5 Projects Using... Simply Creative Enchantment

Here are 5 projects using the Simply Creative 'Enchantment' papers from Trimcraft. There are instructions on how to make them below each picture.

This card is perfect for a little girl! The bows around the wand untie so the wand can be removed and played with. (I wish I knew a little girl to send this to!)

1. Cut 2 stars from acetate. Stick together with 3D foam tape around most of the edge. 
2. Through the gap, add sequins. Seal the gap.
3. Cut a star the same size from patterned paper and cut an aperture in the middle. Stick on top of the shaker element.
4. Stick to a paper straw. Cut the straw down so the wand will fit on a tall card blank.
5. Take a tall card blank and cover with patterned paper.
6. Place the wand onto the card. At the top and bottom of the straw, cut a slit either side using a craft knife.
7. Thread ribbon through the slits and around the wand and tie in a bow. 
8. Embellish the rest of the card.

1. Stamp designs in black ink onto adhesive cork and cut out.
2. Die cut small doilies and stick the cork onto them.
3. Cut a strip from 6x6" patterned paper and mount onto another piece and trim, leaving a thin border.
4. Stick to a 6x6" piece of paper and then onto a card blank.
5. Cut a doily in half and stick on either side of the strip.
6. Stick the cork pieces in a diagonal.
7. Finish with adhesive gems.

1. Fussy cut houses from patterned paper. Draw around them onto foam and cut out, drawing on the windows.
2. Add a small piece of tape to each foam piece and attach to a stamping block.
3. Stamp patterns along a 12x12" page using the foam shapes in black ink.
4. Fussy cut strips of house and stick below and to one side of the stamped rows using 3D foam.
5. Print your photo at 3x4" and mount. Add twine behind.
6. Cut up some film strips and stick behind the layered photo.
7. Add two pieces of pennant to the top right of the page.
8. Add a title on the bottom right of the page.

1. Die cut 6 doughnuts.
2. Use a ruler to rip strips of patterned paper. Stick two strips to a 12x12" page.
3. Stick the 6 doughnuts down the page, and add lengths of washi tape and ribbon.
4. Print your photo at 3x4" and mount with patterned paper and a doily. Stick down.
5. Die cut your title and stick down.
6. Finish with an emoji stamp and sequins.

1. Use a doily die with unicorn print paper. Die cut a larger doily and stick the smaller one on top.
2. Stick both onto the top left of a large doily. Add a sentiment too.
3. Stick a die cut tag behind this and add a piece of ribbon through it.
4. Stick to a 14cm square of patterned paper and then stick to a 6x6" card blank.
5. Finish with an accordion flower.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

How To Love Your Sequins! || Flamingo Cards || First Edition 'Sweet Nothings'

Hi all,

So you know I'm obsessed with flamingos...?

And shiny things?

Here are a couple ideas for you to use your sequins. 

These cards are made using the First Edition 'Sweet Nothings' papers from Trimcraft. 

1. Cut a pink tag from the cut apart sheet in the 12x12" Sweet Nothings paper pad. Use it as a template to cut a tag from white cardstock too.
2. Die cut a flamingo from the pink tag. 
3. Using 3D foam, stick the flamingo tag to the white tag.
4. Put glue in the aperture and add sequins.
5. Add strips from the cut apart sheet to the bottom of the tag. Add twine to the top of the tag.
6. Die cut a sentiment from patterned paper and stick to the bottom of the tag.
7. Use a green gelato or watercolour paint to colour a small white doily. Stick this behind the tag once dry.
8. Cover a plain frame with patterned paper and stick behind the doily & tag.
9. Behind these stick a scrap of patterned paper.
10. 
    
11. On a 6x6" card blank, layer up a 14 and 13.5cm squares of patterned paper.
12. Stick the tag layers onto the card, sandwiching silver thread while doing so.

1. Cover an A6 card blank with patterned paper.
2. Cut a 14.5x10cm piece of white cardstock.
3. Lightly draw a teardrop shape on its side towards the bottom of the piece of cardstock. 
4. Add blue and silver sequins using glue.
5. Around the edge of this and around the edge of the piece of cardstock, odd dots of 3D pearl effects.
6. Add a die cut flamingo and die cut sentiment.
7. Finish with more dots and adhesive gems, then stick to the covered card blank.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

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

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

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

How To Make 3 Cool Cards Using The Dovecraft Monochrome Goody Bag!

Helllooooo!

I have three projects to share today using one of the new 'Goody Bags' from Trimcraft. There are several to choose from and today my projects are from the Monochrome Goody Bag. There are instructions below each image.

Each pack has a selection of 6x6" and 8x8" patterned papers, 6 sturdy coloured 6x6" card blanks with envelopes, sentiments, buttons, flowers and gems, as well as a project sheet to get you started. They're perfect if you're no good at choosing co-ordinating supplies, if you need stash in a particular colour (like I needed some purple things last year so I bought a purple 'goody bag' - this was before I was a Trimmie!). They'd also make a great gift for someone who is just getting into cardmaking or scrapbooking. There are so many possibilities with these goody bags as I am about to show you.

1.       Cut a 14cm square from patterned paper and mount onto black cardstock and cut out, leaving a small border

2.       Position a star die in the centre and die cut.

3.       Cut two pieces of acetate just larger than the aperture, stick the edges together, leaving a gap.

4.       Fill the gap with sequins and then seal.

5.       Stick the pocket behind the aperture and then stick the whole thing to a 6x6” card blank.

6.       Die cut smaller stars from vellum, and ‘happy birthday’ from black cardstock and attach to the card.

7.       Finish with a die cut pennant and spatters of black and gold ink.

 1.       Cut a 14.5cm square from patterned paper. Ink the edges with black ink and then stick to a 6x6” card blank.

2.       Cut a 14cm square from a different sheet. Ink the edges with black ink and then stick to the larger square.

3.       Cut four 6.5, four 6 and four 5.5cm squares from patterned paper. Ink the edges and then stick a small, medium and large square together.

4.       Arrange the four layered squares onto the card and stick down.

5.       Draw around the acetate backing of the large ‘with love’ stamp onto vellum and cut out.

6.       Stamp the ‘with love’ stamp onto the vellum and mount onto patterned paper. Cut out, leaving a small border.

7.       Layer up paper flowers, stick a brad through the centre and through the ‘with love’ piece.

8.       Stick the whole thing to the card. 

1.       Cut a 14.5cm square from patterned paper and stick to a 6x6” card blank.

2.       Cut a 6.5cm square from patterned paper and mount onto black cardstock and cut out, leaving a thin border.

3.       Cut a length of silver thread and loop and stick in the centre of the square.

4.       Die cut two flourishes from black cardstock

5.       Die cut a dragonfly in black and silver and stick the silver on top of the black. Stick on top of the looped thread along with the black flourishes.

6.       Cut two 1.5cm wide strips of patterned paper, invert an end of both, stick to the centre of the card and trim off the ends.

7.       Stick the decorated small square to the centre right of the card.

8.       Finish with a sentiment, buttons and splatters of black ink.

I hope you've been inspired by my cards - I had a fun day making them whilst watching the Formula One!

Thanks for visiting!

Emily xx

How To Make Super Quick Cards || Simply Creative Around The World

Hi all!

I have another card making tutorial for you today, showing you how to make super quick and easy cards. These are great if you're a beginner or you haven't much time to craft.

These cards are made using the Simply Creative 'Around The World' papers and Dovecraft large sentiment stamps from Trimcraft. I love the little balloons! 

1.       Cut a 9x13.5 rectangle of white cardstock.

2.       Spray blue ink onto plastic packaging and smoosh onto the cardstock. Leave to dry.

3.       Stamp a large ‘happy birthday’ onto the piece of cardstock.

4.       Fussy cut hot air balloons and stick around the sentiment.

5.       Mount the whole thing onto patterned paper and then onto an A6 card blank.

1.       Stamp two balloons in black into onto white cardstock.

2.       Colour the balloons.

3.       Stamp a large ‘thank you’ onto white cardstock.

4.       Cut a square around the sentiment and mount onto patterned paper twice.

5.       Cut a 8x15.5cm rectangle from balloon patterned paper. Mount onto more patterned paper and stick left of centre onto a 6x6” white card blank.

6.       Add two strips of washi tape across the card.

7.       Stick the ‘thank you’ onto the card.

8.       Stick the balloons to the right of the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

How To Make A Super Sweet Card || Simply Creative 'Make A Wish'

Hi all,

Today I'm going to show you how to make this super sweet card using the Simply Creative 'Make A Wish' papers and First Edition dies from Trimcraft.

 Donut worry, it's super easy! 

1.       Using a compass, draw a circle on white cardstock just smaller than 6 inches in diameter. Cut out and die cut a circle from the centre. If you have a large circle die set you won’t need the compass.

2.       Using 3D Pearl Effects, go around the edges of the donut as well as across the entire donut to look like icing.

3.       Die cut another, smaller donut from patterned paper and stick on top of the larger one.

4.       Die cut sweets from textured cardstock. If any have open areas then back them with patterned paper.

5.       Arrange the sweets around the donut and stick down.

6.       Add 3D Pearl Effects in white to the sweets to make them look shiny.

7.       Stick the donut to a square of patterned paper and then stick to a 6x6” card blank.

8.       Finish with a sentiment in the centre.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Simply Creative Chalkboard Cards!

Hi all!

I have a couple of cards to share today using the Simply Creative 'Chalkboard' papers by Trimcraft.

I have to say black and white is never my crafty cup of tea, despite me dressing in black 90% of the time... ha ha! 

I had to drop some colour in there and here is what I came up with. 

This first one uses the new Dovecraft wooden stamps. I stamped them onto squares of white cardstock and added spray ink to each. 

This next one has a pop of yellow. A lot of the Dovecraft ranges have patterned wooden frames but if you flip them over you can paint whatever colour you want onto the other side. 

The mixed media on this card is spatters of yellow watercolour and the stamps are from the Dovecraft 'Blooming Lovely' collection.

Like the look of the fancy folding on this card? You can follow a tutorial HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Introducing Inspired By Paper Magazine!

Happy Saturday!

I have an extra special treat for you today.

I am proud to announce that my new magazine, Inspired By Paper, is now out and available to read, and what's more, it's free! Yes, you did read that correctly. Free!

I created the magazine for my final project of my Digital Media Production course at university and I adored creating it, talking to my contributors, putting the magazine together, sourcing the best new products to feature.
As this is a university project, I would love some feedback (don't just tell me it's good, tell me what you like about it and what you don't). It'd be good to have some quotes to put into my report. I don't submit until the end of April so any feedback will be used to improve the magazine so it is the best it can be for submission!

Here is the link, so grab a cuppa, put your feet up, have a read and be Inspired By Paper!

https://indd.adobe.com/view/2ff83ecb-192c-49ac-9dbd-1ebebdb7f86f

Thanks for stopping by and thank you in advance for the feedback!

Emily xx

More Couture du Jour cards!

Hi all,

It's been a very busy Christmas and I haven't had much time to craft. We spent Christmas in Liverpool and it was fabulous. A busy week, then it's New Year,  but hopefully next week things will calm down a bit and I can get back into crafting properly!

I have some more cards to share using the Couture du Jour collection from Trimcraft.

For step by step instructions, head over to my Trimcraft gallery! (link) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Couture du Jour cards!

Hi all,

I have some cards to share today using the Couture du Jour collection from Trimcraft.

For step by step instructions, head over to my Trimcraft gallery! (Link)

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Girly MDF Cards!

Hi all,

Some girly cards to share today.

This all started when I was making some steampunk cards and I was colouring in a steampunk stamp. I wanted something a bit different to put behind it and out came my little box of bits from Things To Alter. I found this really cool steampunk piece, a head with gears coming out of the back... I painted it with Distress Paints and stuck the coloured image on top of the head. I used watercolour pencils to colour the image and then went over it with a little water to colour the image. I love how vibrant watercolour pencils are which is why I prefer them over watercolour pens.
The stamp and backing paper are from the Santoro Willow collection by Trimcraft and the sentiment die is by Sizzix.

I used the same watercolour colouring technique with these Belle & Boo stamps (also by Trimcraft, I'm a little addicted to their characters!) This card worked better tiny, it's 4x4" and I would have preferred it on kraft card to match the MDF but I only have white in this size. I layered up the MDF shells, they are the same depth as 3D foam dots so these are perfect to use when you are layering the shapes. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Scrapped Papercraft Challenge!

Hi all,

Just a quick post -

My ex-Docrafts PDT pals and I have started our own challenge blog.

The first challenge goes live on September 1st and it's all via Facebook.

It's for any type of papercrafts, so if you're a card maker, scrapbooker or anything else and you want some inspiration... anything goes and there's a sketch or a theme or mood board to be inspired by each month.

To find out more and 'like' our page ready for the first challenge to be announced, head over to https://www.facebook.com/scrappedchallenge/ now!

Die Cut Cards

Hi all,

A post from my bank of posts today - I have been working on a painted tote bag lately but the weather is too dull to photograph (model) it properly!
With a bit of luck the things I am expecting in the post will come this week so I can get on with some new things.

Today I've some cards to share that I made using the 'Handwritten Celebrate' die set from Sizzix. I saw it used in Papercraft Essentials magazine and I had to have it, so I ordered it from America (because it's cheaper than in the UK, even though it had to be shipped over a huge ocean...)... I have wanted a die set with sentiments such as 'happy birthday' on for a while, they're so much more versatile than pre printed little sentiments on a strip of paper.

Here's what I made:

The first one uses a MDF cut from Things To Alter. The papers and buttons came free with the June issue of docrafts Creativity mag. I spattered the paper with the same paint I mixed to cover the MDF shape. This one is my favourite!

The next uses the flamingo die and downloaded paper (from the aforementioned Papercraft Essentials mag) along with a Sizzix frame die and Xcut embossing folder.

And finally (not sure I like this as much) a card using heart and circle dies. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Pineapple Tri-Fold Cards!

Hi all,

I was in serious need of inspiration last week so I went to the supermarket all by myself to buy a magazine. (Big step for me! Anxiety really is the b-word). I chose Papercraft Essentials, you may already know that I only buy a magazine if I like the free gift (because magazine content is always a bit hit-and-miss) and I'd had my eye on this one - pineapple stamps, dies and an embossing folder. I'm always on the lookout for something a bit different so this was perfect (the mag isn't that bad either. A bit die-cutting heavy for a magazine that has a sister publication called 'Die Cutting Essentials', but I digress.... )

Here's the cards I made and I'll explain a bit more about them below the picture.

For both cards I used the 'handwritten celebrate' dies by Sizzix. I LOVE them!

The card are made from single sheets of A4 cardstock with lines scored 9.9mm from either side and then a diagonal cut. On each I added washi tape to the top, I like how it leads the eye down the card.

I used a black and gold theme for this card, I think the papers are from a Forever Friends collection by Docrafts that came out last year. The front part of the card is heat embossed. I would like a decent embossing ink though, the docrafts ink pads aren't very good (putting it mildly). The mini ones are better but still not perfect. 

This one is my favourite - I finally managed to get my hands on the First Edition Paradise Crush paper pad! For some reason I could only find it on one place online, so I pounced, it arrived, and I love it. I fussy cut some of the flowers from the paper pad and added them to the plainer papers. The gold paper is not from the paper pad, I just wanted something in there to break up the patterns a little. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Birthday Dinos!

Hi all,

Some super cute cards to share today using the Birthday Dinos papers by StickerKitten. You can check out the paper pack here!
If you know me at all you'll know that I love dinosaurs and have done since I was little(er!) I have the Walking With Dinosaurs boxset, I have a dress covered in dinosaurs, I love Jurassic World and not just because of Chris Pratt.... Huge natural history nerd right here. Love it. So when I was offered the chance to have a play with this pack I was super excited! Here's the cards I made.

The pack is 6x6" and printed onto quality 160gsm paper. The paper has a subtle sheen to it which is really nice and the paper is super smooth. There are 30 sheets of 10 designs in the pack. There are some papers with a simple pattern on that you can use for backgrounds and then some with dinosaurs and birthday bits on that you can fussy cut out or use as backing paper. I love papers that have bits you can cut out, it saves you buying extra embellishments are everything you need is already in the paper pack. There are so many options!

This first one uses balloon paper on the background, and a strip across the middle. I fussy cut the little dinosaurs and stuck them on and finally added a die cut sentiment. Simple but super cute!

This is a 4x4" card. I couldn't take how cute the little T-Rex is so I had to cut him out and have him holding onto some huge balloons! 

And finally this one with 4 of the papers layered up, some fussy cut bunting and some die cutting.

Thanks for stopping by and thank you to Sarah for letting me play with her gorgeous paper pack!
I'm planning a scrapbook layout with these papers too, so stay tuned!

Emily xx

A Little Jar of...... Cards

Hi all,

Been feeling pretty rough the past few days... It all started when I made the decision to 'get fit'. I've never had to before, I used to get picked on for being so skinny.... but my arms are bigger than they should be and I just need to tone up. So I got out some weights, 1kg each, and started doing reps, 20 of this, 20 of that, 10 sit ups, 10 more.... going 'hell for leather', as my mother says.   No one told me I needed to warm up... So I spent Sunday feeling sick as I pulled my stomach and then woke up early Monday morning in agony from my back... I have a cuddly owl that heats in the microwave so I used that... still in pain... took painkillers... luckily my mum came to check if I was ok so she put pain relief cream on my back.. which helped a bit.. but I spent a few days exhausted.
I think from now on I'm just going to watch what I eat. I already cut out fizzy pop but now I'm not going to allow myself to snack....
 I felt back to my regular self yesterday so I baked a cake, started putting together some videos, recording voiceovers... I finished those this morning, made a tag, and knitted a bit more of my dinosaur. But nothing I've finished to share yet!
So today I'm taking a blog post from the 'bank' of posts I've made for times such as this.... sorry but I hope you'll love these cards as much as I do.

I've some cards I made a couple months ago to share today using a stamp set I bought from Fred Aldous in Manchester. It's by Personal Impressions and there's a little jar plus four different 'fillings' such as stars and buttons. Really cute! Here's what I came up with...

(Papermania Craft Collection)

(Bo Bunny Isabella collection)

(Papermania Country Life collection)

Thanks for stopping by! I've a new video to share on Saturday and I can't wait for you all to see it, I've found a new, more professional way of creating my videos that I'm super proud of.

Emily xx

Father's Day Cards

Hi all,

With just over a week to go until Father's Day, there's still time to make a card and here are some I have made if you need any inspiration!

 Thanks for stopping by!
Emily

Gorjuss Shaker Cards!

Hi all,

Using the Gorjuss decoupage that came free with Docrafts Creativity mag in May, I made a couple of cards.
As both made-up decoupages had apertures in them, I inserted a shaker element in each, made with plastic packaging and glitter.

The first uses First Edition Kaleidoscope paper and elements from a Trimcraft Back To Basics goody bag.

And with the second I used the goody bag too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx