New Monthly Challenge

As it's the 1st of the month it's time for the challenge over at Crafter's Companion.  It's a sketch challenge with the optional theme of non-traditional Christmas.

I'm loving the Beatrix Potter Card kit so much I decided to use what I'd got left to make this card.  As the cards in the kit are double sided I cut up the card blanks to use as patterned papers.  I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

One stop craft challenge - snowflakes in September

Creative Card Crew - blooming marvelous

And as I'd got the kit out, I made another quick card.  This is just one of the card blanks cut in half and matted onto a white card blank, with a couple of the gorgeous rub-ons applied.

My top tip for rub-ons - if you really get it wrong a glue dot eraser will remove most rub-ons.  I haven't had to use it with these as they've worked perfectly everytime.
This card was inspired by the challenges at:
Just inspirational - Christmas
Charisma Cardz - Christmas crafting

I'm off to my demonstration in Stalybridge today, so a whole day of crafting and meeting fellow crafters - I love my job.

xxx

Tuesday Taggers

I mentioned the other week that I'd won a challenge over at Tuesday Taggers.  So in addition to the fab voucher for The Craft Barn that I won, I also get to be their Guest Designer this week - how exciting.

This week the theme is Anything Goes, so there's no excuses for not joining in.  They have a great sponsor this week, it's Ribbon Oasis.  So just upload your card to the challenge and link to the challenge blog and Ribbon Oasis to be in with a chance of winning. 

Here's the card that I made for this challenge.

Everything has come from the Beatrix Potter A Winter's Tale card kit that's launching today at 9pm on Ideal World.  The rub-ons on this kit are totally fabulous - it's the greeting on this card.  Look how crisp it is.

Then I have a little tag to share with you.  This was inspired by challenges at:
Ooh la la - sentiment
CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS - tag it
Stampin' for the weekend - tag it
Creative inspirations - pink and black
CPS - sketch #185

It's simply made with ribbon and then topped with a sentiment from Papertrey Ink, Wishing You stamp set.
Thanks for popping by.
xxx

Busy busy

One day I will meet myself coming backwards!  Yesterday I started the day in Cumbria, I've went to crop in Altrincham before coming home to prep for my demo in Derby today.  The wedding on Friday was beautiful and I'll pop some pictures up next week as soon as I catch my breath.  In the mean time here's a couple more sneak peeks of the Beatrix Potter card kit.  I love these scenes, the artwork is delightful.

This card I'm popping into the challenge at:

Totally Gorjuss - wild thing

Moxie Fab World - Christmas card 

Just Inspirational - Christmas Card

Papertake Weekly - photo inspiration and it was the colours that inspired me

All of these were made from the card kit with just adding a tape runner.  I'll have made a decent start on my Christmas cards at the rate I can make these babies!  Don't forget to take part in the Beatrix Potter challenge over at Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog, there's some great prizes.

I'm off to Derby now for a demo day, so enjoy your Sunday.  I know I will, I love going put and getting to meet other crafters.

xxx

Beatrix Potter - A Winter's Tale

I have another sneek peak to share with you.  Today it's Beatrix Potter - A Winter's Tale.  I've loved playing with the CD, stamp set but my favourite is the card kit.  I don't know how much detail I'm allowed to share with you but I can tell you it's gorgeous and the cards in it are super sturdy.

As the cards are decorated front and back I'v cut lots of them in half to make them go even further - I like good value for money!  For this bag I've used one card and then added die-cut decoupage to it with a matching tag.  The bag was made on the Ultimate Pro - cool hey.  It means you can make really sturdy bags from card rather than paper.
I'm entering this into the challenge at:
Moxie Fab World - all wrapped up



As you'd expect we've got lots going on over at the Crafter's Companion News & Inspiration Blog plus there's a special Beatrix Potter challenge over at the challenge blog with great prizes to win.  If you don't have any Beatrix Potter product don't worry we've put up a free download so that every one can play along.  We wouldn't want anybody to feel left out.

Let me know if you've joined in so I can go and have a look at your card or project.

I'm off to crop now and then on Sunday I'm off the Craft Central in Derby to do an in-store demonstration.  A busy weekend but I'll be back soon with some pictures of the wedding and a few cards I've been working on.

Have a lovely weekend.

xxx 

Tempting Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everybody.  I hope you're all enjoying the better weather.  In Manchester that's any day it doesn't rain!  I had to pop down to the Lowry centre this afternoon, it's a tough job you know!  As it was after work by the time I got there I also had to have a nosey in the Molton Brown shop.  I just love their products and their staff are always so lovely and as it's an outlet store you can get a bargain too.  So I did walk out with this lovely set - Heavenly Gingerlily :) 

I then had a walk around Salford Quays as the sun was still shining.  I was tempted to stop for some dinner but decided to head home and make salad topped with aspargus and char-grilled beef - very tasty.

So after all that luxury a little paper and glue was in order but still with a luxurious feel as this is an 8" scalloped card from Hunky Dory, topped with the lovely Jemima Puddleduck.  The inspiration for this card came from:

A Spoonful of Sugar - cute & girly

Stitches

The whirlwind of Stitches - the UK trade show for craft - is now over and I'm back in the office.  The show went really well but I did have some help from Peter Rabbit.

The stand looked great and everyone on the stand worked really hard.  We also picked up several Crafts Beautiful awards for Best Website, Toolbox Essential, Best General Craft Gadget and Best Character Range for Popcorn, there were lots of certificates to pick up!  We also won  'Best Crafting Website' award, and also came runner up in the Best Character Range for Popcorn the Bear, in the awards organised by Origin Publishing.  A big thank you to everyone that voted for us. 

Beatrix Potter Launch Day

Woo hoo, I love being in the office on launch day.  There's such a buzz about the place.  All the final preparations have been made and Sara and Leann are off to the TV studios for the launch show at 9pm tonight.
With the help of 2 of design team (thanks Jacqui and Debbie) we finished the display boards at silly o'clock last night.  I had been out for dinner first, so don't feel too sorry for me!

So in anticipation of the launch here's a couple more cards to share.  I love simple cards and both of these fall into that category.

I love this backing paper on the Tom Kitten card.  It's printed directly onto snow white pearlescent card stock to make the base card.  The panels are form the sentiments section and just inked and then popped onto some punched oval scallops.

Mrs Tiggy-winkle is adorable and these delicate backing papers and the simplicity of the card suit her so well.

Beatrix Potter - Sneak Peak 2

I've had some more fun with the new Beatrix Potter products from Crafter's Companion.  This time I made a set of 6 Thank You cards with matching envelopes (look at Peter Rabbit on the envelopes - he's adorable) and a gift box.  I love making sets and giving them away as presents.

It's satisfying to make too, as I cut all the parts out and then just popped them together.  The little frame is cut with the Slice.

The bows are made from paper!  You make them the same way you would with ribbon.  Make a loop and attach the ends to each other and tie around a button to pinch the bow in the middle.

Beatrix Potter Launch - Sneak Peek

Yay - Beatrix Potter from Crafter's Companion launch day is nearly here.  I've known about this for a while but had to keep it a secret until now.  I can't say what exactly is launching but I can tell you it's totally gorgeous. 
This card is my first sneak peek of what's to come.
I love it all, it's so gentle and elegant.  I accented the frame with glossy accents to make it really pop and give it even more dimension.
To find out more about the launch pop over to Crafters Companion or tune into the launch show on Ideal World on Tuesday 16th at 9.00 pm.