Running a lil late!

Hey all! 

Sorry I didn't post yesterday! I have so much to show you all. I've been crafting my backside off. 

I started my day with a little jewellery. I haven't really done any since leaving London Jewellery School, so I thought it was time to try something new again. I decided to try knotting. I got a bohemian jewellery book for Christmas so picked a tutorial from there. This is what I made, it took me all morning to understand those fiddly knots! 

Used moonstone (labeled opalite, but shines more like moonstone), hematite (good for aches and pains) and Onyx (because it always looks good!). 

Of corse I then made cards! As I'm clearing out my magazines, the layouts were from there, however I decided to use these as a chance to use my bigshot!

It's going to take a while to get used adding these beautiful elements, but I have to say I think they make my cards so much better! 

Just one little thing before I go! Check this out!

Today I recieved my Papercraft Inspirations magazine from my local. This is a special issue for me as I'm in it! I emailed them with my gesso card a while ago and I've recieved their favourite card in the mail page! I'm very very pleased! 

Thank you for reading today.

Emma P

Buying a Bigshot- review

Hey all! 

Today was the day, the day I've been waiting for. Today I bought my Sizzix BigShot die cutting machine. I've been waiting to buy this for a while and received the money for Christmas so today we went to hobbycraft! Here is a bigshot machine if you haven't seen one.

I bought the £99.99 one (which is the starter kit), however you can just buy the machine for £74.99. The starter kit includes the dies, machine, plates, an embossing folder and card stock. 

Of corse as you all know me, I got back from my journey and started playing straight away. I tested all my dies first and I have to tell you Sizzix dies are very sharp and cut cleanly. They also produce a very wide range of shapes.

I also bought some dies from other makers which also work very well. I decided to buy more intricate shapes which I discovered in store (via a demonstration) that I would also need a "pokey tool". Now you may think I'm joking, however there is such a tool! It's in the Tattered Lace range for Hobbycraft and literally pokes the die cut piece out of die. 

Now who would like to see my cards? Firstly I'll show you one I have been working on using handmade paper, ink and an embelishment (not via my bigshot).

This card could be used for any occasion for anyone! I love cards which have multiuses! 

Now this is my first card via my bigshot machine! The embossed background has been inked over to make it stand out more and the butterflies have had the wings turned up. I also decided to add heat embossing to this card via the sentiment so technically this card was fully made with Christmas presents! 

I hope you like my mini review! 

Emma P

Just another day at the office

Hey all! 

Well now that my clear out of my magazines has started, I've decided to devote this post to the amount I've made recently (bare in mind this was in one day!). 

This little cutie was such a doddle to make! Created in about 30mins Percy the penguin (cute but tired however) is now sat on my desk waiting for my best friend to take him home. I love creating with felt and I think the quick but professional outcome is awesome.

Now you all know how much I love my jewellery! When I found a tutorial to make a version of this necklace, I knew I had to make it my own. Created with beads and ribbon from my crafty creative boxes, add a few extras and this beauty was born! A great present for my boyfriends sister.

Of corse I had to include a few cards! This lovely card (of the slim variety which I used to use a lot) was created using my new heat gun. I love using gold embossing powder! It brings out the key designs so well. Unfortuantly this card has sold already, however the design could be replicated.

This card was only made tonight so I'm kind of cheating with this one! But here is one of my few valentines cards. This design was drawn up whilst at my boyfriends house the other day and I've been itching to make it ever since. The colours work so well together and these heart doilys just jump out to be used for valentines! 

Thank you so much for reading.

Emma P

Entry #199- The Shabby Tea Room

Hey all! 

Now all the festivities are over, it's time to get back into the swing of things with my shabby tea room entries! 

This week we were given this photo about the new year. We had to use black, white, cream and kraft.

I had a few ideas but as soon as I saw the photo (above) I chose to use the roses and music note paper as my inspiration. 

Here is what I came up with:

The roses and heart look yellow hear due to lighting but I assure you they are cream :) 

Here is the link to The Shabby Tea room:

(http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/week-199-color-challenge.html?m=1)

Wish me luck everyone! 

Emma P

Good 2013

THey all! 

I hope you've all had an awesome 2013. Mine was pretty ace completing a diploma in jewellery, learning new skills and enjoying myself in general.

I've only managed to make 2 items in the recent week as I've been with my boyfriend before he goes back to Bournemouth.

This is going be my fathers birthday card. I love the retro sentiment, seems so my father! Men's cards are always a challenge...

This is my vintage inspired birthday card. I loved the colours and the tag, they work together so well.

I've already decided what my resolution will be for next year... To make all the items from my magazines. What's yours?

See you in 2014.

Emma P

Crafty happenings

Hey all! 

Just a little post today to show you all what I managed to make yesterday. I didn't plan to have a crafty day, however it just happened. I made some beautiful items too.

These were my "using up" tags. I had plain tags and left over Christmas paper so these beauties were made. Hopefully I'll remember to use these next year! 

These are the first pair of earrings I've made using my mallet, steel block and new book. These are gorgeous and I loved making bohemian jewellery! What do you think? 

This is the gorgeous card kit I bought with my Christmas money. For a spare half an hour I thought I'd give this a go. It's a gorgeous card kit for an autumn birthday. To be put away maybe.

Thank you for reading today.

Emma P

Spreading the Cheer

Happy Christmas everyone! 

Hope you all had a lovely day yesterday, I know I did and received some lovely goodies from Santa. Today I'm going to take a short 5 mins to show you all the crafty goodies I received from the big man.

These are the lovely card goodies I bought today (I love the sales!!) with Christmas money. These include rub ons, brads, stamps and card kits. All to add to my stash of corse.

Fimo items! As some of you may remember I used fimo during my final project at London and asked my parents for items to continue at home. I received 3 packs of fimo, fimo tools, fimo glue for silver leaf and fimo varnish. I can't wait to get my hands on these! 

Jewellery will always be a part of my creative journey and you all will be seeing more of it soon! The bohemian book was from my sister (a style I will be dabbing into more and more), the hammer and steel block from my boyfriend. New designs coming soon! Watch this space.

And finally some more card making items. These are the ever famous spectrum noir pens by crafters companion. Unfortunately this range is discontinuing but the newer range is just as good. Great for colouring in and shading stamped images. The embossing tool has been on my wanted list for ages! I have to admit, what have I done without it! I tested it earlier and yes it is noisy, but creates beautiful out comes. Below is what I created (excuse the picture lighting, it was getting rather dark!).

I hope you all got everything you wanted from Santa! 

Emma P