Create & Take Saturday

Hi bloggers, we will be hosting Create & Take on Saturday this week, due to the Bank Holiday Friday. So if you need your weekly fix of creating a fabulous card then make sure you don't miss out on the fun.

Caz has designed a Magic Slider card using the Nellie Snellen die sets which you may have seen Caz demonstrate at our Spring Demo Day.

So pop along between 10.30am and 1pm. Create & Take is £3 per person and we even throw in a cuppa as well! Hope to see you there.

Spring Demo Day Sneak Peeks

Hi bloggers, we have less than 2 weeks until our Spring Demo event so we think it's time to start the sneak peeks!

First up is stamping Caz who will be demonstrating the Nellie Snellen Magic Card dies. If you need more excitement in your cardmaking then look no further than the Magic Card dies from Nellie Snellen. Caz will be showing you how easy they are to put together so you can achieve that 'wow' factor in your cards.

Alongside these dies, Caz will also be demonstrating the Tonic Studios Aqua Flow pens to show you how to create wonderful watercolour effects on stamped designs.

Add these two demos together and you've got yourself the perfect card.

Stay tuned over the next week for more sneak peeks on what you can expect to see at our Spring Demo Event!

Create & Take: Bird-day Wishes

Our next Create & Take that we are sharing today features another Marianne die set from the March collection and also a sentiment stamp from Kaisercraft's Wildflower collection.

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Marianne Design Petra's Circle with Bird Die Set

Kaisercraft Wildflower Clear Stamp Set

Authentique Explore 12x12 Paper - Vintage Blank Postcards

Bazzill Basics Cardstock in White, Cream and Light Fawn

Onyx Black Ink Pad

Black Pen

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads in Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Tumbled Glass, Tea Dye and Walnut Stain.

Core'dinations King's Crown 12x12 Glitter Cardstock

Instructions:

1. Die cut and emboss the large frame from light fawn cardstock.

2. Die cut circle from white card, stamp wording onto circle with black ink and add pen detail around the edge.

3. Die cut the branch and bird from white cardstock and colour with distress inks.

4. Die cut several flowers from cream/light yellow cardstock and then punch smaller flowers from gold glitter card.

5. Cut a piece of paper 5.75 x 5.75 inches and stick to the card base.

6. Assemble the card as shown.

Create & Take: By the Pond

Hi bloggers, we are catching up with a couple of Create & Takes on the blog so we hope you will find some Spring inspiration in these cards! The first card has been designed using the Marianne Design March Collection, featuring some of the new dies and stamps.

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Marianne Design Hetty's Pond Border Stamp

Marianne Design Hetty's Frogs Stamp Set

Marianne Design Tiny's Frogs & Dragonfly Die Set

Marianne Design Tiny's Waterlily (Small)

Crealies Mesh Clear Stamp

Kaisercraft Island Escape 12 x 12 Paper - Mahalo

Watercolour Pencils

Onyx Black Ink Pad

Elizabeth Craft Karen Burniston Labels & Circles Die Set

Wink of Stella - Clear

Bazzill Basics Cardstock in white, green, blue and brown

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads in Green, Pink, Blue and White

Instructions:

1. Die cut a label from white cardstock and stamp the Hetty's border with black ink. Colour with watercolour pencils.

2. Die cut a small lily pad twice from green card and edge with some green distress ink, whilst also adding a bit of white ink to the centre of each lily pad. Die cut the lily flower from white card, emboss and then colour with pink distress ink.

3. Stamp the frog onto white card and colour with watercolour pencils. Cut out.

4. Cut a square piece of blue bazzill and stamp round the edges with Crealies mesh stamp using a blue distress ink pad.

5. Cut two thin strips of Maholo paper to go along the top and bottom edge.

6. Die cut the dragonfly from white card and colour with ink, cut body from brown cardstock and stick into place. Add shimmer, using the clear wink of stella brush.

7. Assemble the card as shown.

Create & Take: Sew Much Fun

Hi bloggers, we have a lovely Create & Take card to share with you today featuring the new Sew Much Fun stamp set from Penny Black, a perfect card for those that love to sew!

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Penny Black Sew Much Fun Cling Stamp Set

FabScraps Lavender Breeze 12x12 Paper - Love Dream

FabScraps Lavender Breeze 12x12 Paper - Simplicity

FabScraps Lavender Breeze 12x12 Paper - Family Love

Bazzill Basics 12x12 Paper - Coconut Swirl

Bazzill Basics 12x12 Paper - Heidi

Crealies Bits & Pieces No. 60 Stitch B Stamp Set

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Wilted Violet

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Seedless Preserves

Watercolour Pencils

Marianne Cross Stitch Embossing Folder

Wink of Stella Brush Glitter Marker - Gold

Instructions:

1. Stamp the main image on white card and colour with watercolour pencils. Add gold detail to the machine using gold Wink of Stella.

2. Emboss stitches onto purple card and cut into triangle shape. Rub over the embossed design with Wilted Violet ink pad.

3. Cut three strips of paper 1-3/4" x 5-3/4" and stick onto the front of the card.

4. Stamp wording onto the card with black ink and stamp the various stitches around the card in the Seedless Preserve ink.

5. Assemble the card as shown above.

Create & Take: Thank You Poppies

Hi bloggers, our Create & Take round up comes a little later than planned this week but we have a fantastic card to inspire you with today using some of the new Elizabeth Craft Designs die collection.

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Polkadots Layered Stencil

Elizabeth Craft ModaScrap Lacy Poppies Die Set

Elizabeth Craft ModaScrap Pair of Leaves 1 Die Set

Elizabeth Craft Quietfire Thanks Die

Silver Mirri Card

Bazzill Basics Coconut Swirl 12x12 Paper

Bazzill Basics Blackberry Swirl 12x12 Paper

Bazzill Basics Heidi 12x12 Paper

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Crushed Olive

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Wilted Violet

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Black Soot

Stickles Black Diamond Glitter Glue

Instructions:

1. Take a piece of white cardstock and stencil some dots on the right side of the card using Wilted Violet ink and a sponge dauber.

2. Die cut the poppies from white cardstock and colour with Wilted Violet and Crushed Olive distress ink.

3. Die cut the leaves from white cardstock and colour with Crushed Olive distress ink.

4. Add some black ink to the centre of the larger poppy.

5. Die cut Thanks from black cardstock

6. Assemble the card as shown and add a bit of black glitter glue to finish.

Create & Take: Butterfly Garden

Hi bloggers, it's that time of the week again for another Create & Take round up. This time using the Marianne Hetty's Vegetable Garden and Hetty's Garden Animals stamp sets.

So let's get started...

Products Used:

Marianne Design Hetty's Vegetable Garden Stamp

Marianne Design Hetty's Garden Animals Stamp Set

Echo Park Celebrate Easter 12 x 12 Paper - Carrot Patch

Echo Park Celebrate Easter 12 x 12 Paper - Easter Celebration

Marianne Design Label XL & Labels XS Die Set

Marianne Design Flower Punch Die

Scor-Bug

Instructions:

1. Stamp vegetable garden stamp onto white cardstock and colour with watercolour pencils.

2. Stick green strip onto white card and use a scor-bug to scor either side of the paper to create a line of dots.

3. Stick a piece of patterned paper onto white card blank.

4. Die cut the large XL tag from pink cardstock and place behind stamped image.

5. Stamp butterfly onto circle and colour with pencils, edge with a bit of blue ink.

6. Choose 3 flowers from the punch die and shape around the edge. Add some glitter glue to the inside of the flowers and stick onto the card.

7. Stamp wording onto green paper to finish.

Create & Take: Garden Birthday

Hi bloggers, it's time for another Create & Take round up and this week it's something for the gardener in the family, using the fantastic Marianne Design Seed Pocket & Tools die set. This set has so many different elements included that it is truly value for money.

So let's get started...

Products Used:

Marianne Design Craftables Seed Pocket & Garden Tools Die Set

Marianne Design Craftables Vines Die Set

Marianne Design Craftables Flower Garden Punch Die

Tim Holtz Crazy Talk Rubber Stamp Set

WRMK High Five 12x12 Paper - Vintage

WRMK High Five 12x12 Paper - Lunar

WRMK High Five 12x12 Paper - Awesome

Yellow Bazzill Basics Paper

Bazzill Basics White Paper

Bazzill Basics Walnut Cream Paper

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo

Crealies Bits & Pieces Mesh Clear Stamp

Kraft Card

Silver Mirri Card

Instructions:

1. Die cut seed pocket envelope from Lunar paper and assemble. Fold along the creases carefully so you do not crack the folds.

2. Cut a piece of Vintage paper to create a pocket at the bottom of the card.

3. Add a strip of Awesome paper to the right hand side.

4. Die cut the following:- Flowers from yellow Bazzill, Vine from Silver Mirri, Small sign from Walnut Cream, Tiny flowers from Bazzill White, Flower pot from Kraft card, Tools from Kraft and Silver Mirri.

5. Edge around the different die cut pieces as you desire using Vintage Photo distress ink.

6. Edge around the card blank with Vintage Photo distress ink. Stamp the Mesh design onto the card blank and assemble the card as shown above.

Create & Take: I Love You

We have an adorable card to share with you this week and in good time for Valentine's Day as well. Featuring Penny Black stamps, this card design is perfect for Spring birthdays and occasions.

Let's get started....

Products Used:

Penny Black Sweetheart Cling Stamp

Penny Black Hearts Aplenty Clear Stamp Set

Photoplay Roxie & Friends 12x12 Paper - Catnip

Bazzill Basics 12x12 Paper - Kraft

Watercolour Card

Bazzill Basics 12x12 Paper - French Vanilla

Watercolour Pencils

Instructions:

1. Stamp flower wreath onto kraft card with black ink and colour with pencils.

2. Stamp owls onto white watercolour card. Stamp the image twice so that you are able to cut around the owls more easily. Colour the owls with watercolour pencils.

3. Position the owls onto the card.

4. Stamp wording onto some French vanilla card and cut around with scissors to create a slightly angular shape.

5. Cut thin strips of patterned paper and stick to the top and bottom of the card.

6. Stick the whole piece onto the front of a square white card blank.

Create & Take: Butterfly Wishes

Hi bloggers, it's time to bring you some inspiration this week with a review of last week's Create & Take using the stunning Meadow Butterfly #2 die by Sizzix.

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Debi Potter Meadow Butterfly #2 Sizzix Thinlits Die

LR0420 Marianne Design Creatables Gift Card Die Set

Taylored Expressions Flowers for a Year Stamp Set

Mini Flower Punch

Circle Punch

Core'dinations King's Crown Glitter Cardstock

Bazzill Basics Coconut Swirl Cardstock

Bazzill Basics Chiffon Cardstock

Tim Holtz Distress Inkpads in Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Abandoned Coral and Fossilized Amber

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of Chiffon cardstock to fit the base of the card. Use the Marianne die with an embossing mat through your die cutting machine to emboss the die onto the cardstock. Edge the card with the Fossilized Amber ink pad.

2. Cut the Meadow Butterfly die twice from white cardstock. On one of the cut out pieces colour the leaves with Shabby Shutters. On the other piece colour the flowers with Abandoned Coral. Cut the flowers out and stick in place over the die cut with the green leaves.

3. Using the Meadow Butterfly die again, die cut from Gold Glitter cardstock and cut round the butterfly and stick in place.

4. Punch out some flowers from gold glitter cardstock and stick on the card as pictured above.

5. Stamp the wording onto some white card using Peeled Paint ink and punch out with a circle punch and stick onto the card.

This card is simple but very effective and we love how Caz used the Marianne die to emboss the design into the cardstock which gives us even more ways to use our die cutting stash!

Create & Take: Birthday Hug

Hi bloggers, it's time to upload last week's Create & Take which was a very cute card if I say so myself. As well as birthdays, this card would be adorable for Valentine's Day which isn't too far away!

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Penny Black Furry Hugs Clear Stamp Set

Yvonne Creations Spring-tastic Frame Die

Woodware Happy Birthday Stamp Set

Bazzill Basics Red Cardstock

Bazzill Basic Coconut Swirl Cardstock

Photoplay Roxie & Friends 12 x12 Cardstock - Catnip

Marianne Craftables Flowers Punch Die

White Tulle

Versamagic Ink Pad - Cloud White

Versafine Ink Pad - Onyx Black 

Kaisercraft Rhinestones - Red

Watercolour Pencils

Wink of Stella Brush Glitter Marker - Clear

Instructions:

1. Stamp the Penny Black image onto white card and die cut with an oval die. Colour with watercolour pencils.

2. Die cut the Spring-tastic frame from red cardstock. Adhere the stamped image onto the red frame.

3. Add some Wink of Stella onto the edges of the frame to add some soft glittery shimmer.

4. Cut a strip of paper and stick to the centre of the card base.

5. Stick the floral frame onto the card base.

6. Stamp wording onto kraft card with black ink and then ink the edge of the kraft card with white ink using a dauber.

7. Die cut two small flowers from white card and add some red gems to the centers of the flowers.

Add some tulle around the top of the card and tie in a bow.

Create & Take: Resist Flower

Hi bloggers, this week's Create & Take has been created using the gorgeous Taylored Expressions Garden Party Background stamp using a resist effect with clear embossing powder.

Products Used:

Taylored Expressions Garden Party Background Stamp

Taylored Expressions Flowers for a Year Stamp Set

Versamark Ink Pad

Clear Embossing Powder

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Tumbled Glass

Find It Trading Spring-Tastic Flora Die

Black Versafine Ink

Watercolour Pencils

Circle Punches ( from Caz's stash)

Instructions:

1. Stamp Taylored Expressions background stamp with Versamark ink pad and cover with clear embossing powder and shake off the excess. Heat with a heat tool until melted.

2. Cover the circle with a small piece of paper and ink around the rest of the design with Tumbled Glass using a sponge dauber. The embossed areas will create a resist effect which will remain white.

3. Die cut the flower border from blue cardstock.

4. Stamp flower image onto white card and colour with pencils. Cut around the edge and stick into place on card.

5. Stamp wording onto white card and cut out using a circle die or punch. Cut a slightly bigger scalloped circle from yellow card and stick together.

6. Assemble card as shown.

The resist effect is a great alternative from the traditional stamping methods and can be changed up using different colours.

Create & Take: Flower Shaker Card

Happy New Year Bloggers! Welcome to another year of Create & Take reviews on the blog and today we start the year with a fabulous shaker card designed by Caz.

So let's get started...

Products Used:

WRMK Frame Punch Board

Marianne Design Collectables Banners XL Die Set

Find It Spring-Tastic Foliage Die Set

Woodware Mini Daisy Punch

Carta Bella Metropolitan Girl City Flower 12x12 Paper

Bazzill Basics Cardstock in Apricot, Chiffon, Kachina, Pinkini, Red

3D Foam Tape

Instructions:

1. Use the Spring-tastic Foliage die set to die cut flowers in different Bazzill colours. Edge and shape the two largest flowers.

2. Create a frame from Chiffon 4-3/4 x 4-3/4 inches using the 1 inch frame mark. Stick a piece of acetate behind this and edge the outside edge with ink.

3. Create a smaller frame from Kachina cardstock 3-3/4 x 3-3/4 inches using 1/4 inch mark and stick in place.

4. Stick 3D foam around end of biggest frame at the back making sure there are no gaps.

5. Add 2 pinches of cut pieces of card, 2 pinches of diamond dust and if you want to punch some mini daisies, add these too.

6. Take off liner of tape and stick piece of card behind to trap the shaker pieces.

7. Cut a piece of patterned paper 5-1/8 x 5-1/8 inches and stick onto card base.

8. Die cut banner, stamp wording and fold into desired shape. Stick banner onto card.

9. Assemble flower pieces in bottom left corner of the card.

Shaker cards are so much fun to make and add movement and dimension to your cards!

Create & Take: Christmas Jumper Day

Hi bloggers, we have a special Create & Take for you today as this was the card that was designed for Christmas Jumper Day using the wonderful die set from Elizabeth Crafts called Winter Sweater. We have the full list of products and instructions below plus a few extra photos from the day including everyone in their best Christmas Jumpers!

So let's get started....

Products Used:

Elizabeth Craft Design - Winter Sweater Die Set (1240)

Taylored Expressions Plaid Embossing Folder

Xcut Seasons' Greetings Die

My Mind's Eye Sugar Plum 12 x 12 Paper - Cheer

Bazzill Basics Paper - Kisses, Skylar, Fawn and Bark

Red Adhesive Gems

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of Kisses cardstock and Cheer cardstock to fit the card blank as shown.

2. From Skylar cardstock, die cut one jumper and two snowflakes.

3. Using the Plaid embossing folder, emboss the jumper through a die cutting machine.

4. Die cut one Season's Greetings from Kisses cardstock.

5. Using some Fawn and Bark cardstock, die cut the reindeer head and antlers.

6. Stick elements down using sticky 3D foam pads and glue.

7. Add red adhesive gems to reindeer, above the 'i' in Greetings and on snowflakes.

This was a fantastic design to celebrate Christmas Jumper Day and was perfect card for the day's festivities. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and wore their best knit for the occasion. Check some of them out below:

When 12pm rolled around it was time to announce the winner of the Christmas Jumper competition and we had some wonderful entries, including;

But there could only be one winner who was Pauline Gold and her Christmas house jumper.

Congratulations Pauline!

Once again a big thank you to everyone who came and donated to a wonderful cause, so far we have raised £71 for Save the Children.

Thank you!

Create & Take: Elf Chaos

Hi bloggers, it's time for another Create & Take review and this week Caz has used the mischievous elves from Taylored Expressions Elf Grumplings Stamp and die set to create this wonderful card. So let's get started....

Products Used:

Taylored Expressions Elf Grumplings Stamp and Die Set

Marianne Craftables Card with a View Die Set CR1389

Marianne Craftables Wreath Die Set CR1387 

Marianne Christmas Ornaments Die Set CR1384

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Pumice Stone

Bazzill Basics Ivy Cardstock

Core'dinations Silvermist Cardstock

Core'dinations Red Flash Cardstock

Versafine Onyx Black Ink Pad

Watercolour Pencils

Large Sponge Dauber

Instructions:

1. Die cut elves from white cardstock and then use the co-ordinating elf stamps to stamp onto the die cut pieces. If you have a MISTI, you can use this to help line them up.

2. Colour the elves with watercolour pencils.

3. Die cut the window from white cardstock and then run through the machine again with a rubber mat to emboss the bricks. Die cut another window from white cardstock and then cut the window shape out around the edge.

4. Using the Pumice Stone ink pad and a large dauber, ink around the brick wall of the window.

5. Stick the cut out window on top.

6. Stick a piece of patterned paper behind the window to look like a curtain.

7. Place an elf behind the window peeking out.

8. Die cut the wreath and then cut into three pieces and position on the card.

9. Die cut some Christmas Ornaments from the glittered cardstock and decorate the wreath with these.

10. Add the second elf to the side of the window to finish.

Product Spotlight - Tonic Studios Essentials Stamp sets & Hampton Art Ink Cubes

Hello bloggers and today Caz is here with a few cards that she has made using the Tonic Studios Essentials Flower sets.  We have three different floral sets in stock. 

So let us introduce you to those before we look what Caz has made.

First up is Modern Buttonhole 

Love the fun style on this one.  This is the one

that Caz had chosen to use for today's post.

Traditional Spray is next and you can make some

beautiful blooms with this one.  It feels quite tropical in its style.

And thirdly, Traditional Spray Stamp set 2

which features some gorgeous Roses.  Perfect

for cards for so many occasions.

*********************************************

First up a little description about the stamps and what

Caz loved about using them.

These stamps are Hardened Clear Stamps and make

stamping a pleasure.  Teamed up with a MISTI for perfect placement

or used with a mounting block for manual placement.  Caz loved the

feel of these stamps, the hardness meant they did not "squish" like 

so many other clear stamps do. So the stamped image was clear instead of blurred.

The packaging had nice examples of using the stamps, so often you

buy a stamp set and then are left to inspire yourself and these give

you a starting point.

The three styles of flowers mean there is something for everyone.

Caz loved the quirky feel of the Buttonhole Blooms, but it was hard decision as she saw the potential in all sets. 

This was the first card that Caz made first and you can see

the inkpads that she used too.  This was stamped onto the Elizabeth

Craft Designs Soft Finish cardstock so has some "texture" on the one side

therefore the stamping has texture too.

You can see that Caz has used the packaging example on the front

of the packet for her inspiration.  

A vision in yellow is up next.  These pretty flowers made using the 

Yellow and Orange ink pads from the Hampton Art Cubes

This was added to a small gift bag and tied shut with Tulle.

Lastly Caz got really inky with a bright mustard cardbase that needed toning down a little with some white pigment ink and a stencil.

Caz stamped the sprig in green and then overstamped "off target" in white

to create a shadow effect.

The inkpads were lovely to use.  For the bold/solid stamps you would be best to stamp a couple of times to give a smoother coverage, The MISTI of course would be perfect for this as the placement will be exact.  The colour sets are gorgeous.  Worst part will be choosing which colours to choose!

Pop on over to the website to see the sets and examples that there.

And let us know which set inspires you the most?

Until next time!

Happy Crafting.