Tri Fold Shutter Card

I had seen this style of card done on other blogs and on pinterest so I thought I would have a go.
When finished the card looks quite complicated but once the basic principle of it is understood its not that difficult.


Card From the front

  First you need to decide how wide you want your finished card to be then times this by three, my card was 4inches wide so the card I worked on was 12 inches by I think it was 6 inches.
I mad the fold using a score board (stampin up simply scored) this gives me easy clean score lines to fold on.
The way I think of it is first divided the long side in to thirds so score at 4 and 8 inches, then leave the middle third alone and divide the third at each end in half so score at 2 and 10 inches.
Next I used a craft knife (and metal ruler with a finger grove in safety first) to make two cuts running from the 2inch score line to the 10 inch score line, as my card (I think) was 6 inches I cut at 1 and a half inches from the top and up from the bottom leaving 3 inches in the middle.




Card open.

Then it is a case of folding the score lines the on the 2 and 10 inch lines the middle panel is not folded and one the other ones the middle panel is folded the opposite way to the top and bottom ones. This maybe easier to understand by looking at the picture taken from the top of the card.

View from Top of card.

Then is is just a case of decorating it how ever you wish. I chose just to cut some panels of patterned paper and then embellished on top but I've seen cards done with more layers. I would point out not to build anything too deep with foam pads in the middle sections as this might effect how it closes and  be conscious of which parts of the card will sit next to the front panel when closed.




Another view of the open card.

 Happy Crafting.

Stampin up! workshop.

Last night I had a stampin up workshop, I've attended a few in the past but this was my first time at hosting.

In preparation I baked my favourite baking recipe, cookies, one batch chocolate chip and another cinnamon and raisin. I thought I would take this chance to use a cake stand I'd made earlier in the year for WI competition "new from old", its done using two lovely old plates and a wooden candle stick which I spray painted gold to match better with the patterns on the pates. I think its shows the cookies off rather well.

I also made some token thank-you gifts for the people attending the workshop, little note pads and pens embellished with various stampin up papers from the past spice cake and everyday enchantment sets. The pens I am particularly pleased with as the thin paper strip is carefully curled to fit inside the clear plastic casing of the pen, meaning it wont peel off or rub against the users hand.

Unfortunately not as many people as I would have hoped attended the workshop but those that did sat down to some makings. These are the two cards we had a go at. the one on the left is a stamp collage layering different stamped images with complimentary inks to create an elegant yet quick and easy for posting card. The card on the right is a cute Christmas card, a coloured base is layered with a strip of glittered card and then reindeer with bow embellishment and coordinating shaped sentiment. The little touch of sparkle really set this card off.

Everyone getting stuck in to the making and cookie eating.The final picture is of the lovely thank you gift received from the demonstrator Zoe, a collection of collage stamped cards presented in a vellum envelope and tied with bakers twine. this just shows that handmade cards can make a lovely gift for others to use as well as just cards as cards.  

Anyone interested in stampin up products can see Zoe's blog here, 
or like her facebook page.

Sincerely Yours show

So on Sunday I went to the Sincerely Yours paper craft show at Lincoln. I had been to the one they held in May and had really enjoyed it, unfortunately I didn't find this one as good.  It seemed like alot of stalls were just focusing on bits for die cutting machines and since I don't have one this didn't interest me much, I also expected more Christmas than there was.
The stampin up stand did have some lovely ideas, a few of which I'm sure I'll be trying out and I picked up a couple of bits including some more glossy accents for making bottle top magnets.

Also got some little squares of Christmas paper think I will be able to make some nice bits with these.

Mum picked up some fabric with square patterns, Christmas, spring/Easter and farmyard.
We normally make these in to lavender bags but am trying to think of other projects which use them as well.
















If you are interested in attending a sincerely yours show they have them in different parts of the country through out the year, see their website here. http://www.sincerely-yours-shows.co.uk/

New items now ready to sell

So I've been making a new stock of items to sell in my shop. Paper crafts but something different to cards. hoping people will like them as little gift and stocking stuffer in the run up to Christmas.


Friendship Tea


Friendship tea these are lovely little cards with a pouch
inside for an individually wrapped tea bag and the poem
A little cup of friendship
In this cup of tea
When you sit and drink it
Think of love from me.
They have the patterned paper on the front and back and a matching strip on the pouch edge, and tie closed with ribbon.

Sticky note holder

Sticky note holder with mini pen, these are an ideal little item for by the phone or on a desk.
Each little pad had a side pen holder and the front cover opens to reveal a pad of sticky notes a stylish way to keep organised.

Pencil Box

Pencil box, I made these using my wonderful scoring tool and are just perfect for holding four pencils, add a rubber or sharpener and it makes a cute little stocking stuffer.



Tissue pack


And the last new item for now.
Tissue pack, another great stocking stuffer, wrapped with Christmas designs and finished off with bless you topped and ribbon, ideal for those winter snuffles and bound to bring a smile to the face.


I hope you like my new craft items check back soon for more creative musings.

Hello and Welcome

Hello and welcome to my new craft blog,  where I'll share with you all the crafty things I get up in my spare time. (which admittedly I don't always get a lot of, in between running my own florist shop, and volunteering of various things.) I like to do a range of crafts, making cards, and other paper craft projects, sewing and baking. Always looking to try something new.
Stay tuned to see what I've been up to recently.