Anya - isn't she so cute?

As it was such a wet and miserable morning, it was a good excuse to craft again!
I have plenty of things I really should do but I feel relaxed when I'm making cards - that is, starting and actually finishing a card. I have so many 'works in progress!
So whilst the dinner is cooking, I thought I'd blog! (Got a bit carried away and now have no cauliflower as it's burnt to the bottom of the pan!)

Back again!

So Anya and Ian in wedded bliss!

A few Primas with pearl centres to set it off.

And this is a different take on the Essence of Love stamp set, using Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red and Old Olive SU markers and spritzed. I just love this technique!

I've another project in progress at the moment after seeing (somewhere but I can't remember - apologies! to the inspirer) yet another 3D box. Just getting the measurements together as I feel a workshop coming on!

Watch this space and thanks for dropping by!

Please leave a comment if you have the time and I'll pop by yours!

Bags and Boxes

I just love making bags and boxes, especially so that they can hold notelets.
On June 13th, I am holding 2 workshops when we will be making one of these holders with 4 notelets plus another larger box, in a different style with cards to fit. Both sessions are full but I shall be holding a similar workshop shortly, if antbody else would like to know how to make these lovely little gifts.

This one is cut using a Sizzix Bigz die and I've used the small flower stamp around the edges, from the Loads of Love stamp set from SU.

This notelet set uses the Oval All stamp set with the Oval scallop punch, oval punch and scallop edge border punch. All so useful! If you would like to order any of these, I would be happy to get them for you. Just let me know by email triciaablett@hotmail.com.

And these cute little boxes are also a Bigz die - just having a play with sponging to see what effects I could get. I have owned this die for some while now but had been so frustrated that some of the scored lines were actually cutting through the cardstock. Thought it must be my Bigshot at fault after trying different thicknesses of card and paper. It worked fine with paper, but why would I want a box made from 80gm paper???

But then last week, I found a Super Crease mat at the local craft warehouse and voila!! All my dies with score lines are now functional. I was ecstatic when it worked - how sad!

I don't know what I would use these boxes for as they are only about an inch and a half square!

Perhaps a delicious handmade Belgian chocolate or maybe a bit of jewellery! Maybe both!! Well it was my 7th wedding anniversary yesterday and I didn't get either but I did have plenty of these little boxes to use, should the need have arisen!! He is taking me out for a romantic meal tonight though, so better get ready!

Thanks for looking

Tricia -x-

Promarkers v Copics

I was a bit cheesed off that my new Magnolias Graduate collection didn't arrive this morning, so I thought I'd have a play with some I already have, along with trying out my Promarkers. I already have Copics and to be honest, I'm not very good at blending with them, so Ithought I'd try PMs to see how I got along with them. And since Joanna Sheen has such a great deal on them at the moment, I couldn't resist them!
So here's the first Tilda, mounted on a printed background (cheating!), by PCCrafter. But then my efforts went into cutting out the fiddly tree swing. I enjoyed using the PMs but I'm not particularly good with them. They have good control as the tips are harder than Cs but there are fewer colours, meaning that the colours are not as close together for blending - but not bad!

And here's another! Tilda in the rain from th Chasing Butterflies collection. I loved these colours and I think they blended better. Just a little bling in the centre of the flowers but the card is waiting for a greeting. I'll add this when I send it to whoever!

Thanks for looking!

Tricia -x-

Essence of Love

I saw a few cards on SCS made using this set and as it was not in our catalogue, I WANTED IT!! Badly!! So I trawled Ebay and found it in the States and received it just the other day. And here's my effort!
I used SU markers direct to the stamp and then spritzed with water from a fine one by Tim Holz. I'm quite pleased with my first effort.
The card is a cut using a big Sizzix die and I love it!

Keep watching, I'm in a blogging mood!

Tricia -x-

Card swap - seriously late! Sorry!

At last - here are the cards I made for the card swap on ILWS, which I have just got round to sending. Sorry girls that they're late but life has been so hectic lately.

And in close-up (not very clear!), this is a diamond diagonal fold which I demonstrated at my last craft class. But this time, instwad of using an A4 sheet, I tried it with A6. It's quite a cute size - A7 I suppose- and easy to make so long as you are accurate with the scoring,folding and single cut. Not much to ask - eh?

Recipe:

Playful Petals stamp set

Tea Party designer papers

Lavender Lace and Old Olive markers

Certainly celery 3/8" grosgrain ribbon

Hint of Dazzling Diamonds glitter (as always)

Instructions for this technique can be found on www.splitcoasters.com.

Hope you like?

Tricia -x-

I'm no David Bailey!

Look what I found in the garden this morning at about 6 o'clock!!
Now I'm no photographer but I was so pleased to capture this shot, and quite surprised that the little fellow decided to stay put while I went to find the camera. And the battery wasn't flat - that makes a change!
Not my usual post but I knew that I hadn't posted for a while so at least it's something different. I must now get down to some serious card making. Got a few to get posted!

Catch you later

Tricia -x-