My Craft Space

Thought that I would post a few pictures of my new crafting space as it is reasonably tidy at the moment! (Click on the pictures if you would like to enlarge them.) I finally have the furniture that I was after. The stack of drawers I already posted about here.
I now have this lovely new table. It's sold as an office meeting table, and is nice and sturdy. The legs fold up underneath, which means that if necessary it can be cleared out of the room for parties, and can also double up as an extra table for barbeques etc. The two stacks of plastic drawers fit nicely underneath - they are my original craft storage, and at the time I was wondering if I really needed two!
The 12x12 tote that you can see underneath the table between the chair and the filing cabinet houses all of my 12 x 12 paper/card - don't have much of that at the moment! I have a lot of A4 size though, and that is in the filing cabinet in hanging folders. Really pleased with that - so much easier to find what I want, and put it back again afterwards. And all away out of the dust. My chair must be about 15 years old now, and is still comfy!

The last picture shows my area (bottom right of the picture) in relation to the room. This is our family room. I like to be in here, and not shut away in a separate room or shed. I'm right where my youngest is with all her toys so easy to craft and keep an eye on her. In the evening I can craft and be sociable with people watching tv etc. And a nice view of the garden. And as we have another room which is our sitting room, I don't have to put things away for visitors.

I am working on how to store my SU stamps. At the moment I only have a few sets, and they are stood up like books in a shoebox on top of the filing cabinet. But something tells me that I need to plan for more!!

Blue Flower Trio

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Night of Navy, Ballet Blue, Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Water Colour Paper for the Main Image
Ink: Ballet Blue, Sage Shadow, Versamark
Stamps: A Touch of Nature
Other: 1/4" Whisper White Gross Grain Ribbon, Distressed Lines Cuttlebug folder, Clear Embossing Powder

Card Size: 13.5 cm x 13.5 cm

Method: First stamped the image on to post it notes twice, overlapping the sticky part as much as possible, then cut out to use as masks to layer the flower in the main image. Inked up the flower stamp with markers, and stamped onto the watercolour paper - first stamping the bottom flower, and worked my way up. Left the image to dry well, and then used a blender pen to draw colour from the stamped lines to fill in the petals and stem. Distressed the edges of the paper, and matted it onto the Ballet Blue and then the Night of Navy card. A piece of Ballet Blue was torn down one edge, and then run through the Cuttlebug in the Distressed Lines folder. Tied with the ribbon. Stamped the Sage Shadow backing with the fern leaf and Versamark, then embossed with clear powder. All mounted on to a Whisper White card base.

This card was inspired by, and CASEd, from this one made by Helen of In Love With Stamping.

Thinking of You Flowers

These flowers were made from printer paper, and a bumble bee, daisy and snowflake punches. For each flower I punched out 16 bees, and cut off their heads, wings and legs. Then I painted them using a marker scribbled onto acetate, and an aquabrush. Once dried they were shaped and stuck onto 8 petaled daisy shapes, in the same way as the No Tools Flower. I punched two snowflakes out of a pale yellow paper for the centre of each flower. The flowers are arranged on fern leaves punched from Old Olive card, and mounted onto Barely Banana card, then onto Rose Red with Very Vanilla 5/8" gross grain ribbon tied around it. The Thinking of You stamp is from the Sincere Salutations set. The card, ribbon and stamp are all by Stampin' Up. The Rock Fern and Bee punches are Leone Em, the daisy (not visible) is Woodware, and the snowflake punch is EK Success.

Note Card Gift Box Tutorial

This box is very simple to make, and can be made either square or rectangular. The lid and base are constructed in exactly the same way. The first part of the instructions covering how to calculate the size of card to cut, takes far longer to explain than to do! Click on any of the photos for a closer look.

First of all, you need to measure the envelopes for the cards you will be putting into the box. Add on 0.5 or 1 cm to both the length and width of the measurement, depending on how thick the card is, and how much space you want around the envelopes. This box was made from Stampin' Up Whisper White, which is a thinner card, and I added on 0.5cm. For thicker card I would use an extra 1cm. Then you need to decide how deep you want the box to be. To do this, I stacked up the cards and envelopes and measured the height of the pile, rounding up to the nearest half cm. So now you have the measurements you need to calculate the size of the piece of card to work with.


My envelopes measure 8cm x 8cm, and the stack measured a little under 3cm. This is the calculation I did:

In the diagram below A = width of the envelope + 0.5cm i.e. 8 + 0.5 = 8.5cm
B = length of the envelope + 0.5cm i.e. 8 + 0.5 = 8.5cm
C = height of the stack of cards and envelopes rounded up to next half cm i.e. 3cm

So to calculate the size of the piece of card needed for the base of the box I did

Width C +C + A + C + C or 3 + 3 + 8.5 + 3 + 3 = 20.5cm
Length C + C + B + C + C or 3 + 3 + 8.5 + 3 + 3 = 20.5cm

Then the size of card for the lid just needs to be an extra half cm overall ie

Width 20.5 + 0.5 = 21cm
Length 20.5 + 0.5 = 21cm

So once you have done your calculations, cut out the two pieces of card to those measurements. In my case one piece 20.5cm x 20.5cm and the other 21cm x 21cm. Do the following with both pieces of card.

Measure in from each corner the height of the box (3cm for my box) and then the same amount again. Do this on all sides. Score at these measurements as shown in the photo. The extra half cm for the lid will end up allocated to the centre, which is where you need it to be.
Cut along the score lines to remove each corner as shown.

Fold and crease along each scoreline. Flatten the card back out, then score diagonally across all of the small corner squares as in the picture below.
Put double sided tape on the four edges - here I have used Stampin' Up's tape as it is a nice strong one.
Remove the covering strip from the tape, and fold in the flaps on two opposite sides, sticking them down. Doesn't matter which sides, as long as they are opposite each other.
Take one of the corners and fold in as shown.
Now fold back along the diagonal score line and press along the fold to crease well. Make sure as you do this that the fold is falling so that the corner will be nice and square. Now is the time to make any adjustments to the folds to ensure squareness. Worth taking some time here to get a good finished result.
Do the same on the other side of that edge. You need to end up with two triangles pointing towards each other on the side like this.
Remove the cover strip from the tape, and fold the flap over to cover the triangles. Press down firmly to stick in place. Do the same on the other side of the base.
Will look like this when it's finished - nice and neat.Nice and neat on the outside too - with no 'raw' edges.
Repeat with the piece for the lid. The double thickness on the sides gives a nice sturdy finish to the box, even when thinner card is used.

Decorate the outside of the box to match the cards within.

Gift Box with Cards

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery Designer Paper
Ink: Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace
Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Sincere Salutations
Other: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots folder
Card Size: 9.5 x 9.5cm, 3.75 x 3.75"

Method:

There are twelve cards in this set - two sets of six the same, except for the ones with greetings on have a variety of greetings. I inked the stamps with markers in order to get different colours for the flowers and leaves. On the cards without greetings, the image was finished with hand doodled lines around the edge, then matted onto the lavender card. Embossed the green layer with Swiss Dots. On the cards with the greetings, after stamping the image, I sponged around the edges with Certainly Celery, before distressing slightly with scissors. Matted onto lavender, and then onto a square of Certainly Celery Designer Paper. I stamped the envelopes to match the cards.

I made the box from some white 12 x 12 medium weight card that I had. A very easy design to make, and tailor to the size of the cards. I decorated the sides and top of the lid with pieces of designer paper, and stamped both of the flower images to coordinate with the cards inside.

The cards and box were pretty quick to make, and I am hoping that the intended recipient will like them! Click on the picture if you want a closer look.

Many Tiny Petals

I went to another floral punch craft class with Jane Gill at the Glitter Pot today. As always, had a great time shaping and sticking little pieces of paper together in their lovely bright class room, with lunch in the sun on the patio. The day flashed past all too quickly. Today we made camellia and azalea flowers. The azalea flowers were made from printer paper, painted using ink from a marker scribbled onto a tile and picked up with a paintbrush. They took a while to paint and dry, so we just made the flowers - they still need a card.

The camellias are made from a cream coloured paper. The larger petals started off as balloon shapes, and the little ones in the centre started off as daisies. You have to cut apart all the petals, shape them and then poke them individually into a blob of silicon glue. Kept us quiet for a while - well, relatively quiet! Jane tells us that there were 128 of them - I'll take her word as I can't count that high! The leaves for both flowers are made from the same green paper, but those on the camellia have been painted with a varnish to make them glossy. We made an oriental themed card designed by Jane to put the camellias on.
Thanks to Jane for a really enjoyable day, and to the ladies in the class for the great company!

Jane now has a blog - Flower Girl. She has only just started it, so only one card on at the time of writing, but it's definitely a blog to keep an eye on in the future!

In Love With Stamping Colour Combo Challenge 10

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip pad, Real Red marker
Stamps: Happy Day, Sincere Salutations
Other: Swiss Dots folder, Nestability Petite Oval dies, 5/8" Very Vanilla gross grain ribbon
Card Size: A6 - 15 x 10.5cm - 6 x 4"

Method:

This is my card for the ILWS Colour Combo Challenge #10.

I Stamped the flower onto Vanilla card using Choc. Chip ink, and then coloured in with Real Red marker. Cut out, leaving a margin of Vanilla showing. Stamped greeting with Real Red onto Vanilla card. Cut out with Nestability die and matted onto Real Red oval. Ran Chocolate Chip through the Cuttlebug in the Swiss dots folder. Mounted a rectangle of Creamy Caramel on top of the Choc. Chip, and tied ribbon round before sticking to card base. The flowers are popped up on foam pads.

Little Note Cards

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Brocade Blue, Whisper White, Certainly Celery Designer Designer Series Prints, Whisper White Love Notes
Ink: Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue
Stamps: Garden Silhouettes
Other: 1/2" circle punch

Method:

This is a set of 5 little 3x3" cards. The image was inked using markers, and stamped onto 5x5cm squares. The corners were punched with the circle punch, edges lightly distressed with scissors, and then matted onto the brocade blue card, then onto the designer prints paper. All mounted onto a love note. I stamped the lower left front corner of each envelope with the left half of the image to match the cards. Fun, and quick! Eventually they will be part of a boxed set that I am making for a gift. Will post more as they get done!

Lavender Flower Branch

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace
Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Sincere Salutations
Other: Certainly Celery 5/8" gross grain ribbon, flat backed pearls, Three for You Punch

Method:

A variation on the design of the card on my last posting. Inked the stamp with markers, but only stamped the one image this time. Decorated with punched flowers, matted onto lavender card and tied with the ribbon. Stamped the greeting and flower branch on the background in certainly celery. Sponged around the edge of the card base with lavender lace before adding the layers. The card size is 10.5 x 15cm - 4 x 6" (A6).

Busy trying to get more organised with my crafting area at the moment. Everything has got out of hand - too busy crafting lately! I have a table and filing cabinet arriving on Friday - can't wait for them to get here so I can clear the clutter! Planning to be tough on myself and clear out a few things that I know that I'll never use, but seemed like a good idea at the time!! Will post pictures when it's done.

Apricot Flowers

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Whisper White card.
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery.
Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Sincere Salutations.
Other: 5/8" Certainly Celery gross grain ribbon, Crystal Stickers pearls, Three For You flower punch.

Method:

This card was inspired by Monica's card here.

Inked up the flower branch from Garden Silhouettes set with markers so that I could do the flowers and leaves in different colours. Stamped the image twice, re-inking inbetween. Then cleaned the stamp, re-inked, and stamped a little here and there with just Certainly Celery. Sponged around the edges - the sponging on one corner under the ribbon was definitely an embellishment opportunity! Matted onto the apricot card, and tied on the ribbon. Stamped the feathery stem onto the background card, and added the greeting - both using the Stampamajig. Matted onto apricot card, and then fixed all onto a pre-scored card base 13.5cm square. Finished with some punched flowers, shaped as per my little plaid flowers, with a little pearl in the centre.

Summer Oak

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Water Colour Paper.
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Certainly Celery, Versamark
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutations
Other: Linen Thread, Pearl Brads, Stampin' Pastels, Clear Embossing Powder, Blender Pen

Method:

Inked up the oak tree and oak leaves stamps with Versamark, then immediately with Chocolate Chip. Stamped onto water colour paper, then embossed with clear embossing powder. Coloured in with green ink using blender pen. Coloured tree trunk with chocolate chip and another brown that I can't remember! Chalked a background for the tree with Stampin' Pastels. Cut out the leaves. Used 1/2" circle punch to punch the corners of the oak image. Matted onto Chocolate Chip, then Old Olive. Wrapped linen thread around the Old Olive. Painted brads with brown permanent marker to match, and inserted in corners.

For the background I stamped Very Vanilla Card with the oak leaf stamp in Creamy Caramel. Before stamping each leaf image, I stamped off once on scrap paper to get a fainter image for the background. Chalked over lightly with Creamy Caramel pastel to dull down the vanilla. Used Stampamajig to stamp greeting in Chocolate Chip. Matted onto Chocolate Chip card. Placed image topper in position and added leaves on foam pads. All on an A6 Very Vanilla card.

Lavender Butterfly

Ingredients:

Card/Paper: Mellow Moss, Lavender Lace, Whisper White
Ink: Mellow Moss, Lavender Lace
Stamps: Touch of Nature
Other: 1/4" Gross Grain Ribbon, Flat Backed Pearls, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder, Nestability Squares

Method: Cut out square of white and stamped with butterfly and fern leaf. Put back through Cuttlebug to emboss the edge in the Nestability. Mounted on white square of next size up, and drew a line around the edge of the smaller square with marker. Slightly distressed edges of larger square. Embossed lavender card with Swiss Dots. Randomly stamped green card with fern leaf. Used a piece of scrap paper behind to stick the two pieces of card butting up together, then tied knot in ribbon and wrapped short ends to the back of the card and glued in place with snail adhesive. Fixed this background to the white card body - A6 size. Added butterfly image and three flat backed pearls to finish.

Carol's Creation

What a lovely surprise I found in my mail! Carol Lepard from Circle of Crafters sent me this gorgeous card along with the gift of a copy of her Backing Papers 2 cd.

A little while ago, I was helping her test out her backing paper designs. You can see the cards I made using those papers here:

• Autumn Owl
• Butterflies
• Icy Blue
• More No Tools Flowers
• Little Hearts and Flowers

The cd has a wide variety of 200 different papers, and is one of a few cds that Carol has created. You can find them here on her website Custom Creations by Carol Ivy along with many other wonderful creations!

Carol's card is just gorgeous. The stitching is perfectly done with lovely satiny thread, and the gems are perfectly matched. The little flower 3d is also perfectly matched to the stitching colours - and so beautifully cut. The backing paper on the card is one from the cd. To see more of Carol's great cards check out her blog - by Carolivy.

Those Frogs Again!

Ingredients:

Card: Really Rust, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip - all Stampin' Up. Fine grain watercolour paper.
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Whispers markers, Stampin' Pastels
Stamp: Toadily Yours Penny Black
Font: Crazy Girlz Blond BTN
Other: Cuttlebug embossing folder Tiny Bubbles

Method:

Stamped frogs on to watercolour paper - I masked off the flowers so that I could substitute the signs - and coloured with markers and blender pen. Background coloured with pastels, and hand doodling around the edge with fine nib of marker. Matted onto Chocolate Chip. Embossed Old Olive with Tiny Bubbles. Words and numbers computer generated onto watercolour paper. Coloured with pastels, matted onto Chocolate Chip, punched corners of everything with Woodware Squared Corner Cutter. Added thin strips of Chocolate Chip for the sign post handles. All mounted onto Really Rust background. Finished with hand doodling to match image border, and three little rough cut squares of Chocolate Chip.


I have pinched this idea for posting from others that I have seen - hoping to make it quicker for those who just want to see what I used, but still leaving an explanation for those who like to read! Also quicker for me to type up - so more time to make cards!! Hope you like this format - let me know if you don't.

Lager Can 30th Card

Another male relative with a birthday. I used to cop out and just make cards for the girls, and buy for the boys, but practice is good, and the male cards are getting easier! Went with one of the 'stereotypes' for this one - beer/lager, but instead of a picture of a brew, I used the container. I wanted it to be obvious that I had used a lager can, so I cut the 30 out of the area with the logo. If you enlarge the picture you can see some of the wording.
I cut the top and bottom off of the washed can with a pair of kitchen scissors. Then cut up the side between the logos, and flattened it out. You have to be very careful in handling as the edges are very sharp. I used my favourite Ariel Rounded MT Bold to create a template for the numbers. Printed them out in a mirror image, rough cut around, and then temporarily stuck them to the back of the can. Cut around with my short bladed craft scissors. Then ran the numbers through my Cuttlebug with the Spots and Dots folder. Next stuck them to black card and cut around leaving a narrow margin of card which I distressed.
I designed the wording on the computer using Freehand 591 BT font, printed on to grey card and then embossed the top portion diagonally with Distressed Stripes. Distressed the edges of the grey card, and matted onto silver mirror card. The background is black card with a single row of dots embossed down the right edge and along the top.