I think I got a little bit carried away

 

I decided it was time to use up the stash I have been collecting and not using over the years. I'm sure a lot of you crafters out there know only to well what I mean. A number of years ago I bought several Hunkydory Little Books. Of course, when they are on offer you have to buy the three for two even if you're not sure and don't really need it anyway.  Then you need the precut mirri toppers as well to save you time. So 144 sheets in a book times 3 books comes to rather a lot of cards.  I had used the odd image out of the books and the rest were just languishing in the cupboard.

This weeks challenge was to make a card using each image. Each book has 36 different images in it. I've kept them very simple. A 7 x 5 card blank with a mirri topper and an image on the front. They have been left blank so they can be personalised individually. 

Of course, quite what I am going to do with them is a different matter altogether. A number of them will be used for family and friends. I'm finding these days that people, particularly the younger generation, don't send cards. 

These are just a couple of the male orientated cards I made. Each week I'll be adding more cards to the blog. Next week's will be female orientated cards.

New Year New Me

 

 

                                        New Year New Me

After almost 2 years of not blogging its time to start again. The last 10 months have been very challenging  and its given us time to think about whats important to us as individuals. 

My mojo has been missing for most of that time and I've found it very hard to craft, despite having a lot of time on my hands. 

Initially I wasn't so sure about Memory Books when they were released, however, I have now made quite a few new baby books.  Perhaps that's where I start by showing the various books I've made.

I now have most of the Tonic Memory Book dies and I use NitWits Paper Collection kits to decorate the interiors.

I have also had a sort out in the my craft stash and uncovered supplies, kits I'd forgotten about. So time to start using them too.

                     ' A girly girl who likes VW Campervans and will be 18'


That was the brief.  So where do I start I ask myself.

The card has been made using a 7" x 7" white card blank as the base. I found a number of downloadable images on the internet, however felt that this one met the 'girly' image brief. A lot of the images were of a standard VW Campervan , but this pink one seemed just right. This was then layered up using pink card and mirri card I already had in my crafty stash. I'm sure we all have these, not sure we own up to how much we actually have though.

The pink background is Hunkydory printed card stock, which was then matted and layered up with pink and silver mirri to co-ordinate with the topper.

I die cut '18' with my Tonic number dies, printed 'Happy Birthday' in pink to match the campervan and then layered these both up to match the existing mats.

And there we have it -  a finished card.

A new challenge Memory Books

I've fancied having a go at a Tonic Memory Book since they were first released, and finally decided to take the plunge and buy a set of dies. As some of you may have noticed, I haven't posted in a long time, so wanted to set myself a creative challenge to help ease my way back into blogging whilst also trying out new creative crafting.

My first challenge is creating a Memory Book for a family member. Each time I create a page I plan to write about how I made it and the various trials and tribulations along the way - and boy am I expecting a few!

Once I'd constructed the spine and basic book, I set about figuring out to make the pages.There are some very good You Tube videos to help you along the way. This is page 1. The book is made from basic black card and a paper pad from a local store that sells cheap creative supplies. I wanted papers that I could mix and match without needing too much thought colour wise. I have to say that Tonic dies really do all the hard work for you, but if you're anything like me then it can still be challenge making sure that you use the front of the die cut rather than the back. Early mistake from me and hopefully not to be repeated.

The page was made using a layering die and 2 slightly smaller page dies which when fixed at either side of the layered die, formed 2 flaps. Picture 1 shows the page opened out fully. The flaps and the inside of the page were then covered with patterned paper. Before fixing the papers on the outside of the flaps I attached a magnet underneath the floral paper and another one on the corresponding flap. This enables the pages to be held together.

Now I've got the first page completed, I'm excited to move onto creating the rest of the book.

Long time no blog so to speak. As its World Craft Week think its about time I did something about it.

This has been made for my 10 year old nephew. Its a 6 x 6 card using one of the images and backing papers from 'A Year in Cards' by Ella's Design. Although I'm not a big CD crafter I love the designs and images in the range of CD's. There is the option to go for the straightforward predesigned card or you can do your own thing. All I  have done with this one is take the main topper and add some decoupage layers to it. Not too many as it has to go through the post and it doesn't take too many layers to then be in the next cost bracket.

My next challenge is to come up with a card for his 8 year old brother for next week.

Here is my latest card. I was asked to make a 50th birthday card for a male who likes caravan holidays, barbecues and his 2 cocker spaniels. And this is the result.

It was made using 'The Little Book of Sports, Hobbies and Pastimes' together with a gold mirri mat and some green paper I had in my stash. The barbecue was a bit of a cheat. I didn't have anything suitable so I googled an image, cut it out and added it to the card. The dogs are from the 'Jolee' Sticker range. Over the years I have amassed a large number of these as every time we have been to America I come back with more. I knew they would come in useful one day. Finally I added '50' to the card, cut out of green and gold mirri and slightly offset.

Initially I was rather panicked about what to do but am pleased to say the card has gone down well.

As its World Card Making Day and I haven't blogged for ever I thought today would be a good day to try to get back into it.

I have made a set of Halloween ATC cards using a ' A Year in Cards' By Ella's Design. I have had this CD for a number of years and I'm surprised it hasn't worn out as I love the images on it.

My crafting mojo has gone on a long holiday and I have struggled this year to 'get into it'. So I suppose this is a start, just need to continue. Here's hoping!