Docrafts Design Team Blog Hop July 2015

Hi all

The theme for this blog hop is makes with interactive elements.  I've made a shaker card using Gorjuss decoupage.

I made two circles of clear plastic packaging the same size as the frame on the decoupage, filled it with tiny stars, stuck onto the background of the decoupage. I made up the rest of the decoupage and stuck it on top. (FYI, the tiny stars are from Fred Aldous in Manchester)

Don't forget to check out the blogs of my fellow members!

Heather https://heathermitchelldesign.wordpress.com/

Mags Woodcock https://thetaglady.wordpress.com

Julie Wilson http://newnanny.blogspot.co.uk/

Michelle- http://scrapthology.blogspot.co.uk/

Katie http://whatkatiedid2.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah Douglas http://stickerkitten.co.uk/

Amy Surey https://amysureycreations.wordpress.com/

Thanks for hopping by!

Decoupage Christmas Cards

Hi all,

I was sent some of the new Christmas foiled decoupage by docrafts. Here's some cards I have made - I hope I've inspired you to use decoupage on your cards too!

The decoupage sheets are all foiled, and numbered so they are easy to put together. There are traditional designs, religious, and more modern designs such as birds.

These first two cards have a background made using the Xcut Fairisle A4 embossing folder. It works so well on textured cardstock.

For this next card I made pennants using last year's Letter To Santa collection papers by Papermania. I mounted them on silver mirror board - one of my favourite Christmas products! 

This last card feels a little more old fashioned with the horse drawn carriage on the decoupage. I tried to echo this with traditional tartan print paper, lace trim and brown string.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Steampunky Weekend

Hi all!

Been away this weekend, Manchester again, this time for Comic-Con. Basically - big event centre, people dressed as their favourite pop culture characters, lots of stalls selling memorabilia, art, handmade stuff. This is the third year we've been and it's always fun.

There was a steampunk stand, one part was a shop where they sold goggles, jewellery etc and then behind it they had sculptures and handmade things that you could take pictures of. They did talks as well.
They had a hat stand full of these miniature top hats.

And other things like this metal spider and crocheted cakes

And a customized frame. I love this piece!

Continuing the steampunk theme, I did another photoshoot of Nathan and Sam in their steampunk gear. This time, Sam was a pirate and he looked SO COOL.

I also attempted to be a pirate but I think I'm too little...

Until next time...!

A few cards!

Hi all

Hopping by with some cards I made for docrafts. I hope you will be inspired by these as much as I enjoyed making them!

The first is inspired by 'Smile Power Day'. The idea was to make a card that would make someone happy - and everyone likes a sunny day.

A couple using the Papermania Neon collection. The first uses the 'Make A Wish' download which can be found HERE

And finally a card using the Papermania Owl Folk Collection. 

Until next time...!

Date Night Scrapbook Layout

Hi all
Now I'm done with commissions for the moment, I set aside to do some scrapping for myself.
A couple of weeks ago, Nathan and I went to Manchester to celebrate being together for 5 years. We went for dinner at Wagamama and then saw Jurassic World.

The title is made with plain Thickers, I love these because you can decorate them however you wish. For this I just coloured them with a metallic Sharpie.

I made a little pocket to put train and cinema tickets in. I die cut a tag, then from the same paper cut a rectangle and wrapped it around the tag to hold the tickets. I used double sided tap on the black paper around the tag so it wouldn't fall through.

Until next time...!

A Sneak Peak at the new Santoro's Gorjuss collection!

Hi all
I am lucky enough to have been sent some of the new Santoro's Gorjuss products by Docrafts.
I've had a play around, scroll down to see what I made!

The range has a lovely cosy wintery feel, with tweed and tartan patterns. 

Here's what I made. 

I wanted to make use of the decoupage papers I'd been sent - I've always wanted to have a go at upcycling - so I covered a plain 8x8" scrapbook:

And in Manchester I picked up a little wooden frame and some glitter. I painted the frame with several coats of silver metallic acrylic paint, added decoupage paper, then finished it off with stripes of glitter and ribbon. I replace the glass with Gorjuss decoupage - a frame doesn't just have to be used for photographs!

And finally, a scrapbook page. I've dithered over this for days. What pictures to use. I am severely lacking in winter photos - most family ones involve people either asleep or washing up...

But I can always rely on the beautiful city of Chester to provide me with winter scrapbook layout salvation.

On this layout I've also use Bare Basics and Denim Blue products - they really complement the Gorjuss range.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blossom layout

Hi all

Just popping by to share an 8x8" layout I made using the docrafts Simply Floral download which you can get for free HERE
I love using hexagon nesting dies, you can create really interesting backgrounds with them.

Docrafts have a Weekly Sketch, and the one I've used on this layout can be found HERE

Docrafts Project Design Team ATC Swap

Hi all

Back to share something fun - on the Docrafts PDT we've done an ATC swap and as we've completed the swap we can share what we made and what we received.

I was delighted today when this beauty arrived, made by the lovely Mags.

The detail in this is phenomenal, the multiple co ordinating layers, the little charms, and it's even got a little hanger so it can be hung up.

This is definitely something I'm going to aspire to with any future ATCs I make!

Now I'll share mine, here it is on Jaiq's desk. 

And a close up:

I always wanted combine my artwork with papercraft so making ATCs was the perfect opportunity to do this. After wrestling with my printer, I printed my art onto vellum and then added a bit of colour to the Puffin's bill, before cutting it out and sticking onto embossed cardstock. Definitely want to do more like this - in fact, I'm just starting a new drawing right now!

Here's links to my fellow members' blogs - check them out to find what they made and received!

Heather https://heathermitchelldesign.wordpress.com/

Mags Woodcock https://thetaglady.wordpress.com

Julie Wilson http://newnanny.blogspot.co.uk/

Michelle- http://scrapthology.blogspot.co.uk/

Katie http://whatkatiedid2.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah Douglas http://stickerkitten.co.uk/

Amy Surey https://amysureycreations.wordpress.com/
Jaiq Carter https://jaiqc.wordpress.com

My Crafty Bucket List

The Crafty Bucket list

 List 5 crafty things you have always wanted to try and go for it. Link back to me in the comments when you have completed one of the things on your list. (Challenge created by Katie)

1. Heat embossing. I had a heat tool years ago when I didn't have a craft room and sold the tool 'cause I burnt a patch of my bedroom carpet.. Now I have a craft room and I'm a bit more advanced I'm sure a tool and some powders would come in very handy and I'd love to be able to create metal effects on my layouts, particularly the steampunk ones.
2. Clay modelling. I've seen some gorgeous notebook covers made from Fimo clay and I'd love to try it out. 
3. More ATCs. I made one for a design team swap with my own artwork on it and I really enjoyed making on a smaller scale (I'll post more on this once our swap is complete!) I'll also need to draw more so I can have a better variety of art on my ATCs!
4. Spinner cards. I've never made one but they look so clever and interesting. I need to learn how. 
5.  Watercolour effects on cards and layouts. Using either normal watercolour or watercolour pens. I think they look great with embossing or blended together.

My Debut In Creativity Magazine

Hi all,

Some news I'd love to share:

Docrafts Creativity! Magazine Issue 60 popped through my door and my very first feature is inside!

It hasn't quite hit me yet that my work is in an actual published magazine in shops all over the country.  I'm over the moon and I am so glad the magazine team liked this piece (a trial piece) enough to have given me a commission for issue 61 and two commissions for issue 62! (As a result, I'm a busy gal this week)

Oh, and my Flamingo layout made it in as well! Something I wasn't expecting so it was great to see my favourite layout in there. Lovely how they've introduced me as a new designer in the text. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Steampunk Anniversary Card

Hi all

I'm back to share the anniversary card I've made for my boyfriend - we have been together 5 years! He likes steampunk so I incorporated that theme into my card with black and gold embellishments for a classy feel.

To celebrate we spent a couple days in Manchester - went out for dinner, saw Jurassic World (fantastic!), and explored. Would have explored more if the rain wasn't so bad! Also because of the rain there are a grand total of four pictures on my camera and they're all silly ones of Nathan. I took a few more on my phone, think I can manage one layout from this.. haha.

Here we are all dressed up for our meal at Wagamama!

Alice In Wonderland Blog Hop

Hi all
I'm taking part in the Alice In Wonderland Blog Hop today - and I've made a brand new layout for the occasion!

I asked Nathan (arm candy, bringer of plushies, looker-afterer) to bring round his steampunk hat so I could dress him up as the Mad Hatter. We did an Alice photoshoot a few years ago but I wanted some new pictures to work with. Yes, those are flowers on his hat, yes, they were his doing. The gloves were my idea, I wanted some interest on his arm.  I think a good photo makes for a good layout!

I also recorded making this video in time lapse. 

Today we are celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, and what better way to do that, than to share lots of creative projects inspired by this wonderful story.

Not only will you see lots of amazing artwork today, but you can also win prizes from the following amazing companies;

The Stamping Boutique

Rick St Dennis MFA

Faery Ink

That Craft Place

Ike's Art

Delicious Doodles

Sweet Pea Stamps

Sassy Studio Designs

Vera Lane Studio Digital Stamps

Prize winners will be selected from Random blogs throughout the hop using Random.org to select each winner.  In order to be eligible for a prize you must visit all stops on the hop and leave a comment. The prize draws will be open until July 18th, with winners announced on July 20th.

Blog Hop List

Suzi

Alison

Trudie

Sharon

Milo

Donna

Leigh

Claudia

Leadonna

Nan

Jenn

Nikki

Black Dragon

Teresa

Ike

Creepy Glowbugg

Shelley

Alana

Harp

Lori

Monica

Kemly

Margaret

Julie

Katie

Julie W S

Kathi
Karen
Corrie
Emily
Geraldine
Carol
Avril
Lisa
Kim
Mo
Lorraine

Thanks for hopping by!