Wednesday 27 May 2009

Blog Candy Challenges

Hi Everyone
Ok, I have decided what to do for our first ever Blog Candy challenge, but...
I need to know how long you think is reasonable to get your cards made and pictures sent to me....
I was thinking perhaps 2 weeks or is that too long?
I will start the challenge next Monday so if you could let me know your thoughts before then, that would be great.

PS - I just treated (is that even a word!? lol) myself to some fabulous Aquarel Watercolour Pencils by Sakura. I have the 48 colour set and used them for the first time yesterday. I have to say, they are the best watercolour pencils I have used,...not grainy or chalky, they blend so easily!
I 'accidently' ordered the 48 colour set when I was restocking the Sakura pens for the shop and, of course, I got some of the 24 and 12 colour sets for people to buy in the shop...I have no doubt that they will go down a treat....
Watch this space and I will add a new project I used the pencils on to the blog when I get chance.

Happy Crafting!

Phill
xx

Thursday 21 May 2009

Simply Cards & Papercraft - Update

Hi Everyone
Just thought I would let you know that my card for Simply Cards & Papercraft was posted off yesterday!
It will be available in the Designer Booklet that comes with the magazine on 23rd July.
For those of you that know me, I have ordered some mags for the shop and will have them three or four days before they go on general sale so let me know if you want one saving.
I hope you like the card and can follow the destructions....I was only allowed a certain amount of text so had to really break them down...not like on here where I rattle on hours! lol

Anyway, I'm off to get my projects prepared for this Sundays Craftathon so I will catch up with you all soon.

PS - I will organise the first Blog Candy Challenge as soon as I can after Sunday. I will get Gordon to judge the winners (after I shortlist) as he hasn't got a scooby doo (clue) who anyone is so it would be fair, based on what he thinks looks good lol

Talk Soon
Happy Crafting!

Phill
xx

Friday 15 May 2009

Monochrome Exploding Box








Hi Everyone!
I recently did an Exploding Box workshop at the shop and this is the one I made. I have so many people asking me how they are made, so here we go....
I love Exploding Boxes....they are something a bit different and special.
They are perfect for special occassions as you can personlise them with photographs etc.
I promise that these are easy to make and worth investing the time to create.
I have done this one in Monochrome as it photographs well for the Blog - I hope you like it!
Happy Crafting!
Phill
xx
Monochrome Exploding Box

Ingredients
3 Sheets of 12x12 Bazzill Dotted Swiss Cardstock (Co-ordinating colours)
1 A4 Sheet of Cardstock for the lid
1 A4 Sheet of Silver Mirriboard
Black Grosgrain Ribbon
Woodware Super Cherry Punch
Woodware Super Daisy Punch
Woodware Big Daisy Punch
Woodware Jumbo Daisy punch
Woodware Big Fern Leaf Punch
Woodware Super Duper Rounded Flower Punch
Floral Punchcraft Stamens Punch
Crystal Stickles or Iridescent Glamour Dust
Sizzix Butterflies Sizzlit Set
Dovecraft Corner Rounder Punch
Extra Strong DS Tape (I use Woodwares’ red power tape)
Sakura Quickie Glue Pen or equivalent

Instructions

Take your first piece of 12x12 cardstock; this will be the outer layer. Trim this to 30cm x 30cm (Bazzill is always slightly bigger)

Make a pencil mark at 10cm and 20cm along all four sides, and then score them together to make a grid of 9 squares.

Cut the four outside squares away to leave you with a + shape. Put the cut out pieces to one side as we will use them to decorate the inside off the box later.

Trim your second piece of 12x12 cardstock to 27cm x 27cm.

Repeat the above process, but score at 9cm and 18cm.

Again, cut away the four outside corners and put the cut out pieces away for decorating the inside of the box later.

Trim your last piece of 12x12 cardstock to 24cm x 24cm and score at 8cm and 16cm.

Again, cut away the four outside corners and put the cut out pieces away for decorating the inside of the box later.

Use the corner rounder punch to round off the outside corners on all three pieces.

Use the corner rounder punch to round off the corners of the squares you cut off the second and third layers.

OK, Now the assembly!

Put DS tape around the bottom of the middle square of the middle layer; stick this in the centre of the bottom layer (the biggest).

Repeat the above on the smallest layer and stick in the centre of the middle layer.

That’s it - That’s the box part done. Apart from the decoration of course.

Punch out the flowers in any combination you like. I like to bend and crease the flowers to create the unusual shapes. There is no right or wrong way to build your flowers, just do them as you like them.

Glitter them up with stickles or glamour dust and let that dry whilst you make the lid.

I like geometric and co-ordinating patterns, hence my flowers have been stuck in the box with complete symmetry, but this is personal choice.

Now - The lid.

There are two ways to make the lid; I have chosen the easiest to show you so I hope you can understand the instructions!

Trim your A4 cardstock to 15.5cm x 15.5cm.

I have made this box lid slightly larger to ensure it isn’t too tight on your box.

Score all four sides 2.6cm in from the edge.

Cut a small V shape into each corner where the scored lines overlap, on all four sides.

Turn the lid upside down and put the extra strong DS tape on the small square on the edge of each side.

Turn the lid over again and stick the corner inside as you fold the scored line in. Repeat this on all four corners. The bit you stick in should be in the inside of the lid.

Trim the lid with the Grosgrain ribbon.

Decorate as you like. I used the Sizzix Butterflies.

You know what’s coming next…..

Put the kettle on…..you have earned it!

Happy Crafting!

Phill
xx



Sunday 3 May 2009

Simply Cards & Papercraft

Hi Everyone
Just thought I would drop a little hint and let you know that.....
One of my projects will be featured in the July Designer Booklet that comes with Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine.... :o)
I won't tell you what it is as it will spoil it, but rest assured, I shall try my best to make it fabulous for you ;o)

I will also be in two other magazines soon and will keep you posted on that...

Happy Crafting

Phill
xx

Messy Rabbit Triple Embossed Card



Hi Everyone

You can tell I like doing something when I do it more than three times! lol

Here is a Triple embossed card with one of Joanna Sheens Messy Rabbit (my current fave) stamps.

I have also used my new Circular Greetings Acrylic stamps by Woodware...love them!

PS - Anne, text me if you want to order any as they sold out two days after getting them in the shop! lol


Happy Crafting!


Phill

xx