Snowy Tag

Time for another challenge tag!
This week's tag has an icy snowy theme.  I've used Cosmic Shimmer misters over a snowflake mask to create the background.  I've used a large snowflake die to cut a snowflake out of dufex silver card and used the same card with alphabet dies to cut out the word.  Then assemble it together with some snowflake and star brads and some ribbon - easy peasy!...  Mind you this tag did have to be simple.  I was very organised at the weekend and spritzed the background as my misters were all at the shop.... but silly me then forgot to bring my toolkit home!... so my plans were to stamp & emboss over the background.... oh no - no embossing tool... then to stamp & colour a design in with Promarkers.. oops no - forgot them too!  I even had to rustle up some scissors & glue from somewhere... oh well.. surprising what you can achieve with very little resources!
Enjoy

Jane

Golden Butterfly Tag

For this week's tag challenge I've gone with a golden theme.  Firstly I cut two strips of card the width of my tag at two different heights.  I used a Martha Stewart punch to cut the border along the top of them both.  Use Versamark ink over the front of the smaller strip and emboss it using a sparkly gold embossing powder.  For a good coverage go over it again with the ink and with the powder.

I've used a Dreamweaver Butterfly Stencil for the main design - place your stencil in position and then dab your Versamark ink through it then emboss with the gold sparkle embossing folder - again if you need to then line up your stencil and go over again for a darker finish.  You can also use a Versamark pen for this job too - it's Versamark ink in a handy pen - ideal for more precise application... I would have used mine instead of the pad.. but it's gone into hiding in my craft stash!!

Line up your two punched strips and mark lightly on your card where the punched section of the tallest strip falls.  Then apply strips of double sided tape to be behind the punched pattern.  Then apply embossing powder to the sticky tape and heat gently.  Stix2 is a good tape to use for this - as long as you don't overheat the tape won't bubble.

Stick on your large strip and then the smaller strip over the top.

Take a couple of paper flowers and colour with a gold ink - I used a Krylon Pale Gold - set aside to dry thoroughly.  Add some line details to the top of your tag, and in between your strips using a gold gel pen.  Finally fix a decorative brad at the top and then fix the two flowers with decorative brads.

You could try this design in all sorts of colours and it would look just as effective!

have fun crafting

Jane

Workshops, New products & shop update

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Workshops, New products & shop update

Tags 3 & 4!

You have double tags this week as I was poorly last week and didn't get the chance to post up last week's tag & instructions...

This tag has been created using Cat's Eye inks and a selection of Crafty Individuals Stamp.  Start with a matt card black and apply your inks direct to the cardstock in light swirling motions.  don't be afraid of have a few lines and streaks - you do not need a perfectly blended finish.  Keep gradually building up the colour.  I used a couple of pinks and a purple shade.  Next I used a crackle stamp and  text stamp to stamp using the same innks on the background to create a bit further texture.  You can then select your motifs to stamp in Jet Black.  The girls are from a stamp containing 9 images in a block - I've cut them apart so I can use separately.  As is the wording - it's actually from the architecture stamp but is a nice little line of words.  I've then stamped my favourite fairy angel at an angle having covered the wording with some scrap card to mask it so the stamp didnt over stamp it.  Finally I used a little metallic Marker from Letraset scribbled onto my beauty wording (again one word highlighted from a bit mixed wording stamp) and then stamped in the corner.  Finally - as ever a few white gel pen highlights and borders round the girls to give it the finishing touches!  I had fun doing this tag and I do have to say it's my favourite so far!  The original is in the shop if you are passing!
This week's tag

A little simpler this week.  For those of you who do not stamp!  Start with a black matt card blank.  Use a Versamark ink directly on the card to create a random strip over the central part of the card - I worked from the bottom right hand corner towards the top left.  Next use Cosmic Shimmer Mica Powders and dust your mica's sparingly onto where you have inked.  You really do not need much at all - you can always add more!  I've used a mix of colours - pink, purple, orange, gold.  Dust them over and then use a big dusting brush to dust off the excess.  I've then added a mix of stickers - some silver some white in a decorative pattern and finally added a few highlights with Stickles Crystal glitter.  If you fancy having a go at Mica Powders, this is one of the projects we will be working on in the workshop on 22nd November 6-8pm (£12.50) in Attleborough at the shop.  Call 01953 454976 to book your place!

enjoy your crafting this week

Jane

Spooky Tag

Here's your second inspiration tag.  This time getting in early for Halloween!  This has been created using Gathered Twigs and Ripe Persimmon distress inks.  Firstly applying a mix of both over your tag using Cut n Dry Foam.  Splash some water droplets over your tag then blot dry.  Then use some bubble wrap - ink it up with the gathered twigs and stamp randomly on your tag.  The tree is an Elusive Images/Chocolate Baroque stamp in Jet Black Archival Ink.  I've added some white gel pen highlights to bring it to life.

I've hand drawn (yes hand- drawn - don't be scared - give it a go!!).. the spiders web with a letraset fine-liner.  Simplist ever to do cobwebs - just straight lines from one point radiating outwards, then do scallops in between them.  And Mr spider is easy to draw too - just draw and colour in an oval - add little lines for his legs and then some white gel pen eyes - done!

The lettering is hand-drawn too - just go slowly - have a practice before hand if you're not sure!.. or you can always use some alphabet stamps if you prefer.

the final touch is our little witch charm.. she's fixed on with a brad - She is one of a selection of halloween charms now in stock!

Have fun!

Jane

Weekly challenge project

We are starting a weekly challenge project for the next 12 weeks to get you inspired and creative!  Each week we'll post up a piece that we have created to give you ideas.  You may get inspired by the colours, the theme or something else - we would love to see anything you create as a result - feel free to email them, or link to your blog - or post them to our facebook page!

The first piece is a tag that I've created using vibrant distress ink colours.  First step was to stamp using Versamark using bubble wrap to get some interesting background.  I then embossed this with clear powder.

I then applied distress ink - Winter Berries - Seedless Preserves and Mowed Lawn - all limited edition set colours that will now be introduced as standard colours in the distress ink range - hurrah!

I then spritzed the card with splashes of water and removed the excess to get a mottled effect.  Next I stamped using the same distress inks using Umount Mini Swirls and the edge of a bare tree stamp (source unknown!) - just to add a little texture to the background.

I then stamped the seed heads using Archival Jet Black - stamp is Chocolate Baroque Retro Vases - and stamped a lined border down one side using a border from Woodware Easy Stitching stamp.  Next I stamped the word Art in Archival Black using a stamp from the Chocolate Baroque Artistic Affirmations set.

Finally I added a square panel peel -off in a black floral design and used the waste pieces to create some interest around it!

happy crafting

Jane

The end of an era...

I've taken the sad decision to discontinue my Diss crafting club and had my last night tonight. I've been there every month for the last 5 years.. but our numbers have dwindled of late.. and so I've decided to focus on the shop, workshops & the other two clubs that I currently run. A big thank you to everyone who has attended over the years - I've had such fun - I hope you have too!. I'm so pleased that I still get to see many of you either at the shop or events.. or in Tescos! Needless to say everyone is welcome to come along to the Harleston or Attleborough clubs.

Jane x

Steampunk Tag

Have you seen Tim Holtz' latest tag... well as soon as I saw it I had to have a go!  His technique of using a ball point pen to create the rivet effect is fabulous!  Definitely worth trying out yourself.  I have a delivery of alcohol inks.. and now self adhesive metals sheets... arriving this week... go on give it a try!  The stamps are from Chocolate Baroque and the cogs are from Beadtime (both available in store).

happy crafting
Jane
www.aldridgecrafts.co.uk

Craft club in Attleborough next Friday

Don't forget our newest monthly club meets again this Friday 20th July.  6.15-8.30 in Francis Rooms, Connaught Hall.  All crafters are welcome - papercrafting, jewellery & beading & more.  Book in advance at the shop or on our website for £3.00 or pay on the night for £3.50.  Refreshments provided.  An ideal chance to get together with other crafters to have fun and share ideas.  Looking forward to crafting with you all!

Jane

Wirework rings

It's been ages since I've blogged... it's been a busy time getting the shop all sorted and keeping it stocked with new goodies!
I finally found some time this weekend to have a play with some wire.  I did a workshop ages ago making rings with wire - and have fancied experimenting further.  These rings have both been created with 2mm wire as the base and 0.5mm wire wrapped around it.  It's a useful design that can be created into many different finishes just by using longer pieces of wire and making lovely scroll designs.
We've just got the coiling gizmo in stock in the shop - so that's next on my list for playtime I think!

happy crafting

Jane

Basic Rubber Stamping Demonstration

We'll be demonstrating in store on Saturday at 11am and 1.30pm.  This week we'll be showing you some basic rubber stamping techniques.  This will be aimed at beginners who would like to start stamping and do not know where to start - or perhaps you already stamp and want some hints and tips.  We will be showing basic stamping to get a clear outline for colouring an image, but also stamping backgrounds with coloured inks too!  So if you are free on Saturday - come and visit our store in Attleborough and see what we are doing

happy crafting
Jane

Birthday Shoes

I've been so busy with the shop I haven't had the time to be creative this month... so I took the opportunity to sit down on Saturday and make a birthday card for Sarah's lovely daughter.  This is what I created!  The stamp is from Clarity Stamps which has been decorated with a Clarity stamps corner stamp and coloured with Promarkers then covered with glossy accents.  The backing paper is from Sheena's Paint Fusion CD.
I was very pleased with the end result!

happy crafting
Jane

Shop news!

Well we've now been open for two whole weeks... is it really only two weeks... feels like home already!  We've started to order in stock as per customer requests... so we've had a delivery today of some scrapbook albums and animals dies from Papermania.  We've got another delivery pending including lots of card blanks and marianne Designs and Joy crafts dies.  So be sure to let us know if there's something you would like us to stock.. if we can ... we will!

enjoy your crafting

Jane

in case I wasn't busy enough....

... not content with trying to fit out and open our shop in Attleborough this week - I'm also sorting out our stand for Sincerely Yours at Thetford on Sunday too!.... you know me.. I like to keep busy!
So - there will be a few main themes for the stand this time - firstly LOTS of Crafty Individual Stamps - here's our stand in preparation!...

.. just a few then!
We'll also be stocking Sheena's paint fusion range as well as our usual mix of dies, beads, die cut decoupage, paper pads and other general papercrafting goodies!
We'll be doing some demonstrations with the Crafty Individuals and Memento ink pads - but you know me by now - there's always a variety of demos on offer so you'll have to come and see what else we'll be doing!
.. better get back to planning out those stands...!
Jane

Shop Update!

Lots of things happening everyday preparing for our shop to open - there's so much to sort out - organising all the new stock, the shop fittings, insurance, radio license... and must make sure we buy a kettle!!  We are due to get our keys on Monday and then it will be all systems go to get fitted out and stocked ready to open our doors on Saturday 31st March!  That Saturday will be a busy day for us as we'll also be setting up our stall that afternoon at Thetford all ready for the Sincerely Yours event on Sunday 1st April.  Once we are in next week we'll be posting up regular pics & updates so you can see how we are getting on!
I'm so looking forward to seeing our plans come together!

Jane

New stock, new shop.. it's all happening!

Lots of news for you today.  I'm pleased to announce the joining of Aldridge Crafts and Champagne Moments who will very very shortly be opening a shop on the high street in Attleborough!  We will be stocking a wide range of crafting products including rubberstamping, scrapbooking, beading and much more alongside a beautiful range of handmade jewellery and cards, wedding stationery and some gorgeous accessories and handbags too! 
We've been busy getting in lots of new stock to tempt you all when we open (if it lasts that long!).. and we've put over 100 new products up on our website at www.aldridgecrafts.co.uk today.  New releases from Hunkydory, Kanban, Paint Fusion, Cosmic Shimmer and more.

Highlights include:

• Adorable Scorable cardstock from Hunkydory - 30 colours just 40p for an A4 sheet
• Paint Fusion - CD Rom of paint fusion, rubber stamps, paints, transfer sheets, brushes - everything to get you started and more!
• Steampunk inspired paper pads and toppers from Kanban and some pretty florals and backing cards too!
• A variety of Topper & backing sheet packs from Hunkydory, everything from Easter to Father's day, Weddings to retirement!
• The new vintage misters from Cosmic Shimmer - all brand new 9 colours!

So grab a coffee and have a browse... and keep an eye on our website for updates about our shop's grand opening...

.... oh and if that's not enough - don't forget it's Sincerely Yours at Thetford at the end of the month too!

happy crafting
Jane

So many new stock deliveries...

We're struggling to keep up with all the new deliveries at the moment!.... We've been busy stringing up beads from our beads and findings delivery.  Lovely glass beads, spacer beads, charms. 

We have a big box from Hunkydory including toppers packs and 30 colours of Adorable Scorable card - their fabulous new card range that doesn't crack when it's scored.  Just 40p for an A4 sheet of this quality cardstock. 
We've had a big delivery from Kanban too and this has a mix of Steampunk style and pretty styles - something to suit everyone!  We've also got quality Mirri card in ever popular silver but also a gorgeous soft pale blue tone - that's already proving popular at just 95p per sheet. 

We've just had a big box delivered from Crafter's Companion too!.. this has Sheena's fabulous paint fusion range as well as some cardstock stacks too! 

So - bear with us - we are working on getting it all online as quickly as we can!... so keep checking back for new updates!

Exciting times ahead too... watch this space for more information about where you can see us this year!!

If you are a facebook fan - don't forget to 'like' our Aldridge Crafts facebook page - we put lots of updates and projects on there throughout the week and we'd love to see you there!

happy crafting
Jane

Crafting with Friends!

Don't you just love crafting with friends.  You get to share crafting goodies and create things you wouldn't be able to with your own stuff!  I did just this last night.  I took my book with me in which I'd already created some backgrounds with my cosmic shimmer chalk misters - hence spraying myself in the face with the pink mister on Sunday whilst clearing a blockage -  oops!!  My friends had bought some London themed Papermania stamps - perfect for my pinky blue background I thought!  So I had a great time stamping the different images in black archival ink and adding decorative doodles with Sakura Stardust - blue, marine and Ruby and my Silver gel pen.  An added appropriate saying from the Chocolate Baroque Artistic Affirmations stamp set and I was all sorted.  Not a bad evening's work - and we fitted in lots of chatter too!
enjoy
Jane

Just had to get inky!

Well I did have an inspired creative day yesterday - I spent some time browsing through some very inspiring blogs and that got me itching to get inky fingers!  So I pulled out my journal to finish of a piece started a long time ago.  This has been stamped using stamps from Chocolate Baroque (Elusive Images as was) and background created using Cosmic Shimmer mister sprays, Distress Stain and a mask from That Special Touch.  The teal edging was created using a fine paintbrush dipped into my mister ink so I could control where the colour was applied.  Hope my inspired creation inspires someone else!...
enjoy
Jane

Spring has sprung

With the gorgeous spring like weather today it got me all inspired to create a spring themed project.  I took this fab photo of tulips last spring and just loved the picture, so I thought I would create a scrapbook page with it. 

I saw Sue Wilson doing the scrunched ribbon a while back - but her one top tip I couldn't do... it was to use extra strong d/s tape - I just didn't have any to hand.. so to stop my ribbon unravelling (hopefully.. well time will tell!).. I put in a little running stitch through the tape and the ribbon - hopefully it'll hold it!  The dies are a selection of Marianne Designs dies and the alphabet is from Sissix. 

I hope you like it - I still count myself as a novice scrapbooker... lots of ideas but I haven't had time to create a huge amount of pages... yet!  I'm hoping to get more into scrapbooking this year.
enjoy!
Jane

Nice Buns!

Well it amused us at the motorway services! 
A little update on our adventures at the trade show at the NEC.  We discovered that all roads out of the NEC lead to Coventry... and ended up taking the wrong one! but after a slight detour we made it back to the hotel.  Lots of lovely things to see at the show.  Tim Holtz was demoing the new distress pens - they look rather good - particularly impressed with the white pen that is white even on black card and can be blended like any other ink.  Did a lovely workshop with Stix2 using their double sided film, foils, glitter, mica powders and chipboard die cut out into frames!  We've only made it half-way round so far - so more goodies to discover tomorrow.  Here are a couple of my favourite samples so far...

Gorgeous black gold and white cards from Kanban

Beautiful silver bauble peel-offs with bling accents from Woodware

Loving this cat stencil from Dreamweaver

Now to read through lots of catalogues to decide what to order!
Jane

Distressing fun

Crafty Individuals Stamps with  Leaves Mask onto Glossy card

I've been having a play with my Distress Stains.  These are the distress inks in a liquid form.  They come in a handy bottle with a sponge tip to apply direct to cardstock.  These five samples have all been created using combinations of just three colours - Wild Honey, Broken China and Forest Moss.  I've combined them with stamps from Crafty Individuals and Inkadinkado - all stamped with Archival Black ink and highlighted with white gel and black fineliner accents.  I''ve used masks from 'that special touch of' to add extra pattern. 
 

Crafty Individuals Stamp (3 birds # 7463) & Leaves Mask onto matt card

They are all created with the same technique.  You can work onto glossy card (Our A6 packs are now online #4320 25 sheets for £3.00 is ideal).  You can also work onto matt white cardstock - and as you can see from the samples it will give you completely different effects depending upon what you use.

Start by taking a blank piece of cardstock.  Work onto a messy mat or non-stick heat mat (a surface you can wipe clean).  Pick up your distress stain colour of choice and either wipe across the cardstock or dot and dab for more intense colours. 

Inkadinkado Stamps Dogs Life Inchies (#4364) on glossy card

 Add additional colours in the same way, going over the top of some of your previous colour.  Try to work with the lightest colour through to the darkest to minimise contaminating the sponge pad - but don't worry if some colour does transfer - just work it onto some scrap paper and because the colour comes through the sponge pad the original colour will come through.  Two to three colours give an ideal vibrancy without being too much variation in colour.  Place your mask over the top and again dot and dab over with your various colours to get a few elements of the pattern to show.

Crafty Individuals Stamps - butterflies & cottages and circles mask onto matt card

 At this stage - have confidence and don't panic.  You may think it looks like a mess!!  Leave it to dry - you want it to be completely dry before you start stamping.  Select your stamps and arrange at different angles using Archival Black ink.  Add little accents with small stamps, border stamps or lines of words to break up the images.
Finally take your white and black pens and start to add some highlights.  You'll see I've added various white highlights - really handy to lift the design if your background is a little dark and you are losing the definition of the image you have stamped.  If you have a big empty gap in between stamps, then squiggles just done by hand in black or white - or a few parallel lines also works well.  It's one of those techniques designed to just play and experiment and see what appears!

Crafty Individuals Elegant Lady (#3813) with Andy Skinner Word Up (#7880) onto glossy card

Hope you have fun giving it a try - and I'd love to see what you create!
happy crafting
Jane

Shopping Guide - 
the # references refer to the item codes on our website for items in stock at the time of writing!  Just put the number in the search box in the top left corner of our website to find the items! 
Shop here for Distress Stains at just £5.30 each.
Shop here for Masks
Shop here for Crafty Individuals

Valentines.. in a hurry!

Seeing the beautiful creations on other fantastic blogs puts my effort to shame... but my excuse is time!.... I just didn't manage to fit in time to make my hubby's valentine's card this weekend - he usually walks the dog on his own Sunday leaving me home alone to be able to make his card... but as our plans changed I didn't have time on my own to make it!  So... revised plan for a quick and easy card I could make before he gets home of work today (said it was a hurry!).  I decided on a little fold-over card that I'd made before with other motifs.  I had a cuttlebug heart die and cut out two hearts out of a nice red shimmery cardstock I had handy.  I then embossed one with a papermania folder rubbed over the top with Versamark and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder.  I then used my Woodware Easy Stitching stamps to stamp a border with Versafine Satin Red.  Finally a Valentine's Day greeting from Woodware Tiny Phrases stamps was stamped in Black onyx Versafine.  I then mounted the two hearts at the top and Voila!... Valentines in a hurry!!  It goes to prove a carefully planned idea can be executed quickly if needed!

Enjoy your valentine's evening

Jane

A Snow White Card for a Snowy Day

Thanks to Karen for inspiration as seen on her blog...http://kslcreative.blogspot.com/2012/01/welcome.html
After seeing her beautiful all white sample I couldn't wait to give it a try myself.  So I rummaged through my die collection and selected some of my favourite Marianne Designs Dies and got cutting.  I firstly cut out a whole selection of different shapes - swirls, flowers, butterflies etc.  I also cut some borders with Martha Stewart punches too.  Then I cut a rectangular panel to the size to fit my card and ran it through with an embossing folder.  I then played around with the shapes I had cut out until I was happy with the design.   I stuck the large panels down with double sided tape and used my favourite Cosmic Shimmer PVA clear glue to stick down the fiddly pieces - love this glue for fine detail die cuts - always does the job!
My final addition was to add some highlights with Aurora Crystal Cosmic Shimmer glitter added to Quickie glue.  Just loved the finished result.  Go on - give it a try yourself.  It doesn't matter if you don't have the same dies - just have a play around with whatever dies & punches you have and see what you come up with - would love to see what you create so please share back with a comment with a link!
enjoy!
Jane

Cute Oriental Lady

This simple design of card has been made with a woodware peel-off sticker.  Our cute oriental lady has been coloured using Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks.  These inks have fabulous vibrant colours that you can apply with the very fine brush fitted in the lid.  She had such vibrant colours I thought she would work best on a simple matching colour background and a little trim of polka dot ribbon.
happy crafting!
Jane

A colourful card today to brighten us up on this damp day!  This card has been created using alcohol inks onto glossy card.  Blotches of bright colours in a random pattern.  I've then stamped using the Andy Skinner Antiques set using black Archival ink.  Highlights next - black patterns using a letraset fine marker and white & silver highlights using gel pens - it just helps to define the image over the darker areas of colour.  Then to finish - a few swirls cut out of black card with a Marianne Designs die and a simple colour mount.  Very effective and vibrant!
enjoy!
Jane

Pretty Blue Flowers

I was so pleased with the photographs I took whilst I was in Cornwall last October and I was determined to use them in my crafting.  This lovely shade of blue (I think it is a Phlox) caught my eye and I put it together with a pretty blue flower paper I had amongst my stash (origins unknown I'm afraid!).  It needed a bit of a highlight so I thought the polka dot would go nicely.  I was really pleased with the result!

happy crafting
Jane

Lovely Butterflies

I've finally had some time to get creative - so there will be a few new cards appearing on the blog.  This one is a simple design using Crafty Individuals Butterfly motifs and background papers.

Such a lovely paper it didn't need a lot of detail.  We've got lots of Crafty Individual papers in stock - click here to have a browse!

happy crafting
Jane