APRIL PRODUCT FOCUS

So, I thought it might be fun ( as well as focusing me to use some of my stash better) to start a monthly 'product focus'. I'll post a project a week using what I'm focusing on, plus top tips and techniques (and of course where to buy - if you've not already got it!)

It might be bit of hardware - boards; punches; dies.

Or it might be software - stamps; CD crafting; special papers

 

And although it's not quite April, I couldn't resist an early play and post.

 

PRODUCT FOR APRIL IS: HOUGIE BOARD

 

This brilliant bit of hardware is the baby of Kay Rutter. I came across it at a show about 3 years ago and never looked back. There's rarely a project I make that doesn't involve this green board and pretty much every commission I have for Creativity Magazine uses this cool bit of hardware.

 

What's Great About It?

In a nutshell is takes all the measuring and guess work out of projects. Have you ever seen a project in a magazine or on line with scoring measurements and you have to get out your ruler and embossing tool - well no more!

I whip boxes up in no time. And the embossing fun you can have is endless.

 

It comes with an amazing little score tool which has flexibility so it bends with your paper rather than rip through it.

The board has inches one side and centimetres the other.

 

TOP TIP: Whenever you score your card on the Hougie always turn it over and score again. Kay calls this the 'Hougie trick'. Honestly, it means that you'll always get the cleanest crease on your folds. Try it in mirror card which is the ultimate test for me - it works like a gem :-)

 

How much does it cost? On their website it's £24.95 but have a look at the one which comes with Book 1 as it's £29.95 a great buy.

 

To help, Kay has brought out 3 project books. They are jam packed with ideas and projects and all different. I'll be doing some of these throughout April.

 

Here's the first one: Tea Bag Gift Bag

 

 

This fab little bag is from Project Book 3. It's not just for tea-bags though. Pop a gift card in the back or tickets to a show or cinema. You could even make up your own 'voucher' for a friend; maybe babysitting or cooking dinner.....

 

 

This is the side view so you can see how easy it would be to add a few goodies into an acetate bag and secure into the overall gift bag. Maybe a few chocolates.... yum yum :-)

 

 

The sentiment comes in a much larger set and is available from 'Lili of the Valley'.

 

 

 

The flowers are paper pieced - a technique that means you stamp onto patterned paper and cut out. This little flower stamp came free in my latest edition of 'Simply Homemade' And the leaf is a woodware punch.

 

Go and check out the Hougie website and if you've got any questions or any views on Hougie then get in touch. I'd love get you all 'hougie' converts. Spend more time creating and less time constructing that's what I say!

 

Oh yes, I nearly forgot, there's a fab Facebook group on the go for hougie fans. Type in 'hougie idea and help page' into your facebook and ask to join the group.

 

Til next time: Happy Hougie'ing

 

Teresa xx

 

 



Spring baby... Challenge #68

Apparently there was a lot of 'celebration' in the UK last summer what with the Jubilee and Olympic celebrations...

 

Strangely enough there seem to be a lot of babies being born 9 months later!!

 

Why not enter our baby challenge this week over at Card Crafters Circle and then you've a card all ready to give to a friend for their new arrival :-)

 

Our sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish where you'll find lots of fab digi stamps to play with.

 

 

I got to play with the lovely 'Lucy' baby and here's my make...

 

 

The card base is from a bib template I got from B-C-E.

Here's a few closer looks at the stamp and flowers...

 

 

I used Spectrum Noir colours on this, mixture of skin tones, lavenders and heathers (oh yes, golds's too for the flower!)

 

The die for the frame is Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Labels Two' (I put white dots around using Sakura Jelly Roll pen)

Little fence is from Crafts-Too

 

 

This fabulous new buys (got from Create and Craft pick of the day last week!) are from Crafters Companion and I've used:

Leaf 1; Camelia - small; Lace Flower

They are soooo easy to use. For a really full flower quill two strips of the die cut.

 

I can't wait to see what you all produce and stop by on your blogs to leave a little hello..

 Enjoy your Easter weekend

Teresa xx

 

 Challenges:

www.craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.co.uk  Anything Goes
www.drdesignsblog.blogspot.co.uk  Paper flowers
www.milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.uk Anything but a square
www.paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.co.uk Ribbon or lace
www.pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk Anything but a square
www.perfectsentimentschallenge.blogspot.co.uk  Babies or Brides
www.craftdoormagazine.com Anything goes
www.digidarlas.blogspot.co.uk Flowers
www.squigglefly.blogspot.co.uk Anything goes
www.houseofgilli.blogspot.co.uk  Flowers and ribbon

Bargello Technique

How about learning something a little different?

 

I picked up March's copy of 'Quick Cards' and found this fabulous technique called 'Bargello'. Simply it's about taking strips of paper and cutting/arranging these to make fun backgrounds.

 

I decided to give it a go, and here's what I got :-)

 

 

I've put the instructions so you can create your own Bargello card on the 'class' page of my blog. It's a great way of using up scraps. Plus because the results make for the most fabulous background you really don't need much in the way of embellishments!

 

I've added a Gorjuss girl from docrafts range; some ribbon; leaves and flowers and that's it :-)

 

here's some close ups...

 

 

I'd love to know what you think, leave me a comment and let me know if you plan to play (mainly so I can come nose on your blog and see what's you're playing with!)

 

Crafty smiles

Teresa xx

 

 

Challenges entered

www.operationwritehome.org Using stripes

www.lexiscreations.blogspot.co.uk Special card for a female

www.dustinpike.blogspot.ca Girly card challenge

www.thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk  Anything Goes

www.cardsinenvy.blogspot.co.uk Paper strips instead of ribbon





Challenge #157

Happy Monday all, although if you're in the UK, it's been a freezin' start to the week!!

 

I had to put on scarf, gloves, winter coat and hat this morning to head to work - where is spring?!

 

Well, if we can't feel it then we'd better make it :-)

 

Our challenge this week on Critters Sketch Challenge Blog is a sketch. Head over to our blog to find out more..

Out sponsor this week is the fabulous Paper Nest again (I'm a new fan!) Click on their fabulous owl to get to their shop....

 

 

Here's my card using Easter theme :-)

 

 

Once you've had fun colouring in the sweet little girl and her easter eggs...

you'll need Martha Stewart big border punch;

papers are from docrafts spots and stripes range

Woodware leaf punch

 

Have fun making your own flowers by cutting a circle spiral, inking edges and back of the patterned paper. Secure with wet glue.

 

I can't wait to see what fun you have with our sketch...

 

love

Teresa xx

 

 

Challenges entered:

www.abcchallenges.blogspot.co.uk

www.createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.co.uk

www.cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk

www.daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.co.uk

www.kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.uk

www.vostamps.blogspot.co.uk

www.cutedaisymay.blogspot.co.uk

www.craftysentiments.co.uk



 

Card Crafter's Circle Challenge #67: Sketch it

Happy Friday - well, that was one long week!! Pleased to report that I got to the end of it in tact (glass of wine pending after this post!).

 

What with it being Friday, it means it's weekly challenge time. This week we've got a sketch for you so head over to our Challenge Blog to find out more....

 

We're sponsored by the fabulous DigiDarlas. There's a huge array of little characters to pick from, so get shopping :-)

 

 

I got 'Boy with Flowers' and thought I'd use the sketch on a door hanger.

 

 I went for a star instead of a circle but it still follows the plan on the sketch :-)

The stars are cut from Xcut nesting dies and then embossed on Papermania 'brick wall' and a freebie small dots folder I got off a magazine a while ago (don't you just love freebies!!) 

 

I've coloured this little dude in with watercolour pencils, keeping it light and soft.

 

Have fun in our challenge this week, me and the other design team members will be keeping an eye on what you post and dropping by your blog to leave a little note :-)

 

love

Teresa xx

 



 

Challenges entered:
www.clearlyistamp.blogspot.co.uk Challenge #71 Anything goes
www.happycamperscc.blogspot.co.uk  Add dimension
www.shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.uk Anything goes
www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.uk  The Kids are Alright
www.rileyandco.blogspot.co.uk  Twine
www.lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.uk  Anything goes

For a friend...

A good friend at work is Indian, so when it came to making her a card I wanted to create something vibrant and that reminded me of the beautiful henna designs the women in her culture are known for.

 

So, out came a 12x12 paper pack I'd bought at The Range along with some other goodies and this is what I ended up with....

 

 

And then, because Neeti deserved a little something extra, I took a plain cardboard round box (£1 from the Range!) and turned it into this...

 

 

 I couldn't resist these butterflies which I found at The Range. They are truly exquisite and the embroidery is wonderful. Here's some more views of the card which is from docrafts....

 

 

The sentiment is from a set made by Hunkydory
 

 

You may recognise the amazing Memory box die here: Cherish Border (love this one!)

 

 

On the front of the card it's kept simple with a paper strip punched with Martha Stewart doily border punch. Finish it off by pleating (TOP TIP: use red double sided tape as it's stronger)

 

 

Side view of this brilliant card blank

 

 

A closer look at this gorgeous butterfly :-)

 

 

To make the flower on to the top of the box I used Spellbinders 'Blossom 3' and cut all 5 dies out of both patterned papers and layered up. TOP TIP: Spritz with water as it makes 'scrunching' the flower much easier.

 

I had great fun making this card and box gift, hope it inspires you to decorate something yourself and if it does, then don't forget to share!

 

Have fun

Teresa xx

 

 

Challenges entered into:

www.pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk #119 Gingham/checks (card entered)
www.perfectsentimentschallenge.blogspot.co.uk PSC71 Fairies/Butterflies (card entered)
www.stephanie-whimsicaldesigns.com Buttons & Bows (card entered)
www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.co.uk Challenge #72 (card entered)
www.scrap-creations1.blogspot.co.uk Favourite Embellishments (card entered)
www.creativecreationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk Challenge 6 'anything with a b'
www.kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.uk  Anything with Frills
www.craftroomdoormagazine.com TTCRD 19-25th March: Anything goes
 

For my little Gorjuss Girl...

So, if you haven't seen the latest docrafts release of this range - where have you been?

 

We know these little girlies have been around for a while, but what hasn't come with them until now is a gorgeous collection of papers and embellishments.

 

I thought I'd make a door plaque to go on Ella's bedroom. I had great fun with this project...

 

This little cutie is from the mini decoupage set. The backing papers and heart brad are from the extra's you can buy from this range.

Add a die cut bird cage (of course!) and this one is Xcut's.

Behind the frame is washi tape that's also in the range.

The letters are in the large decoupage pack.

 

I can't wait til Ella wants to craft along with me :-)

 

Happy evening all

Teresa xx



Clever little crafty club!

Here's some makes from the Tayberry Craft Club get together. We did stepper cards this week. These are fun and really easy to make (like anything, you just need the 'recipe').

In our stash was docrafts chronology; forever friends and art deco.

 

 

 

I think you'll agree they did great! I'll be adding instructions into my class section on Tuesday night :-)

 

Here's  a little stepper from me if you're not already inspired enough to give this style a go!

 

Have fun everyone

Teresa xx

 

 

#66 Card Crafter's Circle Weekly Challenge

So, this week we're all about the Irish!

In celebration of St Patrick's Day, bring out your orange and green card stock and go find  these brilliant little images from our sponsor this week...

 

Click on their photo to go and shop on their brilliant Etsy site :-)

 

You'll find lots there, not just fun for St Patrick's Day.

 

My husband is half Irish, so I've been really inspired to have fun this week and bring some charm to this little fellow.

Can't wait to see what you all get up to creating!!

 

Here's mine....

 

 

I'll be putting all the steps to make this stepper card in my 'class' section of the blog (will be ready for Sunday)

 

Crafty Smiles

Teresa xx

Critters Challenge Week..

It's Challenge #155 this week on Critters Sketch Challenge Blog and this week it's all about TWINE.

Our sponsor this week is the fabulours Paper Nest where there are lots of great digi stamps for you to browse through...

 

Find them over at www.the-papernest.com  but give yourself a couple of hours  as you'll be there for a while!!

 

Now go grab your twine out of your craft stash and enter our challenge. You could win some free digi stamps :-)

 

Crafty smiles, Teresa xx

Happy Mother's Day

Today it bittersweet for me as I get to celebrate being a mum to my beautiful twins but also miss my mum who sadly died 6 years ago.

So, rather than get sombre I'm taking kids down to our allotment to get digging and plant a few flowers :-)

Here's a commission I was asked to make for a friends mum. Her mum loves the sentiment 'Mothering Sunday' rather than 'Happy Mother's Day'. Problem is, try finding a fun card in the shops with that sentiment.

This is was I love about cardmaking, we can bring someone else's thoughts to life and help them give a card that has real meaning. And who better to deliver that sentiment that this little guy...

The decoupage is from docrafts new spring collection range as are the fab backing papers. The die cuts are my much used Xcut range of scalloped and standard oval nesting dies.
The lovely heart doily die you can see behind the flowers is Xcut's heart die and I've cut it from vellum which comes out beautifully.
The sentiment was done on the computer.

 

So, whatever your day looks like today, enjoy xx

Card Crafter's Circle Weekly Challenge: Vintage

Happy Friday to you all :-)

It's challenge time again on Card crafters circle weekly challenge and this week we're all about VINTAGE.

We're using the some beautiful digi stamps this week from the very talented Floppy Latte Designs:

The one I got to play with is: 'Love my Striped Bonnet'. I'll definitely be giving this card away for Mother's Day :-)

There are other lovely images to choose from on this theme. When you head to our challenge blog you'll see my crafty friends have given you lots of other great ideas. These images definitely deserve something special so get out your die-cutting machine, flowers and gems!!

 To bring this to life I've used:

• Xcut nesting dies - scalloped oval and standard oval
• Hougie board to make diamond embossing lines on pearlescent blue oval
• Spectrum noir pens
• Marianne dies: LR0144 (corner) and LR0119 (flourish)
• Flower, gems and ribbon

Can't wait to see what you create. You never know I may be dropping by and leaving a little crafty message... xx

New toy!!!!!

Hi all,

so, at the 'Make it' craft show at Farnborough on Friday I found a new tool. And quite simply, it's bloomin' brilliant :-)

This tool shreds ribbon - well so what you may say. Well, it means that you get to make something like this....

The roses aren't done on the tool, instead we were shown how to do this at the show (and very well too by Roy!)
The great thing about the ribbon you'll use is that it's relatively easy to get hold of it (and it's not expensive either). Plus the suppliers I met sell this off their website too.
At the show I bought the £20 deal. This was the tool, dvd to learn how to use it (a must in my opinion) and 10 x 3m florist ribbon (you pick the colours).

If you like the look of this then head over to their website: www.createwithribbon.co.uk. Glenis is the brains behind this and she's brill - a very talented lady :-)

here's a close up of the flowers...

You get two bamboo sticks in the kit, I'd recommend you go and buy some wooden plant sticks as they are already green, break easily and give you the strength you need if you want to stand them up in a vase.

Let me know if you decide to go for it, I'd love to see what you make :-)

Nite all xx

What a mixed up weekend....

And you may be wondering why.....?

Well because it's where gothic met bears who got on a plane....

Know what I mean yet?

how about if I say 'docrafts'....

then say 'new releases'....

and finally.... what if I say 'demo day' !!

And here's what you get for spending a fab day at 'Art of Craft' in North Camp in Farnborough. They are wonderful bunch of women who know their stuff. And their 'stuff' is card making, scrapbooking, knitting and sewing.

About the ranges..

Yippeeee! docrafts have got their hands on the Gorjuss girls. Which means even if you have the stamps already, docrafts now give you papers, ribbons, buttons and the most amazing brads (you have to get these!!)

 

 

The little lady is watercoloured using docrafts 'artiste' pens on watercolour paper. Have fun with these stamps and just remember to ink them with waterproof ink if you plan to paint (memento is fab for this)..

 



Next we're up with THE bears. Of course I mean, forever friends (how cute!). Check out the felt flowers this are simply yummy...

The 'ultimate decoupage pack' is superb value.  Remember though you don't always have to use the bears. Check out this 'Get Well Soon' card. The sentiment is in the pack as is the lovely heart paper which I ran through my grand calibur with the Xcut nesting hearts die set...

 

I am bound over with the last set in the March release. As soon as I saw the amazing things that arrived in the post; Dean Martin's song 'Come fly with me' came into my head (and stayed for a while!!). Welcome to the new 'All aboard' range...



 

 

Get your inks out everyone and blend til you're covered in it!!!

 

The passport cover is cut out of the papers, I used it as a template to make an actual passport. Cut up the grid paper (also in the pack) and stamp the 'with love' stamp from the journal set to make the papers inside your passport. If you're scrapbooking then add where you're journalling about! :-)

 

 

And remember, don't forget the envelope. Have fun using the papers to do an envelope insert and use your stamps on the envelope front (increase the chances of it definitely NOT looking like a bill when the postman calls!!)

 

I'm at The Range in Aldershot in two weeks so hope to see some of you there for more crafty fun :-)

 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone xx

 

Have you got yours?

Morning,

It's demo day for me today and I'm at 'Art of Craft' in North Camp, Farnborough!!

I'm playing with three brand new releases from our favourite docrafts :-)

I've got 'Gorjuss'; 'All Aboard' and a seriously cute new range of Forever Friends stamps and papers!!

The new magazine is out and bursting with tons of wonderful ideas from all us designers to give you ideas and inspiration.

here's a little snip from my easter egg designs. I got to play with the fab new fabric bundle from docrafts and a bunch of eggs :-)

 

Have a good Saturday everyone xx