Craft CD debut on Create and Craft

Well the new CD was launched on Create and Craft yesterday 29th October 2009 on Create and Craft TV. I had the lovely Martyn, he was super to work with. I am so glad that the show went well and even happier that my hands didn't shake like crazy. I met Sara from Crafters Companion, and was so amazed at how lovely and down to earth she was. You might have expected someone who has had the phenomenal success that she has had over the past 4 years that she would have been different but what a top girl. She even gave me a few good pieces of advice for the show, I really appreciated that who wouldn't she is such a pro. Christine from Pinflair was there, I already met her at my screen test and again she was very lovely, a really nice lady. The day went by so quickly and the hour long show seemed to pass in a flash. The only down side was the 6 hour drive home and watching the show back how utterly fat I looked. They say a camera adds 10lbs but oh dear might need to get to a gym lol.
Alpha Bears Now available http://www.craftycatz.co.uk/

All went well

Well the screen test went really well. I got Howard who is lovely. It seemed a bit daunting but everyone was brilliant. It was a very long day though travelling from Scotland and back. I met Christine from Pinflair and she was a really nice lady too, very friendly and down to earth. It made waiting a pleasure. Thanks to Cheryl for your kind words Pamela x

Screen Test

Going for my screen test for Create and Craft tomorrow. I am getting really nervous an I have hrs on the train to think more about it. I'm sure it will be fine but it is facing the unknown aggrrrr who needs laxative when the nerves are there. Wish me luck

Pamela
x

Some Alpha Bears

I managed to get round to making a few Alpha Bears samples. Going to enrol the help of my Pazzles for shapes to mount my images on. It really is brilliant, cuts through everything I have thrown at it with 1 pass. I even managed a template of a side step card, I must admit I am too lazy to do all that measuring each time. Mind you kept getting it slightly out size wise to do it on a complete A4 size so had to ask my engineer hubby to work out the sizes. Anyway here are a few of the cards I have made. Head over to http://www.craftycatz.co.uk to find out more about the CD for more.

Alpha Bears CD finished

WAHOO!!!!!
My CD is finally finished and I am so proud of it. It would have been finished ages ago but I didn't want to just chuck it out in folders. I wanted it presented professionally and easy to use. So it has landed, an easy to navigate menu with interactive features to let people edit inserts and greetings tiles. I have started working on my next one as Create and Craft want to air it, just need to get my finger out regarding samples etc. Mind you they say the camera adds 10lbs might be a good time to get cracking on the diet and hope only 1 camera points at me at a time.
Check out my website more samples will be added when I get time to post them http://www.craftycatz.co.uk/

Love Word book on the pazzles

I did this word book on my pazzles, I had designed it ages ago for the Craft Robo, but used a converter to change it over for the Pazzles software. Bound it with my Bind it all, I had to use it for something, I bought it ages ago and must hang my head in shame as it has hardly been used.

Flippin Bookie

I made this card for my dads birthday. I still love the La Pashe Flipping range. I made the apperture card on the pazzles to mount the Flipping Men decoupage on. I used 3 pieces of A4 card. I cut 2 with appertures and a dashed line to fold which was used to join the apperture part to the plain piece of A4. on the second piece of A4 card the dashed piece was cut off then both appertures were stuck together with acetate in the middle. Oh I hope that makes sense. I cut out dad in mirri board along with corners on the Pazzles. Any way the finished result is the card below. He loved it as he does like a bit of a flutter

Pazzles Arrived

After having a love affair with my Craft Robo for 18months or so I decided although I did love him I wanted something with a bit more oomph!!! I searched the Internet and read all about various machines. I fancied a Bosscut Gazelle but they aren't available in the UK unless you ship them in yourself from the US. Not ideal as if something goes wrong, it can be a pain. Then after looking in to the pazzles I made my mind up that this was the one I wanted. After a carry on to get it from a UK supplier (who will remain unnamed) I am tempted to name and shame but I won't. My lovely pazzles arrived. She is quite a bit bigger than my robo but by goodness is she quieter. And boy does she do as she is told. I have cut fun foam thick and thin on it to make finger puppets and a mask for my little boy, glitter card, thick card and mirri board all cut like butter. She cuts bigger, better and I know exactly where she will cut. Love her to bits. Not tried embossing with her but I do have the tool for it but might need the mat. I think I will keep my Robo for print and cut projects, I have heard that the Pazzles does a print and cut but it doesn't have an optical eye . Will look into it further when I have time.

Card for the Teacher

Our schools are finishing up this week so needed to make a teacher card. I designed this school house in inkscape along with the schools out greeting and mat cut out on the Robo. I have put these designs on UK Scrappers to share with others. I wanted to put little characters on the card but didn't want to resort to my sizzix ones and ran out of time to try to design some oops but my little boy was happy to take this to his P2 teacher.

Elvis for Fathers Day

Made these 2 cards for Fathers day cards. My dad loves Elvis and now my 6 year old has started listening to his music. Mind you when you see Elvis like this he is handsome. I got the main image from a cd but changed it to my liking then designed the backing papers and inserts to match. I'm sure my dad and father-in-law will love these.

Card for Sons friend

Oh it has been a while since I posted anything. I have been working on my cd along with working full time and being a mum. The cd is coming on nicely and probably would have been finished by now but I keep changing things. Anyway here is the card for my sons friend as he was going to his party. printed off the image from MCS It's a Boy thing. Matted and layered with pearlised blue card and red card. Used some peel offs round the edges and for greeting and number added some star gems and finished with a matching insert .

No rest for the wicked

Again sorry to my poor blog as I have been neglecting it. I have been flat out with the cd which is coming on nicely. I have a few samples made up and quite a few cut out ready to mount. Hard going trying to work on designing and making up samples but hey ho having fun and I am pleased with the way it is turning out out. It is a lot of hard work but not like digging ditches is it.
When it is nearer completion I will publish pictures here and on the website. So for now it is back to the grindstone lol

Not forgotten Blog

I haven't forgotten my poor blog I have been busy working on my craft cd and trying to update my website so no pictures to add today but just to let you know it's not because I am being lazy.

Free Easter Decoupage and paper

Not been on much lately been so busy. If anyone fancies a cute free decoupage sheet with backing paper and insert head over here http://www.craftycatz.co.uk/index.php?p=1_12_Freebies

The site is just new so not much on there but worth a look.
Happy Easter everyone
pjay
x

Hinny Bop Easter Card

I made this gate fold card using Hinny Bop Paws and Claws CD. I am going to give this as an Easter card.

Messy Rabbit

I made this from the messy rabbit cd from Joanna Sheen. I think it would make a nice engagement card.

Soo Sweet and Some Sheep

Using Soo Sweet and Some Sheep CD from Fee J Designs. Created this book using 3 A5 gate folded cards stuck together. Used backing papers from the cd and rounded corners with corner rounder punch. Edged the card with a thick gold calligraphy pen. Used decoupage image from cd and used different elements from the cd to embellish the card. Added a green piece of ribbon to tie shut for the book effect.

Soo Sweet and Some Sheep card

A simple card again using the cd from Fee J designs. A4 half folded card. I have again edged with a thick silver calligraphy pen, this is my little fetish at the moment. Pyrimage image on the front was matted onto silver mirri board. Tile left blank where i will put a greeting once I have decided on the recipient. Put a couple of little gems on the greeting tile just to jazz up a bit.

New Crafters Companion Flower Fairies

I recieved delivery of my triple disk of the Flower Fairies CD's from Crafters Companion. I tried to resist as I have treated myself to a lot of cds lately but it was no good I had to have them. I haven't had time until this morning to check them out and they are beautiful, even the packaging is adorable. There are loads of projects to for inspiration, which could also be used for other disks. I love Crafters Companions products. Before I make something though I have a few projects to finish first. I have so many ideas by the time I sit down to do them I get crafters block. Wonder if other crafters suffer from this. It would be nice to hear from anyone else who suffers lol

First Blog Award

Recieved my first blog award from a lady that shares the same name and nickname as me. Thank you very much Pamela you can view her blog here http://pamelaspages.blogspot.com/. Now the hard part as I am relatively new to blogging I will need to decide who else to pass this on to. Oh dear it may take a day or two.

Joanna Sheen Pamela West

Another card made using the Joanna Sheen Pamela West CD. This is a gate fold card, I am not usually a very flowery person so not too sure what I think of this one.

Joanna Sheen Messy Rabbit

2 cards made using the fantastic Joanna Sheen Messy Rabbit cd. The top on is an A4 half fold card with a section cut away from the front using shaped scissors and given a silver edge using calligraphy silver pen. Made the bow, tip I picked up from tv. The second one matted and layered with mirri board and backing paper and rounded corners with a corner rounder punch added a 2 colours of gross grain ribbon just to tie in the colours.

Joanna Sheen Pamela West CD

This card was made form the Joanna Sheen Pamela West CD. I like the wee dog in the kilt with bagpipes, I wasn't keen on the distorted tartan but I was too lazy to create my own or look for an alternative but I quite like it finished, I think the paper is probably a bit more subtle and a slight twist on just normal tartan.

Been a busy lady

I have been quite busy the past week. I was at the SEC HobbyCraft Show on Sunday. I picked up a Bind It All there, I was going to wait until I picked up the older blue version but that would have meant waiting, not my strong point, plus this is the new V2 pink model. It is supposed to cut thicker. I tried it out and did a Ben 10 Jotter for my son. Nothing crafty enough for me to put up here. I treated myself to the new Joanna Sheens Messy Rabbit CD. I love it. I have 4 projects cut out. I managed to complete the decoupage for 2 last night so hopefully I will get them mounted onto a card tonight but I have parents evening so not holding my breath. I am eagerly awaiting the new Crafteers Companion Flower Fairies triple cd set but it isn't here yet aggggrrrrr. I also have a few of Joanna Sheens Pamela West images cut out waiting to be put onto a card so just as well the new cd isn't here yet.
I have also managed to forge ahead with my own cd and the first folder is nearly finished. Still a way to go but printed out the decoupage sheet and a few of the papers and I am very happy with how they have come out.
I hope to add some new cards in a day or so, just need more hrs in the day

Oriental Lady

This is another card from The MY Craft Studio Finishing Touches CD. I must admit I bought the cd because I loved this image so much. Gladly it is not the only one. Simply decoupaged the image, used quickie glue pen to add some glitter highlights. There is a backing paper below the image but the image is so large, might put it on a larger card next time of make a stationery set. I did make a matching envelope but I should have made a little larger so made a nice purple box for this

Finishing Touch CD Simple Card

Very simple card using the Finishing Touch CD from My Craft Studio. Printed directly onto the main card one of the pre-designed cards then sized the pyrimage to fit. Made the envelope with liner also on the cd and finished with the matching inset. Also edged with some border peel offs and a greeting peel off. It is going to a lady who spent 6 week living in the Jungle with the Orangutan's, she is having a lot of tests carried out. Hopefully this will make her smile.

Aged Pocket Watch Card

I bought the new Finishing Touch CD from My Craft Studio. It was offered on a special deal on Create and Craft, double cd with 14 stamps.

I used the pocket watch rubber stamp from the set for this. I made and 8 x 8 card, made my own backing paper with distressed ink pad then stamped the watch using a vivid ink pad onto this. Matted and layers some gold mirri board and some corrigated card onto this. Tried to give the main image an aged effect using the destressed pad then used some cosmic shimmer over the pocket watch. I have left a space for a greating and will prin off an insert from the cd to finish.

Simple male themed card

Believe it or not this card actually looks nice in real life but not so much in the picture, honest.

Made embossed squares on the Craft room Workstation, then cut out and edged with peel offs. Printed out backing paper and mounted on to an A4 half fold card and also edged with peel offs. Stuck some gross grain ribbon to the back of the embellishments and mounted using large foam pads. I have left it without a sentiment as I usually like to wait until I decide who is getting the card befor doing also put matching insert.

Another Fairy

Another fairy card same design as the last but this one has decoupage instead of a topper.

Poser Fairy 2

This fairy was another born from error. She was spare after I printed her instead of the decoupage sheet so just used her alone as a topper. Matted and layered again with patterned mirri board and pearilised brown card. User a Kameo Cards Plaid and Co backing paper. Used patterned scissors for the matted and layered card and put gold on top of gold for a subtle Happy Birthday, every fairy needs a few butterflies so added these in peel off form to finish off. I like the idea of 8x8 sized card but didn't have any so cut down 2 sheets of A4 card making one slightly larger just large enough for a strip of double sided to join the cards together

Poser Fairy

Decoupaged up this fairy she was lovely to work with. Matted and layered onto patterned mirri board and pale green card. I used backing paper from crafters companion vintage times cd, put a stip of mirri card on the front edge and used a border punch on the backing paper so the gold would shine through. Here is the finished result, not tackled an enevelope yet will cross that when I find a home for this lol. Oh this was two pieces of A5 card stuck together the from one was scored about 1 cm in to give an edge to stick together an trimmed off a bit to show more of the back, well truth is I needed to trim off a bit more as I had a mishap with the border punch oops!!!

Excellent Service from My Craft Studio

A few posts ago I mentioned about contacting My Craft Studio via their website about the disk that came with the Run Circles Around Men's CD. I thought it was awful, content, quality of designs etc. They replied to say this was how the images were supposed to be etc. The out come however was they dealt with me both professionally and courteously. I returned the disk and I was asked which Men's disk I would like to change it for. I chose the It's a Boy Thing, which arrived on Friday. I am very happy with this as the images are what I would expect from the My Craft Studio team.
This is the sort of service that everyone should recieve, I am glad I never went through Create and Craft as I don't think I would have got anything do. So well done My Craft Studio and thank you

Quick Update

I haven't been on to update pictures. I have been very busy. I am still working on my cd which is coming along well although one of the programmes I was using decided to play silly beggars. I got it sorted but took quite a few hours to sort out.
I have been watching the craft weekend and have managed so far to resist temptation but must admit there wasn't really any must haves on, or should I say wasn't much that I hadn't already bought.
I got a pair of fancy edged scissors out of Poundland and was surprised that they were actually really good so went back and got the other 2 designs. You just need to have them all lol I got 4 pots of cosmic shimmer yesterday so want to give those a try out. I have a few cards on the go so they should be finished tonight or tomorrow evening all going well so will post pictures as soon as they are.

Flippin Valentine

My hubby and I don't usually do the whole Valentine thing. Don't need to be told when to say I love you but as I am in the throws of loving Flippin Men and my hubby loves to soak for ages in the bath I thought this would make him laugh. Apperture, hearts and love embelishment cut on the Craft Robo. Border peel offs put round the apperture and also around the plain red insert. Added some stitch effect using fine tip of a Mary Le Plumme brush marker.

Flippin Women are out Now!!

Well they are here Flipping Women. I didn't even wait until they were aired on Create and Craft, I loved the Flipping Men collection so when I knew they were available I ordered the Flipping Women. I later watched the show on Create and Craft and I love them.
They have a crafter so that will definately come in handy to send to someone, (me) but they are so much fun I can't wait until they arrive.
Have a look on La Pashe site to view them http://www.lapashe.com/flippin-women-decoupage.htm

Helix Craft Room and Run Circles Around Men

My Helix craft room arrived on Friday. I looked at it for quite a few days swithering whether to buy it. I have the Crafters Companion Ultimate Pro, I do like it but it has a few faults that I don't like mainly the cutter that it came with isn't great, it would probably be better to use a different craft knife than the supplied mouse cutter. I don't see the point of buying something then having to replace one of the features with an alternative, but all said and done I still like the Ultimate despite of this.

I must admit though I do like the Helix Craft room too, I think they are quite different beasts and comparing them would be like comparing apples and pears. I like that it came with the overlays for scoring the shapes, one of the main reasons for getting this was to get my 6 year old son more involved with crafting. He has tried to use the glitter girls boards in the past but finds them too hard. I also got the Run Circles Around Men kit to go with it, again as it came with a board for embossing and all male themed sports figures so again something to get my son involved. I haven't used the circle cutter yet and admit I have the Robo so didn't need a circle cutter but again I can get my son involved he likes a shot when I am crafting so might as well get something fun for him.

On to the cd that came with the Run Circles Around Men kit, it is a My Craft Studio one, where should I start? It is awful. The images are poor quality, the whole disk makes me think it was put together in a rush. The borders are poor graphics and to try to size them even slightly larger just makes them distorted. The backing papers are very basic and to be honest I wouldn't use them to make a card. The outline images supposed to be used in co-orination with the board are tiny and to try to size thes to match the size on the board just creates a distorted mess.

If you come across this cd on it's own and think ypu would like to buy it, I would advise against it. Give a 5 year old some paints and they will come up with better backgrounds.

I will be keeping the Craft Room but might return the Run Circles Around Men as I am so un-impressed with the cd that came with it there really isn't anything I wound use on it.

PSP

I have been spending quite a lot of time playing around with PSP X2. I must admit I really like it I have been working my way through tutorials to learn how to use different features and have got quite a few tubes. I have managed to make some lovely backing papers and surprised how easy it is to achieve some stunning effects. I also managed to find some lovely art that I have permission to use so now might be the right time to start creating my own cds. It is something I have been threatening to do for a few years so watch this space.

Book Style Card

I saw an idea on the tv where they joined 3 gate fold cards together to give a kind of book style scrapbooky feel so gave it a try. Gate folded 3 A5 cards, stuck together matted and layered with silver mirri board and printed backing papers. Embellished with some decoupage, tag, ribbon, peel offs and corners. It all folds together like a little book.

Flippin Men Decoupage

I love these designs they are very cheeky. I created an oval apperture card on the robo, I cut 2 of them and put the acitate window in and stuck the 2 cards together.

Glitter Girls Beauties and Beasts

This is the first card I have created using the new Glitter Girls cd Beauties and Beasts. I have used the bookafleur board. The cd is lovely and you can change the characters clothing colour and change backgrounds and colours to co-ordinate.

More Of My Craft Robo Templates

Here are more of the templates I created for the robo. These are only test cuts. I really need to take time and make them up properly as they would look stunning embellished and put together properly.

Some of my Craft Robo templates

For weeks possibly more I have been creating some templates. Due to work etc not had much time to test cut. Well took some time today and decided to get the finger out. I never decorated the cards like I would when making a finished card. I basically just wanted to see how they cut out and if they needed adjustments. I think if I make them up properly and embellish them they could be stunning. IMAO

I have loads more so will update when I have the time.

New Vintage Rubber Stamps

Today was very rere, I had a day to myself. So I went to the local craft shop and browsed for ages. Normally I have my 6 year old with me who thinks it is boring, so any visit there I usually just try to grab what I know I want/need and have a quick run round. I bought 2 vintage type rubber stamps one male and the other female and a few vivid ink pads. Lately I have been doing more crafting from cds so I thought I would have a go at my first love lol. Here are the 3 cards I managed to make.

Paul McKenna here I come

This is my first ever blog. Today I have spent quite a bit of time phaffing to try to make it a bit more interesting. Primarily though as titled it is for crafters to visit and hopefully to meet like minded people and share hints tips and inspiration. At work today I was having a fight with a trojan on a PC, I could have easily just scrubbed it and restarted from scratch but then where would the challenge be. I doubt I will be doing anything crafty this evening. I have another date with Paul McKenna aparenty he is going to make me thin. Yes over the festive period I bought his DVD box set of I Can Make You Thin, well if looking at myself naked in the mirror after coming out the bath doesn't scare me into doing that, then nothing will. This is week 2 of watching the DVDs and strangely my eating habits have changed, it is early days. I hope it continues. I will keep you posted. Although I did catch my 6 year old son down on the floor saying to the cat, look into my eyes, look into my eyes, this was him trying to hypnotise the cat. Paul McKenna doesn't say these things and he hasn't seen the disks, this was from my husband who told me the disks had arrived. He did the impression from the Hypnotist character from Little Britain. Kids are funny mad little people.
Don't get me started on those hideous slimming knickers. Try getting them on, and once on how the heck are you supposed to go to the loo?? Nope tried them and to be honest they made me want to hide under the duvet with a bottle of Vodka. Does anyone wear them out there??
Anyway I have blabbed on enough. If you drop by say hi and thanks for stopping by
Pamela
x

Fairy Poppet

Stamped and embossed the fairy Poppet image then water coloured using Marvy Le Plumme pens and water brush. Used pearilsed card and run through a cuttlebug embossing folder, added a few silk flowers and a few gems and edged with fine line peel offs. I have left a space for a greeting once I find a home for it.

Father-in-Laws Card

I created this card for my Father in Law as he loves the book Oliver Twist. I used the image from The Cupcake Double Trouble Cd. Image was printed onto photograph paper and the backing paper and inserts printed onto pearlised paper. Matted and layered with backing paper and gold mirri board. Finished with a peel off greeting and a few corner peel offs. He loved the card.

Craft Creations Stricty Card Dancers

I created these two cards using the Strictly Card Dancers cd by Card Creations. On both I mounted them onto pearlised card and printed backing papers and inserts onto pearlised paper. The cameo one I brought into my Robomaster software so I could use the print and cut feature to make sure the cut was perfect, I am never happy with the way I hand cut cameos as I always find fault with them so this method worked best for me (saved me from driving myself crazy). One I gave a double embossed wavy line and set off with some peel offs and added a small double gross grain ribbon. The other I mounted onto holgraphic card used some peel offs and finished with some gems.