Card Swap

Isn't this card just gorgeous?

It's a pocket card.

I received it from Sheena (Thank You Sheena :0) from the recent card swap I organised and I just love it - it is so cute! I'm always behind and haven't made mine yet so will have to get a move on tonight. You had to make and send a Thank You card using a Pollycraft design to another member of the swap.

There was only 5 members in this little swap but I hope you all enjoyed making a card for someone else. It let's use share ideas and creativity from othre s and sometimes we can learn ways of crafting. I've never made a pocket card before but look forward to trying one.

Emma at Rainy Days is contemplating a card swap after she is back from holiday (sometime in Aug), so if you want to take part, keep an eye out on her blog.

hugs


Tracey

Treasure Tins

I made these two tins a short while ago to sell at a craft fair but couldn't really part with them cause they are so cute - although they're just sitting about the house doing nothing.

The designs are from a company called Daisie Company. They have lots of different types of downloadable projects like, tins, cards, snowman soup etc, so if you are sometime lacking in creativity (like me) its a great place to shop.

Thanks for visiting.................. hugs

Tracey

It runs in the family.............

it appears I have a budding successor. My daughter Cali has just started a blog, Cali's Crafty Creations. It is so that she can show off her own cards and things she makes.

She made a card for her first challenge at Crafty Monkeys this week on the theme of Summertime. I'm really proud of her and think she has made a great job of her card, but I'm her mum so I suppose I'm a bit biased, LOL!

I think Crafty Monkeys is a fantastic blog, with challenges designed just for children by children. Well done, Zoe & Hannah! I just hope it can be restricted to children and no adults try to take advantage but submitting cards themselves.

Be sure to pop by Cali's blog and leave a comment, I sure she'll appreciate it.

Introducing Mr Chilly

Now, I'm not much of a painter. And I'm not very good at watercolouring stamped images either. But I looked at this boring brown plant pot that was lying about and decided to give it a "lick of paint".

This is what it ended up looking like.

I think I'll probably use it for putting swweties in at Christmas.

Any other ideas as to what I could use it for, (beside the obvious - a plant, I managed to think that one out myself) would be most appreciated.

Quick Card

Not had a lot of time to make cards this week... but here's a quick handbags card I made.

Inside -

Altered items....

Do you like recycling? When you're a crafter - you never throw anything away, right? You start altering items like books and notepad, then your hooked at altering and never look at anything the same way again.

Take these altered syrup tins, for example: a few bits of scrap paper, some ribbon etc, and you have some handy decorated pen pots

Tracey

TUTORIAL - Water Slip Decals

Here goes, my first tutorial (as requested by Emma).

You will need:

• PC and Printer
• Graphics program (although you could use Word, using the drawing toolbar)
• Inkjet or Laser Water-slide Decal Paper (depending on what type of printer you have)
• Spray Acrylic Varnish
• Bowl of water
• Dry cloth or small squeege
• Item that you are placing the decal on (I used plates, see earlier post - but you can use these on soap, candles, glass, wood and so much more)

1. First you need to work out the size of image you are going to use. Measure out on the item to make sure you don't create anything too big or too small.


2. Print out you design on to the shiny side of the decal paper, just as normal - no need to change any of your printer settings.


3. Leave the design to dry for at least 30 mins.


4. Spray 3 thin coats of acrylic varnish over the design to make sure the ink is sealed onto the decal paper. Less is more at this stage. If you use too much varnish the decal will become hard and not work properly.


5. Once dry (time can vary) cut around the design with craft knife or scissors.


6. Place cut out decal in bowl of water for upto 30 seconds. gently feel the decal between your fingers. If you can feel the backing paper slipping then the decal is ready to use.


7. Shake off the excess water and get ready to gently apply onto surface of the item you are decorating.


8. Put one end down first and gently tease the backing paper from underneath, away from the end you placed down.


9. Smooth over the decal with a dry lint free cloth to smooth away any air bubbles.


10. Leave to dry for 24hrs then varnish for extra protection.

TAA DAH ! Here's one I made earlier

I get my supplies at www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk - check them out they have everything. And a fab video tutorial if mine is rubbish!

Tracey

Polly - What a cracker.........

Do you love Pollycraft Designs? Well, I know Emma and I certainly do, along with lots of other crafters.

Tonight is the launch night of Emma's 2nd blog Pollycraft Creations.

Can't wait to see all your fantastic designs Paula on Emm's fantastic cards. If anyone likes Paula's design and used them on cards, altered art or anything please be sure to visit Pollycraft Creations and Pollycraft Designs.


Tracey

Are you dancing? Are you asking?

Once upon a long time ago, when I had a social life, before marriage, children, pets, housework - the list is endlist. I used to like going out and having a wee boogie. But this is the naughties and it's terrible when a horse can put you to shame...........don't think I was ever this GOOD!.......lol

Watch this and be amazed
Be sure to pause the playlist at the bottom before you start

Busy Weekend

I didn't really get any cards made this weekend apart from one I've already posted out today to Antonia and forgot to take a picture, doh!

The kids and I seem to have had a baking marathon this weekend. First we made Spacedust cupcakes (they pop in your mouth), and then Cookies & Cream Cupcakes (using crushed Oreos mmmm).

Today we made Banana & Honey Cupcakes with walnuts and some without for the kids. We took these cupcakes into all the girls at my work. Seemingly, they were so good, Helen gave the kids a £1 each for baking them. I get warm fuzzy feelings when the girls enjoy the little cakes I take in every now and them.

And I'm just waiting on a batch of White Cocolate Chip and Summer Berry muffins coming out of the oven.

I would have taken photos of the cupcakes but unfortunately ...................they have almost all disappeared.

I'm happy to share the recipes, email me if you fancy making any scrummy cakes.



Tracey

Christmas.....in July - It's NEVER too early

Well, I figure now is as good a time as any to get started on the Christmas gifts. I wanted to do something different this year. Something that would be more of a long term keepsake rather than some papercraft gift.

How do you think these turned out?

Snowman Plate

Polar Bears Plate

Christmas Snack Plate

Grandma's Christmas Candle

Grandma's Christmas Soap

These were all made using images from PC Crafter.com. I used waterslip decals to put the images onto plates, candles and even soap. It can almost go on anything and is really quick and easy to use - well, after one or two practices, lol.

I might just have to consider trying to sell some of these festive plates later on in the year. I have even made a Halloween one but I'll show that off nearer the time.

Tracey

HELP with a ROAK......please

I'm looking for all you crafters out there to make one card to make a little 5yrs old girls day.
Emma's (Rainy Days) little girl Antonia has fractured her arm in 10 places and broken it in 3 places. She has already had 2 operations and faces another operation next week or so.

Let's brighten up Antonia's recovery by sending a Get Well Card to let her know we're thinking about her and her mum, Emma & family.

Whatda say gang? Can we fix it? (oops sound a bit like Bob the Builder)


Please email me if you'd like to take part, then I'll get back to you with the finer details of address etc. I'd appreciate any mentions of this ROAK on anyone blog if you can spread the word.

HUGE scottish hugs

Nice Surprise

Yesterday I received a little padded envelope through the door from the postie. I couldn't think what it could be, and I was certain I hadn't been ordering crafting bits and pieces from Ebay.

It was this.....

adorable little Thank You card from

Paula at Pollycraft Designs

When I read what was inside, I realised what I already knew - that I'd had made a special friend with this wonderful lady. This is whats know as an RAOK - Random Act Of Kindness and one that has made my day.

Thank you Paula for the wonderful designs you share with us all

WOO HOO.....got an award

OMG , I got an award. I still can't believe it but I'm on cloud 9. This is my first (of many I hope, hint hint, lol),




Thank you so much Debbie



The rules for this award:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.

Ok this is so hard having to chose only 7 to award to - as there are so many fantastic bloggers out there. But I am delighted to award to the following people:


Paula - your an inspirational and exceptional talent
Janet - your my inspiraation for life
Emma - love your fab cards
Kitty - love your stuff & can't wait for spiral whisper
Andrea - love you stuff, fellow PCC'er
Tracey Lynn - your paper flowers are wonderful, along with everything else
Julie - love all you do, especially your amazing tutorials

I hope all continue to blog as I'll always be your visitor.

Be sure to pop in and view my award winners blogs, I know you'll enjoy them. Huge Scottish Hugs