Saturday 25 January 2014

Etcetera Double Shutter mini album

Hello Hello Hello! Woke up to a somewhat sunny day here today. Just enough light to make me eager to head to the studio and get busy on my latest project. If you've visited me often you know how much I love mini albums. I'm not into the super blinged up or overly embellished ones though. My style is a little more clean and simple. 

When I started this project is was to create a double or tri shutter card. I headed off to YouTube for instruction. What I ended up finding was this little tutorial here.  

I highly recommend watching the video all the way through first ( something I rarely do!). So with my paper cutter handy I eagerly started and honestly it takes minutes to make this album. 




















 The time consuming bit was all the measuring and cutting of DSP. The tutorial did not include that. All in all this can be made in an hour and half . Not bad for the end result! 

Well there to have it.....your weekend project. I hope you have enjoyed it. I'd love to hear from you so please leave your comments and come again.

Friday 24 January 2014

Oh Hello..........Again!

Happy Friday Everyone! We made it to the weekend woot!!!! What will you spend your weekend doing? I will be cooking, packing and perhaps crafting?:-))

Each day this week I have cleaned and closed down my studio in preparation for my upcoming flight to sunshine. And without fail I have come back in and messed it all up again. I simply cannot stay away. What will I do for five weeks with no stamps, glue or inks? I guess we'll soon find out. Until then have a look at what I've been up to today.








I freely admit I have been in a crafting slump this week. Seems everything I attempted to make ended up in the bin! But today I feel I have pulled out of it. Yes I am pretty pleased with this little card. The colours have cheered me up and given me hope to carry on with this madness. 

Thank you for checking my blog out. I hope you have enjoyed it enough to come again. Until then ......

Thursday 23 January 2014

Recycle & Upcycle...

Happy Thursday Stampers & Crafters. Beautiful day here today. Not often I get good natural light for crafting so I am taking advantage of it....work will have to wait!

The other night I was making a friend a card and found something by accident. You know all those brown boxes we get from the man in brown? I had an idea for using the boxes for extra dimension on projects and thought "how would it be to emboss?" I ran it through the bigshot with no problems an OMG I love the outcome. Take a look.......








I really get a kick out of finding new and fun uses for everyday items, especially stuff that would normally end up in the bin. You are sure to see much more of this in my future projects. The embossing is so much more detailed on the cardboard....love love love!

I hope you will have a try and let me know what you think. Have a good day.Cya!

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Unusual Outcome

Hello Stampers. Today has been odd in the sense that I started creating with a vintage feminine card in mind when I headed into my studio. What I ended up with was far from it!  Often this can be frustrating but today I just thought I'm not fighting it.





 Could I have gotten any further from vintage?! Lol. I can't begin to explain how this happened but hey-ho I like it! First time I have used this stamp set but it won't be the last.

 Drop in tomorrow and see if I get around to that shabby chic card. Have a good day.

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Secret Garden

Hello Stampers. At long last I have found the time to do some embossing on vellum paper. It's been ages since I have done this technique. I do love the look of the cards I've recently seen coming across Pinterest . It was time to get my heat gun out and get to it!





 The flower image is from the Secret Garden. I made three of them, fancy cut out and added lots of dimensional dots. The designer paper is Eastern Elegance, love love love! 

 Thank you for coming by and do come again. Cya!


Monday 20 January 2014

Heart to Heart

Happy Blue Monday. I didn't realise that today is supposed to be the bluest day of the year for people. So to avoid feeling down I have been busy!

I love all of the cards I have been seeing using the wood background stamps. I haven't purchased the latest one out by Stampin Up yet. Instead I have been trying the woodgrain backgound stamp. It doesn't have as much detail but take a look and see what you think.





I think this will be the card I give my husband this year since he loves to work with wood. Thank you for stopping in and please leave your comments. Have a great week and come again soon.

Sunday 19 January 2014

Truly Grateful mini book

Welcome back to the Firefly Studio. As promised I have something for you today. This little book was so easy to make using the envelope punch board and Stampin Up Framelits. Take a look....









 If you'd like the instructions on how to make this please contact me. Looking forward to filling it with pictures on my trip back home:-)

Enjoy your day and please come again.

Saturday 18 January 2014

Be Mine Slider Card

Happy Saturday. My plans to sleep in today didn't happen. Why is it when you can sleep in you wake up raring to go? Something I will never figure out. Oh well it gave me time to complete today's project. My first slider card!!

I will admit I had to redo it this morning as I cut the semi-circle on the wrong panel, so do watch this video all the way through as it's not clear in the beginning( maybe it's just me lol). The tutorial can be found here





I started with stitching the base designer paper to the card stock. Added hearts....lots of hearts! Attached some ribbon, linen thread and stamped some sentiments. It is really much easier than I expected but as usual I got ahead of myself. It definitely impressed the husband which is very unusual !






If I can answer any questions please contact me. Go ahead and give this a try! It's a fun card to make and give. Have a great weekend and I will cya soon!

Friday 17 January 2014

Eastern Elegance Box

TGIF! What are you planning for this weekend? I hope to make time for trying more complex cards after a relaxing lie in.

Until then here is something for you to try. An Eastern Elegance gift box. It's actually large enough I am going add a cupcake:-)


 The inspiration for this can be found here. I adapted the tutorial using Stampin Up's Window Frames and Deco Labels Framelits Collections. The flower is the Secret Garden and tag was made from the Chalk Talk Framelits. I love how versatile the Framelits are.

 Now I am off to make some yummy cupcakes to add to this little box. I hope you will come again. Have a great weekend!


Thursday 16 January 2014

Vintage candy bar pouches

Welcome back. Today I've been busying myself making these quick and adorable candy pouches. These are a great way to use up those scraps of paper we all hang on to in the hopes we might use them one day. Well here is your opportunity!













 I just love the idea of giving these to friends with a nice piece of dark chocolate inside. Perfect way to brighten someone's day! Thanks for stopping by and come again.

You've stolen my Heart card set

Hello! It's getting close to Valentine's Day so I couldn't resist sharing this  cute and easy card set. It's made using the Sweet Sayings cards by Stampin Up. I've dressed them up and added this cute little holder to complete the set. I think it will make a great gift for someone special. I haven't added any sentiments so the cards can be used for any occasion.








 I hope you have enjoyed this and I intend to add the tutorial for the box as soon as I can find it! Seriously must have another clear out of my space! Come again soon.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Thoughts of You

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by today. Dreary ole day here in Tewkesbury.....cabin fever is setting in but I will soon be in the sunshine on my visit back home...yippee!! I guess you aren't hear for a weather update or to hear me rambling on about my life lol. So on to the important stuff......CREATING!



 I used the Morning Meadows stamp set for the background with Pistachio and Blushing Bride ink. Figured it was time to use the Simply pressed clay for the embellishment. I am going to attempt making some hearts later with the clay but have to admit I tried making leaves the other day and it failed miserably. If you have any advice on cutting out larger shapes please contact me!

 Thank you for stopping in. Have a wonderful day and I hope to see you soon.

Thursday 9 January 2014

Chalkboard Technique Challenge...

Welcome to the Firefly Studio on this sunny Thursday. Well it's sunny where I am! I do hope you are all safe and warm from the harsh weather that seems to be making it's way around the globe. Poor weather is always a great excuse to hide away and make some lovely things.

 And so today I am entering the Paper Players Chalkboard Challenge here


 I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge as it have me the opportunity to use a few of my favourite items. Have a look....



I intended to use the Chalk Talk set for this project but when I opened the drawer Ex Libris screamed out to me...USE ME USE ME!! And I do believe this was a good choice for a chalkboard technique.   I fancy cut my Stippled Blossoms flowers and leaves, added some of this yummy two-toned ribbon I bought off the clearance rack recently. The card was  finished up a vintage faceted button and linen thread. My goodness I go through that linen thread so quickly!



Well there you have it.....my Chalkboard Bouquet. Please let me know what you think and come again!

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Woodgrains


Hello and thanks for stopping by. I've been playing around with different styles and textures over the past couple of weeks.  Today I wanted to share one of my favourite effects for any paper crafting but in particular these all occasion cards. I  have combined some  masculine textures with very feminine ones. I started with Stampin Up's Woodgrain background stamp and before I knew it I had created four cards! Isn't it nice when creativity takes over and there are no interruptions .....a rarity for me I can tell you!
























I am really pleased with how these have come out in particular the Stippled Blossoms card in Perfect Plum and Wisteria Wonder. This card combines my favourite stamp set and colours all in one ! I even upcycled the little safety pin from a recent Christmas gift I was given:-) It was just too cute to throw out!

 Thank you for coming in and seeing what I have been up to. Please come again soon!

That's Life

Ah we have made it to hump day. Is it just me or is this week dragging on? I am really looking forward to the weekend and more time to play with my stamps.

 So on to todays project......




















 I am looking forward to filling this album with pictures during my next trip. I have gotten out of the habit of taking photos again and am kicking myself for it. Time is passing so quickly and I want to capture as many memories as possible and hoping these new albums will inspire me to do so!

 The tutorial I used for this album can be found here. It's such an easy album to make why not have a go yourself?

 I hope you have enjoyed this album and will come again. Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Polka Dots

Welcome to the Firefly Studio. I recently made this set of all occasion cards and thought you might enjoy them. I am absolutely nuts over these polka dots!


I just love the way the Poppy Flower stands out. My Colour combo is Strawberry Slush, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizazz and Crumb Cake.



Thanks for dropping by and do come again!