About Me

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Hi, I'm Pam and thank you for visiting my blog. I have been making cards for over 10 years and am an independent demonstrator for Creative Expressions. I am lucky enough to teach on cruise ships and also get the chance to demo at The Big Stamping and Scrapbooking Show at Alexander Palace. I run workshops for a local craft shop and if anyone would like details of the them please e-mail me at stephen.smith870@ntlworld.com I love to scrapbook but my all time favourite thing is to get messy with ink!

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Eat Dessert First!!!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Tuesday!

I've made a wall hanging for today's DT piece with a sentiment that I agree with totally!  I'm planning on hanging it in my kitchen where I shall do my best to follow the advice!

Anyway, let's get started....

Paint a small wooden plaque with Cosmic Shimmer Midnight Matt Chalk Paint.

Ink up the "Life is Short" Singles stamp with Perfect Medium.  Stamp onto the plaque and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Metallic Powder.

Apply Perfect Medium Ink around the edges using a piece of Cut 'n Dry Foam.  Heat emboss with the same powder as before.

Ink up the Cake and Spoon stamps from the A5 Vintage Cooking set with Perfect Medium and stamp several times onto Black Foundations Card.  Heat emboss with the Bright Gold Powder and cut out.
Attach to the wall hanging with 3d foam pads.

Add some Golden Light Metallic Gilding Wax to the outer edge of the plaque.

Ink up the sentiment from the A5 Vintage Cooking Set with Perfect Medium and stamp onto Black Foundations Card.
Cut to size and glue onto a piece of Grungeboard.
Apply Perfect Medium Ink around the edges as before and heat emboss with Bright Gold Powder.

Attach to the plaque with Black Seam Binding.
Make a loop of Black Seam Binding and attach to the top of the plaque with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue as a hanger.

And that's the finished project!  Hope you like it.

I'm going to be having a couple of weeks off blogging over Christmas but I'll be back in the New Year with new stamps and ideas.  Please pop back on January 6th to see what I've made!

In the meantime, have a Very Happy Christmas and a fab New Year.  see you all soon..................

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Mix Things Up!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Tuesday!

I've finally had a chance to play with the gorgeous new stamps from Creative Expressions and here's my first one for the design team.

Squirt some very cheap Shaving Foam onto a plate.  Level it out with a ruler then add drops of Dusty Concord and Broken China Distress Re-Inkers onto the shaving foam.  Make swirly patterns in the foam. 

Press a piece of Coconut White Card into the foam, lift off and remove the excess with a ruler.  Wipe off any last bits with a piece of kitchen towel.

Ink up the Mix Things Up Singles stamp with Black Archival.  Stamp over the swirly background then heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Distress the edges of the card with Dusty Concord Ink.
Matt an layer onto Coconut White and Black Foundations Card.

Stick onto the blank card.  Stamp around the edges of the card with Black Archival Ink using the small sentiment and heart stamps from Creative Expressions A5 Vintage Cooking stamp set.

And there's the finished card!

Apart from the foam, everything used is from Creative Expressions.

I do love using the shaving foam technique but often forget about it!  Sometimes it's good to re-visit old techniques!!

Well, that's it for today, I'll be back next Tuesday with another DT piece.

Have a happy, crafty week!!

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Top Hat and Tails.

Good Morning all and a Very Happy Tuesday!

Another project this week using products from Creative Expressions.  I always love it when I get new stamps from them to play with and the new dance stamps are no exception.

I've made a wall hanging for this weeks project as I wanted to make a little Xmas gift for a friend...here's hoping she likes it!

Anyway, let's get started......

Cover a Pronty Wall Plaque with Couture Creations 12x12 Damask Paper.  Paint around the edges with Black Soot Distress Paint.
Place the Sunrise Mask over the top half of the plaque.  Dab through the mask with Flake and Glitter Glue.
Remove the mask then apply Cosmic Shimmer Aurora Lights Gilding Flakes.
Dab the glue around the edges of the plaque then apply more of the Gilding Flakes.

Ink up the "Top Hat and Tails" Singles Stamp with Black Archival Ink and stamp 5 times onto Coconut White Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Die cut the stamped images with Spellbinders 8 Labels.
Position them so that the image is cut with an even border each time but getting progressively smaller.

I hope that the picture explains what I mean!
Draw around the largest die used onto Black Card then cut out.  Glue the largest of the dancers images onto the black card, then build up the layers using 3d foam pads.

Ink up the sentiment from the A5 "Step by Step" Stamp Set with Black Archival.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Cut out with the Spellbinders Standard Circles Small Dies.
Draw around the outer edge of the die on black card then cut out as a matt.

Glue the dancer and sentiment onto the plaque.
Add Black Seam Binding as a hanger.

And that's the finished project...hope you like it!

Julia Watts has done such a good job using these stamps that I wanted to do something very different with them.  Do go to her blog and take a look, there are some gorgeous cards using the dance stamps.

Well, that's it for today...can't believe that it's December already!  Where has this year gone!!

So, until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Tuesday 25 November 2014

The Blessings of Christmas

Good Morning All and a Very Happy Tuesday!

I've gone with a very traditional look for today's project.  I've used the A5 Christmas Florals Stamp Set from Creative Expressions for this card.

Well, enough chat, let's get started!

Ink up the Poinsettia stamp with Black Archival and stamp several times onto Coconut White Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Paint the flowers with Festive Berries Distress Ink.

Cover the card with a sheet of Double Sided Adhesive.  Cover with Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Sprinkles then cut the flowers out.

Ink up the Poinsettia Stamp with Festive Berries Distress Ink then randomly stamp onto a piece of Coconut White Card.
Dry Emboss with the A4 Festive Swirls Folder.

Matt and layer using Ruby and Brunswick Green Foundations Cardstock.

Stamp the sentiment with Black Archival Ink onto Coconut White Card.  Heat emboss with Clear Powder.  Cut out with the Spellbinders Standard Circles Small Die.  With the die still in position, distress with the Festive Berries Ink.
Cover with double sided adhesive then apply the Diamond Sprinkles.  Cut out.
Draw around the outer edge of the die and cut out the circle.
Die cut 2 Spellbinder Scalloped Circles.
Matt and layer adding the sentiment with 3d foam pads.

Die cut the Festive Collection Pine Bough from the Brunswick Green Card.  Glue into position on the card.
Glue some of the Poinsettias into place then add the rest with 3d foam pads.
Glue a piece of red Seam Binding to the back of the sentiment.
Attach to the card with 3d foam pads.

And there's the finished card!

I do hope you like it....you could add some gems to the flower centres for a bit of extra bling...after all, it is for Christmas and that's the one time of year you can really go to town!!!

Well, that's all for this week.  Many thanks, as always, for visiting and leaving comments.

I'll be back next week with another project, this one isn't Christmas related but I have made it to give to a friend as a little Christmas present.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Tuesday 18 November 2014

A Christmas Door Hanger

Good Morning all and a Very Happy Tuesday.

I thought I'd share a project for Christmas to decorate a door with.  All of the products used are from Creative Expressions except for the chipboard hanger.

So let's get started.....

Cover a chipboard hanger with Couture Creations Vintage Christmas Paper.
Cut out the sentiment from a piece of the same paper.
Matt and layer the sentiment onto coordinating paper.

Apply Flake and Glitter Glue to the small Holly Spray Stamp from the A5 Christmas Post Stamp Set.  Stamp randomly onto the door hanger then apply Cosmic Shimmer Mulled Wine Gilding Flakes.
Paint around the edges of the hanger with Black Soot Distress Paint.

Colour a piece of Coconut White Card with Evergreen Bough and Frayed Burlap Distress Inks.  Stamp the Robin from the Christmas Post Set with Black Archival Ink onto the coloured card. 
Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Lift some of the colour from the image with a wet paintbrush to give highlights.
Cut out with Spellbinders Standard Circles Small Dies.
Draw around the outer edge of the die on black card and cut out.
Cut out the next largest die using Coconut White Card with Double Sided Adhesive on it.
Apply Mulled Wine Gilding Flakes.  Matt and layer attaching the top layer with 3d foam pads.
Apply Evergreen Bough Distress Ink over the top of the sentiment.  Cover with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder then heat emboss.
Cut a piece of Coconut White card and, using the double sided adhesive, apply Gilding Flakes as before.
Cut a piece of black card then matt and layer the sentiment adding the top layer with 3d foam pads.

Attach the Robin and the Sentiment to the hanger with 3d foam pads.

And there's the finished project!

I do wish I could pass the real thing around for you all to look at....the photo really doesn't do it justice!  The colour of the background paper looks much lighter in the photo than it does on the actual project and the colours go together so well.

Anyway, hope you like it!  Well, that's it for this week.  Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments.  I'll be back next week with another project for Christmas so until then, have a happy, crafty week!

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Glittery Christmas!

Good Morning All and a Very Happy Tuesday.

As promised last week, I'm back with another idea for Christmas.  This is the one time of the year when I really feel that I can get my glitters out and "go to town!"

All of the products I've used are from Creative Expressions.

So, without further ado, let's get started....

Apply Cosmic Shimmer Flake and Glitter Glue to the Tree from the Christmas Swirl A5 Stamp Set.
Stamp onto Coconut White Card.  Using one colour at a time, apply Cosmic Shimmer Golden Sand, Sahara Gold and Pale Bronze Polished Silk Glitters.  Trim to size.

Emboss a piece of Coconut White Card with the A4 Sue Wilson Snowflake Lattice Folder.  Matt and layer onto Foundations Vintage Gold Card.  Matt and layer a strip of the embossed card.

Stick the strip onto the side of the card with 3d foam pads.
Matt and layer the tree and attach to the card with pads.

Apply Flake and Glitter Glue to the sentiment and glitter as with the tree.  Cut it out with Spellbinders Lacey Ovals Dies.
Die cut the Festive Collection Holly Sprays from Coconut White Card.  Glue into position.
Cut a piece of Gold Tulle and scrunch it in the centre.  Use a glue dot to attach to the card.
Add the sentiment with 3d foam pads.

And there's the finished card!

It's ideal to make if you need a batch of quick yet effective looking cards.

Well, that's it for this week.  I hope you like the card.

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments, they're much appreciated!

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Joy to the World

Good Morning All and a Very Happy Tuesday!

Well, I'm back in full Christmas mode this month using some of the stamps from Creative Expressions as well as all sorts of other yummy products!

I'm going to kick things of this week with a card using a couple of different sets of stamps so let's get started.....

Ink up the large Snowflake Background stamp from the "Seasonal Snow" A5 Stamp Set with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.  Randomly stamp onto a piece of Coconut White Card.  Distress around the edges then matt and layer onto Foundations Vintage Silver and Coconut White Card.

Using the Sue Wilson French Collection Burgundy Dies, cut a shape from Coconut White Card.
Ink up the sentiment "Joy to the World" from the A4 Christmas Designs Set 2 stamps using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Cut it out with the Sue Wilson French Collection Auvergne Dies.  While the die is still in place, lightly distress with the same ink.

Place a length of hi-tack tape onto a craft sheet.  Pleat fold white seam binding onto the tape.  Lift the tape off the craft sheet and stick down onto the card.

Glue the largest die cut shape into position then attach the sentiment with 3d foam pads.

Ink up the Bell from the Christmas Swirl A5 stamp set with Black Archival Ink and stamp onto Coconut White Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Paint with Tumbled Glass and Shabby Shutters Distress Inks.  Dab some Brushed Pewter Distress Stain onto the craft sheet and use to colour the bow.
Cut the bell out and attach to the card with 3d foam pads.
Tie a bow with the seam binding and glue into place.
Use Tumbled Glass to pick up areas of the ribbon.

Dot Silver Lustre PVA Glue around the edges of the card and onto the bell to finish.

And there's the finished card!

It's a nice easy one and the background stamp is so useful.

Well, that's it for this week.  I'll be back next Tuesday with more Christmas ideas.  For more inspiration, why not check out the other design team members and join us on Facebook.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Happy Days Are Here Again!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Tuesday.

I'm back with another design using the fab frame stamps, this time it's one of the smaller ones.  I've also used a sentiment that was issued a few months ago but it's one of my favourites!

Start by covering a Pronty MDF Heart with Couture Creations Paper from the Damask 12x12 pad.  Distress around the edges with Adirondack Citrus Ink.

Ink up one of the Ornate Mini Frames with the Citrus Ink, stamp onto Coconut White Card and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Line the sentiment up to fit the frame and stamp the sentiment with Black Archival Ink.  Heat emboss (carefully!) with clear powder.  After trimming to size, distress around the edges with the Citrus Ink.
Matt and layer onto black card.
Die cut the tag from the Californian Collection, Corner, Border and Tag Set using the Couture Creations Paper.  Cut it in half and glue to the ends of the stamped image.

Paint around the edge of the heart with Black Soot Distress Paint.
Punch 2 holes in the heart to thread the ribbon through.  A Crop-a Dile goes through the MDF with no trouble.
Glue the sentiment into position on the heart.
Die cut some flowers and leaves from the Finishing Touches Faux Quilled Blooms Die Set using the same papers as before.
Layer the flowers and glue together.  Shape and glue into position on the heart.

Use the Couture Creations Papers to die cut butterflies from the Sue Wilson Magical Butterflies set of dies.  Edge them with Citrus ink and shape the wings.  Glue into position.

Add some Small Black Circle Dazzlers to the flower centres.  Stick a row of 3mm Black Self Adhesive Pearls to the bodies of the Butterflies.
Colour a length of white Seam Binding with the Citrus Ink, dry with a heat gun and tie onto the heart.

And there's the finished project!

A really cheerful summery feel to it, just what's needed now the nights are drawing in and the weather is getting decidedly cooler!!

Well, that's all for this week, I hope you like the project.
Just wanted to say, hasn't John done an amazing job showing you the Sue Wilson dies on Create and Craft...lovely to have him on the team!

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Make Someone Happy

Good Morning All and a very Happy Tuesday!  I'm back with another design using the new frame stamps from Creative Expressions.

So without further ado, let's get started.....

Ink up the Wrought Iron Frame stamp with Black Archival Ink and stamp onto White Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Ink up the centre section of the and stamp and heat emboss again.
Trim to size then matt and layer onto black card.

Matt and layer co-ordinating Teresa Collins papers onto White card for the main background then onto black card and some smaller pieces just onto Black card.
Glue into place.

Glue the larger stamped image into position then add the text section with 3d foam pads.

Ink up some flowers from the Art Flowers A5 Stamp Set with Black Archival Ink and stamp onto Teresa Collins paper.  Cut them out and shape them then glue them into position covering the text of the larger image.
 
Add some 3mm and 5mm self adhesive pearls to the flower centres and some Mini Pearl Swirls onto the main card.
 
 
And that's the card finished!
 
I do hope you like it, it's quite different from the sort of card I usually make but it's good to experiment sometimes!
 
Well, that's all for today except to say a big thank you for stopping by and leaving comments.  Whatever you do this week, just remember the sentiment from this stamp! 
 

Tuesday 14 October 2014

The Flowers of Tomorrow

Good Morning All and a very Happy Tuesday!

I'm back with another project using the Frame stamps from Creative Expressions and today I've used the Curled Frame stamp to make a wall hanging.  Let's get started.....

Cover an MDF frame with Teresa Collins paper.  Apply Flake and Glitter Glue to the Botanicals Spray stamp and stamp onto the paper.  Apply Calypso Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes.
Paint the edges of the plaque with Cosmic Shimmer Graphite Shimmer Paints.


Ink up the Curled Frame stamp with Flake and Glitter Glue and stamp onto Coconut White Card.  Apply Calypso Gilding Flakes.  Trim to size then matt and layer onto black card.


Stamp just the text section again with Black Archival Ink then heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.  Trim to size then place over the top of the gilded text using 3d foam pads.
Add a strip of Teardrop Black Lace along the bottom of the plaque.
Glue the stamped image into position with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.

Using Spellbinders Spiral Blossom 3 and Bitty Blossoms Dies, cut some flowers using co-ordinating Teresa Collins Papers.  Die cut the leaves from the Foliage set using Black Card and some Butterflies from the Finishing Touches Magical Butterflies set using the Teresa Collins papers.

Tie some Black Seam Binding through the holes in the plaque to make a hanger and there we have it, the finished wall hanging!

I hope you like it....something cheerful on a wet and blustery day!

Do think of me today as I'll be getting VERY wet and muddy on an archaeological dig near Stonehenge!  Hopefully, it'll be worth it and we'll get some amazing finds!!

Well, that's all for today.  Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments, they are much appreciated.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Something Wonderful!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Tuesday!

It's a new month which means it's time to showcase some of the new stamps from Creative Expressions.

For this weeks blog post I've used the Filigree Frame Singles Stamp.  So, let's get started!

Stencil through random areas of the "Fleur-de-Lis" Mask with Wild Honey Distress Ink onto Coconut White Card.  Stamp small areas of the "Scented Borders" stamp with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink over the top. 
Dry emboss using the Creative Expressions A4 Interlocking Circles Folder.
Distress around the edges with Rusty Hinge.

Ink up the Filigree Frame stamp with Black Archival Ink and stamp onto Coconut White Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Stamp the centre section again and heat emboss as before.
Trim to size.  Paint around the edges of the smaller piece with the same colour Distress Inks as used on the background.
Matt and layer onto Black Foundations Card.

Using the Petite Vinery Dies, cut two leaves from black card.
Colour a piece of Coconut White Card with the Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey Distress Inks.  Die cut some Butterflies from the Magical Butterflies Dies.

Glue all of the layers together and add the top layer with 3d foam pads.

Glue the Vinery Leaves and Butterflies into position and add 3mm black pearls to the bodies of the butterflies to finish.

And there's the finished card!

The background technique is one that the lovely Julia Watts uses a lot and I'm a big fan of it (and her!).

I hope you like it.  All of the products are available from Creative Expressions and it's a nice easy card to make.

So until next time, have a great week and many thanks for stopping by.