Trip to Craftmania, Gt Yarmouth

 Whilst my daughter went on all the rides at Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, I took the opportunity to visit Craftmania nearby and ended up with this haul!

Craftmania is run by Jamie Rodgers, who also owns Creative Expressions. However, the shop stocks lots of other brands such as John Next Door, Hunkydory, Scrap Boys, Ranger & Julie Hickey 

I loved his own brand Happy Birthday to You die, and quickly rattled off a couple of cards using it.

The place is stuffed full of tempting papercraft goodies, and I came home with stencils, dies, inks, stamps  and a Junk Journal Book by Ciao Bella

They also have an amazing inspiration Room  with loads of cards made from their products, plus some real bargains from the end of ranges, where I picked up this parrot die set

and some vintage swan papers at knock-down prices. I can highly recommend a visit to anyone who is in the Norfolk/Suffolk area, but you will need some time to wander around it. Just as I pulled up, a lady parked and went inside, whilst her husband or partner got out and took a dog for a walk!

They also have an online shop too www.craftmaniacrafts.com which has free postage on orders over £15. 

Scraps Away!

 

I've been trying to use up all those scrappy, left over bits of patterned paper that I just can't throw away.

I've manage to mix and match a few together to make some more birthday cards

Cherry Blossom

 

I've had this cherry blossom stamp and die set since 2010, it was a freebie from a magazine. With spring in the air, it seems a good time to get it out and use it again!

4 different birthday cards now made to showcase the branch of cherry blossoms

Card Candy Galore

 

Back in 2010 I won a large box of Craftwork Cards Candy dots in assorted colours.  They have appeared in my blog over the years here, here and here

I did buy a Christmas tree stamp which uses them and featured that back in Nov 2023.  I  have just bought this Bubble Bloom flower  stamp off eBay to try and use up few more.

However, it only uses 16 per stamp (the smaller dots are Nuvo Drops), and I have hundreds to use up!

Wedding Bells

 

I felt in the mood to make some wedding cards recently

It must be that spring is in the air

or perhaps that we are planning a wedding in the family for later this year!

These are always lovely cards to design and make

Especially using embossed backgrounds and the 'happy couple' silhouette die  that I have had for years!

Another selection of birthday cards I have made with the toppers I bought last month

some male, some female and a few for children too.

Helping to make up a box of cards which will be donated to charity soon

 

Easter Cards

 

Just made a selection of Easter cards

Some with a religious theme

but many featuring cute Easter  eggs and bunnies!

Tip Top Toppers

 

Looking around my craft room, I realised I have far too many backing papers and coloured cardstock piling up.

So I found a bargain lot of  random toppers on eBay to try and help use some up!

They are from Hunkydory, Create & Craft and Kanban and cover a whole range of subjects.

I was very pleased with the selection and in the last 2 days have made 18 cards

and still have so many, many more left to use!

Black Card Embossing

 

Whilst browsing on Pinterest, I came across some birthday cards using black cardstock, embossed and then highlighted in gold or silver ink.

So thought I would have a try too!

These were all made using long-forgotten embossing folders that have been languishing at the back for too long

Not the best photos, they look better in real life!

Charming

 

Late last year, I was gifted some cardstock and lots of small gold or silvertone charms to use on my cards

The brass effect tools look good on these mens birthday cards

And bottles of wine always help a celebration card!

Especially when paired with Champagne glasses and a corkscrew!