Friday 30 December 2011

Guilt free crafting.............

Sorry, yes I know that I have been a bad blogger.................I have been creating honestly, just designs are under wraps at the moment.  However I have also been working with some released Little Claire Stamp Sets and have really appreciated a change from making Christmas Cards.............lol!

We had a lovely Christmas, spent with family and friends, also chance for chill time which has been wonderful.  I so love waking up in the morning when ready and not to the sound of the radio alarm.  Saying that though our daughter has been on early's all week at the farm she is working at.  Her alarm has been going off at 5am poor thing...............I love animals, being outside and the countryside, but the thought of working 13 hours a day, milking 150 cows and all that entails doesn't do it for me.........each to their own.

Here are 2 designs using the Little Claire Wedding Set...............a really beautiful and versatile set..........both designs are based around a lemon cardstock, coloured using pro markers, Martha Stewart border punch and Marianne's hearts die and Nestabilites.  White ribbon, adhesive stones, prima flowers and a little glitter glue and job done.

Saturday 10 December 2011

Latest LC Challenge.......using Owlgate

This card was actually begun last Christmas......I'd stamped out and layered up the stamped image and in truth forgot about it.....................when checking through the many bits and bobs we all seem to collect there is was..............inspiration struck and the card completed.

It is a while since I have used this corner punch......and I enjoyed wrapping some fine gold thread through the slits......I've added the little squares to the shaped card edges from Little Claire Gingham Peeloffs and some gold candi.

As usual I have used promarkers to colour the stamped images and a little glitter glue, added organza ribbon and bow.

I'd also like to share my delight that one of my cards is featured in the latest copy of Creative Cardmaking using the Cutie Patooties duo on a swing.................how cool is that!

Decs are now up.....the tree is twinkling, the majority of pressies and cards sorted........enjoying our two young cats Billy and Isla exploring all that is magical in Christmas.........fun and lots of laughter ahead me thinks..............xxGaynor

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Henny Penny

A complete refreshing change from Christmas designs..............The lovely Henny Penny is so new and cheerful.....sure to bring a smile to many a crafter and receivers....I think it will also be fabulous for Spring Birthdays and Easter cards to......

Little Claire have an amazing offer on at the moment.............please check out their blog for further details and grab yourself a goodie bag and loads of inspiration.
Best get back to writing my Christmas cards.................Hi Ho Hi Ho........xxGaynor

Thursday 1 December 2011

New project stamp - Keep Warm and Carry On......liking this loads...

So much design work recently and time just keeps on going faster and faster......or maybe it's just cos I am getting older.............Anyhow a new fabulous design from Little Claire.....which evokes thoughts of warmth, friendly chatter and feeling relaxed..............Shame I don't have an Aga!
The easel card was created for my very special friend........who called round whilst I was being creative......typical....hope she liked it even more once I coloured in the image using my faithful promarkers.....hard to image card making without these essentials...............

I added a prestamped sentiment from Little Claire.....coloured white Candi with my promarkers to match perfectly.....and cut out some delicious cupcakes from some paper purchased previously.  Added an orange polka dot ribbon to tie together the colour scheme.

The shading of the stamped image is more vibrant......just lack of daylight doesn't help.

That's all from me for now..................mmh now do I think of putting up my tree this weekend or not?
                                                                                                                         xxGaynor

Thursday 17 November 2011

Little Claire Swirlies

A quick post to show the two cards I created last weekend using 2 stamps from Little Claire's Red Gingham Swirlies range - The Owls and the Poppies.

Once I had chosen my backing papers everything fell into place very quickly.......

The beautiful ribbon is also from Little Claire along with their die cut printed sentiments.

Martha Stewart Doily Punch, a little Bazzil card, adhesive pearls and glitter gems.....not forgetting the adhesive stones.....and yes there is as per usual from me a little glitter glue on both the cards.

I like to see and feel the warm sunshine..... the glitter glue creates the twinkle we so miss during some of the cloudier autumnal days.

Please let me know what you think..................xxGaynor

Saturday 12 November 2011

More from Craftwork Cards

Finished off some more Warren Christmas cards today................must get to looking at my Christmas lists shortly............as soon as Vick's Birthday arrives I know it is 6 1/2 weeks until Christmas.............what a marker!


We are off to celebrate her Birthday with family this evening...................fingers crossed that we have a giggle......I struggle to behave grown up for too long.....................and those that know me will know exactly what I mean!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend...................xxGaynor

Sunday 6 November 2011

Little Claire Blog Hop

Sorry for the delay in updating my blog.  Our daughter is 18 this week and I had ordered some cupcakes to be made by a friend............I got a text this morning that her oven had blown up......so had to come up with a plan B for her birthday cake................hence my delay in posting..............sorry!

Blog Hop and a Chance to Win!
Welcome to the first ever Little Claire blog hop!  All the Design Team members have lots of gorgeous cards to share with you, all made with the new Red Gingham stamps which you can find on the Little Claire website. 
The lucky winner will receive a full set of the new designs!
This is what you need to do to take part in the blog hop:
1.         Visit each of Design Team members’ blogs and leave a comment on their post about the blog hop.  They will all have a card to share with you made with one of the new Red Gingham stamps.  You also need to leave a comment on this post.
2.         Each Design Team member will also include a letter in their post.  Once you have all the letters, you need to rearrange these to form a word.
3.         Once you know what the word is, e-mail your answer to helen@littleclaire.co.uk – PLEASE DON’T POST YOUR ANSWER IN ANY OF YOUR COMMENTS!
4.         The blog hop will close at midnight on Sunday 13th November and the winner of the stamps will be announced on Tuesday 15th November.
My letter is S so make a note of it and leave me a comment on this post. If you haven't visited all of my teamies yet, then head on over to Little Claire's
where you will find links to all their fab blogs.
xxGaynor

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Cutie Patootie - Splashing Girl

Today two cards recently created using one of the Cutie Patootie range of stamps -  Splashing Girl from Little Claire.

I have used vintage colours for this card.  Backing paper from LOTV purchased in spring this year.  Martha Stewart heart border punch, small punched flowers embellished with tiny adhesive pearls and a little bakers twine.  I have added diamond glaze to the puddle and splashes - sorry is hasn't shown up too well in the photograph.  Imaged coloured in using promarkers.
Same stamp, backing paper again from LOTV......just a completely different colour palette.....and what a difference.  This stamp is so versatile.............possibly one of my favourites.........

I have used:  Martha Stewart Zig Zag punch, coloured adhesive pearls, flower from "the" stash with a stone brad in the centre.  Papers matted onto Bazzil card.............I do still love the Bazzil card stock.  Image coloured once again with promarkers and diamond glaze added.  I also used a tiny inverted round corner punch to one corner to add interest.

Mmh not sure which card is my favourite?  Please let me know what you think............xxGaynor

Sunday 30 October 2011

Warren Collection from Craftwork Cards

At last I've had a play with the Christmas Warren Collection from Craftwork Cards......my subscription gift when I subscribed at the Harrogate Papercraft Show in September.......there is masses in the kit.....and all my lovely embellishments work so well.................




Back to school tomorrow.......in my new car........it is so compact.....hope it doesn't feel lost in the school car park.......xx

Thursday 27 October 2011

Swirly Whirlies..........

The Swirly Whirly range just released by Red Gingham is fabulous......as with the Cutie Patooties so very versatile for all occasions and seasons..........

Whilst working with the Swirly Whirly range I was in "Christmas" mode and the winter season.....hence the colours and backing papers used.............am sure that the owl family will be fabulous all year through.....and adaptable for the mystical "men" cards which we all find tricky!

I have used a Marianne's Die for the 2 snowflakes and added resin dots to accent.  The corners have been trimmed using a corner punch and a little glitter glue added to the twigs to give a crispy sparkle!

I have used Martha Stewart Zig Zag punch for a border, MS Crown of Crowns for the four corners and added the tiny squares left behind from the new Little Claire Gingham Peel Offs to highlight the points
The Red Gingham sentiment has been punched out with a scalloped 2" punch.....a couple of adhesive gems added and dots using Pro Marker Berry Red.  Tiny gems have also been added under the zig zag border.  They do sparkle honestly!

Another Cutie Patootie planned for tomorrow...........xx Gaynor

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Day 3 Sneaky Peeks!

Good Morning............another day another design.  I am loving checking on what all the DT are creating with the mega new stamps from Little Claire.

Just a quickie post from me today............have my craft table set up and I don't intend to waste a single minute of crafting time ..............I also collect my "new" wheels later.......hope it doesn't rain on the way home and I get into a flap working out the windscreen wipers or headlights lol!

Todays' card is using the duo "patootie" sitting on a tree swing...........they are just so adorable and can't fail but raise a smile.

I have used a little doilly as the background to layer the matted image on.  Punched some tiny flowers in two sizes using punches I've had for years......curled them slightly for dimension and added tiny seed adhesive pearls to their centres.  The leaves are created using a die from Little Claire. The sentiment is also from Little Claire............these are fab.  I created the bow using my bow maker.......which is mega easy.....loving the new bow maker!

Image shaded as usual with pro markers............the pastel shades.....backing paper from my stash....accented with bazzil card in raisin, and...............wait for it.....NO glitter glue........shock and horror.
Please check back tomorrow for another peek......this time from the swirly range:)

Monday 24 October 2011

Little Claire Sneaky Peeks...........

So excited about this week..............half term hols..........and I pick up my new set of wheels on Wednesday..........not new, new, but new to me..........which means that our daughter who passed her driving test last Monday will be able to take herself back and to to the farm where she is doing her 2nd year placement in her Diploma in Agriculture Course. Also each day a sneaky peak of some mega wonderful new stamps from Little Claire and designs created using them.

Little Claire are launching a brand new set of stamps and as usual they are so cute. This week at Little Claire and on all of the dt members blogs, you can have a sneak peek of the new range.
Here's my sneak peek for you today using the duo of cuties.......
I have used backing papers which were free with a card crafting mag, Cutie double coloured using promarkers.  Punches Martha Stewart Zig Zag and Crown of Crowns.  A little raisin Bazzil Card, red striped bakers twine and self adhesive  gold nail heads in two sizes.


These cute little characters do not have any names yet so the team over at Little Claire are asking you to give them a name and be in with a chance of winning all 6 of these lovely new stamps. To find out more please pop over to the Little Claire blog and don't forget to see all of the lovely cards on the other dt members blogs.
Cheerio for today until tomorrow................xxGaynor

Sunday 9 October 2011

One I'd forgotten to post!

The weather is definitely autumnal.......seems a long time ago since enjoying the sunshine last weekend....and watching the butterflies top up on nectar to sustain then through their winter hibernation......The Red Admiral butterflies were stunning...........and made me check whether I had posted the amazing "blue" butterflies from Little Claire.  The buterflies were included in the butterfly tree set from Little Claire................
The base card is textured Bazzill card and the roses created using a cutting die from Little Claire.  I have added little adhesive stones to the centre and small amounts of glitter glue.  I have used fine line black pro marker to create the illusion of stitching around both the stamped image and base card.  Small adhesive pearls added and a corner punch used on both the stamped image and yellow mount.  The additional butterfly at the base of the stem is an additional stamped butterfly cut from the main image.

Monday 3 October 2011

New Project Club Stamp

I really must start to think Christmas...................ish!

The new project stamp from Little Claire lends itself to snow, warm fires and mince pies..........
I have used a background paper from Craft Creations.  Martha Stewart Crown corner punch.  New gingham peel offs from Little Claire.  Coloured in using Pro Markers, fine nozzle glue and real white diamond glitter.  I have stamped an additional snowman and fixed him using 3D pads for additional interest.  I have also added tiny peel off diamonds to the punched corners.  The diamonds are "waste" from the gingham peel offs.............see no waste whatsoever................Additional red glitter glue added......... Base card from craftwork cards, edged with Berry Red Pro Marker...................xxGaynor

Thursday 29 September 2011

Life after OFSTED

Just a quickie...................Slowly begining to feel a little more normal after our OFSTED visit on Monday and Tuesday this week................we did fabulous...........it just felt a very high mountain to climb once our Head took the phonecall last Thursday............3 weeks into a new build school in a brand new school year!!!!  And I also shared in the Wirral Workshop...........phew....it is a good job that we don't always know what may be around the corner..............

Fortunately I had sent my project through to Gill in plenty of time...................e.s.p I don't know......but if I hadn't emailed it early I doubt very much that I would have been able to.............

This card comes together very quickly............easily adaptable for Christmas.....I am thinking Christmas Rose and suitable to make batch cards...............am thinking might be a lovely idea for my pupils to make for Christmas ...............mmh! xxGaynor

Saturday 17 September 2011

Crafting on the Wirral with Little Claire

Had a fabulous day today with fellow DT members Helen and Helen, Little Claire Team Gill, Steve, Carol and Lydia, plus lots of lovely ladies, plenty of crafting and giggles galore.............

Thought I'd share one of the cards I've had "under wraps"............the delightful bluetits and apple blosson stamp.........released at the workshop today.  I have loved the opportunity to work with this new stamp.....the possiblities for use endless............lends itself  to - new home, engagement, wedding, get well, birthdays, thank yous etc......just add your choice of sentiment to match the occasion............and there are loads to choose from in the Red Gingham range from Little Claire.


I've used light blue swirly paper, pink bazill card.........Martha Stewart Heart Punch, Card Candi coloured with promarkers, little adhesive crystals, a little glitter glue. The heart and cup cakes are from  additional embellishements in the Little Claire range.  Stepper card also from Little Claire.  Coloured in using promarkers...............

This stamp was very well received..........Steve you need to make loads more please.....

Monday 12 September 2011

Little Claire's Monthly Challenge

Here is the card I designed for this months' LC Challenge ........a little bit out of my comfort zone.......I don't normally work with just black and white.......but am sure that the experience is very good for me......Anyhow continuing with thoughts of Cornwall, okay I know that I have been back for 2 weeks.....but I need to keep that holiday feeling, especially with the windy weather currently....................here is "Daisy the Campervan" with the "Signpost from the Camping Set" and of course a "sentiment from the Red Gingham range"........with a little bit of bling and of course some glitter glue........... I would so love to own a campervan just like "Daisy!" xx Gaynor

Sunday 11 September 2011

Additional Christmas Cards.............

I spent a fabulous day at the Harrogate Papercrafts Show yesterday.......accompanied by my bezzie mate Sue, daughter Vicky and very obliging hubbie......who is an absolute champ back and to, to the car with the "heavy" bags......We enjoyed eating our lunch outdoors the weather was fabulous not a bit like Mr Weatherman said it was going to be.

I met up with Donna who was demonstrating on the Little Claire stand.......arranged to me Helen N another DT for Little Claire, Steve from LC and Gill.......it was great to chat with Gill from LC who designs all their stamps.....she is a very talented young lady and Steve is very lucky that she is his Mrs........

Helen and I shared our butterfly feelings.............as we are 2 out of the 3 DT members who are part of the Wirral Workshop day next Saturday............both Helen and I are all prepared, card kits made....and are very much looking forward to the day...............just got 5 days of work in between......would be lovely to have an "easy" week.....but somehow 2nd week back in a term is not normally an "easy" week......perhaps I can break the mould.......you never know.


Anyhow another couple of cards I designed using the latest club stamp from Little Claire.  To become a member of the Club is very straight forward.....follow the link on their website http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/ just £8.00 per month.................each month you will receive a brand new stamp set, card kit to make the project of the month, ideas sheets for an additional 2 /3 cards...access to an online gallery of cards designed by the design team - at least 20 card designs...............so if your mojo has disappeared, or you'd just like a "dib in" for some inspiration............take a look......there are hundreds of cards within their galleries.....

Saturday 3 September 2011

Spent a wonderful day on an Introduction to Reflexology Course......

Feeling very calm and balanced................also ready for a good nights' sleep......think it is the energy and well-being shared today...............I have had a fabulous day, both being a client, having reflexology on my feet and learning to be a therapist and work with a client..............wow.....hope this balance in my life remains...............now that would be fabulous..............

Anyhow as promised another card created using the September Project Club Stamp Set from Little Claire...........this really is such an adaptable set...............the images are all so very easy to use and the sentiment apt for so many special people.

As usual all coloured using pro marks, I used dimentional snow and sprinkled with fine glitter.  Papers, ribbon and embellishments from my staff..............greeting die cut with a nestabilities die, mounted onto a 2" scalloped punched circle  and adhered using 3D foam pads, the robins mounted likewise.  I am presently liking cutting the images in abstract shapes..................it is becoming a little of a trend with me at the moment.xxGaynor

Thursday 1 September 2011

Christmas cards in September............

Life is just one rollercoaster at the moment................busy setting up new classrooms after a 12 month rebuild at school.............spent the whole day today trying to sort out  the ICT suite........in preparation of welcoming our pupils back on Monday............

Also busy preparing cards ready for the Wirral Workshop on September 17th.........hopefully won't have to work the weekend at school...............and so can craft..............oh yes please!

Here's one of the cards I created using the September Club Set from Little Claire.......will post more later in the week.........................xxGaynor

Monday 15 August 2011

Farmer in Training..........

Just a quickie.............a card I created for our daughter last week who was taking her theory driving test.....and has just completed her 1st year in a 3 year Diploma Agriculture course........the stamp is from Stamposaurus which I just couldn't resist from Port Sunlight in May.  The sentiment from Little Claire......she can still very much be a girly girl.....so the sentiment is so apt........there is no way I could have bought a card to fit all the required criteria......and I am sure that this card is definitely a "one off"!
And she passed.........................theory down......driving to go xxGaynor

Tuesday 9 August 2011

Uh oh too chilled............

Enjoying the switch off so much..............that  we forgot our daughter's dentist appointment this evening.  Fortunately the dentist is a good'n and she has an appointment tomorrow am......oops!

Time to post some more Christmas cards designed using the fabulous new range from Little Claire - Red Gingham Range.............they are beautiful stamps, very contemporary or traditional dependant on how you use them.  Some aspects are so fine and intricate that is is helpful if you have the fine nib attachments for Promarkers.....which are also available from Little Claire.




Tuesday 2 August 2011

August Club Stamp from Little Claire

Wow it is hot...............and I live in the North West so yes I do feel sorry for all those poor people in the SE sweltering and having to work in the humid weather..........................but yes I am also on school summer hols and it is fab...........loving it, loving it...............even managing bike rides which are very, very good for me.........lol

Anyhow time I posted a couple of cards I created using the new August Club Stamp from Little Claire......this is such a pretty and gentle set...............needing very little embellishment.........



                            

 The corner rose stamp can be used over and over again for a multiitude of different card requirements.....Both the little girl and rose arch are separate too..........leaving the quote..........."A rose is a rose is a rose" Gertrude Stein........beautiful.

Off to burn off some calories now on my bike....................then I get to eat a pudding............mmh........or might that be a glass of Rose'............ooh decisions, decisions..........xxGaynor

Thursday 28 July 2011

More Red Gingham Designs for Christmas

Wow I have been a good girl.....................made a healthy start on creating my Christmas cards - well when such fab designs arrive from Little Claire mixed with school hols.....the perfect recipe!





Here's a starter just for today.................hopefully more posted later in the week.....if I get the chance....It is our Cats Protection Branch Open Day on Sunday................and there is still loads and loads to do......why oh why did we also offer to make all the sandwiches.........I'm not quite sure.........but am sure they will look very appetising once Phil shares his culinary flare as per usual.

Off to sort out some kitten pics now...................2 ginger boys - Beano and Dandy and yes they are very lovely..............xx Gaynor

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Chilling with Little Claire

Another couple of Christmas cards using stamps from Red Gingham Designs available from Little Claire being lauched next week:




"Little George"...............a real fun stamp so very easy to work with.



       



Oh Christmas Tree..............can be used to create a traditional or a contemporary  card...........must have are the coordinating sentiment stamps available from Little Claire which are on sale now!

Lots happening regarding Little Claire Classes:
'Spend a Day with Little Claire' Saturday September 17th on the Wirral; this class is almost booked up - three classes in one day with 3 of our talented Design Team

NEW CLASS!
'Spend a Day with Little Claire - CRAWLEY' Saturday October 15th K2 Leisure Centre, Crawley
Please call Little Claire on  0151 342 5715 or see their website for more details http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/
NEW CLASS!
The Great Northern Papercraft Show, Harrogate (GNPE) Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 September
Little Claire will be running 'Breakfast Workshops' at this show each morning.
The dates are new out today & places are limited; if you would like to find out more or book your place at the Harrogate Workshop you must contact the lovely CRAFTWORK CARDS people T: 0113 287 7794

Monday 18 July 2011

My favourite new stamp from Red Gingham Designs

I gain a great deal of pleasure creating Christmas cards, to send to the special people in my life..............not just as an excuse to get out all the glittery extras - I love the glittery bits.....this is my favourite card from the batch of cards created this weekend.

From Red Gingham Designs available exclusively from Little Claire - http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/ A beautiful nativity stamp.............which for me is the whole meaning of Christmas...................  I understand that the stamp will retail at £5.50.

I have teamed the stamp with a subtle background paper, a little embossed velum - I think that the torn edge works well.........a little "sand" paper on which the stamped design is mounted, card candy and a sprinkling of gold glitter glue to highlight where the land meets the sky.  Subtle colouring in with promarkers and an appropriate sentiment which is again from Red Gingham Designs from Little Claire - an amazing sentiment set of 12 stamps with an array of sentiments for £12.99.......fabulous value.

Sunday 17 July 2011

New Christmas Stamps from Little Claire

Never mind the weather...........and the gardens are very happy.....plus the birds and mini beasts.......rain is good ....

So this weekend I have been crafting with some of the new Christmas stamps from Red Gingham Designs exclusively available from Little Claire..............it took me about 5 mins or so to find all those lovely glittery extras that adorn the festive season and then a look through my stash of seasonal papers...........makes me feel good to know that all those must haves that I didn't use last Christmas are being put to fab use now.....and it means I have room for newbies..............note to self need to use loads and loads more because my drawers are still overflowing.....and it gets difficult to find things......

If I won the lottery I would spend some of my pennies on one of those brilliant garden pod creations and craft outside in the garden in my designer pod craft studio...............well I can dream and you never know maybe one day.....

Anyhow a little taster from my play this weekend:




All cards have backing papers from the stash, coloured using pro markers, with glitter glues, papermania mirror tiles, a little card candy......glitter embellishments from QVC.......sentiments from Red Gingham Designs available from Little Claire. http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/

Hope they bring a smile and not - uh oh making Christmas cards in July..... xx Gaynor