Saturday 22 December 2012

Christmas Wedding

Sharing a card created this afternoon.  Our son is an usher at his friends wedding tomorrow and shared that he couldn't find a decent card.  Could I make one for them?  Am taking that as a compliment!

I have used an 8 x 8 scalloped card blank, backing papers a freebie from ages ago with a Christmas baking theme - colour palette sorted.

Used Little Claire's Wedding Set - a favourite I keep coming back to accompanied with a sentiment from Little Claire and the banner created using the Little Claire's Banner set.  Border is MS and the hearts added later to the card.  The die cut is a Nestabilities and the Hearts are Marianne's.

Coloured using promarkers and a dotted organza ribbon added.

A little bling with glitter glue and adhesive crystals.

Am looking forward to working with some new stamp designs from Little Claire over the Christmas break - I understand they are set to be released early in the New Year...............some fabulous designs.......Santa has come early for me :)

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas - all set to make mince pies tomorrow with our daughter's help.

xxGaynor

Sunday 16 December 2012

New Blog Challenge over @ Little Claire

Yesterday saw the launch of the latest blog challenge from Little Claire - New Year cards.

The challenge for December is 'Happy New Year'. The Design Team have come up with various cards etc. if you would like to enter the Little Claire challenge, please read the instructions on the LC blog. www.littleclairedesigns.blogspot.co.uk


The prize for this month's challenge is a Little Claire Voucher to the value of £15.00 to spend on-line.




Fortunately our daughter was home and it is her inspiration behind this card.  She chose the elephant as the feature stamp and we both agreed on using the fabulous bunting stamps from Little Claire which were designed by my Little Claire teamie Georgina.

I have used kraft card as the base and used backing papers which were a freebie in a recent craft magazine.  The image has been layered using Nesabilities Dies.

I have used promarkers to colour, a little glitter glue and some adhesive stones and star pearls.

Hope you likey.

Wishing all my crafty friends a very Happy Christmas and New Year. xxGaynor

Friday 7 December 2012

Little Claire Weekly Blog Project

Morning, tis my turn for the weekly Friday Blog Project from Little Claire.

Christmas is a coming................the project I have designed for today pretty much sums up the season for me...........the colours, the glitter, thoughts of the countryside, the wider world, having the opportunity to get outside over the winter break..........taking time to appreciate just how good things really are...........and I am very grateful.


I have used Little Claire's Owl Tree, backing papers from LC - selection of promarkers, card candi, glitter glue, spotty ribbon and a MS snowflake punch plus smaller snowflake punch.

The card is created on an A4 piece of white card cut so:


Then the backing paper is measured over the base card and cut:

Add the ribbon to a strip of cordinating paper.
Punch and layer up the snowflakes. Stamp sentiment and layer onto scalloped punched mount.


Stamp and colour images. Cut out separate little owls to add as an embellishment later.





The card is not a quickie design................but perhaps a special card for a special person or persons.......I have adapted this design into an Anniversary Card for my parents who are celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary on December 21st.................Many congratulations Mum and Dad :)

Thank you for taking the time to check out my weekly project for Little Claire.
xxGaynor

Saturday 1 December 2012

1st of the Month - new project set from Little Claire.

Aplogises for not updating my blog for ages........always on the list to do......now doing it:)

Feeling almost chilled this evening - Christmas presents wrapped and cards nearly all written today......just need to sort out Billy and Isla - yep our two cats.  They have their own advent calendar this year, the delight this morning was brilliant......full of delicious treats, their manners were brilliant at taking it in turns.  Billy's turn tomorrow for first dibs - good job there is more than one treat in each window!

Needless to say both our "children" have their own advent calendars at 19 and 24, they still enjoy the magic, precious times definitely.

The December Project Set from Little Claire is a cutie set, especially if you have a fondness for little dogs......I needed to do two quick designs with this set as my cards were needed prior to me going away with work............


The first card has been created on a Craftwork Card shaped blank - I like to cheerfullness that this card shares - a few promarkers a little card candi and glitter glue and done......looking forward to playing more with this set once Christmas prep is all done.....also once I break up for the Christmas hols :)

The second card is again quick and simple - great to be able to appreciate the fabulous stamps in this set, no clever dies cuts or fancy backing papers required me thinks.....let the Little Claire stamps shine.
Hope everyone is looking after themselves............take care out there!
xxGaynor

Saturday 10 November 2012

Delish Girlie Embellishment Tree!

Vicky's Birthday yesterday...................the grand old age of 19!  Last year being a teenager..........ahh.

So here's the card I made for her using the new Girlie Tree Embellishment Set plus Buttons Set from Little Claire, alongside their super Georgina's Rosettes Set.............still not too big for a B'day badge!

 
I have used an A4 size of card and created a stepper card.  Matted and layered onto lots of lovely backing papers.  Trimmed the corners using the inverted corner punch, coloured using promarkers and as usual little crystals and glitter glue added.

A couple of additional cards to share using the Little Claire Girlie Embellishment Set:

Using a Craftwork Card Base, Nestabilities Die, Little Claire Christmas Tag Sentiments.
 
Craftwork Card Scalloped Base Card - papers and ribbon from Little Claire. Adhesive Pearls, Promarkers, Glitter Glue and tiny crystals.
 
Hope you likey.......quiet night in this evening, out two nights on the run this week - Hairy Bikers in Blackburn on Thursday evening they were hilarious - good medicine for the week I've had at work.
Last night we had a lovely family meal out in Plumley to celebrate Vicky's Birthday.
Sofa, TV and glass of wine beckons this evening..................if I can keep my eyes open!
xxGaynor

Thursday 1 November 2012

Little Claire new project stamp- Let's Bake

November already, has time really sped up from when I was a youngster or maybe I am not as youthful as I once was..............mmh deep thinking...............moving onwards fast!

I'm just back from a wonderful 3 night break in Jersey Channel Islands - everything was fabulous, hotel, weather, food, company..................feel so treated.  Back to a dull damp day today.......we've spent time on beaches being the only two......shared a rock and watched the sea.......must remeber not to lose the current chilled feeling I have.

Time to share a couple of cards created a wee while back with the November club stamps from Little Claire........Let's Bake.......................

Coloured using promarkers - papers and buttons from docrafts - vintage Christmas and ribbon from Mei Flowers.  The little tag sentiment is from Little Claire and a tiny brad from "the stash. Borders cut using a Martha Stewart Punch,

This time the papers are from Little Claire.  The mittens cut from some delish paper I have had for a while, a little button from docrafts, sentiment from Little Claire.  The cat and tea towel are layered using 3D tiny pads and the doors and lamps paper pieced for added interest.There is also a little glitter glue happening..........well just couldn't resist!

Right back to the craft room now me thinks.............I have done some work planning so.................guiltish free crafting hopefully xxGaynor

Thursday 25 October 2012

Little Claire's new home.

Little Claire have just opened a Design Studio packed full of their latest stamps, die cuts, stickers, plenty of cards on display for inspiration and ideas together with FREE parking.


The address is: The Old Barn, Ledsham Village, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH66 0NE. Telephone: 0151 339 2322

The Design Studio is open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11am – 3pm. Saturdays will commence Saturday 17 November 10am – 1pm.

For further details please see the Little Claire's website. www.littleclaire.co.uk

So if are in the area and/or fancy a crafty fix............why not pop in, have a nosey and  enjoy a brew!

Wirral Day with Little Claire

With the promise of a cold snap and being told that we have been spoilt with mild autumnal temps now is a good time to announce Little Claire's Wirral Workshop in May. 



I am delighted to have been invited to be part of this day once again and am already working on some lovely design ideas.  Many new designs are on their way...........better than a box of chocs.....all the pleasure with no calories:)

Go on book a place and treat yourself and maybe a friend..............would also make ideal an Birthday and/or Christmas pressie..... xxGaynor

Friday 19 October 2012

Quick Cards Magazine

Sooooooooo long since I created this card - July when I think the weather was summer :) in prepartion for the latest edition of Quick Cards Magazine (November issue) - where Steve shares his latest news!  There is also a little piccie on the front cover. 

Shame they didn't include Isla in the piccie...............don't worry I won't tell her - not that she'd be the least bit bothered.  She really loves crafting, Billy our other cat is an expert at borrowing my crafting bits and is excellent at stashing them away.  Too good - missing loads of kit - Billy!

I used this months Club Stamp from Little Claire and Isla helped me stage the photo - ahh........yes she is an absolute sweetie and I love her to bits.


Here are the instructions:

Christmas Scene and Letters Snow from Little Claire


Ingredients:

145mm square blank card
Black Mementos Inkpad
Christmas Scene and Letters Snow Stamp sets from Little Claire
White cardstock - Little Claire
Backing paper from my stash
Cardstock ruby red
Snowflake punch
Red and white spotty ribbon - Little Claire
White, silver and red glitter, clear fine nozzle glue.
Promarkers: Pear Green, Lime Green, Buttercup, Pastel Beige, Pastel Blue, Ice Grey 1, Caramel, Sandstone, Honeycombe and Ruby Red - all Little Claire

Step by Step.

1. Cut pattern paper to 14cm square and matt onto 14.5cm square ruby red card,

2. Stamp Christmas Scene and Letters Snow onto white cardstock. Trim Christmas Scene to rectangle shape, colour and divide into three equal sections. Matt onto ruby red card leaving equal margins. Stamp and cut out letters - s n o w, matt onto red card.

3. Fix stamped image to base decorative paper.

4. Create bow with spotty ribbon and fix down left hand side of the decorative paper.

5. Fix to card base using double sided tape.

6. Fix letters using 3D foam pads and add red glitter to highlight snowflake design. Add punched snowflake using 3D foam pad. Apply glue and cover with silver glitter.
7. Add white glitter to roofs, grass, and dot to replicate snow. Add red glitter to robin and decorative tree.

Hope you likey..............xxGaynor

Friday 12 October 2012

Friday Project with Little Claire


Good morning all - my turn for the weekly project with Little Claire. The card created was one of the 5 that we made in early September in my workshop with Little Claire on the Wirral. The ladies enjoyed creating this card – I hope that you feel a little inspired too.





A gaggle of geese

“The magic of Christmas Stamp Set” – Little Claire.



Square 145mm Card Blank10cm x 10cm stamping card14cm x 14cm backing paper.11cm x 11 cm contrasting backing paperMementos Black ink pad Ribbon – Green Organza spotted LCGlitter Glue – Diamond3 white candi - to be coloured using Promarker Pens3D foam padsDouble sided tape

Sentiment from “The Magic of Christmas” set

Promarkers:CornflowerPastel Blue Ice Grey 1, Lime Green, Ruby Red, Honeycomb.



Method:Adhere smaller square backing paper to larger square if not using double sided paper.

Mark cut, score as shown. Mark 3cm and 4cm in from each side edge. Mark both diagonals. Cut is made to 4cm marks diagonally. Scored along middle square at both 3cm and 4cm.


Add greeting to the front lower right.



Stamp geese to lower right of 10cm x 10cm stamping card and mask as shown. Remove masks and place as shown and stamp the geese for the third time.

Colour using promarkers.

Place ribbon using double sided tape alongside left of the card fixing on the reverse.

Add double sided tape to the cut backing paper near the opening in the centre and place over the stamped image. Add double sided tape around the edges and fix to base card.

Colour card candi with promarkers and place top right using small 3D pads.

Fold back shaping and add glitter glue to stamped image, under the sentiment and card candi.

I hope that you enjoy my little tutorial – masking is sometimes tricky, but hopefully the trickiness isn’t as much a concern now.

Please let me know what you think of today’s project – feedback and comments are warmly welcomed.

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend – let’s hope is it as bright and cheerful as last weekend…………….Autumn is such a creative and colourful month – enjoy!





xx Gaynor Bloor

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Delightful Baby Embellishment Trees

Have spent the last few days struggling with a flu type virus and bad sinuses - sure brought on from my recent trip to Latvia.  Haven't been in work this week.............but plan to return tomorrow, I always battle when feeling icky, work or no work.......but I can and I will manage tomorrow!  So poorly didn't manage to get over to the Papercrafts at Harrogate at the weekend.....now that is a first for me!  Would have let my friend down also - sorry Sue :(

Well a couple of cards to share today created with the baby embellishment stamps that work with the Little Claire Tree Set.  Initially I admit this tree didn't excite me...............but now wow am sold and so pleased to have the tree and embellishments in my stash.  So far there are Christmas, Baby, Wedding, Music and Owl little stamps with another set to be released later this month................the new release makes the tree a must have.  Will share when allowed later in the month.


I have used an A4 white base card for the card measured 12cm across and cut 7 cm down then folded down the smaller steps.  I have used the small check paper and craft paper from Little Claire.  Sentiments are both from Little Claire and ribbon from the stash.  Punch is one of my favourites from Martha Stewart and a little bit of sparkle added with glitter glue Card Candi and tiny crystals.



Second card using papers from Little Claire, coloured using promarkers, ribbon and buttons from my stash.

Hope you likey...................cheerio for now xxGaynor

Saturday 6 October 2012

Catching up...............

Yes I am a bad blogger....................just returned from a work trip to Liepaja in Latvia, an amazing experience - now so very tired, I think the constant adrenaline has just about worn me out.

Anyhow onto some catch up Little Claire cards pics, created over the last few weeks and under wraps until recently, but I was unable to upload whilst in Latvia............so here goes..........


Little Owl Family stamp from Little Claire - I have used a craftwork card for the base, backing papers are from Little Claire.  The image coloured using promarkers and paper flowers added with fancy brads.  The sentiment tag is from Little Claire also.  Glitter glue added for a little sparkle.  It is our 28th Wedding Anniversary today and this is the card I have made for my wonderful hubbie - Phil he really is very special.


This time I have used a fancy die from Nestabilities and a little card cardi coloured with promarkers.  All other ingredients are the same as the above card.

Best keep going - lots more design work to complete and it is my turn for the Little Claire Friday Project on their blog next week...............busy, busy.........................
xxGaynor

Sunday 16 September 2012

Stand up Straight - LC Blog Challenge

I can't believe that we are already half way through September - went to see Mrs Brown's Boys yesterday evening at the Apollo in Manchester, what an absolute scream.......when I checked I booked the tickets back in January.  Why does time speed up when you get older............and time move so slowly when you are little?

Onto the latest blog challenge from Little Claire:

I have used the new Robin Redbreast stamp from Little Claire and a Sentiment from Little Claire also.

I have used a craftwork card shaped and embossed card as the base.  Backing papers are from Craft Creations through Little Claire and the snowflakes are Martha Steward punches with candi added.

I have used a spellbinders die for the mount, coloured using promarkers, plenty of glitter glue and ribbon from my stash.

Now to keep busy - Vicky has just gone back to college to complete her Diploma in Agriculture and home won't feel quite the same without her..............

I'm off to Latvia through my work in just over a weeks' time for 8 days so I have the opportunity to now try and begin to get organised............lol!  xxGaynor

Saturday 8 September 2012

Workshop on the Wirral with Little Claire

Thank you to all who attended today's Little Claire Wirral Workshop.  My fellow design teamie Helen and I had a really lovely day.  My designs were well received and I thoroughly enjoyed the day of crafting and sharing.  Many crafters had attended a Little Claire day previously and it felt like meeting up with friends, many asked after our daughter Vicky who couldn't help today as she was working - she is so pleased that she was missed and plans to join us if she can when there is another similar day.

So after many weeks "under wraps" here is the selection of cards that we made today:







All the stamps are from Little Claire as are the backing papers.  The stamps are all new for 2012 and the geese are taken from this months Project Club Stamp set.

Check out the www.littleclaire.co.uk for further details.

Any queries, questions re the designs, happy to help please just ask.

Off for a soak in the bath now...............feet still not happy after our lovely day :( xx Gaynor

Tuesday 4 September 2012

More cards using the LC Sept Club stamp set.

Well been there done two days inset at school.........................and ready for the weekend..........mmh....pupils back tomorrow...............will feel much, much better then I am sure.

As promised another couple of cards to share using the September Club Stamp Set from Little Claire.






Looking forward to the Little Claire Wirral Workshop Day this Saturday where we may be creating a card or two with this set.  Daren't show now...............but will after the workshop I promise.  All the preparation is done for the day and I am really looking forward to it.  I emailed Gill at Little Claire to check how many crafters were booked on the workshop................and she suggested that it wasn't our normal crafters but gentlemen rugby players - gosh got a little excited there for a moment!

So if you are booked on the Little Claire Wirral Workshop Day this Saturday I look forward to seeing you there and having a good old crafty, fun filled day:)

xxGaynor

Saturday 1 September 2012

New month new project set from Little Claire

A fabulous day today - I had feared that autumn was upon us returning home from Cornwall yesterday evening.  Our central heating clicked on this morning......and mid morning Mr Sunshine came to say hello........all the washing got done, and the garden tidied.  Almost ready for another escape, just dreaming.  Back to work on Monday for me...................gonna be tricky but guess I'll manage!!!

The September set from Little Claire is fabulous, 3 images and 4 sentiments - beautiful, beautiful images so easy to work with either independantly or matted and layered together.

For this first card I have cut a 6 x 6 scalloped card from Craftwork Cards in half and then folded the card in half again using a bone folder.  I have stamped the trio of geese and coloured using promarkers.  The image was then cut in an irregular four sided shape and the sentiment stamped.  I have added faux stitching around the edges.

I used a piece of red and white spotted paper and fastened a sage green white spotted bow and ribbon around.  The image was added using 3D pads and snowflake brads added.  I then fixed the topper to the base card and added 4 shiny gold card candi and snow glitter.

More cards to share later in the week.

Please check out the www.littleclaire.co.uk website for lots of fun designs created by the Little Claire Design Team.  xxGaynor

Sunday 19 August 2012

Best Friends - New Challenge with Little Claire.

Best friends - love the trio of happy cats from Little Claire.
I have used the Garden Party papers from Little Claire, threaded coordinating ribbon, coloured card candi to match and added 2 buttons with bakers twine for added interest.  I have used a MS Border Punch and Docrafts dies for the stamped and sentiment images.  The sentiment is also from Little Claire.  Coloured using promarkers and a little glitter glue for bling.

We are on holiday in Cornwall at the mo - was a little drizzly this morning so popped into Truro for some retail theraphy then onto Mylor to watch the sailing set.  Sitting in the sun with a delicious ice cream and later a cappuccino then back "home" for a cream tea.....think a long walk may be required this evening................ just wish that my poorly mouth would stop hurting after having a wisdom tooth out on Thursday...........xxGaynor

Saturday 18 August 2012

Friday project at Little Claire.

Morning all. Just waking up in Cornwall and it feels lovely! Yesterday was my turn for the Little Claire weekly project and I created a little gift bag using a LC Cutie Patootie stamp Bert and Mary. All the details are on the Little Claire blog. 

Off to the village fete in Zelah later - promise of homemade cakes and preserves.....lovely:) xxGaynor

Friday 10 August 2012

Last of the new designs from Little Claire

It's Friday................and last but not least the last new stamp from Little Claire......Merry Kissmass.....they are just so adorable....................

Hope you have enjoyed the new releases from Little Claire this week....................more under wraps I promise.............xxGaynor