I am afraid I have become one bad blogger, not that I ever was good!
But today, just before Christmas Eve, I wanted to share this year's Christmas card. It is simple but as i lacked inspiration for my own projects (all it is used for my Sizzix job!) I founf that quick and simple is always a good idea.
I used eCAL to design the motif and then I die cut it using the eclips. I am in love with that machine the cut is amazing and the eCAL gives me the freedom to design anything. LOVE it!
Friday, 23 December 2011
Friday, 2 December 2011
December...
Usually when it hits mid November things are quiter for the crafters, but not for the Sizzix designers. A lot of new things in preparation for the new year need to be done in November and December so I am unusually busy for a crafter. But loving it and grateful for it.
But it means that any crafty personal things take back seat, like this blog and my Christmas cards. I am not sure that i will get time to make any!
Wish me luck and energy so I can make them.
Until I have time for personal crafty projects, visit the Sizzix blog.
But it means that any crafty personal things take back seat, like this blog and my Christmas cards. I am not sure that i will get time to make any!
Wish me luck and energy so I can make them.
Until I have time for personal crafty projects, visit the Sizzix blog.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Monday, 14 November 2011
Christmas presents ideas
Today I shared a die cutting and paint based technique to create handmade christmas presents.
Pop over at the Sizzix blog for step by step instructions.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Step by step over at Sizzix - updated below
If you fancy a proper tutorial on how to build a snowflake Christmas tree, pop over to the Sizzix blogs page.
As Sizzix removed all posts from 2011, here you have the tutorial.
Last week I did a
small Christmas tree made with the rosettes. Today I
am revisiting another Christmas decoration, again a tree but this
time using eclips and the Seasonal cartridge. It is really quick and
economical to make and the eclips does all the work.
You will need
You will need
·
White card
·
Crystal
transparent in several sizes
·
Crafters
Companion – Silver sparkle Spray - or
·
Crafters
Companions Stick & Stay and Transparent Glitter
·
Bamboo
skewer
·
White
acrylic paint
·
Oasis or
Florist's Sand
·
Hole punch
1/8”
·
Tacky Glue
Lift the cut
snowflakes gently. I srontly advise to get the spatula. Without it is really
difficult to get the intricate cuts.
Layer them on top of each other to check how the sizes fare. You can make them every 1/4" if you wish or make it really large starting at 12" but you will need a much longer skewer.
Make a 1/8” hole in
each snowflake centre except for the smallest two snowflakes. To make sure that
all are centered it is best to do one at a time. But if you don't
have much time you can use a Cropadile and do all at once.
Roll each piece of card around the skewer so it is tight but movable up and down.
Secure it with a small amount of tacky glue at the end. I hold it together for a minute or so
using a clip.
Paint the skewer white using white acrylic paint and position it on a little glass filled with florist's sand.
Once all the spacers are
assembled put them in a line, at one end the thinnest and at the other the
fattest. Start threading the elements through the skewer starting by the
fattest spacer and then the largest snowflake.
Continue this way until the small
snowflakes.
Add small amounts of tacky glue to one of the small snowflakes and attach to the top of the skewer. Then add the second one making sure that they are both well attached.
Once finished spray
Spray & Sparkle for a Silver glittery finish, or Stick & Stay and
then sprinkle transparent glitter all over it.
And here
you have another version, similar sizes but I added crystals on each of the
ends and I used the Vase Bigz die for the base.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Perfect Pearls and Textured Impressions folders
Today I made a inking embossing folder technique blog post, with step by step photos, over at the Sizzix blog, click here for the direct link.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Life is hectic...
this days.
So that means that updating this blog is hard for me at the moment. But here you have a card I did last year for Cardmaking and Papercraft.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Over at the Sizzix blog...
How to make 3D flowers using the Framelit set of Flowers, like the one above.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Perfect Pearls Textured embossing folder technique
As per request of Victoria, today I did the tutorial on the Perfect Pearls + StazOn technique over at the Sizzix Blog. Check it here.
There is a second technique that I so with the pearls which hopefully I will showcase next week.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Child friendly card
Today I have posted a tutorial on how to make this card. Yes it is not a earth shattering new technique, but it is a great what to craft with children just using white card some cream chalks and your finger tips!
Click here for the full post.
PS: Have you seen the new Framelits? Seriously they are the best wafer thin dies that I have ever used because of the position of the blade. If you think I am biased because I work for Sizzix I wont blame you, instead watch this video by a retailer in the USA (who also sells other manufacturer's) not only she is a big fan of the Framelits but also explains why they are so good.
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
If you would like die cutting tutorials
Pop over at the Sizzix.co.uk blog where Pete Hughes, Stacey Rogers and myself are doing weekly tutorials. Last week I did one for the Gap Cards, Stacey did one for the movers and shapers mini and Pete did a great frame. this week so far I have done a felt ring.
Monday, 25 July 2011
I know it's been a while, but you know having a full time job (which does involve doing some blogging) and trying to manage Crafty Storage blog, it leaves me with not much blogging energies. From now on I will be posting a project a week over at the Sizzix Uk blog - here - on Mondays afternoon.
So pop over there for some die cutting inspiration and tutorials.
In the meantime I will leave you with a card I did a while ago for Crafts Beautiful.
Friday, 1 July 2011
Happy Canada Day!
So it happens that today is Canada day, so to my brother and sister in law, pictured above, and to every canadian out there -yes, Omar that include you- Happy Canada Day!Don't forget to watch the Sizzix show with Fiona today at 2pm and 8pm on QVC.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Sizzix on QVC
As I mentioned last week, I have been busy preparing samples for the next Sizzix hours on QVC which happen to be tomorrow, Friday the 1st of July.
This is a box that I recycled, it was a present that I got, a posh leather purse that came with the lovely wooden box. I painted it using DecoArt Americana acrylic paint -I think I used Antique Green and Burgundy Wine.
The Sizzix kit includes my favorites types of dies, Movers and Shapers and their magnetic dies. That is the Ornamental and the Mini Butterflies Magnetic dies - QVC kit 590788 Butterfly option.My boss Fiona Williams is going to be doing the QVC shows, so tune in at 2pm and 8pm. You can watch online too here.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Vintage Cabinet lantern
When I saw this die - Vintage Cabinet card, from the Alterations Tim Holtz range - for the first time I knew it was going to be one of my go-to dies. It is a nice size as a blank card and because it is a Movers and Shapers die is even more versatile.
The idea of making a lantern out of it came to me when I was making a card. It occur to me that with a bit of scoring, folding and gluing a 3d box could be made.
For the step by step instructions, visit the Sizzix blog.
The idea of making a lantern out of it came to me when I was making a card. It occur to me that with a bit of scoring, folding and gluing a 3d box could be made.
For the step by step instructions, visit the Sizzix blog.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Getting used to full time
The last two weeks have been a combination of fun exhausting hard work and very little sleep. Today is my first proper day off in fifteen days and while I know I am lucky that I get proper days off, oh boy, my tired self certainly needs them.
Let's see how it has been for me. The Craft Barn demo weekend was great, my first visit to Sizzix/Ellison Europe in North Wales)was brilliant but tiring - a lot to take in - and last weekend I had to do 100 wedding invitations, which I could not finish till Wednesday because they took three times as long as I planned - having to print them one by one did not help!
Then last Monday and Tuesday I was down in Dorset demonstrating at the Docrafts open house. Seriously, it's a brilliant event for retailers to get to see the new products from them. I loved meeting new people and old acquaintances such as Becks Fagg and steph from kuretake.
Wednesday I was back at home working from my studio making some home decor projects for upcoming Qvc shows. In the evening, I finally finished off the invites at 23:50!
Thursday and Friday were rather calmer except for the fact that as soon as I over do it (ie work non stop for the last few weeks) my never fully out wisdom teeth start bring painful. I am really used to it by now (I have had six years of practice) so it doesn't really affect my design work but it does my overall mood. My colleagues are lucky that I am not in the office every day!
So today I am taking it easy. Except for checking email, try to sort out a few bits and bobs and really feeling extremely happy that I have a full time job that I like so much so that I have to tell myself stop working on the projects because it is a Saturday!
Let's see how it has been for me. The Craft Barn demo weekend was great, my first visit to Sizzix/Ellison Europe in North Wales)was brilliant but tiring - a lot to take in - and last weekend I had to do 100 wedding invitations, which I could not finish till Wednesday because they took three times as long as I planned - having to print them one by one did not help!
Then last Monday and Tuesday I was down in Dorset demonstrating at the Docrafts open house. Seriously, it's a brilliant event for retailers to get to see the new products from them. I loved meeting new people and old acquaintances such as Becks Fagg and steph from kuretake.
Wednesday I was back at home working from my studio making some home decor projects for upcoming Qvc shows. In the evening, I finally finished off the invites at 23:50!
Thursday and Friday were rather calmer except for the fact that as soon as I over do it (ie work non stop for the last few weeks) my never fully out wisdom teeth start bring painful. I am really used to it by now (I have had six years of practice) so it doesn't really affect my design work but it does my overall mood. My colleagues are lucky that I am not in the office every day!
So today I am taking it easy. Except for checking email, try to sort out a few bits and bobs and really feeling extremely happy that I have a full time job that I like so much so that I have to tell myself stop working on the projects because it is a Saturday!
Friday, 17 June 2011
Thursday, 2 June 2011
A few changes
So now that the Sizzix newsletter is out I can share with you all that from Monday I will be one of their full time Creative Designers alongside Pete Hughes and Stacey Rogers. Which means that I wont be anymore a freelance which scares me but excites me too. It will bring me quite a few changes!
By the way, tomorrow Saturday and Sunday too, I will be one of many demonstrators sharing die cutting projects and top tips at The Craft Barn. It is their fabulous "Best of British" Extravaganza Weekend, something not to be missed.
By the way, tomorrow Saturday and Sunday too, I will be one of many demonstrators sharing die cutting projects and top tips at The Craft Barn. It is their fabulous "Best of British" Extravaganza Weekend, something not to be missed.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
The reason why I make cards
Last Saturday was my father 60th birthday and to celebrate such special day my parents, sister and husband and Omar and I flew to Madrid to do a road trip around Castilla.
My mother asked me to make a special card for him in which we could all write on it our wished for my dad. I tried my best to make something special that he would like, so I chose a japanese theme that I know he would appreciate. I made a multi card which is basically a card with multiple pages so different family members can write their individual wishes.
I will be honest, I don't make that many special cards. It is my job to make them to inspire fellow crafters, and besides, in Spain there is not much tradition of sending cards. But every time that I make one to send I do make it special. Why? Because of the joy that a simple card causes is more than words can express as this photo shows. It is not so much about the particular card, it is about the thought that you have put in the making of the card.
The thing is that my father is probably the reason why I craft. He is a fantastic artist that has provided for the whole family through his art. I am incredibly proud of him and of his art. And I suppose I did inherit some of his creativity even though I certainly did not inherit any of his drawing and painting talents. It was through his left over art papers that I started making cards, so he is the main reason why I am a professional crafter.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Whitewash
I still love the subtle effect that this card offers with embossing folders.
Soon it's my father's 60th birthday so we are arranging a family road trip in Spain, so i thought the message was also nice as it is something that is very fitting for parents.
Anyway, a lot to do these days.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
So, one of my UK crafty friends, Kirsty Wiseman, is organizing this amazing crafty raffle to save the life of a dog that belongs to another crafty friend of ours.
Huge crafty Raffle - Saving DaisyThis is a raffle so huge, that by the time I have collated all the prizes, you need never buy a single craft item ever again, well....barely! Tell your friends, tell your family, raid the kids money box.......please, please find it in your hearts (and paypalaccounts) to help raise money for Daisy Dog.
As a animal lover myself, I ask you to please go to Kirsty's blog and make a donation so that you can save a dog's life and maybe win some craft goodies!
Huge crafty Raffle - Saving DaisyThis is a raffle so huge, that by the time I have collated all the prizes, you need never buy a single craft item ever again, well....barely! Tell your friends, tell your family, raid the kids money box.......please, please find it in your hearts (and paypalaccounts) to help raise money for Daisy Dog.As a animal lover myself, I ask you to please go to Kirsty's blog and make a donation so that you can save a dog's life and maybe win some craft goodies!
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Simples
My plans to resume regular posting in this blog have been postpone! I am extremly busy these days with all sorts of projects which means that it is hard to find the time to make a card, take a photo and post it. However I do have a couple of cards that I did back in March, so I may be able to share in the next few weeks.
Anyway, this little card I made using leftovers, a Sizzix embossing folder, My Mind's Eye and the message is part of the Simple Flowers clear stamp set.
PS: I hope Lindsay Mason will forgive me for misspelling her name for such a long time. Thanks Lucretia!
Friday, 13 May 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
Sharing some links
The last few weeks have been a bit unusual for me as we have had some bathroom renovations. Actually a complete transformation. It is not completely finished but we are really enjoying the change.
Anyway, today I would like to share a few links to blog post by super talented ladies that have been using some of my stamps. They are:
Sarita of Little Princess Card blog. FABULOUS!
Emma G from Imagine that. Love how she is used some of my Simple Flowers in combination with other flowers.
Anyway, today I would like to share a few links to blog post by super talented ladies that have been using some of my stamps. They are:
Sarita of Little Princess Card blog. FABULOUS!
Emma G from Imagine that. Love how she is used some of my Simple Flowers in combination with other flowers.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Spraypaque + stamps
Using the play pieces that I had from my Spraypaque session, I die cut some flowers (Tim Holts Tattered Florals) and some circles. The message is from the Punchable Labels on a 1" circle.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Coordinating stamps
I have loads to do so this is quick post.
This cards illustrate how the Punchable Labels coordinate with the Fill with Flowers set. I used Versafines inks, Black (message) Smokey Grey and Habanero.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Well Done card
At the minute I am really enjoying three crafting products: the new Tim Holtz Bigz dies from Sizzix, the distress stains and, of course, my stamps. All of which can be found in this card. The heart is one of the Movers and shapers dies that has been stained using the Peeled Paint distress stain. The large message is from Big Sentiments and the little one from Punchable labels.
Anyone going to Ally Pally this weekend? I am still unsure whether I will be able to go cause we are having our bathroom renovated, and if it is finished by the weekend some spring cleaning will be needed on the weekend. Of course I would rather go to a lovely craft show - in my opinion, the best craft show in the uk - rather than be cleaning, but, you know how it goes!
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Punchable Labels - another simple tutorial
It really isn't much of a tutorial, but I just wanted to share a few more possibilities using this clear stamp set.
Stamp the label using Versafine Black ink.
Then, stamp the message, this way you can line it up with the lines on the label.
And this is what you get. I rather like this for men.
And, as you can see, it fits nicely on a 1" circle punch.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Ledger Card
I have been loving the Crafty Notions Spraypaques for a while - this is the first post where I mentioned them - but I haven't incorporated them into my cards for a while. However as i often do, I kept all my play pieces in a contained box ready for me to use when I needed them.
The effect that you get with them is quite different from regular glimmer mists as this one is completely opaque and matt but just as shimmery. depending on the card that you spray on you will get different results, looks very beautiful and subtle on chipboard, very striking on glossier card. I recommend however thicker card, specially if you are going to emboss it and sand it as I have done for this card -I used the Collage and Notebook set Tim Holtz Texture Folders for Sizzix.
Then I stamped the journaling spots on a glimmer mist card -much more subtle and fine mist- and punched them out using the 1" circle and 1 1/8" square punch. I added the message from the Punchable labels set.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Thanks
This is the card that quickly and easily I made with the Journaling Spots that I did for the tutorial. The message is from Punchable Labels and the flowers from the Punchable Tags.
Journaling Spots - Tutorial 1
I started by stamping the graph journaling spot rectangle using Smokey Grey -Versafine- and Premier Quality Smooth White Card.
It fits nicely on the Scallop Rectangle Large Punch from EkSuccess.
Here is the same stamp but trimmed to the edge and then on top stamped one message from big Sentiments.
This is the larger journaling circle. I stamped it with Deep Lagoon - Versafine.
Then, I stamped the three flowers from the Punchable Tags.
I stamped then the smallest spot using Summer Sky Memento ink.
It fits on a 1" circle punch.
Then I stamped the message - from Punchable Labels set - on it, remember the messages from that set fit in any 1" circle punch.
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