Win & Tonic April challenge

It's time for another monthly challenge at the Win and Tonic challenge blog where you can enter your creation to win a wonderful prize of a full set of Brush Script Markers.

See all the details HERE.

This month the choice is:

Colour -   think Spring, so anything pastel, greens, whatever makes you think of this season

Technique - make an Easter Treat box or bag or gift

Product – any basic shape die 

Theme – open theme so any occasion

I've used the Cupcake and Treat box die, Hetty Hippo and Glitter Markers.

Learning something new to me - One Stroke Painting

Well, this is just a handful of pages which I've been practising one stroke painting on. At this stage I'm just trying to master loading the brush and getting some basic shapes but loving it so far. I've got a long way to go but won't stop till I get it! I've got lots of Folk Art paint and brushes so plenty to keep me busy :)

Crafting Live, Belfast

Just less than two weeks now! I'll be demoing lots of lovely Tonic Studios dies etc for Crafty Devils Papercraft in my usual spot near the front door. Make sure you come along and say "Hello"

Sweet Nothings card and 3D envelope

 Good morning :) I made this card a few weeks ago using the gorgeous "Sweet Nothing" paper from Trimcraft. I made the rosette from the 12 x 12 paper pad and because of the dimension, I made a 3D envelope to match from double sided paper in the same pad.

I also used the Trimcraft First Edition Border dies and the butterflies have been snipped out of the Butterfly 6x6 Craft a Card. The heart pearls are from the Kiss and Make Up collection.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all my friends and visitors :)

Rockport, Co. Down this afternoon

A brisk along the Co. Down coast at Rockport this afternoon.

 The birds waving to the passing Stena Line ferry :)

 The sky was very dark and made the yellows more vivid.

 Filled my pocket as usual :)

Pointy basket tutorial

This is a quick photo tutorial showing how to make the basket in the photo above. This one was made with a 12 x 12 sheet of double sided paper fro the Trimcraft Wild Flowers paper pad and I've decorated it with a loop of ribbon, border die cuts, die cut nesting blooms and pearls.

I've used 8x8 paper for the tutorial.

1. Fold in quarters.

 2. Score and fold diagonally from both sides.

 3. Turn over and fold each corner into the centre.

 4. Turn over again and fold each corner into the centre.

 5. Turn over so that there are 4 squares showing.

 6. Push your fingers and thumb into the centre and push towards the outside.

 7. Keep pushing outwards until it can stand alone.

 8. Add a loop of ribbon in the centre and decorate as you wish :)

Dimensions boxes from Tonic Studios

 This is a set of little boxes which I made with Tonic Studios recent Dimensions launch.I cut the boxes out with white card and used gold satin sheen to contrast. You can see each one in more detail below.

 Cupcake and Treat Box (front)

 Cupcake and Treat Box (back)

 Triangle Aspect Box

Cake Slice Box

Cardmaking and Papercraft issue 169 (May)

The latest issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft (May - 169) is out now and, as always, it's jampamcked full of great ideas to try. I have some cards in the Quick Makes section this month and there are plenty more cards and papercraft ideas to explore.There's also a super free gift - stamps and embossing folders :)

For Marilyn S

 In answer to your question - this is the back of the ballerinas when the acetate strips have been glued on.

 The strip are pushed through the slits in the card.

Lift the tab which pushes through the long slit in the back of the card and fold flat.

Some of the cards I made at Saturday's demo

 A selection of cards and bags which I made at my demo on Saturday - apologies for the quality of the photos. I never seem to be able to get good photos in shop lighting :(

I was using Trimcraft's beautiful Sweet Nothings and Wild Flowers papers with First Edition dies etc.

Thanks - demo last Saturday in Fagans, Mulllingar

Thanks to everyone who joined me in Fagans Mullingar on Saturday. I only remembered to take photos briefly at this stage but really appreciate all the others who came later and in the afternoon :) As always there was a lovely friendly atmosphere and I really enjoyed myself - I hope you did too! Thanks too, to Breda and Shauna for organising it and keeping things running so smoothly :)

Thanks for all you do

Hello :) We had a lovely day off yesterday and took a trip to Newcastle and the Mournes. It was quite cold and windy but spring was definitely in the air. I wish we could have those days more often..

Anyhow, this is a card which I made with the Trimcraft "Sweet Nothings" paper and I've also incorporated some Plaid Concrete paint into the centre panel.

...and just a reminder - I'll be deoming in Fagan's, Mullingar on Saturday from 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm :)