Trying times

Hi Crafty Friends

This week we did a bright, cheerful card - much at odds with these trying times.

I wanted to mix and match a lot of the papers from a new pad, so I thought a shutter card would be ideal. I made templates for everyone to make the construction easier - pity I made them the wrong size!
That hiccup over it was on with the  hardest part, deciding which paper to put where.

We had enough paper to make a second card, so folks went home with homework. This is my version, not quite finished. I think I'll decoupage the big butterfly and add some more embellies (buttons?)

Sad to say this was our last meeting as we are now closed for the duration of this wretched virus.
We've kept going (mostly) through flood and fire, but we've had to give in to pestilence.
I hope it won't be too long before we're back crafting again.
Stay safe and
happy crafting
jx

Z fold card for a gardener

Hi Crafty Friends

This week my lawn got its (long overdue) first cut, so with gardening in mind, I decided to use my Secret Garden papers again. I was aiming for a card that could be for male or female gardeners, and I think I just about made it 🙂

The Z fold proved a popular shape, and as it's one of my faves, we might have to do some more.
Apart from the hollyhocks and the big plant pot, the embellishments were cut from the patterned paper, so there was a fair bit of fussy cutting, but it didn't take too long, so on Tuesday, there was plenty of time to appreciate the delicious cupcakes supplied by June. (Thanks June).

In the background you can just see the birdhouse which Jackie very kindly gave me, so I could give it the Powertex treatment. She also gave me some lovely embellishments and lent me hers to copy - so I have no excuse (watch this space!)

Happy Crafting
jx

Shabby chic roses

Hi Crafty Friends

I've been buying a lot of crafty bits from a house clearance. It's a sad way to acquire new stash, but the lovely vendors were pleased it was going to get used by the club. These papers (Steampunk Romance by Paper Boutique) were among my haul. The card base was very easy but there were a lot of roses to make.
I think I might add a sentiment to mine as I've covered up the embossed happy birthdays.

happy crafting

jx

Glitter on Black

Hi Crafty Friends

This week I thought we'd try something different (for us) - Spectrum Noir Glitter ink on black.
We heat embossed a floral design on black card and then painted the leaves and petals with white gesso, before repainting them with the Glitter Ink. We added more glitter with sequins. I got a bit carried away and did a few samples. It was an easy project so people could do another one if they wanted to. The flowers also looked lovely with just the gesso, so I've left one plain (not shown), as did some of the others.
These are all Woodware stamps; the first one is a new-ish acquisition but I've had the others ages. I was pleased to give them an outing. The sentiments are up on pads, but apart from that the cards are flat, so a good for posting make.

Needless to say, they are all a lot more sparkly in real life.
Happy Crafting
jx

Stick a Butterfly on it!

Hi Crafty Friends

This week was all about butterflies and getting inky. We made our own backgrounds using Distress Oxides and then stamping over them for more texture before adding foliage and butterflies. I made 4 examples and created more backgrounds using up the ink left over on other people's mats. I made some of my best backgrounds that way (serendipity, eh!)

We had a lot of fun, a visitor, Anna, (come back soon!) and a lot of scrumptious cake, both days - thanks June and Kath.
Since the class, I've been delighted to see some more finished projects - emailed or in real life. They all look FAB. Thanks for that - I love to see other takes on the basic idea.
Now, I'm looking forward to using all my extra backgrounds.
happy crafting
jx

Christmas Already!!!

Hi Craft Friends
Last week we were celebrating spring daffodils and this week we were plunged back into winter with a Christmas card (but not totally inappropriate with the weather we've been having). Anyhoo, Christmas cards were requested, so this is what we did.
It's an A6, flat for posting card, using a pretty die I used for quite a few of my own Christmas cards. I like how versatile it is, and as it doesn't need much else, it's quite quick to make.

We had time for a quick extra make - a small octagonal treat box, ideal for table favours or for stuffing with mini Easter eggs. It was really simple to make with just 2 dies. I used up scraps of paper for my samples and everyone raided my scraps box for theirs. A great stash buster!

happy crafting
Jx

Spring is sprung

Hi Crafty Friends

Well, the daffodils are out in my garden, so I guess Spring is here! To celebrate we did a card with daffodils. The flower die is a layering set from Altenew which was free with a magazine ages ago, which I haven't used before. The fancy white frame is unbranded, which possibly explains its weird proportions that fit no known envelope.
It's a tent fold card, which I'm not so keen on because they don't always stand up well, but it had to go this way to fit a sentiment into the central panel. I've footled about this afto making a sentiment on the computer which will fit in longways, so this die might be getting another outing before too long.

happy crafting
jx