Festive Fry Boxes

 

Here are some festive boxes made using the Fry Box die. It is possibly my all-time favourite die!

Here are some more (with fab doughnut lip balms!)

 

 And finally, "Happy Christmas Crafting" from Spot, who is 'helping' to make gift tags! April x

 

'Pick a Previous' Challenge

Here is my entry for the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown  'Pick a Previous' sketch challenge. I have decided to go for February 2013 which I think is a great sketch. I've made a very simple card, using the Postage Stamp punch and the White Christmas stamp set. The colours used are Soft Sky, Pistachio Pudding and Island Indigo. The background is All is Calm dsp. Such a lovely sketch! Now if only I could find my address book, I might be able to actually send some Christmas cards... April x

A Technique Challenge

 

Here is my entry for the technique challenge over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. The technique for this month is paper piercing, so out came the pokey tool! This lovely stamp from Inkadinkado (Gem Stone Birds) really lends itself to this technique. The photo doesn't do justice to the overall sparkle of this card, but there are lots of rhinestones and glimmer paper stars thrown in for good measure. I love a bit of paper piercing - it is very therapeutic! Happy crafting - April x

A Theme Challenge

 

Here is my card for the November theme challenge over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. The theme of this challenge is 'Christmas Window', so I thought I would go for a couple of cardinals having a chin-wag in the snow. They are two tiny stamps from Stampin' Up's White Christmas set. In fact, this is quite a small card, as I have used a Crumb Cake note card as the base. I quite fancied the idea of the Christmas window being surrounded by some fussy wallpaper, so this piece of Trim the Tree DSP fitted the bill perfectly! I also wanted the glass to be encrusted with snow, so I have applied some Cosmic Shimmer to up the glitter levels. I hope you like it! April x

Christmas Colour Challenge

Here is my entry for the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown November Colour Challenge. The colours to work with are red and green with either gold or silver. I have used the Stampin' Up set Cheerful Christmas which includes this lovely Nordic style design. I've coloured the stamp using Real Red and Garden Green markers and used Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities to colour the rhinestone red. A bow tied in silky gold ribbon is the perfect finishing touch! A really simple and straightforward card - I hope you like it, April x

Ornamental Pine

 

Here is a card using the Ornamental Pine set that I am entering in two challenges today. The sketch is from 52 Christmas Card Throwdown and the colour combo of Pool Party, Very Vanilla and Baked Brown Sugar is for Nacho Average Challenge #114. This is a much bigger card than I usually make, using a whole piece of A4. I have resist embossed the pine needles with clear embossing powder and have then sponged a background using Pool Party. The pine cones look more three-dimensional in real life, as they are stuck on with foam pads. I have used Gorgeous Grunge to stamp a Pool Party/silvery spattered background. I do love spattery looking cards and pine cones, so it's the perfect card for me really! Hope you like it, April x

Mini Paper Bag Album Workshop

 

Join us on Friday, 14th November at 7pm to make a mini paper bag album. This lovely album is perfect for capturing all those Christmas memories and small enough to fit in your handbag!

This product-based workshop includes a 'Trim the Tree' Designer Series Paper Stack and a packet of Polka Dot Giftbags (value £10). There will be plenty of left-overs for cards and gift bags and lots of flexibility in choosing how you wish to decorate your album. The photo above is intended as a guide only.

The cost of the workshop is £11 and includes the products named above and the use of inks, punches, dies and stamps.

All bookings are non-refundable. In the event of being unable to attend the workshop, you will of course receive the materials and instructions required to make all the items that we make during the evening.

 

Please bring your own adhesive. You will need a strong glue and may wish to use dimensionals. Please let me know when you book your place on the workshop if you would like to pre-order adhesive. Multi-purpose liquid glue is £3.25. Stampin' Dimensionals (300) also cost £3.25. Snail Adhesive is also available at a cost of £5.50 (refills are £3.75).

 

Please contact me for any further information and for venue directions. Hope you can join us!

Out in the Woods

 

Here is my entry for SUO Challenge 107: Out in the Woods. I love the Nature's Peace stamp. It looks great in one colour, like the white stamping on Old Olive shown in the Christmas catalogue, but you can also drive yourself demented by colouring each individual part separately with your Stampin' Write markers. It is a highly detailed and intricate stamp and has that lovely look of faded vintage Christmas cards. I've added a touch of obligatory bling with a couple of In-Colour sequins. Hope you like it! April x

 

A Technique and Sketch Challenge

 

I love this technique! This week's technique and sketch challenge at The Friday Mashup! 180 calls for the marble rolling technique. My background is gently rolled with Pool Party re-inker. The flowers were cut from a more frenetically rolled mixture of Coastal Cabana and Strawberry Slush. I love the scribbly effects you can produce and rolling marbles around in re-inker is very therapeutic! April x 

A Colour Challenge

 

Sorry for the rather murky photo, but it hasn't stopped raining all day. This is another last gasp challenge entry, for Pals Paper Arts 222 - a colour challenge combining Early Expresso, Calypso Coral and So Saffron. Such a gorgeous colour combination! I whipped this card up on MDS, using images from Flower Shop. A very simple, quick card but I think it emphasises what a lovely colour combo this is. Hope you like it! April x 

Autumn Colours

This is my entry for the SUO Challenge 106 Autumn Colours. I have used the Four Feathers stamp set with Petite Petals and a mixture of Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Crisp Cantaloupe and gold foil. All blinged up with a few In-Colour sequins. Great fun to make, and as the mild temperature is predicted to drop by six degrees tomorrow, I am definitely getting in the mood for Autumn card-making. April x

Festival of Trees Workshop

Join us for the next festive workshop on Thursday, 23rd October at 7pm. It's the perfect way to tackle your Christmas wrapping, as we will be making a selection of gift tags, bottle tags and gift packaging using the Festival of Trees stamp set and Tree Punch.

Cost: £10 including all card, paper, inks, glimmer paper etc.

Special Offer: Pre-order the Festival of Trees stamp set (photopolymer) and Tree Punch bundle for £24.95 and receive the workshop FREE! (orders must be received by the 10th October please).

All bookings are non-refundable. In the event of being unable to attend the workshop, you will of course receive the materials and instructions required to make all the items that we make during the evening.

 

Please bring your own adhesive. You will need a strong glue and may wish to use dimensionals. Please let me know when you book your place on the workshop if you would like to pre-order adhesive. Multi-purpose liquid glue is £3.25. Stampin' Dimensionals (300) also cost £3.25. Snail Adhesive is also available at a cost of £5.50 (refills are £3.75).

 

Please contact me for any further information and for venue directions. Hope you can join us!

A Catty Challenge

 

This is my entry for CASE-ing the Catty Challenge #9 - a fab challenge where you use sections of the catalogue as the starting point for your own project. This week's section is the 'Thanks' part. I was inspired by the box on page 148. My version has Melon Mambo and Basic Grey flowers cut using Flower Fair Framelits and the background is Typeset dsp. I've taken the sentiment from Another Thank You, but I've made it using MDS, so I could shrink it down to a small tag. I hope you like it! April x

An Embellishment Challenge

 

This is my entry for SUO Challenge 105 which has a focus on embellishments. Well who could resist? I decided to see how many embellies could reasonably be squeezed on a small card! The base card and a couple of stickers are from the Hip Hip Hooray card kit. I have added the deer from the White Christmas stamp set who is standing under an embellishment sky - a silver glimmer brad (sadly retired) and a scattering of rhinestones. There is also some Retro Fresh washi tape, glimmer paper stars and a couple of Baked Brown Sugar sequins. A lot of fun to make! April x

 

A Sketch Challenge

 

 A last gasp entry for 52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown. I have used the Festival of Trees stamp set here, along with some Trim the Tree dsp. Silvery spatters are courtesy of Gorgeous Grunge and the tiny stars are made from Glimmer paper using the fabulous Confetti punch. Now off to complete a steak and kidney pie! April x

A Colour Challenge

 

This is my entry for this week's Nacho Average Challenge #106 which is a colour challenge using Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe and Daffodil Delight - a very yummy combo of colours that I would never have put together in a hundred years!

I have used the lovely Four Feathers stamp set along with Pictogram Punches. There are some Coastal Cabana sequins, washi tape and a bit of glimmer paper thrown in for good measure. I hope you like it! April x

White Christmas Workshop

 

Here is one of the cards we will be making at the White Christmas workshop on Thursday, 25th September. It is a snow globe card - you can shake it and move all the confetti stars around. No wonder that polar bear looks a bit confused! There are actually many more glittery stars, but for this photo they have all migrated to the edges, rather annoyingly. I hope that you can join us -all the details are in my previous post. Please book quickly though, as there are only a few places remaining. April x

Christmas Workshops

 

Hello! Here are details of my up-coming Christmas workshops. We would love to see you there!

White Christmas, Thursday 25^th September, 7pm

Make three gorgeous vellum Christmas cards and a stunning votive candle box with the 'White Christmas' stamp set. This product-based workshop includes your own set of 13 photopolymer stamps (value £13.95).

£15

Festival of Trees, Thursday 23^rd October, 7pm

Make a selection of Christmas cards and gift tags using the 'Festival of Trees' stamp set and co-ordinating Tree Punch.

£10

Special offer: Pre-order the bundle of Festival of Trees stamp set (photopolymer) and Tree Punch for £24.95 and get the workshop FREE!)

Trim the Tree Mini Album, 14^th November, 7pm (Please note this workshop was originally scheduled for 20th November).

Make a lovely mini album that is perfect for capturing all those Christmas memories. This product-based workshop includes a 'Trim the Tree' Designer Series Paper Stack and a packet of Polka Dot Giftbags (value £10). Plenty of left-overs for cards and gift tags!

£11

All bookings are non-refundable. In the event of being unable to attend the workshop, you will of course receive the materials and instructions required to make all the items that we make during the evening.

Please bring your own adhesive. You will need a strong glue and may wish to use dimensionals. Please let me know when you book your place on the workshop if you would like to pre-order adhesive. Multi-purpose liquid glue is £3.25. Stampin' Dimensionals (300) also cost £3.25. Snail Adhesive is also available at a cost of £5.50 (refills are £3.75).

Please contact me for any further information and for venue directions. Hope you can join us!

A Sketch Challenge

Here is my entry for this week's challenge at Mojo Monday 358. I couldn't wait to use the Festival of Trees stamps, combined with some Nordic Noel dsp. The frame is made using brushed gold card and the On Film Framelits. I've used some In-Colour sequins and silver glimmer paper to add a touch of Christmassy bling. Such a great sketch - I will be using this again!

Life's Adventure

 

Here is a card that I made for a friend who is going off on an amazing holiday. I have used the Life's Adventure hostess stamps, with Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey cardstock. The On Film Framelits provide a great frame and there are some pieces of Moonlight dsp thrown in too! Hope you like it. April x

Colouring Techniques Workshop

 

Join us for a relaxing evening on Thursday, 28th August at 7pm, in Bebington. We will be making four beautiful cards and learning a range of colouring techniques. You will have the opportunity to try Stampin' Up's new Blendabilities Markers - alcohol blenders specifically designed for blending and shading. We will also be using Blender Pens, Stampin' Spritzers and the lovely Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.

You really don't need to be Vincent van Gogh to achieve amazing effects. The fabulous Stampin' Up products will do all the hard work! This workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced crafters.

The workshop costs £12 and includes all materials except adhesive. You will also take home a dual-tipped Blender Pen (worth £2.98). During the evening, you will be able to see products from the new Christmas catalogue and I will be launching my seasonal workshops. All bookings are non-refundable. In the event of being unable to attend the workshop, you will receive the materials and instructions required to create all the items that we make during the evening.

 

Please bring your own adhesive. You will need a strong glue and dimensionals. Please let me know when you book your place on the workshop if you would like to pre-order adhesive. Multi-purpose liquid glue is £3.25. Stampin' Dimensionals (300) also cost £3.25. 

 

Please contact me for any further information and for venue directions. Hope you can join us!

Thank You Cards

 

Loving the sparkly In-Colour sequins! They are perfect for adding a bit of bling to your card-making. As the summer term draws to a close, I have been making thank you cards. This one uses the gorgeous new stamp set, Hello Darling (the thank you stamp is from the Everyday Occasions kit).

 

Here are two more! The card on the left uses a couple of the new In-Colours - Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey. The card on the right was made using the wonderful Thinlit Circle Card.

 

I had a great time last night at the 'Love your Envelope Punch Board' workshop. Here are the gift bags we made.

 

Here is some crafting in action...

 

And finally...a photo of Spot chilling out! April x

 

 

 

 

Papercraft Workshop at the Williamson's Pop Up Shop

 I am delighted to be running an all day Papercrafting workshop on Monday, 30th June from 10am to 4pm at the Friends of the Williamson Art Gallery's Pop Up Shop, in the Pyramids Shopping Centre (opposite Waterstones). The cost of the day (including all materials) is £30.  We will be making a variety of cards and gift boxes using different papercraft techniques. Places are limited to 8.

 The workshop is suitable for beginners and more experienced crafters. To book a place, please email me at paperlilyleaf@gmail.com or call 0151 653 6934. April x

 

'Love Your Envelope Punch Board' Workshop

Of course you love your Stampin' Up envelope punch board - you can make 66 different sizes of envelope with it! But there are so many other things you can make with it too. Join us for a relaxing workshop where we will be using our envelope punch board to make a gift box for tea-lights, different sizes of gift bow, a fantastic gift bag and finally, a post-it note holder.

This fabulous workshop will be held on Wednesday, 9th July at 7pm in our usual crafty, Bebington venue (directions sent on booking).

You will need to bring your own envelope punch board and the cost of materials is only £5. You will be able to choose from Retro Fresh (shown) or Kaleidoscope designer series paper.

If you don't already have one of these amazing tools, do not worry! I can order one for you. The total cost of your workshop will be £24 (this includes your punch board, p&p and all materials/instructions for the workshop).

All bookings are non-refundable. In the event of being unable to attend the workshop, you will of course receive the materials and instructions required to make all the items that we make during the evening.

 

Please bring your own adhesive. You will need a strong glue and may wish to use dimensionals. Please let me know when you book your place on the workshop if you would like to pre-order adhesive. Multi-purpose liquid glue is £3.25. Stampin' Dimensionals (300) also cost £3.25. Snail Adhesive is also available at a cost of £5.50 (refills are £3.75).

 

Please contact me for any further information and for venue directions. Hope you can join us!

More MDS

 

My second foray today into the new and exciting world of MDS. This hybrid creation is for NAC#90, a colour challenge using Crisp Canteloupe, Summer Starfruit and Night of Navy. I am well known for completely getting the names of SU colours wrong. Baked Brown Sugar was Burnt for a very long time. Only today have I realised it is Crisp Canteloupe. I have been calling it Crushed Canteloupe. My daughter calls it Crushed Antelope... 

Rainy Day MDS Project

Such a rainy, grey day with a murky photo to match! Inspired by having coffee with my up-line, Fanny (and meeting a lovely Leopard gecko) I finally took the plunge and installed My Digital Studio. I had a go a while back with the thirty day free trial and decided that this was the perfect dark and dismal day to have a proper go with it. Betsy's Blooms is such a gorgeous stamp set and it is great to be able to try lots of different colour combinations instantly. Another plus is that I am not covered in ink! Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend - April x

Life in the Forest

 

I have rustled up this card for the Handstamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge#184. I wanted to use some Watercolour Wonder dsp with the Life in the Forest stamp set. I have also used the Postage Stamp punch which I love. It wasn't easy doing the colouring in, as Spot Cat kept walking on it, but I did enjoy making this quick card. Happy Bank Holiday Monday! April x

Zoo Review

 

We have had rather a busy weekend as it was my daughter's birthday yesterday. I'm glad I have found the time to make this fellow though. It is my entry for NAC#87 which is a sketch challenge this week. Using the lion stamp from Zoo Review, my card combines Cajun Craze and Always Artichoke cardstock with banners in Crushed Curry and Eastern Elegance dsp. I have also used a Label Framelit and the Chevron embossing folder. I hope you like him! April x

By the Tide

A little herd of seahorses! I had to google the collective noun. I have used a Crushed Curry card base with some Eastern Elegance dsp. You can't really see them, but there are lots of silvery 'bubbles' made with Dazzling Details. I think these little fellows look as though they know where they are going! I have sponged the background and used resist embossing. No sentiment, because I thought it clashed with the script, so I have stuck that inside. Hope you have had a lovely weekend, April x

Happy Easter!

 

I couldn't resist making this when I saw it on Sharon Cheng's website. You really can't improve on an owl wearing rabbit ears, but she has some wonderful punch art tutorials. So clever! Wishing you all a very happy Easter, April x

Tape It

 

Here is a very simple card using the fantastic Tape It set of stamps. I was lucky enough to receive this set as a birthday present, along with some pewter embossing powder that gives a gorgeous and subtle silvery sheen. I have used Real Red and Black StazOn inks and Basic Grey cardstock as the base. It is my entry for a very interesting Nacho Average sketch challenge, NAC#85. I love it - it's very different from my usual style of cards, but I think that is why challenges are such a good idea, as they get you out of your usual creative comfort zone.

On another black, white and red theme, here is another card that we will be making at Thursday's workshop, combining Petite Petals with Everything Eleanor.

Hope you have a lovely Easter, April x

Modern Medley

 

Hi all! Just a quick reminder that there is a workshop next Thursday using Modern Medley Designer Series Paper. Everything will be black and white, with some touches of red! All the details are a few posts back. As this is a product-based workshop, you get to take lots of Stampin' Up goodies home to make even more cards! Please don't miss out, as there is only one space remaining.

Easter Creations

 

I had a wonderful children's Easter workshop today, with some very talented crafters! We made a gift basket to put all our chocolate in, an Easter card and an owl bookmark.

 

Here is a fabulous fox from the Life in the Forest set of stamps. I love the use of colours here and the great lines.

A very pretty card that cleverly combines a lovely dotty owl with a gorgeous stamped background of Petite Petals. Stunning!

 A lovely gift basket with some beautiful blossoms. Great use of the Stampin' Write markers!

 

Another amazing gift basket. Fabulous colour combo here - I love it!

 

A stunning owl bookmark made with the Owl Builder punch. What a handsome fellow!

Here's another good-looking chappy...

 

And another one! A parliament of owls.

 

I love this little mouse!

A basket covered in lovely blossoms - very spring-like.

 

Finally, a photo of everyone working away. Well done girls!