Happy Little Stampers, ATC Challenge, Bling

This is my last post for a while as I'm moving!

Not only to a new house, but to a whole new town and a whole new way of life...  

The house is a renovation project so we'll be busy for a while, but my priority will be getting my craft room up and running smoothly just as soon as I can.

It's just that it's going to take a long, long while!

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My post for today shows a theme I'm less than comfortable with...  'Bling' just really isn't me at all!

So I've opted for a subtle style of bling that still heavily relies on lots of shimmer and shine.

A fair compromise in my book!

Do head on over to Kylie's blog and click on her challenge pages.

ATC's are just one of her many, many  challenge options... 
so you are sure to find at least one you enjoy!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...

https://www.instagram.com/roominacupboard/?hl=en

Donna

Craft Consortium, Over The Hedge, 'Flip Style' Notebook

I'm ignoring the fact that it is cold, wet and horrible outside!

After all, Spring will be back soon...  

(Just not soon enough)!!!

Here's my take on an old Sizzix die by Eileen Hull that's been treated to some gorgeous papers and ephemera (sold by Craft Consortium).

Thanks for stopping by...

As you can see, I've made a 'flip style' notebook.

Here's a close up of the front cover...

...  and a close up on some of the inside detail...

...  and one final photo that shows a purely decorative edge binding.

The supplies used are all designed by Melissa Lowry in conjunction with Craft Consortium.

Tempted to buy some for yourself?

Click HERE to be taken straight to the Over The Hedge collection and start your shopping today!

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https://www.instagram.com/roominacupboard/?hl=en

Donna

Tag You're It, Interactive Tag

It's 'new challenge' time once again over at Tag You're It!

The theme this time is 'interactive tags'...

Now, you might be looking at my design and wondering just how it's interactive?

Well, depending on how you 'tweak it' you actually have two options!


Option A:  Cut a rectangle shape to size, score and fold in half, open back up to add a die cut mini square window and then fold again and punch a hole in the top.
Result = As shown above.  It's like a mini picture frame/little open pouch so you could add a photo, a note, some money or a mini bag of sweets even.

Option B:  Same as above, but cut a longer rectangle to size and score it in to three equal parts so that when you fold and hole punch it you have an inner flap to write your message on.

I wanted to keep my tag simple in terms of design and spent ages choosing between a small red butterfly, a small blue butterfly or this bunny.

I just figured in the end that I could probably stick a butterfly on pretty much everything I make whereas this poor little guy doesn't get that much of a look in!

Hope you have time to join us!




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Donna
https://www.instagram.com/roominacupboard/?hl=en

Craft Consortium, Grunge Papers - Light And Dark Tones, Decorative Hanging Mobile

I wanted to make something a little bit different to showcase at least some of the gorgeous new Grunge Papers that are now being sold by Craft Consortium.

I also had an old indoor hanging mobile that used to belong to my mum that was in need of a massive overhaul of some kind.

This is what I ended up making...

Exceptionally difficult to get any decent photos of this that do it justice, but here goes..!

Would you believe that this started off as a heap of cereal box offcuts?

I'ver simply used Tim Holtz Collage Medium to glue these gorgeous papers on and have four glued and die cut layers per shape.  

Finish with some Varnish spray and these become both durable and protected.

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Craft Consortium

The Essential Craft Papers

Grunge

Light Tones

Dark Tones

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Thanks heaps for stopping by today...

Donna. x

https://www.instagram.com/roominacupboard/

8x8 Display Piece, Wedding, Birds & Butterflies

It's a warm/hot sunny week here this week.

Our garden is playing host to several sparrow families right now.

We saw the same last year...  

The gathering of nesting supplies, followed by what feels like a very short time later groups of young all sticking together as they learn to fend for themselves.

What we find most comical is the 'fluttering of feathers' that fledglings do as they display their "I'm hungry" signals to their parents.  Some of these 'fluff puffs' (as I like to call them) look so much bigger than their parents that it's quite obvious they are just taking liberties.  

They really should just jolly well go feed themselves!

My easel backed display piece also echoes a nature theme...

It's a style I'm learning to adjust to, but it doesn't sit well in my comfort zone - and it certainly doesn't photograph very well!

But commissioned work is paid work - so if I'm asked to do this style then that's what I'll do!



Wherever you are, I hope life is treating you kindly...


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Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, 8x8 Floral Deer Card

8x8 cards...

Whether you love to make them or loathe to make them, they have their place...   so today's offering I'm sharing with you all is a simple idea using packaging and papers from Craft Consortium's Winter Woodland collection.

Hope you like it!

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 Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland

Premium Paper Pad

Always & Forever

Metallic Ribbons - Silver

Adhesive Rhinestone Gems - 3mm

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Floral Die Collection

Decoupage Papers

White Wood

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Other
Stitched Square Die
Stitched Circle Die


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Want a few quick tips on how this was put together?

Most people will have a square frame die in their collection somewhere...

So I made the frame from one square frame die and then trimmed the edges to size as that's easier for me then 'phaffing' with nesting dies!  

(Then I just layered it up three times to keep the layers down as big 8x8 cards don't appreciate lots of weight on the front).

Cutting out the random hole on the bottom left helps to carry on the pattern from the right but somehow makes it look less busy than simply cutting out a circle and gluing it on.  
It's all about messing with layers... 

Thanks for stopping by today...


Donna. x

Circular Tag, Baby Panda, Neutral Colour Tones

Good morning!

It's Tag You're It Friday time again...  so today I'm sharing a baby themed tag with a very minimal colour palette...

My inspiration?

That would be this cute little tag made by the oh so lovely Hazel.

As you can see, I've stuck with the baby theme and the minimal colour palette - I just went with a bit of lateral thinking and figured if baby clothes can hang of a washing line then why not a panda from a tree branch?

The stork has to put them somewhere...  right?!!

I do hope you have time to join us for this challenge.

Please stop by the main Challenge Site to see what my other team mates have been up to...  and if you don't know Hazel, why not drop by her blog and say 'hello'?

Have a truly wonderful weekend...

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Deer Gift Bag + Acorn Tassel

Good morning again!

You know when you start out making a project and then you just look at it and have that moment of clarity that tells you which direction it's going to take?

Well, that's what this was.

And let's be honest...  those moments don't always come along as often as we would like, do they?

We all have projects that nearly defeat us by simply just not playing nice!

So what was this Winter Woodland project for Craft Consortium going to be before it took a little detour, I hear you ask?

  

Well, to be honest you are pretty much looking at it!

It was going to be this design (on the panel you can see) on a Kraft card base...  end of.  

But the more I looked at it the more I knew it would be just perfect as a gift bag...

and what's a gift bag without a cute little tassel, I asked myself?

So I went ahead and made one!!!

Here's the bag...

...  and here's a close up of that tassel!

I've broken this project down into a few steps just to give you an idea of how it all came together:

Tear a piece off the 'Winter Woodland' Premium Paper Pad front cover (this black and white design is from the inside of the cover itself).  Glue it into place on this deer design from the paper pad, trim to size and then attach a piece of leaf ribbon as shown.

Then tear a piece of this gorgeous black leaf paper, trim that to size and attach to the bottom right corner.

(I also slightly distressed the outer edges of my paper before adding the ribbon and added just a hint of grey ink around the outside edge for contrast).

Next, add a strip of silver ribbon that hangs off one edge as shown...

followed by the deer and the flowers.

(Of course, I did draw and cut around the deer topper a few times first.
I always turn my toppers upside down before drawing around them so I don't have to worry about any pencil marks showing.
Glue the cut outs into place behind the topper and leave to dry before putting into position).




As for the flowers?

I wasn't sure if this was helpful/needed or not, but just in case it is useful to anybody I've included a breakdown of how these flowers are made.
(First flower on the left shows the finished flower, followed by a breakdown of layers used to make it.
The flower top left has also been turned through 180 degrees so that you can see just how different it looks by changing the angle).


Then I simply added on a few flower embellishments that were made using decoupage left overs from another project...
and that tassel - which really was as easy as simply having a very good/strong adhesive to secure the knots before trimming.

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Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland

Premium Paper Pad

Metal Vintage Acorn Charms

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia Cord Set

Leaf Ribbon Set

Floral Die Collection

Always & Forever

Metallic Ribbons - Silver

Adhesive Rhinestone Gems - 3mm

Decoupage Papers Set

Metallic Copper


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Other supplies used:
Holtz Paper Distressing Tool
Holtz Ink 'Hickory Smoke'
Glue

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As always, thank you so much for stopping by today.



Sending 'crafty hugs' your way...


Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Tell The Bees, Bee Collage Tag

Good morning to you!

It's fast approaching 7.30am here in the UK and it's still pitch black outside.

And I can't craft in anything but natural daylight.  Believe me - I have tried...  even with 'good' daylight lamps on.  It just doesn't 'work' for me.

So as much as I would normally already be crafting by now I'm having to revert to 'Winter Mode' and use the first few hours of each day to check over my blog posts before they go live, or to write them up...  or to edit the photo's that go along with these posts.

Thankfully I know of at least one other crafter who is like me in this respect so I know I'm not completely alone in what might sound quite odd to a lot of you!

Anyhow...

You may have noticed that I've been making a fair few 'Tell The Bees' projects for Craft Consortium lately...  and what happens when you make lots of projects using a paper pad for inspiration?  Well, you get lots of left overs...  obviously! 

Why am I telling you this?

Because this project was inspired and made entirely from some of those leftovers...  

There are no 'how to' photo's on this one as it's a 'leftover surprise' as I like to call them, but for those of you who haven't seen my earlier projects I will at least do another run through of the supplies used...

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Craft Consortium supplies used:

Tell The Bees

Premium Paper Pad

Linen Cotton Ribbons

Clear Stamp Set

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia Cord Set

Always & Forever

Silver Pearl Glue

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Other supplies used:

Ink

Brilliance - Lightning Black

Stazon Ink - Timber Brown

Holtz Distress Ink - Picket Fence

Other

Vellum

Mulberry Paper

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It just goes to show why so many of us 'crafting types' refuse to throw scraps of paper away.  You really never do know when or how they may come in handy.

...  And speaking of scraps/snippets...

I haven't played along with many challenges for a while now, but this tag is the perfect example of how to put snippets to good use so I'm entering it into

Pixies Crafty Snippets Workshop

I hope you find the links to the products used useful.
Craft Consortium really do have some very pretty papers and embellishments, don't they?
And I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what comes next from this shop.




Have a lovely week...

...  and as always - 'Thank You' so much for stopping by today...

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Deer Gift Box

Just a quick post today!

I love making gift bags, tags and boxes - I really do. 
So when I saw this "oh so very pretty" deer topper on the Premium Paper Pad double front cover of Craft Consortium's 'Winter Woodland' collection I knew exactly what I was going to make...
A gift box!!!

It's a very simple idea using a craft box die, one birch tree die, some raffia, ribbon, sequins, gems...   and of course some of those gorgeous papers and the deer topper itself - along with some Pearl Glue.

It really doesn't sound like a lot, does it?

But put it all together and you get this...

As always, I've turned the deer topper upside down, drawn around it a few times and then cut and glued the 'cut outs' into place behind the topper for extra strength.  I also love the way this helps the image to 'pop' off the page a little... 

...  and I've cut around double the amount of those pretty red flowers that you can see, cutting into some of them more than others before layering them up and adding the Rhinestone Gems. 

As for the Pearl Glue?

If you look very closely, you should see that each flower sequin has a tiny drop of it in its centre...  and if you carry on looking closely you should also catch just a hint of it all around the edge. 

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Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland

Premium Paper Pad

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia String Set

Leaf Ribbon Set

Floral Sequins

Always & Forever

Silver Pearl Glue

Adhesive Rhinestone Gems - 3mm

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Other supplies used:

Dies:

Tattered Lace 'Essentials Box Base + Lid'

Sizzix Thinlits 'Birch Trees'

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If you've had the time to stop by today, 'thank you' so, so much...

I know how busy we can all get so I really do appreciate it.

I've got a few more ideas to share with you over the next few weeks, but that's it for now!

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Tell The Bees, Resin Flower Tag

I had so much fun making this bright and cheery tag that I'm sharing with you today.

Yes, it's another from the Craft Consortium, 'Tell The Bees' collection...  yet this time my focus is not on the papers - it's on the stamp set itself.

Want to see?

I'm a great believer in 'mixing things up', so for me the idea was to keep the bees black and white so that the focus of the colour lies elsewhere on the tag.

Here's a visual breakdown so you can see just how simply this tag can be made...

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Craft Consortium supplies used:

Tell The Bees

Clear Stamp Set

Premium Paper Pad

Linen Cotton Ribbons

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Resin Flower and Leaves Set

Mini Resin Flowers Set

Leaf Ribbon Set

Raffia Cord Set

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Other supplies used:

Ink

Versafine - Black

Brilliance - Lightening Black

Holtz Distress - Twisted Citron

Holtz Distress - Walnut Stain

Stazon - Timber Brown

Other

Mulberry Paper 

Acetate - scrap from craft packaging

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Before even starting to decorate this tag, I made sure that the base of it was thick and durable by gluing a few layers together - but that's a personal preference thing, I guess.  I just know from experience that I prefer my tags to feel 'sturdy'.

Then I focused on the bees...
In addition to layering them up from the back (stamp image, cut it out, turn it upside down, draw around it, cut it out and glue into position behind the stamped image) three or four times, I've also stamped and cut out additional parts to add extra dimension to the front.

See that top itty bitty bee?  That has an extra 'body' part.

The middle bee?  Cut an additional head and wings - just taking out that slight sliver of body in the middle.

...  And the bottom bee?  Extra 'wings'.

Threading two leaf ribbons through the tag at the top, then weaving them gently together before tying into place with a piece of brown raffia cord was all that was needed to complete this fun looking tag.

I do hope you're enjoying my ideas on how to use this set.
It really is so versatile.

Thanks once again for taking the time to stop by...

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Tell The Bees, Flowers, Lace + Twine

My card for today shares another idea on how to use Craft Consortium's 'Tell The Bees' Collection - which includes a beautiful, muted palette of papers that can be dressed up or down with ease.

As you can see, I've opted for a card with a bright pop of colour, plenty of texture, flowers...  and of course those bees!

  

Want to see the back of it?

It's not as complicated as it looks...  honestly it isn't!

Let me explain...



Take the front cover off the paper pad - removing the topper section for use another day - and cut the front cover into four equal pieces.
(I used the top left section, trimming it to size to fit a standard 5" square card).

Then I tore off a section before getting out my circle dies.

I used one circle to cut away the logo, one to cut a tiny hole near the bottom...   and the third circle (the biggest of the three) was used to cut some circles from the gorgeous patterned paper.
I chose to layer up four of these circles to create a panel with some extra strength - gluing two from the front and two from the back of the front cover to create a sandwich - but don't do this part yet as you need to decorate it first!
(I wrapped around some lace, then added flowers, leaves, more twine and a sequin to mine).

The 'twine circle' at the top was made using one strand of twine (cut to length and simply untwist).
I used high tack double sided tape to hold the ends of the strands in place, and then simply layered them across each other.

Then glue some bees into place.
(I always layer up my bees by turning the 'cut out' upside down and then drawing around it onto scrap card.  Cut out three or four per bee to add visual interest...

...  and add some extra flowers, sequins and a piece of lace ribbon...

...  a scrap of 'Tell The Bees' paper to go underneath the tiny hole...

...  plenty of foam pads...

...  and mount everything into place on a card that already has a piece of the patterned paper glued on to it.
(I favour 'tatty/distressed' edges - as you can see)!

All done.

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Craft Consortium supplies used:

Tell The Bees
Premium Paper Pad
Linen Cotton Ribbons
Sequins

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia Cord Set
Floral Die Collection

Always & Forever
Resin Flowers - Ivory
Elegant Lace Ribbon - Heart Chain
Adhesive Pearls - 5mm


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As always, thank you so much for stopping by today...
I hope I've given you some useful ideas on how to use your 'Tell The Bees' Collection for yourself.


'Bye for now...


Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Hedgehog + Polaroid Frame Card

Do you want to see a sneak peek of the new Winter Woodland Collection in action?

If you do, you've come to the right place...

I did say it was only a sneak peek!

The full reveal is tomorrow (9th October, 2017) so keep your eyes peeled and be prepared to fall in love with this stunningly beautiful new addition to Craft Consortium's Hackney & Co range...  

As this card was relatively easy to put together (once all the 'bits and pieces' were cut out, etc) only two extra photo's have been taken.

One to show the base layer of the card...

(Two patterned papers from the new Premium Paper Pad Collection - plus the tartan decoupage paper)...

...  and the other to show how the Polaroid frame section was made.

(This is the back of the Santoro Wooden Frame, coated with a few layers of Pearl Glue for texture.  The charm has been threaded on using twine that has been twisted apart before being thread through and secured from the back).

Once dry/done, simply glue the two together.

Please note that the shine on the acorn cups, pine cone and tiny flower at the bottom comes from adding a layer of Glossy Accents.

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Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland:

Premium Paper Pad

Metal Vintage Acorn Charms

Decoupage Papers:

Tartan

White Wood

Metallic Copper

Santoro - Kori Kumi:

Raffia Cord Set

Printed Wooden Frames

Mini Resin Flowers Set

Floral Die Collection

Plastic Buttons - Neutrals

Pearl Glues - Beyond The Sea

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If you have access to the Create and Craft TV channel try watching at 2pm or 9pm (UK time) where you get a whole in depth hour per show to see even more of this new collection in action...  

Available to buy online from the 9th October, 2017

@

Craft Consortium. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today...

Donna. x

Craft Consortium. Tell The Bees, Mini Shaker Gift Box

Today is my first post as part of the Craft Consortium Design Team.

Who are they?

This is what they have to say on their 'About Us' blog page...

Craft Consortium is an Award winning, family run, Crafts Manufacturer & Wholesaler; We pride ourselves on delivering innovative, design led product offerings for the Creative Arts, Crafts & Hobbies Industry.

Since our worldwide market launch in 2015, Craft Consortium has quickly established itself as The premium crafting Brand in papercrafts and home décor, with the Craft Business Awards accolade: Winner of ‘Most Innovation Collection 2017’ for our Santoro -Kori Kumi papercraft collection, and nomination for the award ‘Best Papercraft Manufacturer 2017’.

And I get to play with their products and let my imagination run wild.

Little old me!

It's an absolute privilege...  and I'm already having a blast.

But seriously, who wouldn't?

These truly are beautiful product ranges...

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So today's offering is a little shaker bee box...

And yes, it's a little bit of work to put together., but if you've already got a gift box die to hand or a plain box in need of decoration it's really not too much work at all.

Let me show you...

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I made my box using Always & Forever - Non Shedding A4 Glitter Card - Silver. 

Once that was made, it was simply a case of cutting some of the Tell The Bees Premium Paper Pad front and back cover to size.  

(You see, as well as having some gorgeous and 'oh so handy' extra topper elements, these pads also have a pretty design printed on the inside of the covers that is just begging to be used.

And as I hate seeing anything with craft potential go to waste and I love using product packaging this seemed like the perfect option).

Add a die cut circle to what will be the top of the front of your box, glue on an acetate layer to the back (again - mine's cut from scrap packaging) and then build up a frame along the inside edge.  

I chose to use layered up die cut frames (which I cut to size before gluing together), but foam tape can work equally well.

As for the rest of the front of the box?

If you look at the photo you'll notice that I've inked onto a piece of scrap vellum using Stazon Timber Brown along with the honeycomb stamp from the Tell The Bees - Clear Stamp Set. 

I glued this into place - just along the edges so the glue can't be seen - and I also glued down those four Tell The Bees - Sequins that you can see.

Why would I do that?

Because as much as I love shaker cards, tags, etc.  I hate the fact that all the sequins end up hidden in the corners.  Gluing a few into place means that no matter what, they at least will always be seen...  and that makes me happy!

You should hopefully be able to see in this photo that I've distressed all the edges - top and sides - and then added some Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  

Once dry, I've wrapped Always And Forever - Elegant Lace Ribbon - Heart Chain  around the side pieces...  and then I've glued them into place on the box.

As for the top of the box?

Carefully add those loose sequins onto the top of the vellum - keeping well away from the edges.

Pick up your top piece that has the acetate on and glue around the inside edges before very carefully putting into position over the top of the sequins.

Do not pick up the box until completely dry!  Not unless you want your sequins stuck in the corners and all along the edges!

(I placed my die cut plates carefully onto the top to help everything get a firm, tight seal).

And there you have it...  the basis of your box.

Now how you choose to decorate it from here is entirely up to you.

Me?

I cut out bees from the inside front cover and bees from one of the sheets of the paper pad.  

Then, using scrap card I drew around the outlines, cut out and glued and layered them all up.  

I also added some of these...

Santoro - Kori Kumi Resin Flowers And Leaves Set.

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So there you have it.

One little shaker bee box.

There's also 15% off selected Kori Kumi lines...  while stocks last!

So be quick and go take a look.

(Shop link at bottom of page/sidebar).

Wishing you a happy day wherever you may be...

Donna. x