Let it snow - Pop & Twist

Hello, and welcome!

I am SO SO far behind with my tutorials and blogging.  I can only apologise, because stuff happens and right now my attention has to be elsewhere.  I don't want to bore you with details, but for now I have to focus on my family, and I hope you'll understand.

It doesn't mean I won't be crafting, though - it's what keeps me sane.  However, I may be a bit less regular with uploading for a while.  

Anyway, today I've made a pop and twist card using Let it Snow DSP.

If this style of card is new to you, when you open it up the centre panel twists around and pops up.  Cool, isn't it?

These cards really do have the wow! factor and once you understand the way they go together, they aren't hard to make.  Here's how I made this one - 

I hope you enjoy trying this for yourself!

Keep crafting,

Keren

A little light

Hello, and welcome!

One of the things I love about this time of year is decorating my home with lights.  I have drawers full of battery-powered tealights which get distributed around my home.  Today's quick project is a cute little lantern that holds a tealight in the base.  And I've made it so that you can easily get at the tealight to switch it on and off.

Before I post the link to the tutorial, I want to apologise because the current technical difficulties are continuing and the first part of the tutorial (the measurements) didn't save, so here they are - 

Here's the tutorial -

Before I go, I just want to apologise in advance.  Stuff happens and at the moment it's happening in my life.  It may mean I don't blog or film as often as I would like.  I hope you'll forgive me.

Thanks for visiting!

Keep crafting,

Keren

Feels like Frost - Self closing box

Hello, and welcome!

It's another favourite project from my 5 years as a Stampin' Up! demo today.

This is one of the self-closing boxes that I came up.   Yes, this was my invention, which came about when I was following instructions to make a stand-up pouch and suddenly realised that I could do something different with it...and this shape was born!

Here's how I made this version (with special appearance by a certain cat...)

This box can easily be adjusted to any size. I've made a calculator that will allow you to make a box of any size (subject to the size of your base card!) and works in inches and millimetres.  You can get it from my Google class - 

classoom.google.com and join with the code jhab6d

(This is an updated version of the calculator - the previous version had an error, so if you've downloaded it before, please get the new and improved version.)

Keep crafting,

Keren

BIG pop-up cube

Hello, and welcome!

Today I'm revisiting one of the early projects from my YouTube channel - the pop-up cube.

I've made the pop-up cube in a few sizes.  This is the largest I've ever made and is probably the largest that can be made using A4 card.  It uses 2 sheets and the cube is 3 3/4 " on a side.  

I think I've improved my technique for assembling these over the years, too.  Here's how I made this one - 

The envelope is made out of 12 by 12 paper.  Here's the cutting/scoring plan - 

Place glue or tape on the outside of the narrow flaps and fold them inside, then fold the front of the envelope onto the taped flaps.  

I love action cards and this is one of my favourite actions.  It really has the "wow" factor!

Thanks for visiting,

Kerrp crafting,

Keren

Snowman Snowglobe

Hello, and welcome!

This blog is a bit late, for which I apologise.  My day job asked me to attend a meeting in London at very short notice and the journey back was a bit of a nightmare...I arrived home four hours later than I expected.  I hope you'll understand that I was too tired to blog as planned.  I'm still feeling the after-effects today!

Today's shaker card was originally going to be a bauble to hang on the Christmas tree, but I changed my mind.  And not everything turned out as I hoped!  See the tutorial here- 

There are a couple of things I'll do differently when I remake this card - but that's how one learns, I suppose!

Anyway, I'm off for an early night!  Thank you for visiting and

Keep crafting!

Keren

Spinning Snowman!

Hello and welcome!

This month I will be celebrating my 5th Stampaversary.  I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator in November 2014 and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions of my crafting life.  In honour of the occasions, I'm going to revisit some of my favourite and most popular projects.

I'm going to start with this Z-fold spinner card.  The original is one of my most popular tutorials. 

via GIPHY

This kind of card is a little bit more work, but such fun to receive!  Here's how I made it - 

Thanks for visiting- I hope I'll see you agains soon!

Keep crafting,

Keren

Product List

Let It Snow Specialty Designer Series Paper

[150393]

Layering Circles Dies

[141705]

Timeless Label Punch

[149516]

Pool Party A4 Card Stock

[124391]

Real Red A4 Card Stock

[106578]

Playful Penguins Cling Stamp Set

[150532]

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

Flat pens!

Hello everyone, welcome!

It’s a super-quick project today. 

I came across the idea of flat pens/bookmark pens while browsing YouTube.  

It seems they’ve been around for a while but I’ve never come across them before.

My first thought was – can you actually, really, write with them?  It turns out you can.  I wouldn’t want to write a dissertation using one, but for jotting down notes or a quick shopping list, it’s fine and surprisingly comfortable in the hand.

Here’s how I made mine –

Because I wanted to experiment I used the super-inexpensive pens I had lying around (to give to customers at workshops so they could write their shopping lists).  Afterwards I found better-quality ball-point pen refills on Amazon at under £2 for 10. 

I'm going to make some to tuck into the Sticky Note holders I've been making!

Keep crafting

Keren

You can never have too many sticky notes!

Hello, and welcome!

 I've said before that the office where I work runs on sticky notes.  We get through boxes of them.

The ones we use most of are the 5"x3" size and today's project fits that size (and, by coincidence, it will also hold small file cards - yes, we use a lot of those as well!)

I used the Mosaic Mood paper to cover this wallet.  It's a speciality paper and most of the sheets have one glazed pattern, which I think will be good if the wallet is to be carried around in my handbag.  I also kept the decoration to a minimum for the same reason.

I added a couple of little pockets inside that could hold receipts, tickets, small notes - whatever you need.  There were a few <ahem> changes of design direction in this one, but I am pleased with the way it turned out in the end.  Take a look - 

  

I certainly learned a few things while I was making this project - including lots of things not to do!  I do hope you enjoyed it.

Keep crafting,

Keren

That frosty feeling

Hello and welcome! 

Today I’m sharing a very quick and easy project.

When you have paper that’s as beautiful as the Feels like Frost Designer Series Paper, you don’t have to do much to make a stunning card.  The hardest part is choosing which of the gorgeous images you want to use.

A die-cut label, a bit of ribbon, some stamping with Delicata Silvery Shimmer ink, and you’re done.  I added just a little bit of shimmery Crystal Effects.  (I was sad when Crystal Effects was retired, so I’m really enjoying having this to play with!)

I used Balmy Blue for the card base by mistake.  Seaside Spray would probably have co-ordinated better, but Balmy Blue works pretty well, so I’m calling it a happy accident. 

Keep crafting,

Keren

Note to self...

Hello and welcome!  

In my day job, I work in a government office.  Even though most of our work is done on computer and there's not as much paper about the place as there used to be, we seem to consume a vast number of sticky notes.  The walls are covered in them, our stationery cupboard has shelves full of them, and is regularly restocked.  

They go walkabout, as well.  It often happens that a colleague borrows your sticky notes to jot down a message - and then absent-mindedly walks off with them.  

I made these little holders to hold a pad of 3 x 3 sticky notes.  Underneath the gorgeous papers, they are constructed of chipboard.  I wanted them to be quite robust.  Just to make my life difficult, I gave them a flip-up cover.  

I've made two, partly to show off how they look in the different DSPs but mainly because my computer went on strike and refused to save the first tutorial!  (There may or may not have been a certain amount of bad language employed to releive my feelings...)

Anyway, here's the tutorial.

My husband has claimed the version with the stars for his desk, and I'm going to take the Bird Ballad one, so both have a home.

With Christmas coming wouldn't these make cute little stocking-fillers or Secret Santa gifts?  

Keep crafting,

Keren

Product List

Stitched Stars Dies

[150653]

A Good Man Cling Stamp Set

[149270]

See A Silhouette Designer Series Paper

[149443]

Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper

[149592]

Free As A Bird Cling Stamp Set

[149468]

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

Mango Melody A4 Cardstock

[147013]

Petal Pink A4 Cardstock

[147009]

Stitched Shapes Dies

[145372]

Let it Snow - Tall slim notebook

Hello, welcome, and thanks for stopping by!

Blogging has been a bit hit and miss recently.  I’m useless at Pinterest too. If I’m short of time, I concentrate on my YouTube channel, with an occasional detour into Facebook.  Lately, I’ve found my crafting time being nibbled away by – well, stuff.  The great declutter/purge is pretty much done for now and all of my craft supplies are lovely and tidy and I CAN’T FIND ANYTHING!

Anyway, October is well under way and I just realised that there are two more paydays before Christmas, so I’d better get my skates on if I’m going to have any Secret Santa/stocking filler gifts ready!  So today, I’ve taken a pre-made tall slim notebook and given it a facelift!  Here’s what I did -

I almost didn’t order the Let it Snow paper.  When I was going through my long-forgotten craft supplies I found a truly shameful amount of patterned paper and I resolved to be more careful about what I get in future.  I’m usually left with quite a few sheets of retired DSP (but now I have a Cunning Plan to bind the leftovers into scrap journals!).  I’m glad I had second thoughts, because these papers are beautiful. 

Because I started with a ready-made notebook, this was a quick project and if you wanted to make a few of them at a time, can be batch-made (cut all your card/paper at once, then cover all the fronts/cover the backs/glue the lining/add the trim and so on).  And of course, with a different pattern of paper, these notebooks could be a cute gift at any time of year. 

Keep crafting,

Keren

The future is bright...

Hello, and welcome!

It's October, and I am already excited for Halloween.  It's my favourite celebration of the year so I have to make at least one project to honour the occasion, am I right?

Here's how I made this card using the snow globe dome as a crystal ball-

I struggled a bit with lining up the stamped background.  I'm sure there must be an easy way but if so, I don't know what it is!  (Heads off to do research...)

See you soon,

Keep crafting,

Keren

Resistance is...beautiful!

Hello and welcome!

Today's card is all about the colour!  It's the first chance I've had to play with the Pigment Sprinkles.  I'm a big fan of Brushos and these are very similar - except that they come in colours that co-ordinate exactly with Stampin' Up! colours.  

There are lots of techniques you can use with powder pigments but this time I just used the Pigment Sprinkles like powder paint.  I am so happy with the vibrant colours!

Rock Star!

Hello and welcome!

You might know that I love me an action card.  I've always been fascinated by pop-ups and paper engineering and can never resist attempting to recreate a new one. So when I came across this rocking panel mechanism I had to give it a try!

I found a tutorial on YouTube (at Ankita's Craft Corner) and here's my version.   I'm really pleased with the way it came out!  

This is a card type that I will definitely be trying again, maybe in a different size .  I hope you give it a try - don't forget to let me know how you get on!

Keep crafting,

Keren

Product List

Stitched Stars Dies

[150653]

Stargazing Cling Stamp Set

[149295]

Lovely Lipstick A4 Cardstock

[146993]

Gold Foil Sheets

[132622]

2018-2020 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[149618]

2019–2021 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[149617]

By the book...

Hello and welcome!

Well, the ol’ blog has been neglected a bit just lately!  Today’s project was a long one so I split it into three tutorials – but I didn’t want to post three blogs on the same subject!

Taking card and/or paper and making it look like something else fascinates me and over the years I’ve learned a few techniques for altering a plain bit of card.  I save all the bits of greyboard/chipboard that are used to protect Stampin’ Up! cardstock in transit so that I can upcycle them later!

Today’s faux book uses one of my favourite techniques for making “leather”.  I’ve made a playlist of the three tutorials so you can watch the process from start to end –

Don’t worry, normal service will be resumed with the next post!

See you soon,

Keep crafting,

Keren

All my love

Hello, and welcome!

A quick card today!  I love monochrome with just a pop of red- I think it's rather chic!

It's a handy way of using up some of those scraps of card that seem to multiply when nobody's looking!

I made it like this - 

This card would be good to send for any occasion and the strong colour scheme is gender-neutral.  

Till next time,

Keep Crafting,

Keren Product List

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

[106549]

Real Red A4 Card Stock

[106578]

Basic Black A4 Card Stock

[121688]

Well Said Cling Bundle

[150609]

Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder

[109130]

White Stampin' Emboss Powder

[109132]

Neutrals 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[149614]

Stitched Be Mine Dies

[148527]

Versamark Pad

[102283]