Craft Stamper Inspiration.

Hello All,

I was so delighted when My Craft Stamper magazine arrived.....normally a highlight of every month! There is so much in this months mag that I just Love. I was particularly taken with Kim Costello's article on page 43....I just Loved how she had cut out the shape on the castle to create interest to the card......and I really wanted to give it a try......I hope you don't mind Kim!

I didn't have the same castle stamp, so I tried to create the same effect using what I had. "Paper Artsy - Crowns and Castles 4" I stamped the image 5 times and cut out various sections to create a continuous castle wall.

I have also used some " Krafting Kimmie" Images as the main figures. and a "Kanban" stamp to create the floral background...I have stamped that in "Memento - Rose Red"

All the images have been coloured with copics, and then blinged up a little using "Martha Stewart glitters"

Thanks for Looking
Hugs Juls

Guest Designer for Sugar Nellie

OH MY GOODNESS WOW!!!!!!!

I still cant quite believe I am putting this post together! I Visited The House of Sugar a few weeks ago, and a moment that I have to admit I have fantasized about actually happened......I walked into the shop and Karen asked me to be a guest designer!!!!! Not only that I got to play with a set of stamps from my ultimate Favourite designer, Leanne Ellis!!! well I could hardly contain my excitement!! Unfortunately the rubber arrived while I was away on holiday.....as soon as I got back I sat down and got all inky!!!! I am so excited, and incredibly nervous, I really want to do these fab images justice.....I have tried my best, and I guess that is all I can ask of myself...so here goes.......


I think of all the things I have made this is my favourite....I love Leanne's interpretation of Alice..isn't she gorgeous!!! The background paper, I have printed from "Debbie Moore - Venetian masks" cd...the little clocks are from a set of stamps that I bought from QVC forever ago....and I have used my new cuttlebug corner...which is one of my holiday purchases.



This card started as the mad hatters tea party, and I was going to have all the characters on it, however in the end, I preferred it with just Alice. The Template is "Craftwork Cards" as are all the scalloped cards I have used! The tea pots and cups, are from the same stamp set of my previous card & the papers are K&Co. I have inked all the edges with "distress ink - shabby shutters" I have added another layer of lace to her dress using a Martha Stewart punch, the edges have been inked with "distress ink - Tumbled Glass"


Now I have to be honest...I love this image, But I do not like this card.....I made this the after travelling all day, unpacking e.c.t, and I was desperate to make a start. I made my first Alice card, and then this one just did not really go to plan, I was too tired and should have really gone to bed...the idea in my head was that the queen of hearts is an over the top character and I decided to bling her all up, but I don't like the results....


As I said I did not feel I had done this image justice, and so I had to have another go. I have kept this one very simple. The sentiment is a "basic Grey" stamp.


This is one card I had no idea of what I was doing when I started, but actually by the time I finished I really liked it. All the papers are from my scrap pile. I have again coloured with my copics and I have used some flocking to create some texture.


I suddenly noticed all my samples were with scalloped cards...they just go so perfectly with these images, I was naturally drawn to them. So I had to challenge myself to so something different, I did not want all the samples to be samey, but to have different styles.......the one thing about the mad hatter, you can go crazy with the colour!!!! I have used some "Bo Bunny" paper, and more papers from my scrap pile!


This is my first attempt at a gift bag...so its not the best sample in the world. I used this template
The paper is from my scrap pile...yes it was a big scrap!!!! Again I have used fun Flock to add a bit of texture. The sentiment is a "Dawn Bibby" stamp.


and finally we have this little chap!...I have had these notpads in for ages, you get a pack of 10 from the pound shop...I used the left over paper from my first card....and I have made a little shrinkie charm...I am not very good with shrinkys...I always think people do such creative things with them, I always think mine look a bit armatureish. the colouring is a bit dodgy and the finish is wobbly!.....but I guess I should keep trying, practice makes perfect! and that's it!!!

I hope I have managed to make something you all like.....you definitely have to get these stamps, for more details, check out the Sugar Nellie Blog they are just so much fun to play with, and I can see me using them time and time again!!!

Finally I do have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the lovely Karen, for this amazing opportunity, I have absolutely loved it, and it is such an honour for my first ever guest designer spot to be for my favourite stamp company!! Thank you!!!!!!

Now I am sure after such a long post you will all be gasping for a coffee!! hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Hugs Juls

A Night To Remember

Hello All,

I hope you have all enjoyed your weekend....In all honesty I feel really fed up today, I had booked in to go to a craft class in Elgin at the House of Sugar......however because of the snow I was unable to go, the other thing is I was also treating a friend who is going through a lot at the mo, her mum has had a dense stroke and it doesn't look like she will ever come home, also her brother who has downs syndrome and lives with his mum has had to move in with her & her family. She loves crafting and I thought it would give her a break for one afternoon and allow her to enjoy it again for a bit.........never mind, grumble over ( I normally don't mind the snow)

My poor hubby has tried to cheer me up, made me some mulled wine, and I have done a little crafting. Now I really am a stamp and ink girl, However when I saw the "Debbie Moore - Venetian collection" on Create and Craft I just fell in love with it and had to get it!!!!!

In fact I plan on using some of the images as art work for my bedroom....but I can tell you more about that in another post!! For this card..most of the paper and the image was on the cd, I have blinged up her dress with 3 colours of glitter, I am getting right back into using glitter rather than glitter glue...I have also used some "DCWV" paper and the sentiment is "Bo Bunny". My mum and dad are celebrating their wedding anniversary next week, so this card is for them.

Well that's me for today.......I will be back tomorrow with a really exciting post!!!!.....I am bursting to tell you all but I cant!....but I will see you then!

Hugs Juls

Thank You Stephanie

Hello All,

I want to say a huge Thank you to the Lovely Stephanie who sent me these gorgeous stamps. They arrived just before I went on holiday, so I have been itching to have a play with them....Its such a beautiful set, I have to say I love all the sentiments, they are in such a gorgeous font!!!

As you can see, I am still in a mini card phase! I have coloured all the images with copics. My Auntie treated me to some Martha Stewart Micro Beads, I have to say when she suggested it as a pressie I was on the fence a bit, now I have them I LOVE them, cant stop using them!!!...I have also added a little stickles and some pearls.

This is my entry for:

Stamp Something - Something with Thanks
Oh Alice - Use a Butterfly
Paper Cutz - Anything goes.

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Holiday Makes & Spends

Hello All,

Well that's me back from our hols, we traveled back up the road today, the last part of the journey was through blizzards!!! Lots of fun!!!!

I had sooooooo much fun!!!! Crafting with my Auntie was fun, I made a few card, but because I was using someone else's stash they didn't seem to be my usual style!

This card I used some "Kanban" stamps, the flamenco lady and the blossom detail around the edge of the mat & the large rose and leaf detail. I have coloured the image with my copics and I have glittered it up within an inch of its life!! with gorgeous "Martha Stewart Glitters!! I had to do a close up as I used "Martha Stewart- Micro beads" and I just LOVE the effect they give. the ribbon and vellum was from my Aunties craft stash!

This is my entry for:

Spoonful of Sugar - Anything Goes
Fab&Funky - Go with the Flow
Creative Belli - R ( I have gone for Red and Ribbon)

My Auntie and I were such a bad influence on each other, we spent a fortune on the Internet, on crafting goodies. I bought a few bits and pieces from Dawn Bibbys shop,......But I have to tell you about my most exciting purchase....................I bought a WRMK Cinch!!!!......

I have been drooling over the Cinch for months! On holiday I went to the QVC shop, this is where all returned goods are sent, they reduce everything by 50% and then each section had a further reduction, the craft section has a further 25% off it. I went as I was needing winter coats...which I did get one cost me £11 the other £12! Anyway as I was saying I have been watching the cinch for ages, in fact I was upset as the last time it was on air it was on 4 easy pay and I missed it! however when I walked in the shop and saw a a returned one just sitting there.....rather bruised and battered I have to say (not sure how the previous owners managed to do that in just 30 days!!!) anyway it now has a loving home, and I cant wait to have a play!

I must head off to bed now I am just exhausted! I hope to catch up with you all as soon as possible, and also I hope to be back soon with a very exciting post!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs all round
Juls

Belle

Hello All,

Well I have to pack all my crafting stuff up...but to go on holiday so its not too bad, plus I do plan on doing some crafting with my Auntie when I am away, I just have loads off things to do before we head off, however last night I suddenly realised that I needed an anniversary card for today......I for some reason had coloured this fab Sassy Studio Designs image, but had not got round to using yet......I created the background paper using "distress ink - mustard seed" and the little flourish is from "Kanban - peacock" , and I very quickly matted and layered it up, and added a couple of gems.

As always thanks so much for looking
Hugs Juls

First Time with Kraft

Hello All,

Well as you may have gathered from the title, this is my first time using kraft....I always admire how you fabulous crafters use it, but I had not yet had a go myself....I tried using pencils but I don't have prisma ones, and so the ones I had were just unable to colour on the Kraft, so I stuck with using copics, and I think It worked ok. I have added some papers from that scrap pile of mine! they are "K&Co - Amy Butler" papers.

This is a simple card, I coloured the image quickly, but it was one of those cards that I kept pulling apart and putting back together..........so it seemed to take forever to get nowhere!!! I like the way the image turned out, but I am not keen on the overall card!

This is my entry for:

Fab&Funky - Kraft, Lime & Pink

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Miniature Easel

Hello All,

Hope your weekend has been good!!...another tiny card from me tonight, I am definitely going through a miniature, dinky cards phase!!....I have created an easel using my little 7.6x7.6cm cards. I have again used the gorgeous image fom "pergamano", and coloured with copics and highlighted with stickles. The embellishments are from a Dawn Bibby kit, from forever ago......its from one of those boxes of stuff that I bought ages ago and am desperately trying to empty, however it doesn't seem to matter how often I dip into it, it just doesn't disappear!!!!

As a quick P.S...yes my Auntie does live in Blackburn, Lancs, in fact she lives 10 min from the Dawn Bibby design studio....so I definitely there will be a crafty shopping trip on the agenda!

This is my entry for:

Spoonfull of Sugar - relish to embellish ( i thought for a tiny card, it had loads of embellishments on it)
Cute Card Thurs - Gently does it - use vellum or parchment (I have used some vellum flowers and leaves)

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Flower Girl

Hi All,

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend, I have had a fab day today, I went through to Elgin with A friend and visited the house of sugar.......I managed to exercise extreme restraint and only get a pad of white card, I am on holiday to Blackburn to visit my Auntie a week on Sunday, so I really had to watch the pennies! However I encouraged my friend to spend all her money!

Another quick and simple card from me today. It's really funny when I started out crafting I was very much a less is more crafter. Then I went through a more is more is more phase, and now I seem to be edging back to the Clean and Simple look. I am not particularly loyal to a style, I just Love everything!!!!.....I am one of those, jack of all trades (crafts) master of none!!!

I have made this little card using my blossom nesties, and Flourish impressabilities. The image is a "pergamano" one. The image has been stamped on pearl card and coloured with copics, and then I have added a few pearls and a little stickles to bling it up slightly!!!

This is my entry for:

Bizzy Becs - white on white
Simon Says - all white
C.R.A.F.T - Dry embossing
Creative Cottage - embossing
One Stop Craft - embossing

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Simply Sassy in Miniature

Hello All,

Sorry I have sooooooooo many photo's!!! I saw these adorable mini cards in my local craft shop the other day, and I just had to get them!!....I should really get the scalloped square nesties then I can make my own...but then I suppose I would have to then find mini envelopes.

I have used the new fab sassy images from Sugar Nellie......I am just Loving this range!! They have all been coloured using my copics....the papers are from my scrap pile, and then finally I have added a little bling with, pearls, gems and a touch of stickles.

This is my entry for:

Creative Card Crew - Lets Punch it
My time to craft - quick and Cute
Dutch Dare card - Clean and Simple

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Monochrome Hugs

Hello All,

Hows things?......I got a lovely parcel of stamped magnolia images from my bloggy friend Jane. I have been desperate to have a play with them, they are just soooooooooo cute!!!!!! I love this pair, they are just so adorable!!

I have coloured the image with my copics, the Paper is "Papermainia"....I have stamped behind the main image with an "Anitas" stamp in "brilliance ink - starlight silver"....the flower is using "Tim Holtz - tattered rose" die. I have just used really cheap nasty copier paper, coloured with copics to match Tildas cheeks!

The lettering is from "momenta"....and that's about it.

This is my entry for:

Just Magnolia - Sketch
Anything Goes - Letter B ( black)

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Passing on the crafting bug

Hello All,

A really simple card from me tonight. I had a friend over this evening, she has said to me in the past that she loves buying colouring books for her friends children, and then secretly hopes that they will let her colour in with them. I said that she should totally get into card making, as it is really just colouring, sticking & playing with glitter glue, but for grown ups!!!

As I did not want to overwhelm her with everything, I just put out a few stamps, some pens and a small selection of paper, an then tried to keep it simple.....we had a good laugh, and I came up with this simple creation.

The image is a fabulous Leanne Ellis one from Sugar Nellie......(P.S got to visit the house of sugar on Friday, and will be going again next week! I will be helping a friend spend her money, as I really need to be good, I am going on holiday soon....Also I am booked in for a class in November, so excited, I have never done a card making class before!!!)......The image has been coloured using my "Whispers" water colour pens. The paper is from my scraps. I have punched a few little flowers and added some gems.

This is my entry for:

C.R.A.F.T - Monotone
Creative Card Crew - Lets punch it
Stamp Something - something pink
One Stop Craft - Anything goes

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls