About Me

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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.

Thursday 30 October 2014

Elegance!!!

Am all crafted out for today, so decided to share with you my very last two cupcake boxes. Both of these were made with the absolutely gorgeous Elegance card that sold out before the templates even aired on TV. I just love this card - it lives up to it's name!!
Sara showed this first one on Create and Craft - and I have to say that it is one of my favourites. It's a single cupcake presentation box, and I decided to try something a little different with this one and put it through my Grand Calibur to cut the aperture with an Essentials Scalloped Rectangle. It did work - but is not without its problems. You have to fold the edges in to get it through - and you end up with the imprints of those folded over edges. But you can disguise them - it just depends whether you think it's worth the downside. 
I just love the colours of this card - the pale gold tones with the white. Just beautiful! I decided to add a little bucket filled with florist's oasis and paper flowers - and sit it in a wrapper cut with the Daisy die. The bow and sentiment are from the CD, and I used the Essentials dies to cut the hearts. 

The second box is made with the same card - this time it's a favour box. The rosette and heart motif are from the CD. I decide to use it for the topper as well. This time I used some soft gold pearl card from my stash to cut the wrapper - again with the Daisy die.
So, that's all my Birthday week makes. Am busy with a lot of other stuff at the moment - lots of great things coming up. But in the meantime, thanks for popping by. And if you do not already follow my blog - then please feel free to do so either directly on Blogger, through Bloglovin', via my Papercraft by Carole Facebook page, by email, or on Pinterest.

Be back soon,
Cxxx 

And the winner is......

Good morning!! Had a busy few days of crafting so didn't blog yesterday!! But am back today with the winner of my Crafter's Companion Birthday Giveaway. Firstly, thanks for all the lovely comments - and hope you are enjoying using your new purchases!! it's also great to say hello to my new followers - thank you for joining me. And the number of people re-pinning my pins is going up too!! It's great to know that at least some of what I do is inspiring others.

So, without any further ado .......
..... the winner is Anne Daily. Anne, please email me your address (mail@papercraftbycarole.co.uk) so I can arrange for the stamp to be sent to you. 

While I am here, I have a couple of boxes to share that I didn't have time to over Birthday week. The first is a Takeway box made with the Sweet Treats card, and decorated with borders (Lace Border 1) cut from Core'dinations card, a bow and sentiment from the CD - and a little ribbon and pearls.
The cupcake wrapper is the Scallop, and I made a topper using two of the sentiments back to back.
The second box is a four cupcake presentation made with the polka dot and gingham card, with Centura Pearl Fresh White and Fresh Blue for the mats and layers. I used the Essential stars for decoration and to make the cupcake toppers.
The wrapper is the Scallop - and I used buttons and Baker's twine for embellishments.
So, it's back to work for me - lots to do again today, and tomorrow ........
Take care, 
Cxxx

Monday 27 October 2014

CCM&M - Challenge 126 - Cut It Out!!

Good afternoon! It's Challenge time at Crafty Cardmakers and More, and this time the lovely Leslie is hosting. The theme is 'Cut It Out!' and she would like to see die cuts or punches used on your project.

We are sponsored by Hobbyart Stamps with this gorgeous Christmas stamp called Rodney the Reindeer.

My card is a twisted easel card, made from two 6x6 cards. The image is from Graphicals on Etsy, and is one of many vintage style images she has there. It's a fab little site.
I used Spellbinders Grand Oval dies to cut the image out, and inked the edges with Antique Linen DI. I mounted this onto a Grand Scalloped Oval of beige Bazzill card. The large green circle is Grand Decorative Circle, with a light blue Grand Circle. These two papers are from my stash and I can't remember where they are from. The bright blue card is Bazzill.

For the base,I used more of the same, this time with the original size Oval and Scalloped Ovals for the smaller parts of the mats. The whole thing is finished with ribbon, pearls and little flowers from my stash.

Be sure to pop by the Crafty Cardmakers and More blog to see all the inspiration from the rest of the team - and we look forward to seeing all your amazing creations.

Take care,
Cxxx

Crafter's Companion October Challenge - Still Time to Enter!!

There's still time to enter Crafter's Companion's October Challenge - Buttons and Bows. You don't have to use CC products to be in with a chance of winning the Random Prize draw - but you can always use the free monthly download from the website - like I have here.
It's a really fun and bright set of papers and embellishments - and can be used in so many ways. I printed the purple paper onto Centura Pearl Hint of Silver to make the base card, and covered it with one of the patterned papers. I used Die'sire Elegance Frame to cut a mat for the 'Happy Birthday' tags. The faux buttons are from the CD, as is the ribbon band across the bottom. added some gingham ribbon to the tags, and also under the circle  - and of course for the bow!!

So get your thinking caps on - we look forward to seeing your creations!!
Cxxx


Sunday 26 October 2014

A different kind of box!!

Good morning to you!! Welcome to my new followers from across the Internet!! Thank you so much for joining me - I hope you continue to enjoy my creations. 

I have been feeling a little ugh for a while, and the whole 'being ill' thing is slowly creeping up on me as half term gets into full swing. But I have been really cheered up seeing so many of my creations being shown on Create and Craft. My little favour box with the sewing kit, the single Elegance box with the bucket of flowers, my pink bucket with the red and white flowers on the cupcake stand, the pearly prom dress topper, the pearly scallop wrapper, and my 'four cupcake' purple box. To some, that may seem a little big-headed (and maybe it is) but it gives me a sense of pride in what I am doing. And also of being part of such a fantastic design team. 

And If you have been watching the shows, you may have noticed this little creation being wafted around once of twice!!! 

When I knew we were making cupcake boxes, I wanted to do something different as I knew so much of what we would be coming up with would be more feminine!! So this is what I came up with.

The box base is a Twin Presentation Box, made with the double sided Fresh White Centura Pearl. I then had a look back through all my CC stuff for something masculine to use for the decoration. Well, I found it in among my CC Monthly Download folder. This gorgeous cog paper is from the July 2009 download. It just goes to show that even older things can still be useful!! 

On the sides, I teamed it up with burlap, some gold pearl card, and silver textured paper from my stash!! As well as the paper, there were some tea bag folding squares. So I just had to have a go (has been a while - but I kept to a basic fold!!) - and came up with the gorgeously spiky creation.
The cogs and other bits (the spare bits from putting a box together - let's hope it doesn't fall apart now) have been sitting in my stash for a while - and finally I found the right project for them.

Inside are a couple of little craft buckets - one with washers and screws, and the other with mints. I used the Scallop wrapper for them to sit in, inside the box.

Don't forget that today is the last day of the fantastic offers on Crafter's Companion website - so pop on over and grab a bargain!! Will probably see you there as have a bit of last minute shopping to do .....

Take care
Cxxxx

Friday 24 October 2014

Elegant Cupcakes!!

Good morning!! Today is the launch of the fabulous Cupcake Box Templates. And I have saved one of my favourite makes for the occasion. 
This one is a Four Cupcake Presentation Box. I have use the Centura Pearl Fresh White double sided card to make and decorate this one!! I created an aperture - covered with acetate and a frame inside to cover the joins. 
For the inner part where the cupcakes sit, I cut out the four inserts. But rather than discarding them, I decided to emboss them with the Embossalicious Rose Vine folder and, after wrapping some ribbon round, attached them to each of the four sides of the box. A few pearls and flowers finished them off.

The wrapper is the plain Scallop and the little decorations are the Prom Dress. I cut two dresses for each and back to backed them on with 3D glue onto a kebab stick.

Back soon.
Cxxx

Thursday 23 October 2014

Raspberry Cupcake Anyone?

So, in the morning, Sara will be launching the templates for the cupcake boxes that I have been sharing all week. So this evening, I thought I would share a couple of pink boxes . First it's the Sweet Treats card in this gorgeous raspberry pink - polka dots on one side and a vibrant rose pattern on the other.
This is a Single Cupcake Presentation box - and I've used tags from the CD along with a sentiment. The mats and layers are a combination of Centura Pearl, and the double sided card. And of course a few pearls!! 
The wrapper is the Die'sire Classique Daisy Wrapper die. It's just calling out for a cake with raspberry jam or icing!! Mmmmmm.

The second box is a Single Favour Box. This one is made from the Polka Dots and Gingham card - again in pink.
To decorate this I just used a little more of the card, with a bow from the CD - and of course some ribbons and pearls!!
I did make a wrapper, but rather than a cupcake, this one contains a cute little sewing kit in a bottle!! 

Make sure to tune in tomorrow morning at 8am to see Sara in action with all of the templates and the fab card.

Cxxx

Wednesday 22 October 2014

A little Bebunni!!

A break from the cupcake boxes this time. If you have already been over to the Crafter's Companion website and made an order during Birthday week, then you will already have (or be expecting) a gorgeous little Bebunni stamp.

To give you a taste of what you can do with it, I made this card with the image.
Bebunni is coloured with Specturm Noir pens - IG1, 2, 3 and CR2, 3. The flower is a combination of pens: CT2, 3, 4, GB1, 3, LG2, 3   and pencils: 10, 14, 26, 33, 89,92,96, 47.

Of course I had to use some of the new Fresh White Centura Pearl double sided for the base card, and also for the mat cut with Die'sire Create a Card Devore die. Underneath the Create a Card is a piece of Pale Lemon Centura Pearl from the pastels pack.

The side panel and the mats are from the Polka and Gingham double sided card pack - offcuts from my boxes!! 

The flower is cut with Die'sire Essentials Flowers for all Occasions. Rummaging through my oddments of ribbon I found this one - a perfect combination of yellow and orange. And no card of mine is complete without pearls!!

Back tomorrow with another box. And don't forget to leave on comment on the Giveaway Post to be in with a chance of winning the fab Bebunni Celebration stamp plate. 

Cxxx

Cinammon and Spice

My offering today is a little 'Single Cupcake Favour Box'. I have used the Sweet Treats double sided card, with the polka dot side as the mats. The shapes of these are all layed out on the template - so no need for measuring or guessing!
This box fastens by threading ribbon through slots in the four top panels - I used a piece of white velvet ribbon. The rosette and sentiment has come from the Cupcake CD. 
This design doesn't have an insert piece, but a wrapper sits nicely in the bottom of the box. This one is the Plain Scallop Wrapper.

I think this one should have a cinammon and spice flavoured cupcake in it. Partly the colour - and partly because it's a lovely warming flavour at this time of year!! 

Don't forget my Bebunni giveaway - click here to go to the post. Leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning. 

Cxxx

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Butterflies and Cupcakes!!

Morning! Today's box is a little 'Single Cupcake Presentation Box'. I cut an aperture before fixing the box together, and used acetate with a little frame inside the box to hide the sticky.
The box itself is made with the double sided Fresh White Centura Pearl, and the green gingham is from the Sweet Treats collection. It has a really funky design with red cherries on the reverse - but using this side with the white makes it quite elegant. 

For the sides, I have used the Die'sire Chantilly Lace Stamping Frame, with Essentials Circles. And of course the Essential Beautiful Butterflies - one of my favourites from the collection.
Inside the box you can see the piece where the cupcake sits. The aperture is cut with a Cupcake Insert die - much easier than cutting them out by hand.  The wrapper (Daisy) then sits beautifully inside the aperture with space to get your fingers in to remove the cupcake.
For many of the boxes I have made, I have also made the little cupcake decoration. It's very simple. This one is just more of the butterflies (2 for each side) with the end of a kebab stick sandwiched between with Collall 3D Glue. You could use cocktail stick - but the kebab sticks are more substantial.

Keep watching out today for more Birthday Week Goodies!! 
Back later! 
Cxxx

Monday 20 October 2014

Time for tea - and a cupcake?

After saying I felt under the weather this morning, I am now sat wrapped in a blanket as I write this, as I am feeling rather chilly!! The heating is cranked up and my feet still feel like ice!! Roll on half term when I can be properly ill!!

It also doesn't help that, having put on a few pounds due to my two fabulous days away I have gone back to being strict with my eating this week. Consequently I am feeling sorry for myself and am craving a chocolate cupcake covered in thick chocolate fudge icing!! It's all these cupcake boxes - I'm just fantasizing which flavour would go in which box. 

So as I am in a chocolate mood, I thought I'd share this 'Four Cupcake Presentation Box' in chocolate brown and yellow!! This one could definitely hold the cupcakes I'm dreaming of at the moment. 
The box itself is made from A3 Polka Dots and Gingham double sided card. I used some brown card for the mats, embossed with Embossalicious A4 Dottie folder. Then on top of that I used more of the yellow card. A bit of brown ribbon and bows from the CD finish the sides. 
For the top of the box I used Die'sire Essentials Scalloped circle dies to cut the mats, then Flowers for All Occasions to make the decoration. The wrapper is cut with the Plain Scallop die, and the little decoration is more of the flowers. And all decorated with pearls.
Here's a view of the inside of the box - you can see the polka dots on the inside with the gingham on the outside. And you can also see the wrappers and decorations sat inside the insert holes in the base of the box.

Don't forget all the Birthday Offers on the website - the new embossing folders are there now - so make sure you check them out.

Will be back in the morning - wonder what flavour of cupcakes I will want then!! 
Cxxx

Something to brighten my day!!

Feeling a bit under the weather this morning!! Nothing major at the moment - but just feeling a little ugh!! Will be par for the course if I'm coming down with something as only one more week until half term - generally time for me to be ill.

Today's offering is an attempt to cheer me up - a bright and cheerful box made with the 'Single Cupcake Takeaway Box' template, and another design from the A3 double sided Sweet Treats card.
I love this yellow card with the vibrant roses (the other side is also yellow in a knit design), and teamed it with some bright Core'dinations card. The shape and size of the mats comes from the template - so no need to worry about measurements for them.  
The bows used on the top are from the CD-Rom, and the flowers are cut with Die'sire Essentials Flowers for All Occasions. I used more of them to make the little cupcake decoration - stuck onto a piece of kebab stick with Colall 3D Glue.  This time the wrapper is cut with the Plain Scallop wrapper die.

Don't forget you can leave a comment on my previous post (click here) to be in with a chance of winning a Bebunni Celebration stamp plate. And watch out for all the giveaways on Facebook.

Finally - welcome to all my new followers - here on my blog and on Bloglovin, over on Twitter and Facebook, and of course on Pinterest.

Take care,
Cxxxx 

Sunday 19 October 2014

Something other than what I should be doing!!!

It's been one of those days today!! Don't get me wrong - it's not been unproductive!! It's just that for most of it, I have not wanted to do what I should be getting on with!! This morning when I should have been lesson planning - all I wanted to do was craft (so I did)!! Then when I did get on with planning I was totally distracted by Facebook!! And now when I should be crafting and finishing off a project, I have no inclination to do so - so have decided to blog instead!! Go figure!!

So, you get the benefit of another share for birthday week. Don't forget you can enter my giveaway for the Bebunni Celebration stamp plate by clicking here.

This box was made with the 'Four Cupcake Presentation Box' template and the stunning new A3 double sided Fresh White Centura Pearl!! The card is just gorgeous to work with.

For the large mats, I used purple Core'dinations card, and dotty card is from the fab new A3 double sided Polka Dots and Gingham card. 
The bow on the front of the box, the rosette and the sentiment are all from the Cupcake Tutorial CD Rom. For the fancy mats I used Die'sire Elegance Stamping Frame. And as ever I added some ribbon and pearls for embellishment.
The template comes with the piece to make the inside of the box for the cupcakes to sit in. The wraps this time, are cut with the Daisy die.

Watch out on FB for all sorts of giveaways - especially from Sara, Leann and Fiona!! There are some incredible bundles on offer!! And of course check out the bargains on the website!!
Back tomorrow!!
Cxxx

It's a Birthday giveaway!!!

Morning!! Well - before I share with you today's make - I have my very first ever giveaway!! How exciting!! All the Design Team members have one of these gorgeous Bebunni Celebration Stamp sets to give away.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. I will put all your names into a hat and draw one lucky winner. Please make sure I can contact you by clicking on the profile linked to your comment - or by following me!!  Please DO NOT put your email address in your comment. I really look forward to finding out what you come up with!!  

Today I have another of the gorgeous twin presentation cupcake boxes for you. These are again made from the double sided Sweet Treats card, with a little orange Core'dinations card for matting and layering. 
 As well as the box shape, the template provides outlines for the mats for the sides of the boxes. This time I didn't cut out an aperture - just left the box 'whole'. Because the card is double-sided you get a great contrast between the outside and inside of the box. 
In addition to the box itself, you also get the template for the inside part where the cupcakes sit. There is also a separate insert die which helps you cut out the shapes for the cupcakes to sit in. 
I used the 'waste' from this process to decorate the front of the box with one of the sentiments from the CD. One of the 3D bows from the CD was used for the top. To decorate the sides I cut pieces of Core'dinations and Sweet Treats card using Die'sire Essentials Circles and Scallop Circles. The wrap is cut with the Plain Scallop die - and the little dress is the Prom Dress die that comes with an insert die. 

As always, I finished off the box with pearls, ribbon and flowers from my stash.

Be back later.
Cxxx

Saturday 18 October 2014

Anyone for cake?

Good morning to you all!! I've had a couple of days away celebrating my recent wedding anniversary - and typically I missed out on the start of all the fun!! Crafter's Companion will be celebrating their 9th Birthday very soon - and there are loads of new goodies being launched!! Lots of my fellow team-mates have been busy sharing their sneak peeks - and although I missed out on the start, I was lucky enough to have one of my makes used for launching the sneak peeks on Facebook.

So this first project you may well have seen before. This is a double cupcake presentation box. 
Once I had cut the aperture, I used some heat resistant acetate to cover it, and cut another 'frame' to cover the inside. For decoration, I embossed some red Core'dinations card with the Beautiful Bunting folder, sanded it back, and cut it out to attach to the box. 

The rosette on the top comes from the Tutorial CD - there's a great collection of bows, rosettes, tags and sentiments on the CD ready to print and cut. The circles and scalloped circles are cut with Die'sire Essential dies. The flowers are sprayed with Pearl Diamond Spray and Sparkle. 
The decorative wraps are cut with one of the fab new wrapper dies - this one is called Daisy - and they sit neatly inside the apertures cut with the insert die. For this box, I used a couple of little buckets and filled one with flowers - and the others with sweets! So you don't just have to use them for cupcakes.

Both this box and the one below were made from the same card - the gorgeous new A3 double sided Sweet Treats card. In this case the gorgeous stripey rose design on one side - and the polka dots on the other.
This one is a single cupcake Takeaway box. I used the rosette again - this time with a different sentiment. The main mats and layers are the reverse side of the card - and I used the Chantilly Lace stamping frame to cut the decorative ones.  
Again - I decided to fill the box with something other than cupcakes - this time it's a jar of sweets!!
So - keep a look out on Facebook and the Website for more sneak peeks for Birthday week. All the teams have been busy - so there will something for everyone to fall in love with.

Back tomorrow with more!!
Cxxx

Wednesday 15 October 2014

A Little Bit Late ........

You may (or may not) have noticed my absence from my blog for a few days. That's because I have been busy working on some fab new stuff - which I will be able to share with you soon..... And because of that I have got behind with a few other things!! So - what's a little bit late? Well, two days ago Crafty Cardmakers & More launched their new fortnightly challenge - and I totally forgot to blog my inspiration card!! Oops!! A big sorry to those people who have popped over here looking for the card shown on the CCM&M Blog!! And also to my fellow team mates who have busted a gut to get their projects blogged on time!! I promise to do better in the future!! 

So - here it is. The challenge this time is: It's Only Words!  This means we want to see a sentiment as the focus on your project. And this is the fab prize on offer to the winner. 

I decided to make an easel card this time. And went for the rather autumnal and striking colour combination of burgundy and orange. The photo makes it look more purple - but it's definitely redder in real life.  
I used two 6x6 cards for the base of the easel, and covered the front and base with orange Bazzil card. I then cut a piece of Papermill burgundy card using Crafter's Companion Enchanted Create a Card. The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Thoughtful Sentiments plate, stamped onto the orange card with Aged Mahogany DI. The swirls are from Creative Expressions Mini Swirls. 

The ovals are cut with Crafter's Companion Die'sire Essentials Ovals and Scalloped Ovals, and the centre piece from the Create a Card has been used as part of the 'stopper' along with an orange button.

I embossed the other pieces of burgundy card with CC Embosallicious Ornate Butterflies folder, and decorated with Die'sire Essentials Beautiful Butterflies, ribbon and pearls. 

Please make sure to pop over to Crafty Cardmakers and More and check out the great inspiration from the rest of the team. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!! 

Back soon,
Cxxx

Wednesday 8 October 2014

A Muster of Peacocks!!!

Am back today with another one of those gift sets I've been making. This one is using the gorgeous Peacock image from Graphicals on Etsy. The set includes a mug mat, a framed quote and an easel card.
I started with the mug mat, and printed the image onto Photo Fabric - great stuff designed for use with inkjet printers. Once dry, the fabric is rinsed in water - supposed to be until it runs clear - but so far I've had no ink run out at all!! Printing it this way makes it so easy to use with other fabrics. 
I used scraps from my stash for the patchwork section, then 'quilted' that to some batting and interfacing (this is because I didn't want the quilting to show on the back. The whole thing was attached to some cotton backing fabric with some bias binding. I keep thinking that I need to invest in one of those machines to make my own, because the colours that I can buy are quite limited. It's one of those things on my wish list. I'm getting better with the corners now - still not great - but definitely better than when I first tried.

The frame was bought from The Range, and the quote found on-line. I put the quote and image together on the computer, then matted and layered it within the frame.
Finally, the card is actually an twisted easel card. I used two 6" square card blanks to create it. The backing papers are from Crafter's Companion Halcyon Days CD, used with a little brown Bazzil for matting and layering. The fancy edges you can see behind the image are Spellbinders Decorative Labels 1, cut from some blue card.
I used the smaller of the labels dies to cut the foundatio pieces for the stopper - and then used a button to raise it up. A little ribbon and more buttons completed the look!!

I would like to enter this into:
Sparkles Monthly Challenge Blog - Things with wings
Tinker-Dream - Sewing (Mug Mat)

Back soon
Cxxx

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Crafter's Companion October Challenge - Buttons and Bows

Hello!! It's challenge time again over at Crafter's Companion. The theme is Buttons and Bows - so we would like to see your projects using Buttons and Bows!!

There's a slight change to the rules from this month forwards. To enter for the Random Prize Draw, all you need to do is follow the theme - you do not necessarily need to use Crafter's Companion products.
To also be in with a chance of Card of the Month or Top 3, then you will need to use CC products - so the choice is up to you. 

I have made a little canvas using bits and bobs from the Vintage Floral CD. It is fast becoming my favourite CC CD!!! 
I started with a 5x7 canvas - and one of those little square deep ones - and painted both with Pebeo Antique White paint. I printed one of the papers from the CD onto CC's Printable Parchment Paper, and used Mod Podge to apply it to both of the canvases. 

The collage effect is created from elements of the Ephemera section - including the Buttons and Bows - again printed onto Parchment paper and applied using Mod Podge. To keep with the Vintage feel, I printed the sentiment and paper bow onto Neenah Desert Storm. 

A little bit of Colall Tacky Glue dotted around provided the adhesion for Stampendous Frantage Colour Fragments in Rose and Taupe. The buttons, ribbon, pearl and paper flower are from my stash. The flower was cream - so I grunged it up with Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick and Forest Moss DI.

Don't forget you have until the end of the month to get your entries in here!! We look forward to seeing your creations!!

Back soon!

Cxxx