Trying something new....

I'm wanting to be a bit more adventurous with my stamping and card making, so I have been pondering over what to do.

Having scrolled through the few hundred photos I have kept of past creations, I stumbled across this lovely little gift box card. I seem to remember seeing Sara Davies from Crafter's Companion making something similar on the telly and thought...I could do that!

So here it is...

  

I'm thinking of resurrecting this for a Pink Pig Workshop, as it is a little different and not that hard to make.

My other little challenge is going to be candle stamping. I've seen a few You Tube videos on how other people have achieved it, but haven't dared try it. The wax paper has been ordered, so hopefully in the next week or two I will give it a go.....watch this space for my results (if it turns out OK that is!)

Happy Crafting

x

A few more entries have come my way....

I am loving May's challenge as everyone who comes into the shop seems to be up for entering! The designs are all so beautiful and different, that I'm glad I don't have to decide on a winner....you do!!

Here are the next entries...

Alison

Jeanette

Connie

Lisa

To Vote for your favourite, either pop over to facebook and click 'like' against the one you want to win, or leave a comment with the person's name.

Happy Crafting!

So the challenge is on.....

On Thursday I challenged my Thursday Morning regulars to create a card for May's sketch challenge. I left them to play with my dies, stamps and other goodies and here's what they came up with....

Gill

Susan

Diane

Jennifer

Ruth

Alison

Some beautiful entries, I hope you agree. If you want to vote on the blog, just leave a comment with the person's name. Otherwise, they will all make an appearance on facebook in the order shown above for you to like and share.

If you have a creation to submit, just let me know.

Happy Crafting

x

It's Challenge Time!!!

As promised, it's the 1st May and time for a crafty challenge. This month, it's a sketch challenge and here is your layout:

I had to have a little play with the new Molly Blooms stamps, so I used it as an excuse to create something for inspiration purposes!!

I look forward to seeing your wonderful creations. To enter, just post a pic on facebook and a link to your blog here or email a photo and I'll do the work for you.

Up for grabs this month is a beautiful Marianne Designs Butterfly Die. So what have you got to lose!!

happy Crafting.

x

It's nearly the weekend....yay!

Another week has flown by and I managed to make it into the workshop today for a little card making sesh!

As my skills have progressed over the years, I find myself adding more and more and more embellishment/colour to every card. So today, I restricted myself......and it was hard, very very hard.

I stamped and coloured one of my favourite LOTV stamps and restricted myself to using the following promarkers:

Tan, Putty, Almond, Chestnut, Cocoa and Blender

So that the image's white card didn't look too stark, I used antique linen distress ink and played with my papers from My Minds Eye.

OK, so I've been a little bit slack and realised I haven't posted April's challenge. I've decided to wait until May now, so that everyone has a chance to make something. I can't believe how quickly the days are passing at the minute, but between Dr/Hospital/Work I don't seem to get a minute for myself any more. I am currently on with the very boring task of tax year end calculation for the business. How I wish it would just magically calculate itself!!

In between the boring stuff, Niamh decided we were to enter a Cake Decorating competition (gulp!) I don't think she realises that there are some very talented bakers out there and after a few weeks of making cakes, we probably don't stand a chance. But......here's how we got on:

First, we made a victoria sponge......

 Next we covered it with Pink Icing..

       Then we added white choc chip 

cupcakes with pink icing and a buttercream topping and a bunch of sugarpaste stars...

   and some more buttercream & stars

  and this is the finished product!

I have never spent so long on baking/creating a cake, but I am looking forward to demolishing it!!! (I did squash the top when I tried to cover it, but nobody gets to see that but!)

If you would like to support me (but mainly Niamh) in winning this competition, please follow this link and vote for the Star Cake Cupcake Crazy entry! https://www.facebook.com/MyCakeDecorating/app_115978431901938

Back on the Papercrafting front, I have had a go at scrapbooking this week. I don't think it will take over from my card making, but it was nice to do something a little different

My happy smiley family

The winner is.....

Well it's April already and Sketch Challenge #4 has ended. The winner is Jeanette Handley who received the most votes for her lovely male themed creation:

Jeanette wins a selection of Kanban's 'Get Britain Crafting' Toppers. Congratulations Jeanette!!

I am just putting the finishing touches to April's challenge, so watch this space.

On a separate note, I think my new hobby of baking is taking over! Over the last few weeks I have made 4 batches of cupcakes and a batch of sugar biscuits. All different flavours and all have been demolished in the blink of an eye!

Here are the creations so far....

Attempt number 1 using cake decorating magazines instructions:

Attempt number 2 using the same magazines instructions (This was to practice piping skills more than anything!):

Attempt 3 was free styling for Easter and my Mother In Law's birthday (starting to feel a bit more confident with the piping gun now!):

Attempt 4 - I'd bought some coloured Icing and some cookie cutters I wanted to play with:

and the last attempt was a recipe I found on a cupcake app and just had to try!! ( I did adapt it slightly as I thought chocolate drizzle topping would make it a bit different!) :

I have received several volunteers to sample the next batch, claiming they are willing guinea pigs until I master this new hobby and can call myself a 'proper' baker......strange how baked goods have this effect on people! The other suggestion is to branch out and consider a side line for Pink Pig. I'm not sure Pink Pig Cupcakes is all that inviting really, but certainly something to keep in mind.

Happy Crafting