Creative Crafter UK

Forever Friends Christmas Card

2009-12-20T16:52:00.000Z

The adorable Forever Friends designs make for perfect Christmas cards for my friends. Here's a simple Forever Friends transfer design layered onto card. I combined it with glitter for snowy hills, ribbon and patterned background paper. I layered the bear image onto another layer so that it gives a 3D effect.

Gingerbread House in Minature

2009-12-19T16:09:00.002Z

I've just seen this cute little gingerbread house over at Craftzine...isn't it sweet?

We're Walking In The Air.....

2009-12-18T16:46:00.001Z

....so I've no voice like Aled Jones when he sung 'The Snowman' - I sound more like a whining cat! Anyhow, here's my tribute to the Snowman by design.

I rubber stamped this cute image and coloured the design adding glitter for extra sparkle to the snowy areas and 3D puff paint for the fluffy hat. The image is multi-layered into textured blue cardstock, with glittery gold sticker borders, a patterned background with sparkly gems, ribbon and pearls.

Christmas is Golden

2009-12-17T16:40:00.001Z

This golden Christmas tree decorates this sophisticated card. I am sending this to a work acquaintance and hope he likes it!

Pink Baubles Christmas Card

2009-12-16T16:37:00.000Z

This Christmas card has been rubber stamped and layered up to create the 3D effect. I coloured with pens and added gems for sparkle. This card is for a friend who loves pink!

An Elegant Contemporary Christmas Card

2009-12-12T16:29:00.003Z

So have you been busy making your Christmas cards?

I've been working on Christmas (it seems) most of the year with various projects, so now that it is finally December you would actually think I would be ahead with my personal Christmas cards....unfortunately not, I'm still behind this year and must start thinking about doing some Christmas shopping very soon!

This year I have decided to make a variety of different Christmas card designs for friends and family, which I will be posting here over the coming days. The first is an elegant contemporary card that I have created. I loved this flocked black velvet wrapping paper so used it as a background for my card, before adding simple holographic punched elements and bright pink accents.

This is being sent to a friend who is very artistic, likes modern, graphical and quirky colour schemes. I hope she'll like it!

Forever Friends Decoupage Birthday

2009-12-02T13:23:00.005Z

This week saw my time taken up with commissions, projects for POS, more jewellery making and graphic work to complete. Again time is flying by and it's just 23 days 'til Christmas! {Arghhh! Must get some Christmas shopping done soon - any ideas for friends who have everything?}

One of my friends recently celebrated a very special birthday - here's the Forever Friends card I designed for her. She's very girly and appreciated the decoupage Forever Friends bear. I also gave her one of my jewellery sets which I hope she'll enjoy wearing!

National Freelancers Day

2009-11-23T10:00:00.001Z

Today is national freelancers day in the UK and there are a number of events and debates taking place. Visit the National Freelancers Day website for more information. Happy National Freelancers Day y'all!

Floral Thank You Card

2009-11-19T17:42:00.005Z

I was inspired to make this card after seeing this gorgeous Basic Grey paper - I love their designs!
I picked colours from the patterned paper to follow through in the rest of the card, using co-ornating pearl gems and flowers on a Papermania scalloped card. I also love these Paper flowers by Imaginisce and these pre-cut felt flowers that I got at a craft show.

Cards, Jewellery, Graphics

2009-11-15T11:31:00.003Z

Sorry for the delay on blog postings - I've been so busy with crafts commissions this week. Answering readers queries for my regular magazine column, creating various jewellery designs for clients and working on some graphic design - time has just flown by!

I haven't forgotten y'all....blog again soon.

7000 Visitors

2009-11-05T19:33:00.002Z

7000 Visitors - wahoo! {Do a little dance!} Thanks everyone! Hope you've enjoyed reading?
Here's to the next 7000!

Dazzling Jewellery

2009-11-04T15:52:00.000Z

I attended another craft fair today and I'm so pleased with how well my jewellery sold - the necklace, earring and bracelet sets went well and earrings were also popular. I had so many lovely comments from people. Many seemed to be buying as Christmas gifts. This set pictured above has always been one of my favourites with the inner-glow beads and Swarovski Crystals.

I took a few jewellery commissions today as well...so must get back to work and make them now.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T09:21:00.002Z

Have a happy halloween today - whether you're 'trick or treating', flying on your broomstick to a spooky party, haunting with the kids or making pumpkin pie have a 'wicked' day!

{I'm off to find my broomstick, witches hat and witches costume - cackle, cackle!}

Witches Hat Trio Card

2009-10-27T12:40:00.000Z

Use the free Halloween witches hat printable (downloadable from here) to create this card.It is recommended to print onto good quality photo paper from best results, with your printer at best settings.

You Will Need:
Halloween Witches Hat printable Download
Halloween Spooky A4 Printable (optional - from my Folksy Store)
Long White card and envelope
Assorted cardstock - Green textured, Lilac linen effect and smooth black.
Black Gel Pen
Lilac adhesive gem stones
Decorative Edge Scissors
Corner rounding punch
Scissors
Double Sided Tape
Sticky Fixers
Computer and Printer

Instructions:
1. Cut out three witches hats in a rectangle and round the corners. Mat onto black card, then green, cut with decorative edge scissors.
2. Cut a slightly larger oblong of lilac card and outline with a dashed black line drawn in pen.
3. (Optional) Attach two lengths of border down each side of the card cut from the Spooky Halloween A4 Printable.
4. Outline the card with a dashed black doodle line. Attach layers at an agle to the card and add lilac gem stones three in a row decreasing in size at the top right and bottom left of the card.
5. Cut three more witches hats to align with those on the card and attach these on top with sticky fixers for a 3D effect.

If you download this design I would welcome your feedback and comments in return. Thank you.

Get Well Soon Card

2009-10-25T11:09:00.001Z

There are so many people around me coming down with the flu (even swine flu) and one friend who is seriously ill in hospital with an 'unknown' illness. I therefore urgently needed a card and I quickly created for him (a retired policeman) who I would like to wish a speedy recovery.

The image has been printed from www.thecoloringspot.com, coloured with pencils and layered to create this 3D card. I made a 'sling' from spare card and cut off the characters arm to position in the sling. I drew 'black eye' markings and a plaster onto the policeman, as well as a tie. He has been combined with patterned background paper, Doodlebug lettering, ribbon and lots of adhesive black pearl stones.

Crafting and QVC!

2009-10-21T12:56:00.003+01:00

Yesterday was Craft Day on the shopping channel QVC. I had many of my projects feature on there advertising some wonderful products. They must have gone down well as the products were selling fast and in some cases complete sell outs! It's always lovely to see the results of all your hard work culminating in a live broadcast on national TV!

It happens very rarely, but yesterday also saw creative block take hold and it was so difficult to shift. I keep telling myself "you can craft, just get on with it" but nothing was working. It's no excuse...but inspiration for the products I was trying to use had just diminished. Nevertheless we got there in the end and the project will be live online in no time. Have you ever suffered creative block - what did you do to resolve this? My usual response would be to put the project down and come back with fresh eyes later, however when deadlines are pressing and the project is a last minute request it's not always possible. Any remedies? Please comment below.

Happy Halloween Bottle Caps Card

2009-10-20T11:29:00.001+01:00

Use the Halloween bottle caps printables (from my Folksy store) to create this card.It is recommended to print onto good quality photo paper from best results, with your printer at best settings.

You Will Need:
Halloween bottle caps printables (from my Folksy store)
Lilac square card and envelope
White cardstock sticker lettering
Assorted cardstock - Green textured, Lilac linen effect and smooth black.
Black Gel Pen
Three clean metal bottle caps (ideally green)
Lilac adhesive gem stones
Decorative Edge Scissors
Scissors
Double Sided Tape
Sticky Fixers
Computer and Printer

Instructions:

1. Cut out three elements from the Halloween Bottle Caps design and stick to the top of three bottle caps.
2. Cut a narrow strip of green textured card using decorative edge scissors. Stick to lilac card, then black card to create a stripy border. Draw a dashed black line across the edges of the lilac piece.
3. Stick the layer to the card (close to the bottom). Round the corners of the card and draw a dot/ dashed line around the card in black pen.
4. Attach the bottle caps with three layers of sticky fixers underneath. Add lilac gems each side and three in a row to the top right of the card.
5. Add white cardstock stickers above the border layers to spell "Happy Halloween."

Hocus Pocus Cauldron Halloween Card

2009-10-18T13:23:00.001+01:00

I was very pleased with the way this design turned out!

Use the Spooky Halloween printables (from my Folksy store) to create this card. It is recommended to print onto good quality photo paper from best results, with your printer at best settings.

You Will Need:
Spooky Halloween printables (from my Folksy store)
Black A6 Scalloped edge card and envelope
Green cardstock sticker lettering
White Gel Pen
Scissors
Double Sided Tape
Sticky Fixers
Computer and Printer

Instructions:
1. Outline the scalloped card edges using white gel pen and create a doodle dot/ dashed line.
2. Attach two Halloween border strips horizontally across the card at the top and bottom.
3. Cut out the Cauldron focal design, leaving a white border all round the edges and attach to the centre of the card with sticky fixers.
4. Apply green lettering stickers above and below the design to spell "Hocus Pocus".

Trick or Treat Card

2009-10-17T18:14:00.001+01:00

Use the Spooky Halloween printables (from my Folksy store) to create this card.It is recommened to print onto good quality photo paper from best results, with your printer at best settings.

You Will Need:
Spooky Halloween printables (from my Folksy store)
Black Cardstock
Square Green card and envelope
White Foam Lettering
White Gel Pen
Black Fine Pen
Gold Adhesive stones
Corner Rounding Punch
Scissors
Double Sided Tape
Sticky Fixers
Computer and Printer

Instructions:

1. Round the corners of the card and outline with a dashed/ circle line drawn in black pen.
2. Attach the Halloween border strip down the opening edge. Cut out two large stars and attach with sticky fixers to the top of the border. Add a gold gem to the centre of each.
3. Cut a smaller square from black card (larger than the witches hat design). Round the corners and outline in white gel pen. Attach to card at an angle with sticky fixers.
4. Cut out the witches hat design, leaving a white border and attach to the black layer with sticky fixers.
5. Add another star design to the bottom left corner. Add sparkle with a gem stone in the centre. Add gem stones to the stars surrounding the hat.
6. Apply white foam lettering around the circle to spell "Trick or Treat".

Birthday Bonanza

2009-10-17T11:28:00.003+01:00

Well, it's just about all my friends birthday's this month! Here's another of my good friend's Esther's card - a simple, graphical design that should appeal. I used sparkly gem stones combined with felt banner style ribbon and a pretty birthday cake topper on a patterned card.

I hope she likes it! Happy birthday Esther!

The format of this card can be followed to create your own easy to make card. Use a flourishing pattern to the left side, ribbon across the bottom. A topper where the ribbon and design meets in the bottom left corner. A smaller embellishment to the other end of the ribbon and your wording above the ribbon to the right. Add gem stones in a row top right to add sparkle!
See sketch below.

Thank You Card

2009-10-16T19:30:00.003+01:00

Thank you to everyone who sent me warm birthday wishes this year - I had a lovely birthday thanks and received some wonderful gifts from friends and family. I will especially enjoy my new gadget - my ipod! I also received a gorgeous butterfly trinket, beautiful evening bag, jewellery box and jewellery among other things.

Here's a card for you all, to say 'Thanks'. It's been created using Doodlebug papers, glittery lettering, dotty ribbon and floral assortment. You can never go wrong with a girlie embellishment like these (if it's not for a tough guy, of course!)

Ghostly Card

2009-10-15T14:04:00.001+01:00

Use the Spooky Halloween printables (from my Folksy store) to create this card.It is recommened to print onto good quality photo paper for best results, with your printer at best settings.

You Will Need:
Spooky Halloween printables (from my Folksy store)
Black Cardstock
White card and envelope
White Cardstock Sticker Lettering
White Gel Pen
Lilac Adhesive stones
Scissors
Double Sided Tape
Sticky Fixers
Computer and Printer

Instructions:
1. Cut a piece of black card slightly smaller than your card blank and stick to the centre. Outline with a dashed line in white gel pen.
2. Cut a Halloween border strip from the design and stick down the left side of the card. Attach three lilac gem stones in a column.
3. Cut out three ghost from the sheet and attach with sticky fixers to the background. Cut out and attach a witches hat to the largest ghost.
4. Apply white cardstock sticker lettering spelling "Boo!" either side of the central ghost.

Halloween Hauntings

2009-10-14T13:56:00.000+01:00

With Halloween almost upon us, I've been working on some spooky Halloween creations. These cards (pictured) were designed (by me) using my own Halloween printable papers (available for a limited time in my Folksy shop). They feature the Spooky Halloween A4 printable design. I've added cardstock sticker text and gem stones as extra embellishments.

Keep checking back here for instructions on making these cards in the coming days.

In the meantime visit my Folksy store to see the design(s).

Fete - Craft'zine Issue 4

2009-10-13T16:26:00.000+01:00

My work has featured again in Momtaz's wonderful Craft'zine Fete. The Autumn issue (Number 3) can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

My romantic wedding anniversary card features on page 18 of the current issue.

http://issuu.com/fete/docs/issue3

O'Christmas Trees

2009-10-11T13:04:00.001+01:00

Create this easy Christmas card using my O'Christmas Tree printable design available from my Folksy Store.
These are ideal if you have a number of cards to make for the festive season as they're quick and easy to make.

You Will Need:
O'Christmas Tree Printables PDF
Computer and Printer
Sturdy white card or photo paper to print the designs on
Sheer Burgundy Red Narrow Ribbon
Gold Glittery border stickers or Glitter Glue
A6 Red Card and Envelope
Spare green cardstock
Glue Dots
Sticky Fixers
Glue Stick
Scissors
Guillotine

Instructions:
For best results print the designs onto good quality photo paper with your printer set at best settings.
1. Cut the tree border from the design and glue across the bottom of the card leaving a narrow edge of red card showing below.
2. Use gold glitter glue or attach lengths of glittery gold sticker above and below the designs to hide the join where the paper meets the card.
3. Attach a length of sheer ribbon horizontally across the top of the card.
4. Cut out the oval Christmas sentiment and mat onto green card, cut around and attach with sticky fixers to the ribbon.
5. Tie two neat sheer ribbon bows and attach with glue dots either side of the sentiment to finish.