A Calendar of Colours

Classes for the Spring Crop

2012-01-21T23:00:00.004Z

I will be teaching a layout class at the Cardinal Colours Spring Weekend Crop 2012 along with Linda, Anita, SJ and Angie from 31st March to 1st April 2012. More information on the shop web site and blog.

Here is a speak peek of Lynn's scrapbook layout class using beautiful paper from Kaiser Craft’s, Sweet Nothings Collection. During the class you will embellish pre-made crochet flowers and a butterfly to create a pretty floral layout which will suit any feminine themed photograph including weddings. You will need your usual scrapbooking tools and a large photo.

Linda's class is for a single page layout with a hidden element, created with Bo Bunny Enchanted papers. This monochrome page, with a hint of colour, combines different elements of design. Kit contains 3 sheets of Bazzill, 2 patterned papers, ribbon and a whole pack of jewels. Join Linda to have a “ripping” time with a patchwork of techniques.

Anita is teaching a canvas class using beautiful papers from the My Minds Eye - Lost and Found 2 'Rosy' Range. Create a stunning large 15” x 15” canvas in this class with Anita which can be on any theme you wish. The class kit includes a pack of American Crafts Glitter Thickers (alphabet), enabling you to create any title you wish to match your photographs. ANITA'S CLASS SOLD OUT NOW THANK YOU

Details to follow after booking the classes - you can email me HERE if you are interested in booking

Anita, Linda and I have had a special offer running for early bird booking which runs out tonight at midnight. The class will be £10 if booked before then, and £12.50 thereafter. Anita's canvas class offer is £14 and £16 after midnight on 22nd. Those who are already booked onto this weekend have had these details for a week. If you would like to book the weekend I believe there are still just a few places remaining (please contact Jill).

Looking forward to the weekend and all these classes.

Cardinal Colours Prize on Scrapology

2012-01-16T17:12:00.000Z

Over on Scrapology this month we are challenging you to use texture on your layouts, while scraplifting this fun double layout by Stacey Hansen.

So to take part, use embossing, raised shapes, ribbons, brads, chipboard, fabrics - whatever you like to add lumpy bits to you page.

We found this layout in 'Bonus Sketches' in 'Creating Keepsakes' Magazine (September 2011 issue).

Stacey says about herself - "I am Stacey Hansen. A craft-tographer. That is right, pick a cake and I will decorate it, pick a wall and I will paint it, pick an embellishment and I will glue it down. Pick a craft and I will give it a whirl and then take pictures of the process. That is how I became a scrapbooker. My life in pictures, telling a story and what a fun filled story it is to tell. I am a wife of one amazing man, a mom of six adorable kiddos, and a friend to many. I am an Adoptive parent, Foster Parent, Biological Parent, Boo Boo Healer, Band Aid Administrator, with an official title of "MOM". I started scrapbooking before I really even knew other people scrapbooked too. About 16 years ago I had fun shaped scissors, crazy coloured markers, and my hobby began. That hobby became a passion and now I couldn't imagine doing it any other way. So many memories to be made, so many pictures to be taken, so many pages in the making."

Here is the sketch we modified slightly to fit in with our 'Scrapology' style!

You will find the design teams layouts for inspiration on the 'T is for Texture' Post on Scrapology

PRIZE TIME

The lovely Jill of Cardinal Colours is offering a super prize again this month

This month it's one of each sheet of Bazzill Two Scoops - extra-special, 12×12, premium cardstock - not only does each sheet have a delicious sounding name, but offers two colours in one sheet.

This prize is a sheet of all 32 flavours including: Cherries Jubilee, Raspberry Parfait, Strawberry Cheesecake, Tutti Fruiti, Orange Sorbet, Irish Mint, Mountain Blackberry, Tin Roof, S’mores, Rocky Road, Cookies and Cream and more! I can't decide which is my favourite?

Two Scoops can be used as it is, or the second colour (shown along the strip with the bar code) can be revealed to create colour combinations that look delicious together. Try ripping or sanding to expose the colour underneath.

Bazzill have even added a choice of “sprinkles” on top. There are three simple, embossed textures to choose from, so pick your favourite: Dots, Flowers, or Cathedral Window.

For a chance to win a sheet of every colour in the Two Scoops line, make a double layout, using the sketch shown at the top of this post and use lots of texture in your work. Comment with a link to the post on they blog where your layout is featured or email us a photo (address in sidebar). Thanks and we hope you have fun with this challenge.

We look forward to seeing your entries. Good Luck!

3 Little Maids or........

2011-11-27T08:48:00.001Z

The Three Witches. Your choice of title.

Yesterday we had a stall at the Dickensian Fayre in Polegate. Quite a lively affair as it turns out. I didn't know there were that many people in Polegate. The queue for Santa reached along from the Council Offices (where we had our stall) to the Railway Crossing. There was a choir, mini train rides for the kids, Roasted Chestnuts and Morris Dancers. We were asked to dress in Dickensian Costume but not many of us did, sadly. We looked a right load of twits I have to say, but the Bonnet and Cape suited Angie. Liz was not too impressed with her lace cap. It was bitterky cold and Angie gave up after a while and went back to open up the shop again. Liz and I braved it, along with her grandchildren Chloe and Emily, but after they went I was so cold my fingers turned white so I must admit I didn;t see it through to the end.

here are some of the pictures:

Angie in her bonnet

me looking like Mrs Squeers

lesley from the Newsagents in my wee Willie Winkie nightie

Obviously the Morris Dancers.

Mushroom or Toadstool

2011-11-18T08:23:00.000Z

As I walked down the garden path yesterday this little toadstool (or mushroom) caught my eye. It had sucjh a pretty pattern on it and I have never seen one like it before. It stood all alone, ahhhhh, by the side of the path so I rushed in to get my camera before it disappeared.

Wot - Another Weekend Crop?

2011-11-17T12:35:00.001Z

Certainly is. They are like buses. None then 2 come along at once.

This one is in September - 15th and 16th 2012 to be exact. It will be at The High Beech Hotel in St Leonards, East Sussex. This is a nice hotel and is being redecorated at present. They have a new manageress and chef and they seem to be trying to upgrade the hotel. There is plenty of parking at the front of the hotel and the cropping room is a large room with a tea/coffee station so that you can get hot drinks (and squash) all day.

It will run from 10am to 10pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. If the ladies who teach are willing we will have some optional classes for you too.

The hotel will provide a light lunch on Saturday, something like Lasagne and salad and a dessert and Roast Beef or Pork on Sunday with dessert and a 3 course meal on Saturday Evening.

The cost for this weeknd will be £75.00 per person, but you don't have to pay until the end of July next year, so plenty of time to save up.

Cardinal Colours Weekend Crop

2011-11-12T14:06:00.003Z

Cardinal Colours Weekend Crop

As we will not be having a Retreat next year we have been asked if we would hold a weekend crop, so here are the details

When: 31March 2012-1 April 2012

Where: Stone Cross Memorial Hall, Stone Cross, Nr Eastbourne, East Sussex

Time: Saturday 31 March 2012 - 10.00am – 10.00pm

Sunday 1 April 2012 – 10.00 am – 5.00 pm

What do I get for my money?

Share a 6' table with 1 other person

Unlimited tea/coffee and biscuits

Saturday lunch – Jacket Potato with a filling, Quiche, salad and a dessert.

Saturday Evening – Fish and Chip Supper (or Pizza) and dessert.

Sunday Lunch – as Saturday

Sunday afternoon before you leave -Scone, Jam and Cream and a cuppa to see you on your way.

How much will it cost? - The price is £50 per person

When do I have to pay? - Booking is essential as soon as possible but you do not need to pay until the end of January and regrettably this will not be refundable.

Can I park? -There is some parking outside the Hall but just across the road there is a free car park.

Is there accommodation? - There is no accommodation but there are Premier Inns and Travel Lodges within a few miles if you would like to stay overnight. Look out for the special £29 a night after Christmas.

Will there be a shop? There will not be a shop at the crop but our shop is only 2 miles away for anyone who wants anything or would just like a browse. Anyone visiting the shop on Saturday or Sunday will receive a 10% discount.

Will there be any classes? - We will not be including classes but Sarah-Jane, Anita, Lynn, Linda, Angie and maybe others who taught at our Retreats will be holding classes if you would like to take any. Payment for classes will be made directly to the teachers and details and prices will be given at a later date.

If you would like to book please email me jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk to reserve a place.

Thank you everyone for for taking time to read this.

Fun in The Sun at Cardinal Colours Retreat 2011

2011-11-09T17:27:00.005Z

This was one of Anita's classes that she taught at the recent Summer retreat with Cardinal Colours
She used the beautiful, bright and zingy papers from the 'Summer Days' range by Echo Park.

The class was quickfire class, held in an hour and was aimed at using lots of layers and stickers.

If you like the look of this layout, I think that Jill may have a couple of page kits left. I bet you have got some bright and breezy summer photos to scrap.

Warmest Wishes Anita xx

Botanicals at Cardinal Colours Retreat 2011

2011-09-30T08:00:00.003+01:00

These are the cards designed for a class at Cardinal Colours Retreat 2011 taught by myself and Lynn.

The papers are the Botanicals range from Craftwork cards along with co-ordinating elements and cardstock.

Kit Contents.
1 x Scalloped DL card
1 x Elegant Square Card
1 x Scalloped Square
1 x Square card
1 x Top notch card
1 x Botanical Paper pack
1 sheet of Colour-me images
1 sheet in-circle messages
A5 sheet lime card stock
1m of ribbon

Additional items used:
Promarkers in China Blue, Cornflower, Lime and Pear.
SU Scallop punch and circle punch
Orange woodware circle punch
Retro daisy punch
Small daisy punch
Cropodile
Chalk Inks
Candi

Card One Using the scalloped DL card –

Using the blue text paper with floral border, cut a piece 9x18.5 cm so the border is at the bottom.

Trim your choice of colour me flower to approx 4.5x8.5 cm leaving a 2-3mm border around the text. Colour the image using the Promarkers. Punch scallop circle from lime card stock, punch circle from blue text from other half of original sheet (use the top edge) choose greeting and assemble. Take a lime scalloped rectangle and tie the ribbon around creating a knot on the left, trim ends. Add 3d foam to this and also the coloured image and add to top middle of card. Add the greeting also on 3d foam. Decorate the edges of the scalloped card with candi (with 3d foam pads)

Card Two - Using the square scallop card

Score the card 5 scallops in (vertically) to form the easel. Take the white floral paper and cut a piece 13.5cm wide, then cut again to 14cm. Colour random flowers with the promarker. Add the piece 13.5x14cm to the scored section and fold. Add the remaining piece to the inside bottom of the card. Cut a square 10x10cm from the lime card and from the remaining blue text paper a square 9x9xm as below.

Follow the same steps as card one to mount a message and add to the inside of the card on 3d foam to hold the easel open. Mount the blue text on the lime square and fix to the front of the card with double sided tape – only use on the lower half of the square. Trim a colour-me flower to approx 4x7.5cm and colour. Take a tag and punch a hole in the top. Using the cover sheet, cut a piece 6x6.5cm from the border strip and fix centrally onto tag.

Add the colour-me floral to the tag with 3d foam and the tag to the square on the card, also with 3d foam at an angle. Tie a small piece of ribbon through the hole and trim edged.

Card Three - Using the elegant square card –

From the green border sheet, cut a piece 7.5x12cm wide. Using the remainder of the white floral, cut two strips 12x2.25 cm. Stick to the card to form a 12cm square. Take a blue scalloped rectangle tie the ribbon around it with a knot to the right. Cut a floral colour-me to approx 4.5x8.5cm, colour with Promarkers, also high-light a few words in the text. Add 3d foam to both and fix to the left hand side of card. Using a ruler as a guide add candi to the right hand edge of the square with 3d foam, see below:

Card Four - Using top notch card.

Cut the sheet of white text floral border to create a panel 10.5 wide by 11.5 high and stick centrally.

Colour the floral border with the Promarkers. Using the leaf trim from the colour-me sheet, cut a strip 10.5x1.5cm and fix, white side up, with 3d foam above the floral panel. Using the leaf side, trim tightly to the leaves and cut into small strips, stick above the white strip. Using the green text/floral paper punch 3 retro daisies, shape the petals and fix to the tops of the leaf strips.

Cut 3 small circles from remnants of colour-me sheet and place in the centre of the flowers with 3d foam. Add Candi along the white raised strip and along the bottom of the card.

Card Five - Using the square card.

Use the scoring tool to score the card halfway and fold as below.

Cut a piece from the white text 14x7cm and stick on the flap. Cut the green text/floral border to 14x10cm wide and stick inside. Make a slit in the front fold just over 1.5 cm and thread the ribbon through, fix behind with double sided tape and then tie another piece of ribbon in knot on the front section. Colour a floral panel approx 4.5x8.5cm mount onto lime rectangle with 3d foam, repeat with rectangle onto front of card. Using remaining white text, punch one circle with the yellow woodware, one retro daisy, and five small pointed edge flowers. Punch a lime scallop and assemble as before. Add to right hand side and arrange the flowers around. Use a small circle (orange punch) in the centre of the daisy and Candi for the other flower centres.

The kits may have sold out, but many of the items used are available from Cardinal Colours.

Sepia Colouring Class

2011-09-28T14:00:00.002+01:00

Sepia colouring with Promarkers Class for the Cardinal Colours Retreat.

The cards I made as samples, and included in the class, taught with Linda at Cardinal Colours Retreat last weekend.

Papers - Basic Grey's Basics Collection

Card Blanks, Card Candi and A4 Digital Smooth White Cardstock - Craftwork Cards

Pens - Promarkers in 5 colours - Satin, Pastel Beige, Sandstone, Cinnamon and Caramel.

Cardstock - Bazzill

Chestnut chalk ink - Colorbox

Tuxedo or Rich Cocoa dye based ink pad - Memento

Stamps - by Joanna Sheen's All Our Yesterdays stamps designed by Faye Whittaker
Punches - Stampin' Up
Ribbon - Cardinal Colours
All available from Jill at Cardinal Colours

SEPIA COLOURING TUTORIAL

1. Stamp your image with Memento Tuxedo Black, fade resistant, dye ink onto Smooth White Digital Cardstock. This is a good combination and means the alcohol based ProMarkers will not ‘bleed’ with the paper or water based ink.

2. Start by colouring the entire image using the SATIN marker.

3. Using the PASTEL BEIGE start shading the Shadowy parts to add some definition. For example the folds and shaded areas of the straw hats, shadow where limbs etc. overlap and areas inside or behind items.

4. Now move to SANDSTONE to deepen the shading a little.

5. To deepen shading further take and highlight some areas with CINNAMON.

6. Use the SATIN pen again and colour the whole image to blend in any sharp lines between colours.

7. Add touches of CARAMEL in darkest parts to add warmth.

If you wish to continue adding darker shading, add in touches of additional darker shades on brown.

I have also achieved similar (but darker) results using the colour range - Ivory, Tan, Cinnamon, Cocoa and Walnut.

Useful Tip – stamping images a while before you want o colour them, helps to prevent the ink running into the colour.

Instructions for making the five cards included in the class

Lifebuoy Stamp - FW910

Cut a piece of light paper 13.5x14cm, and a dark piece 10x8.5cm. Ink the edges of both pieces with brown chalk ink and place on the square scallop edge card as shown. Ink edges of card.

Sandcastle Stamp - FW911

Cut a piece of light paper 11x15cm. Stick over the front of a top notch card. Trim paper to shape of the card and ink the edges with the brown chalk ink. For this card the corners of the image and greeting are rounded – optional.

Mount image to left of the card and the greeting to top right overlapping the image. Mount with 3D foam pads.

Dolphin Stamp - FW907

Cut a piece of dark coloured paper 18x9cm. Ink the edges with brown ink and stick to an oblong scallop edge card. Line the paper up with the top of the card. Ink edges of card. Attach the image to the left of the card. Add the greeting to the top right overlapping the image.

Washroom Teddy Stamp - FW908

Cut a strip of dark paper 5x15cm and mount onto a piece of Bazzill 5.5x15cm. Ink the edges with brown ink and mount the paper onto the Bazzill. Stick to an elegant Square card about 2.5cm up from the bottom. Trim ends of Bazzill and paper to shape of card with scissors or craft knife. Ink edges of card.

Mount image centrally and add greeting to bottom right of card.

Bucket and Spade Stamp - FW912

For this card stamp and prepare the small bucket and spade image in addition to the main image and greeting.

Cut some light paper 14.5x14.5cm, ink edges with brown ink. Mount onto a square card. Cut a piece of dark paper 14.5x5cm, and trim with scalloped edge punch and ink the edges. Add this to the top of the card like a canopy. Mount the Large image centrally onto the card tucking the top under the canopy. Add the small image to the bottom right and the greeting to the bottom left.

There were five cards in the class, but six stamps in the series, so I made this easel card using a cream coloured card blank and added some Card Candi.

Postcard Stamp - FW909

Thank you to all who attended the class.

Black and white and colour versions to follow.

TFL

Some great feedback from Sue (Mini Owner on her blog) and here are her cards.

Thanks Sue - so pleased you enjoyed the class.

If anyone else wants me to share their cards here, please comment with a link or send me an email and I will add them.

Blog Candy over on Scrapology

2011-09-19T12:00:00.009+01:00

Here is the class Linda and I taught at Jill's (Cardinal Colours) Seaside Retreat last weekend.

We have returned to reality, totally exhausted, but all had a brilliant time. Amongst other things Linda and I created was this layout (...not a scraplift in sight), for a class with 'Seaside' theme in mind. When we saw the advert for the Lauderdale range from Basic Grey, some time before it was released, we knew it was perfect for what we wanted to do and so designed this page before the papers were available. They are such fantastic colours and designs - we hope you agree.

There are now three versions of this layout, we made one together when designing called 'Island Hoppers' with photos of my girls on the Isles of Scilly back in 2000:

A second one I made for step by step instructions called 'Lady of Kent' which is the name of the boat I'm sitting on, way back in the 1982:

The third one was made by Linda, called 'Totally Tropical' which sums up these papers and the photos beautifully and shows pictures of her family in Barbados in 2005.

Lauderdale Layout Class

Cardinal Colours Retreat September 2011

Kit Content:

4 double sided sheets of 12”x 12” Basic Grey - Lauderdale papers - (SPF, Coastline, Cut Offs and Clearwater)

6 Basic Grey - Lauderdale buttons

1 - 12”x12” sheet Basic Grey – Lauderdale element stickers

1 - 12”x12” sheet Basic Grey – Lauderdale alpha stickers

1 pack of 4 Basic Grey – Lauderdale canvas tags

Selection of DMC stranded cotton threads.

We have included our sketch – that’s what we do at Scrapology! You may like to use it for another layout too. Please link or email any layouts you make using this sketch, it would be great to share them on the blog.

In addition you will need 2 - 6”x4” (or smaller) photos (one landscape and one portrait)

Basic tools including: Inks, corner rounder, Paper trimmer, Adhesives for paper, 3D foam pads, Pen for journaling & Needle for buttons.

Instructions

We are known as the ‘Inking Queens’, we inked the edge of everything before sticking down (but this is entirely optional)! We usually add thread to the buttons and tie a simple knot which is also optional.

1. To make your base, take the ‘sfp’ paper remove name strip, gut paper so you have a 12” x 12” frame 1” in from edge all round. This will be used blue, large dots side up.

2. Cut ‘cutoffs’ paper to measure 11” x 11” and round the corners, this will be used tiny dotty side up.

3. Round the corners of the dotty paper (optional).

4. Stick ‘cutoffs’ dotty paper centrally over blue dots side of ‘spf’ frame, so you have a blue border of about 1/2” all round the dots. (Dot to Dot!)

5. Cut a piece of ‘clearwater’ paper 12”x5” making sure waves are horizontal.

6. Trim this to 11” wide (1”x5”). Affix to page 2” up from bottom.

7. Position photos on page and stick in place glue centres only to allow for tucking elements under later.

8. Take remaining ‘spf’, cut out a selection of clouds, boat, hearts and any other elements you wish to use.

9. Cut large green blossom, (leaving a narrow pink border) from left side of floral side of ‘coastline’ paper. Attach with 3D foam pads to top right corner of layout, overlap the edges a little then trim.

10. Cut a selection of flowers and leaves from the rest of floral side of ‘coastline’ paper, Leave a small pink border around each petal. Don’t worry if you can’t get whole images of the flowers you like, with a little clever positioning and lots of overlapping they will look great, and work well.

11. Use a strip of the denim side of ‘cutoffs’ paper, trim to ¾” x 6” and cut an inverted ‘V’ in one end.

12. Add all three pointer stickers to this strip, staggering, overlapping and layering with 3D foam pads.

13. Add Button to blunt end of the strip and stick the complete embellishment horizontally over the green blossom on top right of layout.

14. Here comes the fun bit! Arrange all the elements, including tags and buttons. When happy with the arrangement, stick in place with a selection of glues and 3D foam pads. Tuck some under and others overlapping the photograph. (Keep the acetate backing form the tags – we need this later.)

13. Add some journaling to the tags.

14. Create your title to the top left of the layout using the alpha sheet.

Top tip – How often have you found you have run out of room for the last letter when placing a title, or it’s not straight whe
n you look at it later, but it’s firmly attached and won’t move without tearing the papers? Try making use of the cellophane wrappers or use the acetate from inside the packs to help with positioning.

Simply attach just the very bottom of the letters to the acetate. (If you want a curved shaped title, just cut the acetate to shape first.) Arrange how you want them.

Hold letters over the layout without touching the papers, to see if they fit.

Pull away the acetate when happy with the placement.

Now your layout is complete.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post and although the kits for this class are sold out, Jill has many of the individual elements and papers in the store, they may not be on her website just yet but you could email to see what she has available jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk or check out Cardinal Colours web page.

BLOG CANDY

Comment on Scrapology for your chance to win one of the original kits for this layout.

Closing date midnight 26th September 2011

Good Luck!

Here is the layout made by Sue (Mini Owner) during the class, see her blog for more of her retreat creations.

Please add your creations, by commenting here or on Scrapology with a link or send us an email with an image.

Countdown to the Biggest Cardinal Colours Event of the Year

2011-09-13T07:23:00.005+01:00

Yes folks.... only three sleeps until Jill's big seaside retreat in Eastbourne. We are all busy preparing (especially Jill and Richard) and really looking forward to seeing you all on Friday for a weekend full of fun, scrapbooking, cardmaking, classes, make and takes, food and generally having a great time with old friends and those we have yet to make.

We are staying and creating in the York House Hotel, right on the sea front.

Here are a few sneak peeks (if any of the designers want more added please send me the jpg's)

See those of you who are attending very soon.

Hi-jacked by Scrapology (again!)

2011-09-12T12:46:00.000+01:00

For the month of September, Scrapolgy have selected his delightful layout to scraplift.

It was created by the talented Kelly Goree

A few words sent to us from Kelly:

"Kelly Goree lives in the beautiful horse country of Kentucky with her husband of more than 13 years and her three rambunctious boys. She was introduced to scrapbooking in early 2000 just after her oldest son was born and it quickly became a favorite hobby then all-out passion. She'll tell you if she's not out chasing her boys, you can find her scrapping!

Kelly is currently a full-time staff designer and international instructor for BasicGrey where she is a driving force in designing work for classes, trade shows, catalogs, and special events. In 2006 she had the honor of being a Memory Makers Master and has over 500 published works that can been seen in the pages of Creating Keepsakes, Better Homes & Garden's Scrapbooks Etc., Scrapbook Trends, Paper Trends, Scrapbook & Cards Today and other scrapbooking and paper arts publications."

Please see more of Kelly's work HERE on Scrapbook.com, and HERE for her blog.

The sketch we created from Kelly's layout:

and out technique to include this month is EMBOSSING, either dry or wet embossing.

The layouts created by our Design Team

LYNN

LINDA

KAREN

ANITA

JILL

ALI

Welcome back to the DT - Congratulations to Ali on the birth of her twin boys.

DEIRDRE

This month our GUEST DESIGNER is the very crafty

KRAFTY KAREN

Here is Karen's layout - to see more of her lovely creations, please visit her blog - Krafty Karen's Fantastic Place

Please join in the fun and create a layout using these pages for inspiration and the technique of Embossing (wet or dry). We hope you will let us share your finished layout on this blog.

We ask you to become a follower of this blog to be considered for the prize and you have until midnight on 5th October to enter the competition.

If you create a page after that date, please still share it with us.

Please can bloggers leave a comment with a link to the relevant post on their blog.

If you don't have a blog - no problem! - Simply drop us an image attached to an email.

Please note the email address has been recently updated.

PRIZE TIME

The prize for the best layout had been generously provided by Jill of Cardinal Colours.

This time we have an A5 Vintage Sewing Stamp Plate and black ink pad to offer.

Prize offered to UK residents, but all welcome to join in the fun.

Our Thanks to Kelly, Krafty Karen and Jill. x

Count and Countess Duckula

2011-06-27T17:09:00.001+01:00

A pair of ducks seem to have taken up residence in our garden. They are very tame, but I think they are wild ducks but Richard says they aren't, and who am I to argue with him? lol I first noticed them early in the morning this week. The duck was bathing on the swimming pool cover. The drake was sitting on the edge watching over her. All of that chlorine can't do her any good but I suppose the water on the pool cover is rain water and not harmful.

In the evenings they appear and feed on the seed that the birds have dropped under the feeder. Then off she goes to have a wash and he waddles along behind her and watches over her. I don't know if they fly in from somewhere else or whether they have taken up residence somewhere in the garden that I can't see. The fox regularly walks through the garden at night setting off the secrity lights so I hope that they are well hidden if they are in the garden.

Back at Last

2011-06-24T11:45:00.000+01:00

Well after weeks of blogger messing me about I have found a way to get back into the blogs. Goodness knows what they are up to but for a technophobe like me it has been a nightmare.
I hope to get onto everyones blog who took part in the blog hop and see what has been happening. Thank you all for visiting this blog - even though there was nothing to see.

I hope to get some posts written when I have caught up with myself but firstly I would like to remind you of our FREE demonstration day on Friday 1 July - yes next week.

Those who came to the day in March will remember Pam who demo's for Creative Expressions, a lovely friendly lady who gave lots of tips and ideas. She has agreed to come back and show us more.
She will be using Distress Inks again, some watercolours, Mica Paints, Bondable Fibres and Creative Expression Stamp sets. She also has some ideas to show you if you own a Fiskars Paper Trimmer.

So if you are aroung next Friday do call in to the shop, in the High Street, in Polegate, have a cuppa and a chat and meet nice people who have the same interests. Free parking for 2 1/2 hours near the station car park just two minutes from the shop.

She will also be taking some classes at our Retreat in September, along with Angie, Anita, Lynn, Linda, Sarah-Jane and of course Zoe. We are finalising class pages and will email everyone with sneak peaks and details, hopefully in mid July

Scrapology June Blog Candy Hop

2011-06-02T10:00:00.013+01:00

For the June Scrapology Challenge 'M is for Machine Stitching' - here is Jill's scraplift of a layout by Cindy Tobey.

Here is Cindy's original layout.

and the sketch

Pop over to Scrapology to see what the rest of the design team came up with and for more information about the challenge.

New for this month on Scrapology, we have arranged a blog hop for you.

You should have arrived here from the talented Karen's blog - Scrap-a-tabulous - and her lovely layout called 'What a Hoot'. If not please return to the Scrapology blog and start at the 'Start of Blog Candy Hop' post. If you did, leave a comment below, follow this blog then proceed to our gest designer, Becky's blog - Becky's Burblings and see her beautiful layout called 'You + Me = Happy'.

Our thanks as always to Jill (Cardinal Colours) for providing our monthly scraplift prizes.

Classes fro June 2011

2011-05-29T15:23:00.000+01:00

I have had a lot of enquiries about beginners classes for both Scrapbooking and cardmaking so I have been busy twisting friends arms to teach some classes at the shop during June. Luckily most people have been helpful and not minded a bit of personl injury. Because of the limited space we are limited to 4 people per workshop so they will be very intimate classes. lol.

Here is a list if you are interested:

We have a leaflet in theh shop with more details. We will be adding more workshops and demos throughout the coming months so keep checking back

Friday 10 June from 10-12 with Angie make a delicious Ice Cream Sundae Card , using proMarkers and decorated with some bugle beads. £8 per person

Friday 10 June from 1 -3 with Angie - 12 x 12 Scrapbook Page £10.00 per person. Book and pay for 4 classes and get a 12 x 12 album.

Thursday 23 June from 10 -12 with Angie - Fathers Day Card, or this could be used as a card for a man. £8 per person
Thursday 23 June with Angie from 1-3 - 12 x 12 Scrapbook Page (see above)
Saturday 25 June from 10-12 with Sy - Shimmering Fish 3d Card £8.00 per person
Saturday 25 June from 1-3 with - Sy - Spring is Here Card with simple Punch Art flowers £8.00 per person
Monday 27 June from 10-12 with Liz - Medallion Card. This class is £10 but you will get a medallion kit including a medallion stamp.
Monday 27 June from 1-3 with Liz - Faye Whittaker Decoupage Card, these cute images are from days gone by. £8 per person

And finally you may remember Pam who came and gave us a demo using the Distress Inks, Shimmer Mists and watercolours. She will be back on Friday 1 Jusly showing us more techniques and tips. So come along between 10 and 2 and see her in action. This is free so please call in if you can.

May on Scrapology

2011-05-10T09:00:00.001+01:00

The challenge for this month's scraplift is now live over on the Scrapology Blog and runs until 5th June. For May we are scraplifting a layout by the talented scrapbooker Liberty Chance. The technique is to have a go at making your own vine. Lynn had written a step-by-step on her blog and on the Scrapology blog.

The sketch:

Jill of Cardinal Colours had kindly provided the prize for this monthly challenge again.

Thanks Jill and Liberty

Pop over to Scrapology to get some inspiration and to join in the fun.

April on Scrapology

2011-04-22T15:54:00.000+01:00

If you find yourself with some time to craft over the next two long weekends, and need some inspiration, pop over to Scrapology for this month's challenge. We have chosen a layout by Sarah Youde and created a sketch. Take a look at what the design team came up with and the first few entries we have received so far. Jill (Cardinal Colours) has kindly offered a prize for the winner. All the details are on the blog.

Here is the original layout made by Sarah:

Here is the sketch:

Sarah's original was for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, how about making one for the Royal Wedding? As this challenge runs until 5th May, you could use your street party or other celebration photos.

We also have a card making challenge up and running now. This runs until 15th May and will be every month.

The first one is set by Elaine of Quixotic Paperie and she wants us to 'Be Charning' and use a charm or two on our cards.

Here is Elaine's example:

Elaine has offered a prize too.

Again pop over to the Scrapology site to see the DT examples.

Hope you will come along an play. Can't wait to see what you all come up with.

Happy Easter.

Dates for your Diary

2011-03-28T12:24:00.000+01:00

I am ashamed to say (well not very, to be honest) that I have browbeaten Angie and Liz into doing some demonstrations in the shop.

The first date is Wednesday 13 April 2011.

Angie will be showing how to make simple little gifts just using a couple of sheets of cardstock or papers. She will also be making a few other things, like a topiary tree or cone, depending on how far I can twist her arm. A couple of these things we have made in classes, usually with Anita, so it is basically for people who haven't seen them before.

The second date is Wednesday 27 April

and Liz will be demonstrating some cardmaking. She says she will be using the Faye Whittaker stamps and decoupage sheets, and also be embossing, using glitter and stamping etc.

So of you are free do come along from 10.30 - 3 and have a cuppa and watch the demonstrations.

Don't forget the address: Cardinal Colours, 42 High Street, Polegate, east Sussex, BN26 6AG. Telephone: 01323 488718.

The shop is open Wednesday to Saturday 9.30 - 4.30.

We do have a couple of car spaces at the back of the shop but if they are taken there is a free car park for 2 1/2 hours just by the station.

Happy Birthday to Me

2011-03-28T11:43:00.000+01:00

It was my birthday on St Patricks Day, 17 March, and I received so many beautiful cards and girfts, I was overwhelmed. I know so many kind and talented people.

The following weekend I went to Debden House for a crafting weekend with some friends. Well actually they invited me to come 4 years ago, to make up the numbers, I think, and they haven't been able to get rid of me since. It is an annual event and I really look forward to it. This year it fell just after my birthday, and also my friend Anita's birthday was on Monday 21st. So the weekend was extra special this year. My daughter Angie kindly looked after the shop for 2 days and designed the Mothers Day window for me.

Here are just a few of the lovely cards that I recieved. I am sorry for the quality but I have quickly photographed them on the dining table. Not the best way to present them I know.

I am sure that no one will mind if I especially point out this card. It was from Dot. Dot has been seriously ill for the last 18 months or so and has days when she has trouble with her joints etc and cannot hold a pair of scissors. I was so touched by the effort that she put into making this beautiful card. Thank you Dot.

And thank you everyone else for making my day so special.

Demo day

2011-03-08T15:03:00.000Z

Well it has been several weeks since I last updated this blog - and I am truly ashamed of myself. So much has happened so there is no excuse for not blogging. I haven't done any blog hopping either. Something that I intend to rectify though.

Well I am taking this opportunity to let you know about the demo day that we have in the shop on Friday. It runs from 10 - 4 and Pam from Creative Expressions will be showing different techniques using distressing. She will be stamping the image and then distressing the backgrounds I don't have too much information but I know that she will be using the Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads, Shimmer Mist Sprays, Mica Paints and Watercolour paints as well as other mediums.

I think she is aiming for a vintagy feel as she has asked for some of the Creative Expression stamp plates, including the Vintage Wine Labels, Sewing and Vintage photography, but there is a butterfly one in there too.

I met Pam for the first time last week and she is very passionate about her crafting and has just returned from a 42 day cruise where she was teaching carfting to the ladies on the cruise. In a couple of weeks she is off again, I think she said to the Bahamas for an 18 night cruise this time. A tough job but I suppose it saves someone else from having to do it lol.

You may have seen some of the Creative Expression demos on Create and Craft TV with colleagues of Pam's. She herself is one of Creative Expressions demonstrators.

So Friday looks to be an informative and enjoyable day so if you are about please do call in and see what you can learn from her. Make yourself known and have a cuppa and a chat.

New Prima Collections

2011-02-04T11:37:00.000Z

I have just had a delivery of the stunning new Prima 12 x 12 papers. There are 12 designs in each collection and they must be seen to appreciate them. The collections are Madeline, Moulin Rouge, Reflections, Melody, Sparkling Spring, Botanical, Celebrate and Sweet Fairy.

I will take home a few of each paper so that you can see them if you are at a crop or class but the rest will be in the shop.

At Last a New Post

2011-02-04T07:26:00.000Z

Hello everyone - remember me?

It has been a bit manic the last couple of weeks. I have been trying to organise several things at once - not a good idea when you have a brain like mine. After 30 odd years of pleasing myself when and what and where I found it quite a strain to be tied down to regular hours and I also found it quite tiring.

The opening day went very well and lots of friends and well wishers turned up. I had lots of Good Luck cards and Lynne and Carol gave me a lovely bunch of flowers. Thank you both for those.

Lynn made a banner and it is still hanging in the shop. The cards are on the wall for all to see and I really ought to take a photo of them. The local paper turned up and took a photo of me and Anita outside the shop. We had to stand in a VERY friendly fashion, lol, grinning like a couple of idiots, but to date it hasn't been in the paper.

If I have learned one thing over the last couple of weeks it is that I am in the wrong business.:) I have had numerous requests for knicker elastic, cotton, pins, wool etc etc. I shall have to organise a small stock of these items - not the wool as I need too much space to stock these.

I have been given so many examples of things for display. Everyone has been so kind and helpful. I have had cards made with the things I sell, from Sy, Lynn, Linda, Liz, and Sue and Anita has made a beautiful heart, from a polystyrene shape that I have in the shop. She has completely covered it in sequins and put some flowers and ribbon at the top. it is stunning. I tried to take a picture to post here but my camera battery was dead so i shall have to add that at a later date, Chris the jewellery maker has made a hanging ornament from bugle beads that I havefor sale, a work of art which must have taken her hours, and when I change the window I shall be hanging this up.

Thank you everyone for your support.

D Day minus 1

2011-01-18T17:23:00.000Z

Tomorrow is the big day for me. I don't think there is anyone who doesn't know that I am opening a shop.
I am very nervous and wonder what the next few years will bring - success - or - *gulp* - failure.

Everyone has been so supportive. I opened a package today and Lynn sent me a banner saying 'Cardinal Colours' Richard has put it up in the shop for me and I shall take some photos tomorrow. Time ran out today I'm afraid.

Tomorrow morning his task is to blow up some balloons and put them outside. Lets hope it doesn't rain. Still the forecast is for fine but chilly.

I have had some lovely 'Good Luck' cards and these too have been put up in the shop.

A photographer from the Sussex Express and County Herald will be arriving at 9.30 tomorrow to take a photo of me and my staff. Anita has stepped in for the day as staff so she may be famous in Sussex. I was going to say it will be the next day fish and chip papers but they don't have these any n more do they. I am sure fish and chips tasted better from a newspaper wrapping. lol. The reporter asked me to write a few words and my friend Gillyp critiqued it and altered it as she said I wasn't blowing my own trumpet enough. She is brilliant with words and I often turn to her for advice.

But I digress. People have knocked on the window and said how pleased they are that a craft shop is opening, including a couple of elderly gentlemen, (I hope that they know what a craft shop is and are not expecting and Ann Summers shop) I have only had one old lady say it would be a disaster - and I aim to prove her wrong.

So I may see you soon. Do call in for a chat, a browse and a cuppa if you are in the area.
Cardinal Colours, 42 High Street, polegate, East Sussex. Tel: 01323 488718

Scrapology - January Challenge

2011-01-16T17:20:00.000Z

The naughty girls from Scrapology have hi-jacked this blog again :)

This months Scrapology Challenge is a double page layout from a pagemap.

Lynn and Linda both used the I believe collection from My Minds Eye, as below, which is available here.

You can see how different the pages came out using the same collection of papers below.

Why not pop over to the Scrapology site to view more of the DT's pages and enter your layout.

There is a £15 voucher for use at Cardinal Colours available for the winner!

Thank You to My Wonderful Friends

2011-01-09T08:51:00.000Z

Yesterday was probably my last Saturday crop as I shall open the shop on 19 January and will be a working girl again after all of these years.

Anyway, the girls at the crop presented me with these flowers to wish me luck in the new enetrprise. Such a lovely surprise and I was more touched than I cared to show. Everyone has been so supportive and you don't realise how many kind, generous and helpful people there are out there till something like this happens.

So a very grateful and emotional thanks to Anita, Chris, Linda, Liz, Lynn, Sue, Tina and Wendy (I did this alphabetically so that it wouldn't appear that I had thought of someone before another as they are all so special in their own way)

What a Sweet Tree

2010-12-14T09:15:00.000Z

I am often intrigued when people buy things from my shop. No more so than the polystyrene cones. What are they doing with them?

One lady who bought some of the cones, Tricia Carter, sent me this picture of her finished cones. She has been making them for 25 years, and buys long stemmed glasses from charity shops and shaves the bottom of the cones to fit in the glasses. She then attaches Quality Street and one tin makes 3 trees. I thought that this was a brillinat idea and so effective as table centre pieces for special occasions.

I Think I Bagged a Bargain

2010-12-10T16:48:00.002Z

We went to the auction at Billingshurst yesterday and today as I had seen online some bits and bobs that I wanted for shop window displays. Of course the actual items that I wanted came up second so rather than lose them I also bid on the two items that came up first. And as they say, Murphys Law, I got both lots. The chair I really liked was the red one and the orangier coloured pram. Both the prams had these ugly little dolls, poor things, in them. The chairs are 49cm high and the prams are 36cm. The prams were £10 and £15 each and I couldn't belive my luck. I also wanted a little rocking horse but they old sold for upwards of £180 and that was just a tad too expensive lol.

As I couldn't get a rocking horse I consoled myself with this gorgeous little steam driven car. It is in remarkable condition and still has the original box. I think it was made around the mid 70's so it is older than some of you lol

I am Probably Totally Insane

2010-12-07T15:38:00.000Z

I have just signed a lease on a little shop in Polegate near to my home.

I had hoped that it would all have been sorted before now but it was a Taxi Office and he has moved to larger and grander premises, and the probem was it British Telecom as he needed a new phone system installed in his new premises. It was supposed to have taken 6 weeks but it has dragged on and is more like 3 months.

I hope to get the keys, officially, by the end of the week and then it will be all systems go with the paint brush and screwdrivers. I have order the fittings, arranged a new phone line and insurance, so I have spent the day on the phone and internet.

When I am open I hope that you will come along for a browse and a cup of coffee and biscuit.

I will keep you updated as we go along.

Wish me luck please

Thicker and Thicker

2010-12-05T09:32:00.000Z

No not the snow. That all melted in the rain yesterday thank goodness. :)

This is this weeks special offer. Half price American Crafts Thickers. You can see what we have available here. On some of the designs we only have 1 left so be quick and grab a bargain before it is too late. Here is a picture of just one of the Thickers available.

Add a Bit of Bling

2010-11-28T13:31:00.000Z

This weeks special offer is on these gorgeous little Prima embellishments called Sultan and Raja centres. I think that they were originally intended as flower centres but they will stand alone on other projects. In a variety of colours there are 10 to a pack and at only £1.13 they won't break the bank if you give them as stocking fillers or advent presents.

Do you remember The Elephant Parade in London recently? Well these would work beautifully on any elephant layouts.

If anyone has any other ideas as to what they could be used for would love to hear your suggestions

Scrapology have Hijacked this blog!!

2010-11-23T17:00:00.001Z

The supplies for these layouts are all available from Cardinal Colours. Pop over to the Scrapology Blog to take part in this month's challenge.

Next challenge due to be published on 6th December.

Say It With Flowers - Half Price

2010-11-22T11:18:00.000Z

I thought it was time I started to clear some old stock out of the shop so I am intending to do a Weekly Special offer.

This week it is the Prima e-line Flowers. So if you want to replenish your stock, or have some bargains to put in Christmas Stockings, Advent Calendars or Secret Santas pop along to the shop and p-p-p-pick up a bargain. The offer only lasts till Sunday of each week. Here is the link

2011 Retreat - What a Compliment.

2010-11-10T20:35:00.000Z

I am so pleased that our next Retreat is nearly a sell out. The majority of people who came this year have re-booked - and some are bringing along a friend.

For those who don't know about it we are having our second Retreat again in sunny Eastbourne, on the South Coast . This time it is a different hotel. the York House Hotel but which is right on the seafront as before.

The cost of the weekend which runs from Friday afternoon 16 September 2011 to Sunday afternoon 18 September 2011 is £299 per person.

For this you will get a single room (or twin if you prefer to share with a friend), 2 evening meals, 2 breakfasts, 2 jacket potato lunches and tea and coffee. You will also have a choice of 3 workshops, all kits supplied, (if there are any spaces you will be able to do extra workshops at a£10 each) either scrapbooking or cardmaking. We will also have Make and Takes going on throughout the weekend, or if you prefer to 'do your own thing' then you will have a cropping table where you can work until you are too tired to do any more.

There will also be a raffle on Saturday evening with some fabulous prizes.

Once again Lynn, Linda and Anita will be taking the Make and Takes and will also be doing some workshops. Zoe Pierson will also be holding some card making classes. Everyione seemed to love her classes last time so we thought we could brave it and ask her to come back again.

Angie will be teaching also and we are hoping that Karen Burniston will design another workshop for us. And we are hoping to get sarah-Jane Dowsaett and Laura Buckingham to teach again.

So for a fun filled and informative weekend why not join us at the York House Hotel, in Eastbourne on Friday 16 September 2011

You can find out more about the hotel here

November is 'E' for Embellishments

2010-11-09T09:18:00.000Z

Well if you are a follower of the Scrapology Blog it is. The November challenge is 'E' is for Embellishments

If you follow this link you will find details of the November scraplift, which is using your own made embellishments, and if Cindy Schneider, who produced the original layout, chooses your entry you will win these ProMarker pens.

ProMarkers are all the rage just now and Lynn on Scrapology has posted about them with a few suggestions for the colours for beginners. I keep meaning to try these but I am not good at colouring in and I don't enjoy stamping, but seeing the beautiful card creations that some of the girls come up with I am rather tempted to try. Maybe I could win the starter set of ProMarkers lol.

It doesn't cost you anything to enter. Just email your entry to Lynn, it tells you how to go about it on the blog, and she will upload it for you. And you never know, you might be the proud owner of some ProMarker pens.

If you don't already know about it you can find the Scrapology blog here. Ideas and inspiration and if you have a problem with either scrapbooking or cardmaking, one of the talented Design Team will be on hand to answer your questions. If you have something that you would like answered in depth then contact Lynn and she will do a post about is, just as she has for the ProMarkers.

A Glutton for Punishment

2010-11-02T09:13:00.000Z

Well we must be. We have arranged another Retreat for next year and Anita, Lynn and Linda have volunteered, well with a bit of gentle persuasion, to help with it.

So it will be at the York House Hotel, a Best Western hotel, in Eastbourne and again on the seafront, from Friday 16 September 2011 to Sunday 18 September 2011. basically the same format as this year but hopefully with some improvements. We have listened and read peoples comments and have tried to implement their requests.

The price is higher this year unfortunately and will be £299 per person. If you are interested you can find more details on our website http://www.cardinalcolours.co.uk/

Here is a picture of the hotel that I got from the website.

Yummy Cupcakes

2010-10-28T10:02:00.000+01:00

I am not a fan of cupcakes in any shape or form but in May of this year I went to Debden with some friends for the weekend and Lynn gave us each a cupcake pin cushion that she had knitted. She is a very talented lady in more ways than one and her sewing skills are to be envied too.

Anyway in October when I went again to Debden with another group of friends, I am well travelled you know lol, Liz and I called in at Costco and spotted this cupcake stand. She persuaded me to buy it, thanks Liz :) and so I emailed Lynn and asked for a copy of the cupcake pattern. I have been spending every spare minute this week knitting. It has been years since I did any and it took me a while to get back into it but so far I have come up with these. I have had to shelve the last few for a few days as I have worn a hole in my finger and it is quite painful.

Daughter Angie saw them and decided she wanted to do some so we trotted along to the wool shop and kitted her out. When I asked the next day if she had started it seems my 2 granddaughters have taken half of the wool each and are knitting them. You have started a trend Lyn.

Here are my efforts so far.

mmm looking at the photos it seems I ought to put them in the cases a bit better. They seem a bit lopsided. Maybe thats why they need a circle of cardboard in the base of each cupcake case. Back to the drawing board lol

Scrapology needs you

2010-10-22T08:53:00.000+01:00

Well it is not so much that it needs you but you need it:) You can win a prize each month by scraplifting the sketch and entering your layout in the competition. It is open to everyone and there is just a short while left to enter this month. There don't seem to be many entries this month so you could be the lucky winner if Lyn Bierman, who designed the page, picks your layout as the winner.

This months lucky winner will recieve this About A Girl Collection pack from Fancy Pants

Pop on over to Scrapology and enter your layout. As the blog gets more established there will be articles on different techniques and a little bird tells me that next months is something you may all want to try.

Lovely Christmas Blog Candy

2010-10-16T14:32:00.000+01:00

Over on the Scrapology Blog thay are offering some gorgeous Christmas Blog Candy. To be in with a chance to win some all you have to do is become a follower of the blog and put a link to your own blog if you have one.

Here is the Christmas Blog Candy. What are you waiting for. Go on over to the Scrapology Blog NOW (as that irritating little man says on the replacement window advert lol) The winner will be announced on the 22 October, Friday evening.

Each month there is a scraplift challenge, also with a chance to win a prize. This month it is a Fancy Pants Collection called 'About A Girl'. Last date for uploading your layout is 29 October so you have a couple of weeks to come up with a stunning layout and a chance to win the papers. Just go to the Scrapolgy Blog and scroll down for details.

Good Luck

Christmas Trees

2010-10-13T11:47:00.000+01:00

This is the last of the things that I did at Debden. Three Christmas tress made from 2 sizes of polystyrene cones. The bottom of the cones were cut off and painted and a few microbeads sprinkled over them. Some wooden dowel for the trunks and the rest of the cone covered in circles of patterned paper and various Christmas embellishments and stickles.

Advent Calendar

2010-10-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

Another thing that I did at the weekend was decorate this Advent Calendar. They are plain white cardboard but of a sturdy construction, and I painted the outside pink and added some stickles to give a bit of glitter. I used some old Making memories paints that I have had for years but you could use any of the acrylic paint tester pots found in DIY stores. The inside consists of 24 little boxes with no 24 being larger. I painted these, and then put some patterned paper on the front and added some embellishments. Everything from the box, to the paper to the embellishements are available in the shop.

Posh Bird House

2010-10-06T12:11:00.000+01:00

I went away at the weekend with some of the Sunday croppers to Debden. A nice break where I could wind down from the Retreat and just do my own thing with no interruptions. I have been somewhat involved with things and had no time to organise myself so I decided I would make things instead of the usual cardmaking and scrapbooking. Here is one of the things that I made. A wooden birdhouse which I painted, stamped and finished with a Prima Songbird Vine

If you feel the need to make one everything can be found in the shop

Good Enough to Eat

2010-09-27T14:39:00.000+01:00

The lovely, serene Lynn, another of my friends, demonstrated the Cricut at the Retreat and did some Make and takes using the' Sweet Treats' Cartridge

Here are a few examples that she made.

The Cherry Cake card

Boxes of Cakes

The Cup Cake Card

Lynn teaching the Cricut Make and Take

Now It's What a Card

2010-09-25T16:34:00.000+01:00

At the Retreat Linda demonstrated the Cuttlebug Machine. She used the Cuttlebug Butterfly Cutting and Embossing die and each person made a card using the machine. Linda made some examples to show what could be done and here are some ofthe pretty cards that she made.

What a Charmer

2010-09-24T12:02:00.000+01:00

Those of you who didn't attend our retreat will have missed out on one of Anita's Make and Takes. I think everyone was absolutely enthralled with them and the smiles that I saw when they were being made were testimony to Anita's skill in putting colours together. Or maybe you didn't get chance to take part because of class committments.

This was the Bag Charm Make and Take. I have a few examples for you to see below and if you did miss out, or even if you didn't and would like some more, Anita sells them, and extremely reasonably priced in my opinion. They make wonderful stocking fillers, tree presents, or maybe a different gift for the teacher at the end of term. You can hang them on your bag, phone, purse, or anywhere that has a suitable attachment. You can contact Anita through her blog http://inkyblossom.blogspot.com/ if you would like to know what charms she has to offer :) (oooh that sounds cheeky doesn't it) The larger one was a gift from Anita that I have hanging on my handbag.

Our First Retreat

2010-09-21T18:56:00.000+01:00

Goodness how quickly the time flew. Everyone was so nice and I have had some lovely comments. At the bottom of this I will post an email I received today from Debbie.The photos are not in any particular order as I still haven't come to terms with this new computer.

Now for the Oscars:

I would just like to thank my helpers Anita, Lynn and Linda who were invaluable throughout the weekend and put such a lot of effort into making the event run as smoothly as possible. Also the teachers who made the workshops fun, Sarah-Jane, Laura, mad Zoe, daughter Angie who cut her teaching teeth on the Karen Burniston Pop Up Purse Mini Album, and Jane. Also thanks to a visitor from the US, Marj Marion, who volunteered to demonstrate the Dream weaver Stencils.

But most of all thank you to all of you lovely ladies who put your faith in me and paid your hard earned cash to a new and untried Retreat

This was taken with the Bandstand in the background

This was in one of the workshop rooms

The evening meal

The old fashioned lift together with old fashioned couple

Linda was the very worthy winner of the Cricut raffle

Everyone has put up a picture of the pier and this one is mine

Richard desperately tried to control everyone and in the end just took some pictures. As you can see this is with the pier in the background

This is the email from Debbie:

Hi Jill

I just wanted to write to say a big thank you for the weekend retreat. Firstly, I owe you an apology as I got your name wrong a couple of times over the weekend but I will just put that down to excitement and the fact that I was trying to remember lots of names! Sorry.

This was my first retreat but what a retreat to cut my teeth on. It can only be described as superb. I had the best time and there was nothing I could fault on the content of the crafting. The only problem was that, once I saw what was being made in classes, I wanted to do them all! The make and takes were as good as the lessons and the things we made on them were amazing. Anita was a fantastic teacher as were SJ, Angela, Laura and the lady who made the flowers for the cards. I will never look at faux roses in the same way now I have learnt how to make them. I am amazed when I look at the card we made with the roses and can't believe I made them myself.

The little touches were appreciated and having things like plenty of rubbish bags, sweeties in the rooms (what a gorgeous touch) and having everything we needed in our bags just made things perfect.

The hotel was a little tatty but was mostly clean and tidy and served the purpose. It was handy having the rooms for different classes and having the scrapping room where the make and takes took place.

Would you please pass on my thanks to everyone who taught on this retreat as they did a sterling job. They were all lovely and I felt that nothing was too much trouble for them. I was never made to feel as though I was slow or silly whatever I asked or at whatever pace I went. Whatever was requested was there within minutes and I can only imagine what feat of organisation it took as the whole weekend went smoothly without any hitches (unless it was rather like a swan where you see it fly off gracefully but their little legs are working like a piston engine under the water!!).

Please take this as my written intent to attend next year (just thought I had better get that in quickly after looking on the UKS thread) and I am thoroughly looking forward to it.

Please apologise to poor Anita as I badgered her so much over the weekend to run another jewellery class so I could make my brad earrings - I promise not to do so next time (mind you - it depends on what she is making next time!!!!).

A massive THANK YOU Jill for all your efforts and work towards making it the best weekend I have had for some time.

Debbie

Well It Is Nearly Here

2010-09-16T11:05:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow is the day of the Retreat. This has been in the planning stages since February but now the time is upon us I am just so nervous.

The hotel rang yesterday with a few problems which I have to sort out tomorrow at 9 am. Cutting it a bit fine isn't it.

Still hopefully the weather will hold and we will have a happy weekend.

I have seen a couple of the workshop projects and I am sure that you will love them when you see them too.

So to everyone who is coming along let's get loaded and on our way

Here's to a good weekend.

Win an Embellishment Caddy

2010-08-15T16:37:00.000+01:00

*LOOK* *LOOK* *LOOK*

The brilliant new inspirational blog, Scrapology - Adventures in Scrapbooking, is offering a prize each month for the layout voted the best scraplift. And this month it is this Craft Mates Embellishment Caddy.

The August scraplift is entitled 'A is for Aperture', and when you see the layout all will become obvious. It is based on a layout by Design Team member, Anita Macdonald, and she will have the unenvious job of choosing the winnner this month.

So take a look at the blog and get your thinking caps on and submit your layout to be in with a chance to win.

Rita's Tiffin

2010-08-15T14:08:00.000+01:00

At the crop last weekend there was talk of Jane Gill's flower class and the delicious Chocolate Fridge Cake that she bought along. There was some speculation about how it was made and how to get the recipe and then I remembered my late sister-in-law, Rita's, Tiffin. I contacted Rachel, who has the recipe, and went to Tesco this morning and got the ingredients and made some Tiffin.

Here is the recipe if you would like to try it girls.

Melt 4 oz butter or marg, together with 2 oz drinking chocolate, 2 tbsp golden syrup and 2 tbsp condensed milk. Stir well until combined. Crush, but not too finely, 8 oz Rich Tea biscuits in a large bowl and pour the chocolate mix over and stir well till the biscuits are coated. Press into a square tin. Melt 8oz milk chocolate and then swirl over the biscuit base. Put in a fridge till set, cut into sqaures and then indulge yourself, but be warned - it is seriously sweet.

What an ad-Venture

2010-08-08T07:29:00.000+01:00

Well that is Scrapology- adventures in scrapbooking. This is a new inspirational blog set up by lovely Lynn Cooper and Linda Fitzsimmons and will be launched on Monday. She has a real a coup in recruiting some amazing designers for her Design Team. Each month she will provide a sketch from a scraplift and bloggers will be invited to submit their uplift from the sketch. This month, August, it is from a layout by Anita Macdonald and here is my take on her layout. (I hope this is OK to show this beforehand, Lynn) The picture is quite small as I am still trying to get to grips with this new computer. *groan*

Oh and I mustn't forget here is the way to the Scrapology blog

148 ProMarkers

2010-07-29T19:48:00.000+01:00

I have spent most of the day putting on the site the ProMarkers that came in today - all 148 of them.

It would probably have taken less time if I hadn't spent someof the time trying to get pictures downloaded. In the end I just had to settle for the colour chart lol. And now I have a numb situpon lol

If you need to add to your colour colelction please do take a browse around the site. The ProMarkers are in colour collections and you can see them here

And Mercury Isn't Even in Retrograde Yet

2010-07-28T23:02:00.000+01:00

Well everything bad is blamed on Mercury being in Retrograde amongst a group of my friends - but this doesn't happen till 20 August so it seems, so I am dreading that day coming round.

My computer hard drive has been playing up for a good few months and last Friday it locked up so I decided to bite the bullet and buy a new one. I hated Vista and couldn''t get on with it so it was passed to Richard but now Windows 7 is here, all singing and dancing. Trouble is I am well and truly fixed in the dark ages where computers are concerned so I had no idea how to transfer the data from the old XP to the Windows 7.

I contacted someone I know and he said it would take a couple of hours so on Monday morning he arrived at 9am as arranged. Eventually he left at 6pm and I was beginning to think I ought to make a bed up for him. He couldn't get the router to work so we went and bought a new one. Then he said my old printer wan't compatible with Windows 7 so I couldn't print orders etc. I told him I needed to keep all of the stuff in my email folders as they were suppliers log ins and also messages I needed to keep for the teachers requirements for the Retreat. Well they are lost and gone. And all of my photos are gone. And Richards computer won't pick up the signal to get on to the Internet etc etc. At 6pm my man left with the hard drive on the floor, empty boxes strewn about and cables going everywhere.

So on Monday evening we went to PC World and bought a new printer, which I mamnaged to install, all by myself, lol, on Tuesday morning. I also managed to reconnect all of the cables to the right places and put the hard drive on my desk in its proper place. Well I did put the phone internet cable back in the wrong connection but after half an hour and a bit of ripe language I sussed out what I had done wrong. I have faffed around but I can't find any of the stuff I needed to be kept.

Today Rachel told me that a man had come to her work place and fixed their computer so I contacted him and explained the situation and he will be along at 11 am on Monday, hopefully to retreive all of the data and get me back on course again.

I am now verging on bankruptcy.lol Can anything else go wrong?

I hate computers.

Where's Woodie?

2010-07-14T16:01:00.000+01:00

Just as we were about to leave for a London trip yesterday we noticed 3 woodpeckers digging along the lawn at the side of the path. I rushed to get the camera out and of course had the wrong lens on but managed to get this picture before they flew away. Its not a very good picture but the only one I have she says sadly. I think they must be parents with a youngster. Anyone any other ideas?

The Flower Girl's Class

2010-07-12T15:08:00.000+01:00

On Saturday Jane Gill came here to teach a class on making the Punch Art Flowers.

I would like to thanks everyone for supporting the class, Anthea, Carol, Sy, Karen, Lynne, Carol, Sarah, Willy, Pat and Lynn and Linda and not forgetting Liz who turned up late as usual lol.

I didn't get to make any flowers as I was tea lady for the day but I sat and watched everyone at work, and as I had taken Jane's class before it reminded me of how much I enjoyed it. As someone said it would have been nice to have made a card using some of the flowers but I think this was a workshop to get you used to the technique of flower making and to make you see what can be done with the everyday punches that you may have in your collection.

Jane has said that if we are interested she will do another workshop, making more flowers or making some and making a card if we would like, so if you are interested in doing it all again let me know.

She will also be teaching 3 classes at our Seaside Retreat in September and I have also asked if she could do a Make and Take or two as well.

As I said I didn't make any flowers but Linda has made some beautiful examples and you can see them on her blog http://lindascards.blogspot.com I have also just seen Lynn's blog and she has also posted her selection of flowers together with some of the cards that Jane brought along as examples. Have a look at Lynn's blog too. Both she and Linda do some inspirational work. http://amomentintime-craftycooper.blogspot.com/

You can also see Jane's work on her blog http://janeelizabeth-flowergirl.blogspot.com/

A Hard Thing to Swallow

2010-07-12T14:50:00.000+01:00

After the sad demise of the blackbirds in the garage ( I don't know what happened to them but they disappeared overnight) a Swallow has built a nest right at the top of the garage out of reach. I first noticed it a couple of weeks ago and only then because of the mess down the side of the car lol. I watched the parents flying in and out and last Wednesday there was a little bird on the floor. Quite cold and dead. Then on Thursday after Anita's evening class and I was saying goodbye to her I noticed another one in exactly the same spot. Again the poor little thing was dead. Then on Friday morning there was a third one, but this time it was alive. I thought about trying to get it back in the nest but Richard said there was no way we could get up to the nest so I picked it up and found a little box for it which I lined and popped it on top of the car. The parents must have been feeding it because it survived the night. On Saturday morning it was in the middle of the car park and as we had Jane Gill's cclass I was concerned that it would get squashed by a car reversing in. So again I picked it up and put it in the box. As the sun shone on it I could see what beautful colours were developing in its wings. It is always difficult to know what to do for the best. Maybe I should have left it to take its chance but it was obviously not ready to fly. Again the parents were feeding it but sadly when I looked on Sunday morning it was dead. Life is so cruel at times.

The Rock Star

2010-07-12T14:36:00.000+01:00

After the layout of Anita Dobson I finally found a bit of enthusiasm to do the Brian May layout. I find it so difficult to do things for other people and put things off till the last minute. And Helen was getting a bit impatient. lol

Again its the DCWV Rock Star papers, a bit of bling, some snaps and photo anchors and some Prima flowers. I don't find it easy to do masculine layouts having a family of girls. I got Richard to paint and crackle the frame as I thought he ought to suffer too. And he did. lol here is the final result.

Anita Dobson

2010-07-07T14:35:00.000+01:00

Following on from the Brian May post I have completed the layout of Anita Dobson. Basically red and black with some bling it is a simple layout. The pattern paper was from a DCWV stack and the swirls were Prima crystals. Red and black layered flowers with brad centres. I bought a box frame which was a natural wood colour and I wasn't that keen on it so I painted it white, put a layer of crackle glaze on the white, let it dry and then put a coat of black paint on top to produce the crackle effect. I finished off with a coat of varnish I found in a tin in the shed lol. Here is the result. Its not a good photo as I kept getting glare from the glass so I had to take it at an odd angle - but you get the idea.

I just hope that Helen likes it.

Oliver and Olivia

2010-06-24T14:18:00.000+01:00

Well these two Basic Grey collections have arrived - 2 weeks before the expected date. That has to be a first lol.

I don't know how they keep churning out these collections but I have to say some of the papers are reminicent of older collections. But again these are double sided papers which does give an option.

Oliver is mostly dark reds, blues and greens witha couple of the papers with trains on it and others with monkeys and other cartoony animals and plaids, stripes and dots.

Olivia is pinks and greens and blues. Quite flowery but again with stripes and dots.

I only now stock the collection packs as lack of room limits what I can stock But if you are interested in them and you haven't already got yours you can find them on the site. Just look in Whats new for speed lol

Bird of Paradise

2010-06-20T09:01:00.000+01:00

Several years ago, after a holiday in Madeira, I bought a Strelitzia plant (Bird of Paradise) as I was so taken with them on the island as they were everywhere. I put it in the conservatory but to my disappointment it never did much until last year when it produced a flower. This year it has produced 3 flowers and I am over the moon. Sadly the flowers don't last that long and they seem to be secreting a sticky substance as if they are crying - but they are still beautiful

Nellie the Elephant?

2010-06-19T16:51:00.000+01:00

Richard had to go and look at a job in Kent during the week so we thought we would carry on and go to Howletts Park. I like Port Lympne much better, but it was very quiet as we got there in the early afternoon and we could have been the only people there as we saw very few pweople.

There wasn't a lot to photograph but I did get these pictures of a little baby elephant. She was so cute.

Well That's A-May-zing

2010-06-18T08:30:00.000+01:00

We went to our local restaurant last Wednesday and Anita Dobson came in. She was appearing at the Devonshire Theatre. Helen, the owner, was beside herself and said to Richard 'Look, It's Angie' 'Angie who?' Angie from Eastenders' Richard said he would be nmore impressed if it was Brian May. lol Anyway she is really tiny, not as big as she appears on TV.

The next night we were fast asleep when the phone rang at 11pm. It was Helen saying that Brian May was in the restaurant with Anita Dobson and would we like to come for coffee with them. We declined politely but the next morning she said that she had Brian May's autograph for Richard.

He found an old photo frame and I downloaded a picture of Brian May and gave him some cardstock and he chose a paper from the DCWV Rockstar pack and with a little bit of guidance came up with this. I think he was quite pleased with his achievement. Perhaps a scrapping convert after all of these years?

The downside is that we took it to show Helen and she wants me to do some for her as she has signed photographs.

A Jane Gill Workshop - Saturday 10 July

2010-05-19T18:30:00.000+01:00

You may have seen some of the beautiful cards that are made by Jane Gill. She makes all sorts of flowers from coloured paper and punches. Some of the everyday punches she uses you wouldn't believe make such fantastic flowers.

She is holding 2 workshops here on Staurday 10 July.

The beginners from 10.00 - 12.00 at £8.00 per person

And

A Step Further from 1.00 -3.00 again at £8.00

All materials provided, and the classes are very technique orientated and you will take home some well made flowers. You will not actually make a card but will learn how to make roses, cornflowers, lilies, daisies and leaves plus a few other flowers.

Jane will have examples of how to place these flowers on a card to make a stunning card for someone special.

I have been to one of her flower making classes and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the little daisies that we made.

If you would like to do both classes I can do the usual lunch for £2.00 per person.

Debden Again

2010-05-18T16:39:00.000+01:00

I am certainly a glutton for punishment. I went to Debden again last weekend, for the second time in 4 weeks.

As usual the weather was good although a little chilly this time. We had some good laughs and although I felt that the food wasn't up to the usual standard there was still plenty to eat.

For a change I thought I might have a go at card making. I borrowed some CD's from my friend Liz, and wore it out printing off loads of images. In all I made 25 cards, but I didn't take any photos.

I belong to a little cyberspace group called the GOGs, and there are 10 of us in all, and we try to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Charity. I sent the cards off to another friend, Val, who sells them in her Police Station and any proceeds go to our charity. I think we have raised in excess of £2500 in the last 4 years.

So if anyone has any cards that they have made and that are hanging around and you are prepared to donate them to a good cause we would be pleased to have them.

The Biscuit Tin

2010-05-13T10:23:00.001+01:00

As you will have noticed I've not been around much recently. But there is a reason.

Richard was getting bored so we looked at the local auctions to see if there was a cheap place he could do up as a project through the winter. We started to look last August and anything that we liked went way above our price range. But he was talking to a friend at the High Beech Chalet park in St Leonards and he said there were several chalets for sale. So we had a look and the wooden chalets were too expensive. Then we found this little tin chalet. There are 10 in the middle of the site, a total of 100 chalets in all, and they have a nice outlook, and to our surprise we got it very cheaply.

But when we started to work on it we found it had a lot more work than anticipated. We had to basically gut it. We put in a new double glazed frontage, took down the ceilings and put insulation in the roof space. There were 2 tinmy bedrooms so we took half the space of one bedroom and made the other bigger and the other half of the bedroom became a decent sized bathroom. We did away with the wall into the kitchen area and made it all open plan with a breakfast bar, to make the room look more light and airy. A new cooker, fridge and washing machine and this is the finished reult.

Here are some before and after pictures.

Nesting Time

2010-04-19T10:44:00.000+01:00

We have an open fronted, barn type garage, and I noticed this blackbirds nest high up in the corner. She peers over the edge of the nest at us as we come and go, and we can jsut see her orange beak pointing toward the roof in the gloom. I couldn't resit a look into the nest and she is sitting on 5 eggs. I think that they are quite large eggs for such a meium sized bird.

here are a couple of photos

Happy Birthday to Me

2010-03-20T12:27:00.000Z

As many of you know I had a birthday during the week. I have never had so many cards!!! I don't know if thats an indication of getting older or that I know more people - but I am very grateful.

I also had some lovely presents, even a handbag diary from a Golden Retriever called Amber. Poor Amber has tonslitis. I have never heard of that in a dog but I think Amber is more human that a lot of people I know lol.

We also had a crop last Saturday and we had a little do - Anita (who has her birthday tomorrow) made one of those fabulous Raspberryoffi pies - they are to die for.

Here are the pics of my cards. Thank you everyone

.

Spring Pastels

2010-03-14T09:13:00.000Z

Once again I have had other things on my mind and have let this blog slip. My good intentions came to nothing I'm afraid.

But the sun is shining and the blackbird is singing its little heart out in the tree by the garage, and although its still very nippy out, there are signs of Spring arriving. The clocks go forward at the end of the month which will mean lighter evenings, always a boost. And I have Debden to look forward to, and I am determined to get some kits organised so that I am not twiddling my thumbs for 3 days.

But I digress. I thought it was about time I made up some more cardstock kits and this is the first one. It is called Spring pastels and consists of 10 sheets of pastel cardstock and some co-ordinating embellishments

Meeting Jane

2010-02-26T08:35:00.000Z

Whilst at the NEC I also met up with Jane Gill on the Woodware stand. She was a very busy lady but took the time to chat with me, and Richard took some photos a couple of which I will add here.

Many of you know Jane's work and I have to say I loved the cards she had on show. There were some of the Floral Punch Art flowers and also some with stamped images. Jane also designs stamps for Woodware. I was especially taken with a fish one but it was hard to pick a favourite.

As you know Jane is going to be teaching some classes at the Retreat, and as the classes are very technique orientated there will only be time to make one card per class. But what a card!!!!. One class will be a card with an arrangement of everlasting flowers, another will have a poinsettia and holly leaves - just in time for you to make some outstanding Christmas cards for your favourite people and the third class will be a classic birthday card with an arrangement of 3 roses.

Jane is also going to be teaching a couple of classes here on 10th July. The details and prices haven't been finalised yet but if you want an informative and fun day this is the place to be.

Stitches 2010

2010-02-25T11:13:00.000Z

We went along to Stitches 2010, the trade show at the NEC at the weekend. The weather was appalling for travelling so we came home on Monday morning. The show was a bit of a disappointment. Not much different being shown but some nice Tim Holtz stuff.

I met up with karen Burniston and we sorted out the class that she was designing for the Retreat. She also showed me a mini book that she had designed. I am not a fan of mini books but theis was truly awesome and so I am hoping that she will design a mini book class for us too.

here are some photos

Today's the Day - February 3rd

2010-02-03T08:08:00.000Z

I would imagine that not many of you remember the singer Frankie Vaughan. Born today in 1928 he was known as 'Mr Moonlight' after one of his hit songs 'Give me the Moonlight'. He came on stage wearing a top hat at jaunty angle and carrying a cane, and during his act he would do high kicks, and his singing was accompanied by squeals of delight from his adoring women fans.

He was born Frank Abelson but his Russian grandmother said that he was her number 'vorn' singer.

He also starred in films and in 1960 he starred with Marilyn Monroe in 'lets Make Love'

His flamboyant act including hits like 'Garden of Eden' and 'Green Door' ensured his fame as a popular singer for over 30 years. He had a great affiliation with the 'Boys Club' as he was a refugee in Lancaster during WW2 and he was greatful for the help that they gave him, so much so that he donated the proceeds from his 1956 hit 'Green Door' to them. Frankie Vaughan died in 1999.

Today's the Dat - February 2nd

2010-02-02T16:40:00.000Z

Today's sad fact is about the notorious Sid Vicious. He was born Simon John Ritchie and was the iconic look of punk, and of course was in The Sex Pistols.

Whilst in the group he met his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, and they were the subjects of a film 'Sid and Nancy'. In 1978 he awoke from a drug fuelled stupor to find her dead on the bathroom floor, from a single stab wound to the abdomen.

He was charged with her murder, and there seems to be little doubt that he was the culprit but in Feb 1979 he was realeased on bail and was 'celebrating' and died of a heroin overdose on 2nd February, aged 22. It was thought to be an accident but a few days later his mother found a suicide note in his jacket pocket.

He said that Nancy was the love of his life and he wanted to be buried next to her, but as she was buried in a Jewish cemetary and he was not Jewish this was not possible, so his mother scattered his ashes on her grave.

When his mother died some time later she allegedly made a deathbed confession that she had given him an overdose, enough to kill 2 people, as she said he would not have been able to handle life behind bars.

Great News - Retreat Teachers

2010-02-01T11:06:00.000Z

I can now tell you that two of the teachers for scrapbook classes will be Sarah-Jane Dowsett and Laura Buckingham. You will probably know both of them through the Design Team for Scrapbook Inspirations magazine, now sadly ceased publication. And they will both feature in the Scrapbook Inspirations Book which is due out in March.

Both of them produce some amazing work and together with Jane Gill who will be teaching some Floral Punch Craft cards and Zoe Pierson who is a Stamping Up demonstrator there should be some really interesting classes going on.

Here is laura's blog http://mmwwaahh211.blogspot.com/
And Sarah-Jane's blog www.scrappyfairy.blogspot.com

Today's the Day - 1st February

2010-02-01T09:36:00.000Z

I threatened some daily snippets so here is the first one.

Mary Shelley nee Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin was a British novelist best known for her Gothic novel 'Frankenstein'.

Her mother died when she was eleven days old but brought up by her father, he provided her with a rich, informal education, encouragng her to adhere to his liberal political theories.

In 1814 Mary began a relationship with one of her fathers political followers, the married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. They left for France and travelled through Europe and on her return Mary was pregnant with Percy's child. Over the next two years they were faced with ostracism, constant debt and the death of their prematurely born daughter. They married in 1816 after the suicide of his wife, Harriet.

In 1816 they spent the summer with Lord Byron in Geneva where it is said she conceived the idea for 'Frankenstein'.

They left Britain in 1818 for Italy where her next two children died before she gave birth to her only surviving child, Percy Florence. In 1822 Percy Bysshe Shelley drowned when his sail boat capsized during a storm in the Bay of La Sezia.

The last decade of her life was dogged by illness and she died of a brain tumour on 1February 1851 aged 53

If you are looking for inspiration and have a limied budget you don't need to go to Geneva, why not have a look at our Around a Pound section where you will find lots to fire the imagination.

More Retreat Stuff

2010-01-31T09:49:00.000Z

Well yesterday was spent going to Guildford to pick up some stands and gridwall for the shop at the retreat. We couldn't get all of it on the truck so it will mean another trip to get some more. I had no idea it would take up so much space. All I have to do now is find somewhere to store it. You would think that I had plenty of space but all of the sheds are filled to the gunnells.

You cardmakers may know of Jane Gill. She makes fantastic cards and she has agreed to teach 3 classes at the retreat on the Saturday. Using stamps and Floral Punch Craft flowers. I did one of her classes last year and loved it. I shall be hovering in the background at the classes.

Two of the other teachers will be announced tomorrow and I am sure that you won't be disappointed when you find out who they are. Unfortunately it seems that Shimelle may not be able to teach after all. She may have to be in the States but will let me know as soon as she can. I am sure that we will get over it and as they say 'When life gives you lemons make lemonade'. At the monment I can't get past the life giving me lemons lol

Also each day I have been doing little snippets on some forums I belong to entitled 'Today's the Day' Someone said why didn't I also oput it on my blog. So starting from tomorrow you will find this little treat in store for you lol.

Seaside Retreat Weekend

2010-01-22T18:07:00.000Z

Hello.

I am so sorry that I haven't been on any of your blogs for a while, nor put anything on this one, but I have been trying to organise a retreat. It has caused some headaches and sleepless nights but I think I am on the homeward stretch.

I managed to find the venue quite easily, as my grandaughter Natalie is Head Receptionist at the Chatsworth Hotel in Eastbourne. Finding teachers was more difficult. But after burning the midnight oil I think I have found some cracking tutors.

Firstly Karen Burniston has offered to design a class page for me. I love her work and as she is an engineer by profession her pages always involve some pop-up items. I am meeting up with her when she is over here in February to finalise the details, or brainstorm as she puts it, and she will then go home and finish the design.

Then I have Zoe Pierson. You may know her from Stamping Up. She will do some cards and show her products from Stamping Up.

Then there are two others, but at present they are contracted to someone and won't be free until February, but then I can reveal who they are. Two well known and published scrappers and I'm sure that you will be pleased when you hear who they are.

Then we have Shimelle. She needs no introduction. Its a bit like saying Madonna or Sting in entertainment, everyone in the scrapping world knows Shimelle.

Last but not least, and a very important part of the weekend, we have the lovely ladies who have agreed to do Make and Takes, and Demonstrations for me. They too are very talented and are bound to come up with some good ideas. Thank you Anita, Lynn and Linda.

So here are the preliminary details with prices in case you know of anyone who would liek to attend. Any plugs on your blogs will be gratefully accepted lol

Cardinal Colours is absolutely delighted to invite you to our very first retreat on the south coast. We are having a crafty weekend with something for both scrapbookers and cardmakers alike. In fact anyone fancying a relaxing time away with like minded, crafty individuals will have a great, fun break.

We will have the run of The Chatsworth Hotel, right on the seafront at Eastbourne, from 2.00 pm Friday, 17th September through to 4.00 pm Sunday 19th September.

What an ideal time to recharge your batteries if you’ve exhausted yourself looking after children in the school holidays. All meals and refreshments are included - full English breakfasts, buffet lunch on Saturday and roast lunch on Sunday, two 3 course dinners and teas/coffees mid-morning and mid-afternoon. There will be a vegetarian option available too.

We have a full timetable of classes, with separate ones for scrapbooking and cardmaking, demonstrations and make & takes running from the Friday afternoon right through to Sunday.

The fabulous Karen Burniston will be designing a class especially for us and you can get a feel for her work on her blog www.karenburniston.com

You will have the choice of 3 classes with kits being provided and there will be raffles and games throughout the weekend too, with the Grand Raffle Prize being a Cricut Die Cutting Machine. It’s a free draw so any guest will have the chance to win

The cost for all this is just £259 per person for a twin shared room and £289 for a single occupancy double room We do have a limited number of small single rooms at £239 per person . We also have 3 twin rooms with an extra bed so 3 people could share at £245 per person You can reserve your place on payment of a £39 non-refundable deposit and payment terms are available. Some places have already been taken so to express an interest and find out more about the classes and teachers, please contact me at jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk

We are really looking forward to seeing you.

Teachers and classes will be confirmed soon but we are proud to say that Zoe Pierson and will be amongst our talented teachers

Do You Want To Be A Challenge Winner?

2010-01-07T18:52:00.000Z

Do you fancy starting off the New Year as a competition winner?

Enter our LOVE competition and you could win a fabulous i-Top Brad Maker.
There is also a runner up prize of a Red Cardstock Kit in honour of Valentines Day. All entries will feature in our gallery so you must give your permission for us to display them in the gallery.

Entry is very simple, just create a layout for the theme LOVE

It can be any size and of anything that you LOVE, be it a person, a place, a pet, a pair of shoes, a pop group - whatever you fancy.

Closing date is Valentines Day, February 14th and the winner will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

Just email your entry to jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk and put 'LOVE' in the subject line.

If you don't want to enter the competition you can join in and be a judge. Just choose the layout that you like the best from those in our gallery and email us at jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk on February 14th with your choice.
As with all our products, you can buy

A Happy New Year

2009-12-31T14:58:00.000Z

Well it hasn't stopped raining for days and now we are threatened with more snow. I quite like to see the beautiful scenery created by snow but apart from that I don't think it has much going for it. Cold, slippery and downright miserable as far as I am concerned. proper old grouch, me.

Anyway I was sorting through some paperwork and I came across these photos. It was some years ago, probably nearer 25 years ago and longer ago than I care to remember, and it was a very bad winter. I had a temporary traffic light business at the time and we had a set of lights up on the Downs, just outside Eastbourne. These photos were published in the local paper, The Sussex Express and Herald, and I was tickled to see that they were my lights, the diesel generator still chugging away in the cold and the lights still working.

I hope that we don't see as much snow as that again this year!!!

Happy new Year Everyone

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-24T19:20:00.001Z

Thank you for supporting my blog and I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas.

And may 2010 bring you all good health, plenty of laughs and barrowloads of money and loads of friends to share your happiness.

More Talent

2009-12-14T11:37:00.000Z

One of the cards we received for our anniversary was from our friend Gillian. Gillian is a very talented lady both in cardmaking and sketching and to see some of her fantastic work you should look at her blog
http://www.thefadingrose.blogspot.com/.
This is the card she sent us.

As I said she is a very talented artist and we received this Christmas Card. She sent her own artwork to Snapfish and they printed it into Christmas cards. A briiliant idea and we love receiving her cards.

Happy Anniversary

2009-12-12T15:34:00.001Z

Yesterday (Friday 11th December) was our 45th Wedding anniversary. Too many years ago to remember half of the things that have happened to us, but we have had an adventuresome life one way or another.

Richard bought me some beautiful roses. These are just half of them. He did say that he looked for a sapphire but couldn't find anything. Mmmmmm. lol.

And a very dear friend sent these wonderful flowers. She has had so much tragedy in her life and also a fair bit of late but she still found time to think of us. I really value her friendship. A truly lovely woman.

In the evening two other friends took us out to dinner. We went to the Star at Normans Bay and had a very nice meal. So all in all a wonderful day. But I am in rush to get to the Golden Wedding.

Thank you Carol and Lynne

2009-12-12T15:15:00.000Z

Thursday morning was the last of Anita's classes for this year and we had great fun making a different take on an exploding box. It should really have a bow made from paper on the top but after two or three tries my bows got consigned to the filing basket (under the table) and I used some Prima Ornaments to decorate the top of mine.

Two of the Sunday croppers, Carol and Lynne, who also came to Anitas class, kindly gave me this beautiful Poinsietta as a Christmas present. But I am under strict instructions to make sure it still has its leaves at the next crop in January. I don't think that they know that my house is a graveyard for pot plants.

So Beautiful

2009-12-06T09:53:00.000Z

Yesterday was the monthly crop day and I was given some lovely cards and presents. Thank you all so much.

Firstly I would like to show you this fantastic card from Anita. The picture does not do it justice. It is jaw droppingly beautiful.

The is an origami tree which has been glittered and the embellishments have been glittered too. It opens like an ordinary card but the bottom is a box. There are 4 little draws in it and they have chocolates in them.

Yum Yum

And this from a woman who doesn't make cards!!!

Liz also showed us how to make the acetate card and I will finish this at todays crop and post a picture tomorrow.

The Grand Opening

2009-11-28T16:35:00.001Z

Well its the moment you have all been waiting for.

The cludgie is finished.

No more dodging the raindrops to get to the loo. Its been a long, hard 4 months, but we have done it. From building the extension, plumbing, tiling, plasterboarding, you name it we have done it all. In my eyes quite an achievement considering we had no idea what we were doing lol.

Here are a few pictures for you

Now its official

The washbasin

The toilet (as if you didn't know lol)

Card Making Class by Liz Oliver-Taylor

2009-11-11T08:07:00.001Z

Although Liz insists she was browbeaten into holding a couple of card making classes I am certain that she is enjoying planning them

She is holding 2 classes here at our purpose built studio on 21 November. Refreshments will be included in the price, together with all of your materials and tools will be provided, but if you prefer to bring your own then please do so. Spaces are limited so if you would like to take either class please email me jill@cardinalcolours.co.uk to book your space.

The first class will be from 10-12 and will be a glittery Gatefold Christmas card. Liz will also show you how to make a Never ending card which you can take home to decorate at your leisure. The price of this class is £7.00

The scond class will be from 1-3 and will be an acetate card. Liz will also show you how to make a Never ending card which you can take home to decorate at your leisure. The price of this class will be £7.00

Sorry this is not a good image. Liz may be a fantastic card maker but she is not much of a photographer lol.
The card has layers of acetate with houses on each layer and the houses are decorated with snow glitter.

Me a cardmaker?

2009-11-01T08:19:00.000Z

I was kindly invited to a cardmaking class by Lynn and Linda, 2 of the lovely girls who come to our crops. It was held by Francoise Read and I had a great time. Not being a stamper or cardmaker I unashamedly copied Lynn who was sitting next to me. I enjoyed the class but had to leave quickly after it was over but I would love to have stayed and seen Francoise demonstrating how to make her cards. Lynn took some photos of her cards and these are on her blog, A Moment in Time.

I have been in touch with Francoise with a view to her giving a couple of classes here, and she is agreeable - but - she is fully booked till May next year. Still it something to something to look forward to.

Does anyone know what this is?

2009-10-28T16:28:00.000Z

I was standing in the garden this afternoon, gazing around at the bare trees, as you do if you have nothing better to do, lol, and this caught my eye about 6 metres up in a tree. I thought it was a dove huddled in the branches but when it didn't move I went for a closer inspection. Then I went in for my camera and took this photo. I think its a wasps nest but to be in a tree that high off the ground didn't seem to be in character.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Ice and Lemon?

2009-10-27T20:06:00.000Z

I am going to get on my soapbox again here.

As a teetotaller I only ever drink lemonade when I am out and make a point of asking for 'no ice and lemon' Invariably the drink comes with both. Tonight I pointed out that she had asked if I wanted ice and lemon and I had said 'no'. Well couldn't I just fish it out then?

Why is it so difficult to get an order correct?

At Catering College we were told never under any circumstances to have ice in our drinks. Ice had been tested and found to have all sorts of nasties in it, some to revolting to mention.

And while we are on the subject my Tutor Chef also said never, ever, ever send your meal back. The Chef would take it as a personal insult and after he had kicked it around the floor and wrapped it round his **** he would cremate it and send it back to you. I have always hoped that he was exaggerating, but never put it to the test lol.

Whilst on the subject of college we had to pop the eyes out of trout before cooking them. One of the tutors would substitute , unknown to his pupils, the eyes for currants. He would dip the 'eyes' in batter and then eat them. One girl fainted clean away.

Enjoy your evening meal lol

Port Lympne

2009-10-25T15:16:00.000Z

We took a day off last week and visited Port Lympne. Richard makes a monthly donation to them so he gets a free entrance and I had a ticket with £4 off so it was a good deal and an afternoons entertainment for us. We tend to go to Ashford and have lunch and then on to the Park. An afternoon is plenty of excercise for us as its quite hilly around there.

This Ostrich had his beady eye on us. They really are mean looking birds close up.

The keepers were throwing peanuts off the roof to the gorillas for an afternoon snack. This little fellow gave us a good half hours entertainment watching his antics.

This big silverback was too grand to go outside with the others and scavenge for peanuts. He stayed inside and studiously ignored us through the glass, whilst scratching about in the straw for peanuts.

Quiz Night with The Dimwits

2009-10-25T08:43:00.000Z

Last night we went to a Quiz Night in aid of Rachels Dog Training Group. It was very well attended we had to make up teams of 8 people. 2 people that we didn't know joined us to make up our number, Sharon and Jordan. 9 teams of 8 people in all.

We decided to call our team The Dimwits , and as it turned out we were very aptly named. We sat open mouthed as the questions were called out. Among them were questions like 'When is London Dog Week' and 'What is the aim of London Dog Week' and When is National Dog Worming Week?'

At the end she said she would call out the results in reverse order. We collectively slid under the table as she read out the name of the team who came last - and it wasn't us. We breathed a sigh of relief. We weren't last. We could at least hold our heads up a little bit.

And as she got further and further up the list our mouths began to drop open. She got to number 3 and we still weren't named. She must have lost our paper. Then she called out 'Second - The Dimwits' We could have danced for joy. But how we managed that we will never know. But we weren't going to argue. A very enjoyable evening.

For some reason this photo puts me in mind of a Beryl Cook print.

Name that Tune

2009-10-05T16:57:00.000+01:00

Do you ever get a tune stuck in your head? I had an email this morning from a supplier about the new SEI range called 'Juliet'. This immediately brought to mind a song from way back in the Sixties by the Four Pennies called 'Juliet'. And this has been going round and round in my head all day. Unfortunately I can only remember the first 4 lines of the song so its getting a bit strained now lol

Last weekend was crop weekend. 2 different groups on Saturday and Sunday. Its always a pleasure to crop with these girls and I like to see what they achieve. On Saturday I was a bit under the weather and did nothing all day but sit and chat and watch the others work. But on Sunday I thought I had best knuckle down and get something done. I only managed one layout and finished another that I had started at Debden. Because of my bad back, the car still hasn't been unloaded from a month ago and I still have the 28 kits that I made up with the good intention of doing them at Debden.

Spooky, is a photo of my granddaughter, Natalie, and her (ex) boyfriend Ross. The cardstock is from the October Monthly Bazzill Kit, some paper from the Basic Grey Erie Collection and the bats were cut from a Bazzill Just the Edge Halloween pack. Title, rub ons and buttons from Basic Grey Erie again and pearls and crystals from the Prima e-line range. I put the imitation purple nail heads around the edge of the festive eyelet cardstock. Heidi Swapp green flowers with some of the new Prima centres. I love these centres.

Next door have moved all of the cockerels, thank goodness, and the silence is heaven. Just a few quacks from the dozen ducks still left there. Their pond is a couple of bakers trays filled with muddy water. There is only enough room for one duck at a time and this causes a few squabbles.

Bazzill cardstock with Basic Grey Mellow paper. The title was cut on the Cricut using the Storybook cartridge and I dotted crystals along the letters. Jewel brads in the centre of the flowers and some small pearls along the sides.

i-top Brad Maker

2009-10-01T11:24:00.000+01:00

I have been playing with the i-top Brad Maker. Another new tool to add to my collection ^-~ .

It is by Imaginisce and you can make your own brads in 3 sizes. The tool is like a pair of pliers with swivel heads at both ends. It can make brads in either 16mm or 22mm. You can make larger brads in 28mm but you have to buy a seperate rubber head for this. The brads are called, for some reason, Brad Daddies and come in packets of 8.

Basically you punch out your paper with one of three punches, or you can use a template and cut round it, the pop the head of the brad in the rubber base, place your paper over it and squeeze the pliers together. This pushes the brad head and paper into the rubber and you then push the edges down. Then pop the pronged base on, squeeze and hey presto, a brad to your own design.

Want a Slice?

2009-09-30T11:09:00.000+01:00

We have just had a small delivery of the Limited Edition Pink Slice Machine.

This little die cutting machine cuts from 1" to 4" and you can position it anywhere in the page. It is rechargeable and lightweight. It has everything you need to get started including 2 design cards.

I can get the design cards to order and they take about a week.

You can find out more about it on this website http://whyslice.com/

The Corner Chomper has 3 New Friends

2009-09-29T07:33:00.001+01:00

We R Memory Keepers have brought out 3 new additions to the Corner Chomper. They both have dual heads which you change by just twiting the head. They are easy to use and you need very little pressure to cut chipboard.

They sell at £23.49 which seems a lot just to cut a corner by=ut they are very hard wearing and if you make chipboard books you will soon get your value from them. they would make a nice change from just the rounded corners on a book.

The first has a pink handle (of course) and has an Angle/Photo cut

The second a pale lilac handle and has the Cloud/Scallop cut

And the third with the lime green handle has the Stub/Deco cut.

Prima Centres

2009-09-28T13:11:00.000+01:00

As well as all of the other gorgeous stuff that Prima has brought out, there are the crystal and pearl centres. They are not cheap at £3.99 but you get 12 self adhesive centres.

Such beautiful colour combinations and we have a choice of 16 different packs. I can't wait to use them.

Here are just two of the colour combinations

Prima e-line Crystals and Pearls

2009-09-28T09:52:00.001+01:00

As well as the economy line of flowers Prima has brought out the Crystals and Pearls.

In 30 colourways there is a pack for everyones taste and again at £1.60 a pack they won't break the bank.

There are 60 pieces per packet , each with 40 pearls and 20 crystals. They range from approximately 4mm to 8mm

Prima e-line Flowers

2009-09-27T10:11:00.000+01:00

Prima has brought out an economy range of flowers called the e-line.

These consist of 5 styles with 6 colourways in each style. The colours range from cool white, to the primary colours, to muted vintage through to zingy citrus colours.

There are either 24 or 30 flowers in each bag and at £1.60 a bag they are a snip.

The 5 styles are Chelsea, bermuda Breeze, Celebrations, Daisy delicacies and Confetti Cake.
Daisy Delicacies

Bermuda Breeze

Celebrations

Chelsea

Confetti Cake

Flutter Vines

2009-09-26T16:23:00.000+01:00

I have been busy uploading Prima e-line flowers and crystals to the shop site and also in the shipment from the US were these Flutter Vines.

They are 12" long and I have just these 3 colours in stock, Fuschia, Pacific Blue and Scarlet.

They are really so pretty, especially the Fuschia one, and I keep wondering 'how can I use them on a layout'. I am sure I will find someway to do it. I will try and show you some of the other gorgeous things over the next few days. In the meantime if you would like to see the selection of flowers, centres and pearls please pop along to the shop and have a browse.

http://www.cardinalcolours.co.uk/

House Hunting

2009-09-20T09:01:00.000+01:00

Richard has decided that he needs another project after the shop toilet is finished and so he has decided to go into property. He wanted something that was not too challenging for his first attempt, no major reconstruction work and something nearby. After trawling the internet I found a house a mile or so away from here which was due to be auctioned on 17 September. We went to look at it and what a shock. I thought that there had been a fire in the property as everything was brown and there were stains running down the light switches. The smell was horrendous and then I realised the stains were nicotine. I know that pub ceiling were brown but this surpassed anything I had ever seen. The brambles in the back garden reached up to the first floor window and the kitchen had been gutted and the bathroom defied description, I swear the toilet had not been cleaned since 1950. The auction estimate 60k- 80k.
The auction was in London so off we set on Thursday and this lot was the 4th being sold so not long to wait. Well there were so many bids the auctioneer didn't know if he was on foot or horseback. It eventually sold for 126k. It defied belief.

Anyway what I really wanted to say is how shocked we were at the manners of the people on the underground and in London. The word 'politeness' was a stranger to them. Richard was acting as a sort of bodyguard for me as I had trouble getting up and down the stairs and also a bit slow getting on the trains because of my back. People pushed in front as they scrambled to get on the trains and grab a seat. They pushed you out of the way as they got off the trains. They pushed you to one side as they went down the stairs. All in all it was mind boggling. They were just so totally rude. When did this country become like this. Has it always been the same in London. As a country mouse I have been used to politeness, smiles and general thoughtfulness on the part of other people. Am I now totally out of tune with modern day living?

Scrapping Weekend with Friends

2009-09-16T08:41:00.000+01:00

Well I thought it was about time I updated my blog.

Things have not been going so well. I have injured my back and so it has rather slowed things up a bit. My movement is severely restricted and the ostepopath is making a fortune out of me at present. I am wearing one of those back support and Richard says I have my hourglass figure back after all of these years.

The toilet has just arrived for the shop so Richard will be cracking on with that now. He hasn't been able to do much until it arrived because of puting the pipework etc under the floor. Now it should be all systems go. I shall of course supervise.

This last weekend I went to Debden on a scrapbooking weekend with the girls from the Sunday crop. I really enjoyed it although I wasn't able to do a lot and having previously made up 20 kits so that I would have plenty to do, I never managed to complete one layout. I have to thank both Liz and Gilly for being my official picker-upperers. I did devise a patent picker-upperer by putting a large glue dot on the end of a ruler and that picked up the lighter things. But when I dropped ny Craftmate bag with all the boxes of brads and eyelets Gilly had to come to my rescue. One of lifes mysteries is why, when you have a bad back, does everything end up on the floor.

I really enjoy my weekends at Debden. Its nice to have your craft stuff to hand and know that you don't have to pack it away all the time. Meals are served and you just get up from the table and walk away - and someone else does the washing up. As we have been before, several times, the staff pretty well leave us to our own devices, so we have the run of the place. We generally have a small group which makes it more personal.

Bank Holiday Weekend

2009-08-30T16:55:00.000+01:00

As it is Bank Holiday Weekend we decided to take a break from the building works and go to the Medieval Fayre at Herstmonceux Castle near here. We decided against going yesterday as we had a few things we wanted to do and planned to go today. Well yesterday was a beautiful day and today overcast and windy and drizzly at times. The best laid plans of mice and men they say.

I did manage to take some pictures but unfortunately the weather hasn't made them particularly spectacular but here are some:

Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex

Medieval Knight

Catapult

The Lord and Lady of the Manor

Jousting Knight with his favour for a Lady

Owl from the Falconry display

I think this is a Peregrine Falcon