Yesterday was a glorious day, the first really warm day this year, so I decided to take a wander around the garden. Isn’t it amazing how a few drizzly days followed by warm sunny weather can suddenly make everything spring into life. Bare trees are now covered with bursting leaf buds, and my rhubarb is almost ready for the first harvest. Even the abundance of yellow dandelions made me smile as I watched the bees collecting pollen. This became the inspiration for today’s 'field of flowers' ... VIEW POST
Simple Shades Of Gray
I love experimenting with colour. I often get inspiration from things I see around me, especially clothing and furnishings. Sometimes I’ll be out shopping and suddenly something catches my eye. If you’re close you’ll be able to see me grab my notebook and write down the ‘Stampin’ Up! colours' I see. I might even take a photo as a back-up. Other times I’ve no idea where my colour choices originate. Take today for instance, when I decided to use just Basic Gray and Gray Granite on this poppy gift ... VIEW POST
Celebrating With Painted Poppies
Did you know that this month marks 20 years since Stampin’ Up! came to Canada. I was still in the UK then and it would be another 8 years before I moved here and discovered papercrafting. Since becoming an independent demonstrator I’ve had the privilege of writing for Inspiration Canada, the Canadian demonstrators’ monthly newsletter. This month my editor challenged me to design a project using only colours that were available in 2002, So I chose Night of Navy and Real Red and created this ... VIEW POST
Easter Basket With Natural Textures
Happy Easter everyone, and thank you for choosing to spend a few minutes with me today. As a crafter I often find myself drawn to things made by other people, and not just with card and paper. As well as the finished product, I also enjoy watching the making process. Sometimes a design will resonate with me and I decide to try my hand at something similar without actually following specific instructions. That’s how I ended up making today’s Easter basket and using the retiring Host stamp set, ... VIEW POST
Greenery Comes And Goes
Finally we’ve had more spring-like weather with sun and milder temperatures. I’m not convinced we’ve seen the last of the snow but hopefully no more winter storms. The grass is starting to turn green and the forsythia at the end of the drive is covered in buds. So it saddens me to have to say goodbye to the Greenery Embossing Folders. This pack of two folders is sized to fit the Mini Cut & Emboss Machine and perfect for spring projects. Today I created this folded “thank you” gift ... VIEW POST
Encircled In Beauty Retires
When a product is retired by Stampin' Up! I stop using it on my blog projects. This is because I'd hate you to fall in love with something you can no longer buy. Many of these products are then sold off to make room for new things. But there are always exceptions for products that will definitely stay for my own private use. The Encircled In Beauty Dies fall into that latter category. I love being able to create doilies in any colour I want, and in multiple sizes too. ENCIRCLED IN ... VIEW POST
