My sister, my friend

Hi everyone. Last week I took delivery of the beautiful Graphic 45 Little Women collection. I absolutely love Graphic 45 but I am more of a hoarder than a user- however Little Women remains one of my favourite books so I am determined to use these papers.

My first Little Women project is this 8 x 8 scrapbook layout:

This layout features a picture of me and my sister, taken many years ago, and it's one of my favourite childhood photo. We were on our annual holiday to Worthing, where we always stayed with my mum's cousin. I don't know how old we were at the time but it was definitely taken in the 70s. Can you tell which one is me?

I really can't wait to use this collection more as it brings back such happy childhood memories. I always wanted to be like Jo March, though I suspect as an adult I am more like Meg. My sister has always been like Amy!

The Easter holidays begin with an Inset day for my boys today, so we are off to Legoland. Hopefully it will be quiet as most children are still at school. Have a lovely weekend. Cathy x

A glimpse of Spring

Hi everyone. Yet again I have a Spring project in the midst of having some very unSpringlike weather! I have spent the last 5 years moaning about the lack of snow in Somerset, so the second disruptive snowfall in 2 weeks was a great surprise. Sadly the roads from Somerset into Bristol were bad enough that I needed to cancel my Trimcraft demo on Sunday but it will be rearranged for April.

On to my little Spring card which I made for Bubbly Funk using the new Hello Spring Letterbox Craft Box.

My added elements are some pink Hunkydory Adorable Scorable card and a Spectrum Noir Sparkle pen used to colour the butterflies. You might be able to see the sparkle in my close up.

All the details of this card are on the Bubbly Funk blog today, with the box available on the website now.

Thank you for visiting today and fof your continued support, it is much appreciated. Cathy x

For my mum...

Hi everyone. Today I thought I'd share the card I made for my mum on Mother's Day. I used Trimcraft's Amazing Mum collection for this card.

I just love this swan image and matching paper and ribbon. Of course this would work for lots of different occasions- I'm pleased I don't have to put the collection away for the year.

This weekend I have another Trimcraft demo; this time I'll be in The Range at Bristol St Phillips on Sunday.  I hope I have as busy a day as I did last week.

I know it's only Thursday but have a lovely weekend- I have Friday and Saturday free so my weekend starts tonight! Cathy x

Explore your world

Hi everyone. I had a fun and very busy but tiring weekend of demos this weekend. I also got treated to breakfast in bed, flowers, chocolates and tea in the local Indian for Mother's Day. I feel like I need another weekend to recover! 

Today I'm sharing a tag I made for the Bubbly Funk Blog this weekend. I've never made anything quite like this before so the sentiment is appropriate.

Full details of how I made it can be found on the post.

Materials used:
Tag from Bubbly Funk Seeing Stars Letterbox Craft Box
Distress Oxides- Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint and Walnut Stain
Tando Creative Andy Skinner Tread Carefully Stencil
Craftwork Cards Background Stamp
Tim Holtz Big Chat stickers
Versafine Ink Pad
Jeep die cut unknown!

I thought you might like to see the beautiful flowers my boys bought me. They're from our local florist and are lovely.

Hope you all have a lovely week. Cathy x

V&A gift bag

Hi everyone. Today I have a tutorial for one of the most popular projects from my recent Trimcraft demos- a quick and easy gift bag. I've used the V&A collection for this one.

To make the bag you need:

One piece of paper measuring 12" by 5" and another 3.5" x 4"
Double sided tape
Tag (this one is from the Simply Creative range)
Sentiment stamp
Pearl embellishments
Washi tape

1. Take the smaller piece of paper and score every side at 0.5".

Cut a flap at each corner and form into a small box base.

2. Take the larger strip of paper and add tape along the bottom and down one of the shorter sides.

3. Wrap this strip around the base, sticking as you go. It will overlap at the back so stick this down too (it's far easier to do if you have already added the tape in step 2!).

4. You can seal the bag in lots of different ways- I have added holes and used ribbon and used a peg but my favourite way is to seal it using double sided inside at the top.

I've added washi tape and a stamped tag but you can also decorate the bag in lots of ways, as in these demo makes:

I have a feeling I will be making more of these at my demos on Saturday and Sunday. Have a great weekend, Cathy x

Amazing Mum

Hi everyone. The unthinkable happened on Thursday afternoon as we had snow and lots of it. On Friday we had our first snow day in 5 years. My eldest son made the most of it and went off sledging with a friend. The youngest lasted 10 minutes before getting too cold. I don't think skiing will ever be on our holiday list!

I spent part of the snow day crafting and managed to make two Mother's Day cards for orders. I used Dovecraft's Amazing Mum collection.

My first card is a pretty in pink z-fold card:

This is definitely one of my favourite card folds as it is perfect for showing all these lovely papers.

This is my second card:

I love the fresh colours of this one. It really is a pretty collection.

Of course, here in the UK it's Mother's Sunday next Sunday. Somehow, I have managed to book Trimcraft demos at The Range stores on both days next weekend (Saturday in Bridgwater, Sunday in Weston Super Mare) so won't have much chance for treats.

Have a lovely week x

Aloha Spring!

I think it's safe to say that this blog title is a little ironic given the current weather- but, after all, it is the meteorological first day of Spring today.

This card is my latest for the Bubbly Funk blog.

I have used a Prima Finnabair stencil and Prima flowers available from Bubbly Funk. Other materials used are:
Distress Inks in Squeezed Lemonade and Worn Lipstick
Distress Oxides in Fossilized Amber, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry and Spiced Marmalade.
Doily from the Bubbly Funk 'Love is...' box.
'Aloha' sentiment from For the Love of Stamps by Hunkydory.

Full details of the card are in my blog post.

We have snow forecast for today. It is 5 years since we last had any lying snow in Street so my boys are desperately hoping it will happen and that we will get at least one snow day. I'm not sure what I think about that however, especially as I have a Trimcraft demo in Newport on Sunday. Whatever the weather where you are, enjoy the weekend and stay safe. Cathy x