PRETTY PINK SHIMMER FLORAL CARD

Hi there Folks!

Well i decided to get some of my mounting stash of dies out this morning and had a little play.

i wasn't sure what i was going to make if anything at all, but little by little and die by die i came up with this little card.

It's amazing what you can turn out just by cutting a few dies and seeing how they look together.

At first i was just going to cut a few flowers out of some bits of scrap card i had on my work station, (just to have a few on hand when needed)  but then i got a bit carried away.

This little card was really simple to put together, and for all my lovely followers who put themselves down and say that their cards are rubbish etc etc. please be assured that there is no real Art in putting a card like this together.

All i did was cut out the dies and arrange them on a card which i had used a die to fancy up.

a few dots of liquid pearls and a few pearls and a bit of my TH distress inks and that is it basically.

I didn't sit here for hours colouring in and faffing about with pencils and shading etc.

I didn't faff about trying to find the right backing papers and lace nor did i have to carefully trim and measure anything.

YOU can do it too!!!!

Hugs to you all, and never stop trying, I will always help you where i can.

DECORATED HOUSES

Hi Folks!!

Well it appears that a month has passed without me adding to my Blog...so much to do....so little time.

I have been decorating my House this past few weeks, and so the Houses that i have to show you today are in keeping with the whole decorating thing....

These are a pleasure to play with, they are Marrianne dies and come in 3 different styles.

I have to say i had a lot of trouble with the Cottage, and sent it back, but sadly the replacement was no better, so i am giving up on that one.

they are quite large which makes decorating them quite easy, expensive too for dies at over £20 each.

so to get all 3 of them it will set you back over £60

anyway enough of my moaning....

I hope you like them.

Hugs for now.

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR SISTER

All my lovely followers

To all my lovely followers...

Please forgive me for writing this in such a public way, but i still can't seem to find out how to answer your questions either privately or by a small post....i will get there eventually.

I am so sad to read that some of you feel that your efforts in Card making are less than you would like them to be, or that mine make you feel that yours are rubbish and amateurish.

we are all guilty of putting ourselves down and criticizing our work in a very negative way.

most of the time we are unjust, as other people find our work to be more than just OKish, they actually think it is lovely and would be more than happy to own one of our masterpieces.

If you enjoy what you do and find relaxation and quiet calm in creating something, then surely the end result has to be something worth more than a comparison.

I am so critical of my work, i often look at the end result and think "what a load of tot" the person i have made that for will hate it....truthfully they love it and come back time after time for more.

I notice every little mistake, a bit lopsided, the glue showing through the flowers don't match, the paper is so wrong, my colouring is not perfect and so on.

but when i present my complete disaster, the recipient is more than delighted and can't wait for my next disaster.

Who am I to decide whether or not the recipient of one of my cards will love it or hate it, I am not a mind reader, and have no rights to make their choices.

after all thank goodness we all like different things.

Selling card toppers on eBay has taught me that what i think is really nice and will sell well, isn't how someone else feels about it, it didn't do well at all and the topper i hated gets the highest bids.

Please don't put yourselves down so readily.

 Mary i am sure your cards are worth more than you think to other people, and they are probably delighted that  they own such a unique hand made card.

they know how much effort you have made and how much time you have spent to make something special for them.

Sorry to harp on a bit, but thank goodness we all do something different and make our cards in our own unique way, wouldn't it be boring if we all did the same thing.

Be positive and enjoy what you create, after all crafting is meant to be a pleasure not a curse.

I would love to see some of your creations, so if you can spare a minute or two, send me a picture, i would really love to see what you have created.

email me

poppyscabin@btinternet.com

Hugs to you all, and keep on crafting no matter what..... I am happy to offer advice and encouragement if you need it.,,,,which i seriously doubt

Vintage / Victorian Baby Carriage

Hi Folks!

Now i know one doesn't associate dark colors with Babies, but i thought a vintage style baby Carriage wouldn't look right in the usual soft and pastel pinks.

So i took the Bull by the proverbial Horns and decided to go for a darker vintage look.

Plenty of pretty pearls and lace with delicate floral backing paper makes the carriage pop and if i say so myself would be lovely as New Baby card....Just something a little different from the norm.

It will be on sale on my eBay store later tonight, so we will see what other people think judging by the bids!

I have got some lovely new 8" square paper lace doilies arriving from Canada any day now (Customs permitting)

Have a good Weekend

Hugs

(( ))

30th wedding Anniversary card

Good morning Folks!

Today i am showing off a bit with this card.

I got some lovely new papers from DCWV and they just cried out Shabby Chic/Vintage.

I was commissioned to make a card for my Son's girlfriends Parents who are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary on Saturday (Congratulations to them)

I think it's the first time my Son has ever asked me to make a card for him, so i went all out on this one.

I do hate using my BEAUTIFUL PAPERS, and as all you Crafters know, they are purely to stroke and admire, and not to be used as they were intended to be (Cards and Scrapbooks)

I have a huge stash of the most glorious papers ever, and wouldn't dream of cutting into them or covering them with Photo's, totally forbidden in my opinion.

It must be true because my friend Kim agrees totally with me.

So to cut into this scrummy paper was almost a cardinal sin.

I didn't feel the need to put their names on the front, as they know who they are, and after 30 years of marriage, they also know it's their Wedding Anniversary.

I also wanted to expose as much of the paper as possible, as it is so pretty and sparkly (Shame you can't see that effect)

so i felt less was more on the front, and used as much of the paper as possible....I still have one sheet left to stroke...lol

Anyway i hope you like it.

Hugs

(( ))

The inside

SHABBY CHIC LACE LAYERED MANNEQUIN

Good morning Folks!

I thought you might like to see something that i created earlier this week.

Now i know it's a bit OTT, but these days people seem to like a lot of lace and flowers.

I wasn't sure what kind of card this would make, but Wedding or special Birthday/Graduation came to mind.

it took quite a while to make this one, due to all the individual layers of lace that i used.

I thought once i had made it that it didn't look too bad.

still sticking to my Shabby chic vintage look.

this is up for grabs on my eBay store if you are interested.

i hope that i have been answering all the questions that people have asked me, i can't seem to find a simple way of answering questions from my blog which will allow it to be posted or sent directly to the person who asked at the touch of a key, but i am doing my best.

I would appreciate any help on this matter.

Hugs

(( ))

SEXY SPARKLING BETTY BOOP

Now this is something I have never done before, and totally out of my comfort zone, but when i saw this Betty Boop image i just saw RED...Literally..

layered with loads of sparkling Red glitter card and flowers and just a dash of feather, i thought it looked quite sexy.

Not my Shabby Chic/Vintage/retro...you get my drift, but considering i have never done anything quite so Hmmmmm! before, i think she looks ok.

always happy to hear from you probably more so for this one....is she OTT?

Hugs (( ))

Vintage or 1930's style Dress special day

Hi again Folks! 

Well i must have more time on my hands than i thought, or perhaps i have just been managing it better, either way i seem to find more time to be creative and enjoy my passion.

I made this little Topper today, and thought it would make a lovely Wedding card, but i am always aware that most Wedding day cards seems to be more for the Bride and less for the Groom.

I much prefer something that has something for the Groom as well, or keeping to tradition the "Can't go wrong Horse Shoes"

Anyway this card would also be good for a Graduation or a special Birthday like a 21st.

still keeping to my Shabby Chic Vintage theme.

I love the soft brown tones and dusky pinks of the papers, and a little bit of lace goes a long way to making anything that little bit more Shabby.

weather miserable as usual Rain and more Rain....where has our Summers gone??

Enjoy your weekend no matter what.

Hugs

(( ))

Vintage butterfly card topper

Hi folks!

Now i don't know about you, but i just love the vintage look.

It's a great reason to get out the TH distress inks and do a bit of dabbling.

I layered my Butterfly using several different dies which i thought went together quite well.

I found some pretty yellow mulberry flowers and distressed them to tone them dowm to match my backing paper.

A touch of sparkle on the Butterfly just made it pop a little.

anyway i hope you like it.

Hugs (( ))

Bird on a blossom branch

Hi Folks!
I saw this TH die of a bird on a branch and straight away i new it has so many possibilities.

I didn't like the bird that was attached, it was a Crow (very TH as you know) and it seemed a bit small for the branch and a bit rough looking, so i decided to use a Kanban die cut garden bird which i felt was far better in size and such  a pretty gold foil touch.

the colours are a bit unusual Green and purple, but hey!!! anything goes in the Craft world.
actually the more i look at it, the more i like the colours

Hugs (( ))

Bird and cage shabby chic style

Has anyone noticed how Birds and Bird cages are so popular these days.

Being an Animal lover i hate to see Birds in cages, and yet i love to see them on cards and other decorations.

This one i thought was OTT, and i must admit i am not too sure if i got the colour scheme right.

Has the cage got a bit lost ???

anyway what's done is done...

I must say a huge thank you to all my lovely followers who take the time to leave comments.

it's always nice to hear from you, and nicer to see all the lovely comments you make.

I must have too much time on my hands lately, i have been posting on my Blog more than ever.

Shabby Chic vintage 18th or 21st Birthday Key

I have to say i am loving the Shabby Chic mode that i am in at the moment.

add that to a touch of insomnia and i am managing to get some Toppers made.

I have been asked why i make Toppers rather than cards, well it's because a lot of people like to add their own personal touches to a card, and once a card has been made, there is little you can do to personalise it, whereas a Topper can be added to.

I usually make my toppers to fit a 6" x 6" card, but if you want to pop it onto a 8" x 8" card, there is room to add more like backing paper, sentiment tags or a personal greeting.

Anyway i hope you like today's effort.

lots of lace and pearls on this one, using soft white washed pinks and beige with a touch of TH distress inks.

it looks like it going to be a nice day today, the sun is up and the Birds are chattering away, so lets hope the rain moves elsewhere for a change.

I do think a sunny day puts you in the mood for crafting dont you?

Hugs for now.

Black and white Butterfly

Once again i have used my beautiful Doily dies and my paper lace doily squares for this striking Black and white Butterfly card topper.

I thought the splash of green leaves just made this pop, and isn't that Butterfly just too delicious...so intricate and swirly.

again i will be selling this in my eBay shop.

I know i am not that good at giving all the info an what, how and who when it comes to my cards and Toppers but if you do need any info, just drop me a line.

Basket of pretty peach flowers

Hi Folks!

I am loving these new MC basket dies. so decided to keep to my Shabby Chic style and pastel colours and came up with this basket of flowers.

Using my beautiful Doily squares and layering them up with my doily dies i thought they went really well together as a background.

Peach and white with a touch of TH distress ink, i wanted to achieve a vintage look......not too sure if it worked, but i think it looks pretty alright.

I have made it as a card topper which is for sale in my eBay shop along with some other card toppers.

Have a great weekend.

Hugs x

 

Shabby heart

This is a little card I made using my little 4" white Doily hearts.

again keeping to my Shabby Chic style, i thought it would make a lovely card for any occasion.

Shabby Chic bird house

Hi Folks!

Just lately i have gone all Shabby Chic....I have always loved the soft tones and Victorian style of Shabby, and especially the beautiful dusky pinks and greens.

I have had a little time to myself lately, and have enjoyed making what i want instead of what other people want, so i decided to get out some of my lovely Anna Griffin papers and rummage through my lace and came up with this.

Hope you like it.

Hugs...

LOTV Christening card

what a thoroughly wet and miserable Jubilee Sunday, but a great day to spend in the Craft room.

I was up at the crack of dawn to finish off this christening card (Needed for today and late as usual)

I guess you all know it's a LOTV stamp, and perfect for a new Baby or Christening card.

I have used chalks on this one for a change as i wanted it to be very pastel and pale.

Sorry about the photo's...I still haven't mastered my new super duper Camera yet so none of my pics seem to come out right.....

Enjoy whatever Jubilee celebrations you may have.

hugs

Helena

and one from the inside

Baby Boy card

This card is a flap over card for a Baby Boy called Shay.

I used a MS border punch for the front edges, and did removable Tags inside with all the Baby's info on them instead of the usual flat sentiments.

The inside has info Tags 

30th Birthday card

Here is a 30th Birthday easel card i made for a customer....such a pretty name Anjali and full of sparkle although you can't see the sparkle very well at all.

Wedding day card

Hello Folks!

Once again it has taken me ages to add another something to my Blog.

I do admire those who can keep up with their Blogs on a daily basis or weekly come to that.

I honestly don't know where you all find the time.

This lovely weather seems to be keeping everyone out of the Craft room and into the garden...make the most of it i say...

anyway today i am adding a Wedding card which i made for a customer, I do love that little Vintage car die, it's so cute.

The inside

POSTAL CHARGES FORCE LARGE DOILY DEMISE

Just a note to all my lovely Customers and Blog followers.

Due to the huge increase in postal charges enforced by Royal Mail i will not be getting any more of the large square 10.5" Doilies.

The postage costs have made it impractical to sell them, as the package costs have increased from £1.96 to a massive £2.70

package costs were dependent on the weight from up to100 grams to 250grams, 500grams and 750 grams.

each weight had a different price.

Now they are all the same from 0 to 750grams at one high price.

The doilies weigh 120 grams but now you pay the same price as a 750 grams package.

Not good for us Crafters who often buy large items which weigh very little.

12 x 12 papers, Cutting mats for our Cricut machines, wooden mounted stamps and 1000's of other Crafting goodies will now be so expensive to buy online due to this new crazy postage charges.

Even a Tiny wooden mounted stamp will now cost £2.70 to post excluding packaging.

I have quite a few in stock of the 10.5" square Doilies, but will not be getting any more once they have gone.

In fact any of my Doilies which will need to be posted as a package will not be available once my stock has gone.

so if you want the 10.5 inch square Doilies, you had best get them while stocks last.

Hugs

Helena

HOW TO MAKE A DOILY ENVELOPE

Hi there Folks!

What a horrible wet few days we have had, but a great opportunity to get some serious crafting done.

I have been pretty busy making Toppers and Cards, but broke off to do another tutorial for you as i have been asked so many times how to make the Doily envelopes.

This time round i have done lots of photo's and clear instructions on how to make them.

If you have any probs please let me know and i will help where i can.

so here goes....

First you need 1x  8" x 8" square Doily available from my eBay store or my Website.

and a sheet of coloured paper cut to 19.5cm square.

I used a corner punch to round off the corners of my paper.

Lay the sheet of paper over the Doily to make sure it fits neatly about 1/4 cm inside the Doily.

On the reverse side of the Doily i used a spray adhesive and gave it a light spray to make the Doily nice and tacky and then layed my paper onto the Doily and pressed it down firmly.

The next step is to fold the Doily and paper.

 As you can see from the above picture i have made the creases and added some double sided tape to the side flaps the tape should be on the inner side of the flaps.

sellotape will do the job just as well.

DO NOT remove the backing from the double sided tape as it will stick closed if you do.

 Next you fold the flaps back into place and the tape or sellotape will keep them closed in place.

then you simply pop your card, Invitation or letter into the envelope and hey presto! you have a really pretty lace envelope.

I used a piece of double sided tape to seal my envelope closed.

 Above is the envelope closed from the back

 Above is the Envelope from the front

I used a sticky label to put my address on.

I hope that i have explained everything easily enough for you all....Happy Envelope making.

Hugs

Helena