Creative Crafter UK

Cupcakes - Tasty Treats!

2011-05-29T10:41:00.000+01:00

Thought I would share my latest tasty treats with you this week. I've been baking some scrummy cupcakes in assorted flavours. Here are my favourites drizzled lemon and hand-dipped chocolate marshmallow cupcakes - they're so zingy! (Above)

Also my latest creations chocolate and orange cupcakes topped with grated chocolate. They are particularly light and fluffy. (Below.)

Special Friend

2011-05-14T13:33:00.000+01:00

It's been busy here, but I'll always have time for my friends. Pictured is my latest greeting card creation for a very special friend. She loves the turquoise colour, so I combined this with this cute Tina Wenke stamp coloured with Copic Ciao pens, a Nestabilities beaded circle die cut shape, flourishes, paper flowers, Basic Grey papers and a sticker for a Special Friend's birthday that I designed myself (top left of card).

I hope she likes it! Happy Birthday special friend!

Please note: The photo and card design are all copyright of the designer (me) and should not be copied, shared, re-published, or used without my permission. Thank you for your understanding and following the copyright laws.

Send a Little Love on Valentines Day

2011-02-07T12:36:00.000Z

Wow! 2011 is flying by! It's almost Valentines day and time to send a little love to that special someone in your life. Valentines cards are always so special when they're personalised, so include the recepient's name if you wish. This design is full of heart and kisses, created from Nikki Sivils 'Will He B the 1' patterned papers, clear stamps, burlap buttons and pocket of stickers.

{I'm really liking some of her new ranges too!} View her website for more fabulous designs!

Please note: The photos and card design are all copyrighted to the designer (me) and should not be copied, shared, re-published, or used without my permission. Thank you for your understanding and following the copyright laws.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T23:58:00.001Z

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Hope 2011 is a creative year for you.
Happy Crafting!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-25T08:14:00.003Z

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Have a lovely day.

Countdown to Christmas

2010-12-07T15:26:00.001Z

With not long until Christmas I thought I should start making my own Christmas cards to send to friends and family. I've been working on festive themes for my work for so many months now, it almost feels as if Christmas has passed. But as soon as you hit the shops, find the queues and hear the Christmas carols playing in stores, it reminds me that Christmas is almost here!

So here are my latest creations. A simple embossed white card, with aperture, punched paper border, with luxury satin ribbon and polk dot bradded silk flower.

Hope it inspires you if you haven't already started making your cards this year!

Please note: The photo and card design are all copyrighted to the designer (me) and should not be copied, shared, re-published, or used without my permission. Thank you for your understanding and following the copyright laws.

A Christmas Stocking

2010-12-02T12:43:00.004Z

With the gorgeous powder white snow falling outside - it's turned into a little Winter Wonderland in the street. The doors on advent calenders are beginning to open and most of you have probably already made your Christmas cards for this year? For those that are not so organised and want to make some quick and easy greetings cards this festive season, I thought you might appreciate the free downloadable printables I have designed.

I would welcome any comments if you download and would love to see what you have created with my illustration.

Above is a quick and easy card I created using the design.

You can download 'A Christmas Stocking' free printable from here.
Please note the design remains copyright with the designer (me) and may be used for personal use only. Any queries about this usage please contact me.

Handmade Card Expressing Thanks

2010-10-25T16:05:00.005+01:00

I have a lot to be thankful for and I can't stop making cards with that in mind!
Here's my recent design created with paper flowers, a greeting wooden stamp, delicate glittery We R Memory Keepers paper lace, Nikki Sivils papers, and sparkly gem stones.
The name of the recepient will be added to the bottom right corner!

Please note: The photo and card design are all copyrighted to the designer (me) and should not be copied, shared, re-published, or used without my permission. Thank you for your understanding and following the copyright laws.

Illustrative Halloween Happenings

2010-10-15T12:48:00.000+01:00

This year has been flying by and it's hard to believe it's almost Halloween again. The spooky happenings here at Creative Crafter UK HQ saw this little fella materialise from imagination to paper (and in turn, digitally). I enjoyed creating him and made use of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to bring him to life!

Background papers and ribbons are from Doodlebug, with micro beads for the stars. Buttons, gems and rub-ons complete the greetings card.

Please note: The photo, illustration and card design are all copyrighted to the designer (me) and should not be copied, shared, re-published, or used without my permission. Thank you for your understanding and following the copyright laws.

Shhhh! It's oh so quiet...

2010-08-07T16:56:00.006+01:00

Here's one of my recent creations. This handmade card has been created using the gorgeous 'Victoria's Secret' patterned papers by Nikki Sivils, Tina Wenke's adorable 'Mouse in Nut Bed' stamp and lots of lovely sparkly gem stones!

I coloured the design with Copic Ciao pens using the following colours:
B00, R29, E35, E31, YG03, YG05, YG11, 100, E57, BV02, C3.
(Shown in photo available from Crafts U Love.)

Enjoy!

Drip.Dot. Swirl Patterns

2010-08-01T17:56:00.003+01:00

Do you remember a while ago, I mentioned a brilliant book called Drip. Dot. Swirl which includes 94 patterns for design and illustration (and comes with a DVD containing the artwork) released in May 2009?

The excellent patterns have all been designed by Von Glitschka (You can visit his Art Backwash Blog by clicking on the link to see some more of his incredible designs.

The 106 page hardback book includes so many patterns that you can work with as vectors, alter the colours, patterns or shapes in Illustrator and print your own background papers for use in card making or scrapbooking projects. Why not use the designs in your home decor projects too?

I've created a couple of projects shown here using some of the many patterns in the book. The variations are endless!

Drip. Dot. Swirl by Von Glitschka. Published by HOW books. ISBN: 978-1-60061-134-6

Simple Thank You Card

2010-07-30T13:29:00.001+01:00

This simple thank you card has been created for a friend who showered me with gorgeous Belgian chocolates (yum yum!). The graphical style uses stripy Doodlebug papers, a large velvet brad and delicate paper flowers with pretty floral trim and card sticker lettering for the sentiment.

Use the style as a basis to inspire you for your own design.

You Brighten a Cloudy Day!

2010-07-24T17:13:00.000+01:00

Another thank you card idea using Nikki Sivils papers - loving this design. I added brown gemstones to the centres of the flowers, button embellishments and cut a cloud from spare white card. Doodlebug velvety lettering has been used on the sentiment and completed with polka dot ribbon.

A perfect card for a summers day!

Thank You Teacher!

2010-07-22T19:21:00.000+01:00

With school children about to finish term for the summer holidays here's an idea for a handmade thank you card suitable for their teacher.

I found this wise owl patterned paper by Nikki Sivils so inspiring. I added wiggly eyes for some movement, Basic Grey lettering and ric-rack. Also Nikki Sivils co-ordinating stickers and sparkly gemstones.

Don't you think the owls are so cute?

*Please note, as always, these craft projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

And The Winner Is....

2010-07-22T18:25:00.000+01:00

Jan from Co. Durham. Congratulations - hope you enjoy your crafting goodies from my blog giveaway!

The winner was picked at random by a relative (see photo of the actual drawing).
Thank you to everyone who entered.

The Blog Candy Giveaway Has Now Closed

2010-07-19T21:19:00.002+01:00

Please note the blog candy giveaway has now closed. Please bear with me for the results which will be drawn at random soon.

Thank you to all those who entered.

It's the final countdown

2010-07-17T15:51:00.002+01:00

Just a couple of days left on the crafting giveaway. See blog posting below and comment to the original posting if you wish to enter! There's some lovely crafting items up for grabs!

Good Luck!

10 Days Left - Crafting Giveaway

2010-07-08T09:24:00.005+01:00

Wanting to win some crafting blog candy? Don't forget there are just 10 days left to enter the giveaway draw for some gorgeous patterned papers, buttons, stamps and sticker sheets from the Nikki Sivils collection.

See posting from 28th June (scroll below) and follow the rules to be in with a chance of winning the craft goodies!

(NB: Do not comment on today's posting - only those comments on the 28th June posting will be entered!)

Good Luck!

Stamping Boutique

2010-07-04T19:42:00.003+01:00

Not only do we have a great giveaway here on Creative Crafter UK, but I've been blog hopping and found a great blog candy giveaway over at the Stamping Boutique. A lovely array of crafting prizes...click here to see and be in with a chance of winning!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed - I'd love to win!

NB: Please note, I have no link with this company.

Happy Independence Day!

2010-07-04T11:17:00.002+01:00

Happy July 4th to all my readers in the United States - thinking of you all today! Wishing I was there to share in your celebrations.

Blog Giveaway

2010-06-28T18:50:00.006+01:00

To celebrate the arrival of summer, we've got a fabulous blog giveaway for you right here on Creative Crafter UK. This is our first giveaway and one you won't want to miss!

Following a selection of my own projects created here using similar fun papers in Nikki Sivils range, I've decided to run a blog giveaway with some of her other designs. (Visit www.nikkisivils.com to see the full collection.) Mostly available Stateside they are now finding their way to UK shores.

The giveaway prize consists of the following (pictured above):
6 x6" Mini Pad - 'Dan The Record Man'
Clear Stamps - 'Dan the Record Man'
Pocket Of Treats Sticker Sheet
Cute as a Button - Burlap Buttons pack
Pack of Craft Flags

To be in with a chance of winning this crafty giveaway prize, simply leave a comment to this posting. Also please leave a link to my blog on your own website or blog page. Please ensure I have a way of contacting you within your comment. (a current email address is fine or link to your personal blog).

Apologies for my overseas readers, but this blog giveaway is only open to UK residents on this occasion. Only one entry per person. No anonymous comments will be approved. No business advertising comments will be accepted. Editors decision is final.

The giveaway will close 18th July 2010 (12 midnight GMT). Entries after this time will not be counted. The winner will be drawn at random.

I will contact the winner via email/ their blog after the closing date for a postal address. If I don't receive a reply within 5 days I will pick another winner. The winner's name and town/ county will be listed here at a later date. Entry into this giveaway means entrants agree to the rules.

Good Luck!

Round In Circles

2010-06-25T18:55:00.001+01:00

For one of my best friend's birthday this year, I wanted to keep the design simple. Here's my circular floral card incorporating more Nikki Sivils designs. I love the pastel shades of her 'Ellie's Day Out' collection, especially this aqua and pink combination. The cord brads are rather fun too!

A Girl Can Never Have Too Many....

2010-06-18T18:18:00.002+01:00

Addicted to Shoes? Or know someone who is? Try creating this feminine footwear themed card using American Scrapbooker Nikki Sivils designs. This handcrafted card uses her patterned papers and clear stamps for the shoes, along with stickers, organza ribbon, paper flowers and gem stones. Visit www.nikkisivils.com to see a selection of her designs.

Here I've featured 'Ellie's Day Out' papers and shoe stamps on a card for a friend who's crazy for shoes and fashion. My friend's favourite colour is pink! {Could you tell?}

Fixed for Father's Day

2010-06-08T18:10:00.002+01:00

Don't forget June 20th is Father's Day here in the UK. Men are always so difficult to design for, so why not consider themeing your design on one of his hobbies?
Some suggestions are:
Fishing
Football
Cricket
Darts
Motorcross
Cars
Wine or Beer
Gardening
Golf
Tennis
Watersports and Sailing
Do you have other suggestions?

My Dad loves DIY and is often found fixing things, hanging shelves, working on new and improved ideas around the home. So for his Father's Day card this year I decided to create this DIY decoupage, which has been matted onto red card and embellished with clear glaze in the appropriate places where the tools or paint would be shiny. I cut a square of Nikki Sivils 'Victoria's Street' patterned paper {Don't you just love this homely design?}, inked around the edges in chalky brown ink and also matted onto red card. I glued this to the centre of a square cream card base. Measurement tape, gemstones and cardstock stickers complete the look. I hung the 'Fix-It' sticker at and angle and added drawn lines in pen to give the appearance of it hanging from a gemstone. My nickname for Dad is 'Mr. Fix-It!'

I hope he'll like this very dimensional card!

Back In Business

2010-05-10T14:09:00.005+01:00

It was nice to see my work featuring again in the current issue of Craft Business paper this month. A very interesting publication for the craft trade, which helps me keep abreast of happenings in this wonderful industry. This issue also features the Craft Business awards for 2009/10. Congratulations to all the winners!

Note: This trade publication is only available to those within the industry!