Happy Smooshing!

Hi everyone. Another busy week but finally the last school run before the holidays. I was supposed to have a whole day off today but instead I'm teaching in Gloucestershire so will be out all day.

Yesterday I had a happy delivery- my parcel containing the latest Julie Loves Kit from Craftwork Cards. I loved it as soon as Julie showed the DT a sneak peek and ordered the main kit and stamps. I couldn't wait to get started so made this card straight away!

I started off by 'smooshing' some Distress Inks onto watercolour card. The colours I used are my absolute favourites: Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves. I then stamped these fabulous words using Staz-on black ink. To finish I randomly added a sequin in each colour (I literally threw them on!) and added my panel to a tent fold card blank.

This is a very different card for me but I'm really happy with it. The process was so much fun too!

Hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever you have planned. Cathy x

Super Cool Robot

Hi everyone, hope your week is going well. Today I'm sharing a card I made for Quick Cards Made Easy magazine as part of their Reader Design Team. 

I was really pleased to see that the papers we were using were these cute robot designs- perfect for the kind of cards I make all the time. I just decided to layer the papers up before adding a robot image and sentiment. My only embellishments were some cogs cut from kraft card.

As you may know, each issue's DT has 10 members with 3 cards being chosen for the magazine. I was thrilled when I got my copy and found that my card had been published. You can also see everyone's cards on Quick Cards Facebook page- there are some brilliant designs.

Have a lovely day. Cathy x

Happy Mother's Day

Hi everyone. Yes I know I'm a day late but I didn't want to share the card I made for my Mum until she'd seen it!

The papers, topper and flowers are from Craftwork Cards Shabby Chic collection, with a Dovecraft doily. I fussy cut the roses from a second sheet of matching paper to add some depth. I added lace to the topper and cut the letters on my Scan n Cut. I added Liquid Pearls to finish.

I think this is a real 'me' card and especially love this pink and green colour combo. My Mum loved it to. 

I also thought I'd share something new I did this weekend- I created a layout for my planner for the first time.

My husband bought this planner for me in the US last year and I've been meaning to work on it for a while.  This weekend I felt I needed some relaxation and me time so this is what I chose to do. Unfortunately, I fear this might become a bit addictive as I enjoyed it so much.

Hope you have a lovely week- only 5 more school runs until the Easter hols and I can't wait! X

Kiss, kiss

Hi everyone. Today I'm sharing two of my cards from my Trimcraft demos last week. I took the photos whilst I was there, hence the unusual background.

Today's cards were made using the fabulous Kiss & Make Up range. At the first store, there were no paper pads in stock so I made this card to show how to work without designer papers:

I cut a rectangle of card to sit behind the frame and covered it with strips of washi tape before adding it to the back of the frame. I added more washi tape to the side and bottom of a card blank. The stickers, gems and fabulous lip brad are all part of the collection.

My second card is from my second demo and uses the 8x8 paper pad layered on a pink card blank.

The chipboard stickers from this collection are great fun- I love the make up and brush stickers on this card.

This collection was definitely a big hit with many girls I saw at the weekend, it's something fun and very different I think.

Thank you for visiting today, I always appreciate your comments. Cathy x

My first mini album

Hi everyone. Today I have a post on the Craftwork Cards blog and I'm sharing my very first mini album, using the very pretty Meadow collection.

I have writted a tutorial on the CWC blog but here are some pictures of my final album:

Thanks for visiting today and for your lovely comments. Cathy x

Meadow and hedgerow

Hi everyone. A short post from me today as I'm exhausted from a busy weekend. I had great fun doing my first demos for Trimcraft but it was more tiring than I expected!

Today there is a fabulous new Craftwork Cards launch on Create and Craft, with the Meadow and Hedgerow collections. I loved working with the Meadow papers with their beautiful spring colours- in fact Julie Hickey remarked that she could tell how much I loved them from my samples. Julie is such an awesome, encouraging person- just as lovely as you would imagine from TV.

I made one more special project, which I'm saving for a tutorial on Wednesday.

Thank you for visiting today and for your lovely comments. Cathy x

To grow a friend

Good morning everyone. Friday has come and I have a very exciting weekend ahead, as I will be doing my first two craft demonstrations for Trimcraft. I will be in The Range in Bridgwater on Saturday and in Gloucester on Sunday. If you are nearby please do pop in and say goodbye.

Yesterday Hunkydory released its very first USB and I was lucky enough to get to play with it and make some samples. Today I'm sharing one of my favourites:

This has been made using the 'To grow a friend' topper set. I made the base card from background card stock then added a pocket from a matching piece of card, cut diagonally. 

Inside the pocket I have placed a seed packet, which I made from the second sheet of matching cardstock (as with HD kits, most topper sets on the USB come with two background cards). 

I decorated the seed packet with a topper and sentiment, with another sentiment on the card.

Although I'm not really a digital crafter, I really enjoyed using this USB. So many collections at your fingertips!

Thank you for visiting today and for your comments. Cathy x