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!