More acetate

Yes, more acetate. This one is to show a very simple idea: a rub on (Basic Grey, Two Scoops) on a thick acetate card and on the inside a piece of alcohol inked opaque paper. The message or any writing would be on a white card/paper that is exactly the same size as the alcohol inked one but glue on the very back of the card. A little bit different, but that is what I like.
About my first demo, Karen, well that was over four years ago and to be honest still remember quite well. Even though I am a very insecure -extremely- person, when it came to demonstrate paper crafts was really easy. I will say that you need to be confident on the products that you are using and the best way to do that is use them a lot before the demo day.

Cuttlebug and other bits and bobs

Tomorrow I will be demonstrating for the first time at Imagine that (Essex) which is always exciting. I will be using the cuttlebug, grunge board and more, come along from 10:00h.

And just to show, that Omar sometimes is very sweet.

For a change, a box

Again I did this one for Stitches this year, using a blank box from Provo Craft, Two Scoops (Basic Grey) papers, stickers and monograms, and on the sides I used Tim Holtz crackle paint.
By the way, for those who inquired about them, the clear tag and scalloped circles are some kind of transparent plasma available from here.

My love of stamps

No matter if they are clear or rubber, I just love them. s

Artline Multipens

It is a silly story, but I discivered this great pens as a part of a swap at Stitches -the craft trade show in the UK/Europe. Artline's demonstrator at the Shachihata Europe Ltd stand had run out of ultra thick embossing powder and someone from the stand was on the hunt for some. As he some with UTEE, he asked me if I could spare some of mine and of course, I gavehime some of mine. He kindly came back with loads of goodies from his stand.
To be honest, because the show was so busy, I just had to put them in a drawer until I got home.

Well, now that I had a good play -after a couple of months- I have to admit that I am very impress with this little set. They are fantastic as they work brilliantly in so many surfaces, specially well on vellum, which as you know is a particularly difficult surface.
These dry with a matte chalky finish instead of the usual shiny finish and are Acid Free, water based pigment ink. The only drawback, a limited collection of colour.

By the way, I write this little review just because I love this product. Apart from the guy I talked to at the show, I don't know anyone in that company, and to be honest I provably wouldn't even recognize that guy!

Stampin Up and Everything

Although I am a Stampi n Up demonstrator, it is true that I am not pushing it very much. The trth is that I am very busy with other stuff, but if you ever want to make an order you can through me.

As I posted before, this past week I was feeling creative, so I did this little album. It is really a cross between card and scrapbook as it only has two photos and uses loads of rubber stamps and a little bit of journaling.



I used the clear scallop circles from Craftwork cards, Stampin Up stamp set (US set, not yet in the UK as I bought it while I was in the States), Paisley Basic Grey rub on on acetate and flowers from different companies.


As you can see I cut all the circle just slightly so I could bind them with the Bind it all, I also incorporated the rectangle ruffles just to add other shapes in to the circular album.

Mixed feelings

Today I went to Creative Pastimes and saw so many friends there from the good old days, which was great. It was a little bit emotional as that place holds very good memories for me. That is why I had mixed feelings today.

After that, I headed to Imagine That, a paper craft shop, Upminster, as I am demonstrating there next Saturday (26th of April) I needed to get the stuff for it. It is a lovely shop and definitely worth a trip as is also near to Artbase.


The last few days I have been creative without having a reason, ie a commission, class a demo, which is a change and a really welcomed one for that. What really inspired me was the new releases from Craftwork Cards for the Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show, and, yes, I know I keep posting about them, but honestly lately they are the company who is inspiring me to create!

I took a scallop square wrap and attach on each flap a plasma tag and trim the scallop end of the tag. For the front I used some of In circle Sayings and five Besides Words, both designed by yours truly. I have to say that the top photo doesn't show the card once folded, as when it is folded you can see the pink scallop ruffle.

Mini album fever

I know Christmas is long pass but I thought I would share this little album make last year about a family Christmas. I am so in love with mini scrapbooks, hey are so easy and quick to make. All the products are 7 Gypsies.

Acetate, wraps and Quick Cards Made Easy

I believe this card will be next in the issue of Quick Cards Made Easy. It is part of the 6 ways with acetate. What I really like about the card is incorporation of the Craftwork Cards wraps -the scallop white card- they are fun and they come in all shapes. By the way, the acetate with the black print is from Hambly Studios and it is available from Imagine That.

PS: I just had a letter through the post which confirmed some rumors I had heard last week. Paper crafters who live in the South East of England will know Creative Pastimes, or Creative Livings as it has been called recently, the sad thing is that it is closing down. They have a half price sale starting Saturday, 18th of April and will go on until the 30th of April.

As I used to work there (almost two years), it is really sad and I can only wish the best for the owners, Theresa and Faye, in whatever they do next.

Things that make me happy

Well, there are loads of things that make me happy, although mostly it is people that make me really happy. However, and back to the subject, there is a lot of stuff that is very different and that makes me equally happy. For instance, the die cut in circles saying that I designed for Craftwork Cards. I really love how they have come out and they come in gold and silver.

Another thing that makes me happy, being busy with work but not inundated with projects. Now, work is good.

Thanks

As you should know by now, I am not what they say a proper blogger. I rarely post more than once a week, but every single month I tell my self that this is the month when I start to post daily.
Sure enough I have ideas of things to say, cards to post and links to offer, yet never find the time -or maybe energy- to do so.
For whatever the reason of keep coming back, thank you. Really. I will be triying to be a better blogger, no promises, though!
This week in short:
Tuesday visit to Crafts U love to get the stuff for today's demo, then drive straight down to Newton Abbot (Devon) -why? A new book, yes, my third!-;
Wednesday the meeting and straight up to Kenley;
Thursday, my first photography paid job -but no portraits, will tell more if I can later-;
Friday, preparation for today's demos and class;
Saturday (today) clas at 9:30 and demo from 10:30 at Crafts U love.
Right now (Saturday evening in between of tidying/rearranging furniture.



And last but definitely not least, I'd like to say a big thank you to the very nice Fabrizio (a real sweetie) and to the equally nice Leonie (a real sweetie too!) for this award, I feel very special that not one, but two of my crafter friends have chosen this poorly updated blog!

I'll follow the rules of the Pico award, the first one being I need to list the rules!:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.

http://arteypico.blogspot.com/


5) To show these rules.

Fabrizio's blog, which you should visit is:
http://craftingmad.blogspot.com

Leonie's blog which you should visit also is:
http://leoniepujol.blogspot.com/

I would like to award the Pico Award to the following people for their wonderful creativity and inspiration:

Julie
http://cardsbyjulie.blogspot.com/

Caz
http://stampingcaz.blogspot.com/

Monica
http://monicas-passions.blogspot.com/

Anam
http://anamstubbington.typepad.com/

Shimelle
http://shimelle.com/paper/

Do go to this blogs, they are great paper crafters all different all inspiring!