not enough time to craft

A Very Belated Happy New Year

2011-01-21T03:01:00.000-08:00

My blog has been neglected of late............. I must try and keep up to date with everything. No card post today, as I have been extremely busy with work and family life since the beginning of 2011, but I have a dew birthday this month, so I am hoping to post some card in the next week or so.

Just wanted to post this couple of glee songs, as I am sitting in the office, with the sun shining through the window and they have brightened my day up no end. enjoy

The Blanks - Ted's Band out of Scrubs

2010-11-24T01:29:00.001-08:00

The Blanks - Ted's Band out of Scrubs were recently on the Scott Mills show on bbc radio 1. Check out the video.

they are brilliant.

clair

A quick post....

2010-11-12T05:31:00.000-08:00

I found this lovely online gift ideas mag online, while I was blog hopping. Has some lovely ideas in it!!!!!

Clair

Craft Fayre Over With.....

2010-11-10T04:11:00.000-08:00

Phewwww..... But I am so glad that I did it, was really good fun. I actually sold some of my cards as well, made the money back I paid for the stall and a bit more, so I am really happy. It was a very cold day (not a very flattering photo, was shivering), and peter came with me to help me. I was really nervous turning up as it was my first time doing this and really didnt know what to expect.

I will definitely do one again, but they dont have any more spaces for this year, so will plan for next spring, and work on the presentation of my stall a bit. I go t some good ideas from the other stall holders, and plus I will be able to do more general cards for birthdays etc. as I mainly had Christmas cards on sale, with a few alterable items.

Now I have to crack on with my Christmas Cards for this year, so behind. I also have decied to try and do December daily scrapbook project this year, I may only do first week fall behind and give up, but I am determined to give it a go.

Go Digital

2010-11-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I don't have any cards to post at the moment, as I am busy getting ready to do my first stall at a local event this weekend (scary) I am not sure if I have enough to warrant having the stall, but I keep telling myself that I am doing it for the experience, and then maybe I will learn the do's and dont's if I decide to do it again.

Anyway.......

I have a quick post for you, with a digital scrapbook layout that I did. I have loads of normal pages that I must complete and my daily December to set up, but I wanted to have a quick go at a layout I found on the basic grey website. It was quick and easy, and I knew which photos and topic I wanted to cover. So here you go, a page about a day in Rome, this time last year in fact.

Hope you like.

Clair

Which female are you!!!

2010-11-01T08:46:00.001-07:00

You're an Esme!

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great
importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be
sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and
appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Find out which female character you are!

A Couple of Birthday Cards

2010-09-29T01:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Quick post with a couple of cards I did for family members birthdays. Been a busy month, and have a had a week and half away, so I did not have chance to post these before I went.

First one, was for my future sister in law - I found a postcard in paper chase that I liked and thought it would be make a great background for a card. I thought I would keep it simple and just applied some glitter thickers on top and applied doodlebug rubons underneath.

Second one was an image an received in a swap, coloured with koh-i-noors and blending oil (it came out quite nice one the water colour paper the image was stamped on) layered it one some brown kraft colour card for papermill, and a scrap of stripey xmas paper I had left over in my box. applied ribbon between the fro stampin up supplies, and stamped sentiment in brown ink.

Working on my save the date cards for wedding (going digital with this project) at the mo and a couple of baby twin commission cards.

see ya later.

Clair

Fab way to wrap gifts

2010-09-28T08:17:00.001-07:00

I found this video when I was browsing through your tube today.

Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that can be used to wrap/transport all kinds of goods and gifts. Much more environmentally friendly than disposable bags, and more versatile than a regular bag (provided you know how to knot/wrap it properly).

I think I may do a bit more research into this, as they could make fantastic wrapping for Christmas Presents

Another blog candy over at Quixotic Cards

2010-09-02T05:25:00.000-07:00

Some more scrummy blog candy over at Quixotic Cards. Please hop over and have a look at the lovely magnolia goodies.

Goodluck

clair

Blog Candy Alert

2010-09-02T03:46:00.001-07:00

Fabulous candy available at Cats Whispers blog.

The Candy is composed of
A Martha Stewart Spring Border Punch
A LOTV Stamp,
A Crafts & Me Stamp
3 Pkts of Magnolia Flowers
I pkt of Wild Orchid Crafts flowers
a 12x12 Pad of Tim Holtzs Vintage Shabby paper.

Please hop on over, and leave your name at the bottom, your url and then link back to the blog candy on your blog.

Good Luck.

Clair

Commissioned Wedding Card

2010-08-19T05:14:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

Here is a commissioned card that I did for my best friend. She is bridesmaid for one of her friends on Sunday, and wanted a special card to give. I do a lot of bloghopping looking for inspiration and I have my favourites all bookmarked. JuliesJapes is one of them, and I love stampin up products but very rarely have money to spend on them, I also toy with the idea of becoming a demonstrator but not sure if I would be able to meet the quota you have to sell in order to remain active.

Anyway......

I came across this lovely wedding card design, I loved the idea of the hearts, so I used this for my inspiration. Unfortunately I couldn't afford the original stampin' up products so I made do with the supplies I already had.

took one 8 x8 card blank, and attached some paper from craft creations, dies cut with nestabilities shapes, stamped papermania sentiments and went over with glue pen and glitter. Attached flowers with silicone glue and also pearls. Went around the nestabilities shape with liquid pearls.

I then went on and made a box for the card to go in, as the flowers would have made it bulky. I did the same process as I did on the card for the box topper so that it matched.

Hope you like

I found this while bloghoppin

2010-08-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have been going through a blog that i stumbled across on today, KWernerDesigns and not only have I been mesmerized by her style and cards, but I also found this amazing youtube clip of Sarah Bareilles, performing sitting on the dock of the bay. I absolutely loved it. I have now found the DVD and have ordered it. CAnt wait for it to arrive. She has amazing vocals, and it is all the songs off the Little Voice Album Live.

Bit of a mad busy period

2010-08-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

It has been a bit manic here recently, with holidays, work, bad cold and wedding. Started off with my soon to be in laws coming up for a visit, then managed to catch a cold of my MD at work, then had it for the rest of the time they were up, then we all went down to where they live in Cromer, Norfolk (6 hour drive) stayed for a day, and then we all drove over to reading for a family wedding (another 6 hour drive, due to traffic). Went to the wedding lovely, day, bride beautiful, got to see my nephew who we have seen in 6 months, so all in all a good day. then next day another 4 hour drive back to Cromer, had a day at the beach the day after, packed with icecream, sunshine and vodka (fab day) and then next day 6 hour drive back up to newcastle. Never want to sit in the back of a car again, with all that travelling, and not being able to drive drove me mad.

But I did managed to get a card done in all of that - would you beleive it a wedding card - I was so panicked with getting everything ready for the visit and the wedding, that all my finishing off on the card had to be done on route - as I was waiting for something to arrive in post for it and it did the day we travelled (phew what a relief).

Card was 8 x 8 from craftwork cards, then cut out using a template I had made on the computer. Stamped the papermania sentiment on to the card in black, and then stamped a patterned background in glue, and covered with glamour dust. I then rounded corners with my new corner chomper and glued the white flowers from (wild orchids) and pearls from (quixotic paperie) down the side of the card, and finshed off my gong around the edges with stickles.

Hope you like. I have another wedding card to do for next weekend, so better make a start on that one now.

clairlou

Bugaboo Gus

2010-07-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone.

I have another birthday card today. This one is for a colleague at work, he is also a good friend, and he is always taking the mick out of me, so the only time I can really have a dig is when it come to designing his birthday cards. I love these playful digis from bugaboo - this one is a mix of two digi stamps Gus (Drink and Drive) and Stella (One More Candle). I altered the image in photoshop, so Gus had the birthday cake, hat and sentiment from the Stella digi, it worked better for the card. I made the cake, table and hat stand out by layering them on foam pads.

The paper is from an old DCWV stack, matt layered on black card. Coloured with pro markers, cake accented with glamour dust and glasses filled with ranger glossy accents.

Hope you like.

Clair

Grumpy Ballerina

2010-07-16T02:27:00.000-07:00

This is a card I made for my best friend. We are more like sisters, and we have grown up on the same street since were we in nappies. We started doing ballet when we were 5, but she wasn't a very willing participant at first, and this stamp always reminds me of her. Hope you like. Stamp by Kraftin Kimmie - moonlight whisper collection, coloured with Koh-In-Noors and used tattered rose distress ink and Tim Holtz foam applicator to distress the background it was then matt layered on to coredination card stock. Thanks for looking and have a good day

clair

Surfer Chick

2010-05-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

This is a birthday card - for my very good friend Louisa, who is a very active kinda girl. I love this little elzybell stamp, and was very apt for Lou. Kinda has a summer feel to it, as we had some lovely weather at the weekend - but now that has gone, and then rain is back. May have to get my stamps out with the little umbrellas for this week, as it does not look like it will improve.

tc clair

Catch up!!!

2010-05-10T07:48:00.001-07:00

I am so bad at the moment, but I have a good reason for not posting. I just got engaged last month, so everything has a bit manic, and postponed really, while family came and went. I am getting excited for designs for wedding invites, but there is much to be done before anything like that gets done, but still the possibilities. Here is a quick selection of cards that I have been doing in the meantime. More to come as soon as I get around to downloads and uploading.

tc clair

Claires Blog Candy

2010-03-11T05:33:00.000-08:00

Look at this fabulous blog candy that claire has posted on her blog, you can grab a chance to win it here. Really busy at work at the moment, and I havent had much time to craft. So there has been nothing really to post. I have an order from some Easter cards, and an engagement card so hopefully as soon as I have these done I will be able to post them.

clairlou

Finally......

2010-02-14T07:09:00.000-08:00

I have finally managed to get on the computer and download some Christmas Cards that I photographed. Here are a few that I did using some Elzybells Stamps, I had a feel for traditional colours this year, which is strange for me as I normally like something different. Anyway here are a few for now, I do have some more but they may take a while to upload. Keep posted for more.......

I'm so bad!!!!!

2010-01-11T04:15:00.000-08:00

I made a New Years Resolution, to try and kep up to date on this blog, but that really hasnt happened. I have some Christmas Cards to post, but I need to load them on to the computer and photobucket first. I will hopefully do this, this week. Keep posted.

Blog Candy Alert

2009-10-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

The lovely Dawny P at pink piggy has some gorg blog candy up for grabs. Head on over and enter yourself to be in with a chance to win. I love dawns fresh style of cards, I only wish that I could achieve the same results, but mine always seem to have so much clutter on them.

I hoping to get some of my halloween cards posted in the next couple of days before I go away. I am going on a cruise, and cant wait for a relaxing time, and almost forget about Christmas. Can you believe the shops in Newcastle have Christmas decoations up already. ARGHHHHHH

Super Gorjuss Halloween

2009-10-09T02:31:00.001-07:00

This is a break from my Christmas cards - Halloween is fast approaching and I will be away on holiday, so I have to get a move on and out before I go.

This card actually happened by accident. I bought some new 300gsm card to print on - Printed some pp pattern on it. I then went to fold the card an couldn't find my bone folder and so used my finger (big mistake or maybe not) the ink smudge across the top. I then had a brainwave for a halloween card, so I smudge all the other edges. I also used one of my gorjuss images that I have'nt ink up yet.

My spider was a button that I put on then end and the two holes inspired me and decided it would be a brill creeping crawley. I am really please with how it came out.

Hope you like.

Elzybells notecard

2009-10-06T04:17:00.001-07:00

A little note card, that I did for my partners mum, she likes to craft like me, but she loves to do more scrapbooks. I love these elzybells images, and I keep meaning to more with them, but I am working my way through a mountain of Christmas cards at the moment. Just a quick post today, but hopefully will get more of my Christmas cards on here as time goes on.

2009-10-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

These are some thank you cards that I did for a friends wedding. They went over to Rhodes to get married, and had loads friends and family over there, but they also recieved loads of well wishes from people who could not attend. There are two versions of the cards, one for people who attending the ceremony as a momento of the day. The other is for people who could not attend but sent them their love. Hope you like. The photos dont really do them justice I dont think.

Sorry!!!!!!

2009-10-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have been really bad lately and I have not done any postings or cards to show. But I have a new computer now, and hopefully will be able to get more on top of things now!!! will post the wedding cards tomorrow, and some great photo's I took when we were at Cragside, in Northumberland the other week.

tc clairlou

Elzybells Challenge

2009-09-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

I decided to enter my first challenge. I always look at these challenges, and think I would love to take part, but then something comes up and I never find the time. This challenge was great as I already knew what I wanted to do, and had the materials to do it. It is not very complicated or original, but I wanted a sketchbook so I could scribble all my ideas down when they (more often than not) pop into my head, and then forget them.

I found this book at paperchase, I love all of their stuff, and I bought one as a Journal when I was up in Scotland, which surprisingly I have kept up to date with. I then seen these blank version, and I knew it would be perfect for what I wanted, and I love the fabric on the front. I had loads of ideas in my mind of how I wanted to decorate this, and then the Elzybells release day came, and I had birthday money, and I thought they would be perfect.

I wanted to keep it simple, as the new inks would have a dramatic enough effect on the material, and speak for themselves.

A couple of things today........

2009-08-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

Elzybells release day today. I have been on the computer at work, waiting for midday, so that I can place my order. I was so excited to know that they were stocking kraft card, as I have been looking everywhere for it. I have now placed my order, and I cant wait to get them, so I can start and have a play.

It was my birthday last Friday, and I used the money that I got to purchase the above, but my better half and brother know how much I love my crafting and were also very generous. I got a 500gb portable hard-drive from Peter my boyfriend for my digi-scrapbooking that I download, and sometimes bring into work to have a play around with on my lunch hour (although I think the main reason is, so I can clear my stuff of his precious mac and he can claim it back as his own). It is amazing, I was so scared to touch it, as finger marks show everywhere on the red casing. I also got a case for it to go in, and a bigger bag - actually it is the papermania satchel, so now I can take everything with me when I am on the move. I already have the trolley, but sometime it is a bit to much to take places, when I only want a few things.

My brother bought me the new gorjuss stamps, I haven't cut them up yet, as I am waiting to get time to sit down and do a few hours so I can make some gorjuss cards. He also bought me the martha stewart doily punch!!! I have been wanting this forever, and have already had a play on some scraps of paper.

Well I know I haven't done any cards lately but I have some wedding thank you cards to do, and then make a start on all my Christmas card designs. Can you believe it is here again already!!

Blog Candy

2009-07-29T05:18:00.001-07:00

There is a fabulous blog candy prize available on craftypagan's website to celebrate her recent design team position for Sugarnellie. This is the first blog candy that I have ever entered and it was mainly because of the yummy picture that she used to illustrate the treat of the sugarnellie stamps she is offering as the prize. fingers crossed for my entry. and if you want to have a go, all you need to do is go to her bog here and follow the instructions. Good luck.

1st Birthday

2009-07-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

It was my boyfriends nephews first birthday last week, and I was really pleased with the card that I did. Most of the time when I have an idea in my head that I want to do, it never comes out how I imagine it. So O.K. this card was not designed in my head, it was inspiration taken from Kerryjos Blog, I loved what she did with the Sweet Safari kit from Sweetshoppe Designs, that I just had to have a go myself.

I dont know what size Kerrys card was - but I was using the new 8x8 cards from craftworkcards, so I had more space to play with. I loved the animals, so I stuck them on, and then made the monkey swing from one of the letters.

I designed in the inside of the card, in photoshop, so it was all flat, and all I had to do was print it out and stick. I created a little pocket on the inside, so that a gift voucher could fit inside. I also used the inside design of the card, for the envelope.

Ingredients

Cardstock and paper: - 8x8 card and Envelope, Co-ordinations Brown Card Stock, Epson Glossy Photopaper (this was for the letters and the animals), HP premium matt paper

Kit: - Sweet Safari from Sweetshoppe designs

Extras: - Lime Green and Brown Stickles, Ribbon from local craft shop (I think it is american carfts range).

Hope you like .

Thanks for Your Support

2009-05-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

My Poster thanking people for supporting us. I loved the penny black stamp, and saw loads of cards with the same sentiment, and thought it was great. The background and other images, were from a free Breast Cancer Awareness Digital Scrapbooking Kit, from a scrapnart newsletter It think. I have some cards which are similar to give to my family and friends. The poster was mainly for work colleagues.

The image was stamped, and coloured with watercolour pencils. I then scanned it in, and blew it up in photoshop, and added the paper, elements and text.

lotsalove

Koh - I - Noor ~ First Attempt

2009-05-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

I treat myself and bought some new Koh-I-Noor woodless pencils, blending stumps and solvent, as I am always looking at the brilliant cards on Elzybells blog, and love the kraft card designs. This is my first attempt and colouring with them. I still have to get the hang of blending them, and the face really isn't that good. More practice needed I think. Luckily it is the Bank Holiday Weekend, so I have plenty of time (Hopefully) to get crafting. Although I am going on holiday to cyprus next weekend, and I really should sort my case and clothes out.

We'll see how it goes.

lots of love

Race for Life

2009-05-22T04:57:00.000-07:00

Not a card a creation yet. In this post, it is about the Race for Life Event that I did at Saltwell Park, Gateshead, for Cancer Research. It was a great day, full of fun. The weather forecast was heavy rain, and wouldnt you know it - it was blazing sunshine, stupid me forgot the sunscreen and I got sunburnt on my shoulders and chest (not great at a Cancer Research Event).

I ran with my Mum, her best friend Susan, and my Best Friend Lynsey. Between us we managed to raise an amazing £466. I was so please that we managed to raise that much for such a fantastic cause. I am definatelt going to do it next year. Need a new idea for the fancy dress aspect of it.

lots of love

Blog in a Box

2009-05-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

Yipeee - I told you I would get round to doing something eventually - not much card making yet, as I have been messing around with my blog in a box. I got it from Sweet Shoppe Designs, and as a first time user and blogger, I found it really easy to set up. I have to go and make some cards now so that I can post them. Yippeee

My First Blog!!!

2009-04-17T03:13:00.000-07:00

My first blog!!!! Argggh I have no idea what I am doing but hopefully I will get the hang of it in a while.