Floral Challenge Card

When my crafty mojo packs it's bags and takes a holiday I take a look at the challenges on the Do Crafts forum.  It's a great idea to let someone else challenge you to make something according to their specifications because it forces you to think outside the box, use materials in ways you wouldn't normally or to have a go at techniques and styles you haven't tried before.  After all that's how we learn new things and more to the point learn to love them!

My cards have been quite cluttered lately and while I'm loving the style it was starting to get a bit samey.  This simple design with only two colours, one flower and three gems is a world away but I really enjoyed the change.

The flower is one of the divine Anita's Glitterations stuck onto some scrap vellum and cut out then layered with a brad to make it 3D.

The ribbon is the fabulous Sheer budget ribbon.  It's such good value I've treated myself to a whole batch so you'll be seeing them on plenty of cards in the future.

I was thinking that this would make a perfect wedding invitation as it would be quite quick to reproduce and the finish is all the high quality stardream card rather than time consuming embellishments.

Daisy and Dandelion Halloween Inspired Card

I was inspired by Katy's photo challenge 4th - 10th October on the DoCrafts Forum. I have a quiet love affair with deep dark autumnal colours. But somehow something slightly cute always ends up creeping in! Like most of us crafters I can't seem to do masculine cards too well.

This one features a cute little puddy from the Daisy and Dandelion collection.  And of course my latest obsession - XCut Nesting dies and lots of them!

The papers are the stunning Harvest design by BoBunny, another love affair of mine.

Scrapbooking Christmas Cards

OK, confession time.  I'm a closet hoarder.  Every card or little token anyone has sent me in the past 10 years has been carefully saved along with pressed flowers, tickets, postcards etc.  I even have the flower picked for me by a lovely fellah when I was just a teenager.

Of course I'm a scrapbooker, how else could I give in to my OCD like obsession with everything being neat and tidy.  I love looking back over old scrapbooks and reviving old memories.

I'm a bit behind on my 'scrapping lately so have been making an effort to catch up.  This is one of my recent efforts which I was delighted with.

It's a very simple layout, for a very simple card.  I've used the new Coredinations Glitter card stock to great effect.  It really complements the glitter on this old Christmas card from (erm cough) 2008.

The main thing I wanted to point out is something I've been doing a lot of lately.  The gorgeous glitter card stock can sometimes be too overpowering.  And on a big layout with lots of space like this, a single colour background can verge on boring.  I've layered a sheet of glitter vellum paper over the background.  In this case it has added interest and texture without detracting from the wonderfully simple layout that I've chosen to let this lovely card shine.

I've been doing this with a lot of cards lately as I find it mutes a background whilst adding subtle interest and texture, leaving the main topper or stamping as the focal point of the card.

Knitted Headband

This is a great quick knit for keeping my hair out of my face while I'm at work.  I love to be able to let it down for a night out but it's so impractical for work.

I've used a freebie ball of wool from a magazine.  It's an acrylic yarn knitted in DK on 4mm needles. 

It doesn't really matter what type of yarn you use or what gauge as the width of the head band is not particularly important. 

The pattern uses a tiny amount of yarn, I think I used less than 20g so it's a fantastic stash busting stocking filler - yes Christmas is just around the corner!

Full credit to the pattern is due to Kusala Knitworks.  Click the link to download a copy for yourself.  Thanks for the free pattern Kusala!

Go To Baby Cardigan

This is a wonderful pattern worked in one piece in the round, so no seams to sew up - hurrah!

It knits up beautifully in Patons Fairytale Colour for Me DK.

It's so quick and simple that it's become my "go to" baby gift pattern. I'm trying to keep a couple on hand in blue and pink to save knitting into the wee hours when a friend makes a late announcement.

The buttons used are dish edged fruit gums in size 18 (11.5mm). I have a pack of 100 of blue and pink for this pattern, but the leftovers will make great embellishments for my card making stash.

Full credit for the pattern goes to Jacki Kelly at Complete Fabrication. Thanks for the freebie pattern! Jack also offers this pattern in larger sizes for a very reasonable $5.00. Pop along to her blog for full details.

Biker Neck Warmer

This is a simple little present for a biker gent who is no doubt bored of socks by now! It's knitted in the round in 6ply Regia variegated yarn. For extra stretchiness I've used a 2 x 2 rib pattern. It will stretch to fit over his head but bounce back around his neck to keep out those cold winds that seem to have a talent for finding any exposed skin on a bikers face and neck. I didn't count the cast on stitches but measured a similar gents head at the widest point and cast on enough stitches to stretch that far on the needle.

Shell and Pearl Necklace

This beautiful pearl and shell necklace has been made by stringing alternate colours of real and glass pearls, each separated by a gold seed bead, with shell mop leaves for instant wow factor. The clasp is a simple gold hook and loop clasp. I've also made a matching bracelet and earring set to make this a lovely girly birthday gift.

Gorjuss stamps coming soon!

I've been admiring the (pardon the pun) goregous cards on the Do Crafts website made with the Gorgjuss stamps.  They are sooo cute!  I want I want!!

So I'm delighted to have the full range available to pre order for delivery in early September.  And at a fantastic price of just £5.49 for the clear stamp sets.  Including the brand new Christmas designs for 2011.  And all the decoupage sheets and toppers to match.

Personal Impressions products coming soon!

We've been looking to expand our already massive range of crafty goodies with some more of the big name brands like K and Co and Perganmano.

And of course we want more rubber stamps!!! Mostly because I've revived my stamping obsession but I'm sure you won't turn your nose up at the likes of Inkadinkado and Hero Arts stamps.  

And ink pads too, the Ink It up ones we currently do are all very well and good but a world away from the premium pads Ranger and Tsukineko (Staz On, Momento, Versa etc) have to offer.

With this in mind we have applied for an account with Personal Impressions who stock a crafters dream range of fabulous brands.  You are welcome to browse their products for yourself and take a sneak peak at some of the fabulous new products about to be released this Christmas. There's also lots of demos to watch and free projects to inspire you.

It's hard to focus on getting all the gorgeous products added to our website because I'm constantly being inspired by them.  I have an irresistible urge to get my inks out and disappear into my new craft room for a whole week - at least! I think I will have to content myself with making a very little inspiration journal, something I've been meaning to get round to for ages.  That way I can keep it handy and jot down the ideas as I'm capturing the new product information ready for adding to the website.

You'll be seeing the new products appearing on the website now. They are all available to pre order for our first delivery in September.  We need a minimum value of pre-orders so that sooner we reach that, the sooner we can get our order placed with Personal Impressions. If there's anything in particular you would like us to add to the website for you please let us know and I will "bump" it up the long and distinguished list of "stuff to add".

XCut Nesting Dies Back In Stock

The UPS delivery driver has just made me jump out of my skin!  He had a lovely big box full of XCut Nesting dies for us!!!

We've all seen the gorgeous cards made with the "Nesties" nesting dies.  We've all drooled over them.  Perhaps even had a good luck at the dies in the shops - along with more drooling!  And then seen the price tag . . . and promptly added them to our "when I win the lottery" wish list. 

XCut have seen our pain!  They have produced a large range of nesting dies at . . .  wait for it . . . less than a tenner!!!  Santa has come early to the crafting world!

But what about the quality? - I hear you cry.  Well it's such a hard part of my job, so tedious and boring . .  . but I've forced myself to test them . . . ah the things I have to do in the name of craft.  I have two words for you - SPOT ON!!  They are never going to cut through chip board and if you want to make thousands to sell on eBay you will be best sticking to thicker dies.  But for the vast majority of uses they are absolutely perfect.  I've been getting clean cuts every time with both paper and thick card stock.  I've tested them with a Cuttlebug and a Big Shot - both make perfect cuts. 

My cards have taken on a whole new dimension since adding these dies to my stash.  No longer are us budget crafters condemned to boring toppers. 

Do get them while you can, I do not expect these stocks to last for long!

Dishcloth Knickers!

This is a really cute gift idea that a dear friend gave me as a house moving present.

They are made using dishcloth cotton as it's cheap and cheerful but there's no reason you couldn't use a better quality of cotton yarn, like Patons 100% cotton.

CO 38 st

Rows 1 - 4 Garter Stitch

Row 5 - K4 (P2 K1) x 10, K4
Row 6 - K4 (K1 P2) x 10 K4
Row 7 - Knit
Row 8 - K4, P30, K4

Repeat rows 5 - 8 until you are happy with the length.  The pair in the photo are roughly square.

Garter stitch the last four rows and cast off.

Make 2

Fold each dishcloth in half lengthways and place them side by side so that the edges meet.  Weave a ribbon through the top of them both tieing a bow in the centre.  Weave ribbon around the bottom of each "leg" and tie.  Use a little leftover yarn to attatch the two cloths together in the middle with a little bow.

There is a poem to go with these:

Now don't get excited,
Don't be misled,
These aren't for you,
But for the dishes instead.

Just pull on the bows,
Take out the stitches,
You've gained 2 dishcloths,
Instead of your britches!

Katy's Sketch Challenge 14th June - 20th June

This is my effort. I'm egerly awaiting the new XCut Nesting dies so that I can have a "proper" circle. But for now this Lace die is the closest I have. It's made with Capsule Collection Liquorice Sherbert papers and ribbon with Capsule Monochome Sweeties and Gems.  The Lace Die is Jennifer by XCut.  The Leafy Lace border punch is also by XCut.

Double Irish Chain Patchwork Quilt

This is the quilt I made for a friend's wedding present.  The pattern is a double Irish chain which is apparently one of the oldest known quilt patterns.