My Creative Spirit (Blog Archive)

The G45 DT members have been crafting away with the new Mother goose collection, and have come up with some creative ideas for home decor and gifts.  Click the link here to have a look at todays projects from Romy, Rhea and myself along with a fab video intro from Charee too. Theres also a chance to win papers stickers Chipboard Die Cuts, Banners, Tags and Pockets and a large tag album in the G45 blog contest this week.  Just leave a comment on the G45 FB page or blog to be in with a chance to win. Happy crafting every one :-)

On the Boardwalk, Graphic 45, Artistic Outpost and Prima Dolls If you follow the Ali Craft blog you'll know we've been getting girly with the totally cute Prima Doll stamps that are trending at the moment.   These gorgeous girlies, who sadly have no names were designed by Julie Nutting, a Prima Educator who was a fashion illustrator in her early years, and has now incorporated her artistic talents and passion for crafting into this lovely new range.   Here she is talking about how the stamps came about and making a couple of tags too  Julie and her Prima Doll Stamp Range      For my tag above I combined some of my favourite things.  Graphic 45 On the Boardwalk papers, Artistic Outpost Stamps Beyond the Sea, my  Prima Doll Stamp , and some inks for an alternative style of tag. I added a star fish and a crab too for a really beachy feel.  For the tag below I used some K and Co papers I've had for years but not used, and a load of bits and pieces from my eve

Just a quick post to send a huge thank you to all the ladies and gent who came along to the Ali-Craft retreat this weekend and made the event a huge success.  It was a really fantastic two days of fun, frivolities and of course creative crafting.  Thanks Ali for organising the event, I know it takes an age to get all the details in place but it was well worth it.  It was lovely to meet up with friends new (Lisa) and old especially the Daventry Dinglers, Danglers or Dollys!!!!., and of course a Huge Happy Birthday to Lyn.  Looking forward to meeting up again soon but until then here's a fewe pics from the weekend of you all hard at work.  Lisa (a Daventry Dolly!) and Clare  Til the next time ............

Barney - Christmas Door Hanger Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas lol...... I caught up with Sandra last week at the Great British Craft Fair and fell in love with one of her new Christmas stamps - meet Barney, all dressed up for winter.  It's a while since I got out my Copics so I gathered together my Christmas colours and made this cheerful door hanger using the following ingredients:  Door Hanger - Mr MDF (Rob)  Paper - Prima Londonderry A4 Red Glitter Swirls - Stampers Anonymous Urban Chic stamp collection  Die-Namics Oval Decorative Doily  Ink Duster - Inkylicious  Barney - the House of Zandra Robin & Mouse Stamp Set - Katie Sue Designs (artwork by Sandra)  Copic Ciao Markers - R27, R29, R89, YG91, Y00,E25, E47, E51 and YG95 from Sirstampalot Stickles - Star Dust Script Stamp - IndigoBlu  WOW! Embossing Powder Clear Gold Highlight (snowflakes) Ruby Romance  Noel Die cut - Alterations Vintage Noel  Memento Ink- Rich Cocoa  Distres

Now I've finally worked out how to take photos off my new phone, (no SD card yet) here are the pics from Saturdays workshop over at Wendy & Grahams shop.  It was a workshop packed full of techniques and enjoyed by all.  Many thanks ladies and gents for a fun day and look forward to seeing you all when I'm back on 12th October for a Steampunk Spells Folio Album workshop.  There's a lot of concentrating going on.  Can you spot Wendy? 

Secret Garden Art Deco card - Graphic 45  Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  Over on the G45 blog today are some gorgeous gift ideas made using the Secret Garden paper collection.  Maria has made a gorgeous altered box and up-cycled gift bag and my project is an Art Deco card.  I used one of my Sizzix frames (657556) for the black elements and then combined stamps, cut outs from the 12 x 12 paper and patterns and solids.  Click here to go to the G45 blog to see pictures of both of our projects and instructions for my card and enter the prize giveaway. Just leave a comment on the G45 blog or FB page to be in with a chance to win this gorgeous giveaway. Good luck, have a great day and hope you call by again soon xC

Its been a funny two weeks with Harry my youngest away in Spain and Oli out and about on his hols too.  But all's nearly back to normal and they are both home again. I've been trying to sort new places to store my ever increasing stack of crafty supplies while the boys have been away, and inspired by the bright and cheery papers in the new Mother Goose collection by Graphic 45 made this handy holder which is just the right size to store some of my paints and sprays.  It would also make a great gift idea for hand made jams or a bath set. It's featured over on the Graphic 45 blog today along with another really creative project by Anne Click the link here to see more pics of our two projects and for instructions on how to make them both. There's also a video link below for my handy holder. Happy crafting every one :-)

It was a busy bank holiday weekend crafting with Ali, Ian and everone that came along to the Ali Craft retreat.  We had loads of fun getting messy in Alis Altered art workshop and of course fussy cutting Graphic 45 papers in mine.  It was great to see every one again too.   I'm sure you've all got some fabulous holiday pictures taken over the summer, so I thought I'd share this bright and cheery layout I put together using all the colourful papers from the Bohemian Bazaar collection and one of my favourite pics of my little darlings.  Bohemian Bazaar Card - Graphic 45  There's some creative card ideas with this and two other G45 collections over on  their blog today! These cards are great for any occasion and so beautiful! Romy has got creative with a fabulous Bird Song card, Arlene's made a splendid Steampunk Spells Card and I used more of the bright and cheery Bohemian Bazaar paper for my card.   Catch up again soon with some more crafty good

Morning everyone, how quickly did that weekend go......….!  anyway I thought I'd share this months Ali-Craft blog challenge with you.  The theme this month  is a little different to the normal challenge.  Entries need to feature one of the new Prima Doll stamps.  They are on sale on the Ali-Craft web site if you haven't got one in your collection    Here's a few suggestions from the Ali Craft Design Team. Ali Angela Angela Becky Clare  Heidi All you need to do is c lick the link below to go over to the Ali Craft blog, read the rules and tupload your entry.  The prize is a £15.00 Ali-Craft voucher to spend on the  website. Ali Craft Blog Challenge // 3 good luck everyone :-)

Thank you so much ladies for coming along today and making the workshop another huge success.  I hope you like your "Show and Tell" picture above.  We do.   We tackled a new album I'd put together for the event and covered some new techniques that I hope you take away and use again in future projects you make yourselves.  Here's a few more pics of you all getting crafty :-)  Huge hugs to each and look forward to seeing you again soon.   For details of future workshops just click below:  Workshops and Retreats with Clare