tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1140301277070408552024-03-14T07:00:55.193+00:00Crafting While the Baby NapsA blog about crafting and card making. I started when my children were little and I could only craft when they napped :)Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-77775775274554953372023-07-05T21:11:00.021+01:002023-10-05T22:45:03.700+01:00Flowers are Forever...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdMIZc1MF8lLN7Ls1nmXZffy72YNJ_ZSgAw7qdd9v8xv4mBwMoyMeAAIDbpjcXlU_358GYSQBqcWpzB0YTKc8rTDUDDQ9nvQ6rtlBEQTbb0u0C4R-wtRmuzBqzg8DBvHqcAoSbHw8w9feD8xIIRkGvYIIxM_kIQWP1w3rlTywj52LBS6BXatdwAcnQV0/s3673/DSCN6476.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photograph of a card on an orange background with Copic marker pens on the left and the stamp set used on the right. The image on the white card is of a small bear holding a flower. The sentiment is 'Good Luck'" border="0" data-original-height="3063" data-original-width="3673" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdMIZc1MF8lLN7Ls1nmXZffy72YNJ_ZSgAw7qdd9v8xv4mBwMoyMeAAIDbpjcXlU_358GYSQBqcWpzB0YTKc8rTDUDDQ9nvQ6rtlBEQTbb0u0C4R-wtRmuzBqzg8DBvHqcAoSbHw8w9feD8xIIRkGvYIIxM_kIQWP1w3rlTywj52LBS6BXatdwAcnQV0/w400-h334/DSCN6476.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">How many of you have been with me on my journey from <a href="https://craftingwhilethebabynaps.blogspot.com/2015/02/valentines-day.html" target="_blank">my very first card way back in 2015</a>? Can you remember <a href="https://craftingwhilethebabynaps.blogspot.com/2016/10/welcome-to-flower-challenge.html" target="_blank">when I joined The Flower Challenge</a>? A card making challenge set up by one of my very earliest card making buddies, Aileen. Well, don't be shocked when I tell you it was 7 years ago. Truly it is because this month they are having a challenge and a celebration as <a href="https://colourandsparkle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Aileen</a> and <a href="https://daizy-mae-designs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Viv</a> retire.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I was touched when Viv emailed me to ask me to join in with this challenge. I've hardly been in touch and it has been nearly 2 years since I last blogged anything, but I couldn't say no.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I've been getting back in to card making, mostly thanks to my friend <a href="http://www.hellocrafter.co.uk" target="_blank">Kylie</a> who lives a 20 minute walk from me and is a Stampin' Up demonstrator. I've got back into going to her monthly card classes and now that I'm gainfully employed in retail with a regular salary again, I've been saving up for some new purchases. Watch this space for more cards to come!</p><p style="text-align: left;">This challenge is <a href="http://theflowerchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-flower-challenge-85-anything-goes.html?m=1">Anything Goes</a>, which can be a double edged sword really with having to decide without any restrictions and that means endless possibilities with a whole host of stamps I could use. In the end I decided to use the <a href="https://www.clearlybesottedstamps.com/products/sweet-floral-friends" target="_blank">Sweet Floral Friends</a> stamp set from Clearly Besotted to make a couple of Good Luck cards.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7YkEhNM8eLxPzaviiR3spO0WHRnxHssUdkzjUev-AOun8GBTCcO6r89M2VBh_i3BbPBkLzbyenWAMiT2_zFYX6B5onEQxe80Oajefx12ldvIoZzlFc-5PI9WFkHelYhtbLCvnNFmt5JhsyFZw4K-kg6LyTzUOdzl9pmXBVSIb2ScCRyIfSbOvq2s65o/s2932/DSCN6462.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A hand coloured image of a small brown bear holding a daffodil on a white card background. The sentiment says 'Good Luck'" border="0" data-original-height="2932" data-original-width="2925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7YkEhNM8eLxPzaviiR3spO0WHRnxHssUdkzjUev-AOun8GBTCcO6r89M2VBh_i3BbPBkLzbyenWAMiT2_zFYX6B5onEQxe80Oajefx12ldvIoZzlFc-5PI9WFkHelYhtbLCvnNFmt5JhsyFZw4K-kg6LyTzUOdzl9pmXBVSIb2ScCRyIfSbOvq2s65o/w319-h320/DSCN6462.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">In my usual style it's pretty simple with an image coloured using Copic markers popped up on foam pads onto a white background and a coloured card base. I do love the Stampin' Up card stock for their vibrant colours. The sentiment is from the set.</p><p style="text-align: left;">So this is a way for me to say to Aileen and Viv, Thank You for giving me the opportunity 7 years ago to join a great team, I'm glad that it's still around and going strong and Good Luck to you stepping down and to Karren taking on the mantle of leadership.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiXLjCUgiZink6d5ngOpnfgzlDmaCWG2q_WVG0OkIawa9kjDkh6yqGulNjX40Uvbz2nj2thJ0EomJ_LySq4Xgsf0fXXUwmgNw5b0U9t0g1laWyHJFUqLT12DGhXTSVL9TGtRfd6dGqwkkw0X28FJrUbMOgLkUbvZrj1McK2tUwf1NWF75ggCzMaf6jZU/s4608/DSCN6477.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photograph of a card on an orange background with Copic marker pens on the left and the stamp set used on the right. The image on the white card is of a small bear holding a daffodil. The sentiment is 'Good Luck'" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiXLjCUgiZink6d5ngOpnfgzlDmaCWG2q_WVG0OkIawa9kjDkh6yqGulNjX40Uvbz2nj2thJ0EomJ_LySq4Xgsf0fXXUwmgNw5b0U9t0g1laWyHJFUqLT12DGhXTSVL9TGtRfd6dGqwkkw0X28FJrUbMOgLkUbvZrj1McK2tUwf1NWF75ggCzMaf6jZU/w400-h300/DSCN6477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">I hope you'll join in, after all, Anything Goes!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy Crafting, Ruth x</p>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-23071938244817236302021-07-17T15:50:00.007+01:002021-07-17T15:50:53.579+01:00 It's not easy being green...<div style="text-align: left;">My goodness me it's been a while since I blogged here; April 2020 to be precise! A lot has happened since then. We've been in and out of lockdown, we've now got a vaccine, but we also have various new variants. Which brings me onto my card. Variants. Not of the virus kind. </div><div><br /></div><div>Given all we went through in 2020, I expected to be feeling a lot more positive coming into 2021 with the vaccine, but another lockdown, another round of home schooling, bubbles bursting, and just more uncertainty has taken its toll on me since January. I've really struggled mentally this year so far.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TogPxj1vm0U/YPLqGCyhpNI/AAAAAAAADUU/fCRKSeo4i68xniheF-gX8t_oJ31ykUwWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TogPxj1vm0U/YPLqGCyhpNI/AAAAAAAADUU/fCRKSeo4i68xniheF-gX8t_oJ31ykUwWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN5194.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>One thing that has been getting me through various trials are the recent Marvel TV series on Disney+. From WandaVision, to Falcon and the Winter Soldier, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. My latest obsession and by far my favourite, however, is the recently finished, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki_(TV_series)" target="_blank">Loki</a>. If you're a fan, you'll get the reference to variants...</div><div><br /></div><div>It's polarised quite a lot of Marvel fans, but with some fabulous and very engaging performances by the main characters, Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino and Owen Wilson, a brilliant score and writing, I loved it. Thankfully there will be a Season 2 sometime in the next 18 months, so the cliff hanger ending will get resolved - I hope... I highly recommend for some escapism in trying times, even if it at times isn't so cheery!</div><div><br /></div><div>I was going through my card making stash, and having a bit of a clear out - some eBaying may be on the horizon - and found in my scrap box, this image of an MFT Viking that I stamped onto some watercolour card ages ago. The stamp is no longer available by the look of things, so I will be hanging onto it. Given Loki is from the Viking myths and legends, it was clearly a sign to use him up at last.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNPR1G73tno/YPLqmGVgUzI/AAAAAAAADU0/YOA3L3ChdmwUzvdApb2mQJ6mxhXoQwHRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNPR1G73tno/YPLqmGVgUzI/AAAAAAAADU0/YOA3L3ChdmwUzvdApb2mQJ6mxhXoQwHRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN5195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I got my Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils out and spend a happy few minutes colouring him in. It's not quite the fine Asgardian leather that Loki wears in the TV series, but you can't have everything, right? I don't have the die to go with him, so I simply fussy cut and kept him very simple on a green card base with a white background. With coloured images I find simple is best.</div><div><br /></div><div>I made the card base out of some lovely green cardstock from Stampin' Up, and I ended up with two card bases, so I just carried on and made another simple card with a wax seal I bought from my lovely <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MinnieMuseCrafting" target="_blank">Etsy buddy Karen</a>. She makes and sells wax seals that you just have to peel and stick to your card - I can get embellishments without the added need to buy more crafty paraphernalia.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGUQVuaivz8/YPLqzCFeRlI/AAAAAAAADU4/xtZGamaiuckOlZo-KWLI958dTJgsPeG2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGUQVuaivz8/YPLqzCFeRlI/AAAAAAAADU4/xtZGamaiuckOlZo-KWLI958dTJgsPeG2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN5196.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>Simply done, with some added sequins from Lucy's cards - I have so many and it was hard to part with them, so I'm using them up! - and I have two cards and had a very enjoyable session whilst the children played outside. A win win for everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8ZS-QVpWlo/YPLqzI1KRsI/AAAAAAAADU8/wKGk6kqHeE08zcj7mBTZ9ENmUVMtTZf-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8ZS-QVpWlo/YPLqzI1KRsI/AAAAAAAADU8/wKGk6kqHeE08zcj7mBTZ9ENmUVMtTZf-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN5197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you have managed to stay sane as much as you can since last April when I last posted, and I hope to be back here a bit more regularly, as I've found card making at least once a month, can really help. Keep going, it's all we can do!</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-47912746510817223502020-04-08T08:00:00.000+01:002020-04-08T08:00:08.968+01:00Clearly Besotted Mr Mole<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we are in Week 3 and the odd thing is it's starting to feel normal! Hope you are still bearing up. Without further ado, here's my card....</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAJAIxqezG8/XoECSnkeuUI/AAAAAAAADK0/oaa6oohILE4nOUl0J2APV4k4bv6NYCBIACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBPnEDC0N82zQHOgVf8YjMfM4nv92qXaEEItLQ7NVpYzAFGb3sqsAiFXjGQsUkpIhEnbQIGUo14uX8fqcoLh2F8TcqRH2tXhCV1JM2JTroaEpOtTRCpLHi6xyMjX8OX2UjKhrNYyGvWLYwkD1ZBQGzN5yOv5IU4MYDAgPk0yM2pfI2p8V2ycHbGzs99IVQ6Ep7FaefaRSxFOituoY1lRM93UdZR_1jNMm-ydVMs5hzHpZccM6r3Yw_wwZxcJeQrYNJQKPYQA0bFjKbGeLK5rL3pVvO6Pdtf-P35NxAjGLmdkdGL_os1XERdF0wEX9yWzi4JnICOAOFrsxYUFI7DCGWX5QIKFUyj1okse9WRfnYZl7ZgRclFD9mEUJ0lbwF2LnT4K7aZr6sodhj42wiXJy9nDenyyHfXl86jsCh1Fyvqk3hEcRDbOyy2KM66HH6I23GPYoEuOhMJ6h5r8TXnwDVKQxDxWR4kCDcH612hX0GYOKJFi8Bd8HnEhMJS_sgiC0UZnRnY1dgC9lztqCm_zezmQicu2Np-bPXxqTr3tKjRyOaKKeX7vi_K6bArI0Ouz_1ZrQ-9MTL8UvM0ujUyiZGVnayIVznpSLJAMI2KhPQF/s1600/DSCN3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1600" height="592" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAJAIxqezG8/XoECSnkeuUI/AAAAAAAADK0/oaa6oohILE4nOUl0J2APV4k4bv6NYCBIACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBPnEDC0N82zQHOgVf8YjMfM4nv92qXaEEItLQ7NVpYzAFGb3sqsAiFXjGQsUkpIhEnbQIGUo14uX8fqcoLh2F8TcqRH2tXhCV1JM2JTroaEpOtTRCpLHi6xyMjX8OX2UjKhrNYyGvWLYwkD1ZBQGzN5yOv5IU4MYDAgPk0yM2pfI2p8V2ycHbGzs99IVQ6Ep7FaefaRSxFOituoY1lRM93UdZR_1jNMm-ydVMs5hzHpZccM6r3Yw_wwZxcJeQrYNJQKPYQA0bFjKbGeLK5rL3pVvO6Pdtf-P35NxAjGLmdkdGL_os1XERdF0wEX9yWzi4JnICOAOFrsxYUFI7DCGWX5QIKFUyj1okse9WRfnYZl7ZgRclFD9mEUJ0lbwF2LnT4K7aZr6sodhj42wiXJy9nDenyyHfXl86jsCh1Fyvqk3hEcRDbOyy2KM66HH6I23GPYoEuOhMJ6h5r8TXnwDVKQxDxWR4kCDcH612hX0GYOKJFi8Bd8HnEhMJS_sgiC0UZnRnY1dgC9lztqCm_zezmQicu2Np-bPXxqTr3tKjRyOaKKeX7vi_K6bArI0Ouz_1ZrQ-9MTL8UvM0ujUyiZGVnayIVznpSLJAMI2KhPQF/s640/DSCN3939.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've had these stamps for a while and one evening a few weeks ago, along with a whole load of things, I decided to colour them in. I struggled to get the right browns, but I did a lot of blending and came up with something that seemed to work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm enjoying making all things sunshine and rainbows at the moment, so I decided Mr Mole would be popping out of the ground to look at the glorious sunshine. He might have bad eyesight, but he can still make out when it's lovely and sunny.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnDHa7EN1qs/XoECUPqanRI/AAAAAAAADK8/6lBp-hu8m24l6tfCGRG_WuuT60s-E5UPQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAtNIDEHSdvc4MihzeJxPp_lS-BGJrGJ3eULZdUcAZmrQIa4mK0UwTXex2XRB-B8iO_-Z8cmnHQacbOlJRFhBWaisK6_Nmk9k3VmIDfkbIve8Efrix7MZ03qL3x5C0pmC1yXP8Nigxy38dRr4NQUsWJF3b5OOY7tJB2avM6LFk86zUnu8WJjPNnJrgjBgg_zXRbGIMx-2YynSlK_ZjgIZoheVRoeW9pkJuHsjPo4ndO3Bt3e-v5v3FqQgMbRW4UD0vZ0JhoJynpGye5tlihh5ZzGoq5hM_fNedfuHmASO8qKZGbxxAijxetu6g7LPw1XF6vhuOLGr9ZZY1qZTKJEikQcg2ASex7JSuawcKRcWEnIhVXSW5M2oZLDnioDS01vrTUU3AoSItwRj9WRxGwkjGUYdxC8PozbjldCwqOTgiV-_HgVfSC7qWG8cIGycEiM5RGbY8kc9xwMWW8wsEOLfYbMc2xHTc570mzKhmPW6-kCTFaKMR6OYofk2vzmxwzK5p3tDu_fJ_bjf8bAWN4G4T9u_Y5jsZitpZkrMbctIjABcxpvuDI7BGU_QMyCKa2iC6gntt8H5ZbIzkHfg8muyyRa05pVNaxN28MMKWKhPQF/s1600/DSCN3941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnDHa7EN1qs/XoECUPqanRI/AAAAAAAADK8/6lBp-hu8m24l6tfCGRG_WuuT60s-E5UPQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoAtNIDEHSdvc4MihzeJxPp_lS-BGJrGJ3eULZdUcAZmrQIa4mK0UwTXex2XRB-B8iO_-Z8cmnHQacbOlJRFhBWaisK6_Nmk9k3VmIDfkbIve8Efrix7MZ03qL3x5C0pmC1yXP8Nigxy38dRr4NQUsWJF3b5OOY7tJB2avM6LFk86zUnu8WJjPNnJrgjBgg_zXRbGIMx-2YynSlK_ZjgIZoheVRoeW9pkJuHsjPo4ndO3Bt3e-v5v3FqQgMbRW4UD0vZ0JhoJynpGye5tlihh5ZzGoq5hM_fNedfuHmASO8qKZGbxxAijxetu6g7LPw1XF6vhuOLGr9ZZY1qZTKJEikQcg2ASex7JSuawcKRcWEnIhVXSW5M2oZLDnioDS01vrTUU3AoSItwRj9WRxGwkjGUYdxC8PozbjldCwqOTgiV-_HgVfSC7qWG8cIGycEiM5RGbY8kc9xwMWW8wsEOLfYbMc2xHTc570mzKhmPW6-kCTFaKMR6OYofk2vzmxwzK5p3tDu_fJ_bjf8bAWN4G4T9u_Y5jsZitpZkrMbctIjABcxpvuDI7BGU_QMyCKa2iC6gntt8H5ZbIzkHfg8muyyRa05pVNaxN28MMKWKhPQF/s640/DSCN3941.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun is keeping me going and it's almost Easter, so the sun is bringing a whole load of hope to the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A quick one from me today, but sending you all the requisite virtual hugs and a reminder in these times to keep on crafting :)</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-29558891478380000902020-04-01T08:00:00.000+01:002020-04-01T08:00:01.947+01:00Sending you sunshine, with a bit of extra news!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gosh we could do with lots of sunshine at the moment! What a different route life has taken us over the past couple of weeks. I was adjusting to having the girls around and they were adjusting to being around, but not able to go out and see their friends, so I didn't manage to post anything last week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Week 2 of social isolation is going slightly better. I have closed the <a href="https://ruthsreusables.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a> for the time being as I'm not comfortable going out to the post office. I may in a few weeks reopen and do weekly post office drops. I'm also more into a routine with the children and negotiating some time for me with my husband. As he's the main bread winner and can work from home, it's best for him to do that for as long as possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm missing the person to person contact, but ironically I've also decided now is the time to reduce my time on Facebook. There is just too much on it for me at the moment and it's all whirling round my head and I just sit and flick and it gets me nowhere. I still have both my Instagram accounts <a href="http://www.instagram.com/craftingwhilethebabynaps">Crafting While the Baby Naps</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/ruthsreusableproducts">Ruth's Reusable Products</a>, and I prefer that for interaction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that's my news. How are you all bearing up? </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--O_tvlA0tJo/XoECRRleeJI/AAAAAAAADKc/LivTP1osUV0Ha40ncC4W2-HL6T9zOZIdQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoDyx2EP9QyeqEYUnoOwDGJsceaLh0Kxv0k_6_eaB2tnTtf-G7aPSi1HbSJpfU6ZDTNU494aGgHpTlJ4NFnzw7Nhe13CFXjeeHqMoz__vOB4VSZRdXFrlEO0SZ_Gaxg_oK1mGU1bWMuAIBZ6T9M6iqN-dVPkrDSv0hqsTBhRvOcOZf4_vNVeb_TiU-U9om3kJYzdO2g4j0Km-R5z_D0wQhDMerN9LsGyyEVnfRPOZko3XWH21acoJtlyKj8i6WzI89Q-nLM7xHDZq14PZDsjSAV7QMBv8uAxOi0YnQvGghm_A_IMY41kZAC58fsXOPDigKyH9FUXuger0TG1icr9Xpza9XuYQCyE9n7jtFvftwVhEgX_-ZeTim5acB-AlkS5Z-vVqHgc9rW3BOSCKyOqo57ddMh3AzwSviQbSgiCJwT21AiKxaLa072QIAZfjaLCRuydOuCS2bVE8D5tpqZm9hrsklIxHqYXpP-w7S0uxsgYSGb4h_SqCjSo8RtZbvNoGr2L84M6bZjxFrzrnsOBm54aUrhCXQwovPfURCeuw7fcaG6tNu3jeZTjbYhr5hfBnW7BcEQ6YciXsMMz-8CqCJg9fLOs5XYSLefKMLqJhPQF/s1600/DSCN3935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--O_tvlA0tJo/XoECRRleeJI/AAAAAAAADKc/LivTP1osUV0Ha40ncC4W2-HL6T9zOZIdQCEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoDyx2EP9QyeqEYUnoOwDGJsceaLh0Kxv0k_6_eaB2tnTtf-G7aPSi1HbSJpfU6ZDTNU494aGgHpTlJ4NFnzw7Nhe13CFXjeeHqMoz__vOB4VSZRdXFrlEO0SZ_Gaxg_oK1mGU1bWMuAIBZ6T9M6iqN-dVPkrDSv0hqsTBhRvOcOZf4_vNVeb_TiU-U9om3kJYzdO2g4j0Km-R5z_D0wQhDMerN9LsGyyEVnfRPOZko3XWH21acoJtlyKj8i6WzI89Q-nLM7xHDZq14PZDsjSAV7QMBv8uAxOi0YnQvGghm_A_IMY41kZAC58fsXOPDigKyH9FUXuger0TG1icr9Xpza9XuYQCyE9n7jtFvftwVhEgX_-ZeTim5acB-AlkS5Z-vVqHgc9rW3BOSCKyOqo57ddMh3AzwSviQbSgiCJwT21AiKxaLa072QIAZfjaLCRuydOuCS2bVE8D5tpqZm9hrsklIxHqYXpP-w7S0uxsgYSGb4h_SqCjSo8RtZbvNoGr2L84M6bZjxFrzrnsOBm54aUrhCXQwovPfURCeuw7fcaG6tNu3jeZTjbYhr5hfBnW7BcEQ6YciXsMMz-8CqCJg9fLOs5XYSLefKMLqJhPQF/s640/DSCN3935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Card! So I've had this set for ages. It's an old MFT set called <a href="https://www.diestodiefor.com/proddetail.php?prod=mft-BB-83">Sunflower Sweetheart</a> which they re-released in 2019. Someone very kindly sent it to me along with the dies. I didn't use them, as they are the old closed dies and I didn't want to mistakenly chop bits off I'd spent ages colouring, so after colouring her with Copic markers, I fussy cut her. Nearly chopped her head off in the process, but managed not to! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHYN7u6qbEI/XoECRyD9kXI/AAAAAAAADKg/Mrtd4oWtx2EyM7UYna7VuwQkotRC4ON6ACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoDyx2EP9QyeqEYUnoOwDGJsceaLh0Kxv0k_6_eaB2tnTtf-G7aPSi1HbSJpfU6ZDTNU494aGgHpTlJ4NFnzw7Nhe13CFXjeeHqMoz__vOB4VSZRdXFrlEO0SZ_Gaxg_oK1mGU1bWMuAIBZ6T9M6iqN-dVPkrDSv0hqsTBhRvOcOZf4_vNVeb_TiU-U9om3kJYzdO2g4j0Km-R5z_D0wQhDMerN9LsGyyEVnfRPOZko3XWH21acoJtlyKj8i6WzI89Q-nLM7xHDZq14PZDsjSAV7QMBv8uAxOi0YnQvGghm_A_IMY41kZAC58fsXOPDigKyH9FUXuger0TG1icr9Xpza9XuYQCyE9n7jtFvftwVhEgX_-ZeTim5acB-AlkS5Z-vVqHgc9rW3BOSCKyOqo57ddMh3AzwSviQbSgiCJwT21AiKxaLa072QIAZfjaLCRuydOuCS2bVE8D5tpqZm9hrsklIxHqYXpP-w7S0uxsgYSGb4h_SqCjSo8RtZbvNoGr2L84M6bZjxFrzrnsOBm54aUrhCXQwovPfURCeuw7fcaG6tNu3jeZTjbYhr5hfBnW7BcEQ6YciXsMMz-8CqCJg9fLOs5XYSLefKMLqJhPQF/s1600/DSCN3936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHYN7u6qbEI/XoECRyD9kXI/AAAAAAAADKg/Mrtd4oWtx2EyM7UYna7VuwQkotRC4ON6ACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoDyx2EP9QyeqEYUnoOwDGJsceaLh0Kxv0k_6_eaB2tnTtf-G7aPSi1HbSJpfU6ZDTNU494aGgHpTlJ4NFnzw7Nhe13CFXjeeHqMoz__vOB4VSZRdXFrlEO0SZ_Gaxg_oK1mGU1bWMuAIBZ6T9M6iqN-dVPkrDSv0hqsTBhRvOcOZf4_vNVeb_TiU-U9om3kJYzdO2g4j0Km-R5z_D0wQhDMerN9LsGyyEVnfRPOZko3XWH21acoJtlyKj8i6WzI89Q-nLM7xHDZq14PZDsjSAV7QMBv8uAxOi0YnQvGghm_A_IMY41kZAC58fsXOPDigKyH9FUXuger0TG1icr9Xpza9XuYQCyE9n7jtFvftwVhEgX_-ZeTim5acB-AlkS5Z-vVqHgc9rW3BOSCKyOqo57ddMh3AzwSviQbSgiCJwT21AiKxaLa072QIAZfjaLCRuydOuCS2bVE8D5tpqZm9hrsklIxHqYXpP-w7S0uxsgYSGb4h_SqCjSo8RtZbvNoGr2L84M6bZjxFrzrnsOBm54aUrhCXQwovPfURCeuw7fcaG6tNu3jeZTjbYhr5hfBnW7BcEQ6YciXsMMz-8CqCJg9fLOs5XYSLefKMLqJhPQF/s640/DSCN3936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She's just simply adhered to a card base along with some frames I cut out of patterned paper and the sentiment has been stamped along the bottom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2d-bYdx9Sw/XoECROIi4nI/AAAAAAAADKY/2t8sHaOHW6UEhv2N51eHrOizqcu2UxCeACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBHDIuTdGpaxV0tiEJceZx9dmBuV8Qp0nd7Yv4vUzncq9nZgzzdohjwNA3P4VGF56Amw5k2LoALcEfZIm131LFbbMeqjFvxgi6gity9jsLDHlfN8zfgPoBdT4me2Fuh9ZpPGqZrFuuU0x-4IZ4EbwE7pCAGR88Kw7Li-me4Vg5HENZKhSYQrVc-m35IWfm0OVj7_fs-dEzGBr1AyVMDoHo9o3WzRNP6JXtLGCzkN7D1KT4k2-Ac3yDXzMey2SLQPrfIBnqmXIkGlawhD8oxFeT-3xHrDwfmq7uuYv-KK2Lg44RUHIoxkRaYIQbRBwo2zlqHLQ1rN2GcTAWWeJCxs-i8_W6fXPrgebtei1L4llU6c-S-x_m4LqnPCmScIJv3bZku2PqHXKn4onTHw-4M27PrAJRCIAEtR7WLnswHlCU3hkTWLigf8ptDnaUDhgqBoz0PAjx2BtQy0ss4DapVQX39nHAyd_EU-bc7PLn7qveYIeq0uRB9ZxG7k_A--07xjjagUdANK3bCq1rAtIxTrnYfQdAuCkghSbV-mkG1A0Lv-5w812AE3dS-oNCxHbhDoghdt9_H8rVl3yyUQeSpRK5rKH7ArL3ysrrcMOKJhPQF/s1600/DSCN3937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2d-bYdx9Sw/XoECROIi4nI/AAAAAAAADKY/2t8sHaOHW6UEhv2N51eHrOizqcu2UxCeACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBHDIuTdGpaxV0tiEJceZx9dmBuV8Qp0nd7Yv4vUzncq9nZgzzdohjwNA3P4VGF56Amw5k2LoALcEfZIm131LFbbMeqjFvxgi6gity9jsLDHlfN8zfgPoBdT4me2Fuh9ZpPGqZrFuuU0x-4IZ4EbwE7pCAGR88Kw7Li-me4Vg5HENZKhSYQrVc-m35IWfm0OVj7_fs-dEzGBr1AyVMDoHo9o3WzRNP6JXtLGCzkN7D1KT4k2-Ac3yDXzMey2SLQPrfIBnqmXIkGlawhD8oxFeT-3xHrDwfmq7uuYv-KK2Lg44RUHIoxkRaYIQbRBwo2zlqHLQ1rN2GcTAWWeJCxs-i8_W6fXPrgebtei1L4llU6c-S-x_m4LqnPCmScIJv3bZku2PqHXKn4onTHw-4M27PrAJRCIAEtR7WLnswHlCU3hkTWLigf8ptDnaUDhgqBoz0PAjx2BtQy0ss4DapVQX39nHAyd_EU-bc7PLn7qveYIeq0uRB9ZxG7k_A--07xjjagUdANK3bCq1rAtIxTrnYfQdAuCkghSbV-mkG1A0Lv-5w812AE3dS-oNCxHbhDoghdt9_H8rVl3yyUQeSpRK5rKH7ArL3ysrrcMOKJhPQF/s640/DSCN3937.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wishing you all the best of things at the moment. Stay safe. Stay home. Stay sane and Keep On Crafting!</span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-70785670771558238042020-03-17T11:19:00.001+00:002020-03-17T11:19:12.732+00:00Forty shades of Green....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...in one card! Well not quite, but as it's St Patrick's Day and I am half Irish and I have this funky leprechaun in my stash, I decided I had to colour him up in as many of my G and BG Copics as I could. Turns out I don't have as many as I thought I did!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paddy here is from Paper Smooches and was a gift from an Irish friend who I've known for a ridiculously long time (ever since Uni days!) and who, despite living miles apart, we still manage to meet up and talk like we only saw each other yesterday! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So he's in all the greens and blue-greens I own, stopping short at his face and hands and teeth - if anyone knows any good combos for teeth I'll take it, as he looks like he's smoked one too many. I added some green Spica pen to his shoes and beard because I wanted to. You can't really see it without tilting it, it's so subtle.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nu1G1ypSPl8/XnCx2T1LCFI/AAAAAAAADKA/GPMphcsqTLEmAeGRB_07HBD-7jBkKTHogCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nu1G1ypSPl8/XnCx2T1LCFI/AAAAAAAADKA/GPMphcsqTLEmAeGRB_07HBD-7jBkKTHogCEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3934.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found a green card base in my stash and some glitter paper which I cut out with a Memory Box postage stamp die so he wouldn't get lost on the green background. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOXw4NVaWG8/XnCx16XhcmI/AAAAAAAADKE/bgX3S2b8vE40Gjj-HmP5YGXVZ5qPQODeACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOXw4NVaWG8/XnCx16XhcmI/AAAAAAAADKE/bgX3S2b8vE40Gjj-HmP5YGXVZ5qPQODeACEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3933.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However you're getting on amid all this chaos and weirdness with Covid-19, have a great St Patrick's Day and know you can and you will be OK :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Crafting Everyone!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-458686065773750432020-03-11T08:00:00.000+00:002020-03-11T08:00:09.551+00:00Hello....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... is it me you're looking for? Well I hope so! Here's another of these long lost panels that I rediscovered while going through my box of unused coloured stuff, or BUCS (in tribute to Darnell's NBUS!).</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjQrfv-SoAU/XmPklSH0nZI/AAAAAAAADJY/5_WntUQ3rIIE_5Q644BWxPo1Lew9s5L6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjQrfv-SoAU/XmPklSH0nZI/AAAAAAAADJY/5_WntUQ3rIIE_5Q644BWxPo1Lew9s5L6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_7289.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This one has only taken a year to get onto a card, so not quite as bad as last week's.... I wanted it to pop against the background, but also be sympathetic to the colours of the greys. They are ALL the Copic grey tones - N, T, W and C - so you can see the difference in them all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used some coloured paper I've had stashed away for 5 years and cut the panels to layer it up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm linking this up to my old challenge <a href="http://theflowerchallenge.blogspot.com/">The Flower Challenge</a>, which Aileen set up and I see going from strength to strength. The theme this month is <a href="http://theflowerchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-flower-challenge-42-anything-goes.html">Anything Goes</a>, which is just perfect for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://daizy-mae-designs.blogspot.com/2020/03/thank-you-card.html">lovely Viv did a very nice post</a> about some of my wipes, which I custom made in some gorgeous Tilda floral hummingbird fabric. Thank you for your kind words Viv!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hope you're having a good week so far. The sun has been shining and it's been nice to get out and about without getting damp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for popping by and Happy Crafting Everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruth xx</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-67935819932876523112020-03-04T08:00:00.000+00:002020-03-04T18:13:49.087+00:00How are you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm fine, how are you? I actually completely forgot I coloured this in. Two years ago. Yes, two years ago! I met up with some lovely crafty friends one weekend in Birmingham and had a lovely time stamping and colouring. We mostly did talking, but I stamped a few images and coloured them in and never made them into cards. Well now is the time! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With <a href="https://ruthsreusables.etsy.com/">my business</a> all about reducing waste, it was high time I went through my scrap box and pulled out this panel which I'd coloured with Copics all that time ago. I wanted to practice highlights and shading. I'm not too sure how successful I've been, but I enjoyed using some of the grey-blues in my collection. The stamp is from Simon Says Stamp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really enjoying revisiting my card making and getting a bit of a stash going again. Always useful when you're reminded it's someone's birthday or you just need to send a Hello.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for visiting as always. Keep crafting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ruth xx</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-65276950778575481832020-02-26T16:46:00.003+00:002020-02-26T16:46:30.224+00:00Long time no see.... and Stamping Bella Rachel Loves the Rain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may not know it, but I actually have been doing some card making behind the scenes. Just not blogging about it. Well, a chat with my business coach Lynsey from the <a href="http://www.handmadebusinesshub.co.uk/">Handmade Business Hub</a> (best money spent every month I can assure you!) got me thinking about blogs again. Naturally it related to my <a href="https://ruthsreusables.etsy.com/">Etsy business</a> - take a look at my new look and name change! - but I thought to myself, since I already have an established blog, why not spent some time revisiting and blogging on it before I move to business blogging. Besides I realised I missed not doing it even with cards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also started a small craft club in a local supermarket once a month where a few of us get together to eat cake, craft and sit and chat. It's the one place I can get some peace and quiet to craft and this is what I made at our last session.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been going through my card making supplies for a bit of a destash and found this Stamping Bella set which was one of the first I ever bought, and it is still a favourite. Obviously I was inspired by the recent weather from Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis here in the UK. If only I'd looked that good when escaping the hail stones at the school gate...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMHiJS8B1z0/XlaghnNUemI/AAAAAAAADHs/VMXMBPrMoXEO7YXHlzfCMG97OUvYMXcdgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200226_162500629_iOS.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMHiJS8B1z0/XlaghnNUemI/AAAAAAAADHs/VMXMBPrMoXEO7YXHlzfCMG97OUvYMXcdgCEwYBhgL/s640/20200226_162500629_iOS.heic" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She's simply stamped and coloured with Copics. I haven't done a course for a while, so I'm hoping Faye runs some more. I could do with a refresher on skin and folds - well basically anything at all, because it's been so long!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then just mounted her onto a nice purple star background onto a C5 card - I've stopped making my own cards as I just don't have the time to cut and fold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to be back with more cards over the coming weeks, so would love it if you would check in. Hope life is treating you all well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Crafting Everyone!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-31690586677408987522019-10-05T18:16:00.002+01:002019-10-05T22:50:37.981+01:00World Card Making Day 2019 - Trying to get Christmas cards done!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Running a small business has left me with little time for card making of late - you can see my last blog post was way back in June - but at the end of September I took the time to go to another of <a href="http://www.stampinfluffnstuff.co.uk/p/copic-class-schedule-2019.html">Faye's colouring classes</a> as it gives me the opportunity to a) get out of the house on my own; b) colour in peace and quiet and c) learn from an expert. I'll share my colouring when I've finished them off and made a card from the images!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took some of my hard earned cash from my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Bagageddon">Etsy shop</a> and made the most of <a href="https://www.diestodiefor.com/">Dies to Die For</a> being there by having a good rummage. I decided upon two stamp sets for Christmas cards. I've been feeling a need to colour some Christmas cards and get a bit ahead of myself. Plus <a href="http://www.mycardtrip.co.uk/">Lisa</a> told me she's already made 20 so I know I need to catch up!! Lol!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love Stamping Bella images and this polar bear is just adorable. I decided to try a technique I did a couple of years ago after watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJZ2QN0KWZU&t=350s">Elaine Hughes' video</a> on how to colour the Northern Lights. You can tell I need a lot of practice, but I really enjoyed myself with my markers. I'm getting to that stage where I need refills now though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started with the bear and stamped him out onto some <a href="https://markergeek.com/shop/">Make It Colour! card</a> and coloured him in with E41, 42 and 43 with R81, 83, 85 and a bit of RV34 for his scar. I love that I can use the colouring on the stamp packet for inspiration. Oh and the picture has bleached out the colouring I did for a shadow to ground him. He isn't just floating I promise you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I then decided to cut him out for some reason. Don't you love how cards evolve? I didn't really need to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But anyway, I took another piece of Make It Colour! card and got colouring. It took me a fair amount of time to get anywhere near a decent blend and it still looks fairly messy to me, but I cut it to the size of a C6 card and stuck it on. I then trimmed the bear piece to fit on the bottom and popped him up on foam pads - well actually, it was the left over bits around a pack of foam circles. Always reusing and not wasting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel pretty good I was inspired to try this again. It had been a long day on a school trip with 60 eight year olds (they were all excellent) and my brain needed something creative to do just not sewing....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy World Card Making Day! Hoping to get inspired to do some more very soon so I'm not rushing in November like always. Happy Crafting Everyone!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-88264107824539220042019-07-08T12:25:00.002+01:002019-07-08T12:25:23.364+01:00Etsy Shop Giveaway!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! I was so excited to reach 100 sales in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/bagageddon">Etsy shop</a> that I've decided to have a giveaway! You and a friend could win £15 EACH - because I believe in sharing good fortune. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All you have to do is enter on my <a href="http://www.instagram.com/bagageddon">Bagageddon Instagram</a> and follow the instructions on the post :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't win, don't worry, look out for a site wide sale to carry on the celebrations next week! </span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-40768851583860824972019-06-28T21:43:00.001+01:002019-06-28T21:43:11.460+01:00A card for the first time in ages!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello crafty friends! What's this, I hear you in amazement, it's a card!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I popped along to my local craft club on Wednesday night with some stamps, some Copic paper and some Copics and this was the result. A Stamping Bella fairy in funky colours - well I did take an odd range of colours with me! - on a very plain background. Just some stencilling with a Uniko butterfly stencil and squeezed lemonade Distress Oxide put on with an ink duster so it wasn't too heavily coloured. She's been fussy cut and popped up on foam pads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It felt good to colour again and actually blogging too! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things in life are a bit more back on track again after illnesses with the children and a bout of depression for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/bagageddon">Etsy shop</a> has had me busy, and I just hit 100 sales the other day, which is a goal I've been dreaming of for a very long time. Initially it was my aim to get there by December, but I managed it 6 months before that. What's surprised me is that my biggest seller has been my sets of reusable wipes and small coin purses to put them in. I've been learning as much as I can about making reusable products and more of these will be added to the shop over the coming year. I've also had a request for wholesaling some of my items, and I will share details soon :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for all your support and for reading as usual. Happy Crafting Everyone!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-56345314434650929192019-04-30T09:00:00.000+01:002019-04-30T09:00:15.686+01:00Hunky Dory - Card stock and Toppers Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello! I'm back again today with more from Hunky Dory. This time I chose a block of card stock - <a href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/ecb103-6-x-6-essential-card-block.html">Ink Me! 6" x 6" Essential Card Block</a> - and a packet of toppers - <a href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/deck017-watercolour-wings-topper-deck.html">Watercolour Wings Topper Deck</a>. Toppers are not something I would naturally choose, as I am more of a stamp and colour girl, but I like to try new things and thought it would be good to have something different to review.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGWvIAyLzws/XMYAmk3ugVI/AAAAAAAADBI/meP3fuDXKP0PSd6pITItsexc2zVCX8wIACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3584-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGWvIAyLzws/XMYAmk3ugVI/AAAAAAAADBI/meP3fuDXKP0PSd6pITItsexc2zVCX8wIACLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3584-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tried several things with the Ink Me! card block. I really like the size as I can cut it down to size for a standard US A2 or UK C5 card blank without too much wastage. It is also a nice thickness and very smooth, so I tried both ink blending and some Copic colouring:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Ink Blending with Distress Inks and Distress Oxides with Stencils</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FExyjC_E5UE/XMYApBE61bI/AAAAAAAADBU/8xLPYrBiX2469pPNoT2UDFM0_D1eQTTkACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3587-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FExyjC_E5UE/XMYApBE61bI/AAAAAAAADBU/8xLPYrBiX2469pPNoT2UDFM0_D1eQTTkACEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3587-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a play around with various distress inks and oxides and a couple of stencils. They were really easy to use with both a blending tool and my ink duster. I used some stencils from my stash from <a href="https://folksy.com/shops/funkyfossil">Funky Fossil Designs</a> and <a href="https://www.clearlybesottedstamps.com/">Clearly Besotted Stamps</a> and they worked really well. The ink went on nicely, didn't smear and I blended two colours together easily. I used Spun Sugar on one and managed to build up layers easily to get a darker colour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I now have several of these pretty butterfly bride to make up into cards - perfect for birthdays, weddings, engagements. I do love a good stencil session!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Toppers and a card</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEab4KDnaao/XMYAnMIpuiI/AAAAAAAADBk/cLK3T_xtL-Q4z0TdX_s5PM6pNuK6Pr9NwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3585-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEab4KDnaao/XMYAnMIpuiI/AAAAAAAADBk/cLK3T_xtL-Q4z0TdX_s5PM6pNuK6Pr9NwCEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3585-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su7mN0kkjaQ/XMYAmzJmvrI/AAAAAAAADBg/V1JuHtUWvDkn0VSXAgpk4FH8REFhrst9QCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3586-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1558" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su7mN0kkjaQ/XMYAmzJmvrI/AAAAAAAADBg/V1JuHtUWvDkn0VSXAgpk4FH8REFhrst9QCEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3586-2.jpg" width="622" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Part of the reason I got the topper pack was because I loved the designs. I am a huge fan of owls and when I saw the watercolour designs, I thought they could be used for lots of different projects - and even be cut out - I do love a bit of fussy cutting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On this card, I took a card blank from my stash (a C5) and cut the stencilled background I'd made from the previous stencil session (birch tree background) down to size to fit. I adhered it with some double sided tape. As I already had my distress inks out, I decided to do something I rarely ever do, distress ink the edges. I thought this went so well, I inked up the edges of my card blank as well. I then attached the topper onto the background with some foam pads. Easy as pie and I really like the outcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The toppers are also a really nice quality card, the designs very pleasing on the eye - watercolouring being quite the thing at the moment - and they can be easily made up into cards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used my own card blanks, but Hunky Dory also have a range you can use to make your final cards with:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/papercraft/card-making-supplies/card-blanks.html&source=gmail&ust=1556528266930000&usg=AFQjCNF-XVp-ARcGr9jp1ALQLtGGo_GEHA" href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/papercraft/card-making-supplies/card-blanks.html" target="_blank">https://www.hunkydorycrafts.<wbr></wbr>co.uk/papercraft/card-making-<wbr></wbr>supplies/card-blanks.html</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Copic Colouring</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z72z8GyZDqI/XMYAqCRQM8I/AAAAAAAADBs/LWx-gMcKbtEdcTM4xB8O1ZWPI467hRslACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3588-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z72z8GyZDqI/XMYAqCRQM8I/AAAAAAAADBs/LWx-gMcKbtEdcTM4xB8O1ZWPI467hRslACEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3588-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do a lot of Copic colouring and use speciality cardstock for it, but I always like to try any new card, especially if it's nice and smooth, which the Ink Me! is. I wouldn't recommend it solely for Copic Colouring, but I managed a decent blend on this Stamping Bella image without much bleeding, which I find can get with Neenah, the alternative I sometimes use. I definitely wouldn't dismiss it for the Copics, for quick colouring, if you have it to hand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A thank you to <a href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/">Hunky Dory Crafts</a> for having me and for giving me the products to review. None of my links are affiliates and my views on the products are entirely my own. I hope you've found this useful, and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment or drop me an email.</span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-5625500729871166882019-04-29T09:00:00.000+01:002019-04-29T09:00:01.399+01:00Hunky Dory - Stuart Hillard Fabric and Stix 2 Glue Stick Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello! Things have been quiet on here for a few weeks, haven't they? <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Bagageddon">Etsy</a> got busy, Easter holidays happened and small children got sick and took quite a long time to get better, all of which impacted on my blogging. But....... I have an exciting blog post today..... read on....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago a very nice lady from Hunky Dory contacted me about doing a review of some of their products for them. I've heard of them, and indeed seen them on Create and Craft and had a very fixed idea of what they did. Card stock and toppers is what I had marked them down as. Before I said yes or no, though, I had a good root around their website <a href="http://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/">Hunky Dory Crafts</a> and imagine my surprise when I saw they also sell fabric and sewing notions as well as card stock, stamps, paper, toppers, pens.... So I said yes, picked my items and I'm here today to show you what I managed to do with 3 fat quarters and a glue stick...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ps5z0o85MzA/XMMhge39HpI/AAAAAAAADAQ/BTf8QlSwjI0ehEfAsuVpxSISXbYIMtokQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3569-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ps5z0o85MzA/XMMhge39HpI/AAAAAAAADAQ/BTf8QlSwjI0ehEfAsuVpxSISXbYIMtokQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3569-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let's talk about those fat quarters. I use a lot of fabric in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/bagageddon">my Etsy shop, Bagageddon</a> and I was very pleased with the quality of these. I have used fabric from the Craft Cotton Co. before and sometimes it can be a little hard even after washing. This was lovely from the start and washed up beautifully. You should always wash your fabric before using it to minimise future shrinkage. I also find that blues and reds can bleed quite a lot on the first wash, so this also helps, although with these there was no issue at all. I chose these for the beautiful Japanese style patterns which complement each other nicely, making them very easy to use for mixing and matching. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fat quarters I chose were:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/2356-07-kimono-by-stuart-hillard-fat-quarter-waves-navy.html">Kimono by Stuart Hillard - Fat Quarter - Waves (navy)</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/2356-08-kimono-by-stuart-hillard-fat-quarter-abstract-flower-cob.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kimono by Stuart Hillard - Fat Quarter - Abstract Flower (cobalt) </span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/2356-09-kimono-by-stuart-hillard-fat-quarter-dragonfly-white.html">Kimono by Stuart Hillard - Fat Quarter - Dragonfly (white)</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can also buy this fabric in metre lengths, and I think it's a good price for a metre of nice quality cotton (£2.50 a fat quarter, so £10 a metre), given you can pay up to £15 a metre these days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what did I make? You really can get a lot out of fat quarters for lots of small projects. Here's my list and I have half of it left for more. I haven't given instructions on how to make them as that would take too long, but there are many easy to follow guides on YouTube. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. A set of reusable make up remover wipes and a small drawstring bag to keep them in. You can easily get 6 sets of these out of 2 fat quarters. They are 2.5 inches each and backed with cotton or bamboo terry. A really great way to get into zero waste items. You can use old towels for this project too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_64zF1LV1M/XL6mfcSE1yI/AAAAAAAAC_4/dvorkcwuBpE6Wsq3dTuV3pKeAHC3XnCUQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3583-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_64zF1LV1M/XL6mfcSE1yI/AAAAAAAAC_4/dvorkcwuBpE6Wsq3dTuV3pKeAHC3XnCUQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3583-2.jpg" width="640" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Two glasses cases - one slightly wider than the other to accommodate larger sunglasses. These are padded with fusible fleece and use two different fabrics. One for the lining and one for the outer. I use around half a fat quarter for each one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSM3BMf0wJI/XL6mcmAoWTI/AAAAAAAAC_w/ymRyA2MFdqwY-qa11dfZEZkZXfe1YNDuQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3580-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSM3BMf0wJI/XL6mcmAoWTI/AAAAAAAAC_w/ymRyA2MFdqwY-qa11dfZEZkZXfe1YNDuQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3580-2.jpg" width="640" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. A lavender eye bag - I discovered these at yoga and wanted to make some myself. Here's a picture of me down in my sewing basement using it. This uses about a quarter/third of a fat quarter with a muslin bag inside filled with lavender. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJMc5ISWyuY/XMViSxOd_hI/AAAAAAAADA8/eyVg-PHWYtEB2n98dAxPx875bfoBhdAkwCLcBGAs/s1600/20190423_194927163_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJMc5ISWyuY/XMViSxOd_hI/AAAAAAAADA8/eyVg-PHWYtEB2n98dAxPx875bfoBhdAkwCLcBGAs/s640/20190423_194927163_iOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout my sewing, I used the <a href="https://www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk/s57371-stix2-fabric-glue-pen.html">Stix2 Fabric Glue Pen</a>. It's a washable pen that keeps your fabric together while you sew. It was really easy to use, not really sticky and I liked that it was pink so that I could see where I had put it. I used it on most of my initial sewing and was impressed at how well it kept the fabric flat, even when sewing the terry towelling for my wipes. That's a big win for me as pins and sometimes clips can even ruck the fabric slightly. I had absolutely no problems sewing with it - no residual stickiness or issues of any kind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It comes with a refill which is good as I did use quite a lot of it. I found it a useful tool to have in my arsenal. Not something I would use entirely instead of pins and clips, but something to have for smaller projects where clips can overwhelm the project. I will be doing some more research - particularly with zips as they can be a big nightmare, and also stretch projects. I can definitely see it as being very useful for applique as it keeps fabric flat for sewing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bM_PF4OPXYg/XMMhiw_0laI/AAAAAAAADAY/auewmC_6F-kzylCG2xZMxGw_Q0hIVT9HwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3576-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bM_PF4OPXYg/XMMhiw_0laI/AAAAAAAADAY/auewmC_6F-kzylCG2xZMxGw_Q0hIVT9HwCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3576-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a definite thumbs up from me for both of these items. The fabric for the quality and quirky patterns. The glue stick for a useful addition to my sewing notions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope you found this useful and if you have any more questions, please leave me a note in the comments or send me an email. I will be back tomorrow with more, this time with paper crafting! Thanks for reading and Happy Crafting, Everyone :)</span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-41631183512636689522019-02-24T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-24T09:00:03.030+00:00Uniko Stencil Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm back with another GD post for <a href="http://www.uniko.co.uk/">Uniko</a>'s Stencil Sunday spot and this time I've decided to get at least one card ready for Christmas. I always always struggle with Christmas cards. I need so many, so when I saw the <a href="https://www.uniko.co.uk/product/stencil-let-it-snow/">Let It Snow</a> stencil in the gift pack Bev sent me, I knew it would give me a quick, easy and effective way to get at least one under my belt!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTR51eQGOjU/XGJwI7V4Y4I/AAAAAAAAC-I/JZcyRaxR1SUlqi0riAAwZ58nktPV2Q8bACLcBGAs/s1600/20190204_210109278_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1352" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTR51eQGOjU/XGJwI7V4Y4I/AAAAAAAAC-I/JZcyRaxR1SUlqi0riAAwZ58nktPV2Q8bACLcBGAs/s640/20190204_210109278_iOS-2.jpg" width="540" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took a card blank and masked off the edges. I then took the two shades of blue Distress Oxides that I have in my stash (I feel I need more of these!) and started blending the darker (Blueprint Sketch) on the top of the card, before adding Mermaid Lagoon to the bottom. I blended until I got a smooth blend where they met, sort of half way and sort of at an angle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I then placed the stencil on top and with a lightly damp cloth, I dabbed it through to remove some of the colour. It spreads a bit under the stencil, but I never mind this as I think it gives the impression of melting - at least with this stencil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I kept the stencil on and with some white pigment ink dabbed it through as well on top, to give the snowflakes a bit more definition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DhnbJNlArU/XGJwKGXdjlI/AAAAAAAAC-M/VYViBSP1NpwCuEY_tGyMvoMU-OWuEgMggCLcBGAs/s1600/20190204_210113508_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DhnbJNlArU/XGJwKGXdjlI/AAAAAAAAC-M/VYViBSP1NpwCuEY_tGyMvoMU-OWuEgMggCLcBGAs/s640/20190204_210113508_iOS-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few sequins and a very simple sentiment popped up on foam tape and that is my first Christmas card done. Definitely one to try again - maybe in different colours? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you so much to Bev for having me all through this month and thank you for joining me! Happy Crafting Everyone! </span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-6865967911770524122019-02-11T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-11T10:34:42.060+00:00Uniko February Release Day Blog Hop and Treasure Hunt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel a little like Buddy the Elf today. I want to shout 'Uniko's coming, Uniko! I know her, I know her!' because today is <a href="http://www.uniko.co.uk/">RELEASE DAY</a>! And you can get all the lovely products that myself and Bev and all the amazing design team have been showing you all week.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eo-Nn4b3pI/XF9D8f7tBEI/AAAAAAAAC94/yyr7KWOcHKkmY172-eTdFe1QWMTM6g6CQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3304-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eo-Nn4b3pI/XF9D8f7tBEI/AAAAAAAAC94/yyr7KWOcHKkmY172-eTdFe1QWMTM6g6CQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3304-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today is a fabulous blog hop and Treasure Hunt. A little more sedate than Anneka Rice (just aged myself there!!), but just as exciting. </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rules of the Treasure Hunt are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Comment along the Blog Hop and find the icons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Email bev@uniko.co.uk with the following information: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Design Team Member's Name & Balloon letter found </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What the Balloons spell out</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Entries should be emailed no later than Thursday 28th February 2019, for the winner to be announced Friday 1st March 2019.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the prize?? The ENTIRE 7th Birthday February Release - Amazing!! That's 6 clear stamp sets, 2 co-ordinating designer dies collections and 1 stencil design. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that's worth entering! And not only that, but Bev will also be drawing a random comment from the hop to win a £25 clear stamp prize package. Clearly Bev is well and truly in birthday mode!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For my card, I couldn't resist using that glorious Passiflora again. This time I stamped the outline image onto Copic friendly cardstock with Memento London Fog. I then added in details in different Memento inks and coloured the leaves with different shades of B and BV Copic markers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc2lTHbiMU0/XF9D73NFX5I/AAAAAAAAC90/cV81i4ki2VwiKOwzHlhHp3b-gCaxQbjPgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3306-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mc2lTHbiMU0/XF9D73NFX5I/AAAAAAAAC90/cV81i4ki2VwiKOwzHlhHp3b-gCaxQbjPgCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3306-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I stamped the tendrils with some green, teal and grey Memento ink and cut all the images with the coordinating dies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could not resist using that abstract triangle stencil again - it's third outing this release, so you can tell how much I love it! - and did some very soft blending in the corner (again inspired by <a href="https://www.mycardtrip.co.uk/2019/02/05/altenew-hugs/">Lisa's post</a>!) in greys.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy6oGV6JO_Y/XF9D74nBQeI/AAAAAAAAC-A/mbvpwk5LpVwbCuNd5pMZvnFUa1XIGOvKACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3307-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy6oGV6JO_Y/XF9D74nBQeI/AAAAAAAAC-A/mbvpwk5LpVwbCuNd5pMZvnFUa1XIGOvKACEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3307-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I added the flowers to the top of the card and the sentiment to the bottom on top of the stencilling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next on the hop is <a href="https://justmeclm.blogspot.com/2019/02/uniko-studio-february-2019-release_11.html">Carol</a>! Happy hopping, and good luck!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-55417564297452088222019-02-10T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-10T09:00:04.942+00:00Uniko February Release - Intro Background Blocks Pinstripe and Yes, You Release Freebie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the last day of the release sneak peeks and I'm so glad I could be here as GD to share them all with you. I've had a great time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOaG9K83N_Q/XFfaDkx74eI/AAAAAAAAC7k/1u54F5ZN7mYmujoH_nKKBZnh-kyw348sgCLcBGAs/s1600/Background%2BBlocks%2BPinstripe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOaG9K83N_Q/XFfaDkx74eI/AAAAAAAAC7k/1u54F5ZN7mYmujoH_nKKBZnh-kyw348sgCLcBGAs/s1600/Background%2BBlocks%2BPinstripe.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I'm sharing this rather quirky stamp set called Background Blocks Pinstripe. As soon as I saw this set, I immediately thought of tartan - can't get away from the fact I'm Scottish! - and with my stamping tool I set to work to create a criss cross background by turning my card base and moving it up and down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKKXYjTXaJw/XFfaCpUsPLI/AAAAAAAAC7g/o4xhMrvETzQ4xg9lU93UI1fYcTqPjIaEgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190202_222058327_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1240" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WKKXYjTXaJw/XFfaCpUsPLI/AAAAAAAAC7g/o4xhMrvETzQ4xg9lU93UI1fYcTqPjIaEgCLcBGAs/s640/20190202_222058327_iOS-2.jpg" width="494" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used a lot of different colours of my little Memento Dew Drop inks. I have a small collection and used most of the brightest colours for as rainbow an effect as possible. As you'd expect, it ended up fairly dark in the centre with the colours showing at the edges, but I love the way it turned out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1u4i1EWh1N0/XFfaCdeOJbI/AAAAAAAAC7c/kIcebJkZTOMcrPwoA1nTy3Y1jCVG3AWlACLcBGAs/s1600/20190202_222130730_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1u4i1EWh1N0/XFfaCdeOJbI/AAAAAAAAC7c/kIcebJkZTOMcrPwoA1nTy3Y1jCVG3AWlACLcBGAs/s640/20190202_222130730_iOS-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used the Yes, You set (<i>this is added to release day orders of £25 or more up to Sunday 17th Feb 9pm GMT or while stocks last. After that you can buy for £5</i>) to stamp out several of the words in bold colours which I attached randomly with foam tape. The little Yes, You in the corner then links to the inside of the card where I've stamped you are loved. A great way to remind people that we are there for them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8EJqf9-kGc/XFfaBwgR2jI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/K17bCVz5xXsVKBA8iY0hHSszseWMxDBbACLcBGAs/s1600/20190202_222120420_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8EJqf9-kGc/XFfaBwgR2jI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/K17bCVz5xXsVKBA8iY0hHSszseWMxDBbACLcBGAs/s640/20190202_222120420_iOS-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you so much for joining me for all the sneak peeks. I will be back tomorrow for the blog hop at 9am - definitely worth joining in for a fabulous prize! Happy Crafting Everyone! </span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-30423885135976498562019-02-09T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-09T09:00:04.490+00:00Uniko February Release - Passiflora<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome back to Day 4 of the <a href="http://www.uniko.co.uk/">Uniko</a> February Release. Today we are introducing a floral set called Passiflora. We had one of these flowers in our garden in Scotland, that amazingly my mother grew from a seed. It's a climber with little tendrils and I can remember seeing it curling round the branches of the dead plum tree we had at the very back of the garden. It flowered every year and one year we had a fruit. It never really ripened though, but we enjoyed disecting it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtLaJf7qXH8/XFfbpXMKoQI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/PmsoUkcH8iQm8uUWDRhQR1jr2wHY9OpRQCLcBGAs/s1600/Passiflora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtLaJf7qXH8/XFfbpXMKoQI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/PmsoUkcH8iQm8uUWDRhQR1jr2wHY9OpRQCLcBGAs/s1600/Passiflora.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3rDI6OmgJo/XFfW_eOZUyI/AAAAAAAAC7M/DbMtePN0f_URu3TOzbLIapVT1Qz5LdM8gCLcBGAs/s1600/20190202_222333092_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3rDI6OmgJo/XFfW_eOZUyI/AAAAAAAAC7M/DbMtePN0f_URu3TOzbLIapVT1Qz5LdM8gCLcBGAs/s640/20190202_222333092_iOS.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are so many elements to this and you can build up layers by stamping. There's also an outline that you can colour in too. I've gone very much off the natural colours and built up my plant with bright colours from my Ranger Dye Ink sets that haven't seen much of the light of day for a long time. They are so bold though that they were perfect for this set.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I masked off a background area on the card base and used some yellow and orange distress inks with the Abstract Triangle stencil (see <a href="https://craftingwhilethebabynaps.blogspot.com/2019/02/uniko-february-release-intro-stencil.html">Tuesday's post</a>) to create the background.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I then stamped all the separate elements of the flower and die cut them out. It was then just a case of building up the flower in the corner. I will admit I had to look at a picture just to check my memory was correct where all the different bits went!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFv84x9Iw5A/XFlxyZ0hvoI/AAAAAAAAC8w/S03qyM_582oHJsbdYA0yQbh89vCVYLBHACLcBGAs/s1600/20190202_222341540_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1402" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFv84x9Iw5A/XFlxyZ0hvoI/AAAAAAAAC8w/S03qyM_582oHJsbdYA0yQbh89vCVYLBHACLcBGAs/s640/20190202_222341540_iOS-2.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A sentiment from the set in the bottom corner finished the card off nicely. I think this is my favourite from the release so far!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tomorrow I'll be sharing the last new set and then tune in on release day on 11th for the blog hop and a fun way to win the entire release!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Crafting Everyone!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-68686967674335298092019-02-08T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-08T09:00:02.615+00:00Uniko February Release - Intro Background Blocks Graffiti Texture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we are on Day 3 already and I think you can probably tell just how much fun I've been having with the Uniko February release so far. Today it is the turn of a quirky small background stamp called Graffiti Texture:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIhmBA3ZrW4/XFweTsDKeBI/AAAAAAAAC9M/5S_mMIXUyxQhK0AitbNqxlRUy-cQiVCWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Background%2BBlocks%2BGraffiti%2BTexture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIhmBA3ZrW4/XFweTsDKeBI/AAAAAAAAC9M/5S_mMIXUyxQhK0AitbNqxlRUy-cQiVCWQCLcBGAs/s320/Background%2BBlocks%2BGraffiti%2BTexture.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This has a grungy and mixed media look to it, and it's something I would never have picked up, but I had a lot of fun with it. It's great for texture - like the name suggests!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1SAoHluyCU/XFweZFj6jhI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/haPtalvBNGQpZtOIA4HaspPGWr511yQLgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190206_205227094_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1SAoHluyCU/XFweZFj6jhI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/haPtalvBNGQpZtOIA4HaspPGWr511yQLgCLcBGAs/s640/20190206_205227094_iOS-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought with Valentine's Day coming up, I might as well get a little romantic with this set. I took the graffiti texture block and stamped it onto various shades of cardstock with some Versa Mark ink. I then took some clear embossing powder and heat set it. I had an MFT heart die in my stash and cut out one from each piece of stamped cardstock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I felt it would look too CAS on a card blank on its own, so I added some dry embossing with another MFT rectangle frame die I have that doesn't get much use, but was perfect for this - it's been used 4 other times now too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Using my stamping tool, I then stamped the sentiment above and below where the heart would be and stamped in VersaFine Onyx Black. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I added a little detail on the inside with some of the smaller images from the <a href="https://www.uniko.co.uk/product/so-much-clear-stamp-set/">So Much Clear Stamp Set</a> (I get a lot of use from this little set, I love it!) and that was it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtktyEqMy3M/XFweYpacQII/AAAAAAAAC9g/NC4uJDscafwbDGF_bISf9X3G8bsJgsg9QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20190206_205247784_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtktyEqMy3M/XFweYpacQII/AAAAAAAAC9g/NC4uJDscafwbDGF_bISf9X3G8bsJgsg9QCEwYBhgL/s320/20190206_205247784_iOS-2.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not long to go now until release day on Monday 11th and a fabulous giveaway. Hope you're enjoying all the intros from all the team!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-20951054214354771642019-02-07T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-07T09:00:03.105+00:00Uniko February Release - Intro Stencil Abstract Triangles & Birthday Wishes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here I am again with another sneak peek and a card for Day 2 of the <a href="http://www.uniko.co.uk/">Uniko</a> February Release. Today we are sharing a new stencil and a new very useful birthday sentiment stamp set.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love Uniko stencils and I particularly like this one for its quirky design. It's called Abstract Triangles. I masked the stencil to give a border on a white card base and then did some simple ink blending through it in sunset colours (Picked Raspberry, Spiced Pumpkin and Mustard Seed).</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WUr5arfW2o/XFlxuyvMT0I/AAAAAAAAC8o/VCHH0759_qs9mIeJE3pEIuPuK7JwKX0FQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190204_210255146_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1366" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WUr5arfW2o/XFlxuyvMT0I/AAAAAAAAC8o/VCHH0759_qs9mIeJE3pEIuPuK7JwKX0FQCLcBGAs/s640/20190204_210255146_iOS-2.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found some raspberry pink card stock in my stash and stamped and heat embossed the sentiment onto it with some Versa Mark ink and Wow! Bright White Fine embossing powder. I then trimmed this into a panel and used a We R Memory Keepers corner chomper on the edges. I wasn't sure about this as the abstract panel is very angular and the sentiment had very rounded edges, but the next day I really liked it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I simply added the sentiment on top with some foam pads.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMBn4rwkT5E/XFlx0MvYM_I/AAAAAAAAC80/d_MHLSCmD64mOX0vGwJAgXjqQCIot2yPACLcBGAs/s1600/20190204_210304004_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMBn4rwkT5E/XFlx0MvYM_I/AAAAAAAAC80/d_MHLSCmD64mOX0vGwJAgXjqQCIot2yPACLcBGAs/s640/20190204_210304004_iOS-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How are you all enjoying the release so far? I'm enjoying sharing all my makes. Please stop by all the DT members and Bev to see what they've created too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll be back tomorrow with another card. Happy Crafting Everyone!</span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-27929321418065992252019-02-06T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-06T09:00:08.464+00:00Uniko February Release - Intro Big & Bold Happy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am delighted to be back as GD for Uniko, most especially as it is their 7th Birthday. For any company to get to 7 years is a huge achievement, and most especially for a small company. My hat is off to Bev and all that she does. Having started a small business last year, it's hard, hard, hard, hard work, but so rewarding!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j22IatsCugw/XFdqfPseFkI/AAAAAAAAC7A/olqs8emZE3USgxgVVhwXxAXGrYsENfJ4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Uniko%2BGD%2BBadge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j22IatsCugw/XFdqfPseFkI/AAAAAAAAC7A/olqs8emZE3USgxgVVhwXxAXGrYsENfJ4ACLcBGAs/s320/Uniko%2BGD%2BBadge.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today we are introducing Big & Bold Happy, a stamp set with coordinating dies:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIVxOwgd9V0/XFSoqS8AuTI/AAAAAAAAC6g/1SJxlsVkdvM6nXPQ6A18TVx-JYiO-K9ngCLcBGAs/s1600/Big%252C%2BBold%2Band%2BHappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIVxOwgd9V0/XFSoqS8AuTI/AAAAAAAAC6g/1SJxlsVkdvM6nXPQ6A18TVx-JYiO-K9ngCLcBGAs/s1600/Big%252C%2BBold%2Band%2BHappy.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've used the dies that coordinate with the stamp set to add some big & bold writing to this birthday card.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNYqA0-aLqg/XFdmuYKaTBI/AAAAAAAAC6s/GPH6HbaTczgJIQaLuHmWW2F8wIGzypWfQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190202_221818334_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNYqA0-aLqg/XFdmuYKaTBI/AAAAAAAAC6s/GPH6HbaTczgJIQaLuHmWW2F8wIGzypWfQCLcBGAs/s640/20190202_221818334_iOS-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've die cut the happy word from some scrap cardstock in shiny dark blue and the bigger outline in vellum to add contrast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.uniko.co.uk/product/stencil-balloon-bash/">balloon bash stencil</a> was ideal to add something into the corner of the card and I used some distress oxide in mermaid lagoon. The <a href="https://www.uniko.co.uk/product/stencil-seeing-stars/">seeing stars stencil</a> I added on top again in mermaid lagoon oxide ink and as it was a second layer, it looks darker - a tip I got from a blog post of <a href="https://www.mycardtrip.co.uk/2018/12/18/masculine-birthday-card-stencilled-circles/">Lisa</a>'s.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-La6PwKqeq6g/XFdmuwbCD2I/AAAAAAAAC6w/OYr46RKdhykBsak__lbpCu7NdrvhClDyACLcBGAs/s1600/20190202_221843397_iOS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-La6PwKqeq6g/XFdmuwbCD2I/AAAAAAAAC6w/OYr46RKdhykBsak__lbpCu7NdrvhClDyACLcBGAs/s640/20190202_221843397_iOS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The die is so bold and eye catching, it didn't need anything else on it other than the word birthday. Such a useful and quick and easy set - another card for my stash!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stick around for more sneak peeks this week and definitely release day on 11th. There's a fab blog hop and an amazing prize! Happy crafting everyone!</span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-26565317389786965302019-02-03T09:00:00.000+00:002019-02-03T09:00:05.188+00:00Stencil Sunday - Uniko Guest Design<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am absolutely delighted to be guest designing for <a href="http://www.uniko.co.uk/">Uniko</a> who have a new feature called Stencil Sunday. I love Uniko and I especially love their stencils - great price, great quality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bev very kindly sent me a few stencils to add to my collection and I'm using the <a href="https://www.uniko.co.uk/product/stencil-mask-natures-treasures-ii/">Natures Treasures II</a> set with these beautiful leaves. You also get the negative and the positive which means even more options, but here I'm just using the negative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uj6YLBoNf_c/XFBJt_fTVII/AAAAAAAAC6Q/LRoZ6bzjGZ0ivgSv5juOl5plNwDfT8upgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3291-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1600" height="553" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uj6YLBoNf_c/XFBJt_fTVII/AAAAAAAAC6Q/LRoZ6bzjGZ0ivgSv5juOl5plNwDfT8upgCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3291-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All I did was take a blank white card base, and very carefully holding my stencil in place, blended some distress ink through the stencil. It's easier if you use a sweeping motion almost as if it's a blending brush. I didn't even tape it down with masking tape as no matter what I do, I end up tearing the card. I did one in each corner of one colour, and the other in the other corner in another - Mowed Lawn and Evergreen Bough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLC0ch4QYGA/XFBJtvDPt9I/AAAAAAAAC6M/GA_el8aXFFckF5UOPzT5ZVoIBP3N_krEQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3291-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1338" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLC0ch4QYGA/XFBJtvDPt9I/AAAAAAAAC6M/GA_el8aXFFckF5UOPzT5ZVoIBP3N_krEQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3291-3.jpg" width="534" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then all I did after that was stamp the sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black and Distress Oxide Lucky Clover. Done!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With not getting much time for card making in between
running a business, stencils can make beautiful and simple cards so
easily. Indeed a friend recently said to me how much she loves my latest
cards because they are so simple!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for having me Bev and thank you all for reading. I will be back this month with more Uniko goodies - release week is coming up and I shall be joining in. So excited to share! It's really got my mojo going again. Happy Crafting Everyone! </span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-71649822435374205452018-12-07T18:14:00.002+00:002018-12-07T18:14:16.113+00:00Christmas Owls and Moose - Clearly Besotted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why hello! So, now that my birthday is over, I'm going into Christmas organising full tilt. How I'm doing is debatable, but the will is there! I wanted to get at least 30 Christmas cards made and today I finished up another four to finally get there. I then decided to write my list for handmade cards and realised I needed 40..... so another 10 will have to be found from somewhere soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3G1vvv_L7zo/XAq0bMlHezI/AAAAAAAAC5k/EKJIeNllbpsDVxY9wigp9jj6wEXbwwCzwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3G1vvv_L7zo/XAq0bMlHezI/AAAAAAAAC5k/EKJIeNllbpsDVxY9wigp9jj6wEXbwwCzwCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3103.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, here are the four I made today from <a href="http://www.clearlybesottedstamps.com/">Clearly Besotted Stamps</a> supplies. Some very simple Copic colouring on the owls and moose before I fussy cut them. Then I masked of a central piece in on the card blank and lightly dusted different light Altenew inks onto them through one of the new <a href="https://www.clearlybesottedstamps.com/collections/stencils">Clearly Besotted stencils</a>. This one is birch background and the inks are very light through them, and the photo doesn't do it justince. I then just glued on the moose and owls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IS3kzUZREw/XAq0ZZp-KaI/AAAAAAAAC5c/xq2KyoVZZ48h228ij_DR_BEzpgaRdKOKwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IS3kzUZREw/XAq0ZZp-KaI/AAAAAAAAC5c/xq2KyoVZZ48h228ij_DR_BEzpgaRdKOKwCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3104.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then found an old set called <a href="https://www.clearlybesottedstamps.com/products/sweet-little-sentiments">Sweet Little Sentiments</a>, which at one point I was going to sell and I'm glad I didn't. The Merry Christmas fited just nicely and I inked it up with some VersaFine Onyx Black as it give such a clean impression first time round.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That, as they say is that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did my first ever Christmas Fair last weekend. Just a little one in the school. Oh my was I nervous, but I've had so much support from all my friends and family, it really kept me going. I had a couple of 'too expensive' mutters, but apart from that it was very positive - and exhausting. If you want to find out what I've been up to with my sewing, you can follow my adventures on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/bagageddon">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bagageddon">Facebook</a>, as well as my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Bagageddon">Etsy shop</a> itself.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9K97NVaCwc/XAq4YaNuaaI/AAAAAAAAC58/FQAyWztb4YEmTeslPH-ZHtT1_twAF_EbwCLcBGAs/s1600/47041322_260166398191203_5961531769260867584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9K97NVaCwc/XAq4YaNuaaI/AAAAAAAAC58/FQAyWztb4YEmTeslPH-ZHtT1_twAF_EbwCLcBGAs/s400/47041322_260166398191203_5961531769260867584_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'll be back before Christmas I hope with some more cards now that I have to make those extra 10!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by, Happy Crafting Everyone :)</span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-61358523291828188172018-11-21T12:12:00.000+00:002018-11-21T12:12:06.024+00:00Alcohol Ink Lift technique with Copic Refills - VIDEO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been MICA (Missing In Crafty Action) for a few weeks as I've been working on finishing off stock for <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Bagageddon">my Etsy shop</a> and adding listings. Nobody should ever think Etsy is just take a photo, stick it in your shop and it will sell. You have to know what you are doing and I am very grateful to have the help of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JewelleryandGemsCo">Jewellery and Gems</a> with it. Getting my head around all that is needed to get noticed and to get sales on top of looking after the girls and the household just about finished me off last week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Onwards and upwards! It's nice to be able to switch crafts from time to time, so I had a good play with some Copic refills, acetate, card and some large stamps trying out the Alcohol Ink Lift Technique I've seen in passing - <a href="https://youtu.be/sAJ7zSAWgD0">Teresa Morgan's video is very good</a>. I know Ranger and Tim Holtz have come out with an alcohol ink lift stamp pad, but these days all my money goes on fabric, so I decided to try it with my Copic refills and some colourless blender as well as the copic cleaner.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWrRwJZjCs0/W_U3DlSVkqI/AAAAAAAAC5M/cyLdueSNKzwQ3ZYGVr-Cu6QV5W_J6wfagCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWrRwJZjCs0/W_U3DlSVkqI/AAAAAAAAC5M/cyLdueSNKzwQ3ZYGVr-Cu6QV5W_J6wfagCEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a video of how I got on. Of course, during the process, my video camera died, so I had to scrabble around for the charger and the best results I had have been lost, but I hope you still find the other footage useful. Please remember that YouTube is a third party and as such you may want to look at its privacy policy if you have any concerns about cookies being placed on your machine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I've learnt is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colourless Blender is best - the cleaner pushes the ink away too much</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A detailed stamps works better than a semi solid stamp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acetate works quite well, but it can take a while to dry, and it does leave it a bit sticky</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't put foil flakes on...... see video as to why!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't put too much colourless blender on your sponge when using with stencils</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have fun making a mess - I know <a href="http://www.cardgrotto.com/">Michelle Short</a> uses gloves and now I know why!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbMQImZ0xcM/W_U3DL92L3I/AAAAAAAAC5I/R_4hLo9KN3E0jTpDPhoKIcakADQ6G1VwwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCN3065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbMQImZ0xcM/W_U3DL92L3I/AAAAAAAAC5I/R_4hLo9KN3E0jTpDPhoKIcakADQ6G1VwwCEwYBhgL/s640/DSCN3065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it works it works really really nicely and I have three finished projects as you can see. I even made a shaker having seen <a href="http://www.mycardtrip.co.uk/">Lisa's</a> recent fantastic efforts. It's been a while!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7uDKi1HBoI/W_U3B96x_lI/AAAAAAAAC44/39sXBMzgGwsBab3eVb8PGL2TXfWwY1GfQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7uDKi1HBoI/W_U3B96x_lI/AAAAAAAAC44/39sXBMzgGwsBab3eVb8PGL2TXfWwY1GfQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCN3066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever tried this?? It was a really great session! I've seen people using gelli plates with alcohol ink too, so maybe that's also something to try. Happy crafting everyone! </span></div>
Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-31962290624250412732018-10-26T16:52:00.000+01:002018-10-26T16:52:19.688+01:00Christmas Cards with Stencils and Copics - VIDEO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm staying on the theme of Christmas cards for the time being, and mass production, but unlike my last video, I've done a bit more colouring and added in some stencilling and die cutting. I've still kept it fairly clean and simple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is another of the cute angels from Pretty Pink Posh (you can get them in <a href="http://diestodiefor.com/">Dies to Die For</a> in the UK). I've used a cloud stencil on the background, die cut the top panel with an MFT stitched window die and added a simple sentiment. I've popped up the die cut panel over the clouds and added in the Copic coloured and fussy cut angel with some foam pads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can see more of the process in my video either below or over on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD9wyr74eRO-9axe4sRRmHA">YouTube channel</a> (this is an external site and will have cookies). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm also only 1 away from 300 subscribers! I know this is peanuts compared to some of you, but for me this is a huge leap, so thank you to everyone who stops by to watch and support. You are all appreciated more than you know!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I find with mass production as long as you have a clear production line, even more complicated cards can be pretty quickly done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm pretty busy with getting my <a href="https://craftingwhilethebabynaps.blogspot.com/p/my-crafty-copic.html">Etsy shop</a> up and running and have an Etsy mentor who is making me do lots of inventory and work on my processes and make up as many bags as possible.I'm hoping that in the next three weeks, I'll have some more in the shop. Watch this space!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As always, thank you for stopping by and Happy Crafting :)</span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114030127707040855.post-2025304173503377272018-10-12T21:41:00.000+01:002018-10-12T21:41:23.596+01:00Very Simple Christmas Cards - Pretty Pink Posh - VIDEO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm back and with a video too - yay! I'm finding that I have time on Fridays now to do a bit of mass producing and with Christmas coming up, the best kind of mass production are Christmas cards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wG9aK6HOAWI/W8D4SWPKMYI/AAAAAAAAC34/YWimPBGxJIAvYhgvWYEZtDwQeEuNXR-hACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN2977%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wG9aK6HOAWI/W8D4SWPKMYI/AAAAAAAAC34/YWimPBGxJIAvYhgvWYEZtDwQeEuNXR-hACLcBGAs/s640/DSCN2977%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I try to keep mine super simple when mass producing and these are the superest simplest you can possibly get. Card blank, some patterned paper (Lawn Fawn Let's Bokeh in the Snow which I've had for ages), and a plain stamped image on the front. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've even managed to make a video of the process, so I hope you enjoy this little foray into my mass production of Christmas cards, which you can watch below (please note this links to a third party, YouTube, which may require Cookies) or via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD9wyr74eRO-9axe4sRRmHA">my YouTube channel</a>. If you like what you see, would love to have you as a subscriber.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wishing you a splendidly happy and crafty day, thanks for stopping by :) </span><br />
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008012339245949525noreply@blogger.com2