WE ARE BACK!

It has been a while but we are back on blog line!

Just recovering (in a nice way) from great workshops in Kent and an awesome weekend in York!
Great to see so many familiar faces and new ones as well.

Hopefully gave lots of inspiration and helped jump start you for the winter crafting season.
I can not believe it is nine or so weeks to Christmas! Millie our eldest granddaughter has been consuming all the toy catalogues and all I can say is that I hope Santa now drives a juggernaut!!

Thank you to everybody who has been booking places for our 2015 workshops in Kent. Its been fast and furious and we have just a few places left.

One of my favourite paper companies is Graphic 45 as you may well know if you have been following my blog!
This Christmas they have gone very retro and based their designs on 'Twas The Night before Christmas'.
Below are the instructions for making a lovely little story book based on the theme of The Night before Christmas

 

I have used two 8" cards. A black marker line shows where the original centre score line is.
On the first card I cut 13cm from the LHS of the card.

On the second card I cut off 7cm from the LHS and 4.5cm from the RHS of the card.

 

 Now score a line 2cm to the right of the original score line. Fold the card along the original centre score line and place card in front of you so that the fold is on the LHS.

 

Cut a piece of polyester sheet 20cm x 21.5cm. Make a score line at 20cm on the 21.5cm length, creating a 1.5cm tab. Fix double sided tape along this tab.

Attach polyester to second card so that the tab wraps around the fold of the card and the main 20 x20 side of polyester is on the front.

On the back of the 2cm section where the polyester tab is - attach double sided tape

Take the first card and fold along score line.

Peel off the double sided tape from the second card and nestle it inside the first card matching up the top and bottom edges and ensuring a flush fit fold into fold. This is the basis of your card.

Now all you have to do is decorate it!

 

Please excuse finger!

 

I have cut out a large clock and placed it in the bottom right hand corner of the polyester sheet and have covered it on the back with the same size circle of green.

 

The plain cardstock is actually Desert Storm Bazzill cardstock instead of the traditional red.

 

 

The bobbles on the fireplace are from Bazzill also.

 

 

 

Don't forget all the names of Santas reindeer!
The large clock is the same size as the one on the polyester and sits exactly behind it

 

I have included a white rectangle for writing a message but you could replace this with another image.


I have used this design for many different occasions including special birthdays or anniversaries.
The finished book fits into an 8" box which I have also decorated

I hope you have fun making up your own designs

Happy crafting!!

Jayne x

PRETTY IN PNK !

What another glorious morning!

Woke this morning with the sun streaming through the window and just had to get up and start enjoying the day!

I have a really pretty pink card today - perfect for a little girl.



Again a mix of dies used here.  Tattered Lace carousel is just perfect on the card. You can mix and match different colours to create a 3D effect, I have used my sewing machine to attach the gingham print.

 

 

The bunting in the top left hand corner could be extended and a childs name spelt out on each flag.

 

 

 

Please get your sewing machine out and use it on your cards.  I have a small Silver machine which sits on my worktop and I am always incorporating it into my scrapbook pages and cards. I tend to use the zig zag stitch the most.

 

Off to Chelsea Flower Show tomorrow so very excited! Lots of pictures for scrapbooking.

Have a great day and happy crafting!

 

Jayne x

 



SUMMER IS HERE!!??

My goodness what fantastic weather we have been having! I'm afraid my workroom has been empty for the past few days. Have been out enjoying the sights of York whilst the sun shone.

Anyway back to work and still playing with all the wonderful dies that have been pouring onto the market.

I have used a 6" card for my first card and a lovely Brittania lattice edge die.
These dies really are very intricate without being too twee. They come in three sizes to fit 4", 6" and 8" cards.

 

 

The flowers are from a Just Rite stamp set which comes with matching dies and is very pretty.

 

A scroll die adds movement and the embossing folder adds just the right amount of dimension.

 

I get a lot of questions about the use of edger dies especially when putting them through the die cutting machines on the edge of cards - they never seem to cut in the centre of the die. This is a tricky one. I tend to use my E- Bosser machine as this has pressure all the way across the rolls. I do use my Grand Calibur but find I have to use a shim down the centre - not all the way across or you are defeating the object.  Also my good old sizzix machine is a final option although only on cards 6" wide. Don't give up though, just find a shim that works with the thickness of paper that you are using.

Hope that helps!

Happy crafting!
Jayne x

SOPHISTICATED GIRLIE CARDS!

The sun is shining and all is well with the world. What a difference the sun makes!
Have just posted details of our Craft Weekend here on my blog. We are all so excited!
You have all been asking about dates so now they are confirmed preparations are in full swing for the big event!! Places are limited so please make sure you contact us with a deposit asap! I don't want anybody to be disappointed.

Things have been so hectic here but I have made time to play with my stamps and dies to produce a couple of pink and black girlie cards.

Just click on the image to enlarge. I have used the dress form from the Creative Expressions stamp set which I have been using a lot recently. The flowers are from Just Rite along with the foliage.

 

I have layered up the flowers and intertwined the flourishes through to add dimension.

 

 

A petite bow on the waist of the bodice completes the picture!

 

I love using old favourites and in the second card I have used some of the Carta Bella papers as embellishments.

 

A large Bazzill flower adds the focal point and black voile is tied around the card under the Happy Birthday greeting to add texture. The black backing paper is the embossed flourish cardstock from Bazill.

Again I have weaved the flourishes into the flower for dimension.

Hope you like these designs!

Happy crafting!

Jayne x

DATES FOR CRAFTING EXTRAVAGANZA WEEKEND!!

THE CARD STUDIO EXTRAVAGANZA WEEKEND!!

We are very pleased and excited to announce the date of our crafting weekend for 2014!

We will be hosting the event in the splendid city of York at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre overlooking York Racecourse.

The date is Saturday and Sunday 11^th and 12^th October with an informal meet & greet evening on Friday 10^th October.

York is a beautiful city – a great central location for travelling to and from other UK destinations, plenty to do and see – maybe add on an extra day for sightseeing and shopping!

The cost of the weekend includes

ü  Everything you need to complete 10 crafting projects

ü  Full tuition and on hand help

ü  Three course lunch on both days

ü  Homemade cakes and refreshments throughout the weekend

ü  Limitless inspiration in the form of design examples and demonstrations

ü  Daily raffles and prizes!

All the above for £195.00 per person – a deposit of £50 is all you need to secure your place!

We have negotiated special B&B rates for those of you who wish to stay at the Marriott Hotel:

ü  Twin or double bedded room £125 per room per night (£62.50 per person if sharing)

ü  Single occupancy £115

To make a booking or for further details please ring The Card Studio 01904 703591 or 07917730371, or email your contact details to jayne.cardstudio@virgin.net

Also visit our website www.thecardstudio.com and check our newly updated blog site for great inspiration and news on upcoming workshops and the crafting weekend!

We look forward to seeing you in York!

JAYNE X

TO DIE FOR!

My husband can never understand why I have to have the very latest of anything when I already have what he considers to be too many of them in the first place!
Silly man!!
You would think after all these years he would have learnt to say nothing at all!

The new Sue Wilson spellbinder dies have been sitting on my work desk for a couple of weeks and I have just got round to playing.
They really are the most beautiful and intricate of dies.
You will need to use your wax sheets for ease of release but they are worth the effort.
I have used simple combination of gold mirri card and white.

 

 

 

The background is made using the love border die and the beautiful lattice flowers are perfect as a focal point against the gold.

 



 

 

A crushed silk ribbon in gold completes the design.

 

Just a quick card before breaking away from my workroom for the weekend.

The sun is shining so lets hope it continues!

 

I don't think there will be a lot of crafting this weekend!

 

Have a great Bank Holiday!

 

Jayne x

 



HAPPY EASTER !!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing - and everybody is mowing their lawns!!!!
The first fantastic weekend of good weather and the air is filled with the sound of petrol mowers!
Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather. Not a lot of crafting going on!

Have been back in Scotland for Easter, but still had time to do a little crafting.

I have decorated a Graphic 45 kraft box with their Botanical Tea papers. They have been sooooo popular and it is not difficult o see why.

 

A little bit of decoupage on the flower and butterflies adds dimension and I have added a tassel for effect.

 

 

 

To help preserve the papers I have coated the box with gloss modge podge which gives it a lovely sheen. Glossy accents on the rose gives a lovely dewy effect.

 

Hope you like it!

 

Happy crafting

Jayne x

 



TWO FOR THE MEN!

Hi everybody.

Thank you for all your lovely comments!

Yes the papers are available to purchase from the Card Studio. We are trying to set up payment methods through the website which is proving to be a little problematic to say the least! But don't forget that if you ever see anything on the cards that I design which you would like to purchase and you are not in the vicinity of York then just contact me via email or phone and I will do my best to help out.

Now to the last of my designs from Graphic 45. Both are for the men and involve sport.

 

 

It has a very 1920 -1930's feel with earthy browns and greens. You never have to worry about trying to find added embellishments with this range. There are always smaller images on the sheets.

 

 

 

The smaller images remind me of the collectable cigarette cards. Again the background papers are from Graphic 45 so match perfectly.

 

Finally a lot of you have been asking about Ollie. Yes he is doing fine. Loves watching the sheep!

 

 

Can't believe he will be six next birthday!  Doesn;t seem that long ago since he was running around the Studio at Langley as a puppy!

 

Till next time

 

Happy crafting! x

 





RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY...!

How much more wet stuff can come out of the sky! The poor sheep need wellies
I will try and cheer you with more designs from graphic 45.

This is a typically English country garden print. It is great how all the papers blend together so you don't have to worry about finding matching background colours

 

I have decoupaged the leaves on the rose and cut around the butterfly, lifting its wings to reveal a colour beneath. Glossy accents on the rose adds dimension.

 

 

I have done the same on this card but used the bigger image and added punched out flowers with pearl centres and a silver flower charm to the ribbon.

 

 

I used lovely pink paper flowers on this card which completely changed the printed image.

It is a design of card that I have used a lot of times with the collapsible gusset between the two layers

 

Well that's all for today hope the weather is better where you are!

 

Happy crafting!



GRAPHIC 45

As promised in yesterdays blog I have included pictures of the papers that I used in my designs. The back of the papers are as beautiful as the front.

 

 From just one sheet of paper you can create six fantastic cards! The sheets are so colourful and detailed that you just need to add a greeting on to the front.

The Sea papers are amazingly detailed

Now to show you some designs using their botanical range

 

They have lovely subtle colouring and beautiful images.

 

 

They cater for both male and female with pink and blue shades.

 

On this card I have used the new Tim Holtz trellis die cut - very useful as it can be joined to make a complete background

 

Hope you like theses designs. Remember if you want to see a larger picture just click on any image and it will bring it up full screen.

 

Happy crafting! x

 

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!

I cant believe its a whole year since I posted my last blog!!

So much has happened! The most important of which has been the birth of our second granddaughter Gracie Florence.

Also, as from the beginning of April we will be mainly based in York

Thank you for all you enquiries and good wishes and from now on I hope to contribute to my blog  on a more regular basis!
So, where to begin! Lots of great papers and embellishments have been arriving at The Studio - I've been like a kid in a candy store! Graphic 45 have once again come up trumps, producing a great selection of fabulous paper designs.

The Couture collection was an immediate hit with me. Elegance personified, beautiful colours and images on great quality cardstock. I have selected a few designs to show here. The background colouring is in sepia but they have included colours like teal, apricot and green which really work well together.

 

You can really go to town with embellishments. I have used feathers, flowers and bling- even voile.
In the top card I used the WRM keepers envelope maker to produce a matching envelope.

Graphic 45 always have great background papers to compliment their images. Couldn't resist showing you a few more of my designs!

This season they have also bought out a Call To The Sea collection - unusual but still amazing images including one of the lighthouse at Beach Head Eastbourne!. These are great for men or the ladies.

Well I hope that has given you some inspiration! Tomorrow I will post pictures of the papers I have used and also a selection of designs from the Good Ol' Sport collection - perfect for the men in our lives!
I always appreciate your comments -good or bad - so don't be shy!

Happy crafting! x