturers are but if anyone knows please leave a comment on my blog. Thanks.

Monday! Monday!

2008-10-13T21:22:00.005+01:00

I seem to be going to bed earlier and earlier. Probably because Mondays are my most tiring day. Today I made Halloween mini coaster albums with my class of adults with learning disabilities. It seemed to be gluing and gluing with a little bit of gluing in between. We are going to use the albums to display photos of all the items we make between now and Halloween.
Most of the class have difficulty in manipulating scissors and so I am going to borrow a teacher friends Cuttlekids machine and see if they get on better with that. Punches are another problem so I thing it may be time to invest in a Punch-mate.
Well tomorrow's another day and a different class so it's goodnight from me and goodnight from him!

Saturday Morning blues

2008-10-11T10:42:00.005+01:00

Well, I have a free Saturday morning and I don't know what to do with it. Normally I meet a good friend for coffee and we spend hours chatting over the events of the previous week. This week she is going to wedding and boy, am I missing my Saturday morning fix.
I am trying to be a lot more organised with the wedding stationery side of the business and have set hours to work on it. I think it's the only way I will make any inroads into the long " To Do" list I have.
I need to work on a new album of invitations to give to the administrator of Bamburgh Castle show to potential clients.
I am also working on the wording for an advert in a wedding brochure. I have changed it so many times and I am still not happy with it!
I know that's what I should be working on but the smell of coffee beckons.........

Paint Chips 2

2008-10-09T16:30:00.004+01:00

This is another very simple card I made with paint chips. This time I used them as a backing paper behind punched images. I finished the card off with a Sissix die-cut.

Push-me Pull-You

2008-10-07T14:03:00.008+01:00

Made this card for my cardmaking class tonight. I got the idea from the November 08 issue of the Craft Stamper. They call it a Secret Message card but I prefer the other name -a Push-me, Pull-you.

The stamps I used are the Art Nouveau Profile stamp by Inka and the Rhonna Farrer Swirl stamps.

I also used the Cuttlebug Swirls embossing folder.

Using Paint Chips

2008-10-06T10:02:00.006+01:00

I made this very simple card to demonstrate the use of paint chips ( available from any DIY shop). I used Quickutz and Double-Do diecuts for the yacht and palm tree. Remember- I don't do difficult.

Hats and handbags

2008-10-05T22:18:00.003+01:00

I am planning to make handbag and hat cards, using the Wendy Stenton templates, with my Monday disabled class. Seem to have spent most of the day with scissors in my hand. Their cutting skills are poor but they are great at sticking and decorating things.
I love this class but it's very tiring. Probably because I walk miles round the craft table!
I really must upload some cards tomorrow. I have a few lying around so watch this space.

Friday Fiasco

2008-10-03T22:53:00.006+01:00

Tis nearly eleven pm on a Friday night and I'm lying here, in my bed, mulling over my day. I was in no mood to get out of bed this morning but my class started at half nine so I had to. On the drive there we nearly had an accident! But for the Bills reactions and the cars excellent brakes we would have been in a head on collision with a BMW. The BMW pulled out behind a hedge cutting tractor, claiming that the tractor had waved him on. I don't think so!!!!!
After some shouting and swearing by my husband and some huffing by the other driver we drove on and made my class in plenty of time.

There are three new ladies in the class so I was teaching the basics of rubber stamping and watercolouring using House Mouse stamps, Twinkling H2O's and watercolour pencils. The scrapbooking class followed straight after and we discussed pulling together their first scrapbooking page on the subject of Christmas.

At home, after a quick coffee and a couple of thick slices of cinammon malt loaf with lashings of butter, we were off to the local hospital outpatient department for Bills appointment. Thank god the consultant wasn't running too late and we were home by about 3.45pm. Then his nurse called to give him his injection and before we know it two thirds of the day's almost gone.

So bags unpacked, teas made, a couple of hours TV and the days nearly over. Should have spent some quality time planning out the next steps in the wedding stationery business but tomorrows another day.

Night! Night!

I have just read this post back and today was truly boring.

Cash drain

2008-10-02T13:21:00.003+01:00

Why is it that just when you seem to have a little money ( and I mean a little) in the bank, it all drains away again. Today I had to cough up £86 for Crafters Insurance and £30 for anti-virus software.
I could have bought a number of things that have been on my wish list for a while- a crop-a-dile, some of the recent Cuttlebug embossing folders, new Christmas dies, cuddly toy.........
Oh well tomorrows another working day. Oh no I forgot the rent is due at one of my teaching venues!!!!!!!!

So sorry!

2008-10-01T21:25:00.003+01:00

Sorry, but for those of you who noticed I have not been around to blog for over two weeks. The reason? I tripped over the cable of my laptop. I'm fine but the laptop has been to computer hospital.
Thank goodness it was still under warranty! I knew it was just the cable but they refused to send me a replacement until they had checked over everything.
Have you ever tried to run a business from a computer in the local library. They will not allow access to any blogs!
At last the laptops back and I can blog again. There's a song in there somewhere!

Back to Work

2008-09-16T14:24:00.002+01:00

Well its back to teaching card making and scrapbooking Adult Learning classes starting from tonight. I must say I am looking forward to it, although the summer holidays seem to have flown past despite the miserable weather.
This week I have only three classes, next week depending on the amount of interest I may have four. This is in addition to the class I have with disabled adults.
As always hubby is worried I am taking on too much but as I tried to tell him as long as I remain organised I should be able to manage.
I have not mentioned it here on my blog but I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over ten years ago. Luckily with the help of injections my MS is fairly stable. I do get very tired and this is what my husband is concerned about.
Anyway I have to go now - need to pack my craft trolley for tonight. If I have time tomorrow I will upload photos of the sample cards I made for tonights class.

What a day........

2008-09-06T22:37:00.003+01:00

What a day it has been. It has rained non-stop for the last 24hrs and some parts of the county are flooded.
My husband dropped me at Bamburgh at 9.30 am for the wedding fair. It was held in a marquee on the cliff just below the castle. Well as you can imagine the wind and rain lashed the tent all day and my table was at the opposite side of the marquee to the heater.
We had a total of five couples who were prepared to brave the elements and visit the fair but I did make some useful contacts. Hubby picked me up an hour early because there had been problems reported with the roads.
Indeed, as we drove home roads and fields were flooded, cars had conked out and there was mayhem everywhere. Needless to say hubby has refused to venture out tomorrow.

Visit to the Metro Centre

2008-09-04T23:06:00.003+01:00

Visited my favourite shop in the MetroCentre, Gateshead today. No not Thorntons- although I could be swayed- The Paper Mill Shop. I bought a box of card, some 99p stamps, a flower punch and one or two other things but for the love of me I can't remember what.
On the way out of the Metro Centre I stopped off at Poundland and invested in three sets of mini drawers. Well a girl can never have enough storage-can she?
I just read this post back and boy does it make exciting reading!

Last minute fire-fighter

2008-09-03T22:11:00.004+01:00

Well I am busy preparing for the Wedding Fair at Bamburgh Castle this weekend or I would be if I could find some energy. I am definitely a fire-fighter. I always leave things to the last minute.
I had a phone-call yesterday from someone who is putting together a brochure for Bamburgh Castle. Seems they are now able to carry out civil weddings at the castle and would I like to advertise in the brochure. Depends on the cost of course-I replied. Meeting with him next week to discuss.

Ribbon Storage

2008-08-30T23:17:00.004+01:00

Tonight I spent over three hours sorting through some of my ribbon stash. I think I've developed the wrist problems secretaries get when they spend all their day typing- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome- through winding all those ribbons round my handmade chipboard bobbins. I've only just started but I am fast running out of chipboard!!!!
Tomorrow it's supposed to rain all day. Just as well cause I have to prepare for Mondays class and do my accounts. Woe is me!

Card and Castles

2008-08-30T00:42:00.004+01:00

Spent a couple of hours at Royal Quays today - its a factory shop outlet in Wallsend, Newcastle. Hubby was after a new pair of jeans. If they cost him £40 at outlet prices god knows how much they would have cost if he had bought them ordinarily!
Well, there just happened to be a Paper Mill Shop and I just happened to need some card. I spent £4.99 on the card and £20+ on everything else not including the £10 discount I received with my loyalty card. Just as well I am back to teaching from the 15th September and bringing some money in.
On another tack received a phone call from the adminstrator at Bamburgh Castle. Thats the one that featured in the first episode of Robin and Sherwood -I think. Anyway, seems he is organising a wedding fair on the 6/7th September, saw my site on the web and would I like to take part-it's free. Could I say no- of course not. Does mean I will need to get myself organised! Hmmmn

Ooh-la-la

2008-08-27T14:24:00.005+01:00

Just listed this topper for sale on e-Bay. The leg is hand-drawn and the boot is made from real leather. The lace-topped stocking is made from net and the petticoat from red lace.
Think it would be ideal for a "special birthday"

Not getting older.......

2008-08-26T17:12:00.004+01:00

I stamped this card for stock coloured with watercolour pencils and used peel-offs to highlight the golf club and ball. The stamp is by "I Brake For Stamps"

I spent the afternoon trying to tidy my craft room and I have only managed a small corner. Got bogged down trying to sort out my sequins. Why does the container always tip as you take it out the cupboard!

Bank Holiday- but not for me!

2008-08-24T23:28:00.005+01:00

For some reason, I offered to work tomorrow!!! Am I mad. I must be because I have spent most of today preparing for tomorrows class. Well I need the money. I want to save up to buy a Cricut Expression. A girl can dream!
Did you watch A.I. on BBC1 this evening. I wept buckets. I am a sucker for weepies.

Adult Learning Classes- New Year

2008-08-22T22:42:00.002+01:00

The booklet listing my adult learning classes for the next year has been delivered and they have got them all wrong!!!!!
They have cut one of the classes down from 2 hours to 11/2 and as one of my class members pointed out by the time we catch up on the weeks gossip with our cup of coffee when will we have time to make a card.
They have also advertised the card class and scrapbooking class back to back. Three hours without a break you have got to be kidding! Never mind as my dear old mother used to say- It will all come out in the wash.

New Baby Tag Albums/Brag books

2008-08-21T16:10:00.006+01:00

Here's the New Baby Mini Tag Albums/ Brag Books I promised. Have I said how I am totally into mini albums. I think I may have!!!!! These two were a great way of using my first attempt at making tear bears with mulberry paper.

I seem to have spent most of the day on the laptop while my other half- bless him- has been bringing me numerous cups of herbal tea or coffee. Well time to prepare dinner.

Tear Bear Mini Tag Albums

2008-08-21T00:04:00.005+01:00

Spent most of today making two tear bear mini tag albums. All I have to do now is add ribbons and fibres to the book ring. I will post them on the blog tomorrow. Now, all I need, is someone I know who is having a baby!

Coaster Mini Album

2008-08-19T22:27:00.003+01:00

Having just uploaded instructions for my Wedding Day Coaster Mini Album to the Crafty Devils website I thought I would share the rest of the images with my blog readers. Hope you like them

Wedding Day Mini Coaster Album

2008-08-19T14:34:00.003+01:00

Been working on a new project for Crafty Devils. First I have completed for a while. Its another coaster album. This time a wedding album. Here's a little taster until I have posted it on the Crafty Devils website.

Tired little blogger

2008-08-18T22:50:00.002+01:00

Ran my scrapbooking class for my mentally disabled adults and today we made cards for a change. They wove some paper and also tried iris folding. I love this class. Its hard work but everyone seems to enjoy it.
That's why I am a tired little blogger and writing this in bed. More tomorrow!

Magnolia Tilda Coaster Album

2008-08-17T20:16:00.003+01:00

I love making these coaster albums using my Bind-It-All and decorated this one with some paper-pieced Magnolia Tilda images.

Announce it With Style website updated

2008-08-16T23:09:00.003+01:00

After a few months of delays- mostly by me I have had my wedding stationery website updated. You can visit it at www.announceitwithstyle.co.uk and I would be grateful for any comments- both good and bad if you do.
I promise I won't be upset- really I won't!!!!

The demise of papercrafts

2008-08-15T23:36:00.002+01:00

Spent most of the day in Newcastle. My oldest daughter went for a job interview and she was offered it on the spot. Yipee!
She was living near Hull with her boyfriend but was finding it difficult to get a job and has decided to move back home till she can save some money.
While she was being interviewed I decided to visit the local craft shops. Is it just me or are they all cutting down on their papercraft items?
The craft department in Fenwicks is about a third of its previous size and Imag-e-nation has a lot less stock than it used to hold. I know card making is not as popular as it was but I thought scrapbooking would just take over where card making left off.

Fishermans Friend

2008-08-14T15:24:00.002+01:00

Well I'm blogging again. Sorry it's taken me so long to get my mojo back. This tag card was made to sell at a recent craft fair. I enjoy making cards like these -I think it's easier to decorate four small panels than one large space!
I used the large Sissix die for the tag and two of the I Brake For Stamps- Humerous Senior stamps. I love these stamps!!!
I used watercolour pencils to colour and finished the fish and waders with Diamond Glaze. I found a bought embellishment in my stash for the stuffed fish.
Hope you like it

Back to blogging

2008-07-23T01:09:00.002+01:00

I have neglected you my poor little blog. I have left you alone too long. I promise to visit you more often and bring you a few photos of my work!
On a more serious note- classes are over till September so I should have more time for blogging and perhaps enter a few challenges...well we'll see!

Bad Blogger

2008-07-06T22:43:00.005+01:00

Sorry! I have been a very bad blogger and have not blogged for a week. I promise I will do better!!!
Seriously though time has just slipped away and there are only two weeks of card making and scrapbooking classes remaining before the end of term.
In the autumn I am hoping to run a number of scrapbooking workshops as well as the cardmaking and scrapbooking clubs/classes I already run.
I will need to be more organised though if I am going to manage everything e
I have been playing with the scrapbooking templates I bought at the Paper Mill Shop and I love them. I will upload them when I have time .

Sunday, Sunday!

2008-06-29T23:03:00.002+01:00

Sunday, Sunday! Where has the weekend gone!
Been clearing up my craft room and trying to be more organised for the week ahead. Tried to do some scrapbooking but only got as far as taking out some papers and then put them back again!
Trying to think of ideas for another card for the Crafty Devils website. Trying, trying, trying. A good description of my mood!

Skint

2008-06-26T22:14:00.003+01:00

Visited Hobbycraft in Gateshead today and spent a fortune. Well they had a sale on and as Hobbycraft is usually fairly expensive a girl has to take advantage!
Then we went to the Metro Centre and I just had to buy some templates at The Papermill Shop. Now my credit card is smoking!!!

"We gone dotty"

2008-06-25T20:40:00.005+01:00

Another card made for a challenge. This time its for the Tilda & Co Magnolia challenge blog and their challenge was "We gone dotty". I paper-pieced Tildas coat with dotty paper, used dotty ribbon as a frame and finished the dotty theme with a dotty sticker.

Seeing dots before my eyes now!

Also decided to enter it for the Funky Fairy's Challenge blog which this week is paper piecing- my favourite technique

Nature Challenge

2008-06-24T19:07:00.003+01:00

Quick blog! I made this card for the Arty Girlz " Nature"Challenge. I used the Tall Poppies stamp from "A Stamp In The Hand" and my Marvy Markers and mounted it on my favourite pearlescent card.

Lost mojo. Any remedies?

2008-06-20T22:55:00.003+01:00

Had to cancel my two classes today. Combination of dicky tummy and feeling low. Lost my mojo and need to get it back soon because this is how I make my living. Perhaps I need to enter a challenge or two!

Medallion stamps

2008-06-17T23:24:00.003+01:00

Pretty uneventful day today. Been searching the internet for new ideas on how to use my Medallion stamps. Got about six of them and need some inspiration! Can any one help?

Serendipity

2008-06-15T21:23:00.006+01:00

Over at the Tilda & Co Magnolia Challenge blog the challenge this week is Serendipity so I made this card as my entry.

New laptop

2008-06-13T22:04:00.003+01:00

Not blogged for a couple of days. Been a bit tired with all my teaching commitments.
Problems with the computer again. This time it's the cable. Went to buy a new cable and came out with a new laptop instead! Well the new cable was going to cost me £60+ and I had to decide this month whether to buy this laptop from the leasing company or buy a new one. No brainer!!!

You're hired!

2008-06-11T23:06:00.004+01:00

Well there's a suprise! I didn't think Lee would win The Apprentice. My money was on Claire.
Spent most of the rest of today in my craft room playing with my Magnolia stamps and finishing my samples for scrapbooking class tomorrow. I want to use a row of sitting Tildas along the bottom of a scrapbooking page of my daughters when they were younger. I am paper piecing each one (the Tildas not the girls) wearing a different outfit and as I have only finished four so far I better keep at it!

Back to Front Card 2

2008-06-10T21:38:00.002+01:00

This is a similar card to the one I made two days using my other set of Back to Front stamps. These stamps remind me of someone I know or am I just looking in the mirror!

On your Wedding Day

2008-06-10T15:41:00.003+01:00

I have just uploaded this card and the instructions to make it, to the Crafty Devils Papercraft website. Be back later. Today has been busy,busy,busy!

I'm in love !

2008-06-09T23:12:00.005+01:00

I spent most of today working on my next card for the Crafty Devils Papercraft website. Managed to finish the instructions , all I need to do now is upload the photos.
I have fallen in love!!!! At 54 years of age and counting you ask? Yes, with Magnolia stamps. Stamped and paper-pieced my first Tilda today and I love her, love her, love her.Hopefully I will be able to let you see her tomorrow.

Back To Front Stamps

2008-06-08T17:55:00.014+01:00

I made this card for the class I had on Friday. It was based on a card by Christina Turner in this months Papercraft Essentials magazine ( issue 30).

Instead of using decoupage I used an Art Impressions Back to Front stamp set and paper-pieced it. I love paper-piecing it's probably my favourite card making technique and it uses up all your scraps of card and paper.

Well I succumbed to temptation and bought my first Magnolia stamps. Really looking forward to using them but accounts to do first. Ugh!

Stocking up....

2008-06-06T22:50:00.006+01:00

We killed two birds with one stone when we picked up our eldest daughter from Newcastle today. We also called in at the Paper Mill in the Metro Centre and I managed to stock up on card and paper for the next months classes. I filled up four boxes with card ( unfortunately they are now only half the depth they used to be), picked up two 12x 12 scrapbooking pads, three ink pads and with other odds and ends the whole lot came to over fifty quid!!!!

Well its bread and dripping for the family for the rest of the month! Got to get my priorities right!

Good News

2008-06-05T22:14:00.004+01:00

Two pieces of good news today. Looks like I may have another class starting and my oldest daughter is coming for a visit this weekend.Haven't seen my daughter for about six months so I am really looking forward to her visit.
Had a scrapbooking class this morning and preparing for tomorrows cardmaking class this afternoon. They will be paper-piecing some rubber stamped images and if I have time I will post one of the samples I made tomorrow.

40th Birthday

2008-06-04T19:04:00.005+01:00

Decoupage is not a technique I use often in my card making but I think this decoupage by Mary Rayher screamed to be used on a 40th birthday card for a friend. I have also decided to enter it for The Papertake Weekly Challenge. The challenge was to use die-cuts and the heart "balloon"is made using a Sissix die.

I have spent most of today preparing for tomorrows scrapbooking class and recovering from the £134 bill for an oil change on the car !!!!!

Happy Dog-Day

2008-06-02T15:57:00.003+01:00

This was one of the Little Claire stamps I bought at the Edinburgh Art Stamp Show and I love it. Probably because my parents had a West Highland Terrier. Terrier being the operative word!

I stamped it on watercolour paper, coloured with Sakura gel pens, mounted it on gingham paper and pearlescent card. It was finished with a bone button.

I intend to enter it for this weeks Ink On My Fingers Blog challenge which is "Dogs." These blogging challenges ensure I make cards for more than just classes or family and friends.

Back to work tonight, after a weeks rest and the cardmaking class is based on "Faux Stitching." So better get my bags packed.

Card for Father

2008-06-01T16:31:00.007+01:00

I made this card for the Papertake Weekly Challenge. The challenge was to make a mans card so I made a card which would be suitable for either Fathers day or a birthday. I stamped the fisherman with Stazon on watercolour paper and coloured him with watercolour pencils. I used a clear Sakura glaze pen on the fish and his waders. Then I mounted the image on some checked scrapbooking paper before sticking on a blue pearlescent card. Finally I used two buttons to embellish it. Sorry the stamp I used came on a sheet and I have loaned the rest to a friend. When she returns them I will let you know the maker.

My bank account and I are still recovering from yesterdays craft outing. Not had time yet to play with my purchases. Maybe later, but have to finish weekly accounts first.

Art Stamp Show, Edinburgh

2008-05-31T22:30:00.007+01:00

Well this is a very quick post because I am dead beat. The weather in Edinburgh was glorious today and as it was grey in the North-East before we left, the first thing we had to do was buy ourselves something cooler to wear. We then had to walk the length of Princes Street and more till we found a bus that would take us to the Corn Exchange where the Art Stamp show was being held. Unfortunately un-beknown to us, a parade was being held and as a result the traffic on Princes Street diverted.
Anyway (did I say this would be a quick post) we eventually arrived at the venue and having paid the entrance fee trawled all the stands to checkout where we could spend our hard-earned money. There were stands there from Graphicus, Wendy Stenton, The Craft Bug, Heritage Stamps and many more.
We spent most of our time however at the Lavinia Stamps stand where a demonstrator was using a brayer and Adirondack inks to create some magical fairy scenes and landscapes. Needless to say we then spent a fortune in the vain hope of achieving a similar effect. So tomorrow if my body has recovered I will "try" to replicate what she showed us. Watch this space....

Early night, Stamp show tomorrow

2008-05-30T21:38:00.003+01:00

My friend and I are having an away day to Edinburgh tomorrow for the Art Stamp show. Really looking forward to it. Will try not to spend too much money....

Baby, Baby I love you........

2008-05-29T14:53:00.007+01:00

I was playing with this Sisslit die over the weekend and made this baby card.

It needed something to lift it a little so I added a thin row of yellow beads above and below the gingham ribbon. Unfortunately you can't really see them. Oh well....
I have entered it for the Cute Card Thursday challenge.

Prismacolor Pencils

2008-05-28T20:54:00.002+01:00

I treated myself today, to some Prismacolor pencils from an E-bay seller. They are seconds and therefore cheap, but if I like using them I can always buy more. Any excuse to spend money....

Another Z-fold card

2008-05-27T22:34:00.006+01:00

I seem to be making a series of Z-fold cards at the moment. The image is one of my favourite stamps by Creative Stamping. I watercoloured her dress with Marvy pens and finished it off with fine glitter and a Swarovski crystal. Sorry the image is squint. Technology, as I have said before, is not my strong point

Bank Holiday Monday - re-charging my batteries

2008-05-26T20:46:00.006+01:00

Very lazy day today. Re-charging my batteries for work again tomorrow. Not that I am teaching but must catch up on admin. Must also make time to play with the Sisslit dies I ordered recently. As if that would be difficult...

"Ladybirds In Love" Engagement Card

2008-05-25T16:30:00.011+01:00

I have been playing today, with a stamp I bought over a year ago and have never used. I bought it with some other stamps from the USA but I can't remember the name of the maker. Sorry!

Anyway I thought it would make a quirky engagement or wedding card. I stamped it with Staz-on and glossy card and coloured it with Sakura pens. I mounted it on a red pearlescent Z fold card and stamped the greeting with a Woodware stamp and Brilliance ink pad. Ideally I should have used Staz-on for the word but I am never happy using Staz-on with clear stamps. I think this is why the " Congratulations" is a little blurred. Oh well.......

Decided to enter it for the Funky Fairy challenge 21

Sizzlit "Sweet" set

2008-05-24T18:30:00.003+01:00

Received some Sissix Sizzlit dies in the post this morning. They include the " Sweet" set and once I have had time to play with them, I hope to upload some finished samples to my blog.

My blogging anniversary!.

2008-05-23T21:46:00.005+01:00

Well, I have been blogging now for two weeks and it's so addictive. However I find myself spending a lot more time reading everyone else's blog than writing up my own.
Its the mid-term holidays here in the North-east and next week will be spent playing catch-up. As well as working on my wedding invitation costings for the Announce It With Style website, I hope to catch up with some business correspondance, prepare some scrapbooking and card samples and do some housework. Well, perhaps not the housework.....

ch..ch..changes......

2008-05-22T22:09:00.005+01:00

Been busy networking today at a meeting with fellow tutors. There have been some changes to the management structure within the Adult Learning Service. It may lead to some work in other parts of the county. Here's hoping!

The only card I have to show you is one of the first cards I did for the Crafty Devils website. Its a baby card and uses a Sissix die. Not happy with the colours I used. Although its partly the poor editing of the photo I still think the colour needs toned down. What do you think?

.... and chocolate

2008-05-21T22:48:00.003+01:00

Spent most of today finishing the samples for tomorrows class. Not very happy with them but its too late now. The girls in the NCFE class last night, were lovely. Gave both of the tutors flowers and chocolate. Needless to say I've scoffed one of the bars of chocolate already. Will try to keep the other bar for the weekend but I'm not hopeful.
Tomorrows a busy day- teaching in the morning, preparation for Friday's class in the afternoon and a tutor evening later. Looking forward to the Bank holiday weekend when I will try to put some new stuff on my blog.

Lazy days. I wish!

2008-05-20T13:40:00.011+01:00

Well tonight is the last of my NCFE card-making classes for this year and we are having a party.Yeah! We are all taking something for the buffet and luckily I am supplying the crisps and nuts. (Must have heard about my cooking skills.)
Busy, preparing for my disabled scrapbooking class on Thursday. We are working with a seaside theme, so busy Cuttlebugging , tearing, glittering and gluing! Love it!
Here's a "gift"card I submitted as a project to Crafty Devils recently. It includes some earrings made by Margaret of "Specially For You" The poppy was made using a Woodware flower maker Fairy Noble punch and red vellum. For more details go to http://www.craftydevilspapercraft.co.uk/ (Sorry for the poor quality of the photograph)

"Spring" Wedding Card

2008-05-18T20:28:00.004+01:00

Well I have just uploaded my most recent project to the Crafty Devils Papercraft website. Its another "Spring" card but this time with a wedding bias. It could be adapted for wedding invitations or place cards. Hope you like it!

It's taken me most of the day to upload it. I tell you, technology will be the death of me.

Sample for Crafty Devils

2008-05-17T23:49:00.003+01:00

Finished my card for Crafty Devils All I need to do now is upload some photographs and the instructions to the website.
Had a phone call today asking me to take part in a local craft fair. Seems they got my number from the "Made In Northumberland "website.Thats two requests to do craft fairs in a week.I am not complaining though!

Alcohol inks and vellum- A marriage made in heaven.

2008-05-16T20:15:00.008+01:00

Made this card sample for a class I took earlier today. Its based on a card by Penny Bearcroft which appears in this months Craft Stamper.
The vellum was coloured with Adirondack alcohol inks and overstamped with an Artifacts stamp and embossed in gold.
The slight buckling was due to the difficulty I had in sticking the vellum to pearlescent card. If only someone would find the perfect glue for vellum.

Long long day.

2008-05-15T21:29:00.002+01:00

What a long tiring day it's been. Scrapbooking class this morning and preparation for tomorrows cardmaking and scrapbooking classes this afternoon.
Called in to see the owner of a local jewellery/gift shop after my class. She and I are working together on some " gift cards". She makes some beautiful stuff. I will post some photos when we they are up for sale.
Must get an early night!

Under the weather !

2008-05-14T20:00:00.003+01:00

Busy, busy day. Didn't finish the card for the Crafty Devils website. Didn't even start it!!
Youngest daughter moved back home complete with double bed- so all hell let loose.
Did however, manage to get scrapbooking class prepared for tomorrow and my bag packed ready to grab on the way out the door in the morning.
Also managed a " Sorry to hear you are under the weather" card made for a friends wife. Very quick and simple card using another of my favourite Penny Black stamps and my watercolour pencils.
Been a long day so after I watch the Apprentice off to bed!

Iris Folding

2008-05-13T22:54:00.002+01:00

Taught my NCFE class Iris Folding and they seemed to enjoy it. The time certainly passed quickly.
Need to work on new project for Crafty Devils tomorrow. But what? Hopefully I will wake up inspired in the morning!!!!!!!

Spring Card

2008-05-12T21:44:00.006+01:00

Well,I got the camera fixed but the laptop is now playing up. Managed to upload the spring card I made for tonights class. The stamp is by Penny Black and I watercoloured it with Marvy pens. Quite pleased with it!

2008-05-11T22:07:00.004+01:00

The weather has been beautiful here and Bill (my husband) and I spent an hour or so at Druridge Bay. Its a country park where they host watersports in the lake. Not that we went anywhere near the water. No-we basked in the sun,admired the scenery and had a coffee.
Spent an hour or so this evening making a "spring Card" using a template I downloaded from the Splitcoast Stampers website. Its for one of my cardmaking classes tomorrow night.
I intended to take a photograph and upload it to my blog but the camera has gone on the blink. Needs a new picture card. At least I hope that's the problem. If I get it fixed I will try uploading it tomorrow.

Crafty Devils Design Team

2008-05-10T19:30:00.005+01:00

I have been a member of the Crafty Devils Papercraft Design team since February 2008 and I am really excited at having my work "out there".
Thought I would post my most popular project to date. Its a wedding congratulations card and it was made for a my neighbours who were married last month. I also made their wedding invitations. Hope you like it!

First Post

2008-05-10T01:27:00.000+01:00

Hi and welcome to my new blog. I live and work in the North East of England in the beautiful county of Northumberland.
I teach papercrafts - both cardmaking and scrapbooking but with all the new products and techniques coming out I am always learning.
I have also started a business designing and making handmade wedding stationery but there is a lot of competition out there! I hope to post some of my designs -so watch this space.
This blogging lark is not as easy as I thought and its getting late so night !night!