First Project - New Stamp Class

Hello ;-D

After a lovely(but tiring!) day spent with my Granddaughters, I thought I would pop on and show you the first project from my upcoming Stamp Class - 'Just Believe Spring'

I have designed this Gift Voucher Wallet which will contain a Crescent Stampin' Gift Voucher to be added to a Raffle Prize for an event I am attending later this month! There will be a bundle of stampin' goodies to go along with this wallet.

I just adore this satin ribbon! It is so easy to work with and ties a beautiful bow. The one I've used today is of course the gorgeous Daffodil Delight - a perfect colour for spring!
I've teamed it up with some Pear Pizzazz DSP and some lovely rich Elegant Eggplant cardstock and one of the images from 'Just Believe'...............this set is fast becoming a favourite so I do hope it sticks around for a while!

I will be back to show you the voucher once it's finished as well as the rest of this Stamp Class which will be available to purchase as a PDF download. I will let you know when it's ready ;-)

Thanks for your visit today, have a 'Happy Monday' and I hope to see you very soon. x

Carol xxx

p.s. Any last minute orders £45+ to secure your free SAB set of your choice! Call me on 07834 282749 ~ Thank YOU x

Thank You 'Crafty Chicks'.......

A HUGE Thank You to the lovely Daphne and the rest of the 'Crafty Chicks'......Kate, Helen, Charlotte, Rebecca, Dawn, Linda, Carol, Caroline(who popped in to say Hello before she went to work!)

I hope it comes across just how much I love Stampin'Up! and how much I love showing all the wonderful products to you but I'm sure you will agree................I need more practice!!! So, If any of you lovely ladies have decided that 'actually I would like my own workshop' then of course get in touch and we can arrange a date.

The order went in this morning so you should see your goodies hopefully by the end of next week, If you have any questions in the meantime or if you need me for anything, just give me a ring!
You may have also noticed that I had my camera with me..........................this was the only picture I took!! I got so engrossed with showing you all the stuff I completely forgot to take any more!!!! I must try and remember when I see you all next time ;-D

Take Care All.........
Carol xxx
p.s. For Dawn who left early feeling unwell.......I hope you are feeling much better today! :)

Thank You Kim

Hello Everyone ;-D
I just had to pop on and say a HUGE thanks once again to the lovely Kim over at Paper Punch Addiction

She was kind enough the other day to feature my flowers punched with the Fancy Flower punch and I now see that she has featured my Mini 'Box in a Bag' I'm so chuffed ;-D

Doing the happy dance!
Thank You SO much!! x x and........................thanks to all my new visitors and followers too!

Carol xxx
p.s. I really should be in bed!!!! I have a workshop for 16 tomorrow night......eeek!

Bright or Subtle?

Hello Lovelies ;-D
The weather has been awful here today!! I hope it's better where you are!

After my recent session with the Fancy Flower punch I had some lovely flowers that needed a good home! and once you get going with these flowers they do become quite addictive. So......... I made a few more and then I made the cards to put them on! ...............sort of the wrong way round, to make the embellishments first but that's what I love about paper & stamps......there really aren't any rules :)

At the moment I can't decide whether I prefer the bright colour palette or the more subtle one...........................which do you prefer?

Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie

or...........................
Crumb Cake & Pretty in Pink


Did you notice that I have a fourth different flower design too! How does the saying go...................................... 'leave her alone and she'll play for hours' Well that just about sums me up! especially when stamps are involved.....I wonder if I can come up with any more different flowers over the next few days?

Don't forget to enter my candy draw!!
See you soon,
Carol xxx

Mini Box in a Bag........my version with FREE tutorial

Hello Everyone ;-D
I have been looking around trying to find a suitable container that would work for Danielle's Easter basket!
I love the 'Box in a Bag' tutorial but I wanted to make it a little smaller, so I have adapted the version on Splitcoast Stampers and have come up with this one for you of how I did it!

Here goes.......there are lots of pictures so bear with me :-)

Mini Box in a Bag
Carol Houghton Feb 2011

You will start with one piece of cardstock 4.1/2" x 3.1/4" Score on each side at 1/2" cut corners and add sticky strip as shown.

Form into a normal box base
Take one piece of DSP (patterned paper) measuring 3.1/2" x 12" and add sticky strip to one side and the base as shownStart assembling by adding your DSP to the box base as shown in the photo's below

Cut two pieces of DSP 1" x 12" and punch one edge of each with the Eyelet Border Punch - add some ink to the punched edges with a sponge dauber

Flip both of these pieces over and add sticky strip to the entire lengthThese will then be added to the base and top edge of your bag as shown below

Using the Round Tab punch, cut two from cardstock. Cut both of these in half and using the dauber as before add ink to all edges. Also cut two pieces of ribbon 7.1/2" long for the handles.




Add your handles to the base of the bag and decorate as desired!

Mr Blogger has been playing up whilst I've been trying to load this post, so I hope it reaches you as it should do!!
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and that you will make a Mini Box in a Bag of your own! I think it has lots of possibilities for gift giving and is just perfect for Danielle's Easter Eggs!

See you soon............Have a lovely Sunday & don't forget to enter my blog candy draw......details in right side bar ;-D
Carol xxx

Fancy Flower Punch

Hello Everyone!

I thought I would just pop on and let you know that the Fancy Flower Punch (pg.104 item 1) is now back in stock. I have had a little play around this afternoon and I've come up with these....................................

As you can see with a bit of scissor action or some distressing, you can make the punched flower look very different! We are constantly looking for ways to make our products and tools work harder for us and we always need pretty flowers too!!

coming to a card near you very soon!

Edited to add.......I wondered why my sitemeter counter had gone beserk today!! 341 visits and counting!! It is down to the fact that these punched flowers have been featured on the Paper Punch Addiction website today. Thank You so much for the link ........I hope all my new visitors are enjoying my little old blog ;-D

If you would like to add this punch to your next order or if you have any questions, just drop me an e-mail carol@casamiacrafts.co.uk

See you soon,
Carol xxx

Stamp Class

I am off to see all my lovely ladies at Stamp Class this evening. I'm really looking forward to it tonight, we always have a laugh and they always make some lovely cards.

Would you like to join us at our Tuesday classes? I have some spaces available and everyone is welcome whether you are just a beginner or more experienced there is something for all abilities!

In a few weeks I am hoping to start a Scrapbook only class during the day, so if that appeals to you more than making cards or 3D items then watch this space for more news ;-D

In the meantime, if you would like to book a workshop with me then I have a couple of dates free in March or going forward from there into April, May etc. Just invite a few friends round and I will do the rest!

If you have not entered my blog candy yet why not have a go! you might be lucky.......just click on the picture in the side bar and you will be taken to the post containing the candy where you can leave your name with the blue frog!!

See you soon,
Carol xxx

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello lovelies! .......... I hope you have all received some lovely cards & pressies this morning!

My hubby and I will have been married for 30 years come September 5th but we still like to celebrate Valentines Day in our own small way.........this year I made a card as usual and also some treats! Being a vegetarian my husband cannot eat certain sweets as they contain gelatine! So the treat I made (30th January) has had to be replaced with something that he can actually enjoy ;-D

Now......how do you go from this....................

to this.......................................................??




Easy! with some lovely Stampin'Up! goodies of course!!

I have at least one of these juice drinks every day, they also come in Mango and each little pot contains the contents of four Strawberries or one whole Mango and they are DELICIOUS!

I knew the pots may come in handy for something or other so I have been washing them out and saving them up..................waiting for a creative moment to hit me :)
supplies
stamps - Tiny Tags
ink - Basic Grey
punches - Heart to Heart, Full Heart Extra Large
DSP - Newsprint
card - Basic Black, Real Red, Very Vanilla
1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Real Red
Basic Pearls & Linen Thread
Non SU - chocolate hearts!

I hope you are enjoying a lovely Valentine treat today!
See you soon,
Carol xxx

Clean & Simple - Splitcoast Stampers

Hello ;-D
I'm back today with a little card I made for the Clean & Simple challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers - CAS 105.

The challenge was to make a CAS card with the colours Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait & Poppy Parade................I think I may be starting to get the hang of the CAS cards!! and have you noticed?......................I have covered that annoying number 5 on each butterfly with one of our pearls......looks o.k. doesn't it? can't imagine why it's there really but it's easy enough to cover without being a distraction!

supplies
Stamps - Bliss, Thank You Kindly
Whisper White Note Card - page 87
Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait & Poppy Parade marker pens
Whisper White card
1.3/4" Circle Punch
Basic Pearls
Bone Folder for the scored lines

I hope you will pop back tomorrow as I have something to share that I am really chuffed with :) In the meantime, don't forget to enter my blog candy giveaway! Details in side bar....just click on picture to be taken to the post complete with linky tool.

See you tomorrow,
Carol xxx

I have Candy ..................... and a card for you

Hi Everyone,
If you visited me yesterday I bet you are wondering 'where is the Candy she promised?' well, it's here.................... but first I want to show you the little card I made to whet your appetite!

I have to confess! I haven't really used this set very much as yet and due to an ordering error! I have two............one in clear mount and a brand new unmounted in wood......... I could have sent it back but decided to hang onto it as I knew it would come in handy for a raffle prize or a candy giveaway ;-D

This card also fits in with a couple of challenges that are current at the moment....... Cupcake would like to see something Red and Papertake Weekly is 'Have a Heart'

The Candy is open to anyone.........so if you would like to have this fabulous set then please do enter!

There are no 'rules' as such but........................

You must add your name to the linky tool below
If you are a follower then please put an 'F' with your link - this is important as followers will get two entries!

If you are or have been a SU customer of mine( don't worry, I know who you are :) you will also get two entries! but you must still add your name to the link.

All in all, if you are a follower and a past or present customer you will have four entries in total.

The candy is open until the end of February so you will have chance to have your name in four times by following and also placing an order before the finish date.

Don't forget to add your name to the list and......Good Luck!

Hope to see you with another challenge card tomorrow ;-D

Carol xxx
Edited to add.....I love to have your comments but to be eligible for the prize you need to leave your details on the linky tool above - Thank You ;-D

New Challenges.......

Hello Lovelies ;-D

I found a couple more new(to me!) challenges recently and I have made a little card that fits in with both...............I've used the colours from CR84FN and the requirement of buttons at Tuesday Throwdown!

I thought I would show you the inside shot first!
This is quite a minimalist card for me, but I rather like it! I'm not so good at this style of card so I am trying to challenge myself to do more of them!

Don't forget if you want to get yourself a FREE Sale-a-Bration set this year you need to be fairly quick as you only have until the end of February!! Just place an order with me for £45 and you can choose a set from the leaflet (details in side bar!) I have used Bliss and Punch Bunch on my card today........I LOVE the Bliss set and I will be sorry to see it go :(

supplies
card - Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo
inks - Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo
stamps - Bliss, Punch Bunch
punches - Eyelet Border, Scallop Trim Border, 1" Circle
extras - 5/8" Early Espresso ribbon, Linen Thread, Subtles buttons

Thanks for popping in today, I'm going to try and make another card this afternoon to schedule for tomorrow as I am going back to work. I've been off for two weeks so it will be harder than ever to go back! :(
Make sure you pop in again tomorrow as I will have some Candy to share ;-D

Carol xxx

The Stash Raider!!!!!

Hi Everyone ;-D
I am happy to report this morning that my back problem seems well & truly on the mend, although I am sporting a lovely bruise on my arm from yet another blood test yesterday afternoon.........hopefully when I visit the Doc's again on Friday they may have SOME idea why I'm getting all these problems! Maybe.............................................I've been secretly abducted by Aliens(Ha!) and they've been experimenting on me!!!

It was lovely to have the company of my eldest daughter Chloe at the weekend and as usual she came with a request for some help with her 'crafty' projects! The first thing she wanted to make was a Valentine card for her partner Alan but she had no clue as to what she wanted the finished card to look like! so I loaded Splitcoast Stampers and she looked for a card that she could adapt a bit to her style(?) And she found this one that she liked the look of..............

With a bit of adaptation this is what Chloe came up with......................

She chose to use some papers from my 'retired goody box' but the rest of the products used on the card are all current stock items. She was very impressed with the 'rock & roll' technique that I showed her and decided she wanted a 'normal tie' rather than a 'bow tie' but, as a relative 'newbie' crafter'.................................................I think she's done a really good job! ( I just have to convince her now to sign up! wink!!)

supplies
card - Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
inks - Marina Mist, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
stamps - I {Heart} Hearts, Basic Phrases
ribbon - Marina Mist 5/8" Satin, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta
punches - Word Window Large
accessories - Basic Pearls, More Mustard button & brads(Regals), Linen Thread, Hodgepodge Hardware Oval Frame
DSP - retired

I would like to make a card or two for some challenges this afternoon so hopefully I will show you those tomorrow ....... Thanks for popping in ;-D

Carol xxx

10 Minute card.....................with Greenhouse Gala

Hello :)
I'm here again today with a very quick card for Clean & Simple Sunday........I do enjoy making stuff for challenges, so I have been actively searching for some that I can play along with.........and stumbled across this one...............

I have used a technique known as Black Magic for the image.............check out the web for a tutorial (there are several!) It looks good on any dark card but Black is definitely best! I've chosen to use Early Espresso today as it goes with the DSP from the Greenhouse Gala pack.

My Stampin' Up! Watercolour Pencils were used to colour the image, they're lovely to work with and very good value at only £19.25 for the set of 24!! You can use them with Blender Pens, an Aqua Painter or a regular watercolour brush too...............think I may use them more often from now on!

My back is feeling a little better today so hopefully it will improve even more as the days go by! I can't bear it when body parts won't work properly!!!! makes me feel old ;-D

Thanks for popping in, I'll see you soon.........
Carol xxx