The Paper Edge

Even more Charm

2008-11-16T14:59:00.005Z

Just thought id update with another charm bracelet. You can read all about them in an older post here. This one is called "Mystical" the lovely blues, purples and lilacs of the beads dont come across as well on camera sadly. Let me know what you think :)

Oh No

2008-11-15T15:48:00.002Z

Im updating my blog again and i just lost my blog roll list :'( Boo Hoo! its gona take a while to find everyone again *sob*

Studio G

2008-10-18T13:02:00.004+01:00

I love, love Studio G products, all of them! Sadly getting ahold of some of the U.S releases that are exclusive to the likes of michaels and acmoore is difficult. Sooo im looking for a U.S Studio G buddy :) Some one who loves Studio G too and dosnt mind picking me up some of the ones im looking for while they're getting their own. Id like to pay actual price for them as i refuse to entertain the people on ebay who buy up 5 sets at a time and proceed to charge more than twice the original price for them! Part of the fun is that they're only $1. (plus what ever the actual shipping is) Also if there are any U.K sets that someone is looking for id do my best to get ahold of them and send them to you again at actual cost. If anyone is interested or can point me in the right direction it be much appreciated.

Quick Cards

2008-10-02T14:44:00.006+01:00

I wasnt going to up load these because the picture quality is a little bad. I actually made more of these in different designs but i only took pictures of these two. Anyways, they're really easy to make. All you have to do is cut out a template from a piece of paper with your craft knife to the approximate size of the stamp. Holding it down in position, dab a piece of sponge on to your inkpad. Blend the ink on to the masked area and repeat with a different color to create a tie dyed effect. Now just stamp your image on top and add a phrase. Easy, simple, cute :)

Lil loaf cakes

2008-09-24T19:55:00.009+01:00

I made these little cakes the other day after seeing a post on the ohjoy blog. The way they turned out made me laugh. I had visions of folding over the tabs to create a little cake thats cup could turn in to its box. As usual though i was a tad over generous when adding the mixture and they rose to much, turning into these little bread loaf looking things. I made the boxes from 15cm x 15cm grease proof paper, you can find the box making instructions here. I used a recipe for maderia cake but i was thinking it might be good for christmas cake, which i dont think would rise much and could maybe even sit and mature for a while once folded. (the picture below was what i was intending initially)

I cut the top off one of the cakes (by cut.. i mean i ate it!:) so you could see what it might look like had they not risen as much.

New Jewellery

2008-09-17T16:15:00.006+01:00

Hi there, i thought today id show some of the new jewellery pieces I've been working on. Each charm bracelet i make is completely unique and every little part is hand wound and connected to the next part somehow. Its not the typical type of charm bracelet were everything is just connected to one chain, it therefor takes a reeally long time to all come together. They're called "Pirate Treasure" Bracelets and come in a little black velvet pouch with a pirate scroll tag, which you can just about see in the first picture (when you look into the little pouch it looks just like a little bag of pirate treasure) Each bracelet has its own title which is usually the word i used for the inspiration when creating that particular piece. The first picture above is called "Romance" (and is still available) the one below is called "Vintage" (not available). I have others not pictured available also. If you are interested in purchasing this type of bracelet please feel free to get in contact with me, leave a message with your email or something and we can have a chat.

Polaroid

2008-09-09T14:45:00.006+01:00

The picture above is from a website called Polaroid.net If your in need of a little inspiration its an amazing site to trawl through. Theres something beautiful about the way Polaroid captures a picture. You just cant create the same feel with any other camera. Pretty Polaroids seem to bring out a dreamy nostalgia in me. Go look at the lovely little square treasures and enjoy.

Second post in Two Days

2008-09-08T13:29:00.012+01:00

I found these candle holders to the right on a website a while back (I cant remember which now) but loved them. The one in the picture is one of the fancier shapes but im sure they had some more simpler cylindrical ones to. Unfortunately i dont really have the cash to splash on pretty tea light holders so after coming across the picture in a folder i thought id drag out "that cheap white clay" that i found the £ shop.

Here is my effort... Ok so its not quite as fancy and i got bored making little holes in the thing by hand (hence there not being as many!) Its a little more rustic than the proper one but i kind of like that about it. I was also going to varnish it originally but i quite like that matt finish of the clay so i think ill just leave it.

To make it i used a drinking glass to cut out a circle base then a long strip to make the wall, wrapped it around and blended in the seam. Then i poked out the holes with a needle. After two days of drying i buffed it down with an emery file.

Heres what it looks like at night , Im happy with it :) i might try making another one.

Unabandoned

2008-09-07T11:04:00.005+01:00

Where have i been? Its amazing how time can run away with you. Im not great at trying to keep up with all my blogs etc. Theres just not enough hours in the day. Actually from right now im gona try to post more regular. Its not just the posting though. Its the taking pictures, uploading, fiddling with them.. bla :P Anywhos...

..heres a lil card i made for my sisters friend. Theres not much to explain. I cut the font slightly short so i could stamp the "party" (studioG) stamp down the side. I used a skull stamp i had with white ink on black to make the background paper. Mounted things up, punched out the star in the corner. And theres also a tiiiny gem stone in the middle of the flourish under the "happy birthday" (also studioG) Thats about it :) oh and green brads, i colored black.

News Post

2008-05-13T23:09:00.005+01:00

Wooo Looki what i got! My first award. I was so excited, i couldn't quite believe it at first. Its really cool. Well i think so anyways :D It was passed on to me by Julie from SpecialCraftMom super Huge! THANX to her! it really means alot :) and i will be passing it on, as soon as i get the chance. Thanx again!

Elephelt

2008-05-13T11:35:00.003+01:00

If you've read my blog before you might already know that i love felt. Its so much fun! You can make so many different things from it. I made this felt elephant a few days ago from my last remains of grey felt, i only just had enough left. He's approximately 6.5" High and only took about a day to make. Well he took me a day to make! (better sewers might be quicker) Completely hand sewn. I started off with an old pattern and doctored it a bit to get my own look. If i was ever to make another one id probably want to change the pattern a bit. (Oh ignore the tiny felt bunny cushion, it doesn't actually have anything to do with the elephant, i just forgot to move it out the way)

Eight Today

2008-05-07T12:28:00.003+01:00

I made this card yesterday for my cousins daughter. The cards actually pretty big, think it was about 8x8 i duno i didn't measure it.

Its made from basic orange and yellow card stock.

English paper company patterned paper.

Doodle factory Octopus (eight legs, she was eight.. see where i was going with that)

I printed out the "8" and "happy birthday"

Colored the 8 and DF with fine tip pens and some water

Added quickie glue pen and yellow gold glitter dots

Some orange brads and yellow grosgrain and orange organza ribbon.

Theres also a StudioG sentiment stamped inside.

Oh and i duno why i stuck the flower on there!? It was one of those purchases that just sat there and i though oh colors match lets just stick it on.

I messed up a few things while doing it, its not exactly perfect but it ended up ok and she loved it, bless.

Polka Polka

2008-04-30T11:53:00.013+01:00

I recently made gift sets for my parents and thought it was my sisters turn. Shes just bought her first house so that was the perfect opportunity. I initially wanted to do something in greens or blues but shes liking the idea of red and black just now so that's what i gave her.

The small paper mache box holds 2 tea light candles that i covered in some red card stock then wrapped some black velvet ribbon around the middle.
I painted the box red on the outside and black on the inside. I used the dot stamp i made here to add black embossed dots. I inked the edges to give it a sort of boho look.
I just doodled the flower and cut it out. The embellishment in the middle is a big clear gem stone colored in permanent black whispers ink.

I got the idea for the pouch purse from over on Dawn's blog (shes the guru)
I used a 6" circle since i wanted to use the circle fiskars punch. I then cut out another circle in black to back it.
I used the dot stamp again with black ink and a quickie glue pen around the edge of the dots to add some black glitter.
Then velvet ribbon for the bow and handle and cello bag for the pouch.

For the card i used basic black card stock and the dot stamp again to add clear embossed dots to the bottom half of the card.
Then i added half of the 6" fiskars circle punch cut out and the red and black strips. (and the dot stamp again, glad i kept it, its coming in handy :P)
The house stamp is from Studio G. Just stamped, colored, inked around the edge and layered on black and red.
The sentiment was printed out from my computer, i added doodle dashes and again inked and layered.
The flower was made in the same way as the one on the paper mache box.

I'm not really happy with this set all in all. I didn't really know where i was going with it when i started but my sister liked it and that's what counts.

Mine all Mine

2008-04-29T11:01:00.015+01:00

Nope you cant win it, sorry. Its alll mine :P I'm just showing off the stuff i got yesterday :D

I got 5 Studio G wooden stamps. 4 new Celtic ones and the slightly older dino one.

I also got 6, yes 6! Studio G mini alphabet sets. I could have chosen all 17 fonts they are so dinky and cute.

(Excited) I managed to get the complete Studio G clear stamp set 11! I wanted these for ages they're my favourite set yet.

I also got a bunch of these little paper flowers there so cute and not expensive they had a great choice of colors, sizes and styles. I actually ordered more than shown but some were out of stock :(

Then i found the 12x12 in the sale bit and it matched my new flowers so i nabbed that too. Its by paper salon.

Whatcha think? You like?

Boxes or Drawers?

2008-04-24T16:14:00.015+01:00

I made these wee dinky drawers out of match boxes (the little ones) you can see examples of these around the net (some more elaborate than others) there was one in particular that inspired me to go make one. As usual though i cant for the life of me find it again! Which is a shame because i wouldn't have minded having another good look at it. Anywhos its just the 4 boxes stuck together and decorated. I used brads for the handles and wooden beads for the feet.

I used K&Co paper to cover it and line the inside and outside of the drawers. Its a cute little thing and you could keep brads or eyelets in there.. ooor......

...You could do what i done and use the left over matches to make your own little worry doll. Shes made from 3 matches paper, fibers and ribbon. You cant see but she also has red shoes (all the best tarts do!) Shes funny. So you can tell her all your worries and lock her up it a drawer so the worries cant escape. Maby i should make her a lil family?

Pillow

2008-04-20T11:33:00.003+01:00

I made this little pillow in work a while ago. I'm definitely a felt fan! This is made from 4 pieces of 9x12 felt. Two full pieces for the body and two additional pieces to cut out the letters (I suppose you could use less pieces depending on style and color) We didn't have a sewing machine at work so its actually glue gunned together and i cut the letters out completely free hand (not bad eh? lol) Its not perfect but quick and simple to create and pretty cute to :)

Front:

Back:

Enjoy!

Scrap Journal

2008-04-18T21:49:00.013+01:00

I stared making this little book the other day. I did get this idea from "somewhere" but after spending all day looking for it and not finding it, i gave in. Anyways, its made from one sheet of 12x12 double sided paper. Its scored at 3, 6 & 9 on both sides to create a grid. Fold the score lines and make some cuts. Fold it up and there you have it. a little 3x3" book.

This is the inside. Obviously its not finished yet but you can see i started to create a couple of pockets and tags. I cant wait to fill it with bits and bobs and pictures and do-da's.

I also made the tiny shrink plastic embellishment Its no bigger than a finger nail.

The stamp is from an Anna Griffith alphabet set and the paper is by K&Co.

I'm Not a scrapbooker at all! its really not my thing but i do think these little books are easy to create and cute. If you need further details on how to make one just leave me a msg :)

1st Competition

2008-04-15T11:46:00.005+01:00

Anya is currently running a fabulous and generous competition over on her blog. She asked us to create and card using inspiration from her latest card using the new PTI Anniversary set.

The first thing that jumped out to me was her first 'stained glass window' the green color and design reminded me of The Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz :) This inspired me to use green.

Secondly i liked the layout Of the discs down one side of the card but didn't have any good medallion stamps like Anya so initially i masked out and stamped a larger square stamp that i was going to try and add a border to (but that didn't happen) I ended up just cutting them out as neatly as i could and mounting them up.

The green colors led me to clovers that led me to 'goodluck' and WaLa a card was born! I'm sending this card to my self since i need the luck in Anya's competition. Head over there and join in.

Here's my entry!

I also think the card is in keeping with the minimalist 'clean' look that I've been using lately. Which btw i think I'm now over! Bring on the over kill i say!!! :D

~Acie~

The Same but Different

2008-04-11T18:20:00.005+01:00

I started these cards a while ago and finally got this little bunch finished. They're all based on the same layout but their colors change to match the insect or animal that goes along with them. Also the position and font changes on each and the inside has a sentiment layered in matching card. I used dimensionals on the flower stamp. This is so my kinda thing :P I like little details in concepts that maybe overlooked. I added close ups:-

^ I think the frog is funny :)

~Acie~

Pink Basket

2008-04-05T20:55:00.006+01:00

I made this little basket for my mum yesterday. The idea is from Dawns page. I made mine a little bigger. I started with 8x8". I originally wanted to do this in brown and pink but i didn't have enough of that pink card left to do what i wanted. Id have rather stamped the cream in brown to but my mums such a pink fan i had to use the little bit i had left.

There is a chocolate muffin in there along side a coffee pack which i just wrapped in some paper. The pouch is filled with jelly sweets and was made from an envelope. I just cut it down and added the cello window. Everything is cut by hand still. Since I'm still saving for punches and or Cuttlebug and dies.

The flower stamp was from the Invitation Studio G set. After i stamped that all over i thought it needed something else. I like dots but don't have a dotty stamps and i certainly didn't have a stamp with just one dot that i could place at random so i decided to make one.

You can probably just about see there in the picture. I took a chunk of eraser (the soft less plasticy type) and using my craft knife chiseled a rough circle out. Then i gently used it like an eraser on some paper to smooth out the edges. Ive done this type of thing before. It needs quite a bit of inking but it works the odd time if you find your self in a bit of a pickle and it only takes a few minutes to do.

I added some ribbon are more doodle dots. Could have used some glitter perhaps but I'm not a fan since it gets everywhere :oP The ink is by Pretty Color and i forget where the little coffee mug stamps was from, sorry.

~Acie~

Bottle and Pouch

2008-03-30T15:39:00.004+01:00

Ive seen this idea done a few times and since i drink soooo much ice coffee i thought, why waste the bottles? I'll give it a try! I made this for my dad.. er obviously. Just because :o) - its jelly babies in the bottle and there is two little tube bottles of after shave balm in the pouch. I didn't get a picture of the pouch open but I'm sure you get the gist. Again i don't have any fancy punches or anything yet :o( so everythings a little bit "skew-wiff" as we'd say, cut by hand. Its ok for a first go at both things.

Items Used: Stamps: Tesco "Love" Stamp, Anna Griffith alphabet, and a set of flourish stamps i have (Don't know the make) Paper: Basic card stock (blue & white), Corrugated card, DCWV - winter collection. Ink: Color box - blue, champagne, copper, black and silver. I also used: Woodware buttons, clear gems (colored in blue whispers permanent) 3mm silk ribbon in blue. and 7mm blue grosgrain.

~Acie~

Bits and Bobs

2008-03-24T12:27:00.005Z

I like to make other bits and pieces to sell to friends, family, work colleagues etc. Thought id put up some pictures. Hopefully to get some feedback since i only just started making to sell. The packaging that i make (which im planning on changing) isnt pretty, pretty since they're not personal gifts. There is bag charms, phone charms, bracelets, badges....

-Acie-

New Home

2008-03-18T21:24:00.005Z

I put together two little "new home" cards with those wooden Studio G Stamps. They're great. I rate them much better than the small clear Studio G sets. The pic color is a bit off and i had already put them in their cello bags but you get the idea.

Edit: I uploaded different pictures since the last one was soo bad. These ones arnt much better, my cameras pretty old :o(

Used: Card/Paper - White hammer card, DCWV, Mirror card. Stamps - Studio G. Embellishments - Ribbon, Brads, Buttons.

-Acie-

Its a wrap

2008-03-14T19:41:00.005Z

Finally i got around to putting this little thank you gift together for some good friends. Its flying airmail so i had to make sure everything was nice and flat. Check out the jiffy bag! Isnt it the coolest, soo shiny!

Its made with basic card stock and very good quality wrapping paper the huge sheet only cost 99p it was so pretty i couldnt resist and just like regular paper stock (not shiny). Theres more detail inside the card to but i didnt get a picture. I also used the little bit of ribbon a corner and butterfly punch and thank you and missing you stamps.

Artist Vs Crafter

2008-03-12T22:45:00.007Z

Im actually an artist before im a crafter. At least art is where i started out but since ive naturally dabbled in creating a little bit of everything card making seemed like an obvious thing to try. I never thought that art and crafting could be so different they are both creative outlets but each is a completely different experience. I got so frustrated trying to make a card the other night that i almost gave up. (See the first card below) This is the one that almost done it. Ive changed the look of it so many times and am still not satisfied.

However! I woke up the next morning determined to try again! I made the following cards and im rather pleased with how they turned out. Im getting there, i think. I hope!

I used some Bazzill card but mostly non brand stuff. Same goes for the ribbon, brads and gems. I always buy clear gems and color them with permanent markers! The stamps are See D's Easter set. Buttons are from Woodware. Papers: DCWV, English Paper Company and K&Co. Ink: Color Box.

Crafting Disaster

2008-03-09T17:21:00.009Z

I just opened a topic on the Papertreyink forum on crafting hiccups. I'm going to be brave and share the project that inspired the topic. On second look its not that bad but its not that good either! Its decoupage (which i don't usually do) and i admit the only reason i did is because i just re-kitted out my craft area with new storage, shelving, table etc and its all so lovely and neat that i didn't want to mess it (terrible i know) These where the first items at hand.

The items used were - A tall pre-folded card (which was awful quality) 2 pieces of DCWV 12x12 paper that i think where from the Christmas pack. A teddy bear decoupage that i got free with a magazine.. that i also got for free lol. Small blue and Small pink ink (forget the make) 1 pink brad and some 99p clear stamps.

Christmas Set

2008-03-08T20:08:00.011Z

Ok, so i know im a tad out of season but i wanted to start somewhere. This was the first set i made ever. I made it last Christmas, actually i made 3 virtually identical sets for my family.

And heres how i done it- For each set i used 1 piece of K&Co 12x12 double sided card, which i made the simple 5,7,10 box with. To that i added an acetate window (this was so as you could see the chocolate covered pretzels i made through it) A little bit of patterned ribbon to tie closed and a small silver mirror card tree cut from the cuttlebug. I also inked around the box in a small blue inkpad to age it a little and added a tag later still using the same 12x12 K&Co sheet.

The small triangle pouch was made from still the same piece of K&Co. I think it measured 8x20 strip. If you dont know how you can find folding patterns for these online.

The card was made from plain white linen card and a sheet of pale blue paper. I used the left over K&Co for the ribbon detail and the stamp was a 99p wooden stamp by Studio G (i love these) I inked its edges in silver and added a cuttlebug embossed and cut tree with a tiny gem for the star.

And the badge i designed on my computer and made with my badge machine.

Any questions, dont hesitate to ask.

Test

2008-02-22T20:09:00.001Z

Testing