Fold Out Card Using The Dovecraft 'Kiss & MakeUp' Collection

Hello hello hello!

As you may know I'm always on the lookout for something different to try. I was scrolling through Instagram one day when I found this by jakscraft2. I thought "how hard can it be?" so out came some 12x12" cardstock and I had a go using the Dovecraft 'Kiss & Makeup' collection by Trimcraft. If you scroll down there is a video on how to make it! 

Here is the video:

The front when the card is closed:

And finally a close up:

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

LIFE UPDATE - THINGS ARE LOOKING UP

Hey gang,

These past few weeks have been super stressful. First I had uni work to finish and hand in, then there was a whole to-do which meant I couldn't exhibit my magazine project. Then I had to decide what to do with my life.... I was between applying for Hobbycraft or volunteering until I found something better. Hobbycraft would have been fab but it involved Commuting (shudder) and it wasn't enough hours.
Then I found Perfect Job.
I wrote an application.
I got an interview.
I bought Grown Up Clothing for the interview.

And now I will describe the last few days of last week.

Wednesday: Found out I had got a 1st in my magazine project, which brought my final grade at uni to a 2:1 which I am absolutely over the moon about!

Thursday: Interview.

Friday: Phone call saying I had got the job. Evening out with my parents to celebrate.


Wondering what the job is? Well, recently on my travels I had seen a shiny new building being built. For a while I was curious what it would be, until I saw the job being advertised. It is a brand new sixth form college and from September I will be the Visual Arts Technician. So basically I will be showing people how to use cameras and Photoshop, among lots of other things. It's creative but doesn't require me to actually make stuff, I just get to help other people make stuff and achieve their creative ambitions. Cool, eh? From the sounds of it, no two days will be the same. For once in my life I'm excited to do something that requires me to leave the house. And I'll be getting paid for it!

The best bit is, I can buy craft supplies guilt-free! Woohoo!

And you know what? I AM ME AGAIN! For so long I was stressed, anxious and miserable. But once I got that phone call... Now I can forget about sorting out my life and craft, which I haven't felt like doing much over the past month or so.

So my first ever job application and I got it. I still can't quite believe my luck but I'm glad to have taken another step in life.

I still hope to be designing, so this blog should still be updated, although maybe less frequently.

Thanks for reading!
Emily xx

Today || 9x12" Scrapbook Layout

Hi all,

I have a layout to share that I made for a National Scrapbook Day challenge. 

The challenge was to use a big title - either a large size or a long title or lots of journalling. 

I chose a large title and I had this piece of chipboard from the Pink Paislee Fancy Free collection. 

The picture is of the contents of my backpack on a recent visit to the local nature reserve.

I used scraps to back the apertures in the title. Most of the embellishments are from the Cocoa Vanilla Wild At Heart collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lighthouse Father's Day Shaker Card || First Edition Wild Flower

Hi all,

So I know Father's Day has been and gone but I wanted to share the card I made for my dad. I didn't want to blog about it beforehand and ruin the surprise as he is a good one and appreciates handmade cards.

The instructions are below the photo so you can make your own shaker card! The papers I used are from the First Edition Wild Flower paper pad by Trimcraft.

1.       Cut the thick part of a blank photo frame down so that all side are equal.

2.       Cut 2 squares of acetate and 1 of patterned paper the same size as the outside of the photo frame.

3.       Stick thin tape around the edge of one square of acetate, stick the other to it and before you seal it, fill with sequins.

4.       Stick more thin tape around the outside of the pocket and stick to the frame. Stick the square of coloured paper to the back of the pocket.

5.       Die cut a lighthouse from patterned paper and add detail with 3D Pearl Effects. Stick to the frame.

6.       Cut a 13cm square of coloured cardstock and stick to a 13.5cm card blank.

7.       Cut 2 rectangles from patterned paper, one 7x13cm and the other 7x2cm. Stick one on each side of the coloured cardstock.

8.       Stick your shaker pocket on top of the card, in the centre.

9.       Die cut three portholes, stick along the bottom of the card and add ‘dad’ on top of them.

10.   Using the inside of the portholes, stick down the left side of the card and add a small button in the centre of each with a little twine threaded through.

While I'm here, here's another card made using the same collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

8x8" Scrapbook Layouts || Dovecraft Goody Bags

Hi all,

I have some layouts to share today that I did in my little 8x8" scrapbook, using the pink and black Dovecraft goody bags by Trimcraft. 

This first one uses die cut circles and a fine liner to add sketchy interest to the page. The picture has a little bit of colour but not so much that it distracts from the rest of the page.

Remember that card I shared last week that had lots of hearts die cut from the front? This layout uses the hearts that were die cut. Clever, eh?

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

How To Use A Cut File Without A Silhouette Machine

Hi all,

Today I have something to share which blew my mind when I found out.

You can use a cut file without a cutting machine!

I found out during a National Scrapbook Day challenge where the use of a cut file was required. You can print the cut file on your computer and use it as a printable.

What I chose to do was open an A4 document in Photoshop, add the mandala design twice and have it overlapping the edge both times. I printed it onto A4 cardstock.

This layout was the perfect opportunity to use up some of the Papermania Neon collection that I adored a couple years ago. I traced around the edge of the mandalas with PVA glue and then added the glitter. This was quite time consuming as I could only add one colour of glitter at a time but I was so pleased with the result.

I also used neon paint in pink and yellow to fill in some areas of the mandalas. I added neon gems, 3D pearl effects and neon tassels too. 

I printed my photo to 3x4" and mounted onto neon cardstock. I added neon glitter strips around the layout, sequins and neon buttons to finish off.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

I Think Pink Is My Colour || Card Tutorials || Dovecraft Pink Goody Bag

Hi all,

I have some cards to share today, along with some step by step instructions so you can try making them for yourself. 

They are all made using the Dovecraft pink goody bag from Trimcraft (they come in other colours too, I received the pink and black in my design team kit.) I also used a little of the black for one of the cards.

1.  Cut two 5x14cm rectangles from textured cardstock. Mark the centre both vertically and horizontally and die cut a heart directly in the centre. Die cut another equidistant from this heart and the top, and the same from the bottom. Do this for the other piece of cardstock too.
2. Cut another 5x14cm piece, this time from patterned paper. Add three of the die cut hearts down the centre, using the pieces you cut them from as a template. Use 3D foam tape for this so they stand out. Add 3D pearl effects around the edges of the top and bottom.
3. Cut two more 5x14cm pieces of patterned paper. Using the pieces the hearts are die cut from, stick them on top with 3D foam dots. 
4. In the top heart of one and bottom of the other, stick small buttons.
5. In the top and bottom of the opposites, die cut a filigree heart and add to the centre.
6. Arrange all three pieces on a 6x6" card blanks.
7. Finish with a sentiment and adhesive gems.

1. Cut a piece of patterned paper to 14.5cm square and stick to a 6x6" card blank.
2. Layer up paper flowers, alternating between pink and black. Add a large adhesive gem in the centre. Stick to a die cut star. Add thread behind each layer to add texture.
3. Stick this to two small rectangles of patterned paper and then stick to the card.
4. Die cut small gears and tuck in between the flowers and layered papers.
5. Die cut a sentiment and stick to the card.
6. Add ribbon on either side of the card.
7. Finish with ink spatters.

1. Take a card blank from the goody bag.
2. Using small heart dies, arrange on the card blank front and die cut. Keep going until there are apertures across the front of the card.
3. Using up scraps, stick a scrap behind each aperture and leave to dry.
4. Add patterned paper on the inside of the card to cover up the back of the scraps and ensure a professional finish for your recipient.
5. Finish with a sentiment. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Peacock || Scrapbook Layout || First Edition 'Wild Flower'

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today using the First Edition 'Wild Flower' paper pad by Trimcraft and a picture of the lone (poor thing) peacock that resides at a local garden centre I visit a lot with my parents (what can I say, they do fantastic breakfasts!)

1. Print your photograph at 3x4".
2. Cut 5 3x4" pieces from patterned paper. Arrange with the photo onto a larger piece of patterned paper so they are equal distance apart, stick down and cut around the hole thing, leaving a small border. 
3. Add some embellishments like doilies and tags on top of the cards.
4. (Optional) Stitch around some edges of the little cards in co-ordinating colours.
5. Using 3D Pearl Effects, add dots around the edge of the papers.
6. Stick the whole thing onto a 12x12" sheet of patterned paper.
7. Finish with journalling, gems, die cuts and a peacock feather.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Suits You! || Scrapbook Layout || Pink Paislee 'Moonstruck'

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today using the Pink Paislee 'Moonstruck' collection. It was made for a National Scrapbook Day challenge (yep, I completed 12 of them!) and the challenge was to use leftovers - so what I used here was what was left over of my November Like For Ever kit. 

The picture is of my super handsome boyfriend taking his first changing room selfie... The purpose being that he was trying on a suit and wanted to show me what it looked like. It was student night at our local shopping centre so he took the opportunity to get a nice suit with a discount. I felt very proud. I enquired for permission to scrapbook the picture and to my delight, permission was granted. Oooh.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Spring Blossom || Scrapbook Layout || First Edition 'Sweet Nothings'

Hi all,

I have a layout to share today that I created for a challenge on National Scrapbook Day. The challenge was to scraplift a layout by one of the UK Scrap Addicts team, so I chose to scraplift this one (< link) by Maria La Chica.

This layout uses the First Edition 'Sweet Nothings' paper pad by Trimcraft, and a picture of the stunning blossom trees I saw in a garden in our village.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Right Now || Scrapbook Layout

Hi all,

I have another layout to share today that I made for a National Scrapbook Day challenge. This one was to document a selfie/your life 'right now'. 

I chose to use this pic of me and Nathan before a date night, I was happy because I had my twirly new dress on and I felt so good!

I've had this gorgeous foiled paper in my stash for a while (Can't remember what collection it's from, though!) I also had these beautiful chipboard stickers by My Mind's Eye that perfectly matched the olive green of my dress. I finished it off with lots of gold embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Bee-autiful Cards! || StickerKitten 'Bee Garden'

 Hi all,

I have some cards to share today using the 'Bee Garden' collection by StickerKitten. At time of posting, Sarah will have been on Hochanda promoting her products and these first two cards are what I sent to her for use on the show, along with two A4 scrapbook layouts. I'm always happy to help out a friend and it's so exciting to make things for the telly!

You can pick up the collection HERE. < (Link)

The Bee Garden paper pad has a mixture of watercolour patterns and also kraft papers with delicate black linework and I tried to use a bit of both for my projects.

This first card is made using the kraft papers. I also used the stamp set and heat embossed the designs in gold.

This next one uses the watercolour papers. I decorated the wooden bee using Dovecraft 3D Pearl Effects. 

Finally I made a spinner card. I didn't send this in for Hochanda as the spinner didn't quite work right and I perhaps need another try. I'd never done it before so let's say I've learnt from it! 

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx