Crafting With Craig

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Hello with a touch of Pink Sparkle

Did you spot something on this card that I very rarely use? Glitter! Yip, i have used glitter and it's not just a little sprinkling either. It's a whole panel on the background of the Hello Die. I don't like the stuff, in fact I hate the stuff. It's not the feel I dislike, it's the fact it covers you and goes everywhere no matter how care you are. That being said, I am going to try and use it more - he says. I cut a Matt and later panel for the background and placed a piece of double sided sheet on top and trimmed the excess. I then removed the backing sheet and rubbed Hunkydory's Butterfly Trails glitter in the adhesive panel before dusting off the excess. The Butterfly Trails work perfectly with this card as it has some pinks and reds in the glitter so matches the colour theme perfectly.

The majority of this card is made by products from Stix2. The Hammered White card and the Pink Gingham card is by Stix2, aswell as the satin ribbons and of course all the adhesives. The Hammered White card stock gives it an extra but of dimension in addition to the bows.

What always help to give extra height and dimension is the 3D foam pads used. With this card I have used the 3mm A4 foam pad sheets. I love the A4 sheets as you can cut your own foam pads to the size you wish. Wether it's small or extra large coverage, it's up to you. If you have a large area to cover and get frustrated peeling off all the backings then you just cut one large pad to the size you want and the jobs done - that easy.

The Pink card stock is by Bazzill Basics and is also a texture card stock. It has been used in the insert too. The White card used for the sentiment and the insert has been printed on to White Smooth card also by Bazzill Basics. Adding a few White and Pink pearls just ties all the colours together.

The products I have used are below;

Bazzill Basics;

Deep pink textured card - 12x12. (+insert)

White smooth card - 12x12 (sentiment and insert)

Stix2;

A4 White hammered card - A4300WHITEHAMMER

A4 pink gingham card - A4250PINKSMALLGHIN

12mm double sided tape -FPAL27321250. (50 meters)

A4 3mm foam pad sheet - S57182

Pva glue with metal tip - S56890.

Silicone glue - S57100.

Layer perfect metric - S57321.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

A4 double sided adhesive tape sheets - S57107.

16mm pink satin double faced ribbon - S57210.

9mm white satin double faced ribbon - S57202.

9mm pink satin double faced ribbon - S57200.

3mm white satin double faced ribbon - S57192.

8x8 clear cello bag - K624.

Sue Wilson ;

Hello, expressions die - CED5401.

Additional;

Butterfly trails Diamond Sparkles glitter - Hunkydory crafts.

8x8 card blank - Craftwork Cards.

5mm, 3mm & 2mm pink and white pearls - Mei Flower.

FREEHAND 591 BT - Font.

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Craig

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Linen and Love, Anniversary Wishes 8x8 card.

A Wedding can possible be one of the most special events in a couples life. Whether it's you getting married, or a loving couple that you know. It's the start of many many years of happiness (hopefully) and with each year that passes, anniversaries are such a perfect way to acknowledge their love for one and other. It's one of the few occasions where you really want the card you will be given to be exceptionally special, after their wedding or birth of their first child or any child.

The base core of the card really is relativity simple, just some basic matting and layering. The 2nd base is measuring 6"x6" and has been embossed using an embossing folder, this is one step that doesn't have to be. The 1st base is measuring the card size of 8"x"8.

The die cut heart has had the outer outline shape die cut first and then before adhering the inticuit die cut elements, I have run the outline shape through am embossing folder first, this time being differnt from the 2nd base embossing folder.

Then making up 6 flowers using petal pair punches from Tonic Studio in coordinating colours - Ivory Linen and Gold mirri. I Added a couple of die cut swirls, ribbon, Gold card candi round the edge and a sentiment all to complete your card. As you can see, you can run the Ivory Linen card through your printer with no problem.

This would be a gorgeous card for a wedding, Valentine's or even a birthday card. Hearts really can be suitable for all different celebratory occasions.

The products I have used are below;

PMD;

Ivory linen card 255gsm

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/search/results/bb5c985a4669b3761402e9e46d547e9d

Stix2 Anything;

12mm double sided tape -FPAL27321250

6mm red liner tape - S57090

19x38x2mm foam pads - S57137

http://www.stix2.co.uk/foam-pads-19mm-x-38mm-x-2mm?filter_name=S57137

5mm x5mm x3mm foam pads - S57083 (for card Candi)

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

Micro dots (twin pack) - S57124

http://www.stix2.co.uk/micro-dots-on-a-roll-9mm-x-91m-x-2-rolls?filter_name=S57124

Layer perfect metric - S57321.

Pick up pencil - S57265.

A4 die cut release sheets - S57316.

http://www.stix2.co.uk/a4-die-cut-release-sheets-210mm-x-297mm?filter_name=S57316

Low tack stencil tape - S56994.

9mm double faced Gold satin ribbon - S57198

9mm double faced Ivory satin ribbon - S57203

A4 magnetic storage sheets (1 pack)- S57264.

http://www.stix2.co.uk/s57264-a4-magnetic-storage-sheet-with-punched-hole?filter_name=Magnetic%20storage

8x8 cello bag - k608

Additional items;

Reflection template, Adoring collection - Coutour Dies by Create & Craft

Gold Mirri - Anita's

Elegant embossing folder - free with version 1 of Ebosser

Small Dotty embossing folder - Sizzix

Gold card Candi - Craftwork Cards

8x8 card blank - Craftwork Cards

Century Gothic - sentiment font

Swirl die - Cheery Lynne

Petal pairs box set 3 - tonic studios

4mm gold gems - Mei flower.

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

www.papermilldirect.co.uk

www.facebook.com/craigscardcreations

Craig x

Sunday, 19 April 2015

Magnetic storage sheets.

Storage for crafting can be a pain sometimes. Depending on the shape and bulk of the packaging. Dies are not always that bad to store because most of them a relatively thin but again it's the packaging that can cause a problem. Another product that can be troublesome to store are rubber cling stamps. They come in so many differnt shapes and sizes and don't always sit well in boxes of drawers. The packaging can rip and tear and the stamps fall out and can get lost.

This is where Stix2 A4 magnetic sheets come in great. Not only are they perfect to store your dies on but on the reverse, the store you rubber cling stamps. They are such a great way to keep all your dies/stamps together, have them all organised in themes or brands but also they are a great way to clear space of all the packaging from the dies and stamps. All you need is enough room to store 1 A4 ring binder or more if you have hundreds of dies.

I have sorted and organised 1 folders worth of dies, yet I still have many many more to sort. I have a few brands of dies, Spellbinders, Tattered Lace, Cherry Lynn Tonic Studios all to name a few. Having worked for Tonic Studios for a short period of time, my main die collection consists of Tonic Studios dies. So my first folder I organised have most of my Tonic Studios dies. As you can see from the photos, the A4 magnetic sheets are perfect for holding your small or even your large dies. The die set I have on my first storage sheet is the box die which is a large die. The storage sheets not only hold the main outline die, It comfortably holds all the additional dies that come with the set. The mangnet in the sheets are very strong so my tip is that if you aren't storing rubber stamps on the back, place a piece of card Inbetween each magnetic sheet. If you don't, then the sheets can stick together. It's not a strong hold but it can happen. By placing the sheet of card Inbetween, it just enables each magnetic sheet to lift with ease without being stuck to the sheet beneath.

I personally don't keep the outer packaging of the die with the coordinated die, I just store the packaging in a drawer.

I would recommend storing the folders on their back as this stops any tension and weight pulling at the ring binder rings themself. If there is weight pulling at the rings, then as you can imagine, over a short period of time, the ring binder will buckle and pull the rings off the folder spine.

The A4 Magnetic sheets really are the perfect way to store your die collection. The following pictures are just the first few of my magnetic sheets and how I use them.

The sheets come single in a pack and cost £2.99.

Here are a link to the magnetic sheets -

http://www.stix2.co.uk/magnetic-tape/s57264-a4-magnetic-storage-sheet-with-punched-hole

The front of my folder and I have kept the front information sheets that you get in your pack of magnetic sheets and attached to the front.

As writen above, my front magnetic sheet holds a large die including all the additional does that come with it.

The photo shows the reverse of the magnetic sheet (left side) and how it holds your stamps. On the left it is holding 2 kinds of stamps - Hunkydory clear stamps and Tim Holts Grey backed stamps. Each of them has a great grip to hold the stamps. The right hand photo again shows more die storage.

As the previous photo is shows how it holds both Hunkydory and Dawn Bibby clear stamps aswell as Tim Holtz Grey backed stamps. With dies on the reverse side.

In this photo, it only shows the dies on the right hand side. The left hand side is actually a piece of white a4 card that has been punched and insert. As I have said at the top, if you don't store stamps on the reverse then the sheets can stick together slightly as the magnetic sheets such high quality.

You can also turn your sheets around so that dies are facing each other as in the photo below and have the rubber stamps facing each other. It's personal preference. How ever, if you do do this, ,are sure you do place a piece of card inbetween each layer as it will stop the front of the dies from grinding on each other and wearing them down.

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

Craig.

Friday, 17 April 2015

"Love is all around" 6x6 wedding invitation.

When it comes to invites, gorgeous detailed elegant cards are lovely and really help to enhance the fact of how special the the day is going to be. Just simple invites can be just as gorgeous but with little time spent on them. Doesn't mean the day will be any less special.

With this invite, I simply took the pop up adoring die by Create and Craft and placed in my chosen area of the card stock. The White Linen card measures at 5 3/4" This doesn't have a cutting edge around it so when run through your ebosser, grand calibur etc, the design will be cut in the card stock and will stay situated there. Then I Matt and layer onto Chrismtas Red card - measuring 4mm bigger the White Linen card.

Before attaching the matted and layered card to the card black. I wrapped a piece of red satin ribbon round the card and then attached to the card blank. I had an "invitation" stamp in my own stash so stamped in my chosen area. Added a hand tied bow and a few pearls to complete the invitation.

For the insert, I printed out my chosen text on to white Supersmooth and matted and layered on to matching red card.

The invitation is now complete.

PMD;

Christmas red plain card -

White card linen - 255gsm. (+insert)

White super smooth card - 300gsm (insert)

Stix2;

6x6 card blank & envelope (6 pack) - S57339.

12mm double sided tape -FPAL27321250.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

Layer perfect metric - S57321.

16mm double faced red satin ribbon - S57209.

9mm double faced red satin ribbon - S57199.

Silicone glue - S57100.

A4 die cut release sheets - S57316.

Low tack stencil tape - S56994.

Additional;

Heart Pop up template dies - C&C Couture dies - Adoring collection.

4mm red pearls - Mei Flower.

"Invitation" clear stash - Own stash.

Tuxedo black ink pad - Memento.

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

www.papermilldirect.co.uk

contactus@papermilldirect.co.uk

Craig x

Monday, 13 April 2015

Summer Dreaming A5 card.

Hello, thank you for coming across to have alook at my blog post.

What gorgeous weather it has been, can't say it's been over the weekend but during the week had been gorgeous. I managed to catch some of the sun while being in the garden and getting the grass cut etc. it doesn't take long though before the crafting itch starts and I need to get in my craft room and get making.

This card is using a colour that I wouldn't always initially go for. It's called "Sea Blue" and it's from Papermill direct. Below you will see a link for the Sea Blue card that will take you right to the Sea Blue page on PMD website. It's on offer at the moment at 30 A4 sheets for £2.70. (Don't forget if you stock up on a variety of card stock and spend over £60, you P&P is FREE!!!)

The Sea Blue is a gorgeous bright summery day blue. It reminds me of a delicious Blue Berry slush puppy that I really do enjoy on a hot summer day. Being a bright colour, it will mix perfectly with other bright card, but it equally goes well with White and Black.

The White is used as the base background colour and used my Sue Wilson background die to create the background. So far, with all dies Iv tried, PMD card stock cuts beautifully wirh the dies and iv never had any problem. With the Sea Blue shining through the die cut elements aswell as just slightly popping out the sides with the matting and layering the combination of them both really draws your eye in. Then create a slight black outline using the black card, really helps to lift the whole design off the page.

When it comes to the stamp, which has been stamped onto White Supersmooth card. I havnt coloured it. I stamped the image off the page but ensuring I tried to keep as much of the butterfly design on the card as possible. I then re-stamped the butterfly several times on to additional pieces of Supersmooth and then cut the butterfly out creating a decoupage image. Then I simply drew round the whole of the design with a Grey Chameleon pen and added a few blue and black pearls to finish off the card. You could add a sentiment of you wanted, But I feel there's no need.

The products Iv used are;

PMD

sea blue card - 120gsm PMD543

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/special-offers/a4-30-sheet-pack-of-sea-blue-paper-120gsm

White plain card - 250gsm

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card/white-card-plain

Black smooth card - 250gsm

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card/black-smooth-card

White card Supersmooth - 300gsm.

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card/white-card-super-smooth

12mm double sided tape -FPAL27321250.

12mm red ultra clear tape - S57091.

5mm x 1mm x 50m roll of foam tape - GPAL11035150.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

Layer perfect metric - S57321.

Pva glue with metal tip - S56890.

A5 cello bag - S57314.

Sue Wilson Scandinavian die Collection;

Background - CED4201

Corner, border & tag - CED4202

Oslo - CED4205

Additional

"Dream in beauty" red backed stamp HCPC3655 - Heartfelt Creation.

Tuxedo blank ink pad - Memento.

Blue and black 3mm pearls - Mei Flower.

Grey Chameleon pen.

www.stix2.co.uk

sales@stix2.co.uk

www.papermilldirect.co.uk

www.facebook.com/craigscardcreations

Craig x

Sunday, 12 April 2015

Baby Bundle A5 card.

To create this card, its all about matting and layering. It is a very simple but elegant New Baby card and is also based arounf 3 main colours, Pink, Grey and White. The card that is the main focus is the White Seal card stock. By simply matting and layering your White Seal base onto Baby Pink and Cool Grey. Before adhesing it to your main car base, I have wrapped some 16mm Baby Pink satin ribbon and 9mm White satin ribbon arounf the end of the card. Next I have printed out my chosen sentiment/sentiments and also matted and layered them onto same Pink and Grey card. Before attaching the 2nd sentiment (Date, time and weight) I placed my die cut swirl in my chosen area which will be situated under the sentiment. I repeat this step with the chosen topper image. This image has been printed out measuring 4" x 4".

To finish off, I have added some hand tied bows and added some pearls.

PMD;

White seal embossed card - 230gsm PDM538.

Baby pink plain card - 240gsm.

Grey smooth card - 240gsm

White Supersmooth card - 300gsm.

White plain card - 250gsm (card blank)

Stix2;

12mm double sided tape -FPAL27321250.

5mm x 1mm x 50m roll of foam tape - GPAL11035150.

Pva glue with metal tip - S56890

Silicone glue - S57100.

A4 die cut release sheets - S57326.

Non stick craft sheet - S57132.

Layer perfect metric - S57321.

Low tack stencil tape - S56994.

A5 cello bag - S57314.

16mm double faced baby pink satin ribbon - S57210.

9mm double faced baby pink satin ribbon - S57200.

9mm double faced white satin ribbon - S57202.

3mm double faced white satin ribbon - S57192.

Additional;

Baby foot image - "Only way is words" cd rom - My Craft Studio.

5mm white pearls - Mei flower.

Fanciful Flourish Swirl die - Cheery Lynn.

Font - FREEHAND 591 BT.

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Butterfly Teal 8x8 card.

I seem to be in this Teal creative mood lately where lots of elements and styles are revolve around Teal colours. I am in love with with PaperMill Directs Teal plain card. At 240gsm, it is a substantial weight that can not only hold its own, but small amounts of the Teal colour can be used. In this card, I have used a Tonic Verso die where the Teal peers through the die cut elements as well as having a Matt and layer surround. Having the card design this way with just the sentiment in the centre on its own would be more than enough, but just to add abit more dimension and layers I have die cut 4 Teal butterflies and placed them round the centre of the die cut circle, then by placing the sentiment on top really brings a different dimension. The bottom of the butterflies hidden under the sentiments with front wings fluttering out from behind it.

Unlike many of my cards, I am always using gems or pearls in small quantities but this one I felt didn't need it. All I added was a hand tied bow using Hunters Greens ribbon by Stix2 and even added additional tails. This seems to be my new "thing" that I am doing. I take a length of ribbon roughly 4/5 inches, fold in half and with a bit of glue or glue do adhere it together, slightly over lapping. I then cut 2 triangles in each tail before adhering it to my card, then by placing my hand tied bow on top.

I really am pleased with this card. Considering i started not known what the outcome design would be,

It has finished as a really lovely, elegant but simple card.

With this card, I have also included links for all the card Iv used from PaperMill Direct aswell as some of the products I have used by Stix2.

The products I have used to create this card are below.

PMD

Natural white card pearlised - 300gsm

White Supersmooth - 300gsm (insert)

Teal plain card - 240gsm. (+insert)

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card/teal-plain-card

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card/white-card-plain

https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/paper-card/natural-white-card-pearlised

Stix2