Win a Prize for clicking the 'like' button!

From now until 31st January, I am running a competition for 1 lucky person to win a Stampin Up! taster pack. All you need to do is click the 'like' button on my Pink Pig Crafts Facebook page and your name will be entered into the draw. If you share the link and your friend/family 'like' me, post on the wall or send a message to let me know and you will be entered in for every recommendation.

Good Luck and thank you for your support! X

P.s. Check out www.pinkpigcrafts.co.uk for your crafting supplies.

Pink Pig is alive!

What a very busy few weeks I've had! Pink Pig Crafts opened on 1st December. The website is almost live and everything seems to be going well.

If you're a facebook user, please have a look for the pinkpigcrafts page. I will be keeping it updated with projects from the workshops conducted on site.

This week I have been making many Christmas cards to fulfil the orders I have received. Here are a few:-

This card has been made using Stampin Up! Stamps and papers. You will need:

Serene Snowflakes and Season of Joy Stamp Set
Old Olive Card
Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Ink Pad
Striped Paper
Small hole punch
Brights Glitter Brads
Real Red Ribbon
Double sided tape
PVA glue
Stamp-a-ma-jig


*Using one of the snowflake stamps and Old Olive Ink, Stamp a circle of snowflakes to form the wreath. *Once dry, Punch 6 small holes around the wreath and insert the glitter brads to form the berries.
*Tie a bow in the ribbon and attach to the bottom of the wreath using PVA
*Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, position the Merry Christmas message in the misddle of the wreath. Use the Cherry Cobbler Ink.
*Mount the image onto a piece of Old Olive card.
* Mount the striped paper onto a piece of old olive card, then mount the image on top.
*Attach the assembled work to a 6x6 white card blank

This card has been made using lotv James the Bear and Core'dinations card
You will need:

James the Bear Stamp
Black Memento Ink
Promarkers - Terracotta, Apricot, Saffron, Vanilla, Berry Red, Poppy, Red, Pastel Pink, Aegean, Sky Blue, Cool Aqua
Spellbinders Lacey Square Die
Core'dinations card stock (Choose whichever colours you prefer)
Sandpaper
Craftwork Cards Christmas message
Snowflakes embossing folder
                                          Double sided tape abd 3D foam pads

*Stamp the James Bear image onto a piece of smooth white cardstock. Allow to dry
*Colour the bear's fur using terracotta, apricot, saffron and vanilla promarkers
*Colour the hat using berry red, poppy, red and pastel pink promarkers
*Colour the scarf using Aegean, Sky Blue and Cool Aqua Promarkers
*Die cut a piece of coloured card stock using the Lacey Squares largest Die.
*Cut the image to fit within the die cut card
*Emboss a lighter shade of card stock with the snowflakes folder.
*Sand the raised image to create a distressed effect
*Cut a darker piece of card to mount the embossed card to
*Mount the image to the lacey sqaures card, then the lacey squares to the embossed card.
*Stick the assembled
 work to a card blank.

I am running my first workshop using the James the Bear Stamp. Hopefully the class will love him and the promarker effects as much as I do.

It's all go!

I don't know where the days are going! Besides constant visits to the hospital to try and diagnose my ongoing vision issues, The shop is nearly complete and I have just seen the preview to my website! How exciting!

I don't know who is the most excited for this new venture, me or my best mate Peppa. She has been very supportive, from listening to me moan about not being able to focus properly, to helping create new papercrafty items ready for the shop!

We have so far created our Xmas Wreaths and a string of bunting to hopefully give people ideas...... what do you think? :-

 This has been made using craftwork cards papers, candi and warren die cut images

















Xmas Bunting : We have used a mixture of products for this one.

The bunting, Candi and Warren die cuts and flowers are from Craftwork Cards

The gingerbread men stamp is from Molly Bloom and coloured in using Promarkers.

The Snowman stamp is from Crafter's Companion and again coloured using promarkers.

The holly leaves have been punched from coloured card stock and it has all been strung together with satin edged organza ribbon.

We have always stuck to Card Making, so this was a nice change and I hope you agree, very pretty.

This Sunday I am attending a LOTV colouring masterclass in Leeds to learn how to use the Promarkers effectively. I absolutely adore all the LOTV stamps and the effects they achieve, so fingers crossed I can master this too!

Hopefully the shop and website will be up and running by 1st November, so if I don't get a chance to blog before, Happy Halloween and Safe Bonfire Night!

Decoration Preparation

I have been to Manchester, Birmingham and Harrogate to various craft shows over the last 2 weeks, collating ideas from the many many talented people out there.

Next week I will be making a paper wreath and Xmas bunting with my crafty buddy Peppa.
The plan is to use them in the shop to inspire others, so watch this space.....

Christmas preparations have started!

Work on Pink Pig continues, but in between the building, painting and general destruction, I have made a start on my Christmas cards!!

I have used a Penny Black Slapstick stamp and Copic Pens for the image which I am really loving. I think I may use this image on quite a few cards this year!!

This image is another Penny Black Slapstick card and again I have used Copics to colour it in.

The last christmas card this week is the Snowman from Crafters Companion. A very simple image, but a much loved character from childhood.....loving it!









Its going to be a busy few months with renovating, hospital appointments, card making and website planning, but I have a list of about 7 cards I need to make in the next week or so.

As well as the Christmas cards this week, I have made a Ruby Anniversary and a Wedding Card....busy busy busy!

 Using Wild Rose Stamps and Spectrum Noir Pens. (I have used the pens for the first time and am finding the blending great)

I wanted to keep this simple and elegant. I have used the cricut imagine calligraphy cartridge for the lettering.










Pink Pig pictures will be posted soon......hopefully!

what a busy month

It's hard to believe that it's been nearly a month since I started work on the pink pig premises. The building is very old and hasn't seen any tlc in a very long time. I am currently trying to strip wallpaper that has been vanished, glossed and emulsioned....stunning and a real pain to remove.

The workshops room is almost there, I have had the ceiling lowered to provide better lighting, the walls have been plastered and painted and a new laminate floor installed for easy clean up. My lovely husband is currently creating an area to place items to dry and a coat cupboard, as well as installing brand new electrics.

I haven't got a finished pic yet, but below you can see what I have been contending with!! :- random sink uncovered behind some hardboard!

To this:-

New walls and ceiling

I will take pics with the finished floor and walls as soon as the room is clean and tidy!

My website development has also begun, so any feedback on how you would like a craft website to look and navigate would be most helpful. My initial thoughts are to ensure it is very user friendly with only a few clicks to get what you want, but let me have your thoughts.

As well as practically living at the shop, I've had a wedding, christening and birthday card to make. The wedding and birthday card seemed to come easily, but the christening card has been tough.....

 I made this for my best friend's wedding day. Her wedding colours were pink and green, so I decided to incorporate them into the card. I have used the lili of the valley wedding stamps for the main picture.

This is the birthday card for my mum. I have used crafters companion's swalk range for the picture and Stampin Up's! #2 daisies sizzix die for the flowers. (both can be purchased from me!, just ask for details)

And finally the christening card! This was my first attempt at a shaker card, but I'm loving the effect. The picture is crafters companion's baby Humprey and the glitter is Stampin Up's! Baja Breeze glitter ( again available through me!! )

Although this one took a long time to decide on, I am very happy with the end result....hopefully my work colleague who requested it will agree. The last card I made for her made her cry, so this is now the measure for all future cards!!





Phew!.....a long update I know...apologies.....I will try and log on more frequently, but I am just so excited about getting the shop open that it is taking over my life (for the better I might add)

Dream becoming reality.......yay!!!

I am finally taking the plunge, after talking about it for 5 years! I have been very lucky in securing some premises from my dad for Pink pig crafts to be born.....so excited.

There is a lot of work to do, but fortunately I have access to dad's DIY shop, husband the electrician and father in law plasterer....such a lucky girl.

We are grafting hard to make the workshop area perfect and I will update some pictures as soon as we get the place in a decent condition.....watch this space.

July Workshop planning...

I am getting excited now, my first workshop is booked for Saturday 16th July at 10am......let's hope somebody turns up!

I have put together a simple card as I have no idea what everybody's capabilities will be yet and I really want everyone to have fun. I have used the Wedding Sweet and Cottage Garden stamp selections:-

My sister is getting married in November and has asked me to make the wedding invites. Luckily for me, the Wedding Sweet stamp set is ideal and was the final choice. I have kept it simple and elegant as requested and I think they look fab.....but see for yourself:-

First practice....

The new crafting goodies arrived this week, so it was only fitting that I started 'playing' with them immediately! I have now approached a local community centre to hold my own craft workshop and can't wait to get started!

I decided this time not to just stick to card making. I have made an easel card card and a chocolate gift box......so much fun.

These may be a bit more advanced than I need for my first demonstration, but at least I now have an idea of what i can create using these fab new stamps.

Away from crafting, as promised, here is a now 5 month old Sam. He is becoming a very big chilled out pup who loves nothing more than eating my garden.....(hope he grows out of that one soon!)

My beautiful Sam.

Stampin Up!

I have only gone and done it! Yes, I have joined the Stampin Up! family and become an independant demonstrator. Hopefully this will be the start of my crafting business career!!!

For those of you who don't know about Stampin Up!, it is an American based company that has been running for 22 years. They sell stamps, inks, card, embellishments etc and you can only buy the products through a demonstrator by catalogue. If you are interested in having a look, visit http://www.stampinup.co.uk/.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the products, let me know. I am looking at running challenges/competitions once I have received my goodies so that everyone can have a chance to win some of the fantastic stamps/cards/embellishments to have a play with.

I will post some of my creations once I have had a chance to play and would appreciate you sharing details of my blog on your own blog to help kick start my business ( at this point, all help is greatly appreciated!! )

I am so looking forward to starting up this new venture and will keep you posted as things progress.

If you live in or around the wakefield area, I will be starting a monthly craft class soon, so let me have your details and I will update you with dates/times/venue as soon as it's finalised.

As I am still quite new to blogging, if anyone has any pearls of wisdom to help me get this business started, please let me know.

It's been a while.....

Hi all,

Well it's been an interesting 6 weeks since I last updated my blog. I haven't been on here as I lost 60% of my vision overnight.....scary!

Fortunately it is starting to come back, but it seems very difficult to keep my vision focused (very frustrating when trying to make cards!)

Anyway, after a holiday to Florida I am back and making my cards as and when the vision allows.

Do crafts have released 'tatty teddy' stamps, which me and my daughter absolutely adore. We have been trying to be a little bit more adventuous with our colours and designs, but the feedback from relatives has been great. It was my sister in laws birthday last weekend and I put together something a little different:-

 

I am aiming now to try and start some form of crafting business. I am contacting suppliers and investigating anything and everything to do with business start ups. It would be so nice to have a career round something I love so much.....so watch this space!

Happy crafting
X

Distress Inks

After attending the GNPE at Harrogate and learning new Distress Ink techniques, I have been busy dabbling and testing what effects I can achieve. I stamped a few images to play with and was pleasantly surprised at the finished results:-

I haven't decided what I want to do with the forever friends bears yet, though I am thinking about an Anniversary Card (I'll keep you posted!)

After finishing the flowers, I thought they would be ideal for my Gran's birthday card. After playing about with the different backing papers and ribbons, I finished the card quite quickly. It will be my Gran's 93rd birthday this time. She has been falling a lot lately and keeps telling us she doesn't have much time left, so I hope this will make her happy and that she will enjoy being with the family for a get together.

I absoluately adore this stamp and the distress inks have really added depth to the image. I am looking forward to playing more with these inks as the demonstrator mentioned that they are very versatile...... I guess only time will tell! If anybody has any hints and tips, please let me know.

xxxx



Happy Easter!

Well, what a busy week! The fabulous weather has meant the garden is now finished, I have been building a pagoda with my husband and we have just finished wiring in the lights and planting the honeysuckles to finish it off. It does look fab, even if I do say so myself!!

Last Sunday I added to the family by purchasing a chocolate lab puppy. I have called him Sam and he is sooooo cute and very well behaved...

In between the gardening and puppy (playing) training, I have managed to make the 18th not girly, girly birthday card. To be honest, it took me ages to decide on what I could use on this one, but after rifling through a do-crafts magazine, inspiration finally hit...

 This is nice easy card to make using the following:

8x8 white card blank

Purple spotty paper

Purple striped paper

Purple satin card

Thunder Grey Mirriboard

Silver metalic effect paper

Organza Ribbon ( lilac with silver edge and Heather )

Papermania glitter dots

Cricut - Simply Sweet Cartridge (for name and numbers)

All the card and papers are stuck together using double sided tape, the bow using pinflair glue and the letters/numbers using Quickie glue.

I am pleased with the outcome and will be taking this one to work next week after I've finished my Easter break.

Hopefully the remaining few days will be nice and relaxing and the sun will continue to shine!

xx

Unique Wedding Card

Well what a fantastic weather we've had this week. I have been focusing on one card along side the garden projects I decided it was time to undertake!!.

I was asked to make a custom wedding card. The brief I was given was a wedding card with a purple theme. Simple!

I spent two nights this week sat on the floor making paper roses. Its a slow process, but I hope you agree that the end result is so worth it.

To make this card you will need:

Card Blank - any size you desire. I've used an 8x8 craftwork cards blank.
Lilac satin cardstock
Craftwork cards white paper with silver spirals
Craftwork cards paper blox - purple selection
Liliofthevalley wedding couple stamp
Copics - BV29,E37,E00,RV000,V15,V17,V91,V95,YG11
Oval scalloped edge Nestabilities Die
Cuttlebug or other die cutting machine
Crafters Companion Irreidescent Spray
Pinflair Glue & Quickie Glue
Cricut - Calligraphy Cartridge (for writing)

The lilac card and white/silver paper is attached to the card blank using pinflair glue. This gives you the extra time to move the items into the exact position.

I have also used the pinflaie glue to stick the roses together and then attach to the card. I have only just started using this glue, but I have to say, it is fantastic! It dries quickly and if you splurge, it wipes away leaving no marks! Superb!!

The letters are attached using quickie glue. I am loving my Cricut for cutting different shaped letters. Although I haven't used it here, you have the ability to cut shadow lettering for a 3d effect and can make any size you so desire.....(just want a gypsy now to complete the outfit!)

I will be delivering this card to my colleague tomorrow. Fingers crossed it is well received!

Next week I will be working on an 18 year old girl's card. Apparently she's not girly or cutesy, so this one is going to be challenging!

Unit 1 Assessment - the first 3 cards

I think I'm getting the hang of the blog site now, so here are the first 3 cards I have submitted.

My first ever blog!

I am currently saving (really hard) to turn my hobby into a career. I am longing to open my own little craft shop, but decided I should research as much as possible and show my commitment by undertaking a papercraft qualification.

About a month ago I started the course and submitted 3 cards for unit 1. The first part requests a 'receipe card' completing for each card/papercraft item you make. The 'receipe card' is basically a list of items used, considerations made and an evaluation of your end product. I can't say I found it easy, as I find it very difficult to evaluate myself on any task, but after al lot of pondering I did it and submitted my coursework.

A week later I received my result...a pass credit! That's the top mark I could get, so I am very pleased with myself!!

I've now started unit 2, which is working on displaying my work publically. As I want to open my own store, what better way to start 'advertising' myself than to have a blog, so here it is!

As I make more cards and learn new techniques, I hope to keep the blog updated. I always appreciate feedback, so if you like/don't like what you see, please feel free to comment.

I will post my unit one creations for all to see.

xx