Nautical Beach Hut and Butterfly Cards

Morning bloggers! Today we want to share with you the creations from last week's classes including Sue's Vintage Beach Hut and Alex's Blooms and Butterflies cards.

Let's start with Sue's Vintage Beach Hut.....

Sue used some beautiful nautical themed die cuts, including the Cheery Lynn lighthouse and Seaside Treasures from Memory Box as well as some wonderful nautical stamps from the new Woodware collection. Of course, Sue couldn't have designed this project without a few old vintage seaside photos which just finishes off this beautiful beach hut.

Saturday's class saw the creation of Alex's Blooms and Butterflies cards.....

To make these cards Alex used the Stampendous Butterfly and Hydrangea stamp and die sets. Alex used a range of embossing techniques to help create some of the backgrounds as well as vellum and distress inks to create these stunning colours on the butterflies and hydrangeas.

We hope this has provided some inspiration for card ideas or a nautical themed altered project. Make sure you check back on the blog next week to review this week's classes.

To see what's coming up at Crafts U Love, check out the class list here.

Create & Take: You're the Best

Good morning bloggers! We hope you have had a creative weekend, especially with all the new crafting products coming in now at Crafts U Love, lots to choose from and create with!

Today we are going to share with you Friday's Create & Take, a lovely vintage card for a man's birthday, using the new paper collection from Authentique.

Products Used:

Square Kraft Card Blank

Authentique Durable Cardstock - Balance Wheel/ Mini Cars

Authentique Durable Cardstock - Collective Herringbone

Authentique Durable Cardstock - Instrumental Fuel Gauge/ Gingham

Vellum

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Lagoon

Tim Holtz Kraft Core - Warm Gray

Marianne Deux Chevaux Die Cut (LR0330)

Marianne Tire Track Folder and Die Set (DF3407)

Taylored Expressions Daisy Bouquet Stamp Set

Penny Black You're Retro Stamp Set

Black Nailheads

Sanding Block

Glossy Accents

Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain

Distress Ink Pad - Pumice Stone

Sponge Daubers

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of Lagoon cardstock 13.2cm x 13.2cm, distress the edges with some Walnut Stain ink and adhere to the card blank.

2. Cut a piece of Balance Wheel cardstock 12.7cm x 12.7cm, distress the edges with some Walnut Stain ink and adhere onto the card.

3. Cut a piece of vellum 10.8cm x 12.2cm and emboss with the tire track embossing folder, adhere onto the card using glossy accents.

4. Cut a piece of Gingham cardstock 10cm x 6cm, distress the edges with some Pumice Stone ink and adhere to the card.

5. Die cut and emboss the car from Warm Gray Kraft Core. Use a sanding block to reveal the kraft core on the embossed areas of the car. Adhere to the card at a slight diagonal.

6. Cut a piece of Herringbone cardstock into four chevron shapes by following the pattern on the cardstock, distress with a little Pumice Stone ink and adhere to the card at a slight diagonal.

7. Cut two banner shapes from Fuel Gauge cardstock and Mini Cars cardstock, measuring approx. 3cm x 4cm and 3cm x 6cm. Stamp 'You're the Best on the shortest banner and layer both of them onto the card.

8. Cut a piece of Warm Gray cardstock 1cm x 5cm and stamp 'Happy Birthday'. Adhere underneath the chevrons.

9. Finish by adding some black nailheads to the Happy Birthday sentiment.

This card design would also be perfect for Father's Day, simply by changing the sentiments.

Make sure you pop back to the blog tomorrow, where we will be sharing with you some of the recent creations from last week's classes.

Stamping Caz demo's NEW Karen Burniston Pop It Up's

Hi bloggers, we have an excellent opportunity for you to have a look at the new Karen Burniston Pop It Up's dies in action with our demo coming up in March with Stamping Caz. Caz has been working hard and having a lot of fun using the new range of dies from Karen and has whipped up a few examples to inspire you to come on down to the shop in March.

If you can't wait to get your hands on these new dies you can find them now at Crafts U Love along with the entire range of Elizabeth Craft dies, also featuring the new Susan Tierney collection. Why not check them out today!

Scrapbook Club: Remember the Poppies

Hi bloggers, today we wanted to review Charry's Scrapbook project from Saturday's Scrapbook Club. This month Charry designed a poppy themed layout using the new Poppystamps dies and the layout works perfectly with photos Charry used from her visit to London during Remembrance week in November.

If you visited the poppies in London last November this scrapbook layout will work perfectly with your photos and will bring those memories back to life.

If you fancy venturing into scrapbooking or need a bit of inspiration then why not join us for Scrapbook Club every month. Our next Scrapbook Club is Saturday 14th March, to book a place simply call us on 01293 863576. Hope to see you there!

Create & Take: Love You Valentine

Good morning bloggers! We hope you have all had a lovely weekend and received a little something special from a loved one. Today we will be sharing with you Friday's Valentine Create & Take featuring the Taylored Expressions - Wishes on a Wire Valentine stamp. Of course this card could also be used for anniversaries or even any time during the year for that matter!

So let's get started....

Products Used:

A6 White Card Blank

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - White Smoothie

Crate Paper Kiss Kiss Cardstock - My Heart

Crate Paper Kiss Kiss Cardstock - Sweety

Taylored Expressions Wishes on a Wire Valentine Cling Stamp

Tonic Studios Mixed Scalloped & Straight Cut Rectangle Layering Die Set

Elizabeth Crafts Heart Strings Embossing Folder

Watercolour Pencils

Water Brush

Hemptique Hemp Cord - Red

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Spun Sugar

Blending Foam

VersafIne Ink Pad - Onyx Black

3D Foam Pads

Stickles Glitter Glue - Star Dust

Instructions:

1. Cut the White Smoothie cardstock 10cm x 14.5cm and emboss with the Heart Strings embossing folder. Using the blending foam, add some Spun Sugar ink over the embossed design. Adhere to the card blank.

2. Cut the Sweety cardstock 10cm x 7.3cm and adhere to the bottom of the card.

3. Use a scalloped edge rectangle to die cut a piece of White Smoothie cardstock. Adhere to the middle of the card using 3D foam pads.

4. Cut a piece of My Heart cardstock 8cm x 6.2cm and stamp the image onto the cardstock using black ink.

5. Colour the image using watercolour pencils and a water brush.

6. Tie a piece of hemp cord around the stamped image and adhere to the white cardstock.

7. Finish by adding some Star Dust Stickles to the hearts.

Make sure you pop back to the blog tomorrow to see Charry's scrapbook page layout from Saturday's Scrapbook Club.

Spaces still available....

Happy Friday Bloggers! We've all got that Friday feeling at Crafts U Love and are looking forward to the weekend. If you are stuck at a loose end for the weekend we still have spaces available on our Scrapbook Club on Saturday. Charry will be using some new Memory Box dies to create a stunning 2 page layout featuring some wonderful poppies! If you fancy coming along, a space will cost you £15.

We also have spaces available on Sue's Vintage Craft Workshop next Wednesday 18th February. Sue has created a fabulous Beach Hut Shadowbox filled with some nautical die cuts from Memory Box and Poppystamps, as well as some wonderful stamped imagery. Feel free to bring along some of your own seaside memories that you can include in your hut but make sure they are no bigger than 5cm x 7cm.

Here is a little sneak peek to whet your appetite....

If this project seems like your cup of tea then don't hesitate to call us to book your space on 01293 863576. The workshop costs £15 and it is a 3 hour class.

To find out what other classes are available at Crafts U Love, check out our new workshop guide here.

Create & Take: Tulip Bouquet

Morning bloggers! We hope you have had a lovely weekend and especially enjoyed the sunshine on Sunday (particularly South East UK). Today we want to share with you last Friday's Create & Take where we used a new Memory Box die, 'Tulip Bouquet'. So lets' get started....

Products Used:

A6 White Card Blank

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Fern

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Lavender Twilight

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Wild Pansy

Memory Box Die Cut - Tulip Bouquet

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Dusty Concord

Sponge Dauber

Penny Black Special Wishes Clear Stamp Set

VersaFine Ink Pad - Onyx Black

10mm Satin Ribbon - Lilac

3D Foam Tape

Instructions:

1. Cut the Lavender Twilight Cardstock 14.5cm x 10cm. Ink around the edges with Dusty Concord Ink and then adhere to the card using 3D foam tape.

2. Die cut the Tulip Bouquet from Fern cardstock and Wild Pansy cardstock. Cut the flower heads off the top of the Fern die cut and adhere the stems to the card.

3. Cut the flower heads off the Wild Pansy cardstock and ink around the edges of the flowers with Dusty Concord ink using a sponge dauber. Be careful to keep all the pieces in place when inking the flower heads.

4. Adhere the flower heads to the tops of the stems on the card.

5. Stamp the 'Best Wishes' sentiment in the bottom right corner of the card using Onyx Black ink.

6. Finish by tying a bow with lilac satin ribbon and adhering to the stems of the tulips.

Once again this card is a useful layout for different occasions including birthday, thank you or sympathy cards. Also a useful top tip when using flowers - to add a bit more dimension, try using a coloured ink, the same as the colour of the cardstock and ink around the bottom of the flowers and also around edges of the petals.

Valentine's Day Inspiration

Happy Friday bloggers! Gosh, this week seems to have zoomed past and we are all looking forward to the weekend already. Today we have some Valentine's Day inspiration, with only a week away, now is the time to start making those cards and gifts for loved ones. Valentine's Day doesn't just have to be for the men in our life but for anyone who means a lot to us and its important to tell them you love them as well.

So let's start with some papers......

Crate Paper Kiss Kiss Collection

This beautiful collection from Crate Paper will make beautiful backdrops for cards and scrapbook pages this Valentine's Day. Lots of beautiful hearts, dots and flowers in wonderful shades of pastel pink. Papers are 89p per sheet, so get yours quick before they sell out. Buy here

Next up is the Love & Friendship collection from Penny Black....

Penny Black Love & Friendship Collection

This super adorable collection from Penny Black features dies and stamps with some cute creatures and lovely sentiments perfect for cardmaking or finishing tags on gifts. The dies feature a range of sentiments and heart imagery, ideal for making cards. Buy here

One of my favourite die-cutting and stamp brands is Taylored Expressions who have a lovely range of Valentine's dies and stamp sets ready to put on your cards and gift tags.

Taylored Expressions

Taylored Expressions also feature a die and stamp set combination so you can perfectly match your die to the stamp set and vice versa. Buy here

Check out Caz's example below using the Taylored Expressions stamps and dies and also the Crate Paper Kiss Kiss Collection

Next up is a lovely Sizzix die cut from designer Rachael Bright....

Rachael Bright for Sizzix - Sweet Treat Bag

The picture above shows you all the die cuts included in the set so you are equipped with everything to make the treat bag. Caz made a sample for the shop also using some Taylored Expressions stamps as well, it just shows you how you can make a beautiful gift, wrapped in cellophane to give to a loved one. Buy here

Our final bit of inspiration is Cricut Vinyl and Window Cling.....

Cricut Vinyl (Berry) & Cricut Window Cling (Red)

These are products that you can really have fun with and stretch the imagination. Use Cricut Window Cling to cut out some hearts, floruishes or other Valentine's images and make your own Valentine's scene on a window or glass accessory. This is a fab project to get the kids involved with and would look lovely on a Kitchen window. Also available is Cricut Vinyl which can be applied to lots of gift like items, including mugs, phone and ipad covers, hardware or perhaps to adhere to the wall. Buy here

Well we hope this has got you inspired to craft for Valentine's Day, no matter how big or small you make the project.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out our 'Crafting for Valentine's Day' board on our Pinterest page.

Create & Take: Friendly Window

Good morning bloggers! We hope you have all had a creative weekend and even though Christmas is over we are all still busy with lots of new collections and products coming into us. With new collections come new celebrations of seasons and Valentine's Day and Easter are fast approaching already. This week we have a lovely card designed by Caz using one of the new dies from the Poppystamps collection and it definitely has a feeling of Spring about it! So let's get started....

Products Needed:

Poppystamps Small Madison Window Die Set

Taylored Expressions Shade Tree Sentiments Stamp Set

Maja Nyhavn Cardstock - The Sunny Side

Maja Nyhavn Cardstock - A Dockside in Bloom

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - White Smoothie

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Chiffon

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Apricot

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Lily Pond

Distress Ink Pad - Antique Linen

Archival Ink Pad  - Potting Soil

Tulle Ribbon - Butter

Quickie Glue Pen

Papermania 2mm Adhesive Stones - Gold

3D Foam Tape

Instructions:

1. Die cut the window box, window frame and shutter from White Smoothie and edge with Antique Linen.

2. Cut the Maja Sunny Side cardstock 12cm x 12cm and adhere to the card base.

3. Cut the stems from Lily Pond cardstock and some flowers from Chiffon and Apricot cardstock. Using the Quickie Glue Pen, adhere the flowers onto the stems and stick these into the window box.

4. Cut a piece of A Dockside in Bloom cardstock to measure 5.5cm x 4.5cm and adhere this behind the window.

5. Adhere the window to the upper centre part of the card.

6. On the outside edge of the window shutter adhere some 3D foam tape and on the inside edge of the shutter adhere some double sided tape to give the illusion of the shutters sitting slightly forward. Adhere the shutters either side of the window.

7. Stick the window box onto the card using 3D foam tape and add some gold adhesive stones to the centre of the flowers.

8. Stamp the 'For a dear friend' sentiment using the Potting Soil ink pad underneath the window box.

9. Finish by tying some tulle around the left side of the card.

This die cut set from Poppystamps is so versatile and would also make an excellent card to use at Christmas time as well.