HobbyCrafts Shows & Tesco Vouchers - Top Tip

Top Tip

If you are planning to go to the Hobby Crafts Show at the NEC, Birmingham in March it might be worth checking out this link:-

http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=1189&bci=4294965879%7CExhibitions%20%26%20Events*29%7CNew%20Clubcard%20Deals

If you have a Tesco £2.50 Clubcard voucher you can exchange it for a token that will give you admission to the shows.  Check out link for FULL details. I am not sure if you can do it for any of the other shows around the country.

You must order your token before March 11th.

Hodge Podge of a Card

This was a weird card to make as it sort of snowballed into something completely different from what I had in mind.

I was trying to use up some of the printed panels I had leftover from yesterday using my Stampin’ Up Fresh Cuts stamp.

I added another panel using a Hero Arts stamp – Thanks (G2679) which is of a dictionary definition of the word “thanks” and matted it on gold.

Next came a flower made from Prima Flowers, Hydrangea, Apricot Medley.  This is the first time I have ever used Prima Flowers, they were a gift about three years ago, and whenever I have tried to use them they have never looked right.  The brad is from Papermania.

The black corners looked like they were missing something, so I found a very small Chinese stamp and stamped it in gold.  I then scattered a few Preciosa crystals here and there.

I thought I was finished but as I took photo the middle dictionary panel just didn’t look right, it was missing something.  I tried another flower but that was too  overwhelming.

Then I spied the I Ching coins I had on my desk for another project, with a little black ribbon threaded through them they filled the gap.

This is quite a different style for me, I think all the blog hopping I have been doing recently and seeing other peoples styles has rubbed off on me a bit.
After I wrote this post I fiddled some more ………….

And tried the design in purple …..

…… I also added “flourish” above the flower, using another smaller stamp from the set. I think the design is finally finished!

What’s On My Desk Wednesday

Yes, I  know it’s all looking too tidy, but I am off for a day or two, so wanted it all neat and tidy ready to start fiddlefarting again when I get back.

The “whatnot stand” I bought for £4.00 from a second hand market a few weeks ago is back, this time painted magnolia and ready to put up on my craft room wall.

But,  much more exciting, is this box of 1 inch square glass tiles I ordered from US (I couldn’t find them anywhere in UK), so that I can make glass pendants like these.

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/glass_tile_pendant
I’ve seen lots of blogs featuring them and am desperate to have a go myself.

Stamped Butterfly Cards

The stamp used in this card is part of a set from Stampin’ Up called Fresh Cuts (£18.95) bought for me by my daughter, for my birthday.

I printed it onto a cream patterned paper, and then rubbed a brown blending chalk over it, followed by Stampin’ Up  dazzling diamonds glitter for a bit of texture and sparkle. I wasn’t sure how the glitter would come out,  it could have been the combination of the black ink and the glue pen, but instead of drying clear, it came out a blue/teal colour which added extra colour I hadn’t expected.

I was so pleased with the effect and how easy the stamp was to use I experimented a bit more …..

You may recognise that the butterfly is from the Primark necklace I bought a couple of weeks ago.

For more details of the stamp set, click onto the Stampin’ Up link in the side bar.

I think my favourite is the first one, on olive green card.

I added a few bronze stars to this card – not sure if I really need them.
If I put all the cards together in a box it would make a lovely notelet gift set.

Little Handbag Gift Boxes

I feel that this is really a bit of a cheat as there is no real crafting in this project, it’s just a matter of putting things together, to make a quick gift, using things I have already got.

The bags are wedding favor boxes from HobbyCraft, they cost £1.99 for ten, which I think is a bargain.  They come in different colours, I have two sets; brown and cream and black and white, I think they also do them in pastel pink and blue

The stickers are from The Poundshop, they have a metallic finish and come in very useful when I need an odd sticker or two, and the ribbons are just remnants, usually I would match them up very carefully, but this time the random approach has worked.

In each bag I have put four of the Asda chocolate hearts (£1.00 for 10) my sister found me last week. 

I reckon each bag has cost me no more than 35p to make (including for stickers and ribbon)  – bargain!

With Mother’s Day coming up this is a nice little idea for school fayres etc.

The Most Precious Valentine Card In The The World

Special Guest Card Maker this Valentines Day is my brother who made this card for my mum at his Special Needs Centre – no card I, (or anyone else could make) could be more precious or beautiful.

The Art of Fiddle Fart At It’s Finest – New House Card!

I surpassed myself today fiddle farting!

The houses are made using a small house punch (I think it came from Hobbycrafts) – but it wasn’t enough for me to just stick them onto a blank card, no, I had to doodle the details on each one using a very fine liner pen  and then colour them in very roughly with pale colours from my Whispers pen set!

 

….. this was after I stuck a small panel of card behind each house so I could have a door to colour in as well!

I also made the back panel using two strips of textured  paper.

To finish the card I added a few clouds in the sky using a white gel pen and a fence, using a black fine liner pen.

Nothing Much In The Shops

I had a quick whizz around yesterday but all I got was three packs of A4 envelopes (10 in a pack for £1) from a stall on Penkridge Market (Staffs) for my mate Lisa.

I wouldn’t know where to start making a card that big!

Felt Heart Brooches

I had forgotten I had these felt hearts until I found them in a box on my shelves, they are quite thick and firm so I thought I would have a go at making some little Valentine brooches with them.

The hearts are from http://www.rhinestonesonline.co.uk and I have just glued them on with PVA glue.

I added very small brooch fastenings to the back, this time using Bostick as I think it is a bit stronger than PVA.

Then I fiddle-farted about with the packaging!

Lisa’s Brilliant Idea - Valentines Treat Bag!

Lisa is my best crafty mate, we go craft and moochy shopping together whenever we can and The Hobbycrafts Show at the NEC every November, last year we even managed to sneak into a trade fair!

We both bought these chocolate tokens from Home Bargains, but we weren’t too keen on the naff sentiments on them.

I will leave Lisa to explain and get full credit  ………. click on this link to go to her blog

This is my version of her inspired idea!

Two Very Quick & Simple Valentine Cards

Who says cards have to be complicated ?

This is a case of less is more.

The stickers are from packs of puffy animals from Assessorize - £1.75.  One pack can go a very very long way when used like this.

Get Your Coat …..

I think I may have lowered the tone of this blog with this card ……

It’s just a bit of nonsense …..

Inside the card

I found the Sizzix “coat” in a box of bits and pieces and it set me off thinking!

Paperclip Heart

 

The heart embellishment on this card is a 7 Gypsies paperclip and I have to admit, getting it to stick down (using pva glue) was a bit tricky.

I used a set of wavy edged square punches (a gift from my friend Lisa - Craftfairy)  for the centre mat, which is mat and layered and then backed with a couple of foam pads for added dimension.

I added the larger plain backing square to spread the design and fill up the space subtly, drawing the eye into the centre of the card.

 
I have some other heart shaped paperclips that would have looked equally as good …. well perhaps not the turqouise one!