Hoorah, I actually won something!
I just won £25 on Bob’s Bingo from Crafts-U-Print, and the nice man asked if I would tell people so they can play too. Visit http://www.craftsuprint.com/default.cfm?r=432803&cardmaker=3879 which is my page, and then hover over the forum link on the menu bar and click on Bob’s Bingo. I have spent all of it on more ProMarkers from Joanna Sheen http://joannasheen.co.uk/craft-supplies and I’ve nearly got them all!
I am currently doing some more stamping and painting of Flower Fairies, as I really love them. They are really detailed and if you follow the shading on the image then it is easy to paint or colour. I love working with distress inks and getting a monotone design. By monotone I am referring to the use of one colour, using different hues of the colour to get a shaded image. At the moment I’ve stamped my Heliotrope Fairy using Dusty Concord Distress Ink, and now with a paintbrush, water and some of the ink on a piece of craft sheet and just painting, mostly just using water to move the stamped ink to into the image.
I’ve just realised my ink is drying too quickly and I must get back to it.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Back To Normal
Well, Easter’s gone; we’ve watched the wedding and chilled out yesterday, so it’s back to normal today. I’ve had Hubby off since Good Friday Afternoon and he’s just gone back today, although he’s coming home at lunch to take me to my craft group. I love having him at home, but he hogs the computer and the TV and moans he’s bored!
That may be a little unfair of me, as I was doing Debbi Moore cards most of the week, and I was ill over Easter and have been feeling washed out, so he hasn’t had much opportunity to do what he wanted this week. He did make 12 bracelets he was commissioned for, and he’s delivering them today.
Hubby makes Chain-Maille jewellery, which id using jump rings to make bracelets, necklaces etc and he’s very good at it. I (should) have some pictures on my website if you want a look. I’ve never had so much jewellery and I now get it made just for me! Check Chain-Maille out on the internet and You-Tube if you’re interested.
I’ve been spending my spare time using my ProMarkers and watercolour pencils to make beautiful works of art. I always use either stamps or digi-stamps as I can’t draw for toffee, or even chocolate! Stamps give you an opportunity to become an Artist and you can paint anything that has an outline or shading. I’ve also been stamping with Distress Inks and using water to draw the colour out, and I’ve got the set of 6 Flower Fairy’s of the Garden stamps and they look amazing using Distress Inks.
Today’s Craft Group is a bit different as I get a week off! We are having a lady to come and demonstrate stamping to us, and I’m really looking forward to it. She’ll also be selling stamps, so I get the feeling the purse may get hammers, or Hubby’s wallet as it may be.
That may be a little unfair of me, as I was doing Debbi Moore cards most of the week, and I was ill over Easter and have been feeling washed out, so he hasn’t had much opportunity to do what he wanted this week. He did make 12 bracelets he was commissioned for, and he’s delivering them today.
Hubby makes Chain-Maille jewellery, which id using jump rings to make bracelets, necklaces etc and he’s very good at it. I (should) have some pictures on my website if you want a look. I’ve never had so much jewellery and I now get it made just for me! Check Chain-Maille out on the internet and You-Tube if you’re interested.
I’ve been spending my spare time using my ProMarkers and watercolour pencils to make beautiful works of art. I always use either stamps or digi-stamps as I can’t draw for toffee, or even chocolate! Stamps give you an opportunity to become an Artist and you can paint anything that has an outline or shading. I’ve also been stamping with Distress Inks and using water to draw the colour out, and I’ve got the set of 6 Flower Fairy’s of the Garden stamps and they look amazing using Distress Inks.
Today’s Craft Group is a bit different as I get a week off! We are having a lady to come and demonstrate stamping to us, and I’m really looking forward to it. She’ll also be selling stamps, so I get the feeling the purse may get hammers, or Hubby’s wallet as it may be.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Samples and Top Tips
Happy Easter, for two days ago. I’m a bit behind at the moment as I was Unwell on Saturday and Sunday and am only just back up to speed and working as much as I can.
I made samples for Debbi Moore’s new CD, which I adore. In fact I adore it so much, I’m making more samples for it. Thanks Pam! I’m rummaging through my tester boxes, to see what will work with these designs. As I was rummaging, I thought I’d pass on a few tips about card designs.
I need to make a lot of cards and paper craft projects and everyone wants new and different, so how do I keep up with the market? Well, I read just about every magazine on the market; I subscribe to most and buy the others when I’m shopping. I also keep a notebook just for designs, and when I see something that inspires, I write down the details, I make drawings and diagrams, and sometimes rip the pages out of the magazine and stick it in my book. I have my book next to me as I work, and if anything new and interesting comes on the tv, I will make notes an drawings and, if it’s really complex, or I’m really busy, I record the show and watch it back later. I also buy templates and books as well.
The most important thing though, is a sample or tester box where I make up each design twice, once in plain card and one decorated (if I have time) and make notes on how to make them, this makes it easy to pick out which design will work with which image. Perfect if you’re in a rush and eager to make something. This does take up time and resources, but it means you can know how to make which card and how to do it.
I don’t have a lot of time at the moment to make my testers, so I’m running off notes and drawings, but I will get round to doing some more.
I’ve got loads to do, so I’m going to dive headfirst back into my crafty mess and keep making cards.
I made samples for Debbi Moore’s new CD, which I adore. In fact I adore it so much, I’m making more samples for it. Thanks Pam! I’m rummaging through my tester boxes, to see what will work with these designs. As I was rummaging, I thought I’d pass on a few tips about card designs.
I need to make a lot of cards and paper craft projects and everyone wants new and different, so how do I keep up with the market? Well, I read just about every magazine on the market; I subscribe to most and buy the others when I’m shopping. I also keep a notebook just for designs, and when I see something that inspires, I write down the details, I make drawings and diagrams, and sometimes rip the pages out of the magazine and stick it in my book. I have my book next to me as I work, and if anything new and interesting comes on the tv, I will make notes an drawings and, if it’s really complex, or I’m really busy, I record the show and watch it back later. I also buy templates and books as well.
The most important thing though, is a sample or tester box where I make up each design twice, once in plain card and one decorated (if I have time) and make notes on how to make them, this makes it easy to pick out which design will work with which image. Perfect if you’re in a rush and eager to make something. This does take up time and resources, but it means you can know how to make which card and how to do it.
I don’t have a lot of time at the moment to make my testers, so I’m running off notes and drawings, but I will get round to doing some more.
I’ve got loads to do, so I’m going to dive headfirst back into my crafty mess and keep making cards.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Having A Bad Day
Some days almost everything just goes wrong and the rest just aren’t right and yesterday and today are two of those days joined together!
First, yesterday my printer stopped working, which for most would be annoying and troublesome, for me it was a disaster as I use my printer for most thing I do, and they all need printing. I should probably tell you that I actually have four working printers and a couple of not so working ones, but each printer has its job and my main printer, a Kodak, is the one I use every day for most of my work, and the other printers just won’t give me the right effect for what I need.
Then all sorts of other things went wrong, including the cats finding a new tube of catnip drops and helping themselves to the whole tube. I’m waiting for one of them to be ill and Hubby will have to clean it up as penance for leaving the tube on the settee. I got really fed up with everything going wrong and my poor Hubby took the most of it, so we went out and bought a new printer, even though we don’t really have the money for it. I did however get a better printer which takes the same cartridge as my broken one, silver lining I think. It installed first time and prints great.
Woke up this morning and was hoping for a good day, but no, of course not. I started sorting out the new card, which was expensive as predicted, and I managed to give myself a paper, or card, cut right at the base of my right thumb in the wrinkly bit, which means I can’t hold my scissors properly, which means I can’t get much done and I have a million things that need doing. The items that I wanted delivering today haven’t arrived, so I have to wait for them to come tomorrow, which is annoying.
Then, to top it all off, my computer isn’t playing nicely, I have had to re-boot it once already today, and I’m being careful to save my work as I go, just in case it collapses. As I said earlier, no computer or no printer equals no work. Just what I need.
I have been asked to do another rush job for Debbi Moore, and I’m waiting to get the images so I can let loose on them, I have found lots of inspiration and ideas recently and I hope I can use them with the new images, I’ll know when I see them, I’ll just have to wait until I get them.
Back to the grindstone, or scissors and paper at least.
First, yesterday my printer stopped working, which for most would be annoying and troublesome, for me it was a disaster as I use my printer for most thing I do, and they all need printing. I should probably tell you that I actually have four working printers and a couple of not so working ones, but each printer has its job and my main printer, a Kodak, is the one I use every day for most of my work, and the other printers just won’t give me the right effect for what I need.
Then all sorts of other things went wrong, including the cats finding a new tube of catnip drops and helping themselves to the whole tube. I’m waiting for one of them to be ill and Hubby will have to clean it up as penance for leaving the tube on the settee. I got really fed up with everything going wrong and my poor Hubby took the most of it, so we went out and bought a new printer, even though we don’t really have the money for it. I did however get a better printer which takes the same cartridge as my broken one, silver lining I think. It installed first time and prints great.
Woke up this morning and was hoping for a good day, but no, of course not. I started sorting out the new card, which was expensive as predicted, and I managed to give myself a paper, or card, cut right at the base of my right thumb in the wrinkly bit, which means I can’t hold my scissors properly, which means I can’t get much done and I have a million things that need doing. The items that I wanted delivering today haven’t arrived, so I have to wait for them to come tomorrow, which is annoying.
Then, to top it all off, my computer isn’t playing nicely, I have had to re-boot it once already today, and I’m being careful to save my work as I go, just in case it collapses. As I said earlier, no computer or no printer equals no work. Just what I need.
I have been asked to do another rush job for Debbi Moore, and I’m waiting to get the images so I can let loose on them, I have found lots of inspiration and ideas recently and I hope I can use them with the new images, I’ll know when I see them, I’ll just have to wait until I get them.
Back to the grindstone, or scissors and paper at least.
Friday, 15 April 2011
Shopping!
It’s Payday and I’ve been wearing out my fingers by shopping online a lot. I won’t say too much as you can never do too much shopping!
I’ve ordered the new boards from Crafters Companion and I’ll let you know what I think to them. I’ve also ordered the Flower Fairies Of The Garden bundle, with CD’s and stamps, and I am sure they will be great ‘cause their other one are wonderful.
I’ve topped up my ProMarker and Distress Ink collections and bought just a couple of other bits, but I’m about out of budget and it’s only day 1.
Going to the shop I get my card from tomorrow, which will be expensive, but essential, and I can get Hubby to pay by declaring that I can’t work without them and I’ll just have to buy something else to keep me quiet! He’s lovely and will let me get away with it!
I would like to recommend the Core’dinations products as they are very usable. I have a few bits of card from when I bought them year ago, but have got their sanding block, which Is amazing. It uses Velcro to attach the pads and it means you don’t sand things you shouldn’t, like your nail varnish. Voice of experience! It’s cheap and the pads are lasting well. I have ordered the dust buddy, and I’ll let you know.
Better go before Hubby gets here, as he’s not aware of how much I’ve bought online. Tee Hee!
I’ve ordered the new boards from Crafters Companion and I’ll let you know what I think to them. I’ve also ordered the Flower Fairies Of The Garden bundle, with CD’s and stamps, and I am sure they will be great ‘cause their other one are wonderful.
I’ve topped up my ProMarker and Distress Ink collections and bought just a couple of other bits, but I’m about out of budget and it’s only day 1.
Going to the shop I get my card from tomorrow, which will be expensive, but essential, and I can get Hubby to pay by declaring that I can’t work without them and I’ll just have to buy something else to keep me quiet! He’s lovely and will let me get away with it!
I would like to recommend the Core’dinations products as they are very usable. I have a few bits of card from when I bought them year ago, but have got their sanding block, which Is amazing. It uses Velcro to attach the pads and it means you don’t sand things you shouldn’t, like your nail varnish. Voice of experience! It’s cheap and the pads are lasting well. I have ordered the dust buddy, and I’ll let you know.
Better go before Hubby gets here, as he’s not aware of how much I’ve bought online. Tee Hee!
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Inspiration Attack
I have decided to do something more than just making card and getting rid of them. I have quite a bit of experience and knowledge and I want to share it.
I help with a local craft group and prepare most of the sessions, and last week we did an introduction to stamping. It went down really well and everyone was able to get a decent impression and all enjoyed themselves. I wrote an introduction sheet (3 sheets actually) and everyone wanted one. It covered the basics of stamping and all about different ink pads and how to use them.
I really enjoyed writing it and I have now started writing another document all about colouring techniques. I have 9 pages so far and cover 4 techniques! I have also put about the different mediums I use and the types of paper, and I hope it's useful to someone somewhere.
I have also made step by step image sheets showing the different stages of the techniques and I'm now making loads of example cards to show how they work in the real world. I have also made two of the same basic cards, but one coloured basically and the other using the technique I am teaching. It's amazing how different a small addition to an image, like shadow or outlining, can make to a card.
Both documents and photos will soon be on my website www.hazelpepper.co.uk along with a few other bits, including links to websites where I buy my supplies.
Here’s hoping that it all works out, and I'll be back soon.
I help with a local craft group and prepare most of the sessions, and last week we did an introduction to stamping. It went down really well and everyone was able to get a decent impression and all enjoyed themselves. I wrote an introduction sheet (3 sheets actually) and everyone wanted one. It covered the basics of stamping and all about different ink pads and how to use them.
I really enjoyed writing it and I have now started writing another document all about colouring techniques. I have 9 pages so far and cover 4 techniques! I have also put about the different mediums I use and the types of paper, and I hope it's useful to someone somewhere.
I have also made step by step image sheets showing the different stages of the techniques and I'm now making loads of example cards to show how they work in the real world. I have also made two of the same basic cards, but one coloured basically and the other using the technique I am teaching. It's amazing how different a small addition to an image, like shadow or outlining, can make to a card.
Both documents and photos will soon be on my website www.hazelpepper.co.uk along with a few other bits, including links to websites where I buy my supplies.
Here’s hoping that it all works out, and I'll be back soon.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Branching Out
Good Morning.
I am really bad at this blogging business, but I'll try to improve!
I am a dedicated crafter. I make card and paper projects all day, every day, but I'm extending my craftiness to include jewellery!
I've been making simple jewellery for a while, but I'm really into it and am dedicating my evenings to bead work. Not every evening though, as I seem to have found a life outside craft. I know, hard to believe, but I am going out more.
I bought a Handbag Charm kit from my (almost) local bead shop; The Bead Shop, Nottingham. The kit let me make a Swarovski handbag in about an hour, maybe a little longer. but it's gorgeous, so I bought more crystal and made more of them. I then got the bead weaving bug and bought a book and an expensive kit to make a beautiful flower. I have made 7 petals and I need 10, and it takes about an hour per petal, as long as you don't go wrong, untried it an throw the instructions across the room. Not that that happened of course. Definitely not three or four times. I am completely addicted and have spent a huge amount on beads, wire and tools.
My husband has even joined in and make Chain Maille bracelets and necklaces. We ought to sell them, but we won't, we're too lazy to do that.
I'm supposed to be clearing my backlog of work that needs doing, and more projects keep coming in.
I Love it!!!
Keep crafting.
I am really bad at this blogging business, but I'll try to improve!
I am a dedicated crafter. I make card and paper projects all day, every day, but I'm extending my craftiness to include jewellery!
I've been making simple jewellery for a while, but I'm really into it and am dedicating my evenings to bead work. Not every evening though, as I seem to have found a life outside craft. I know, hard to believe, but I am going out more.
I bought a Handbag Charm kit from my (almost) local bead shop; The Bead Shop, Nottingham. The kit let me make a Swarovski handbag in about an hour, maybe a little longer. but it's gorgeous, so I bought more crystal and made more of them. I then got the bead weaving bug and bought a book and an expensive kit to make a beautiful flower. I have made 7 petals and I need 10, and it takes about an hour per petal, as long as you don't go wrong, untried it an throw the instructions across the room. Not that that happened of course. Definitely not three or four times. I am completely addicted and have spent a huge amount on beads, wire and tools.
My husband has even joined in and make Chain Maille bracelets and necklaces. We ought to sell them, but we won't, we're too lazy to do that.
I'm supposed to be clearing my backlog of work that needs doing, and more projects keep coming in.
I Love it!!!
Keep crafting.
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