Playing with my new toy

Yes, I have spent the weekend playing with my new Big Shot Plus - I've been digging out embossing folders that I haven't used for years and rediscovering lots of dies too!

All my stamps have been put away, whilst I concentrate on getting the most out of my new machine!

My New Big Shot Plus

It's my birthday soon, so my husband has treated me to a Big Shot Plus to replace my faithful old Cuttlebug.

I had to try it out straight away - this Arboscello Tree die by Memory Box never cut very well on the Cuttlebug, but came out a treat on the Big Shot

 I also bought issue 42 of the Tattered Lace Magazine because I loved this Cherry Blossom free die. Expect to see lots more die cuts on future cards!!

Little Wooden Houses

I bought these cute little wooden houses from from The Works - 20 for only £2!

My first  card using them - Happiness is .... a New Home!

PS I made £43 selling cards at work today for Vasculitis UK. 

What Shape do You Prefer?

What shape do you make most of your cards in - do you prefer square, the long DL, C6 or more unusual shapes?

I find most of mine are the rectangular C6 size (4 x 6 inches), but sometimes the design leads to a square or tall card. 

I have tried to make a few stepper cards - but just find them too fiddly!

Charity Cards

I get carried away and make so many cards, that I often donate some to charity. Recently they have gone to the local hospice and animal rescue charities, but at the moment I am making some for Vasculitus UK, as a friend at work suffers from this nasty illness and often has to send weeks in hospital when it flares up.

Its one of those diseases that is difficult to diagnose because it has so many different symptoms and can change peoples lives forever.

We are holding a fund raising event next week and while everybody else will be baking cakes and scones, I will be selling my cards!

A couple more cards - I am still using up items that I got in my Craftwork Cards goodie box from back in April 2016!

And there is still loads left that I haven't touched yet!

Stash Busting

Oh dear - my pile of stash just keeps increasing, why do they keep bring out new papers, dies, inks and stamps that are so irresistible??

I love Craftwork Cards and have loads of their papers and craft candi, but I have got to use some up before I can justify buying any more!

Twilight Mermaids

I'm now mixing the Twilight Kingdom papers with the fab Mermaid Stamps from Creative Stamping Magazine - I think they go quite well together!

Gorguss Twilight Cards

Some more cards made with the fab Twilight Kingdom background papers - this time matched with the free Gorjuss stickers that were free with Creativity Magazine

Hunkydory Twilight Kingdom Pad

Found this pad of beautiful papers in The Range today and just had to make some cards with it straight away

There are 24 different designs that work so well with black silhouette die cuts like these cats, birds and rabbit! Well worth £7.99

80th Birthday Card

I've been asked to make an 80th birthday card by my Mum for her friend - I don't know this lady, so have had to fall back on the 'old faithful' themes of flowers, butterflies and birds!

I made 2 different cards - so Mum has a choice which one is most suitable!

A Blessing of Unicorns!

Remember that unicorn stamp from Creative Stamping Magazine I got a month ago? Well, it has been used a lot since then and I have made and sold several cards that feature it!

Apparently a herd of Unicorns is known as a blessing, as they could bring good luck and fortune to anyone who sees them!

Always Be A Mermaid!

I love the Sheena Douglas Sea View Collection free stamps with Creative Stamping Magazine - especially the mermaid one!

The verse reads - Always be yourself, unless you can be a mermaid, then always be a Mermaid!

These cards could be great for both little girls and some of the older ladies I know too!

Sporty Men!

Made of few more Mens cards with my new stash - Rugby players, cricketers and a fisherman

The fishing card has been sold already!

Some More for the Men

Someone has kindly given me their old card making stash and there was lots of male themed papers and images in it!

These are a few quick birthday cards I have made - looking to put together some Fathers Day cards, as well

Finally, here's a picture of Freddie lying in my craft room. He has settled in during his first week with us - he is a very vocal cat, who is always meowing or chirping to remind us he is here! One cat. Millie, has accepted him, the other cat, Jinny, still gives the odd growl as she wanders past.

Cats Galore!

I love to feature cats on my cards and have many feline stamps, images and dies as a result!

This is the latest cat to join our household - Freddie!

He had been left behind to fend for himself, when his previous owners moved and has been in the care of the RSPCA for the last 6 weeks. He has to take a daily tablet for thyroid problems, but is such an affectionate and loving cat. We don't know how old he is, the vets guess possibly 7 or 8. He has met our other 2 cats and I think they will get on well together.

I may have less time for crafting, as he loves being picked up and cuddled!

Creative Stamping

I'm loving the unicorn stamp that comes with the free Enchantment set with the latest issue of Creative Stamping magazine - made this very pink and girly card 

and also a lilac version !

Leaving Card

I have been asked to produce a leaving card for someone who is off to a new job, that incorporated cups of tea and a Scottie dog!

Luckily, I had bought some wooden Scottie dogs shapes a while ago from EMMC, and a die for tea cups was free in a crafting magazine a few months ago, so it was easy to put together this card quite quickly! The background paper was also a freebie from a magazine ages ago and the sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

Making Cards Magazine

I treated myself to Aprils edition of Making Cards Magazine this week.

 I wasn't sure about the quirky South American  Llama and Cactus designs on the free papers, but once I got them out and and had a play, found that they were quite fun!

Makes a change from the usual floral and butterflies style that I usually gravitate towards!

Happy Easter to you all !

Happy Easter to all you crafters - I'm sure that there are several of you who have taken the opportunity to make some Easter cards recently!

Any excuse to get out the stash and have a play!

More for the Men

Remember those wooden embellishments that I bought a while ago?

Well, here's a couple more cards made with the plane and cat shapes!