Love you more...

Hi everyone. I know not everyone celebrates Valentine's Day but I always make a card for my husband, even though it is our 26th Valentine's Day together!

This year's features First Edition Sweet Nothings papers:

I really like the colours in this Paper Pad- combining the pinks with green and black make it easy to use for a masculine card. I'm also pleased that I managed to centre the script on the main heart so that it reads 'love you more each day'. I'm a big fan of papers with semtiments on to save me stamping or die cutting one!

We will be celebrating today with one ill child (a temperature of 38 degrees celsius as I write this on Wednesday night) and another at football so no going out for us. However on Sunday we are going to see the comedian Ardal O'Hanlon at our local theatre, in their 50 seat Studio. We've been fans of him since his Father Dougal days, and I love Death in Paradise, so it's very lucky that he's decided to do warm up gigs in rural Somerset this year.

Have a lovely day and weekend. Cathy xxx

In the background

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the good wishes on my last post- I'm still struggling with a cold but at least the boys are better.

Today I have a new card made for Bubbly Funk and on their blog
today http://bubblyfunk.co.uk/blog/?p=2217

The stencil I used for this bright background is a new Bubbly Funk release: #14 Be Lucky. I've blended through 3 of my favourite Distress Oxides: Seedless Preserves, Fossilised Amber and Candied Apple. I think it's a great combination.

I've kept my card simple, with some orange card and a favourite Trimcraft stamp, which fits well with the background and will hopefully brighten someone's day.

Cathy

Route 66

Hi everyone. On Tuesday my eldest boy was at home unwell (we are all suffering with never ending colds!), so I took advantage of some free time to play with stencils and make some backgrounds.

This card is a result of my play time:

The stencil I used is one of the new Bubbly Funk release. I blended Faded Jeans, Vintage Photo and Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink through the stencil, cut my background to size (13.5cm square) then used Spiced Marmalade around the edges. I layered it on brown card, then a 14.5 square card blank.

This image works perfectly with the background. It's from Hubkydory's Little Square Book of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I had to cut it down slightly to fit but still retainined a slight brown border, meaning it didn't need to be layered onto card.

Today is a day off so I am going to take a look at some blogs later. Thank you for all your comments on my last two posts, I hope to return the love later xx

All things bright and beautiful

Hi everyone. Today I'm continuing the Spring theme with an 8x8 card made from the All Things Bright and Beautiful Hunkydory kit, which is free with the current issue of Papercraft Essentials.

I layered up printed cardstock and paper from the kit before adding the large topper and sentiment.

I cut a butterfly from the paper and added it along with some pink gems.

It is such a pretty kit and using it has really ignited my mojo. Sometimes it's good to go back to basics with a products you love! Cathy x

Pretty Pastels

Hi everyone, hope you are all well. I have had a terrible cold this weekend so haven't done very much at all. Hopefully it is on the way out now.

I did cheer myself up a bit by making a pretty pastel card for the Bubbly Funk blog today. You can see the post here.

I created both the background and smaller panel for the card by blending Shaded Lilac and Spun Sugar Distress Inks through Bubbly Funk stencil #9, which is available to buy from the Bubbly Funk shop. I always blend onto Crafter's Companion Watercolour card.

The small butterfly topper and sentiment come from the Hunkydory kits which was free with the latest issue of Papercraft Essentials magazine. The gems are also by Hunkydory, as is the pink card, but I have no idea where the ribbon is from.

I do really love the finished card and it was lovely to bring a little bit of Spring into my crafting, even if it is a bit early.

Thank you for visiting and commenting today, I really do appreciate it x

Christmas memories

Hi everyone. A big thank you to everyone who commented on my last blog- it is so lovely to know that I still have fabulous followers despite being such a bad blogger.

Today I have another Bubbly Funk project. This time it is a Christmas scrapbook layout, made using Ephemera and a stencil from the website (full details here). The papers used are from Trimcraft.

Nothing beats the excitement of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning for children- putting out carrots for the reindeer then the first glimpse of the presents Father Christmas has left. Isaac was so excited to see that he had got the 150cm bear he was desperate for (he really loves it!). What the photos don't show are that Samuel had been awake since midnight and that none of us had much sleep that night!

I will be round to visit your blogs later and I'm looking forward to catching up with your projects. Cathy x

Bring on 2019!

Hi everyone. 2019 is nearly upon us and, like many of you, I've been thinking about what I want to achieve in the year ahead. One resolution is definitely to craft more and to get my blog up and running again after 2 months away- I've missed it and the fabulous inspiration I get from the blogging community.

No better way to end the year then, than with a card to welcome in 2019.

I have a full tutorial for this card on the Bubbly Funk blog today, so hope you will  check it out http://bubblyfunk.co.uk/blog/2018/12/31/happy-new-year-2/

We are off to a party tonight- luckily it is family friendly and the boys usually make it to midnight. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, however you are celebrating x

Trick or Treat

Hi everyone. Halloween (and Half Term) week is here and today I'm sharing this Trick or Treat tag on the Bubbly Funk blog.

We have a new stencil release on 1st November and I've used two of the new stencils on my tag, along with some Simple Stories Vintage Halloween embellishments and a Hobbycraft ribbon.

To create the background I used my go to Halloween Distress Ink colours.

You can read more about my tag on the Bubbly Funk blog today  http://bubblyfunk.co.uk/blog/2018/10/29/trick-or-treat/

We're looking forward to hosting a Halloween party on Wednesday as well as a spot of Trick or Treating. Luckily my boys understand only to knock on doors where there are pumpkins- I know Halloween isn't for everyone but lots of people on our little estate join in.

Have a lovely day xxx

Autumn Colours

Hi everyone. Back to blogging today with a new project for Bubbly Funk, inspired by beautiful Autumn colours.

You can read all about my card on the Bubbly Funk blog today http://bubblyfunk.co.uk/blog/2018/10/09/autumn-colours/

I do have a terrible confession to make though- I only realised it was my turn on the blog today this morning! Life really has got in the way of craft lately but I am determined to get myself organised and share more often.

Thank you for visiting today. Cathy xxx

The cutest Christmas stamp

Hi everyone. I think I have found the cutest Christmas stamp of the year and it's this Dovecraft Christmas dog stamp.

It certainly was really popular at my Demo on Sunday (and at only 99p a real bargain).

I made this card at my demo and was really pleased with it so kept it! I made another to leave at the store of course.

This triangle gatefold card is made from a 21cm x 21cm piece of pink card. The papers are from the 10cm Paper Addicts Magic Moments paper pad. They are lovely papers and the size is great for batch making cards. They'd also be great for kids to make some cards for their friends.

I picked out details of the stamp with Dovecraft Metallic Markers and just finished off with some gems.

We have another busy sporty weekend ahead but looking forward to a BBQ on Sunday. I hope the weather will be ok. Have a lovely weekend when it comes. Cathy xxx

Bubbly Funk Christmas Mermaid

Hi everyone. I have a day off (until a spot of tutoring at 3.30 anyway!) and it's nice to have some chill time after a crazy few days. The boys are settled back at school and have had a great few days. The eldest was voted House Captain by other pupils and then won Player of the Week at a rugby tournament. The youngest keeps getting lots of house points and seems to be wowing his teacher with his maths skills.

I had a great demo on Sunday and one of the most popular things were the new Dovecraft stamps. I've used one on a Bubbly Funk project today.

I used Spectrum Noir sparkle pens to colour the stamp. They are a real go to for me at Christmas as they are really glittery.

You can read all about my project, including how I made the background, on the Bubbly Funk blog http://bubblyfunk.co.uk/blog/2018/09/11/christmas-mermaid/

I'm going to catch up on a few things, and maybe step into the craft room, before going to have my hair done! Hope you have a great day. Cathy xxx

Christmas demo time!

Hi everyone. The children are finally back to school today. I will miss them but it will be great to get back to routine.

This Sunday sees my first Christmas Trimcraft Demo at The Range in Andover. I have started making samples:

This is a triangle gatefold card made using the Helz Cuppleditch Christmas Village collection. It's a really interesting but easy card fold- I followed this tutorial by fellow Trimcraft demonstrator Louise at Iced Images https://youtu.be/zwXHlILOP44

This is probably my favourite Christmas collection so far this year and I've bought it for myself as well.

I'll be sharing another demo card tomorrow. In the meantime you can find details of all my upcoming demos on the Trimcraft Demonstration Dates page of my blog.

Have a lovely day. Cathy xxx

Hibiscus Bloom

Hi everyone. I've been continuing to enjoy the summer holiday with my boys. We spent the weekend in London, visiting the RAF museum, Thorpe Park and Stamford Bridge in our three days. It was tiring but lots of fun.

Today I'm sharing a card made for Bubbly Funk using a stencil from the shop, with Distress Oxides and Nuvo products.

Full details of the card are on the Bubbly Funk blog http://bubblyfunk.co.uk/blog/2018/08/21/hibiscus-bloom/

I'm working this morning then this afternoon we are off to see Christopher Robin at the cinema. I will get some time later to catch up with blogs too. Have a lovely day xxx

Free Spirit

Hi everyone. It comes as a bit if a shock to actually have something to blog about again. I really have barely entered the craft room lately. I'm not sure whether to blame the hot weather, the holiday (including a fabulous week in Kos) or the weeks of sport on TV. However, it did feel good to get back to crafting after such a long break.

Today's card is for the Bubbly Funk blog:

I've used the Free Spirit stamp set from Scrapberrys, which is in the Bubbly Funk shop. The feathers are stamped in Distress Oxides (Wilted Violet and Picked Raspberry) and the sentiment in Versafine.

It's rare for me to do one layer stamping but I like this card! 

I am looking forward to making blog visits this weekend to see what you have all made while I've been absent. Cathy xxx

Gorjuss Girl

Hi everyone. As some as you already know, I have managed to fall over and sprain my ankle this week. It's starting to heal but is really frustrating as I can't drive or move very far. Thank you to all those who have sent good wishes. Sadly I have had to cancel my demo planned for Sunday so it is doubly annoying!

Today I'm sharing a card made for Bubbly Funk, which can be seen on their blog today:

Caroline has lots of Gorjuss stamps in the Bubbly Funk shop at www.bubblyfunk.co.uk. This one is called The Dreamer. The lovely pink and black flowers are from the shop too.

I began by colouring my image using Copic markers. I really like this pretty pink combo and I'm pleased with her hair too. It was definitely a fun image to colour.

The papers and sentiment I have used are from the new Dovecraft Premium Folkland collection. I absolutely love this collection, the papers are gorgeous, and this pink and black colour scheme is fabulous.

Thank you for visiting today. Have a great weekend. If you are in the middle of football fever, lets hope for an England victory to cheer! Cathy x

To the Beach

Hi everyone. I'm glad to say my big boy is back home after his French adventure. He had a wonderful time, although he's been a bit poorly since and had to have a day off school yesterday. I must admit I enjoyed his company.

Today I'm sharing a scrapbook page made for Bubbly Funk and on their blog today at www.bubblyfunk.co.uk/blog

The picture of my youngest son was taken six years ago at Swanage. It's one of my favourite pictures of him as a baby.

I've made the page using Graphic 45 By the Sea papers and elements from Bubbly Funk's Hooked! Box.  Full details of the layout are on the blog post.

Thank you for visiting today, have a great day. Cathy x

Anyone for ice cream?

Hi everyone. Today I'm sharing another sample card for my Trimcraft demo on Sunday, made using the new Helz Cuppleditch Beach Life collection.

I think this little wooden ice cream may be one of my favourite embellishments ever!

If you live in or near Cardiff, it would be lovely to see you at my demo on Sunday. You can escape the football! (I'm actually gutted to miss it) It is a new store- the address is:
The Range Patreane Way Culverhouse Cross Cardiff CF5 4UG.
I'll be there from 11 to 4.

Today will be spent crafting and trying to stay awake long enough to pick my eldest son up from school at midnight as he returns from France. I have missed him so much but the school have shared lots of pictures and they have all had an amazing time.

Have a lovely weekend xxx

Beach Life

Hi everyone. I have been really lucky this week and got hold of the fabulous new Helz Cuppleditch Bech Life collection for my demo on Sunday. This is my first card with it.

I always like to have a new card fold for my demos and this one is called fold and frame. I made it following the tutorial in the latest issue of Papercraft Inspirations. Now I know how easy it is I'll prepare a step by step for the blog next week.

I do adore this collection, it's so perfect for summer and very cute. I will have no trouble making lots of samples this week.

Thank you for popping by. Cathy xxx

You're the Best

Hi everyone. I've been away from the blog for a while as I was finding it hard to keep up with it. However I think I'm ready to start blogging again and I'm looking forward to catching up on your blogs too.

It's Father's Day today so I'm sharing the card I made for my dad. We got together yesterday as my eldest son is off to France with his school today. I'm trying not to think about how much I will miss him.

I used a Craftwork Cards hexagon card blank for this card, then cut my layers from Dovecraft card and CWC Julie Loves Super Star papers.

I added a sentiment for the same collection layered onto the Dovecraft blue card. The stars and candi are also from the CWC Super Star collection. I finished with a twine bow- the twine is from My Mind's Eye and is available from Bubbly Funk.

I really love this colour combination, especially against the kraft card. This design would work for teachers cards too, the end of term isn't far away now.

Hope you have a lovely day whatever you are doing. I will be trying to take my mind off missing my son by preparing for my Trimcraft demo next Sunday (at the new Range store in Cardiff). Cathy x

Wedding memories

Apparently there was a big wedding this weekend! I didn't manage to catch much of the Royal celebration but it did make me think back to my own wedding day 11 years ago. I dug out a photo and decided to make a scrapbook page.

 

This layout appears on the Bubbly Funk blog today. The dotty heart, Love die cut and glittery hearts are all from the Love is...Through the Letterbox Craft Box.

My 12x12 scrapbook paper is from Crafter's Companion Sara Davies Love and Romance collection. I have also used Trimcraft First Edition washi tape on the left.

I did enjoy revisiting some good memories making this layout.

If you'd like to take a look at the fabulous Bubbly Funk Craft Boxes visit the website. There is also lots of gorgeous inspiration on the blog so please do check that out.

I'm off now to research GDPR regulations for bloggers. I may take a little break from the blog until I get it sorted, but will be back soon. Any tips are appreciated!

Cathy x