Facebook Giveaway to Celebrate the Reopening of Clare Curd Crafts! 5 Sep 2016 5:09 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there everyone!

Did you know that Clare Curd Crafts is having a fantastic relaunch and is re-opening on the

9th September at 10am!

to celebrate this, I am having a Facebook giveaway.

Over £58.00 of goodies to be won!

New Crystallised Berry Stamens from Clare Curd Crafts!

Paper Roses, New Sparkle Organza Ribbon and Dew Drops from Clare Curd Crafts!

Beautiful NEW Pearl Strings and Buttons from Clare Curd Crafts

Beautiful Glittery and glossed papers from Best Creations and stamps from Kanban

Foiled Messages from Craftwork Cards!

Journal and Snippets from BasicGrey!

Angelica CD Rom from Crafter's Companion!

Decoupage from Anita's!

To be in with a chance to win, visit Clare Curd Crafts Facebook page and follow the instructions!

Good Luck!

My Sneeky Peeky post for My Mum's Craft Shop 9 Aug 2016 12:08 PM (8 years ago)

Hi there,

It's my turn again today for my card to be featured on the blog for My Mum's Craft Shop, Using the Beautiful day stamp set from Altenew. I love this stamp set, I can't remember the last time I used a stamp set so often and got a different look every time.

Anyway, why not pop over to the My Mum's craft shop blog to have a full frontal look and see what else is going on there!

Sneaky peak of Tomorrow's Card for the Craftwork Cards Blog! 4 Aug 2016 7:51 AM (8 years ago)

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to take a few minutes to share a sneaky peek of the card I've made to share with you over on the Craftwork Cards blog tomorrow at 10am. Yes, it's Christmas!!!

And by the magic of the internet and the ability to schedule posts, I'll be live on Create and Craft at the same time at 10am and then again at 4pm with two brand new kits from Craftwork Cards. These are called 'Antiqued' and 'Chinoiserie' and are the first collections designed by Chloe who joined Craftwork cards in March of this year. They are absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to share them with you, along with the cards and projects created by myself and our wonderful design team!

News about my online shop! 4 Aug 2016 6:51 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there!

I haven't been on here for a while, and I have no excuse other than I've been very busy. I usually wish and wish that I could post on here more, but it always seem to end up at the bottom of my list of priorities, under 'sleep' and so usually I never get around to it, such my need and drive for sleep!

Anyhoo, at the moment I'm in the process of stocking taking my online craft shop Clare Curd Crafts, which is closed at the moment, and that's involved finding loads of things that hadn't even made it onto the website. So I'm in the process of uploading those as well as sourcing new products from overseas, and also revamping the look of the online shop too! A change is as good as a rest so they say! I do hope you'll pop along to have a look when it re-opens with a brand new look, I don't exactly know when this will be as it's just little old me having to do everything (and I'm no IT whizz), but if you sign up for our newsletter I'm sure to send one out a few days before we re-open. And you don't want to miss out on 30% off everything in store for a limited time do you?!

Another Beautiful Day and Exciting News! 5 Jul 2016 4:26 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there,

It's my turn again on the My Mum's Craft Shop DT! I would love you to go and have a look at what I've made! Here's a sneaky peek. Why not go and have a look at the whole thing here!

On another note, my online shop - Clare Curd Crafts will hopefully be re-opening on the

16th July!

so if you would like to be kept up to date with what's happening there, please click here to sign up for our newsletter!

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My Mum's Craft Shop - I Wish You a Beautiful Day! 21 Jun 2016 9:17 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there everyone! Clare here again with my DT card for My Mum's Craft Shop! It would be great if you could visit the My Mum's craft shop blog and leave a comment there too if you have the time!

I really hope you don't mind but again I have used the Fantastic Beautiful Day Stamp Set from Altenew, along with Kuretake Gansi Tambi Watercolours. I have the full 36 colour set, as I always regret it if I go for the smaller packs of anything and wish I had just gone for them all.

This card was so easy and enjoyable to do! I cut watercolour paper to fit a 5 x 5 card blank with a border, stamped around the edge in white using the rose outline stamp and heat embossed using white embossing powder ( I use WOW! bright white opaque regular. Then I took colour from the Gansi watercolouring using a water brush and added colour to the flowers. I wanted a sketched result so wasn't too careful where the paint went. I added shading by just using less water. Then I used the silver watercolour to add a pearlescent effect to the petals.

Finally I stamped the greeting from the set with Versafine onyx black ink to the centre of the square. i matted this onto black cardstock and fixed to my card blank using 3D foam pads. I added black pearls to the corners and there we have it!

Supplies Used:

Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set

Kuretake Gansi Tambi Watercolours

Waterbrush

White Pigment Ink (I used Hero arts Unicorn)

White embossing powder (WOW! bright white opaque regular)

Watercolour Paper

Versafine Onyx Black Ink

black cardstock

5 x 5in white card blank

Black pearls.

Altemew Beautiful Day Stamps from My Mum's Craft Shop! 7 Jun 2016 1:12 AM (8 years ago)

Hi Everyone,

Today is the day of my First post on the DT for My Mum's Craft Shop! I'm super excited to share with you a card I made with Altenew's Beautiful Day stamp set and red cosmos inks. I need to get my hands on the green cubes too but for now I had to do with Distress inks and a Stampin' up dye ink. They are both GREAT but with the Altenew inks you just know that are going to work so well together and compliment one another.

Here's a Sneaky peek of the card I made and I would LOVE you to go and have a closer look at it on the MMCS blog!

Thanks for coming to see me today! xx

Exciting News! 25 May 2016 5:43 AM (8 years ago)

Hi Everyone!

Where does the time go? It was the end of April that I last posted on my blog and it feels as though it was just yesterday. It really is scary where the days go.

I have some great news! In addition to working with Craftwork Cards, designing and presenting for them on Create and Craft, I will now be joining the 'My Mum's Craft shop' DT. I just love their range of stamps and dies so I'm looking forward to it so much.

My first post for them will be on their blog on the 7th June, so look out for some sneaky peeks around that time on here soon.

In the meantime, I'm trying to get our house sorted tidy and decluttered so wish me luck, I'm going to need it!

My First Craftwork Cards Online Craft Class is Live Tonight! 29 Apr 2016 4:20 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there everyone!

How are things with you? The weather here is so changeable! One minute it's sunny and the next it's blowing a gale and hailing!

Tonight is the first Online Craft Class with Clare on the Craftworks Card blog! This will start at 7pm and there will be posts every 30 minutes with the last post at 9pm. There will be step by step photographs along the way and we would love to see what you make!

Here's a sneaky peek of what you will be creating!

If you would like to know more about the class, click here and there's also details of what you will need so you can get everything gathered, and instructions on how to shut the world out and give you two hours of peace and quiet. Sorry, only joking, I'm not a miracle worker!

Hope to see you there!

Desk Tidy Bin and Pin Cushion 27 Apr 2016 5:55 AM (8 years ago)

Hi Everyone!

Today I thought I'd share something completely different with you! I had a day off prepping for shows on Monday so thought I would do some sewing. I haven't done any for ages so I had to scrabble around to find everything, particularly material!

I had wanted to make a desk tidy bin for ages, but never had the time to get around to it, so this was my opportunity. Because I'm not experienced at sewing I had a look on the internet for a pattern to use and I found this one from Etsy.

It was really easy to make once I got used to the way the pattern was written, and surprisingly it used only a small amount of material. I decided to make two at the same time as I had my machine out, so why not!

The material is from Ikea (you see, good for furniture, storage AND material!) and it was a small piece I had so I must've got from the off cuts section. I used a neutral colour for the lining, and I used ribbon for the strips that hold the bag to the pin cushion.

The pin cushion is filled with rice (pudding rice) to be exact, and is a good weight to hold it on my desk.

I'll use it for scraps of paper and my backings from double sided tape etc for when I can't be bothered to turn around and throw bits in the bin on an ad hoc basis.

I can see me making many of these :) when I have time of course!

My New Craft Room - Part 2. 26 Apr 2016 1:00 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there everyone,

I hope you enjoyed seeing part 1 of my craft room tour yesterday. Here's the rest.

Underneath the worktop height area are my expedite shelving and I used two of the spaces for A4 paper separators. These are from...you guessed it...Ikea. Here is have my watercolour and linen cardstock, coloured A4 cardstock, kraft cardstock, white and black cardstock.

Just underneath my worktop I have three paper trays, one is for copy paper, one for craftwork cards digital paper and one for stamping cardstock.

This is my stamping and circuit cartridge area. I hardly use the circuit cartridges as I tend to just use the cuts digitally available on the Cricut design studio, but they are there like a comfort blanket if ever I need them. The next shelf up is some of my clear stamps. they are rammed in like a good 'un. I have tried to classify these and not done too badly. next shelf up is my very small collection of wood mounted stamps. At one time I had over 600 of this type of stamp but no where to store them, and they were very rarely used as they couldn't be seen. So they had to have a cull, and I just kept my most versatile and favourite ones. I also use a two tier cake stand to store my colour sprays and distress stains. Top shelf is masks (in a recipe flip book), my stampin'up stamps, and again more clear stamps!

These four shelves house my collection of more ribbon, paper pads, 12 x 12 paper and cardstock, stickers (alphabet etc) in the green spined book, stationery, and miscellaneous stuff. There is also my jewellery making goodies on here too.

Finally, there is the last shelving unit. In the drawers is my stash of wool, and then there's my stash of biscuits, most haunted DVD's four red folders with even more stamps, notebooks, magazines and various books. I also have a masshouive collection of 12 x 12 patterned papers and cardstock down the side, which I'm thinking of moving as it's very hard to get to, probably to the centre of the run. Down the side of these are boxes in numerous sizes in case I ever need a box to send samples etc anywhere. On the stand is some of my sizzix big dies, embossing folders and some of my less used metal dies.

Well I really hope you have enjoyed the tour of my craft studio. I now it will probably change numerous times ad infinitum but I love it up there. My crafty haven!

My New Craft Studio - Part 1! 25 Apr 2016 3:00 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there everyone!

Today I thought I would share with you my new craft studio. This was built May/June of last year and I have been working in it since probably October/November of 2015 and I LOVE IT! It is my own little haven of craftiness that I can take myself to on a daily basis and get away from people, mess and just be at one with my inkiness.

In a previous post I wrote about having the craft studio built and you can read more about this here. At the end of that post I was waiting for the interior to be insulated, plasterboarded and painted and Peter was in the process of putting the internet up there. We also still had a bit of painting to do on the balustrades. Well not much has changed on the outside re: the painting, but wow! has it changed on the inside like you wouldn't believe!

As you can see I still need to paint the veranda balustrades but I just knew that once I got the inside to the point that I could actually start getting my stuff into there I wouldn't be interested in painting! Having said that I promise that the first good few days of weather I'll be doing this then the painting is finished. We have also planted a few roses and bedding plants to the front of the craft studio to make it look pretty.

Mr. P has also put up my 'We Can do it' metal sign. it's a bit chilly for it at present but it's a lovely place to sit out of an evening and enjoy the garden and sun set.

My bunny planter doubles as a door stop on the entrance to the studio. The double doors are great for when I have lots to get in and out.

The first thing you get to as you walk through the doors is this view. Yes! Mr. P has finished the lighting and all the plastering and painting has been completed. We might paint the end eaves white but the middle ceiling beam will be yacht varnished. I had a worktop fitted as a desk and then stepped up to worktop height (which you will see better on later photos. I got the higher shelves with the jars on for my buttons and flowers from Ikea. And don't you just love the light shade? Also from Ikea.

On the back wall is the main bulk of my crafty stuff. Nuff said

Underneath the worktop height area is the classic crafter's friend - the expedit shelving unit, now renames as Kalax. I also have the new favourite for Crafters - the Raskog trolley, in my fave colour. I have two of these as I couldn't resist. More on these later.

This is to the left of the door. Again I have Expedit shelving. the top boxes in these are turquoise material and the bottom are white plastic - very sturdy. Here I keep my kettle, coffee. You know -the essentials. I have no running water so I fill my kettle each morning and refill whenever needed. I do have a mini fridge to keep my milk cold though. I have my sewing machine on here (in the centre).

The two boards either side of the window are my magnetic boards for the main dies I use regularly. There is also a couple of ribbon holders on the side of the cupboard to the left of the picture which is just the tip of the iceberg. I love ribbon.

Here is the first of my Raskog Trolleys. This one is my stamping trolley. The top tier has my acrylic blocks, misti, stamp scrubbers, baby wipes and also holds pots for my brushes brayers, pens, scissors etc. The second tier holds various inks and embossing powders, and the bottom tier holds my gilding flakes, acrylic paints, masking fluids. It's brilliant, I can just wheel it to my desk when I need it.

This is the raised worktp height area. I just love how Darren (the carpenter I used to fit it for me) has managed to step up from the desk to the worktop so neatly. To the left of the picture are my Stampin' up inks and distress inks, then theres my pro markers next to that. This is where I keep my A4 guillotine too.

This is on the other side of the craft studio. On top of the unit (again Ikea) is my Minc machine and my laser printer. Underneath this is my Cricut Explore and Silhouette Cameo. I have drilled holes into the back of the unit to allow me to put my leads etc through to keep everything neat. And yes there is room for 2 electronic die cutting machines in my life!

Underneath these are just some of my stamps. I love stamps. Can't get enough of stamps. There are 4 drawers of stamps all in CD cases in these drawers. I think there's about 350 CD cases in these drawers. My other stamps are stored in other areas. More on that later.

Then I have my collection of bins These are labelled (I used vinyl with my Silhouette Machine) as general waste, cardboard and plastic. I'm going to change the plastic one to paper, as where we live the cardboard and plastic go in the same recycling bin. Duh! On top of that is my ink jet printer I use the laser jet for my Minc machine (which I've only really just got) and the ink jet for my Craftwork Cards USB printing).

Here is the second Raskog trolley. I don't use this to the best of my ability but I like my 'hack'. I fitted the top tier upside-down so I could use it to hold my Big Shot Plus. The next tier has cardstock in a rainbow of colours cut to A5 size and my Craftwork Cards Candi, and the bottom tier has numerous tools. hot glue gun, corner chomper, crop a dile etc.

The drawers to the left hold my glues, foam pads and less used tools, adhesive gems, circle cutter, rulers, ribbon (yes more ribbon), and the bottom drawer is batteries, cameras chargers etc etc.I use those removeable hooks for my heat tool and hot glue gun so they are always to hand.

This is the 'flight deck' of the whole room. My lovely desk! e had a satellite dish fitted to the studio so I could get TV as an ariel wouldn't work due to the trees that surround the studio. I also had a freesat box too so it made use of that. The TV also has a DVD player so I can have films on in the background when I'm crafting. hen there's my computer. In the end we didn't use ethernet cable (Peter accidentally cut it short by about 5 metres, the studio is 100 metres from the house!), we got a contraption that you plug into your router in the house and an electric socket, then another plug goes in a electric socket where you want the internet. This then plugs into your computer and hey presto! It's great - fast enough to watch videos and most importantly speak to Sheila Halliwell, my best friend on Whatsapp! What more could a girl ask for!

Next to that is my stand I got from Ebay. Still a lot of space for things! I use this for my stickles glue, re-inkers and alcohol inks.

I have two A3 craft mats. One on the black side (inches) and one on the white side (Cm's) this allows me have both forms of measurement to hand. If I'm working with white card I work on the black mat and if I'm working on black card or dark colours I use the white mat. it works really well. under this is a plastic clear mat from ikea. It's meant to be a desk protector, but I use it to put inks on and it protects my surfaces.

I have a shelf (Ikea, are you noticing a pattern here?) that stores my nice things including photos of me and Peter, my teddy my son Joe bought for me with his hard earned money for Mother's Day, my alien from Disney World, My mini me Michael Jackson . I also use the removable hooks for my scissors. I have a different pair for paper and ribbon.

Wow! This is a long post! I will show you part two tomorrow!

All Change Please! 24 Apr 2016 11:42 AM (8 years ago)

Hi there,

I really hope this post finds you well and enjoying the brighter weather we seem to be having each day.

Since I last posted there have, yet again been some drastic changes to my life! I was working at Wren (they are an East Yorkshire kitchen bedroom and bathroom manufacturer), living with Peter, Joe, two greyhounds and two cats and generally enjoying life. even though I was happy, I was having pangs of regret about letting my crafting career slip, and especially as I had just had built and amazing craft haven at the top of the garden, and I really wanted to get back into it as a career, but I really thought those days were behind me. I remember saying to my best friend Sheila 'What can I do? I just maybe better forget it!'

Then, one day, out of the blue I received an email from Sue Taylor. I was sat on the sofa casually checking my emails and within a few seconds of receiving this email you could have knocked me over with a feather! Literally. It was a good job that I was sat down or I would've fallen down. It was like I had quietly asked and Sue had answered. A few emails back and forth, and a couple of meetings later, and I was the New Starter at Craftwork Cards. I believed in fate and destiny before, but boy! did this cement my beliefs!

When I looked into it, it had been 3 years - 3 years since I last appeared on Create and Craft, but with Julie's help it was like coming home. everyone has made me feel so welcome to join the Craftwork Cards Clan It's truly an honor and a pleasure to be working for such an esteemed high quality craft brand, and with such wonderful people.

Its been 2 months since my first shows representing craftwork cards and it's only now that I have had a chance to write this and update my blog. What a whirlwind it's been. It's like Fate said to me "c'mon kid, you asked so I answered. Now buckle up cos this i going to be the fastest ride you've ever been on!"

So let's cut to now. So it's not too boring. I don't want you falling asleep, then waking up at 3am with dribble down your chin and you blaming me for your wasted evening.

Every Friday at 10m n the Craftwork Cards Blog I feature a card I have made. It's called 'Craftwork Cards makes with Clare' - Catchy eh? On the last Friday of every month I hold an online class. A couple of weeks before I will put a list of what's required for you to make the card and then on the night at 7.30pm the first step of the project (along with pictures) will be posted. You can join in and make the project as I will post another step and picture every 30 minutes. Then it's your opportunity to post what you have made and leave a comment for everyone to view your masterpiece.

I've recently done a couple of shows with the Chambray and Lace and Vintage backgrounds paper pads and 'Say it with Words' Chalkboard and Finesse pads and so I thought I would share with you just a couple of the projects I made with these brilliant kits.

This card uses the 6x6 Kraft card blanks. I cut up the finesse word panel for a different look. I also added Stardust stickers glitter to the letters and added handwritten lettering to the Kraft candi. The rose panel at the bottom is the off cut from the finesse word panel which I colored in with pro markers.

On the next card I embossed the paper from the Vintage paper pack and sanded it back to give a distressed look. I then added a little lacy ribbon and again cut around the chalkboard panel.

I really hope you like these cards.

I've also just completed a couple of shows on Create and Craft using the brand new collection from Craftwork Cards called 'Fabulous Fashionista' and let me tell you, it really is fabulous! Everything in the collection is just to die for! It's just so sophisticated and classy! I'll be sure to post a couple of my projects on here very soon.

Tomorrow I thought I'd share my new Craft Studio with you in all it's glory! Thanks for stopping by!

Another day, another card 19 Jan 2016 3:10 PM (9 years ago)

Hello,

I could get back into this blogging lark quite easily, although I butternut speak too soon,

Just a quick card for you tonight. Again made with the My Mind's eye Lost and Found 3 Ruby collection. I love the colours in this collection.

The doilys and text icon are from the sticker sheet that coordinate with the range. add a little ribbon and a little inking around the edges and this makes a perfect card to maybe thank someone for their invitation to a wedding or just a good day spent with friends.

I told you I liked Butterflies - Home decor. 17 Jan 2016 3:03 PM (9 years ago)

Something different to a card today!

One day I wanted to make some thing different to a card, and so using papercrafts on nylon lampshades came into my life.

Most of these flowers started their life on my Silhouette Cameo machine. I cut the flowers in different sizes from patterned paper which instantly gave them life, them inked the edges and added shape and pearls to really make them 'breathe'. I also cut leaves and stems from Co'ordinations cardstock, and of course had to use butterflies in different sizes. My Love for Butterflies continued.

The lampshades I used are nylon, they are more expensive than paper ones (but not not considerably more) and being nylon I knew they would be more robust and hardwearing. They would withstand the use of hot glue to fix the flowers onto the shade and also last a lot longer.

These items weren't a quick make, the flowers took quite a while, but I would cut a lot of flowers stems and butterflies in different sizes and then ink, shape and build at the same time, I then had a bank of flowers to use whenever I needed some. Nad if course if ever I needed flowers for a 3D card they were there for that too.

I really hope you like these lampshades. Perfect for a little girl's room I hope you'll agree.

Join me again for another make soon.

Love is like a Butterfly 16 Jan 2016 2:50 PM (9 years ago)

Hi there,

Isn't it funny how tastes change.

When I started crafting I really didn't like using butterflies on my projects. Not because I have a phobia to them or an inherent dislike to them, but just because I just didn't 'get' it.

Then, all of a sudden I did. I liked using them and really couldn't get enough. Now I think I have this down to a healthy balance of butterfly love.

Again made with the My Minds Eye Lost and Found 3 Ruby collection, The butterfly is from their sticker sheet, as is the pink doily like sticker that forms the main focal point of the card. A little ribbon and glitter stickers finishes the card.

The sticker sheets are great for those quick cards when you realise "Oh poop, I forgot to send great Aunt Gertrude a card again to thank her for that present at Christmas!"

Back on Monday with yet another card, I could get used to this!

The best things in life... 14 Jan 2016 3:17 PM (9 years ago)

Good Evening all,

I hope this post finds you well.

I love those cards that have that eclectic vibe to them and come together eclectically too. This was one such card.

I made some flowers (just playing about as you do) and before I knew it I was making a card to put them on. You know how it happens, you stumble upon some papers, think 'ooh they look nice, I wonder what they would look like if I made something with them.' So you make something (In this case, flowers) and then as you're making them you almost see a card developing in your head. A few die cut circles and edging and a stamped butterfly with some inking later and a card is created.

My Mind's Eye did have a part to play in the creation of this card yet again, and I think the butterfly is a docrafts Urban Stamp. I hope you like!

Must see New York! 14 Jan 2016 2:36 PM (9 years ago)

Howdy Folks!

Not something they would say in New York I'm sure!

I love New York. Well I do now. I visited back in 2002 and when we first arrived there I hated it. Nearly got run over by a yellow taxi near Grand Central Station on our first night and something like that sticks in your mind as not one of the best holiday memories. Anyway, over the week I warmed to the cosmopolitan lull of the city and also the nonchalance and sometimes rudeness of most of it's residents (who let's all be honest are just trying to get to work and probably are fed up with someone oohing and ahhing at the big buildings getting in their way).

By the end of the holiday I didn't want to leave and was lucky enough to go back on 2013 when visiting a friend from the UK that was living in the US of A due to her husband's job. We had three nights in New York and again it didn't disappoint.

One of the souvenirs I brought back was a calendar, and when it had served it's purpose I couldn't bear to just discard it. I bought it because I loved the images that reminded me of those old posters that can now be purchased so one of the images became repurposed and rejuvenated into a reason to make a card!

I used papers from the My Mind's Eye 'Lost and Found 3 Ruby' Collection, along with some real stamps and other embellishments. The punch that makes the note book torn edge is from Stampin' Up. Boy, I love that punch, but can I find it for the life of me since my house move? Can I? No I can't.

A simple card 'just because...I hope you like it.

Another card on Saturday!

Well it's about time... 12 Jan 2016 2:21 PM (9 years ago)

That I update this old blog.

Now that my craft studio that is really 'the posh shed at the bottom of the garden' is oh so nearly finished, I truly am trying to get back onto crafting in a major way. And at the moment that's not so easy.

You see, when there's a cosy fire with a cat hell bent on sitting on your knee in the house and the craft studio is at least a 30 second walk away in the freezing cold with an equally freezing interior for at least 10 minutes until the electric radiator warms the air, it takes the will power of the strongest person to make it out and up there.

However, up there I will, and I'm sure it will be easier in the summer with lighter evenings and the like.

'Till then I'll share with you some of my most recent projects (probably made a good few months ago) that have never made it onto my blog. I'll share one every other day for the next few days. Space 'em out. You know, make them go further...

I made this card for one of my friends at the local drama group that I'm a member of. Obviously she wanted a special card for a special birthday and I think she thought this fitted the bill perfectly. I made the pink flowers and stems with a die and added paper flowers. The frame was die cut from Core'diations Whitewash paper and sanded back to add definition. I created the text on my computer. of course I had to make a box to fit this card in which I made with my Scorepal.

So, still sat here in front of the real fire with a cat sat on my arm whilst I TRY and type, don't think I'm going to make it up there tonight. It being past 11pm and all...Maybe tomorrow.

Well I think it's time... 30 Jul 2015 1:11 PM (9 years ago)

...to give this blog a little resuscitation and revival! It's been far too long.

Far too long since I properly crafted, made anything, blogged, had a life...the lot!

So a quick whizz around my life to bring you up to date...

I got divorced in February 2013, more about that here. David and I are still good friends, we lend each other things {well actually, I borrow a lot and he lends!}, and talk about our current relationships, which I must admit is a bit weird but I can handle it :)

Joe is now 10 years old, and we are best friends I hope that doesn't change. I hope forever and a day that he feels able to tell me everything. Well, almost everything!

I am with Peter, it's been a bumpy old ride, I've been with his for about 3 years now. We did split in October 2014 but of course he realised he couldn't give me up {ha ha} and I moved in with him in May of this year. Now believe me, moving two houses into one has been no mean feat, and I think we will be topsy turvy for quite a while, but we'll get there.

I was working as the Assistant Manager of a Brewers Fayre in Cleethorpes, which kept me busy, very busy! So busy that I never got to do any crafting, socialist, see Joe very much or have a life! So Tuesday was my last shift where I hung up my Manager's apron {Hypothetically, I didn't actually wear an apron}, said a tearful goodbye to my colleagues to start a new job in a couple of weeks which is 9-5 Monday to Friday. Yes I'm doing a Dolly Parton!

Which brings me to present day. I'm having a craft room constructed at the end of the garden {and believe me it's a pretty long garden, about 100 meters}. We decided that there wasn't a room big enough to hold all my craft stuff, even though I had had a good clear out before I moved! My online craft shop is on holiday at the moment whilst everything is inaccessible at the back of our garage, and I need room for that too. So a dream was born. To be able to build my own craft haven really is a dream come true for me.

And so it began. We visited Kirton Sectional Buildings and created a bespoke Craft Studio you might say, from two of their summer houses combined to make the most ideal space. We added a window and turned from from portrait to landscape giving 1 window to the front aspect and one at each end. We moved the double door to the left from the centre and added a veranda too. It's made from heavy duty timber with a Onduline roof that's virtually maintenance free, and has double glazed windows, door, and also gutters and downpipes. It really is gorgeous!

We had to have a concrete base laid for the foundations of the studio and we also decided to add a small path to the front of the studio too. Then about a week later they came to build the studio, which is included in the cost.

It has a lovely wooden floor too which will help to keep the studio warm and cosy in the winter months. This was the craft studio that evening with the building all finished but still lots to do.

Then we started painting and it had to be my favourite colour of all time - sea grass/turquoise in two different shades. I used the Valspar range for exterior wood available from B & Q as I had used this in Joe's new room and it was so lovely to use. I used the colours Zen on the main panels and blown glass on the balustrades and around the windows and doors. Here's Mr. P helping me paint...

and here he is posing with his electrics!

and this is it so far. I still have to paint one side and the ballustrades of the veranda but the weather has been very rainy. There is still yellow masking tape around the windows as I have to do another coat around them too.

Today Peter is in the process of putting internet up there so I can use my computer etc. And then we wait for the plasterer who is coming to insulate, plasterboard, plaster and paint the interior before I can work my magic. I can't wait. I have so much planned that I would like to do.

That's all for now. I'll never leave so long next time.

Daily Inspiration...iAppreciate You! 8 Apr 2014 1:59 AM (11 years ago)

Good Morning All!

Thanks for joining me today. I wonder what kind of weather today will bring, it just doesn't seem to be able decide what to do with itself at the moment. Whatever it brings I have been given strict orders from my GP to relax and take things easy as I'm still not eating at all well after my bowel op and have the energy of a sloth!

This was a card I was asked to make for someone at work. I usually ask people what the recipients hobbies and likes are, and the answer I got was 'Do you have anything showing a lady on the sofa with an iPad, as that's all my mum seems to do!'

With this in mind I looked everywhere and could find nothing that even resembled this request (which frankly I was surprised about!), but then I remembered that there is a very talented guy at work who is amazing at art and drawing. I asked him if he could draw 'a lady on a sofa with an iPad' and he did just that! I scanned this into my computer, fiddled with it, got it the right size, and printed out onto Aspire Crafts Crafting Card and voila! The lad who ordered it from me for Mother's Day was really chuffed with it!

Because this was essentially a digi stamp, I printed the image onto the craft Card, then onto patterned paper from My Mind's Eye Then & Now 'Dorothy' Paper Pad and paper pieced the image. I then printed out the image yet again onto crafting card, coloured the lady with Distress markers, then decupaged. The iPad itself is coloured with a souflee grey sakura pen.

I printed the greeting using 'Teletype' font.

Supplies used from Clare Curd Crafts!: Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Markers; MME Then & Now Dorothy 6 x 6 paper pad; CCC Ravishing Ribbon in Burgundy - 25mm and 10mm

I really hope you like this card as much as I enjoyed making it. Thanks for visiting me today! xx

Daily Inspiration...Distressed Panel 7 Apr 2014 8:05 AM (11 years ago)

Good Afternoon everyone!

Thanks for joining me today for some 'Daily Inspiration!'

This is a card I made for my mum. She was having a cataract operation and being an hour and a half away from where they live, and working too I couldn't visit. So I decided I would make her a card to show I was thinking of her.

I saw this card on Pinterest, and couldn't resist making my own version. I loved it so much, and I must admit that it came out pretty much like the original!

I think this card design is perfect for lots of different occasions, just changing the sentiment, and maybe color scheme will suffice!

I created the panel by stamping the agapanthus head with white ink and embossed with white powder. Then I added Worn Lipstick and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks to the panel using my blending tool. I then spritzed the panel with Docrafts Artiste gold spritzing ink. Pearls from my stash and burnt gold sequins purchased from The Range were added.

If Pinterest is anything to go by, I have really noticed that vellum is on a comeback with a vengeance, and I think it works great when used as a panel for greetings!

I used a greeting stamp from my stash (I think it's Hero Arts), and stamped with Versamark. Then I dusted with gold lustre powder from the Mica Powder Set 1 from CleverCut. I secured this to the card by cutting into the spine of the card and folding around, then adding a piece of card to cover the workings!

Supplies from Clare Curd Crafts!

Ranger Distress Inks in Spiced Marmalade and Worn Lipstick

I hope you enjoyed visiting today... I'll be back tomorrow with another card! x

New Teresa Collins 2014 Collections added to Clare Curd Crafts! 3 Apr 2014 11:37 AM (11 years ago)

Good Evening All!

I'm so excited about the NEW Teresa Collins Collections, that I wanted to take a few minutes from watching a movie with Joe to show you why! The reason is they're simply stunning and they're now in stock at Clare Curd Crafts!

First up is...

A fresh and clean collection that's great for cards, scrapbooks, journalling, ATC's, project life...in fact for all types of crafting! I think that's why I love it so much. In stock I have the 6 x 6 paper pack, 12 x 12 chipboard elements (2 sheets of 6 x 12), decorative and word stickers, chipboard buttons and brads, stamps, decorative enamel dots and shapes, ephemera pack, gems, file folders and layered butterflies. There's something to love for all in this collection!

Find more inspiration from Daily Stories Collection from the Teresa Collins Design Team here

Next is...

Initially, you (or rather I, for I can only speak for myself!) think about wedding scrapbooks and the like, but there's much more life than just nuptials in this collection! Simply stunning colours are put together to celebrate life and love of all kinds!

In stock are 6 x 6 paper packs, 12 x 12 chipboard elements (2 sheets of 6 x 12), decorative and word stickers, chipboard buttons and brads, stamps, decorative enamel dots and shapes, ephemera pack, gems, and file folders.

Find more inspiration from hello my name is Collection from the Teresa Collins Design Team here

Finally we have...

I've been really hard pushed to choose a favourite from this release of TC, but I think winning by a nat's hair is 'Hello my name is'. I think it's the combination of kraft colours together with burgundy and black. Again, the versatility of this collection shines through as it's suitable for all occasions and projects!

Unless I have already claimed them as mine, in stock are 6 x 6 paper packs, 12 x 12 chipboard elements (2 sheets of 6 x 12), decorative and word stickers, chipboard buttons and brads, stamps, decorative enamel dots and shapes, ephemera pack, gems, and file folders.

Find more inspiration from Save the Date Collection from the Teresa Collins Design Team here

I hope you're as stunned with the collections as I am, I can't wait to use them to see what they can do! I'll be sharing my results on here of course!

Watch This Space...! 29 Mar 2014 4:04 PM (11 years ago)

Good Evening One and All!

A you might notice, there has been a few changes to my blog. A little revamp, a little tweaking... a change is as good as a rest so they say.

There has been a few additions to my sidebar, and soon, starting ~~April 1st~~...... Whoops! I meant May 1st - I have to get myself organized!....you will find little gems of inspiration, techniques, news and videos hidden behind these images. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I am looking forward to making and producing them.

So it's time to rip off those dust sheets from a long neglected blog, give it a good ol' spring clean and start a-fresh.

And I can't wait! x

40% Off Sale now on at Clare Curd Crafts! 3 Jan 2014 5:43 AM (11 years ago)

40% Off sale NOW ON at Clare Curd Crafts. Click on the picture to go straight to where it's happening. Goodies selling out fast!

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