HOPPY SPRING

Hello, I have just enough time for a quick post before I jet off to work! Today we are sponsoring A Spoon Full of Sugar, so please be sure to pop over to their blog to have a look at this week's challenge. You can win a Super cute Rachelle Anne Miller stamp from Stampavie, the new Hoppy Spring.

I also wanted to show a card I made for my friend's Daughter, Evie. She was 3 on Friday and just loves cake and Dog's!

Odd combination maybe, but I thought the perfect stamps to use would be Tilda with Puppy and the Love Muffin, and I was right, she loved her card! (She actually has a look of cute little Tida-lol!)

Thanks for looking, Katie.

PINK TILDA

I have been saving a few chipboard shapes for ages, only I'm not sure why! So I decided to dig them out and have a play, and created this handbag shaped card using Magnolia's 'Pink Tilda/ Ballet Princess' stamp.

I covered the chipboard shape in decorative paper (both sides) and added a concertina of folded card stock at the back to support the card and to write a message.

The front was decorated with a horizontal strip of ribbon for Tilda to sit on, and embellished with Prima flowers and a princess crown charm.

I also added a few spare ribbon strands to the handle to finish. I chose to use a Pink and black colour combo again, and love the effect they give - they are really bold and eye catching! This pink Tilda looks slightly more grown up to me, more of a sassy teenager! And for every Pink Tilda bought, a donation is made to the Pink Ribbon charity.

Thanks for looking, Katie.

DISPLAY!

It has been a busy week getting ready for our show on Sunday, at Barnsley's Metrodome. We have been try to get some new display cards and craft creations made up for the show, and this has led to minimal blogging (apologies for that!). I thought I would quickly show one of the cards now and try and pop back later with more.

For this card I have used Tilda with Hearts, and she is a real sweetie! The ribbon and flowers are from Prima, and I just love the blue brown colour combo!

Off to work now, thanks for looking, Katie.

HOW TIME FLIES!

Today's post is a quicky! Tomorrow my friends eldest Daughter will be 7, and I really don't know where the time has gone. I started my full time job as a cake Decorator just over seven years ago, when my friend Steph went on Maternity leave and now her tiny baby is a gorgeous seven year old!

Phoebe's card has been made using Tilda with Lilacs and Tilda's swing (both from Magnolia). I have also added a 'Happy Birthday', which is a High Hopes stamp, and a number seven, stamped using the Penny black number set. I finished the card with a couple of Prima Obsession flowers and a Dragonfly charm.

Have to dash, we have a stall a the 'Max Paper Craft' show, in Sunderland tomorrow and there is plenty still to be done, hopefully ending with a hot bath and an early night, but I think I will just have to dream on that one, lol!

Thanks for looking, Katie.

FORGETFUL!

It has to be said that I sometimes am a little forgetful, and find myself making lists for almost everything I do! Shopping lists, lists of jobs that need doing, even when packing for holidays I have to write myself check lists. I find them stuffed in my pockets and my bag ends up overflowing with little notes and reminders! This is why today's craft creation has been made - To help my memory! (I'm only 26 might I add, I don't even want to think of my mental capacity in another 26 years, Lol!).

I recently bought a chipboard house shape from a craft fayre and thought it would be perfect for a memo board. I covered it in decorative paper and stuck a 'post-it' style note pad to the centre. Sweeping Tilda seemed an ideal choice of decoration as my memos tend to be housework related and the Prima mulberry paper leaves were added for colour. (I also thought it looked sweet that Tilda was sweeping them up!)

I cut my 'MEMOS' wording using my Sizzix machine and added another touch of brightness with a turquoise Prima Obsession flower and Urban Cosmos Brad. I finished my memo board by adding 3 strips of self adhesive magnetic tape to the back, this way I can have my reminders on my fridge, somewhere I'm bound to notice!

Thanks for looking, Katie.

SOMETHING NEW!

I had a crafting day with my Mum on Saturday, she came over to my house for Lunch and then we got stuck into my bag of new Magnolia stamps! I decided to try a different style of card which I have seen so many amazing examples of on other peoples blogs, and that was to decorate the inside of the card as well as the outside.

I was a little unsure of what I was doing to start, but once I chose my stamps (Sweetheart Tilda and Love Muffin) and settled on my colour scheme (Chocolate and Raspberry seemed a yummy choice!) the inspiration just flowed, and I am so pleased with the results.

I decided to keep the outside fairly simple as there was going to be extra decoration inside. I stamped the Love Muffin onto a white rectangle of card and water coloured it. I then inked the edges in brown and layered it on my chosen papers, finishing with a sheer ribbon bow tied around the bottom. I then stamped, coloured and cut out Tilda and using 'pop dots' sat her on the cake. This was then added to my card which i had covered in decorative paper and finished with Prima flowers and a Chipboard Button.

Inside the card I decorated both sides, using the same stamps and paper as I had for the front.

I stamped another love muffin, and layered it onto my papers, and facing that I inked the edges of a spare piece of white card for the sentiment and again layered this onto my chosen papers. I finished with a circle (cut with nestabilities) stamped with Tilda's face.

Definitely a new technique for me, but one I enjoyed and can see myself doing again and again (time permitting of course...lol)!

Thanks for looking, Katie.

SPOTLIGHT

How busy can one person be? I haven't had the chance to blog all week and feel sooo guilty! But I am back now and glad to be. Colette is away on a short Holiday this week, visiting her Brother Dave who lives in London. I know she will be having an amazing time and her trip is the inspiration for today's card!

Dave managed to get them tickets for 'Dancing on Ice' one of Colette's favourite shows, and this was the reason I chose Magnolias 'Skating Tilda' for my card.

She looks so graceful and super cute. I decided to put her in the 'spotlight' (which i made from a scrap of white card and cut to the right size), and sparkled her up - in true Star Skater Style!

Hopefully I will be back later today with more, until then Thanks for looking, Katie.

TWO QUICK CARDS!

I always tell myself that I'm going to spend a day stocking up on spare cards ready for those unexpected times when you need one. I've still not done it, and so Saturday was a mad dash to make a 21st Birthday card for a party I had been invited to!

Completed in under 30 minutes, I was so pleased with myself, and quite impressed with what I had created!

I chose 'Stylish Tilda' and opted for a vintage style of card, with tattered paper (from Prima), Tilda coloured with Distress Inks, Ivory flowers and a brass charm.

I can see myself using this style again and again!

I also made a card for my Husbands little brother, who was 9 on Friday. He is a huge Manchester City Fan (I'm constantly told somebody has to be!) and 'Sporty Edwin fitted the bill nicely.

I made a small matching money wallet to fit inside his card, we chose to give him money as he was saving up to buy a new footy game for his Wii!

Thanks for looking, Katie.

COMING SOON

I always get soooo very excited when we order new stock and this week was no different. After we cleared our shelves with the January sale we made room for some new arrivals from Magnolia, hopefully to be here next week.

Below is a sneak peek at a few of our new comers: Tilda with Puppy, Sweetheart Tilda and the adorable Love Muffin (which is the perfect size for Tilda or Edwin to sit on).

These and a few others are from the wonderful new Love collection, although Love inspired they are suitable for all manner of occasions.

We have also delved a little deeper into some of the older Magnolia collections and arriving with the new will be some old favourites including: Tilda with Lilacs, Tilda with Basket and we have also added a few of the scenery stamps after many requests, including this lovely swing!

I can't wait for them to arrive so be sure to find plenty Tilda themed projects here when they do!

Thanks for looking, Katie.

JANUARY SALE

The Nutcrafters January sale is under way and we have just added even more!

Already including Magnolia and High Hopes stamps, we've just added the excellent Ladybug and friends designs by Rachelle Anne Miller to our online sale. These stamps are made from amazing quality rubber and are so detailed, they are absolutely beautiful.

Image: Ladybug and friends 'Under the Blanket'

Card stock: Prima 'Cavalier -Inamorato', 'Harmony - Lil Melody'

Embellishments: Prima 'Paper Rose leaves', 'Bucket of Blooms', 'Got Flowers'.

Happy shopping, and thanks for looking, Katie.

VAMPIRE BITE

We have been bitten by the Twilight bug, the amazing series of books by Author Stephenie Meyer. Reading is one of my favourite hobbies, and at the moment myself and Colette can't get enough of these fabulous stories.

I decided that a good bookmark was needed to keep us in the right place (for when we can finally tear ourselves away from reading). For Colette's bookmark I immediately thought of Magnolias 'Tilda with Glasses', she is just so cute and looks very 'bookish' with her pigtails and spectacles.

My bookmark is made with Magnolias 'Halloween Edwin', a tribute to the books lead character!

Both bookmarks are made from a 20cm x 5cm piece of prima double sided card stock with rounded corners. Tilda and Edwin have been stamped on white card and coloured with shimmer paints and watercolours. Tilda has been layered up onto a few books made from scraps of card, and both bookmarks have a prima flower embellishment at the top. I laminated them both (for extra protection from wear and tear) and finished with an eyelet and a few ribbon strands.

A perfect reminder for where I'm up to!

Thanks for looking, Katie.

Happy Halloween!

Hi.
It's getting close to the Witching hour, so time to show off Halloween Edwin.
We think he is too sweet to be scary, but certainly looks the part of Dracula in his little cape!


The card and mini treat box are the perfect way to wish any one 'Happy Halloween', and the box can be filled with all sorts of scrummy sweets before it is sealed up.I am helping my sister with her Halloween party at weekend and everyone will be getting a Halloween Edwin treat box, that's if I don't eat all the sweets first! Any way, I think its time to get 'stamping'... Have a Happy Halloween!


Image: Halloween Edwin, coloured with shimmer paints and water colour pencils.
Spider, Bat and sign from digital download.
House and tree cut free hand from black card stock and high-lighted.
Pumpkins cut using Sizzix die.

Thanks for looking, Katie

Party Time!

I can't quite believe how fast this year has flown, but in six weeks I'm getting married!

This means it is PARTY time, and when it came to making the invites for my hen party there was only one choice: Party Tilda.

She is so adorable in her high heels and party dress. Me and my closest buddies are off to watch Sing Along Hairspray for the evening and I thought this Tilda was definitely in keeping with the 1960s theme. It will be a night of fun, food, cocktails and even fancy dress!

I'm off to sort out my costume now, there is a huge netting underskirt waiting to be attached to my prom dress, lol!

Image: Party Tilda, coloured with shimmer paints and embellished with Stickles.
Embellishments: Prima Got Flowers and Centre Kisses in Fuchsia.

Thanks for looking, Katie.

October Stamp of the Month

Trick or Treat!

The new Magnolia Stamps arrived at Nutcrafters this week and I just had to play!

My fingers immediately found their way to October's Stamp of the Month, Tilda with Spider. She is just soooo cute in her little Witch costume, I could not resist!

This stamp is the perfect thing to jazz up treat bags. The bags are great for kids (and adults) Halloween parties, or as a special gift, just for those who make the effort with fantastic costumes!
Keep an eye out for Halloween Edwin too, he will be making an appearance soon and is just as lovely as Tilda.

Stamp: Tilda with Spider, coloured with water colour paints and embellished with stickles.
Bag: Prima 12x12 Card stock (Angelique - Heavenlies)
Large bag decorated with Prima Flowers: Sandies Favourites - Fogbank.
Handles and bow from ribbon.

Katie

Coming Soon - Magnolia and Prima

Making their way over to the Nutcrafters online store as we speak are some of the latest releases from Magnolia, including Tilda with spider, Halloween Edwin, Stylish Tilda and the adorable Giggling Tilda.

Just imagine the fantastic cards and craft projects to be made with these cuties!

Also on the way are new releases from Prima’s Summer 08 collection, including some amazing decorative Pebbles and chipboard centres and the lovely Aloha petals, perfect for those times when a little flower is needed!

We’ve also delved into Prima’s back catalogue and bought some great classics to grab your attention, we particularly love the Christmas bubbles (for just a hint of sparkle on those winter projects), and the Prima Petites.

Keep checking here and the Nutcrafters home page for when you can get your hands on them!