About Me

My photo
I'm a retired primary school teacher, who started paper crafting in 2008, when I had a fancy to make my own Christmas cards. Since then, I have tried all sorts of techniques and styles - and I kind of like them all. I have been lucky enough to be on blog teams and large design teams and to do a bit of freelance demonstrating - and I love the challenge of working with different products. My crafting style is very varied - from junk journaling and art journaling, bookbinding and journal making, to quilting and patchwork - and of course I still make cards. This variety keeps me interested - and my crafty stash growing!! I'm always seeking inspiration for new projects.

Saturday 31 May 2014

Back from my little holiday!!

Haven't blogged for a few days as have been away. It was my OH's 50th birthday on Friday and I booked a short break for us on Exmoor - a place he really loves. On one of the days he took the boat over to Lundy Island to spend the day wandering round with his camera photographing all manner of wildlife. He was last there on his 16th birthday!! 

Here is the card I made for him. I have to admit that it was very last minute due to all the other things that have been going on. I was a little stumped as to what to make this year. I wanted something wildlife related and had settled on butterflies - but didn't know exactly what. I went shopping with a friend, and we went into Paperchase. And I saw this gorgeous piece of wrapping paper. It was perfect - butterflies but in a grungy/vintage sort of style. 
The base of the card is made from a large sheet of Mink Centura Pearl, and I layered a piece of the wrapping paper onto some brown and beige Bazzill card. Another strip of the Centura Pearl was embossed with my X Cut A4 Butterfly Pattern folder, and mounted onto more of the brown card. The rosette is made from concertina folding two strips of the wrapping paper, and gluing onto card. The letters and numbers are cut with my Die'sire 1" dies, and I finished it off with a button and metal butterfly from my stash.
The matching box was made from more of the Centura Pearl and decorated in exactly the same way.

On the inside of the box, I added loads of photos of him!!! Luckily he liked it - even though I felt I hadn't put a lot of work into it. It was also admired by the landlady of the B&B in which we were staying!!

Well, I have the rest of the Davis clan and a few of Steve's friends arriving tomorrow for more celebrations - and I feel like I am nowhere near ready!! So much to do, so much I have forgotten to do (and probably buy), and so little time to do it!! 

I would like to enter this into:
Allsorts Challenge Blog - For the Guys
Simple Create Too - For A Male

Hopefully will be back with another post on Monday!!
Cxxx

Monday 26 May 2014

CCM&M Challenge #117 - Flourishing!!

Well, after the whirlwind of blogs from last week, I have something quite different today. And what's more - it's my 200th blog post!! So, it's the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers and More. Elaine has chosen 'Flourishing' for our theme this time, and she would like to see flourishes somewhere on your project - they may be stamped, die cut or both!!

We are sponsored this time by The Stamping Boutique who are offering the winner 3 digis of their choice. And if they have used a Stamping Boutique image then it will be 4 digis!!

For my 6x6 twisted easel card, I have chosen to use 'Whimsical Bird' from our sponsors as I felt that it really fitted with the flourish theme. I have been working with the beautiful pastels of Halcyon days for a few weeks - and decided to go for something totally opposite. So I chose teal, fuschia and a greeny/yellow - quite an 'in your face' combination!! 
I used Spectrum Noirs to colour in (BT6, BT4, BT3, BP7, PP1, LY3, LY2, LY1), and then found some matching card in my stash to mat and layer. I used Spellbinders Grand Labels 1 to cut the image and some of the mats, and embossed the pink layers with Embossalicious 8x8 Regency Swirls Folder. A bit of Peacock Feathers DI was applied while the image was still in the die.

I cut my flourishes with Spellbinders Floral Flourish and Flourish Accent dies, and used them liberally!! Some pearls provided the finishing touch!! All in all, a really in your face, over the top design!!  Such fun!!!!

Pop on over the Crafty Cardmakers and More blog to check out more inspiration from the Design Team - and then get working on your Flourishing project!! I look forward to seeing what you create!!

I would like to enter this into 
Dream Valley Challenges - Things with Wings

Cxxx

Sunday 25 May 2014

It's a sell out!!

I haven't watched TV all day - so have just sat down to catch up on the Crafter's Companion shows! And what do I find - it's sold out!! Wow - so great to have been involved in something so popular!! It was good to see my memory book and box on the 11am show - trust Mr May to find the sweets and distribute them to the crew!! I noticed it was back in the box for the last show!!

So, here are the last two samples to share with you. This 6x6 card was sat on the table with the display of the card kit for the first few shows - next to the Halcyon Days CD. 
This used one of the toppers and the matching card stock - embellished with ribbon and fabric flowers!!
And this last one is a DL card made from the printed card stock. The background is meant to look like an old fashioned film strip - and I used some crochet ribbon down the side and along the bottom.

Well - what a week!! Hope all of you who wanted the Weekender managed to get hold of it - you'll definitely enjoy working with it when it arrives. 

Will be back tomorrow with other things. 
Cxxx

Good morning - another Halcyon Day!!

It's Sunday morning, and after a lovely breakfast in bed, I am all set for a lovely day. The sun is shining - and Halcyon Days is back on Create and Craft at 11am with Dawn Wheeler. This card was shown yesterday by Sara, so thought I ought to share it with you. I have to be honest and admit that I did not originally intend to make an offset gatefold. I wasn't concentrating properly and made my first score line on on my Ultimate at the Tri fold line instead of the Gatefold line. Rather than wasting the card, I decided to go with it.
I love the rich colours of this topper from the card kit. I used the matching cardstock to cover the front and inside of the card. I used the border strips on the inside along with some coloured card embossed with the Gothic Script folder.
With the topper itself, I split up the image from the two frames, added some coloured card behind each frame, and offset them. I finished off with some ribbon, pearls and paper flowers. 

Be sure to tune in to Create and Craft at 11am to see Dawn - remember that this card kit is exclusive to Create and Craft so be sure to get yours.

I have two more samples to blog - so will be back later on to share some more.

And thanks to my new follower on Pinterest. I'm still getting used to it - so it's great to see people beginning to be interested.

Cxxxx

Saturday 24 May 2014

What a great day!!

It's only the second time my samples have been shown on TV - so it's still quite exciting and novel for me!! And today it was also a little nerve wracking as it was our lovely boss Sara Davies launching the CD and showing the samples. 

So, I have watched all four hours of shows from today and was really chuffed when one of the first cards she held up was my 8x8 4 Step card. The Tri-Fold Shutter Card, my 'Sweet' Box and Memory book all feature on the VT they showed - although I have yet to see them 'in the flesh' so to speak. In the second hour the A5 card was shown and there was a shot of the small canvas that I am going to show you in a mo. I noticed the larger canvas was hanging on the back wall too. In the third hour my little camper van box and frame card were shown, and both my twisted easel and offset gatefold cards appeared in the 4th hour. 

I'm sure the novelty will wear off - but I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Anyway - here is the third sample for today - the little frame card on canvas.

I started with a 5x7 canvas, painted it with Pebeo White paint - then dabbed over the top with Antique White on cotton wool. I used some Core'dinations card embossed with A4 Gothic Script to create the strip at the side, and the mats behind the frame and sentiments. I cut a white border from Neenah card using Lace Border 1 die, and a small Cameo frame for the sentiment. I used one of the mini toppers as an extra embellishment - having cut off the gold foil border.
The shells are real - and I used my hot glue gun to fix them on. I finished with a little ribbon around the border, and for hanging it up.

I will be back tomorrow with the final three samples!! Don't forget to join Dawn on Create and Craft!!
Cxxx

Are you enjoying the Halcyon Days shows?

Back again. Hope you've been enjoying the shows so far. Here's another card made using the card kit. This is one of the toppers which came with matching printed cardstock. I used the card to cover the front of an A5 card, and cut the bunting from the other half to layer up at the top. I cut the bottom with my Die'sire Lace Border 4 die to give a decorative edge.

The flowers are from my stash, and I cut the leaves using the Leaves 2 die. These were sprayed with Pearl Diamond Spray and Sparkle.  
Make sure you keep watching the rest of the shows. 
Cxxx

It's today!! Halcyon Days launches on Create & Craft TV!!

Good morning!! Today's the day for the launch of Crafter's Companion Halcyon Days. And this morning I am sharing another of the cards made using the Card Kit. 

I have used another of the Diarama cards - this time on a twisted easel. The base of the easel is made from a piece of A4 card that I cut down. I used a combination of Core'dinations card and printed card from the kit for matting and layering. I cut the decorative square using the Elegance Stamping Frame. For the stopper, I used a wooden button - and added a few more for embellishing!!
I embossed some of the Core'dinations with the Knit One Pearl One embossing folder, and added a little bow made from twine. 

Don't forget to tune in to Create and Craft at 9am to see the launch of the show with Sara Davis. And I will be back later in the day with more samples!! 

Cxxxx 

Friday 23 May 2014

Another Halcyon Days Card Kit Sample

Said I would be back - and here I am!! The verdict from the doctor this morning was mild whiplash, strained thumb from where I was gripping the steering wheel, and the tenderness at the front of my shoulder is from the seatbelt. Spent most of this afternoon asleep. Hopefully will be feeling more energetic tomorrow as I have so much to do!!

This is one of the Diarama cards from the card kit. I have used it here on an 8x8 card. I loved the purple and red on the frame so used that for the rest of the card.

The large red mat is embossed with the Rose Vine folder, and the purple one on the bottom half of the card with the Gothic Script. I used both the large and small Rose quilling dies for the flower - having made a small centre for it by rolling a strip of red card. 
I really struggled to decide what to embellish the card with. It needed something but I couldn't decide what. But then it came to me! I rolled more strips of red and purple to make the little flourishes, painted the swirly bits with Luminarte Silks Ice Acrylic Glaze, and topped them with pearls.

Don't forget to tune in to Create and Craft TV to see the launch at 9am tomorrow with Sara Davies.

And I will be back with more samples to show you over the weekend.
Cxxxx

Day 7 - Halcyon Days - From the Card Kit this time!!

Morning! Am feeling a little sore in the shoulder, arm and wrist this morning, after my bump in the car yesterday. So am off to the doctor in a mo to get checked over. But before I go, I though I would share one of the samples from the Halcyon Days Card Kit that I got to play with.

There are some gorgeous mini frames with decoupage - and they come with a little box that you can decorate too!!
There is a little stand to fix to the back of the frame if you want it to stand up. I used the frame and decoupage as they came on the sheet, and added one of the sentiments, a little bow and some pearls. There is also a matching topper and frame that fits perfectly onto the box. I put some of the printed cardstock and gingham ribbon behind the frame, and then added the topper at an angle. Another sentiment, bow and pearls finished this off.
I don't like leaving the inside of a box plain, so used more of the printed cardstock and ribbon with a third sentiment. I cut a decorative square for the inside of the lid, using the smaller of the Die'licious Elegance Frames.
A photo of this is also on Sara Davies' blog today - so feel very honoured. Keep checking the Crafter's Companion FB page for more inspiration. Not long to go now!!

May well pop back this afternoon as I have SOOOOO many samples to share and the launch starts tomorrow!!
Cxxx 

Thursday 22 May 2014

Day 6 - Last of the Halcyon Days Sneaky Peeks!!

What a morning!! Started bad and then got worse when another car went into the back of mine at a junction. By the time I got to school I was a blubbering mess. Managed to get through the morning - and am back home now. Have phoned the insurance company - and now waiting for garage to phone about getting it repaired. The back bumper is cracked and there are two dents in the boot door. As for me - I feel like I've been through the wringer - with a slight ache in my right shoulder. 

I need to get on with some crafting but am struggling to focus so thought I would get on and blog first. This is the last of the samples from the CD - but before you worry, I have plenty of projects to share with you from the card kit too!! 
This is the front of the 8x8 card - made from 2 sheets of Black Matt card. I have used one of the Topper Companions printed onto Centura Pearl Hint of Gold. It has a stitched effect on it - so I used my sewing machine to stitch some of the backing papers so they looked like patchwork too. The large backing sheet is printed onto Neenah Desert Storm card - and I used this for the leaves as well.

Now - I'm not 100% sure of what you call the inside of this card. Is it a 4 step? I'm sure one of you will let me know. 
I made it from an A3 sheet of white card, and inked it with Black soot. The core'dinations card has been embossed with the Floral Vine folder and then sanded back. The lighter of the papers has been printed onto Parchment Paper.

A huge welcome to my new followers! Thank you so much!! Sorry today's post is a little short - but I think I'm going to go and slump in front of the TV with something really sugary or chocolaty!!

Will be back tomorrow with the first of the Card Kit projects.
Cxxx 

Wednesday 21 May 2014

Halcyon Days Day 5 - An Easel Card

Had a busy day at work today - but am home now so time for another card from the Halcyon Days CD It's an easel card today. This is actually one of the Fabric Companions. The size of the front of the easel is 8x8 which hopefully gives you an idea of how big this card actually is.
I made the base from Kraft card - am really liking it at the moment - particularly with this collection as it just fits so well. I used a combination of the papers to bring out the blue, purple and cream from the image. The bottom of the purple one is edged with Die'licious Lace Border 4. The stitching around the cream mat is real - created with the aid of my trusty sewing machine - it echoes the stitching on the image.

The three small squares at the bottom are actually from a piece of Kraft card that I embossed with the 8x8 Floral Stitch folder then cut round. If you look closely you can see the stitching effect. Similarly, I embossed a piece of paper to match the border strip stopper, and this time cut the flowers out to put on top. The spiral flowers are from the embellishment section.
The front of the card will tip backwards to reveal the message inside (written with the Verse Writer). It also shows how I embossed the cream paper with the 8x8 Knit One Pearl One folder.

I finished off with a sentiment and some pearls. 

Don't forget to keep checking in here - I have loads more to show you as I have made samples from the card kit as well as the CD. And welcome to the new followers - however you have joined me (and there are sooooo many ways) it is lovely to have your company and support.

Back tomorrow. 
Cxxx

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Day 4 of Crafter's Companion Halcyon Days Sneaky Peeks

Good morning!! And welcome to my new followers - thanks for your support! Have woke up with a really sore throat this morning, so feeling a little sorry for myself. Am going to spend the day crafting as have 3 challenge projects to make!! Anyway, lots of photos today as for my next sneaky peek I am sharing my Memory Book. 

The book itself is made from CC Matt Black and Kraft card. The cover is embossed with the Embossalicious 8x8 Beautiful Bunting folder, and has one of the Card Frames on top - not to be confused with the Frame Cards - like the one I shared yesterday. I chose this one because I loved the teal colour and also because of the background - it's all about memories and remembering - so I thought it ideal for a memory book. The sentiment was perfect too. I laid a Chantilly Stamping Frame cut from Kraft card over the top, having first adhered another paper underneath. I also used the same image from the Epiphany sheets with one of the caps. The book was bound with my Bind It All, and I added some ribbons and pearls (as I usually do)!!

I chose to use photos from a day out my husband and I had last summer. I avoided photos of me (apart from one) - and stuck to pictures of the food and scenery!!
We started with an early lunch of crab tart at a lovely place by the sea. There are several sheets in the embellishment section that have these little photo record cards and matching embellishments - perfect for a memory book. On each facing page, I used one of the toppers, a frame (either Elegance, Chantilly or Cameo), a border, some of the embellishments and a sentiment. 
I have also used an image from the Epiphany sheets on each page - this one is Round 25!
I am hoping that the book will show off the range of papers and toppers that are on the CD - not that I have used anywhere near all of them! But there is such a variety!!
One of the highlights of the day was a fabulous afternoon tea in the sunshine - lots of scrummy goodies - and there are so many toppers on the CD with equally gorgeous cakes and such!
After I had taken these photos, I decided to add a few pearls to the inside sheets as well as the cover - and I also used some Luminarte Silks Acrylic Glaze in Ice to highlight parts of the toppers. I am really loving this product as I really don't like loose glitter (mostly because of the mess I make with it) but I love the subtle shimmer this gives.
Don't forget to check out the Crafter's Companion FB page for more projects from the other DT members - and I will try my best to post as many as I can on my FB page too. I love to hear your comments - so please feel free to do so - and if you would like to follow me, then there are all sorts of options on the side bar!! 

Back tomorrow with another one!!
Cxxx

Monday 19 May 2014

Halcyon Days Sneak Peek 3 - A Sweet Treat!!

What a busy few days with so many projects to complete!! But, here we are - all of them finished and a couple of hours tidying in the garden this afternoon while the sun still shone!! Now it's back to work - starting with today's blog and sneak peek!! 

My choice of what to reveal today was made for me - as this little box was featured on Crafter's Companion FB page yesterday!! So, thought I'd better get on and tell you how I made it!! 
I started with a papier mache box - and coated it first with white gesso. I then mixed some Pebeo Deco Matt White paint with Cretan Blue, and also with Bright Pink. This was splodged onto the inside and outside with cotton wool!! When it was dry, I gave the outside of the box a spray with Pearl Diamond Spray and Sparkle.

The top of the box is made from one of the Card Companions printed on Neenah Solar White card. This camper van is another of my favourite images - and I masked around it and sprayed with Pearl Diamond Spray and Sparkle. I printed one of the co-ordinating papers onto Centura Pearl Hint of Silver - it looks like knitting!! I also used the gingham and spotty co-ordinating papers!! 

To echo the knitted effect of the card on the lid, I embossed some Kraft card with my Embossalicious 8x8 Knit One Pearl One folder, and inked over it with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. The little ice creams are from one of the embellishment sheets, and these gorgeous bows are on the CD too!!

There is a smaller version of the topper on the Card Companion sheet, so I decided to use it with some more of the knitted effect card on the inside of the box. This photo gives you a better idea of the splodged effect of the box!! Because of the sentiment on the tag (which comes on sheet) , I have put some coconut ice in the box - not sure it will last until launch day!! Will have to wait and see!!

I finished it all off with a button and twine from my stash!!

That's all for now. Will be back tomorrow with the next sneaky peek!!
Cxxx

Sunday 18 May 2014

Halcyon Days Sneaky Peek Day 2!!

Good morning and welcome to my new followers from yesterday!! Lovely to have your company. Now - time for my next sneaky peek of Crafter's Companion's Halcyon days CD. 
One of the great features of this collection are these box frames. The frames print out onto one sheet of card. For this one, I used Centura Pearl Hint of Silver - then cut it out, scored the lines with my Ultimate, and stuck it together with Collall Tacky Glue. Each frame comes with a choice of two images to use with it. I love this beach scene (you may have noticed it was one of the toppers in yesterday's Tri-Fold Shutter Card).

The frames can be used on their own, or on a card - but I have chosen to use mine on top of an 8x8 canvas and make it into a larger wall hanging. I painted the background using a combination of Pebeo Deco Matt paints - Bright Pink, Cretan Blue, White and Antique White. I then used Mod Podge to apply a combination of design papers in a rough patchwork design and did a little faux stitching with SN pens. Patchwork and embroidery plays a huge part in the images in this collection - try zooming in on the images and look closely at the beach huts - it's much clearer in real life but should give you an idea.
The cream frame on the inside of the blue box frame and the larger one on the outside of the canvas are my own additions. I finished off with a few shell beads and a piece of ribbon attached to the back of the canvas. 

Make sure you regularly check out the Crafter's Companion Facebook page - and also my Facebook page (Papercraft By Carole) - where sneak peeks from other members of the Design Team will be shared over the coming days!!

If you have time to leave a comment, then I would love to hear from you. And if you like what you see then I always welcome new followers - through Bloglovin, Google, Pinterest or Facebook. Thanks for your support! 

See you tomorrow!! 
Cxxx

Saturday 17 May 2014

Here we go again!! Sneaky Peek Time!!! Day 1

It's time for a something new and exciting from Crafter's Companion!! Next weekend (24th and 25th May) Create and Craft's Weekender sees the launch of a fab new Crafter's Companion CD and card kit called Halycon Days. If you love patchwork and chintzy designs combined with gorgeous images then this is for you!! The colour palette is perfect for summer.

Here is my first sneak peek of the week!! It's from the CD - and is a Tri Fold Shutter Card. This is a new fold for me - and I really rather like it.
On this CD the design papers provide an amazing range of florals, and the co-ordinating papers provide dots, stripes, ginghams and other gorgeous patterns.  

For this card I printed a coffee coloured ditsy floral co-ordinating paper onto CC printable parchment paper, and the pink gingham and blue stripes onto Satin Finish paper. The beach hut and coastal scene images are all from the Toppers section printed on Light Printable Card. 

For matting and layering I used pink and blue from Core'dinations So Mod and some CC Kraft card! In the middle section I embossed the Kraft card with the 6x6 Beach Huts folder, and on the right hand side I embossed it with the 6x6 Clouds folder. All the other Kraft card mats were embossed with the 8x8 Knit One Pearl One folder. 

The bunting and sentiments are from the CD, and I finished it all off with some ribbon and pearls. 

There's loads more to come this week - so look out for daily posts!! And I'm still working on more samples - so I will be crafting and blogging all week.

For new visitors to my blog, please feel free to leave me a comment - I would love to hear what you think of the CD and my creations. And if you would like to follow my blog, then you can click on one of the options on the side bar (Google, Bloglovin, e-mail, Pinterest) or visit and like my Facebook page - Papercraft By Carole. 

Be back tomorrow!! 
Cxxx

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Three Little Houses - the Sequel!!

A quick post today and just when you thought it was safe ....... here I am with three more of those little houses!! Have to say - they've been very popular! 
As before, I painted the wood with Magnolia emulsion - this time with a base coat of Pomegranate, then sanded the edges down. With the first one, I used Eco Green Copper paint for the mat, and Aged Mahogony for the sentiment (Creative Expressions Thoughtful Sentiments). The beads are from a broken piece of jewellery - and the little heart button from my stash.
The second one has a base of Orchid paint, and the mat is painted with Pomegranate. A little heart brad and two pearl hearts finished it off.
And for the last one, the base coat was Lake, and the mat Blue Patina. Another brad and a few buttons for the finishing touches.

Hope you have been tuning in to the Pick of the Week with Leann!! I have been busy beavering away on all sorts of things - and in a very brief lull today, I have managed to get one order made!! Still have 3 challenge projects to make along with other 'items' that I am working on.

See you soon!!
Cxx

Cxxx 

Saturday 10 May 2014

Happy Anniversary!!

So, today being Saturday, I started the morning at parkrun! This week was a pacing event - which means there are runners whose job it is to run around the course in a set time - from 16 minutes to 39. They wear big hi vis tabards so you can see them - and you basically follow the one that will help you get the time you want. I've had a bad few weeks time wise at parkrun, so wasn't holding out any hope of getting near mine!! But nothing ventured.... Well, the upshot was that I missed out on a new PB by 9 seconds!! And nearly threw up once I was over the line as I had really pushed myself round the last part. Am not disappointed though, as this is still the second fastest time I have ever run it in!! 

Anyway, onto the crafty stuff!! As well as being my Dad's birthday this weekend - it's also my Mum and Dad's weddding anniversary!! Last year was the big golden 50 years - so this year my card is a little less elaborate!! 
I used a topper and papers from a Kanban kit. There were several of the toppers in the kit - all cut in different ways - so I decided to combine them in a different way to the norm by having the outer and centre pieces raised - and the inner section flat!! I quite like the way it looks!
I matted and layered with pink and Kraft card from my stash - and finished it all off with some ribbon and buttons. A simple layout - but I like the finished result!!

I would like to enter this into:
Time Out Challenges: Time Flies - Love Lasts    
(51 years of marriage for my parents - so I think this is really appropriate!)

Cxxx

Friday 9 May 2014

Crafter's Companion May Challenge - For My Dad!!

It's time for another challenge over at Crafter's Companion. Last month's was a great success on the new FB page - so thanks to everyone who entered!! 

This month the theme is Masculine - and this has coincided just brilliantly with my Dad's birthday at the weekend! (It's OK - he won't see this on here!!).  - so I knew just what card I wanted to make.
Having been lucky enough to play with the Camden Town Male CD for the launch last month, I knew just what I wanted to make for him!! He loves gardening (it must be where I get it from) so I knew the garden shed images would be perfect. I printed Design Set 1 onto Centura Pearl Hint Of Gold, and put it back through the printer to make it double sided with Co-ordinating Paper 5. Having done this on a second piece of card, I then printed the house template onto both. 
 
I cut out both templates - leaving an extra piece on one to overlap - and I cut off the chimneys as I was going for a shed look rather than a house.  The focal image is from the Decoupage section. It had the sentiment Grandad on it - so I cut this off and replaced it with 'Dad' from the Sentiments section. The little sign on the shed still says 'Grandad's Shed' - but he'll love that anyway!! 
The matting and layering are a combination of offcuts from both sides of the printed Centura Pearl - and another Co-ordinating Paper - this time in blue. I also used some Neenah Desert Storm embossed with the 6x6 Floral Frenzy folder.

I like to ink the edges of most things I do - so here I have used a combination of Forest Moss and Faded Jeans Distress Inks. It's all finished off with a button and twine from my stash. 

You still have plenty of time to play along with the challenge - so pop on over to the Facebook page and play along!! We look forward to seeing all your lovely entries!! 

Don't forget - if you like, you can follow me on my FB page - Papercraft By Carole - or click on the links at the side to sign up with Google, Bloglovin or Pinterest!! Looking forward to hearing from you. 

Cxxx

Saturday 3 May 2014

Krafty Anniversary!!

Morning, morning, morning!! parkrun completed for the week - a minute and a half better than last week so feeling more positive. And all my crafty goodies have arrived - so am in the middle of playing with stuff that I cannot divulge at present. (But it's fab!!!) 

If you're on the lookout for the latest from Crafter's Companion, then check out their FB page - and the blog - where this week my fellow team mates have started sneak peeks of the fabulous Scruffy Little Cats range. It's launching on Create and Craft on Friday 9th May!! I haven't been involved in the samples - but am loving what I am seeing!!! 

And it that's not enough - the Spectrum Noir Pencils are back in stock!! The stumps and stump sander have already sold out - so they're moving fast. Got my order in very quickly!! Have never used pencils like these - so really looking forward to having a play! 

And there's also loads of great offers on over the Bank Holiday on the website!! 

After all that, it's just a quick and simple layout today. I used Papermill Kraft Card as the base of my A5 card, and some pale pink textured card from my stash to mat on top of it. The next layer of Kraft was embossed with my Embossalicious 8x8 Elegance folder.   
The topper is from Kanban. I popped out the oval from the frame, and raised it up on foam pads. This was layered on more Kraft, and pink card. I finished by glazing the heart with Glossy Accents, and the button, pearls and ribbon are all from my stash.

As I said - quick and simple to day - but hopefully still effective.

I would like to enter this into:
Moving Along with the Times - Pretty Pastels.

Cxxx

Friday 2 May 2014

Football Crazy!!

Have been a little lax in blogging lately as am really busy with new stuff and just forgot to pop in to say 'hi'!!  Had another fab night out SUPing last night - and took my first dunk in the sea due to cramp in my foot!! Was a little refreshing - but didn't dampen my spirits!! Also saw a gorgeous fish called a tub gurnard - although my description of a bright orange fish with electric blue edges on its fins made my fellow SUPers think I was hallucinating. This is a photo (courtesy of Lyme Regis Sea Angling Club) of what one looks like - and I think my description was pretty accurate!! 
Anyway - today's card is a card I made for my nephew - I think I have lost track of how many variations on a football card I have made! This one is made using a digi stamp from Just Inklined called (appropriately) 'Football Crazy'. 
The image was printed onto Joanna Sheen Elegance card, and coloured with my Promarkers: Ruby, Cardinal Red, Crimson, Grass, Forest Green, Black, Cool Grey 1,2,3,4. 

I cut the image out using Spellbinders Decorative Labels 1, and inked the top part whilst still in the die, with Barn Door DI. The black mirror card mat is cut using Labels 1, with a Scalloped Square used for the green Bazzill card.

The decorative 'football boot' card is Kanban, and red strips are Centura Pearl embossed with Grand MBossabilties Dainty Dots. I cut the letters with my XCut Rome alphabet die, and used my little Xyron to make them adhesive. All of this is mounted onto more red Centura pearl and black mirror card.

I would like to enter this into:
Dies R Us Challenge - Anything Goes


For those of you that love Crafter's Companion - and the Spectrum Noir Range - make sure you visit the website as the Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils are now in stock!! 

Cxx