Daffodil Nellie

New Life In The Country, Welcome 2012

2012-01-16T23:41:00.001Z

After a brief period of unemployment after being made redundant, I have found a new job and officially a 9-5 girl working in a local civil service department! : ) 2012 has started on a lot of positives and I hope the remainder of 2012 is just as abundant with good fortune. My commute to work is now 5 minute drive or by bus along country lanes, what a change from the hussle and bussle of London. I now feel spoiled and fortunate as this will allow me more time to devote to my family, friends and hobbies which now include cardmaking, cross-stitching and jewellery making. as for the first time I am a 9-5 girl which will leave me more time for crafting, 5 minute travel to work and a whole room in the house to utilise as a craft room!

Our offer on our first new home as buyers has been accepted and soon we shall be exchanging contracts on a chain-free sale : ) We shall be soon be moving into our new home, here in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park in the coming weeks! Lots of lovely walks at the lakes and countryside to draw inspiration from for crafting, an inglenook fireplace to keep warm whilst colouring images and a whole room in the house to use as a craft room. So maybe, I will be able to join in the fun with WOYWW and will have to stop myself from returning my craft stash to storage boxes.

Here is a sneak peek of the view from the bedroom. I feel very blessed and fortunate to be waking up to this view each morning:

Redundancy Looms... A New Start into the Unknown

2011-03-20T23:19:00.002Z

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, there have been some rapid changes and announcements affecting my employment. The likelihood is redundancy is looming or stay and weather the storm by accepting a 30% pay cut and fewer benefits.

Today, its really hit home this offers a potential new start into the unknown. Whether to continue with working in the charitable sector or to disembark by accepting redundancy, starting my own voyage of self-discovery and follow our dreams. Redundancy will be a welcome change after the long consultation period, uncertainty and upheaval. Afterall, every cloud must have a silver lining! x x x

Valentine: Love Is All Around

2011-02-18T18:22:00.000Z

This my quick Valentine's Day card to the most patient and wonderful husband in the world! He is a very good tea maker and always takes the dog for a walk at the weekends so I can enjoy a nice lie-in lol. Sometimes its the simple little things in life which mean the world, and its nice to acknowledge and appreciate all the little things people do 364 days a year.

Here is a Valentines Day Card I made recently:

The sentiment is a stamp by Penny Black inked up with Papermania Pigment Ink followed by a liberal scattering of Personal Impressions Clear Embossing Powder before heat gunning. The paperstock and cardstock used has been embossed in a Cuttlebug machine.

Products & Materials used:

Sentiment/Greeting: Penny Black Inc "All Around" (W/Mounted 3807C)

Papermania Black Pigment Ink

Personal Impressions Clear Embossing Powder

Papermania Dome Stickers PMA560 Pink Hearts

Nestabilities: Standard Circles & Lacey Circles

Gems: Eastern Treasures (Clear) & Papermania (Pink)

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders: Swiss Dots & Heart Blocks

Paperstock: Anna Griffin 12x12 Pink Paper (retired)

Cardstock: Paper Cellar Pink Pearlescent Card & Black corrugated card (Stash).

Just a quick and simple card, really liking the pink, kraft, black and touch of green. Somehow it just really comes together and goes some way towards using all my scrap pieces of paper and cardstock.

That's all for now,

Daffodil x x x

Acetate: Recycle & Reuse

2011-02-13T23:00:00.001Z

One of my many weaknesses is acetate sheets - plain or patterned hand it over and I'll have it. Its just the same with stamps and patterned paper, but embellishments and stickers I'll leave for other crafters!

This plain acetate box was recycled from a christmas gift. I thought it was a waste to thow it out and decided to recycle the box instead as handmade LUSH goody box.

The box is decorated with a base layer of green indian handmade paper. All patterned papers & die cuts are by Fancy Pants. Flowers are by Prima Marketing, featuring dew drop centres. The ribbons are all off cuts of recycled ribbon, the pink organza ribbon is from a set of PJs from Primark lol.

The image is by Magnolia, called Jam Tilda and has been coloured using Copic Ciao markers but I can't remember the exact colours used (sorry!).

Back soon,

Daffodil x x

Monkey Business

2011-02-12T22:25:00.002Z

I've managed to squeeze time to make a card in the last fortnight, although I've encountered several mishaps with glues : ( I have given up on Silicone glue, its now officially relegated to Room 101. I'm also a leaf punch short after breaking one trying hopelessly to punch through handmade glitter paper (from experience this is not recommended).

The layout for the card is from Sketch SaturdayChallenge (Week #138)

This is a card I made using all my tiny scraps left over from a sheet of MME 'Bloom & Grow' Collection. The image is from a wood mounted stamp by Whipper Snapper Designs called 'Swinging Monkey' CY905 which I recently bought in the Sir Stampalot January sale and coloured with Copic Ciao pens: E35 Chamois, E33 Sand, E21 Baby Skin Pink & G00 Jade Green for highlighting.

The biscuit coloured card, glitter paperstock & gems are from the craft section of Poundland, mostly the 'Crafty Bits' mixed bags (contents vary) for £1. The self-adhesive gems are sold in packs of 110 in various colours and available at selected Poundland stores. These bags are great value provided you have a die cut machine or punches as most of the contents is the residue from die cut sheets but the paper is mega glittery and I find it doesn't come off on your hands! : ) The biscuit cardstock has been embossed in the Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots folder. Flowers are Prima Marketing.

Until next time!
Daffodil x x

Flu-ed Out!

2011-01-09T17:03:00.002Z

This post is overdue, the only one in our house without swine flu over the christmas period was the dog! Christmas was a wash out in every sense of the word, with no inclination to eat Turkey & Venison. There is always next Christmas!

In my last post, I referred to a 'green project'. Here it is, a project involving reusing a glass Kenco Coffee Jar to package a Goody box. The jar was decorated and filled with Max Factor goodies as a thank you gift to my lovely Mother in Law Jules. She is the lip gloss, eye shadow & mascara queen!

Main view:

Products used include: Magnolia Tilda Hugging Bunny stamp, Copic Ciao Pens, Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Scalloped Circles, Fiskars border punch, handmade glittered papers (£1 discount store), Fancy Pants (retired, no idea which collection), flowers by Prima Marketing Inc & Mulberry Crafts UK (Dahlias), ribbon (stash), Papermania Gems.

Side view:

Back view:

Hope in these hard times this has inspired you to create your very own gifts!

Until next time,
Daffodil x x x

Mask it & create a scene

2010-11-20T22:54:00.000Z

Sorry for neglecting the blog yet again!!! Bad blogger...

Here is a card I made earlier this year for my niece which was sent all the way to Finland : ) I thought I would ink up some Magnolia stamps after a long 'dry' stamping spell and creat a little scene. As it was my first attempt at using them to create a background scene I thought I would take photos to help any other stampers out there which are starting out stamping.

You will need:

Black ink, if using alcohol markers or using prismas & sansador I would recommend using Memento Tuxedo Black
White Card, minimum of 220gsm if your using alcohol markers otherwise the colour may bleed through the card
Post it notes
Magnolia Background stamps or alternatively images (which you will need to cut out closely and layer as an alternative to masking): Magnolia Swing, Magnolia Butterfly Background, Magnolia Berry Tilda, Magnolia Rufus
Spellbinders Nestabilities (I've used Labels) which you can use as an aid to create a 'frame' to assess whether the scene is 'coming together'.

Firstly, stamp the Magnolia Swing on to white card, stamp again onto a post it note and cut around either the whole image or just around the rope/swing platform

Second step, place the swing stamped on to the post it note over the image stamped on white card like so:

Thirdly, ink Magnolia Butterfly Background and stamp over the masked Magnolia Swing image. It might help beforehand to stick the Magnolia Butterfly Background stamp onto a Clear CD case to ascertain where to position the stamp before stamping as demonstrated below:

Next, remove the post it note (retain for future usage!) and you will have created your very own background scene for your card!

If you wanted to create a 'flat background' you could also incorporate Magnolia's Berry Tilda & Rufus but I wanted to create dimension with the card so I opted to stamp Tilda seperately so they would 'pop out' and proceeded to use Spellbinders Nestabilities (Labels) to frame the background image:

The end result:

Hope you've found this helpful and hope to find time to post soon!

Daffodil Nellie.

Birthday Boy is 2!

2010-01-10T21:27:00.014Z

This is a card I made for my nephew who was 2 in late October. I thought instantly of my Magnolia stamps for this card so I opted to ink up Magnolia's 'Summer Edwin' and 'Rufus' who looks very like Buster!.

Outer:
Image stamps are Magnolia - 'Summer Edwin' & 'Rufus', coloured using spectracolor (similar to prismacolor) and Sansador technique. Gold glitter on Edwin's wings is PeeWee.

Sentiment is by Penny Black Inc.

Ceramic Star can be bought in a pack in your local £1/99p stores, 3D Clear gloss used as an adhesive.

Dotty Ribbon is by Papermania.

Patterned Paper by K&Co.

Green cardstock by Cordinations, embossed with Cuttlebug 'Happy Birthday' folder.

Inner:

Images: Magnolia's 'Love Muffin' decorated with assorted gems, gold PeeWee glitter , blue glitter glue & white liquid applique for texture to the icing. Sentiment is by All Night Media from 'Expressions Stamp & Embellishment Kit'.

Handmade green paper/ cardstock from multipack, embossed with Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' folder.

Patterned paper by K&Co.

Nestabilities Scalloped circles & Labels 1 die sets.

That's all for now!

Daffodil & Buster x x x

It's A Boy!

2010-01-10T19:36:00.010Z

This card was handmade before christmas to celebrate the birth of my BIL's second son.

The stamps are Happy Hoppers by Stampabilities, the main image on the front of the card is called 'Yaaaawn' (HMGR1018) and the inner image is 'Sleepy Head' (HMGR1016). Both images have been coloured in with spectracolor pencils (old version of prismacolor pencils!) and Sansador odourless spirit. 'It's A Boy' sentiment is by Anna Griffin and a stamp I have had for years, so can safely assume it would be retired by now.

Cardstock is a double sided 12x12 sheet by Papermania, Border stamp by Papermania (free in a Goody Bag) and epoxy stickers by Papermania. Gems from Tesco Craft Basics set, sentiment stamped using Hot Off The Press stamp set (2nd hand stamp set from ebay) and all flowers by Prima Marketing.

That's all for now.

Sorry about the lack of postings!

2010-01-10T19:23:00.008Z

Sorry for the lack of posts, dog ownership is hard work when it comes to training an extra large pup who is a little rebel! I have managed to make a few cards though in between practising the basics.

Buster was less than impressed with some boots he asked to borrow and asked next time to get them in blue:

And just to illustrate necessity of training due to his size, check this doodle out at 12 months of age. Buster says - 'No business like snow business, honey!'

Until next time!
Daffodil x

Thanks for your Kindness

2009-08-16T11:06:00.026+01:00

Hello again! Just thought I would post a card that's taken some time to put together to thank someone for remembering my birthday at the end of June. I've finally managed to get my hands on some EZ mount to make use of a second hand sugar nellie stamp purchased from ebay.

The papers are all (apart from silver mirricard) from My Mind's Eye 'Bloom & Grow' collection (6x6 paper pad) which is available to buy from The Glitter Pot (£3.99, great value for money, perfectly scaled for card makers and good quality paper. I used a black dew drop Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink pad to ink up a Sugar Nellie stamp called 'Bunny with Flowers' and coloured in the image with Ciao Copic pens. Flowers are by Prima, brad centre by Papermania, leaf frame made by placing one fo the Sizzix Sizzlits dies from the 'Flowers, Branches & Leaves 3 Die Medium Set'. Sizzix Sizzlits dies work just as well as Cuttlebug dies in the Cuttlebug, cheaper and designs are larger in size. Orange Organza ribbon is by Chatterbox and image embellished with flat backed pearls secured by using Anita's 3D Clear Gloss Finish as an adhesive. To frame the card, I have hand drawn stitches using a green and orange metallic gel pen.

As you can see, the inside of the card has also been completely decorated as its an extra special card! Inside I have used the remnants from the sheets, cut labels for messages using the 'Nestabilities - Labels 1 die set) and some green Papermania flower and leaf shaped gems for a little bit of sparkle : ) 'Best Wishes' is from a See D stamp set (can't recall the name sorry) and the main message inside is by Penny Black Inc is a wood mounted stamp. Thanks for visiting!

Daffodil & Buster Doodles

x x x

Mother's Day

2009-08-15T16:22:00.018+01:00

Here's some cards I made for my mother-in-law and mother for Mother's Day earlier this year, around the time we were arranging moving home.

The first card is made using a Mother's Day kit from Papermania, die cuts, basic pink paper roses and prima flowers.

Papermania die cut letters have been embellished using some old odd gems (round and heart shaped pearls, gems) and glitter using Anita's 3D glossy accents as an adhesive and gloss to give the letters a raised look.

Lime green patterned ribbon is by Chatterbox.

The inside is decorated using the remnant paper strips from the kit.

The second card was made for my mother for Mother's day. Magnolia Tilda stamp used called 'Well Dressed Tilda' and coloured with Ciao Copic pens. Tights pattern accentuated by using white 3d liquid applique and then when dry coated with iridescent glitter glue. Papers by K& Co except pink glitter card which was bought in an independent stationers called 'Lorimers' (sold as single sheets). Card has been embellished using basic pink paper roses, prima flowers, pearl hearts and white Papermania self-adhesive pearls. The sentiment is a die cut from the Papermania Mother's Day kit.

The inside of the card has been decorated using a sheet for green polka dot paper from Craft Creatives Decorative Paper Stack (available from Tesco Superstores - Acid&lignin free!), pink glitter card, remnant strip of K&Co striped paper, white organza ribbon .

Kind regards,

Daffodil & Buster Doodles

x x x

Sincerest Apologies

2009-08-15T16:07:00.005+01:00

Firstly I would like to apologise for not posting since moving home. We have been so busy lead training 'the hound', unpacking and fixing up the garden before winter sets in (as I have not intention of weeding frozen ground lol). Buster just keeps getting taller! Here's a picture we took at the beginning of this month, to give you an idea of the gentle giant's size, hence the importance of getting used to the lead so quick otherwise he'll be walking us instead of the other way around : )

Our New Doggy Friend

2009-05-31T22:56:00.003+01:00

We are pleased to announce a doggy friend has joined our household. He wanted us to let you all know he is finally happy at his new second home although he is only 5 months old. He wanted to let you all know he's 'Buster' and his loves are: women, children (men I can take or leave), doggy treats, park walks, other nice doggie friends, toilet roll and socks. Buster hates closed or locked doors, telephone, water, hot weather and people who have no manners and ignore him! lol .

MegaSplurge! New Stash

2009-03-06T18:34:00.011Z

I have been very quiet on the blogging front lately due to my megasplurging on new stash. After resisting for so long, I have failed miserably and can only redeem myself by making use of all my new purchases. I have had 5 parcels this week so the postman must want to strangle me as all week I have been working and his trips have been in vain! Well, here is sneak peek of my latest acquisitions, my favourite item of all is the magnolia stamps (in transit Ali-Craft), welsh greeting stamps (CleverCut) and the penny black 'Egg Cart' stamp (Happy Stampers) which has been on my wish list forever!

Tomorrow is going to be a serious crafting day, so hopefully, I'll have some cards to post here by Sunday night. Happy Crafting!

Life's a Box of Chocolates... Sweet!

2009-02-24T23:38:00.009Z

This is a card I have been working on lately in between working! The idea came together on Sunday night whilst thinking of chocolate which always remind me of the film 'Forrest Gump'.

Main image is by Stampabilities Happy Hoppers 'Hoppy Valentine's'. Bunny has been coloured in with whispers pens using the blender and once dry I have pained on some Anita's 3D Clear Gloss Finish to accentuate bunny's tail, hind legs and ears. The chocolate box has been embellished with pink glitter after pasting with a fine brush some glue and sprinkled with pink glitter.

Hint: Once glued glitter is dry, to avoid the glitter from becoming loose seal the glittered areas with a thin coat of Anita's 3D Clear Gloss Finish. The coating must be thin otherwise when dry there is a danger it will crackle and then you'll have to start again LOL!

The sentiment is part of a two stamp set by Prima Marketing Inc. but the set is nameless! The chocolate paper is part of free set of papers you can dowload from Papercraft Inspirations (you will find a link at the bottom of my blog!). I've used a scrap piece of brown corrugated card, recycled some pink ribbon from a new top I bought and then added a few Prima flowers from my new stash. The rest of the ribbon has been used up on the side of the sentiment label.

I've also started to finish the inside of the card, so this is what the inside looks like!

Hope you like the card, especially as very soon I'm hoping to have some samples sold in some local shops I've selected to help with the house deposit fund! Please let me know whether you think this card is up to scratch! : )

3 Challenges in 1!

2009-02-14T22:59:00.014Z

Hey, Sorry I haven't been posting in a while but as I work full time finding time to craft during a work audit is nigh impossible. The elements in this card I made gradually when I managed to catch some 'crafting moments' but it really only came to fruition when I was looking at the challenge blogs. This card is for my patient, caring and loving husband who actually encourages me to buy more stash! I've entered this card for 3 Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #35 ~Romance (Although its late!)

Card Positioning Systems #102 ~ Sketch

DutchDare ~ Buttons & Bows

The stamps featured are all Penny Black Inc, main is called 'Love Graffiti' and wording from the 'Every Which Way' Critters set. Main image coloured in with Touch, KureColor and Whispers pens. The 'Love' glittered heart has been created by embossing red card using a Cuttlebug embossing folder and cutting it out before layering it and carefully finishing it with a coat of red glitter glue (leave to dry!). White frill border is using up scraps of white card (how many of them do stampers collect LOL), running them through the Cuttlebug with the borders range of embossing folders and cutting it out carefully. Joined both to create a space for a strip of red polka dot paper salvaged from a Christmas card (thrifty don't you think?). Paper is Papermania 'Warm Tones' paper collection.

Well, you either love it or hate the colour combo as my husband hates pink so I was forced to go with a purple and red combo. Please let me know whether you love or hate it LOL!

There's No Business Like Snow Business!

2009-02-02T16:05:00.009Z

Here in London we are snowed under and there is no transport to get into work (central london)! Just so you have an idea of how much snow we have here in London, I have posted some photographs taken this afternoon.

Me and my husband decided we would make some snow angels, snowmen and snowbears in the common at the end of our road.

We had so much fun, freezing cold but nothing a shot of coffee and a cupcake can't fix! Hope your all having just as much fun in the snow...

Remember there is no business like snow business!

Words Of Comfort

2009-02-01T23:31:00.008Z

Sometimes, words cannot express what the heart feels. 2009, has started on a sad note, having been informed my favourite aunt on my father's side (his cousin) has sadly lost her battle against vaginal cancer having endured endless chemotherapy treatment cycles. I remember her fondly, especially her support and words of comfort towards our family when my grandmother passed away during my teenage years. Her passing has brought a mixture of feelings; sadness for her family and all who have been privileged to know her through the years and the fleeting feelings of relief she is no longer in pain and suffering. I hope she is now resting in peace.

In UK, I have found difficulty sourcing welsh greeting cards for special occasions so I made this card to send to her family at this difficult time. I used a retired Anna Griffin 'Sloane Roses' paper and die cuts, an off cut of cream smooth/ satin conqueror paper embossed in the cuttlebug to create a frill effect, a strip of black card embossed with the Swiss dots border folder and some pink organza ribbon. As its a sympathy card I decided against using iridescent glitter glue to accent the chrysanthemum flowers. 'Gair o Gysur' translated in English means 'word of comfort' and inside the sentiment 'Gyda Phob Cydymdeimlad' means 'with every sympathy'.

For further information about cancer, go to:http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=341&template=1

Blue, White & Red Magnolia Tilda

2009-01-05T00:27:00.003Z

Acetate Magnolia Tilda Christmas Card

2009-01-05T00:25:00.003Z

Criss Cross

2009-01-05T00:22:00.003Z

Something Special....

2009-01-05T00:11:00.003Z

Sorry for my absence and not posting recently. I have been 'flu-ed out' for most of December and have had little time for crafting despite my best intentions and endeavours LOL! Here some extra special Christmas cards I did manage to russle up at the last minute despite the digital camera crashing, so I apologise for the quality of the photographs as I had to use my nokia N78 instead before sending the cards to their new homes... After some cajoling from my husband I managed to make 3 cards (special thanks to splitcoast stampers tutorials for the project inspirations and also 2Sketches4You Heidi Van Laar Bonus Sketch 08/12/2008 post). The Criss Cross was given to my lovely sister in law Lol, acetate to my mother in law Jules and the blue, red and white to my mum. Hope you like the result, slightly more colourful than usual as this was my first attempt in using markers to colour in stamped images. Controlling the ink flow I have found extremely difficult, so any pointers would be great as there is definitely room for improvement for me LOL.

Blooming Marvellous Birthday Blooms

2008-12-09T00:05:00.005Z

Last night I decided I would christen my new cuttlebug and what better reason than to make my mother's birthday card. Given I only started the card late at night it invoed some quick thinking, so I decided to use a 'patchwork' sheet of paper from Papermania's Exquisite Paper Collection, embossed a piece of scrap peach pearlescent card with the Cuttlebug embossing folder, attached and layered two prima flowers in beige and pastel pink with sticky dots to the centre. I then stamped Magnolia's Tilda with Magnolia flowers onto cream cardstock, several times to create layers (head and shoes) and watercoloured the image with W H Smiths Watercolour pencils. I decided against using prisma/ gamsol tecnique as I was extremely short of time (aren't we all! LOL) and would have had to wait for it to dry before glueing. Once dry, I stuck Tilda with sticky dots and then layered the pieces. Finally I thought I would add an epoxy/ dome Papermania Heart and embossed the 'love' heart using my new bug friend on antique gold pearlescent card and cutting it into shape. Inside the card, I stamped a 'Happy Birthday' sentiment (All Night Media Stamp which I love dearly!) with a Whispers Port Wine ink pad. A simple but effective card! Now its posted I hope she loves it just as much as I do!

'Taylor' Your Christmas!

2008-12-02T13:57:00.012Z

Hi Folks! Last night I was unable to sleep sniffling and coughing so I gave Taylor's TECC44 Sketch a go using my treasured 'Colour My World' Christmas Papers. I finally found out who had manufactured them having raided 'Lorimers' a couple of months back and also they're available online through selected retailers - CraftAtHome & CraftworkCards. I've only managed to get hold of a few sheets in some of the ranges which have some fab names: Tutti Fruitti, Winter Wonderland, Plum Pudding & Cupcakes! When I saw Taylor's sketch I couldn't think of anything I would rather use for it. If you want the sketch, it on her blog under Fri 11/28 post.

Other materials used in this include Anitas Snowflake Peel Off for the centre, Selected Papermania Adhesive Gems, Pilot Pink Gel Pen (Stitching Effect), Silver Glitter Card, Kanban Pearlescent Rose Card, Liquid Applique, Iridescent Glitter Glue, Papermania Glittered Vellum, to make the circular frame I used a die cut, covered it in Ink It Up Silver Pigment Ink & Heat It Up Holographic Embossing Powder before melting. Sorry for the long list of materials but I do believe you should share how you've managed to create something - rest assured it isn't a marketing plug!

All things merry and bright!

2008-12-01T12:57:00.004Z

Well, this week has been uneventful having been ill at home and not working. Off for another week after having flu and a chest infection until next monday so I made this card whilst resting in bed. I used up a tiny scrap of a sheet in the discontinued Papermania Contemporary Christmas (Red/Green), hand cut into a circle. This was then glued onto a pillarbox red paper (velour texture) and then I stitched around it by hand using pillarbox red embroidery thread found in the bottom of a sewing drawer! Decorate with prima flowers in lime green, glitter red & white and Papermania snow gems where the paper features snow falling. To create the band running along the card I split a sheet of the velour type paper (join disguised by the circular topper), dry embossed a piece of iridescent vellum and glued the Papermania Ho Ho ribbon using double sided tape (less messy than using glue and glue pens). The greeting at the bottom is heat embossed using a See D stamp. Ink the stamp up with Ink It Up Red Pigment Ink and liberally sprinkle Heat It Up Red Tinsel embossing powder. Gently tap with your index finger the card to remove excess or use a make up brush before using the heat tool to heat it up. Hey presto... simple modern christmas card!

Wedding Bells Are Ringing...

2008-11-29T23:49:00.004Z

Just deleting some old documents on the PC and came across our wedding invitations I made for our wedding this year in Corfu, Greece. I fell in love with this paper a couple of years ago in a shop called 'Oliver Bonas' and by the time of our wedding it had been reduced from £3 to £1 per roll. I loved the colour and texture of the flocked velour and use it in a gatefold (?) layout for the invitations. As our wedding was very much a relaxed family affair, we could justify the cost of handmade invitations. Myself and hubbie literally had a factory system going on covering the blank white cards in paper and we designed the inserts and acceptance cards ourselves on MS Publisher and used the same designs and colour scheme for the table decorations. For other young couples out there, just remember: Who says weddings have to be expensive?

Products: Cerise Pink Flock Paper (Oliver Bonas), White Silver Embossed 'Wedding Invitation' Toppers (John Lewis), Gems (Papermania), Pink Ribbon (Spool, John Lewis) & Permanent Glue Pen Adhesive (EZ/ Stick It).

I Love Glitter!

2008-11-27T22:43:00.002Z

Today I decided I would try and use up some prima flowers I received in my large 'Bucket of Blooms' in pastel colours. These buckets are a bargain at only £14.99 from All Things Crafty (see link) and contain between 500 - 800 flowers in a range of styles and colours including the ever popular hydrangea petals. They come in quite basic colours and although they are the pastel selection I have managed to find some fushia reds, lime and dark green and white to decorate my christmas cards (which I'll add to the blog once finished). I couldn't really stretch to buying christmas primas so I have improvised by using my stash of powderz and peewee glitters, glitter glues to make them a little more festive. I would recommend using a child's paint brush to coat the flowers in glitter glue in the colour of your choice and dip them whilst wet in a tub of loose glitter and remove with tweezers. Leave to dry before using, the great thing also is it gives the primas more stiffness whilst retaining their shape. So far I have managed to glitter the some in red, evergreen and iridescent white which I will save later to use on other everyday cards. I hope you like the result....

Daffodil : )

Dear Santa...

2008-11-26T20:41:00.004Z

This week I have been under the weather the last couple of months with new medication and lots of bugs. The very latest is fluey germ which meant I have been hibernating in bed for the last 3 days and am very much behind on making my christmas cards! I think I will need to set up a factory system to get up to speed. I have yet to buy any christmas presents and may leave it until the last minute this christmas especially as this christmas I will not be working in the project with clients. I am only hoping my new hubbie honours his promise and buys me a little cuttlebug for christmas although I am worrying slightly as he hasn't ordered it yet. Maybe he needs a reminder..... desperate times call for desperate measures: post it notes on the fridge maybe?

Oh How Bold Is She? CSF Florrie's ATC

2008-10-16T15:17:00.000+01:00

ATCs has become one of my latest fancies, although I have only just started (this is the 4th)! Here I have used Hero Arts 'Woman in Profile' stamp for the Craftswap Forum Florries ATC 'Be Bold' Challenge and decided go with the french flag colours for impact. I stamped the image several times once on white, followed by on blue and red strips of card and aligned them to recreate the original stamped image. The hair and collar has then been stamped on white, cut carefully and coloured with a black ink pad to contrast and depth. Finally, to finish the ATC I decided to add a quote by Emily Dickinson: 'Fortune BEfriends the BOLD' (I have capitalised some letters to show the play on words!) which I typed into the computer, printed and glued to a paper tab. Papermania pearlescent stones have been added to embellish the ATC to signify wealth and bright red lippy! Hope you like the result.