Monday 31 August 2015

Magazine Article

Hello. A flying visit from me tonight (decided to have another re-org in the crafty room) to show you my latest magazine article. This time for Papercraft Essentials. I made five cards using the fabby free gift - a superb Merry Christmas die, a cute little robin stamp and free digi downloads. The mag is a great crafty read and, as always, is chock full of inspiration.

See you tomorrow with my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.

Wednesday 26 August 2015

Pocket Letter Pals


Hello. I have something completely different to share today. Have you heard of Pocket Letter Pals? No? Well, it's like the crafty version of having a penpal. You can read all about it here on Janette Lane's blog, the lady who started it all! Basically you fill the pockets of a plastic trading card wallet with anything you fancy and you put in a little letter about yourself. You join the Pocket Letter Pals Network or Facebook page, find yourself a pal, exchange addresses and pop it in the post. My first pal is Julie who is in the States and wanted a Scottish/UK themed pocket, happy to oblige!

The pic' above is the front of the pocket letter. I used up some Portobello Road papers and stickers I had left over from a project I did ages ago. The aeroplane is a plastic page marker. The pic' below is a close up of the little charms and twine I added to the side of the pocket.

And here is the back. I stamped the brown envelopes with Penny Black stamps and filled them with lots of little surprises - buttons, gems, stickers etc. I also popped a couple of Scottish badges in one and a 'Have a Great Day' stamp in another.
My letter, a postcard and a sticker too big for the pocket were just left loose in the centre once it was folded.
Folded it fits perfectly into a jiffy bag, which, of course, had to be decorated with a Tim Holtz stamp and some travel washi tape.

I had great fun doing this and already looking forward to my next swap!

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Design Team Card


Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.
This week the challenge is... 
Take Your Pick
from...
 Colour - lilac, purple or blue
Technique - distress or vintage
Product - buttons
Sketch....
 ...or any sketch from the Papertake library of sketches!

So, plenty to choose from there. We have a very generous prize from our sponsor. A $25 gift voucher to spend in the wonderful online shop that is Simon Says Stamp.

For my card I chose the 'button' option, well what else would it be! I broke open a little stamp set from Clearly Besotted called 'simply quilled'. Who knew faux quilling could be so effective! I stamped the images using Versamagic chalk ink in Pink Petunia and Hint of Pesto.

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the
See you there!  


Sunday 23 August 2015

Magazine Articles


Hello. Glitter, glitter everywhere and not a twinkle I can share! Christmas is in full flow in magazine world and I have been working with some gorgeous stamps, all top secret until after publication date though.
But, what I can share, are these two articles. Both on the shelves now, one in Creative Stamping (on the cover - pride of place - so chuffed) and the other in Simply Cards and Papercraft. Both using the stunning free stamp set you get with Creative Stamping. Both are a great crafty read and chock full of inspiration.

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Papertake Weekly Challenge - design team card

Hello. It's Tuesday and so time for me to share my Papertake Weekly Challenge card.
This week the challenge is...

To Die For

We have a very generous prize from our sponsor. A £10 gift voucher to spend in the gorgeous 

I used loads of dies on my card! The background square was cut using a Blueprints die by My Favourite Things, the twirly clouds are by PoppyStamps and the image stamp from Wplus9 'going places' was cut out using its matching die!

I coloured the image and the clouds with my Stabilo pens, water and a paintbrush - still loving those pens!

For all the info' on how to enter and for loads of inspiration from the Papertake team visit the

See you there!  

Monday 17 August 2015

Listers Gotta List - days 2 and 3



Hello. Last week I told you I was joining in with the Listers Gotta List and shared the cover of my book and list 1. If you missed that you can see it all here. Well, here are lists 2 and 3. I am doing the lists two at a time and will share two more later in the week. Has anyone else joined in?

At first I thought I hadn't really received any memorable letters or emails but I guess I have! Anyhoo, I'll be back tomorrow to share my Papertake Weekly card - it's a cutie!


Sunday 16 August 2015

We have a winner....

Drum roll.....

The winner of the new look giveaway is....

Number 5 

And that's Ruth from 'Crafting While the Baby Naps'

Woohoo! Email me your addy and I will get the goodies in the post to you.


New Look Giveaway

 This post will be at the top until Sunday 16th August.
Please scroll down for newer posts.
Hello. I'm back! I love my new look blog and to celebrate I have put together a gorgeous crafty bundle to give away. There's two Crafty Impressions stamp sets, a 7Dots Studio stamp set, two packs of enamel dots, a Glitz 6x6 paper pad and co-ordinating Glitz Whatnots. Leave a comment here and I will draw a winner on Sunday 16th August at 6pm (UK time).

Friday 14 August 2015

Happy Birthday Hoop


Hello. Today I put the finishing touches to my latest magazine commission. Loads of glittery glitter! Yes, it'll soon be Christmas! In total contrast the card I am sharing with you is very summery. The stamps are the Handstitched set by Neat & Tangled. I water coloured using my Stabilo pens - loving those pens! The cross-stitch die along the bottom is from a Blueprints set by My Favourite Things.

Have you entered my giveaway? No? Well, best pop over here then and get your name in!


Thursday 13 August 2015

Listers Gotta List Challenge

Hello. I'm sharing something new today. From August 2015 I am taking part in The Reset Girls Challenge. Every month you get a list of prompts and you make lists. This really appeals to me - I get to make a list (I've always been one for lists) and I get to buy more stationery!
 
Read more about it here and on Facebook here  

So, of course, you've got to decorate the cover! My book was really cheap from Home Bargains but I liked the kraft cover and the pages are fairly thick and can withstand (so far) everything I have stuck on. The flowers have been stamped and coloured using Prismacolour pencils. The rest is just stickers and washi tape.


I printed off the August prompts, stuck them to a bit of patterned paper and then onto the first page of the book. For the 'august' I diecut circles and stamped the letters.

And here we are at list 1 - favourite August memories. I may add a couple more to this list as August goes on! I have a little bit of catching up to do but will share more lists soon.

Thursday 6 August 2015

Coming soon....

 ....a new look for Buttons for Brains!

In the meantime, while the blog gets it's makeover, I am having a little bogging break. 

I will be back soon, and to celebrate the new look, I will be hosting a bit of a crafty giveaway!