Things for Dad, Poppicrafts and handbags

June had been a {very} busy month for me - well, it may not have felt quite so busy if I hadn't got a bit of a cold (of the summer, and not swine, variety). I was working at my son's school - proper working, with pay!! I felt like a grown-up again :) Still, I had lots of time to make bits 'n bobs for Father's Day - all of which I think work well for a simple dad's birthday too:

My husband thought it was his lucky day to get home-made muffins and a huge box of jelly babies all on the same day. All his favourites...

All the above were made with Dani Mogstad goodies, but the handbag cards below are made with templates and kits by Heather Roselli - I was lucky enough to have about a week to play with the templates before they were issued, and these are some of the designs I made:

During June, I made my usual team blog postings, but the one for Heather includes a little freebie for printing, cutting and sticking onto a card for an almost instant card. If you haven't seen it, go and take a look, and grab it here :)

Have you visited Poppicrafts recently? Michelle is making some significant changes to her stock, and is getting in some gorgeous, gorgeous ribbons and bows, and beginning to introduce lots of hair accessories you can make and buy with the ribbons. See?

Unfortunately, I'm very sad to say that she has decided to stop stocking other card making embellishments, including the chipboard, buttons and brads :( ...but it does mean that she is currently having a HUGE clearance sale. You really shouldn't miss it - so check it out here.

Finally, a new yummy, summery collaborative kit is out over at the Sweet Shoppe. Its free with any purchase over $10 throughout June - and with the £ being healthier then at the start of the year, this is a fab deal!

I have some very, very nice news to share soon here - so look out :)

Enjoy the week,

Sx

Ideas for Dad:

All papers and images from 'Father Knows Best' by Dani Mogstad

Ribbons from Poppicrafts of course!

Plus craft wire, Dovecraft chalk, ink, cocktail sticks & Bassetts JellyBabies

Muffins by me :)

Handbags:

All templates, papers and images from a variety of kits by Heather Roselli ('Big Spender', 'You Make My World Go Round' with Lauren Grier, 'Me+You=Love', 'Girls and Dolls', and Tiki Tiki Boom Boom' with Amanda Heimann)

Buttons, bloom & most ribbons from Poppicrafts

Organza ribbon, pearl and craft wire from local craft shop.

Brad and gem from Doodlebug Designs

Hair accessories all by Michelle at Poppicrafts - look out for them, and the elements to make your own, to be available very soon!

Poppicrafts and a Springy quiz

Hi! I made the above card for Poppicrafts - the last batch, not the one Michelle received this morning. I was really proud of the L, so here it a little closer:

I really like playing with craft wire. I just twirl it around a smooth-sided pen to make the loops and stretch or twist it into the final shape. But it can be a pain to fix in place, unless there is something to anchor it at both ends!

As I mentioned, Michelle received the box of bits and pieces I made this morning, and I can't wait to see them in the Poppicraft gallery. I haven't used so many blooms in my cards this time - at least not whole ones! ...and wait 'till you see how I've used the hinges from my favourite on-line crafty store!

I have another one of those free, daft and anonymous quizzes for you to try. Wouldn't you like to know 'What Part of Spring' you are? This is me:

You Are Chirping Birds

You are a very caring person. You especially feel for innocent beings, like animals and children. You are keyed in to the world and very peaceful. You believe that everyone is connected. You remain focused and in the moment. You are not easily distracted. You have a good memory, especially for things that you hear. You listen carefully.

What Part of Spring Are You?

I'm not sure my family would recognise this description of me - especially where it mentions me not being easily distracted, and as for the good memory - but things I need to remember leak out of my brain all the time (I really need to start using my Brain Training again).

It was my turn to add to the Girl Talk blog this week. My article is here if you'd like to see it - and is about gift tags and wrapping paper :)

We're going on holiday at the weekend, just for a week, to see family. I am having very guilty feelings about taking Alex out of school, but we haven't seen my family (particularly my Mum) since last August, and we all miss them. Soooo, no posts for a week - I'll be back after the 17th - but remember to check out the Sweet Shoppe this Saturday, as all new releases are 20% off, and I have a strange feeling that Dani may have something yummy in store....

Enjoy your week!

Sx

Green flowery paper: Pink Petticoat; Cloud paper: ‘Once Upon a Time’ by Lili & Emily Merritt; Blue sugar coated card: Doodlebug Designs; All other elements: Poppicrafts (including the Fancy Pants felt)

Exactly what is says on the...kit

Hi! - are you feeling Springy too or is just me?

The card above was made from a mini digital kit called 'Lazy Days of Summer', and it is almost exactly as the kit itself was advertised in its preview pic. I layered the papers a little more tightly, added hand-stitches for the stems, and 'lifted' the flower petals and cloud - all to make the final card more tactile. The butterfly was printed directly onto the blue paper and I added the text using rub-ons. Sometimes digital kits intended for scrapbooking are just as perfect for cards without too much playing around - serendipity at its best :)

This was such an easy card to put together that I have already made it again, this time setting the foreground at an angle. I think it will be another staple card - we all need them for those days when we need a card fast!

Changing to a totally different subject now:

Have you checked out the new stock at Poppicrafts yet? I have already indulged my addiction by getting more blooms - the coordinated packs are just perfect ('Leah' and 'Rosie' are my current favourites!). I think I need help.

I think I mentioned that Michelle (of Poppicrafts fame) set her design team a challenge to use an item in a new and interesting way. This is what she sent me:
The blue ribbon photographed more cornflower blue than the teal it is in reality - David Bailey has nothing to worry about from me! ...anyway, I have made some cards (and other bits and bobs) and posted them to Michelle today to add to the fab Poppicrafts gallery. I am soooo pleased with one card in particular - you don't often see ribbon used like this on a card, I promise you! I actually have a couple additional cards 'in progress' too, so that's what I'm off to do now :) after I just mention:

The amazing

Poppicrafts March Competition!

What can you do with

paper flowers?

Stamp them, emboss them, fold them and cut them...

Make something beautiful with them and you could win

a £35 Poppicrafts voucher!

Just imagine how many blooms that will buy.....

Take a look here for ideas and details!

Enjoy your day!

Sx

The 'Lazy Days of Summer' kit is from Weeds and Wildflowers Design, and the rub-ons are from Doodlebug Designs.

Poppicrafts

As you may know, I'm a member of the design team for Poppicrafts - a small but perfectly formed online shop which sells lots of yummy embellishments (and some rather nice Fancy Pants papers and bits 'n bobs too). My favourite goodies are the mini blooms, but the rainbow of narrow grosgrain ribbons the shop stocks has to come a close second. I like pretty things... sigh

...where was I? Oh yes:

Michelle, the heart behind the store, has just sent the members of her team a mystery embellishment (!) and has challenged us to use it as the focus of one of our creations for her - preferably in a new and interesting way. Brilliant! I love a challenge (once I get over the initial panic of 'what will I do?', 'can I do it?' etc).

Look out very soon for annoyingly tantalising hints of new designs using blooms, buttons and ribbons so tempting that you will have no choice but to pop over the Poppicrafts shop and gallery to see the final designs by myself and the rest of the team, and take the time to indulge in a little shopping too!

In the meantime, did you see my last two batches of cards that I had fun creating for Michelle? Here are collage pics of them - for a closer look, you know where to go :)

By the way, sorry I haven't posted for a week or so (family, what can you do with them?), but I plan to make up for it this week. So do pop back Wednesday!

Bye for now

Sx

Growing up is optional (Hooray!)

Hello!

I was wondering why I was feeling a bit wobbly - then I remembered to have lunch, and feel soooo much better! So much so, that I want to share the above card with you and show you some lovely bits and bobs from Poppicrafts! Take a look:

Yummy isn't it?! I've just used some of the paper to make a little favour box with a new template I bought for my Big Shot - when its finished I'll share it here. I love the brads and new shaped buttons - these brads are very fairy tale-esque with princesses, hearts and frogs. I really like all the new themed brads, though I think the chocolate & cream birthday celebration ones are my favourite. Take a look for yourself at Poppicrafts before Friday, when the sale ends!

I have to confess to being very, very naughty and spending way too much at Michelle's shop. Ooops!

Back to the big card above which, you may be surprised to know (!) is for an up and coming male 40th birthday. I have wanted to use this paper from TADA for ages, and managed to match it perfectly with some ribbons from you-know-where. The quote is from Chilli Davis and reads: 'Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional' - I couldn't resist using it once I'd found it.

I am having a grown-up evening tonight, off out with a group of Mum's from school who are such great company. It'll be nice to wear something other than jeans for a change!

Enjoy your evening too.

Sx

All paper: TADA ('Flip' kit); All ribbons, pin, felt star and button: Poppicrafts; Seed beads, Dovecraft chalks, ink pads