Xmas decor

Last year, I saw on the internet a lovely idea on how to make little snowflake trees ornaments for the real size Christmas trees over at Better Homes and Gardens website. The idea made me to make me do a tree stand alone using the Cricut Expressions -click here to see it. The original, which was deep red is in my mum's house, the white one should be in a shop. So this year I decided to go traditional and make it in green, even though is not the proper Christmas green.


Sometimes when I am demonstrating the Cricut expressions people think that I have gone crazy because I say often that I love it so much. Well it is not faking that love, I honestly love it, it is so versatile and useful in all sorts of occasions, its great for cardmaking, scrapbooking, home decor and even children entertainment.

I also did a snowflake wreath for my studio window using snowflakes cut in different sizes in white card using the layers function -so it is even more 3D.


All of this ornaments have been done with the Joy of the Season cartridge.

More Xmas

Not much to share else that this card! Last Saturday I forgot to take pictures of the projects I did for and during the demo. But I enjoyed making them so much that I will try and make some for me to keep and share them with you. A hint: Christmas decor.

Paper Folding

Another card I taught last Saturday. For this one I used Wassail Basic Grey paper and playing around I came up with this fold that allows the message to pop and then fold flat to fit in an envelope. I am loving paper engineering !

This year's Christmas Cards

Well, I haven't done many of them to send but I have been teaching them. This one above was part of the set that I taught last Saturday at the Glitter Pot. By the way I will be there next Saturday demonstrating die cutting, you know Nestabilities, Cuttlebug and some really nice Sissix dies.
Nothing much otherwise, just some articles that need doing and writing.

Apologies, it's sports again, but it is the Davis Cup!

Right, so if you follow my blog you will now that I love when Spanish sportsmen do well and specially I enjoy tennis (even more if Rafa Nadal is playing). So it wont come to a surprise to you that I am ecstatic that Spain won yesterday the Davis Cup in Argentina which, almost everyone agrees, is nothing short of a sporting miracle.
Like in basketball and in football, the team arrive to the final without its main star due to injury, in this case Nadal, in basketball Gasol, in football Villa, yet the team has pull through again.
Congratulations to all! (Specially the gorgeous Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco that won the points in the final!)

Mini Album

I did this mini album as a class a few months ago at Tresure Crafts using photos I took of my sister. Hopefully, Ananda (my sister) wont see that I posted it here!




I used paper from My Minds eye and Bind it all products, such as the clear cover and the plywood backcover.


As the pages I used pre-scored cards and envelopes.

More Christmas Cards

Again this card is from last years as I only make mine just a week or so before last posting date, so I haven't any from this years just yet.
The patterned paper is from Making Memories (St. Nick collection) as it is double sided I just trimmed a piece and then and just made a fold at an angle so it shows both sides. The message is from a Making Memories rub on book.

Karen Burniston!

Yesterday I attended to a mini album all day class, well morning taught by Karen Burniston and afternoon by Cheryl Mezzetti at Treasure Crafts.
I had heard many good things about Karen, and oh, boy, she didn't disappoint in the slightest. She is a really good teacher, honeslty, one of the best I have ever been taught by, specially considering the difficulty of the project. I love paper and love any interactive thing made out of it, so Karen's projects are my thing. The class we did was Ornamental which is a mini album with a 3D ornament that I could never come up with anything like this but it is so easy to follow her instructions. If you fancy having a go, you can buy the classes here, you will get full instructions, with step by step diagrams and color photos.
Cheryl class was brilliant as well, we did a mini Christmas album. I loved the papers and product that she chose in black, red and cream, from Creative Imaginations.
PS: Because the projects I did yesterday are from someone else, I decided not to post the photos. i hope you understand. But if you would like to see it just visit Karen's and Cheryl website and you will see what they taught at Treasure Crafts.

Acetate cards

Made with the Cuttlebug folders, Perfect Pearls and Sakura Souffle white pen. You can find everything at Crafts U Love.

Just Beacuse

I am tired but i want to post something. In this case a card that is part of mini article in the November issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft.
(The stamp is Fireworks from Banana Frog.)

Sharm El Sheikh

We were very fortunate to be invited by my in laws to the Four Season's resort. It was my first time in Sharm El Sheikh and, even though I do not enjoy usually beach resorts, this is a cut above the rest. The place is so beautiful, with private beach, four swiming pools, and even a funicular that takes you from the pool to the rooms area.
You may think that is pointless luxury, but with the heat going up the hill to your room doesn't appeal too much. I guess the concept is an outdoor lift. And nobody thinks twice about the luxury that is in fact a proper traditional lift!
The view from the top.


the view from the bottom.


View of he suites. Ours was on the ground floor (the best for accessibility).


And finally the private beach. I did swimm in the sea to do some snorkleing, but although the colours of the fish were great, it looks like the Red Sea shore is not that amazing anymore.


Sunset from the beach. Really relaxing.

Bubbles

I will try and upload more cards from now on!
The base silver card is a bought aperture card upside down, so the aperture is in the bottom instead of the top. I stamped the Hero arts set (a vintage one from a few years ago) and then punch them out with different sized circles punches.

Egypt

Before I left for Cairo, I hoped to be able to update my blog, but it wasn't possible.


We had a fantastic time, here there are some photos of Cairo, we attended a wedding, had a mini holiday at Sharm El Sheikh and met tons of family.


I hadn't been in Egypt for over four years. I guess I never realized how much I missed it until I was there. With all the good and bad things that the country has, it is always a fastinating destination.

Christmas Cards

Thank you very much for all the lovely comments posted.
As I am going on a family trip later today for over two weeks, so I wont be able to upload often but I will try to post some of last years Christmas cards.
Beginning with this series, the above card was done using Quickutz dies, which you can find at Crafts U Love.

In Memoriam

Vicente Pascual Rodrigo
1955 - 25.IX.2008

Earth has no sorrow
that heaven cannot heal.
- Saint Thomas Moore


Vicente is my uncle, an artist like my father, to whom we went to visit a couple of weeks ago, knowing that it would be the last time we saw him alive.

Colors for Christmas

I'll admit that I love color, and most of times I start a card or a project by choosing the colors in it. And the easiest way I found is to choose patterned paper that I like, then I match up Bazzill or any plain cardstock to the colors of the printed paper. Sometimes I will include the patterned paper, but sometimes I wont as I will use it a color guide.
As an example the card above, which features very pastely colors for Chritmas, all inspired by the dotty paper. By the way you can find all the materials a Crafts U love.

My feet love... CAMPER

All right, I don't enjoy that much shopping for clothes or shoes. I mean, I am short slightly overweight and with a Mediterranean shaped body which makes finding clothes that fit in the UK shopping scene rather difficult. So, when I find something that works for my body whether is clothes or shoes I stick to it. Clothing wise, I stick to Zara, H&M, Principles Petite and Monsoon for fancier pieces.
Shoe wise, I am even more limited. Apart from the odd Nine West, I really only get Camper shoes. The fact that is a company originated in Mallorca (Spain) in a town quite near where I grew up, has a lot to do with my choice. But the fact is that apart from one pair, I have been really happy with all my pair of Campers, they are comfortable (at least for my feet) and they last heavy use.
I often get a pair of Twins, which means that the right shoe has a different pattern than the one for the left foot, like the pair below:


So, the reason for this rather particular Camper promoting post is that if you ever see my with what it looks like an oddly paired shoes in my feet, you will know that is not that I made a mistake and mix match two pairs, they were design to be oddly paired!

PS: The shop in the first picture is in San Francisco (California), but you can find Camper shops or Camper shoes all over the world as fortunately/unfortunately is one of those companies that has gone big time global in the last decade.

PSS: Just to let you know, that I think the pair of shoes in the picture is from at least two years ago, so I don't think you can get it anymore.

Jane Gill's Stamps

If you read often this blog, you will remember that I often mention Jane Gill as one of my friends and more importantly a fantastic cardmaker and designer. Recently, Woodware has launched a few clear stamps set designed by Jane Gill, you can see some samples by her here.


Last week, for my demo at The Craft Barn Extravaganza I demonstrated these sets. They are very easy to use for every level of cardmaker.
Jane has her own blog here (although the blog is not updated often even for my standards!)


This is my favorite stamp from the set. I love the tree that can be customized with buttons, glitter and even the tiny stamps that come in with the tree stamp set.

Inking embossing folders -how to make a background

Sorry, I don't do step by step tutorials with pictures, no time or energy left!
But I will tell you how I make the background.
Use any given card (textured or not, colored or plain old white), any color of Pearl Ex, Perfect Pearls or any other pearlescent pigment powders like the ones from Blonde Moments, any embossing folders from Cuttlebug, and, finally, the key ingredient a black Versafine inkpad -by far the best option for this technique as is a pigment ink which will be wet long enough to hold the powder and have a felt pad that will make the job of not overinking much easier unlike the other type of pigment pads which have a foam pad.

Step 1. Ink the side of the folder you wish to have on the front with the Versafine inkpad.
Step 2. Position card inside and proceed to emboss using your choice of die cutting machine, my favourite is the Cuttlebug (as if you didn't know by now!).
Step 3. Remove the card from the inside of the embossing folder and dab rather than brush the pigment pearlescent powder using a clean dry brush all over the inked areas.
Step 4. Use a bigger dry brush to brush out excess powder.
Step 5. Use the cheapest hairspray you can find over it but do NOT spray it at close range.

That is it. Then, it is up to you to embellish and finish the card to your taste.

Love demonstrating!

The Cuttlebug, although this is a card I taught at the class last week, wich is similar to a previous one that I posted here a couple of weeks ago. Using CoreDinations card, Tagalicious die, embossing folders (Dots & Snowflakes and one set of borders, forgot the name) and combo set Ice Crystals.

Inking embossing folders

This is one of the cards I taught yesterday at The Glitter Pot, using the embossing folders as stamps using Versafine black ink, Perfect Pearls and card. If you are around tomorrow, I will be demonstrating this technique at the same place all day long.

It had been a while since I was there (almost three months), so it was really nice to come back and see all the new stuff and the new room. It was really nice as well, to see new and old faces in the classroom.

Not much else to share, working on a project with gold leaf for Craft Stamper magazine, have you seen the new issues, they are absolutely fabulous.

Crafts U love demo

Last Saturday while I was at Crafts U love I did this cards, using a variety of products Hero Arts stamps, scallop punches, American Crafts ribbon...


Can you believe I did a card using a Lily and Milo or Milo and Lily stamp? Colouring is not something I do well, so I was a little bit adamant to demo this stamps, but I really enjoy it.

Anyway, next Saturday, I will do a Cuttlebug demo at the Glitter Pot. They have a big demo weekend worth while a visit, great demonstrators such as Jane Gill, Francoise Read and Jane Gill.

Cuttlebug

I love this machine! Next Thursday i am teaching two classes on it and on Saturday i will demonstrate it yet again.


This card uses an small piece of card left so the big scallop makes the card bigger.

Back on track

The past few weeks have busy, not with work but with other stuff.
I am back, hopefully, I will be able to post more often in the upcoming weeks.

AWOL

I know I haven´t updated my blog for over a week. There is a reason for that and it´s that, due to a family situation, I have been in Spain for over a week. As soon as I get back, I´l keep posting!

Masculine cards

The question I am most asked while teaching or demonstrating is: Do you have any ideas on how to make cards for men?
Luckily, I actually do think cards for men is pretty easy if you follow the rule of keep it simple in all the different ways. A simple neutral colour scheme, simple embellishments (metal charms and chunky buttons are ideal), a simple layout, a simple technique...
Then, once that you are confident making cards that are not so pretty, you will see how you can make cards that are masculine and more complex. And also remember, that men do like flowers, just not pink nor purple, as long that the card has the overall masculine feel it will be fine.

Layout

Sometimes, in the middle of big projects (a book) I have an extreme desire to scrapbook. And yesterday was one of those times.
Making memories products (mostly). I still need to finish the journaling which provably will go under the photo where the shaped journaling paper is which will create a more balanced layout.

London 2012 Visa Party

Yesterday we went to London, which is rare in us as we like to spend Sundays doing nothing at home. The reason was double, through work Omar had organized an mini party for some of his work colleagues at the London Eye, which is basically going around twice with a serving of canapes and champagne. Although I had been several times there, I still enjoyed it.


After that we went to the London 2012 Party in the Mall, which till yesterday I didn't know what it was. I mean, I had pass by many times, but I thought that it would have a fancier name that just the Mall, which sounds like a Midwestern American shopping center.
The Mall is just opposite Buckinham palace, ie, where the Queen of England, Wales, Scotland and so many more places (like Canada) lives. Unfortunately, she didn't come out and salute us.


There were quite a few acts including McFly, Il Divo, Catherine Jenkins and Will Young. Personally, I wasn't too bothered about the music, with the exception of the choirs from some obscure BBC program, that did a fantastic job.


However, the highlight was undoubtedly, the few Olympians that make their appearance, Bradley Wiggins, Phillips Idowu and the rather famous Michael Phelps. Yep, that guy in black in the picture is Phelps. Can you not see him? Oh, well, then you need to go to the eye doctor! I am joking, it is almost impossible to see him in this picture. Just to make it slightly easier: he is standing with the interviewers, where the tail of the horse ends, to the left.
Anyway, it was quite something, because while he was saying that it was his first time in London, they told him he was in for a treat: the red arrows flew over all of us creating a blue white and red sky. That was some treat! Overall, a fun tiring and hot day in London.

Nadal (yet again) and Christmas Cuttlebug Card

It's Sunday the 17th of August 2008 and means that Rafael Nadal just won an Olympic gold medal in singles tennis, which is the first for Spain (although not first medal as since 1988 Spain has always won at least a bronze medal in tennis). So, yes, I am really happy.
Also, I am so happy that team Great Britain is doing so well, I am cheering all with the same intensity as if they were Spanish, honest. And sorry for those who are not sports or tennis fans, but I find the attitude of Nadal on and off the court very inspiring so I need to share it.


Thanks Debs for the award, and since you mention that is my Cuttlebug ideas that you like here it goes a Cuttlebug Card for Christmas. No message as I have yet to decide what I will do with this card. I will send the award to Julie.


The card features the Dots & Snowflakes, one of the borders sets and the Snowflake combo set. Technique wise there are three, the quilting one -strips of different patterned paper that match the motif embossed, the colouring with an inkpad of the raised image and finally creating the glitter snowflake with double sided adhesive film -Aslan, which is transparent, or Woodware, opaque will work for this-.