I decided I wasn't keen on my current blog layout and until I have time to do something more creative, this will have to do for now. I know I have been neglectful in keeping my blog up to date but hope to do better from now on.
Tracy from Elgin was in KittyKrafts last weekend demoing the Cuttlebug and new Inkadinkadoo stamps - she was brilliant and the ladies who come to shop frequently certainly bombarded her with plenty of questions and kept her busy for her time there. It was lovely to see her again and to catch up on what has been happening.
I have been busy over the last few weeks with a variety of projects including: Christmas cards, designing classes for KittyKrafts, making invitations for my youngest daughter's 21st and trying to finalise the design for the invitations for our own silver wedding in June. I am sure my husband must be one of the most patient and understanding men I have come across to put up with my mess constantly.
With working full time as well, it doesn't leave much time for anything else but I am trying to get organised for Christmas and finish off the present buying for family. I haven't even thought about when I am going to get time to wrap them all !!
21 November, 2008
12 September, 2008
Scrapbooking
It seems ages since I last scrapbooked but this Sunday at the shop we will be running an advanced scrapbooking class as a follow on to our beginners course which we ran a couple of months ago.
This gave the perfect excuse to get out my photos and create a double page layout. I have tried to stretch them a bit more and make it a bit more interactive so that the main photo mount lifts up to reveal photos or journalling underneath. I hope they enjoy it, I know I enjoyed putting it together.
This gave the perfect excuse to get out my photos and create a double page layout. I have tried to stretch them a bit more and make it a bit more interactive so that the main photo mount lifts up to reveal photos or journalling underneath. I hope they enjoy it, I know I enjoyed putting it together.
10 September, 2008
Christmas comes early!
Well it has been a few weeks since I last updated my blog and so much has been happening! Christmas came early to KittyKrafts, the tree went up, tinsel and lights were hung and our demonstration weekend in August got underway using the new products from Dovecraft's Victorian, Winter Wonderland and Contemporary Christmas collections. We could have sold the products several times over as they flew off the shelves, everyone was impressed by the quality and value for money.
The following weekend saw our third workshop weekend, six willing crafters attended and spent the weekend in the shop making projects suitable for Christmas and/or gifts. It was lovely to see everyone tackling new skills and using products they had not experienced before - the whole point of our workshop weekends is to introduce new crafts, techniques or products and to give people the confidence to recreate the ideas themselves. Everyone left, crafted out, well fed and looking forward to completing their projects.
We are now working on our class list up to Christmas and hope to include projects suitable for beginners and more experienced crafters alike, more information is available from the shop and should also be online soon too when the new shop website goes live!
The following weekend saw our third workshop weekend, six willing crafters attended and spent the weekend in the shop making projects suitable for Christmas and/or gifts. It was lovely to see everyone tackling new skills and using products they had not experienced before - the whole point of our workshop weekends is to introduce new crafts, techniques or products and to give people the confidence to recreate the ideas themselves. Everyone left, crafted out, well fed and looking forward to completing their projects.
We are now working on our class list up to Christmas and hope to include projects suitable for beginners and more experienced crafters alike, more information is available from the shop and should also be online soon too when the new shop website goes live!
04 August, 2008
Holiday time - or so my blog thinks!
It is ages since I last updated my blog and I am sorry to everyone who has been checking for updates - I just don't seem to get the time these days to do everything I would like to do. There has been lots happening since my last post, I have started a new job which is both petrifying and exciting at the same time. I have been busy creating projects for friends and family and also busy with classes for my local craft shop KittyKrafts in Broughty Ferry.
The shop has been quiet with everyone on holiday but there is still interest in the classes and we have our 3rd workshop weekend coming up at the end of August so it is a bit manic at the moment trying to get all the projects finalised for it.
The shop has been quiet with everyone on holiday but there is still interest in the classes and we have our 3rd workshop weekend coming up at the end of August so it is a bit manic at the moment trying to get all the projects finalised for it.
12 March, 2008
Bad housekeeping!
I have been getting nagged about not updating my blog but it has been so unbelievably busy recently that I just don't seem to get the time.
The last few weeks have seen me travelling down to Birmingham for the Stitches trade show which was an enjoyable experience if somewhat tiring. The vast amount of new products coming out shortly was amazing. I can't wait to get the opportunity to experiment with them over the coming months.
I celebrated another lovely Mother's day with my parents visiting for the weekend and even though I was teaching on the Sunday afternoon, it was lovely to spend time with them. I was very lucky and received some lovely gifts including a bouquet of flowers, chocolates, a book, dvd and some new boots.
I have been very busy in the shop - helping to unpack all the orders after Stitches in Birmingham, demonstrating wedding stationery ideas in the shop, designing classes and getting samples ready for our big workshop weekend at the end of March. We have 7 very eager crafters booked on the course and preparations are well in hand for what promises to be an exciting and busy weekend.
The last few weeks have seen me travelling down to Birmingham for the Stitches trade show which was an enjoyable experience if somewhat tiring. The vast amount of new products coming out shortly was amazing. I can't wait to get the opportunity to experiment with them over the coming months.
I celebrated another lovely Mother's day with my parents visiting for the weekend and even though I was teaching on the Sunday afternoon, it was lovely to spend time with them. I was very lucky and received some lovely gifts including a bouquet of flowers, chocolates, a book, dvd and some new boots.
I have been very busy in the shop - helping to unpack all the orders after Stitches in Birmingham, demonstrating wedding stationery ideas in the shop, designing classes and getting samples ready for our big workshop weekend at the end of March. We have 7 very eager crafters booked on the course and preparations are well in hand for what promises to be an exciting and busy weekend.
11 February, 2008
Good friends are worth their weight in gold!
The last few weeks have been quite difficult and worrying and without the support of my family and friends I don't know if I would have coped as well as I have.
One particular friend, Dawn, is always there for me when I need to talk and even though we don't see each other very often, she is always at the end of an e-mail, text or phone call. Thank you Dawn for your support and encouragement over the last few weeks.
Others you know are thinking of you even though you might not chat to them very often as life has the unfortunate knack of getting in the way. When you have difficult days, a card will come through the post from one of these special friends and brighten your day instantly.
I have learnt that if you treat your friends well, they will always be there for you when you need them!
One particular friend, Dawn, is always there for me when I need to talk and even though we don't see each other very often, she is always at the end of an e-mail, text or phone call. Thank you Dawn for your support and encouragement over the last few weeks.
Others you know are thinking of you even though you might not chat to them very often as life has the unfortunate knack of getting in the way. When you have difficult days, a card will come through the post from one of these special friends and brighten your day instantly.
I have learnt that if you treat your friends well, they will always be there for you when you need them!
07 February, 2008
Too much to do - not enough hours in the day!
Why do the weekends fly by so quickly and the days at work last so long? I seem to have so many demands on my time at the moment and not enough time for them all. With working full-time, a home and family to look after and my crafting commitments, I sometimes wonder how I fit it all in.
This Saturday we have a demo day at KittyKrafts in Dundee, showing examples and how to make easy cards for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter. The event will run between 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, so come along if you are in the area and see for yourself just how easy and enjoyable it can be. (Must get those samples made!!)
That said, I don't seem to have very much time to scrap for me these days and find myself yearning to be creative, even when I am busy at work. I envy those who are home all day and have the time to play. Thankfully, the monthly crops give me the opportunity to meet up with friends, chat with like-minded people and play all day without any other demands on my time.
Louise and I are off to the Trade show in Birmingham next weekend and I am so looking forward to seeing all the new products on display. I really feel that I have landed in heaven sometimes, getting the chance to play with new stash without having to buy it all myself and I have to thank Louise for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to be creative and pass it on to new and seasoned crafters alike.
This Saturday we have a demo day at KittyKrafts in Dundee, showing examples and how to make easy cards for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Easter. The event will run between 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, so come along if you are in the area and see for yourself just how easy and enjoyable it can be. (Must get those samples made!!)
That said, I don't seem to have very much time to scrap for me these days and find myself yearning to be creative, even when I am busy at work. I envy those who are home all day and have the time to play. Thankfully, the monthly crops give me the opportunity to meet up with friends, chat with like-minded people and play all day without any other demands on my time.
Louise and I are off to the Trade show in Birmingham next weekend and I am so looking forward to seeing all the new products on display. I really feel that I have landed in heaven sometimes, getting the chance to play with new stash without having to buy it all myself and I have to thank Louise for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to be creative and pass it on to new and seasoned crafters alike.
05 February, 2008
Classes restart
After the Christmas break, we have now restarted the classes at KittyKrafts in Dundee. They are held every Sunday from 11.30 am - 1.30 pm and 2.30 - 4.30 pm. The same class is run twice and there are also Children's classes in an afternoon organised by Sam.
The last two weeks have seen us making mini books - perfect for friends, Grandparents or Mother's Day and also small gift boxes, perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or birthdays - just change the decoration of either to suit your occasion.
We are starting to attract more new crafters which is always good fun especially if they are beginners like we had in last week. They were good fun, willing and quick to learn new skills, and they all left with very accomplished projects.
The last two weeks have seen us making mini books - perfect for friends, Grandparents or Mother's Day and also small gift boxes, perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or birthdays - just change the decoration of either to suit your occasion.
We are starting to attract more new crafters which is always good fun especially if they are beginners like we had in last week. They were good fun, willing and quick to learn new skills, and they all left with very accomplished projects.
08 January, 2008
Happy New Year
Well 2008 is here and with it another festive season has passed. We had a very quiet christmas, just the four of us and it was very relaxed and enjoyable. I received quite a few crafting presents but still have to try some of them out when I get a chance.
The New Year was brought in celebrating with friends at home. The theme of the party was Grease - the movie, and most joined in with the spirit of the evening and dressed accordingly.
Since then life has returned to normal, I have managed to complete some projects including a guest design spot for A Trip Down Memory Lane and some samples for a demo day at KittyKrafts in Dundee on 19th January. The new class list is now available in the shop and places seem to be booking up fast.
The last couple of days have been good fun. Our daughters decided that they need a Nintendo Wii and bought one online between them. Since then we have spent many hours bowling, boxing, playing tennis and baseball and DH has tried his hand at a few rounds of golf. All this has led to aching joints but never mind.
So the new year stretches ahead and I hope that it will prove to be a good one for everyone.
The New Year was brought in celebrating with friends at home. The theme of the party was Grease - the movie, and most joined in with the spirit of the evening and dressed accordingly.
Since then life has returned to normal, I have managed to complete some projects including a guest design spot for A Trip Down Memory Lane and some samples for a demo day at KittyKrafts in Dundee on 19th January. The new class list is now available in the shop and places seem to be booking up fast.
The last couple of days have been good fun. Our daughters decided that they need a Nintendo Wii and bought one online between them. Since then we have spent many hours bowling, boxing, playing tennis and baseball and DH has tried his hand at a few rounds of golf. All this has led to aching joints but never mind.
So the new year stretches ahead and I hope that it will prove to be a good one for everyone.
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Our Silver Wedding Anniversary
This is one of the nicest photos of my husband and I taken at our silver wedding celebrations with our family and friends in June.
Feeling like Royalty
Our daughters paid for a limo for us to chill out for an hour before the celebrations started, it was so nice to chill out and relax in style before the night started. Complete with champagne, music and chocolates we spent an hour driving around Dundee on what was a beautiful sunny evening.
The cake
After checking out the price of cakes in local bakers, our eldest daughter decided we could make our own and so the production line began. 150 cakes later, iced and decorated with chocolate butterflies, the stand was found on ebay and a handmade topper completed what was a stunning talking point.
Table Decorations
The lanterns on the table were found in Dobbies in the sale, our daughters took over all the decorations and so many people commented on how stunning the tables looked with the candles flickering.
Advanced Scrapbooking class
I have been experimenting with my cricut and designed this for an advanced scrapbooking class at KittyKrafts - I really enjoyed playing with unusual shapes and getting away from the normal squares.
Another advanced class
This idea came from a sketch at Pagemaps.com and a layout by Dawn Inskip - I altered it and included some hand stitching around the large white circle - the photos aren't family members - just some photos I found online. Everyone really enjoyed this class and went away brimming with ideas and possibilities.
Advanced Scrapbooking Class
This is the double layout for this week's advanced class, the large photo mount hinges up to reveal space for photos or journalling underneath!
Some of my work
My Disney Acrylic Album
Mini-Album for Katy's 18th birthday
Mirror Mirror
Sam designed this project based on a mirror tile from B & Q. The paper is Imaginisce!
Bare Elements Wine Container
This was created using Cosmo Cricket Twist and Shout papers - a lovely gift idea!
Picture of the container open, I originally used red ribbon but then changed it for green, velvet paper was used on the bottom of the container and inside the wine bottle area to cushion it!
Candle, Gift Bag and Christmas Card
This project was adapted from an idea in a Christmas magazine from last year using Carol Wilson papers, Bazzill Bling and Poinsettias, a quick and easy way to brighten up plain gift bags!
Advent Tree
Sam adapted this from a project in a Christmas magazine last year, it went down really well and everyone has admired it in the shop since. The bags were cut using the Cricut Bags, Tags, Boxes and more cartridge.
Countdown to Christmas
This Calendar was created on a Making Memories Magnetic board to allow the pieces to be interactive.
Clipboard
Everyone loved this quick and easy project that Sam created using Blonde Moments Friend Junctions papers - it helps that the photo is cute too!
Family Word Book
Family word book using K & Co Mira papers, Stickers and Chipboard Words - one of our classes at the Workshop Weekend
Christmas Snowflake Wall Hanging
This wallhanging was created using the Maya Road Sheer Snowflake book, alcohol inks, glitter and various punches. I really enjoyed creating this project and loved the very subtle effect of the alcohol inks!
Travis Box
This was one of our 4 hour workshops using K & Co Blue Awning papers and embellishments. The box was painted using Blonde Moments Gold paint. The box is easy to decorate and the time it takes is well worth the effort. Below are the pictures of the inside trays.
Lid open with trays
Back of the box!
Velvet paper was used to line the bottom of the trays and the bottom of the box.
Acrylic Disney Album
I made this album for the challenge at our monthly crop featuring pages from our recent trip to Orlando, Florida. This was my first time experimenting with acrylic and wow I loved it. I look forward to adding to this album and making some more for gifts for family and friends.
Mother's Day Gifts
This is the card I made for my mum and MIL for Mother's Day, adapted from an idea I found on the web. I used Basic Grey and Papermania silk screened papers, Holy Cow and Creative Imaginations rub ons, K & Co ribbon and Heidi Grace flowers. I printed verses to go on the back of each panel
It is always difficult to know what to buy my mum, so this year I made her an altered tin. I used alcohol inks to decorate the top and Basic Grey Urban Couture papers to decorate the sides, finishing off with ribbons from Little Silver Hat's monthly kits. I filled the tin with her favourite chocolates.
Dawn's Card
This is the lovely card I received from Dawn on the morning that I was due to go for hospital tests.
Frances' Card
Another card I received from Frances - just to let me know she was thinking of me whilst I was waiting for the results of my tests.
Picture Frame Class - 10th Feb
This is the frame we will be creating this Sunday in the class. It uses a blank frame from Creative Imaginations, papers and embellishments are from the K & Co Smitten range and are totally stunning. I also used organza ribbon and pink magic mesh.
Gift Box Class - 3rd Feb
These Maya Road boxes are so easy to adapt to suit any occasion. I painted this with Adirondak dabbers in powder blue and then used Imaginesce papers from their Love collection. I have recently been experimenting with magic mesh, a product that is truly versatile and adds depth to any project. As it is self adhesive it is so easy to use. The embellishments are all cut using Quickutz dies.
Mini Book Class
This is the class from 27th January - these mini chipboard books make wonderful gifts. I painted this one with Blonde Moments bronze paint and then used Paper Adventure papers to decorate it. The books can easily be adapted to suit any occasion - simply by changing the colours, papers and embellishments.
Sisterly Love
Guest Design Team submission for A Trip Down Memory Lane
Christmas Presents
This is the altered tin for my sister which will be filled with mini toiletries. The papers are from Craftwork Cards and the embellishments from K & Co. No doubt my Neice will want it as she really loves pretty pink things!
Birthday gifts
My friend bought me an enormous bouquet of my favourite flowers for my birthday last week, I just love these stargazer lillies. I was also really lucky and received lots of lovely gifts from family and friends.
Hanging Calendar
This is the class that I taught at KittyKrafts, Dundee last weekend. All the papers are from Blonde Moments.
