Christmas Jumper Day

Hi bloggers, Friday was a great day at the shop celebrating the annual Christmas Jumper Day for Text Santa. Everyone looked great in their Christmas attire and we want to thank everyone who turned up on the day to support it. So far we have raised £102.90 for three great charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Make a Wish and Save the Children.

Caz made a fantastic card for our customers to make at Create & Take that captured the spirit of the day. Read on to find out how to make it:-

Products Used:

Woodware Little Red Robin Stamp Set

Elizabeth Crafts Props 5 Die Set

Taylored Expressions Nordic Embossing Folder

Woodware Mini Heart Punch

Bazzill Basics Crimson 12 x 12 Cardstock

Bazzill Basics White Smoothie 12 x 12 Cardstock

Bazzill Basics Bark 12 x 12 Cardstock

White Ink Pad

Black Detail Pen

Black Versafine Ink Pad

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of white cardstock, Bark cardstock and patterned paper 3.75" x 3.75" and stamp the Robin on to all pieces.

2. Keep the white cardstock as it is. On the Bark cardstock, cut around the robin and then also cut the wing out. On the patterned piece cut around the main body of the robin, cutting across the neck to look like a jumper. Use detail pen to add a faux collar. 

3. Adhere the Bark robin onto the white robin but leave the wing to one side. Adhere the patterned cardstock on top of the bark, then glue the wing in place.

4. Colour the beak, holly and berries with pencils.

5. Cut a piece of Crimson cardstock 4.5" x 5.75" and emboss with the Nordic embossing folder.

6. Take a white ink pad and gently swipe across the embossed surface.

7. Assemble the card as shown and stamp the wording along the bottom of the card, adding a punched out heart inbetween.

We love this festive robin in his Christmas jumper and complimented the theme of the day beautifully.

Little Christmas Boxes

Hi bloggers, today we are going to share some more Christmas inspiration in the form of little gift boxes. Jo Wojcik designed these cute gift boxes that can be used to gift chocolates or small gifts with some unusual twists to wow your recipient.

Let's take a closer look.....

This beautiful little box has a tie at the side to open the box to reveal another box containing chocolates. This box displays the inside gift beautifully and you can even include your own message on the other side.

This twisted creation opens at both ends of the box, perfect for tiny little gifts to include as stocking fillers and definitely has that wow factor.

Jo used some papers from the Bo Bunny Whiteout paper collection and is available here.

Create & Take: Snowman Tag Card

Hi bloggers, it's been too long since our last Create & Take inspiration post so we are back on track this week to share with you some Christmas ideas and inspiration, starting with this lovely card using the new WRMK tag punch.

So let's get started.....

Products Used:

Poppystamps You Melt My Heart Stamp and Die Set

WRMK DIY Party Tag Punch

Xcut Corner Rounder

Memory Box Shimmering Snowflakes Die Set

Gold Glitter Card

Photoplay Holly 12 x 12 Cardstock

Photoplay Merry Christmas 12 x 12 Cardstock

Bazzill Basics Red Cardstock

Black Ink Pad

Pencils

Marianne Gold Golf Gem

Twine

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of Holly paper to measure 3-3/4" x 4-3/4" then cut approx. in half. Use the corner rounder on two of the edges of each piece of card as shown in the picture.

2. Cut Merry Christmas paper to measure 2" x 5" and use the WRMK tag punch on the end. Fold on the line and flip over the small tag and poke in to create the top of the tag. Tie some twine to the top of the tag.

3. Cut a piece of red cardstock to measure 1-1/2" x 3-3/4".

4. Stamp the snowman and earmuffs onto white cardstock and colour with pencils. Use the die set that matches to die cut around these stamped images.

5. Die cut a snowflake from gold glitter cardstock.

6. Assemble the card as shown and add a gold gem in the center of the snowflake to finish.

These DIY paper punches from WRMK are great for cards, parties and more. Make sure you check out the rest of the range here.

Create & Take: Merry Christmas Bird

Hi Bloggers, it's time to share another Create & Take card with you and this time we have used a Marianne Collectables die set. So let's get started......

Products Used:

Eline's Bird Marianne Collectables die set (COL1392)

Marianne Wood Clear Stamp

Marianne Ice Crystals Embossing Folder

Penny Black Believe Stamp Set

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Espresso

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo

Core'dinations Silvermist Glitter Card

Bazzill Basics 12 x 12 White Smoothie Cardstock

Bazzill Basics 12 x 12 Kraft Cardstock

Brown, Blue & Green Cardstock

Silver Stickles Glitter Glue

Silver Washi Tape

Instructions:

1. Die cut bird pieces from different coloured card and assemble as shown on the card. Swipe ink pads around the edge of the bird.

2. Die cut two stars from silvermist glitter card.

3. Cut a piece of white card 5" x 3" and emboss with Ice Crystal embossing folder.

4. Cut a piece of white card 2-1/2" x 1-5/8" and stamp some Christmas wording onto it. Swipe a little bit of Vintage Photo distress ink around the edge of the card.

5. Cut a piece of kraft card 5" x 2-1/4" and stamp the wood stamp onto it with brown ink.

6. Die cut the sprig from some green card.

7. Adhere the embossed white card and stamped kraft card to the front of the card base. Add some silver washi tape across the card and adhere the bird so that it looks like it is sitting on the washi tape.

8. Finish by adding the Christmas sentiment and stars to the card. Add a bit of silver glitter glue onto the bird and also on the top of the stars to make them look like hanging ornaments.

Create & Take: Christmas Pivot

We have another great Create & Take card for you this week using the Katie Label Accordian die from Karen Burniston. If you fancy making more than just your standard Christmas card, then read on for more details....

Products Used:

Karen Burniston Katie Label Accordian Die Set

Poppystamps Stitched Holly Border Die

Penny Black Deck the Halls Clear Stamp Set

Black Ink Pad

Watercolour Pencils

Red Glitter Glue

Crystal Glitter Glue

Photoplay Holly 12 x 12 Paper

Photplay Fa La La 12 x 12 Paper

Bazzill Basics Walnut Cream 12 x 12 Paper

Green Square Card Blank

Instructions:

1. Follow the instructions to use the accordian die to die cut the pivot card from green base card.

2. Die cut the holly border along the front edge of the card base.

3. Die cut two decoration label panels from Walnut Cream paper and stamp the Penny Black cat on one of the panels. Colour with watercolour pencils. Stamp a Christmas sentiment on the second panel. Adhere as shown.

4. Cut two decoration panels measuring 4cm x 13cm from both of the Photoplay papers. Adhere one on the front of the card and one on the inside of the card.

5. Finish by adding some red glitter glue to make holly berries; white lines to the middle of the holly leaves and finally a small bit of Crystal glitter glue to the cat's hat.

Create & Take: Merry & Bright Reindeer

Hi bloggers, today we are catching up on another Create & Take from a few week's ago featuring Poppystamps dies and stamps.

So let's get started.....

Products Used:

Poppystamps Merry & Bright Channel

Poppystamps Christmas Delights Stamp Set

Authentique Evergreen Holly/Old Time Cursive Writing 12 x 12 Paper

Black Ink

Watercolour Pencils

Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush

Circle Die Set

Mini Star Punch

Gold Mirri Card

Instructions:

1. Die cut the Merry & Bright channel from the front of the card blank and poke out any pieces that are stuck in the card once die cut.

2. Cut a piece of mirri card to measure 4cm x 15cm and adhere behind the Merry & Bright.

3. Cut a piece of Evergreen Holly paper to measure 7.5cm x 15cm and adhere to the top part of the card.

4. Stamp reindeer images and tree image onto white card and colour with watercolour pencils. Add a bit of clear wink of stella to the tree and the reindeer scarves.

5. Cut out the images with a circle die cut. and layer onto the card as shown.

6. Punch out a star from gold mirri card and adhere to the top of the tree.

This card is a great example of how to use the Poppystamps channel dies and come in a range of greetings including 'Let It Snow' and 'Peace on Earth'. Take a look at the Poppstamps die collection here.

Create & Take: You are the Best

Hi bloggers, today we are catching up on some previous Create & Takes to provide you with some card inspiration.

Today's card features a Marianne die set from the October 2015 release and some beautiful butterfly stamps also from Marianne Design.

Products Used:

Marianne Design Butterfly Stamp Set (CS0927)

Marianne Design Flower Doily Die Set (LR0388)

Maja Design Vintage Baby Precious 12 x 12 Paper

Bazzill Basics Romance 12 x 12 Paper

Bazzill Basics Walnut Cream 12 x 12 Paper

Black Ink Pad

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Victorian Velvet

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Worn Lipstick

Sponge Daubers

Glitter Glue

Watercolour Brush

Instructions: 

1. Cut a piece of Maja paper to measure 4.75 x 4.75 inches and use a sponge dauber to apply some Victorian Velvet ink around the edges. Adhere to the front of the card.

2. Die cut the circle from the Marianne die set from Maja paper and use Victorian Velvet ink around the edges.

3. Stamp a butterfly onto the circle using black ink and colour with the distress inks using a watercolour brush.

4. Die cut and emboss the doily from the Marianne die set from the Romance paper.

5. Adhere the circle to the middle of the doily and then adhere to the card.

6. Die cut the flowers from the Marianne die set from Walnut Cream cardstock and adhere to the card.

7. Stamp a butterfly onto Walnut Cream cardstock and colour with distress inks. Cut around the butterfly and adhere on top of the other butterfly but just apply glue to the body of the butterfly and then bend the wings upwards to create dimension.

8. Use a smaller butterfly stamp and stamp around the edges of the card. Use a pencil to draw in a body on the butterflies.

9. Finish by adding some glitter glue to the centre of the flowers and stamp some wording at the bottom of the card.

Create & Take: Crazy Bird Halloween & Christmas

Hi Bloggers, today we want to share with you a Crazy Bird create and take with a choice of two themes. If you love Halloween then you will love our Crazy Bird Halloween card with a witches hat and broom. Or if you don't scare easily then maybe try your hand at our Crazy Bird Christmas card.

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Crazy Birds Stamp and Die Set

Tim Holtz Crazy Things Stamp and Die Set

Lawn Fawn 12 x 12 Snowflake Bokeh Paper

Vintage Photo Distress Ink Pad

Watercolour Pencils

Waterbrush

Halloween Extras:

Tim Holtz Twisted Citron Distress Ink Pad

Tim Holtz Wilted Violet Distress Ink Pad

Tim Holtz Carved Pumpkin Distress Ink Pad

Poppystamps Christmas Delights stamp set (stars stamp)

Christmas Extras:

Tim Holtz Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink Pad

Penny Black Soft Grace stamp set (snowflake stamp)

Instructions:

1. Stamp a Crazy Bird onto patterned paper and die cut using the matching die. Stamp eyes onto white card and die cut. Use vintage photo distress ink to add colour to the tail, wings and edges of the bird.

2. Cut a circle from silver glitter card and cut half of the circle away to create a moon shape.

For Halloween Card....

3. Using a sponge dauber, swipe some Carved Pumpkin distress ink around the edges of the background paper.

4. Stamp the witches hat and broom onto white cardstock, colour with pencils and die cut. Assemble on the card as shown.

5. Use Twisted Citron and Wilted Violet to stamp some stars and add pen lines around the edge of the card. Finish by stamping a Halloween greeting.

For Christmas Card....

3. Using a sponge dauber, swipe some Mermaid Lagoon distress ink around the edges of the background paper. Stamp the snowflakes onto background paper using Mermaid Lagoon ink.

4. Stamp Christmas hat and candy cane onto white card, colour with pencils and die cut.

5. Assemble card as shown and finish by stamping a Christmas greeting.

Adding accessories to these Crazy Birds really makes them come to life and its so much fun playing around with the accessories for different themes and occasions. 

What type of Crazy Bird will you create?

Vintage Bauble Class

Hi bloggers, today we want to share with you Sue M's vintage class from Tuesday making some stunning vintage inspired bauble decorations.

Everyone got to make two baubles plus one box so that you could make one to keep for yourself and also one to giveaway as a gift.

To make the bauble, Sue used an ordinary plain glass bauble and used gold and silver GildenGlitz leaves to cover the bauble. Sue added a small vintage image with a touch of Stickles glitter glue to finish them off. This would be a perfect present idea for loved ones as you could use a photo to personalise the bauble.

To make the box, Sue used the new WRMK 1-2-3 Punch Board and picked out some beautiful vintage papers to match the style of the decoration. Sue also made the bow from the 1-2-3 punch board as well.

If you love Sue's vintage style then make sure you check the class list for Sue's next Vintage Workshop.

Create & Take: Birthday Bella

Hi bloggers, today we are catching up on another Create & Take, this time a card for the birthday girl using a new stamp from Stamping Bella.

So let's get started:

Products Used:

Stamping Bella Blossom Loves Balloons Stamp

Black Versafine Ink Pad

Watercolour Pencils

Elizabeth Craft Design Paris Edges Die Set

Maja Picking Flowers 12 x 12 Cardstock

Bazzill Basics Juneberry 12 x 12 Cardstock

Bazzill Basics White Smoothie 12 x 12 Cardstock

Woodware Small Daisy Punch

Tim Holtz Wilted Violet Distress Ink Pad

Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad

Glitter Glue

Instructions:

1. Stamp the image onto white cardstock measuring 2.5 x 5 inches and colour with watercolour pencils. Using a sponge dauber, lightly swipe some tumbled glass ink around the edges.

2. Cut a piece of Juneberry cardstock to measure 2.75 x 5 inches. Mount the stamped image onto this cardstock.

3. Cut a piece of Maja paper to measure 5 x 5 inches.

4. Cut a piece of white smoothie to measure 2.5 x 5 inches and run through the die cutting machine with the Paris edge die.

5. Stick the patterned paper to the base of the card.

6. Stamp the wording onto a small piece of white cardstock with black ink. Swipe some Wilted Violet around the edges of the card. Punch out a small daisy flower from white cardstock and use Wilted Violet to colour the flower.

7. Assemble the card as shown and add some glitter glue to finish.

Stay tuned for more Create & Take posts later this week!

Create & Take: Poinsettia Pillow Box

Hi bloggers, today we want to catch you up on some of the Create & Takes from the previous few weeks that we have missed on the blog. Today's Create & Take is super fun, making these cute pillow boxes using a Sizzix die. The set actually comes with some dies to make the poinsettia pillow box, so you will have everything you need to make little Christmas present boxes.

So let's get started.....

Products Used:

Sizzix Jen Long  Pillow Box and Poinsettia Die Set (660660)

Authentique Christmastime Collection - Dots on Green Cardstock

Black Ink Pad

Bazzill Basics Cardstock in Red, Green and Taffy

Marianne Gold Gems

Stickles Gold Glitter Glue

Instructions:

1. Die cut the pillow box from dotty green cardstock twice and assemble by adding glue to the fold over flap.

2. Die cut the poinsettia detail twice and the poinsettia bold once from red cardstock.

3. Die cut the holly leaves twice from green cardstock.

4. Die cut the flower insert from either yellow cardstock or ink white cardstock with yellow ink.

5. Assemble and stick the poinsettia together.

6. Wrap a piece of white ribbon around the box and the bottom and top to create a loop for it to hang.

7. Cut a piece of Taffy cardstock to measure 2 x 2.5 inches and stamp with a Christmas greeting. Make a fishtail cut at the bottom of the card to create a banner shape. Dot some gold glitter glue around the edges.

8. Finish by adding a gem to the centre of the flower.

A close up of the other boxes using a variety of Christmas die cuts and stamps available at Crafts U Love.

These pillow boxes are a great way to add some crafting to your present giving this season and you can personalise to the person's personality.

Christmas Card Competition: The Winners

Hi bloggers, today we want to share with you the winners of our Christmas Card Competition.

Firstly check out the pictures below of all our fantastic entries, the judges definitely had a task on their hands to pick the top three. See if you can see yours!

So the 1st place winner of the Christmas Card Competition is............. Sheila Byrne. Well done Sheila! 

2nd place winner is........ Joanne Stott-Sargeant. Well done Joanne!

3rd place winner is........ Georgia Thompson. Well done Georgia!

Well done to the three lucky winners above. 

We would like to thank everyone who entered the Christmas Card competition and we appreciate all the effort that went into making your card entries. 

If you requested for your entry to be sent back to you, these will be sent out this week and should be safely back home with you shortly.

If you want some more Christmas inspiration then make sure you check out our Christmas Demo Day post from yesterday.

Christmas Demo Day Inspiration

Happy Tuesday bloggers! Today we want to share with you some inspiration from our Christmas Demo Event from our three fantastic demonstrators. For anyone who was able to get to the event, we hope you had been inspired by what you saw and that it got you excited for crafting for Christmas.

Caz was demoing the new Hero Arts Ombre Ink Pad Colours (Red & Green) with some of the new Hero Arts woodblock stamps and clear stamp sets. Caz also used some of the new Poppystamps stamps and their matching die sets.

We love this little treat bag made using the Lori Whitlock Sizzix Treat Bag Topper die set.

Charry was demoing the Penny Black stamps and die sets and had some beautiful examples to show you how you can make the most out of using them.

Charry shared her ideas on how you could use the same stamp for Christmas and non-Christmas by simply changing the colour combination and added some beautiful artistic effects using some Archival inks and Distress Ink Pads.

Jo demonstrated the We R Memory Keepers 1-2-3 Punch Board and created some wonderful examples to show you that the board can make so much more than just your average box, envelope or bow. Take a look at some of these inspiring creations...

Create some fabulous bows!

Treat Bags

and boxes

Jo also created some cards with the board as well...

A file folder card (instructions to make this come with the board)

As you can see from the photos there was an abundance of inspiration to get you in the Christmas mood with the added help of our festive Christmas music and mince pies.

All in all it was a fantastic day and we want to thank everyone for coming who watched, shopped and got inspired!

Also to those that bought raffle tickets and helped us raise £63 for St. Catherine's Hospice. The winners have been contacted and they are as follows:-

Winner of  Signed Tim Holtz Configuration Book - Christine Tagg

Winner of Collection of Dies - Tanya

Winner of Basket of Crafting Goodies - Fern

We will be sharing the winners of the Card Competition in our Card Competition post later this week. The winners have already been contacted and we want to thank everyone who sent us their cards and took part. 

If you requested for your card to be returned to you we will be sending them out this week.

If you have any questions about any of the products that were used in the demo event please do not hesitate to contact us. We hope you all had an enjoyable day and look forward to seeing you in the shop again soon.