We have a new banner!!

As some of you may be aware, neither Gordon or myself have been happy with our banner for some time now… it was poor quality, the colours aren’t great and it just didn’t look as professional as it could do.

We’ve been looking for someone who could make us a banner with a “WOW!” factor for a while, and we’ve just taken delivery of a wonderful new banner which was handpainted by the lovely Baggy T’s…

This banner is approximately six foot long with ties at both ends as well as velcro along the top, giving us various options for hanging our banner while we’re out at the various craft events throughout the year.

What do you think? If you’re looking for a new banner, then I’d highly recommend these lovely people… fast delivery, great work and very very friendly!! Thank you

Hubby’s Christmas Card

Here we are 70 days from Christmas and I’ve not really been all that organised. I know, I know… I should have all of our personal Christmas cards ready by now, I should have all of our stock and new ideas finished ready for our forthcoming craft fairs but what can I say? There just aren’t enough hours in the day!!

I’ve spent the last two days working on hubby’s Christmas card – it was a challenge and a half!! I saw this photo on the internet and decided I wanted to give it a go, what better excuse than something for the other half!!

So after much thought and lots of trial and error I managed to assemble my ’star’ and set about decorating it – that was the difficult part!! Finding something to fill each section without constantly duplicating different embellishments.

I decided to do one section in a Scottish theme, as Gord and I lived together in Scotland for a couple of years and our wedding had a very Scottish influence with the gents in kilts so I thought it would be nice to include that in this piece.

Anyway, here is the end result:

I have included clothing, a games console, presents, Christmas trees, Santa, snowmen as well as snowflakes and various Christmas sentiments in this star.

If I ever make another of these keepsake stars then I’ll definitely think through the decoration prior to assembling, as I think the planning stage was where I went wrong, but that said I’m fairly happy with the result… I just hope hubby likes it – though he won’t be seeing it until closer to Christmas!!

Having thought about the work involved in these and the various options for personalisation, etc I have decided not to hold these in stock – they will be purely a “made to order” item, so that they can be personalised to suit your loved ones interests, etc and also using any specific theme or wording which is special to you. These keepsake stars can be made for any occasion.

If you have any feedback or would be interested in ordering any of the items on our site please email me at laurascardsforalloccasions@yahoo.com

Thank you for reading… I’d love to hear your thoughts

Laura xxx

New Keepsake Ideas

Following on from the success of my first handbag keepsake card which I completed on Sunday and the fabulous comments this received, I have decided to try out a couple of other ideas.

The handbag card in my previous post is now sold, although I can make these to order to suit your own colours and tastes and will also be adding more to our ’stock’ soon.

Over the last few days I have been working on the following handbag, toolbox and fishing box… what do you think?

Crafty Sunday

Over the last few days there hasn’t been a great deal of crafting going on… with one thing and another there always seems to be something else taking up my time, so this morning I came into the craft room and closed myself away with some music in the background and my crafty bits taking over every available surface.

I decided that it was time to see what new keepsake type cards I could come up with, only this time without using any embossing boards or premade templates, today was about lots of measuring, drawing and cutting. I knew what I wanted the end product to look like and the first attempt wasn’t too bad, although I saw quite a few areas that needed improving. So I set about making another on the same basis… much improved, but still I wasn’t quite happy with it.

Was it third time lucky? Well I think so… after spending six hours at my desk, lots of measuring, scoring, cutting, gluing, taking apart and redoing, and the third ‘new design’ of it’s kind I have made something that I am happy with:

To make this handbag keepsake, I used three sheets of A4 cardstock, all the same design which is white with a grey-ish silver floral pattern. After I’d cut all of the pieces to size, I stuck it all together and added an eyelet to the ‘flap’ and a floral ribbon embellishment together with a “Birthday Greetings” sentiment. Then I added a matching gift tag which is attached to the handbag handle with white ribbon.

This design could be altered for any occasion and colour scheme and I hope to make a few more for our forthcomingn craft fairs… what do you think?

It’s time…

The lovely Jan of Jan’s Cards and Crafts is a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! and after seeing some of her beautiful creations I decided to join one of her Stampin’ Up! clubs back at the beginning of August bearing in mind that I’ve never done any stamping before but I’m always looking to try new crafty ideas so thought I’d give it a go.

Since joining the monthly club, I have purchased five stunning sets of stamps which have all been gathering dust, so yesterday I decided it was time to start trying them out and see what I could come up with. So I sat down at my desk, laid out all of my stamp sets, inks, etc and got to work:

The first card I made using the Stampin’ Up! “pocket silhouettes” stamp set… stamped onto cream card with VersaColor ‘Bark’ ink with each image then cut out using a Dovecraft 1.5 inch circle punch.

All three images were then mounted onto a piece of green card stock which had the corners cut away with a decorative punch. Next I took a cream 5″ x 7″ card and covered one half with ivory and gold vellum, before mounting the pre-mounted images and wording. Here is the result:

Next I decided to try a new baby card so using the Stampin’ Up! “bundle of joy” stamp set, I chose the giraffe and using my black StazOn ink, stamped the image onto white pearlescent card stock before double mounting it onto blue then silver card.

Next I took a cream 5″ x 7″ card and covered one half with a blue patterned paper by Anna Griffin, then finally added the mounted stamped image to my card along with an “It’s s Boy” banner. What do you think?

Lastly, I decided to go back to my Stampin’ Up! “pocket silhouettes” stamp set, stamping them onto pale silver pearlescent card using black StazOn ink then cutting each image out using my Sizzix Sidekick and Window Cuts Rectangle Tag.

Next I covered half of my cream 5″ x 7″ card with pink patterned paper and then attached my four stamped tags using eyelets and my Crop-a-dile Big Bite, before finishing it off with a “Happy Birthday” sentiment and three padded butterfly embellishments and here is the end result:

For my first three attempts at stamping I’m relatively happy with them but I know I have soooo much to learn, there are so many techniques out there such as heat embossing, watercolouring, etc that I just don’t think I’ll ever have time to try them all!! But I’ve got to start somewhere and I still have lots of stamps that I haven’t used yet and more on order

Any feedback, constructive criticisms or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading!! Laura xxx

Children In Need 2009

It’s that time of year again… the time when people get together throughout Britain to raise funds for a very special cause.

Children in Need has been an annual event since 1980 and each year aims to raise more funds than previously.

Since 1980 Children in Need has raised over £500 million. This year’s event takes place on Friday 20th November 2009.

Each year, Pudsey is a busy bear carrying out all the things he needs to do to help disadvantaged children across the UK. He also has a busy schedule organising the fabulous Appeal night show, visiting fundraisers up and down the country and spending time with his celebrity pals to get them Doing Something Different. Everyone needs a helping paw and Pudsey has asked his best friend Blush to come on board and help him out.

Blush is quite shy as she’s not used to the attention that Pudsey gets so she’ll be by Pudsey’s side occasionally but will be helping out most definitely behind the scenes! In the past you may have noticed Pudsey and Blush appearing in their dancing outfits to get into the spirit of Strictly Come Dancing as they love to dance together, but this year you’ll hopefully see Blush a little more.

Pudsey is so happy that his friend Blush is helping out this year; he thinks she’s perfect for the job because she’s caring, helpful and kind. He knows that she’ll be welcomed by everyone.

Deb at Nimble Needles has very kindly started to knit a range of Pudsey and Blush bears which are available for sale on their website >HERE< so why not pop over and do your bit for charity by purchasing one of these lovely handcrafted creations. Also a great place to start your Christmas shopping!!

We have just ordered a Pudsey bear and can’t wait for his arrival… here is his photograph:

Well done Deb – hope you raise lots and lots for this very worthwhile cause and we’ll be recommending your site to all our friends.

A Busy Few Days

Our online shop has been somewhat neglected lately as we have been concentrating on our blog, website and craft fairs but in this big world full of opportunities we really need to maximise our available opportunities and use as may avenues as possible.

Tonight has been spent updating our Misi webstore with a selection of our cards and candles which are available for sale… to view our shop >Click Here< and you’ll be taken straight there.

Also tonight I have been working on a selection of exploding boxes and have added the first two to our website which you can see >HERE< so all in all it’s been a relatively productive couple of days.

Orders – up to date

Website – revamped (Website)

Facebook page – updated (Facebook)

MISI shop – revamped (MISI)

Christmas stock – making progress

I have also ordered the first of our Christmas presents from the lovely Caroline of Carolee Crafts… this beautiful embroidered matinee jacket in blue – I just couldn’t resist this for a very special little boy!!!

So all in all, we can’t really complain. We still have lots to do for the festive season but it now feels like we are making steady progress instead of being bogged down and not knowing where to start.

Well, I think I’m going to call it a night now and go and snuggle up with my hubby and some yummy homemade apple crumble and custard… yum!!!

World Card Making Day

Saturday 3rd October 2009 was World Card Making Day, this is the first year I have heard about this but details on their website state:

World Card Making Day began in 2006 as National Card Making Day. Founded by Paper Crafts magazine to bring card makers together at the beginning of the busiest card-making season of the year, it was first held on October 7, 2006. The initial celebration involved the Paper Crafts magazine audience only; however, due to the positive response it received and the worldwide popularity of card making, the holiday became known as World Card Making Day from then on.

Now in its fourth year, World Card Making Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in October. It’s a day for the card-making community — hobbyists, retailers, and manufacturers — to unite and celebrate the connection and creativity that is the heart of card making.

On Saturday I got tied up with updating and revamping our website so didn’t get the chance to do much in the way of crafting so I decided to dedicate yesterday (Sunday) to cardmaking instead. I hope all of the other participants in “World Card Making Day” will let me off for being a day late

I started the day making a couple of men’s Christmas cards in the shirt and tie design… a really simple design to master once you get the hang of it. You could make yourself up a template if you wanted to but I don’t bother, I just measure each card as I make it and here’s the result:

Next up was this really cute decoupage from the Smirk range… I used my crop-a-dile and eyelets to ‘hang’ the string for the stockings:

My plan was to carry on with Christmas themed cards all weekend to build up a stock for our forthcoming events, so I made these:

A few weeks ago I was passing a local card shop and saw some gorgeous little stockings in the window… they are designed for hanging on small ornamental fireplaces (also sold in the shop) and you can buy them with a name or message on them… I instantly saw the potential for using on cards!! I’ve only used one so far and that was for a baby’s first Christmas card… the writing on the stocking says “Special Little Girl” – what do you think?

While going through my craft supplies looking for inspiration I came across my Dovecraft 1.5inch circle punch… I’ve had it for ages but never used it, so thought it was time to start, and here is the first new baby girl card I came up with:

Then I thought I could use my Sizzix and die cuts combined with the punch to create a baby boy card… I really like this one:

And lastly, following on with the circle punch, I made three hole down the right hand side of my card, and ‘hung’ three small Christmas trees, one in each space, using thread. I finished the card with a diecut silhouette angel and sentiment:

I had to call it a night here as hubby was in need of some dinner lol… but it’s back to crafting today to see what new creations I can come up with!!

Thanks for reading and I’d really appreciate any feedback you can offer.

Laura xxx

Revamped Website

Here we are in October… where has the rest of the year disappeared to? Only 81 days until Christmas!! It’s crazy… this year has just flown by. To be honest, I think the older I get the quicker time goes by… so much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it all. Then again, perhaps if I stopped trying to work out where the past time has gone, I’d get more done in the current time lol.

Yesterday morning I got out of bed and sat down to spend the day crafting but then I thought perhaps I should have a look at our website and maybe tidy it up a little… that won’t take too long, right? That’s what I told myself. I looked at the site and read through it all and thought it looked “tired” so I deleted nearly every page!! I decided it was time to wipe the slate clean and revamp the site to a tidier and cleaner looking site that people would enjoy looking at.

Twenty four hours later (and about a four hour break for sleep!!) here I am… I’m quite happy with how the site is looking now. It looks tidier, more organised and even has ‘clicky pics’ now – yes I know, I’m easily impressed but I like it and I hope my fellow crafters and potential customers do too.

Cards And Candles For All Occasions website >CLICK HERE<

I would really appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism that you can offer. My main concern at the moment is that all my ‘clicky pics’ display the bannermaker details at the bottom… this is something that I am looking at changing at some point, when I have time/chance/knowledge to do so but at the moment I like it

It is surprising just how messy a workspace can get when working on the laptop… my desk looks like a bomb has gone off this morning, so today’s plan of action is to tidy this place up and then make a start on some Christmas cards… need to get lots more made for our forthcoming craft fairs.

Enjoy your day and thank you for reading!!

Saturday 26th September 2009

What a week… it seems to have been non stop here but thankfully we’ve managed to get lots done, and the week did start off with a reason to celebrate – our friend Lorraine gave birth to a gorgeous baby boy on Sunday 20th September 2009. Samuel Joseph was born by caeserean section weighing 8lb 6oz… both mum and baby are doing well.

The first project we finished this week was Sammy Joe’s personalised keepsake card:

I also finished his hand crochet baby blanket too… it was started when I found out Lorraine was expected and made using all the pastel colours so it would be suited to a boy or girl.

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This week also saw the completion of the first of our Christmas gifts… a hand crochet blanket for my Gran – she often complains about her legs being cold in the evenings while she is watching television so hopefully she’ll like this and get lots of use from it.

We still have lots more Christmas gifts to make but at least it’s a start!!

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Next on the agenda was a very special keepsake card for a regular and valued customer… this is a 39th wedding anniversary card for Karen’s Mum and Dad, her Mum particularly liked the thirteenth birthday card I made for another family member a couple of months ago so I really hope she likes this one:

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Another customer order from this week is this keepsake card which was requested for a black and white themed wedding:

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And this weeks last customer order was a keepsake sympathy card… a difficult occasion to make something special for but our customer was very pleased with the result:

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Our last smile for the week was photographs taken this morning when I got up to find Charlie dog enjoying his creature comforts… this dog knows which side his bread is buttered!!

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Well, that’s all from Cards & Candles For All Occasions for this evening… it’s been all work this week, so tonight is time for some play so I’m off to get ready to go out for a drink and perhaps a bite to eat with a friend, so I’ll catch up with you all later.

Have a good weekend!! Laura xxx