Wednesday, 7 January 2009

Altered my shelves!

In a moment of madness this weekend I decided to alter some shelves! These little shelves were just £5 each in Morrisons but pretty ugly, so I thought I would decorate them a bit. Here's what I did:

I stamped a border (Prima) along the edge of each and some small flourishes on the uprights (Autumn Leaves) using StazOn ink. Then I inked six panels of cardstock, using Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks and blending them with Cut n Dry foam. I overstamped the panels with a script stamp (PaperArtsy). I added Crafty Individuals flourishes to the left and right panels and a Fancy Pants flourish to the central panels. Each has been stamped with a Hero Arts butterfly too. I ran them through my Xyron to stick them to the wood.
These are now home to my inkpads and are situated right next to my desk. Part one of Project Craftroom - I sooooo have to get organised in there!!!

Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Sugar Nellie challenges you

If you love Nellie's check out the new Sugar Bowl challenge blog for a regular sketch challenge! There is also a linked blog called Sugar Sugar, which will have monthly tutorials, the first of which is paper beads by our very own Marlene.

Enjoy!

Monday, 5 January 2009

Quick challenge update

Thanks for the comment Sue - wax paper can be purchased from the Craft Barn - here is the link; http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/product.php/11613/wax-paper-sheets/588c2e2e75a5ed43a0c03808ad765bb1

You have until 6th Feb to complete the challenge. Have fun!

Enjoy!

Sketch Challenge!

Play along with our Sketch Challenge!

Here is the sketch Craft Stamper designers Isabelle Norris, Lana George and Rachel Ward used for their artwork in the February issue. In case you haven't seen it, the Sketch Challenge is a new feature, where three artists produce a card, altered item and scrapbooking project using the sketch provided. Simple idea, but it's great to see what the different designers come up with.

I'd love to see what you guys can create with the sketch! I do hope you'll play along and I'll send a little bit of candy to one person who joins in, selected at random.


The candy up for grabs is this lovely set of swirly stamps kindly donated by Jennie from the Artistic Stamper. Just leave a comment here with a link to your sketch-based piece (or email me at cs@traplet.com if you don't have a blog).

Take care and see you soon!
Katy

PS - I am contemplating another challenge feature and have put a poll up so let me know your thoughts. xxx

Sunday, 4 January 2009

Share the joy!

I hope Santa was kind to you and got you lots of stash for Christmas? Like many people, we had a more frugal affair this year (mainly down to demise of our boiler in mid-Nov, not convenient timing!). But I did get what a wished for this Christmas - a lovely Bind-It-All machine. Here is a very unattractive picture of me caressing it on Christmas Day! I also got two new Cuttlebug folders and a lovely Penny Black flower stamp too.

Share with us what crafty loveliness you got for Christmas this year.

Saturday, 3 January 2009

Feb Matchbook project - step by step

In case you fancy making the matchbook I created for the Feb issue of Craft Stamper with the free 'Love you more tag' cover mount stamp, here are some detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for you (forgive the less than perfect pictures - they are all my own work! LOL).

Step 1: Cut a strip of card 3" wide from a 12x12 sheet of silver cardstock. Score the card so you have sections of the following sizes: 1 3/4"; 3", 1/4", 2.5". Cut off the excess. Fold as shown to make a matchbook shape.
Step 2: Stamp the heart border along the edge of the short flap.


Step 3: Cut along the top edge of the border and colour with a pink Sakura pen.
Step 4: Cut a piece of black card just smaller than the front cover, and a piece of patterned paper slightly smaller than that. Stick these to the cover.
Step 5: Stamp the tag once onto purple card and once onto patterned paper. Cut out the patterned paper tag inside the border and layer onto the purple tag. Colour the heart with a pink Sakura pen.
Step 6: Stick the tag to the cover with a bling brad (I didn't use glue as I wanted the tag to move).

Step 7: Cut a strip of patterned paper from a 12x12 sheet, measuring 2 3/4" wide. Score and fold to create sections as follows: 2 3/4"; 2 1/2" (x4).
Step 8: You'll have a small tab at the end. Cut another piece of the same paper 2 3/4" square and glue it to this end tab.
Step 9: Stick the centre 'pages' together (just put the tape at the fold end to allow the pages to open a wee bit at the base and allow the book to be flexible). Attach the book to the front and back covers of the matchbook, aligning the inner pages with the spine.
Step 10: Stamp heart stamps (Blonde Moments) onto patterned paper and colour parts with the Sakura pen. Cut out.
Step 11: Print out 6 pictures 1 1/2" by 2". Cut out and stick to the pages with a heart on each. On the final page, rather than a heart stamp some journalling lines to add a personal message.
Step 12: Staple along the bottom edge to allow the cover to tuck tightly into the flap. Cover the staples with ribbon (or if you like them, leave them showing).
Hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. See you soon.

Friday, 2 January 2009

Happy New Challenge!

It's the new year the February issue of CS is out on sale today, so it's time for a new challenge! YAY!

This challenge relates to Isa Norris' beautiful Vintage Valentine article and is called GET CREATIVE WITH CUTTLEBUG! The challenge is to have a go at Isa's gorgeous 'cuttle-wax' technique or you can use your Cuttlebug in combination with stamping supplies in other ways.

You could win this fab prize - three Cuttlebug folders plus two gorgeous new Crafty Individuals bird stamps (as used in the article) - which has been generously donated by the wonderful folks at The Craft Barn. The Craft Barn website is now fully operational and they are a fabulously well-stocked store so do take a look!

NOW FOR THE WINNER OF THE GLIMMER MIST CHALLENGE - WENDY!
Here's her lovely card http://craftblog.craftybutterfly.co.uk/2008/12/glimmered-iris.html - thank you to everyone who played along. I hope you had fun!

I hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Christmas - I certainly did. Here's to a creative and crafty 2009.

Other content linked from the mag will be posted in the next few days for you.

Katy xxx