A Perfect Mess

Canvas Creations With CYC

2012-01-26T21:58:00.001Z

I volunteer each week for a couple of hours at a local Youth Cafe I help set up for kids between 10-14, they kids have been asking to do something different from their usual karaoke, air hokey, wii stuff so I asked if they would like to craft. To my surprised they jumped at the chance, even the older 13/14yr olds who I expected would think it rather lame lol

I decided on groups of 8 at a time, but can see now it was rather ambitious heehee, I showed them my canvas creations, gave them a few tips and let them loose!! I thought it best just to keep them crafting for 45mins to an hour as they only have 2hrs to socialise but to my delight they loved the 1st stage and below are the results so far.

Desk Clear Up

2012-01-26T09:27:00.001Z

Totally shamed after yesterday's WOWW, not that was it at its worst lol, thank you to all the WOWWers who have visited the blog & left lovely comments, I'll get round to visiting you all today!!

I decided I needed to get something done with the hearts I cut from my new Sizzix dies on Monday. Valentine cards are needed in the shop so I took some inspiration from Pintrest and got stuck in :D

WOYWW 138

2012-01-25T11:36:00.003Z

Well this is my first for WOYWW I'm always forgetting to take a pic of my desk so I can join in but I finally remembered today :D so here it is a whole heap of mess is going on, but not as messy as last week when I was sorting through my account :D

Pop over to http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ to see what the others are up to :D

Getting Arty

2012-01-19T15:52:00.001Z

I had a lot of help on Tuesday in the shop so I got my work space tidied which then ment I had the need to treat myself with a bit of canvas work :D I so adore this process as there are no wrong way to do this process & it's such great fun!!

I may regret it but I've agreed to teach the kids at Cullen Youth Cafe in this process so they can create their own works of art to be displayed in the Town Hall, I think it will be stunning and be a fantastic thing to greet visitors.

I even managed to set up the new website for the greeting cards Canvas Creation you can check it out here

www.canvas-creations.webs.com

Decided To get such in to some art to clear the cobwebs :) below is a couple of stages in the process, its great fun & no wrong way just the fun way!!

I will come clean ....

2012-01-14T22:15:00.001Z

.....My recent Do Crafts obsession I can finally confess was down to being asked to join the wonderful Do Crafts brand as a demonstrator :D
As you can imagine I was chuffed to bits and jumped at the chance!! Don't panic I am still very much Cullen Crafts 100% but will hopefully be demoing around the North at a craft shop near you!
Today I was at the lovely Howdens Garden Centre in Inverness they day was split up with morning & afternoon and it was standing room only. Both groups where fantastic and really loved the samples I made which was a great relief, they where also up for interacting which was brill. It was a long day but great & couldn't have happened without the help of my fantastic Mum & wonderful Hubby :D

Right down to business below is a canvas I created for showing at the demo and it was made entirely from Do Craft products & a little doodling from myself, I can see this be turned into another card!!!

And There Are More

2012-01-13T19:50:00.001Z

I've been getting my groove on again, it's fantastic getting to play with some lush products :D

On A Roll

2012-01-11T21:56:00.001Z

My craft groove is still kickin in I am delighted to say & today I managed a scrapbook page, I think it's been about 3 years since my last, I know slapped wrist!!!
I've started a real simple canvas as well with some lush butterfly's hopefully ill be able to how you tomorrow if I finish :D

Pastures New

2012-01-10T21:59:00.001Z

I'm not giving away to much at the mo but I still wanted to show some of the 2012 craftiness so far.
I have the lush new Portobello Road stash and I know I would have loved them to bring out a Scottish range but with the Olympics & Queen Jubilee around the corner I understand why.
The ribbons and papers are über lush and I know I am going to play lots with this range :D
I also had fun with more of Do Crafts goodies!!

Tri Fold Bookmark

A little 4x4 card/gift box decorated for a 21st

I am loving the feminine & masculine look to this card, hope hubby doesn't see my blog as I'm thinking this will be his Valentine card lol

Raiders Of The Lost Art!!!

2012-01-09T09:43:00.001Z

I have no idea how but during the madness over the holiday season I have lost a finished piece of work :( Normally I wouldn't have bothered but this canvas was heading to the States to an amazing artist called Amy for an art swap!!!
I will have to get my tidy groove on and find this baby!

New For 2012!!!

2012-01-02T15:34:00.001Z

Our wonderful new wool department :D Stocked with lush wools including sock, 4ply, chunky, Arron, DK,Fancy scarf wools and loads still to come.
We have also increased the button with plenty of room for heaps more and added to the knitting accessories come and see for yourself!

All Over For Another Year

2011-12-26T16:05:00.001Z

Well all that stressing, running around like headless chickens making sure no one was missed or everyone had enough from Santa it was all over in a quick flash!! By the sounds of the squeals and the yes yes yes's Santa done good as far as my two where concerned I'm please to say :) and spoilt rotten as usual from friends and family so thankyou!!
We had a pretty relaxed affair with an 8 o'clock rise, that is never known in our house hubs and I really enjoyed it lol followed by an hours present un wrapping, breakfast then a couple of hours of playing with our gifts before I got stuck into the dinner with all hands on deck.
Now I don't normally post a Christmas day run through but this year The Boy has gotten into cooking and wanted to make the Christmas desert. I wasn't going to stand in his way so below is my fab Chrimbo Santa cake stand from my folks, a plate for my Christmas indeed I adore cake stands lol anyhoo, a fantastic mahemoth meringue topped with a fruit Chrimbo tree, it tasted and looked great and was a nice change from the normal rich pud after the main meal, as you can see there wasn't much left after :D yum thanx babe x

Baby Gift

2011-12-21T14:07:00.000Z

A friend of mine gave birth to her second child back in October & I wanted to do something special for her/him, I have this fab box kit in the shop so figured i'd do them a one off canvas art baby album

Its such a cute folding album with 10 sides in all that fits into the matching box

I brushed the whole things with two colours of acrylic paints, but didn't load the brush so it gave a distressed look.

I then picked some papers that matched and threw in some that didn't ripped then till they had a nice shape and fitted.

The kit comes with tons of fab little chipboard shaped to colour, I picked the ones I liked best and set about painting, stamping & inking then done the same with the pages.

I used a ton of rub-ons in there but you can really see in the pics but that little monkey up top is my fav :D I also used my new Kirsty Wiseman stamps which I adore & can see these featuring a lot in my canvas art.

I also done a bit of doodling on some pages, I am not great and really want to learn more so I'm checking out Pintrest as there is some fantastic tuts on there you should check out!!

So there it is my little Art Canvas inspired baby album :D

Christmas Birthday Card

2011-12-21T09:36:00.001Z

Getting back into my card making and there's nothing better than a Christmas Birthday card :) I was told it was a 30th and it had to match a winter wonderland birthday cake which from what I hear was stunning!!

There was some goings in the shop on Monday, we finally for some heating installed and it's fantastic :) We are hoping the plumber will be in this week to remove and extra sink and then over the holidays we will be in to clean, freshen and hopefully expanding so watch this space!!
Well all orders are up to day and my own Christmas shopping apart from a few stocking fillers and the food shopping and that parts alway an adventure lol
The shop will be closed from 25th Dec through to 3rd January, hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a great 2012 x

Christmas Card Love :D

2011-12-14T21:34:00.001Z

Getting right into Christmas Card mode lately with the lush little Gorjuss Girl die cuts :)
We took delivery in the shop of some great Christmas kits for kids who like to craft!
I'm thinking most of my present shopping is done for next weekend apart from the food.
The Boy & i have got a few crafty things planned, we are attempting some tin lanterns for decorating the table. He's a budding cook in the making so wants to do a meringue with a fruit Christmas tree top, Pintrest is wonderful thing!!!
Just need to come up with something for Abs to create or she won't be pleased lol

Meet Lily

2011-12-14T09:28:00.001Z

Back in September we welcomed a new addition to the family in the form on a little Devon Rex :D She is just beautiful & settled in well with us and the boss of the house Merlin, they are the best if buds who constantly play.
She is growing fast though, in the pic with the jumper She is 16weeks and the other she is 22weeks it was taken just sat past there :) The big worry was the Christmas tree but thankfully she only has a go now and again!!
I'm thinking a few more little Rex's will find their way into this home they are such characters :D

New Stock Arrivals

2011-12-11T13:20:00.001Z

Took delivery of some lovely craft stock during the week & I was blown away with the Do Crafts Me To You Christmas Rubber Stamp & Embossing folder set!! I thought it would be tricky to line up the coloured image with the folder but it worked beautifully :D

Christmas Still Arriving :D

2011-12-11T13:11:00.001Z

Well normally in our house the kids have a tree each to decorate cause I'm so particular on how the big tree looks lol but this year the boy is too old so it was down Abbie!
She was helped out with the lights but the rest is her creation lol the tackier the better for our daughter!!
Bless her she's just like me & loves Christmas :D

Christmas Has Arrived :D

2011-12-05T01:41:00.001Z

Well my lovely hubby cleaned the place while I was at work ready for big Bertha to go up, I have a thing that the place must be clean before the tree goes up I hope it's not just me lol
I just love Christmas defo my most fave time of the year, we listen to Chrimbo songs or have a Chrimbo movie on, have special nibbles while trimming the tree & I get all cranky cause the deco's ain't spaced evenly!! I have an extra worry this year as we have a 5 month old Devon Rex kitten called Lily in the family now and she's just loving the new climbing frame :(
Never mind it's only for a few weeks and the kids done great with the tree so I'm happy, just need to finish the present shopping and then I can shut shop when the bug man is due and enjoy the season :D
Have fun playing spot Lily in the bottom picture, she was doing her best trying to hide lol

Trying to get in the mood!!

2011-11-27T20:20:00.001Z

Finally got the shop all Christmassy today but not full of the Christmas spirit yet lol
So I made a couple more cards simple is best I think :D

Christmas Is Here

2011-11-27T00:02:00.001Z

Well in card terms :D We took delivery of this lush 12x12 card stick today & I couldn't wait to use it!! I was hoping to use some Prima bling but we where all out, so ended up using stickles free hand I wasn't great but not to bad for first go :D

Been A While

2011-11-24T16:24:00.001Z

Been a while since I've managed to get on here, things have been manic and if I'm honest I really couldn't face it due to a few things happening closer to home :(

Anyhoo I've been busy behind the scenes trying to get my new card range ready and I just received the samples this week and I am so excited!!! So without further a do heres the pic's

Its Official!!! Crafts Beautiful 2011 Nominee

2011-09-23T12:36:00.002+01:00

Cullen Crafts has been nominated in the 'Best Independent Craft Store For Scotland' :D beams widely!!

I am so chuffed to bit that my customers think my wee store beside the sea good enough to be up for this category and even if we don't win its still great knowing I'm on the right tracks!

If you'd like to vote for Cullen Crafts please click the box below or use the voting form inside this months Xmas edition of Crafts Beautiful x

New Crafty Ventures

2011-09-15T00:10:00.002+01:00

Hello peeps I know its been a while I hope this post finds you well & busy crafting :D I'd like to say I got plenty crafting on oner the summer but it was mostly working which is why the blog has been neglected :( never mind I'll be back at least once a week again x

I decided to take an online course by the wonderful Christy Tomlinson, She Art. I've always wanted to be a bit more creative but just never found something I love until now :D I have even found a love for rub-ons again after years of hating the little beggars!!!

Above is my 1st completed 4x4 canvas as you can see i was a bit tame with the background but I really love it, I was real scared to start my 1st canvas but it was my wonderful Mum's birthday so it gave me the intensive I needed to start :D

Not sure what happened here as the pic was the right way up never mind lol You start with a blank canvas which I gesso'd and then I play, you really need to take the She Art Class it is the best!

I decided my girl size, shape & position on canvas

I love the fact I can get inky messy with my rubber and sprays, getting messy is actually a big thing for me cause i don't do inky fingers but I am beginning to get it :D

Next I've added the dreaded rub-ons :D I am hunting them down all the time now, I am using some great ones from Fancy Pants but got my eye on lush ones from Kaisercrafter after seeing them at the trade show last weekend YUMMY!!

Finally I've gone in with the pen to add details and freehand, still think it needs a wee bit more but I want to refer back to Christy's class for more inspiration, one of the other great things about her classes are you have 3 months access to the class materials and videos :D

Party Crafting :D

2011-07-27T16:47:00.000+01:00

It was my beautiful daughters 9th birthday in July when we where on holiday so we decided to have it a wee bit early and her theme was Cupcake crafting party, with lots of colour and Mamma bear had full control over what was happening with the exception on the Cup Cake fondu which was a must have request :) Many an hour was spent drooling over the wonderful creations found in the U.S for parties and I just loved the way everything was themed and matched so I set to work getting a little obsessed!

My poor fridge was groaning with the amount of food prep the night before, Willy Wonka would have been proud!!

Before and after shots of the food table

I purchased a printable birthday kit from Anders Ruff on Esty and it was money well spent, I wanted to make sure the party had a wow factor but without the cost so a good few weeks before I decided on the food and which decorations I'd need to print/cut out and spend hours looking through the web to find decorations makes that where easy on the pocket, like the pom pom's above which came from the wonderful Martha Stewart.

Silly touches like the labels for the lolly pops where a bit ott but great fun and tied everything together

I found great glass jars holding sweets on many U.S sites but I didn't want to risk it with my lot so I checked out ebay and found these cute jars which can be reused again in the shop.

Watergate was a source of amusement for my family as I obsessed about having water bottle square not round :D it just looked better honest!!!

Matching tableware was a must as there is no point going to all the effort to have a white plate and napkin and they looked so sweet with traditional paper doilies that where also used in the decorations, from Poundland bargain!

Favour table was so cute and a last minute idea from my Dad, I was so wrapped up on the food looking great lol
I had all the treats and favours laid out beside the crafty goodies the kids where going to be working with and it look fab

My baby is growing up fast :D

This beauty was a full 30cm hight once complete :D

Cupcake fondue and showing off their beautiful Tiaras

Handmade props went down a treat

Real poser

We couldn't resist joining in :D

last minute fun before the clear up!

It was a great day and one I hope she'll remember for a long time, I just hope she's not expecting the same next year lol

Creative Expressions Calling Card Challenge

2011-06-29T13:38:00.000+01:00

Life started out boring with these three kraft storage stacking tubs from Do-Crafts. The top black small was turned upside down and painted black with Tim Holtz cracked paint, the second I coloured using a Stazon Red ink pad and just wiped it all over the tub until it there was no kraft colour showing. The last which was the most fun was a bit of what I call decoupage, images where slapped on with pva in a totally random fashion and then left to dry completely, then I used Tim HoltZ walnut distress ink pad to colour the edges and add a little aged effect

I found a little red satin ribbon in my collection but it was a bit too in your face so I ran a black Stazon in pad over to tone it down and then added it around the black top box to make it look a bit more like the hat.

I recently took delivery of these wonderful playing card rubber stamps, they where actually the reason behind this creation and my love of Alice :D To be honest there is nothing special going on with them, they where stamped coloured using my Copics and then I added 3-D clear glass over the red hearts and then on the back an ATC stamp(forgot to take a pic to show soz) To make a place for the cards to stand I didn't want to cut into the box so I had some cute teapot and teacup charms which where stuck down, with Pinflair silicone glue, side by side but with enough room to slide the playing cards in & the three cards where then glued together and added when the glue had dried.

I am actually really rather chuffed with the result and had peeps wishing to buy it :D