My Creative Spirit (Blog Archive)

French Country Egg Stand  Hi Every one  I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Easter, thank you for following my blog over the past year or so and to share this pretty egg stand I picked up from Rob (AKA Mr MDF) at the Hobbycraft show a couple of weeks ago. Here's the link to his web site.  I took the blank stand, painted it with red Kaisercraft acrylic paint and then when dry inked all edges with walnut stain distress ink to give the piece an aged look.  Then I took papers from the new 6 x 6 Patterns and Solids pad, the 12 x 12 Montage paper for the sides, the chicken border from the 12 x 12 Bon Apetit paper, a sticker strip and a large chip board piece and transformed it into this really pretty egg stand that's now in my kitchen.   French Country Egg Stand - Graphic 45  French Country Egg Stand - Graphic 45  French Country Egg Stand - Graphic 45  Just for decoration I painted the eggs white and then crackled using the IndigoBlu crackl

12 x 12 Easter Layout Place in Time - Graphic 45 Hi every one  We've got some fun Easter crafts on the G45 blog today.  To go have a look, get some creative inspiration, see the projects in full made by Kristin and myself and make a fun Easter themed layout/calendar pictured above just click this link .   Happy crafting everyone 

Happy Monday every one Snow arrived as predicted on Friday here in the UK and caused havoc everywhere as usual, keeping lots of crafters away from the Hobbycraft show at the NEC.  It was lovely to see those of you who made it, came along to the Ali Craft stand, and joined in my make and take sessions.  I really enjoyed them all. There's some wonderful ideas for French Country crafting over on the Graphic 45 blog today.   Click here to check out Susan Lui's French Country Altered Treasure Box and more pictures and step by step instructions on how to make my Altered photo frame pictured above. Supply List  Graphic 45 Supplies  12 x 12 Rendezvous  12 x 12 Bon Apetit French Country pop out flowers French Country pop out banners French Country pop out pockets  (Graphic 45 papers are available to order from Alicraft in the UK) Other Supplies 2mm Chipboard - orderded from Philspaper  in UK Tacky Glue Black Card - ordered from AnnaMarieDesigns

Ali from Ali Craft and Clare AKA Charliejones2686  Despite the wind, rain and snow that caused problems for so many trying to get to the Hobbycraft Show at the NEC this weekend we had a great time on the Ali Craft stand.  It was good to catch up with Ali and Ian, to meet every one who took part in my make and take sessions or called by the stand to say hi, and to meet crafters who stopped as they were passing the stand because they recognised my voice!!!!  If I'd have know two years ago I would be where I am today I would never have called my You Tube channel charliejones2686!!!!   This year our stand was next to Sandra and Andrew AKA House of Zandra  .  Do I love Sandra's templates and artwork.  She really is incredibly talented, and it's hard to choose things to indulge in.  I I could buy all of her decoupage sheets and templates.  I settled for just a few, one of which was this gorgeous Giraffe decoupage sheet.  My sister absolutely adores giraffes so he was a

Hi every one  Its that time of year again and we're all off to the NEC, Birmingham for loads of crafty fun at the biggest craft show in the UK.  If you're coming along call by the Ali-Craft stand, see Ali and Ian and join me for a free steampunk inspired half hour make and take session.  They go like hot cakes so be sure to get to the stand early to book your slot.  This is what we'll be making using the gorgeous  Artistic Outpost Stamps :  Call by the IndigoBlu stand to see the fabulous Kaye, some of my IndigoBlu Belle teamies, loads of fabulous cards and altered art ideas that we've all designed and of course loads of demos .  Here are some of my cards made for the show:   Look forward to seeing you:-) 

French Clock - Various Collections by Graphic 45  How time flies.  A whole year's gone by since I applied to join the design team for what is reputedly one of the most respected family run paper crafting companies in the crafting world.   I remember not being able to look at that final DT list for ages and was blown away when I eventually took a peek and saw I'd made it :-).   Thanks Diane, Amie, Charee, for giving me such a fabulous opportunity.  It's been an amazing fun filled year of creativity during which I've worked along side my fabulously talented teamies, met loads of like minded crafters and hopefully inspired others to cut into their Graphic 45 papers and make gorgeous projects and gifts. Now the year is nearing its end and the call for a new design team has been announced I've decided to enter again, so with fingers crossed here's a  selection of my projects, some old, some new, none borrowed and one blue :-) ........................