Welcome To My Blog

Hello and welcome to my crafting blog. If you are new to visiting me, thank you for stopping by! This is my personal space where I talk about the latest creations that I've made using various crafting products.

If you are looking for a commission or inspiration on a particular card or occasion, please scroll down and take a look on the left hand side at the "Labels" column where it will list cards by occasion and by Stampin' Up! stamp sets in alphabetical order for easy viewing. Just click on one of the titles to view the various cards and boxes in your chosen category.

If you would like me to make a specific card for a special someone or occasion, please email me for more details.

Enjoy your stay, and if you have time, please leave a message to let me know you've dropped by :)

Alex

Thursday, 30 December 2010

Sale-A-Bration 2011 Is Here!

IT'S HERE: Sale-A-Bration
This post will stay at the top till 28 February
Please scroll down for new posts.


Today's the day of Sale-A-Bration where you can earn yourself FREE stamp sets for every £45 you spend before p&p. There are four stamp sets to earn, so for each £45 you spend, you can choose from any of the four stamp sets below:

So Happy For You


Sweet Summer


Punch Bunch


Bliss


This promotion runs from 30 December till 28 February, so take a look through the Idea Book & Catalogue and contact me with your order today to start earning free stamp sets.

Alternatively, contact me about hosting your own workshop, so that you can earn Hostess Benefits for a qualifying workshop PLUS earn one free Sale-A-Bration set too.

Join Stampin' Up! during Sale-A-Bration and choose a FREE stamp set (excluding Hostess sets) from the Idea Book & Catalogue (valued up to £44.95).

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Alex

Happy 30th Birthday

Morning all,

Okay, so yesterday was a friend's birthday and her Mum commissioned me to make a card for her daughter. The requirements were: big, sparkly and handbags. Hope you like:

Weather Or Not Birthday Card


Stamps: Polka Dot Background (retired), Weather Or Not (US Hostess Set 2005).
Cardstock: Rose Red, Rose Red Textured and Whisper White.
Inkpad:
Rose Red and Pretty In Pink.
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Bone Folder and Paper Snips.
Sentiment
- Computer generated.
Card Size:
A5.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a good one!

Alex

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Happy 30th Birthday

Morning all,

Hope your Christmas and Boxing Day were full of memorable times and you've not over indulged too much! lol.

Just wanted to pop by with a recent card I made for a friend's 30th birthday who celebrates her big 3-0 today! Have a great day Mandy!

Thirty Card


Stamps: Schoolbook Serif Alphabet (P.77).
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. Speciality Paper - Bridesmaid (retired).
Inkpad:
Early Espresso.
Accessories: 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon - Early Espresso, Jewels - Basic Pearls, Bone Folder, Paper Snips and 3D Dimensionals.
Card Size:
A5.

Thanks for stopping by.

Be back tomorrow with news of Stampin' Up!'s next promotion...

Until then.

Alex

Saturday, 25 December 2010

Happy Christmas Everyone!

Yippee, it's finally the day that the big guy in the red suit comes down my chimney :) hee hee hee.

I wish you all a ...


... hope your day is wonderful - spent with friends, family and loved ones. May you have love, laughter and happiness today. I hope you get everything that you have wished for and a little bit more ;) lol.

Wishing you a lovely Christmas holiday and thanking you for stopping by my little blog :)

Bye for now,

Alex

Thursday, 23 December 2010

Heard From The Heart Christmas Cards

Morning all,

Another day closer to the big day... and another upload of one of the Christmas cards I made to send out to friends.

Heard From The Heart


Stamps: Heard From The Heart (P.74) and Delightful Decorations (P.26).
Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red and Whisper White. Designer Series Paper - Jolly Holiday.
Inkpad:
Real Red. Versamark Stamp Pad.
Accessories: Heart To Heart Extra-Large Punch, 3/4" Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (reversible), Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Bone Folder and Paper Snips.
Card Size:
A6.

The stamp sets used on the card as seen in the Idea Book & Catalogue are as follows:

Heard From The Heart (P.74):


Delightful Decorations (P.26):


Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your day.

Alex

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

Delightful Decorations Christmas Card

Hi all,

Another post to reveal another Christmas card design that I have been sending out to friends recently :) Enjoy!

Delightful Decorations Christmas Card


Stamps: Delightful Decorations (P.26) and Contempo Christmas (P.25).
Cardstock: Real Red, Alway Artichoke, Crumb Cake and Whisper White.
Inkpad:
Crumb Cake and Always Artichoke. Versamark Stamp Pad.
Accessories: Oval Extra-Large Punch, Corner Small Punch, Sponge Dauber, 3/4" Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (reversible), Linen Thread, Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Bone Folder, Paper Snips, 3D Dimensionals and Mini Glue Dots.
Card Size:
A6.

Here are the two stamp sets used below, as seen in the Idea Book & Catalogue on P.25 and P.26:

Contempo Christmas


Delightful Decorations



Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

Bye for now,

Alex

Christmas Wish List Service 2010

This message will stay at the top till 21 December.
Please scroll down for new posts.

Evening all,

Hope you're having a good week so far. I've been busy making Christmas cards and I've done a little bit of Christmas shopping too, so I am feeling good :) I know we're only in October, but you can never be too early in preparations for Christmas. So, with this in mind, I thought I'd let you know that I am starting up my Wish List Service for those of you who are being asked by loved ones and friends what you'd like for Christmas already!

All you have to do is fill in my Wish List Form and mail it back to me which I will safely store for you. Then give your family/friends my contact details when they ask you what you would like for Christmas. They can contact me and between us, we can select what Stampin' Up! goodies to purchase off your Wish List according to their budget and can organise to have the goodies delivered either direct to their door or have them sent here for collection. How easy is that? What a happy bunny you'll be knowing that you'll get some craft goodies you've been wishing for instead of the usual slippers, cds and smellies!

For a copy of the Wish List Form or more information, please email me on alexhau@rocketmail.com.

Please Note:
All Wish List orders must reach me asap to ensure delivery in time for Christmas.

Alternatively, if a Gift Voucher is more your thing, I can arrange to have these in any denomination for your family/friends to purchase from me. These have no expiry date and can be used at any time. For your Gift Voucher to be received in time for Christmas, please let me know asap so that it catches the last First Class Christmas posting - Tuesday 21 December 2010.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Bye for now,

Alex

Monday, 20 December 2010

DSP Jolly Holiday Christmas Cards

Morning all,

Hope you're had a great weekend. Can you believe the snow we've had! As promised, here's the first upload to reveal the Christmas cards that I have been giving out this year. I was inspired from a similar card, changed the colour combo, DSP and sentiment stamp and hey presto, here it is below, enjoy!

Jolly Holiday DSP Christmas Card



Stamps: Delightful Decorations (P.26) and Occasional Quotes Level 3 Hostess Stamp Set (P.14).
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Old Olive. Designer Series Paper - Jolly Holiday (P.90).
Inkpad:
Old Olive. Versamark Stamp Pad.
Accessories: Ornament Extra-Large Punch, Mistletoe Originals Ribbon (Old Olive Ribbon edged in Whisper White), Linen Thread, Sponge Dauber, Bone Folder and Paper Snips.
Card Size:
A6.

Thanks for stopping by. Be back at a later date to reveal another Christmas card design I have been busy making recently :)

Bye for now,

Alex

Saturday, 18 December 2010

Nora Christmas Card Commission

Happy weekend everyone :)

Hope you've got something lovely planned this weekend as it's the last one before Christmas! Can you believe this time next week, it's actually Christmas Day!

Anyway, here's the last in the uploads from a recent commission of four Christmas cards for a lady's grandchildren.

She liked the one I made here and requested that it be made in colours that her granddaughter liked, namely lilacs and to match her hair colouring. Below is the card I made:

Swiss Pixies Nora Christmas Card


Stamps: Digi Stamp - Swiss Pixies Nora by cc designs.
Cardstock: Almost Amethyst (retired), Lovely Lilac (retired) and Whisper White. Designer Series Paper - Tea Party (retired).
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon - Certainly Celery, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Bone Folder, Paper Snips, 3D Dimensionals, Corner Rounder Punch and Bow Easy.
Sentiment: Computer generated - Lovely Lilac RGB: 170, 54, 255.
Card Size:
A5.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like the card and enjoy your day.

Alex

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Winter Bear Christmas Card Commission

Morning all,

Here's the third upload out of four from a recent commission for a lady's grandchildren.

I was inspired by a card I saw online, so tweaked it here and there and hey presto, below is the card I created:

Winter Bear Christmas Card


Stamps: Digi Stamp - Winter Bear by cc designs.
Cardstock: Brocade Blue (retired), Bashful Blue and Whisper White.
Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Stampin' Write Markers - Bashful Blue, 5/8" Satin Ribbon - Whisper White, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Bone Folder, Paper Snips, 3D Dimensionals, Nestabilities - Labels One and Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Snowflakes.
Sentiment: Computer generated - Brocade Blue RGB: 135, 176, 219.
Card Size:
A5.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like the card and enjoy your day.

Alex

Tuesday, 14 December 2010

Santa Birgitta Christmas Card Commission

Morning all,

Hope your week is going well so far. Here's the second upload out of four from a recent commission for a lady's grandchildren.

She liked the one I made here and requested that it be made in colours that her granddaughter liked, namely pinks and to match her hair colourings. Here's the card I made below:

Swiss Pixies Santa Birgitta Christmas Card


Stamps: Digi Stamp - Swiss Pixies Santa Birgitta by cc designs.
Cardstock: Pretty In Pink, Mellow Moss (retired) and Whisper White. Designer Series Paper - Sweet Always (retired).
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon - Regal Rose (retired), Linen Thread, Coloured Buttons - Soft Subtles - Mellow Moss (retired), Bone Folder, Paper Snips, 2-Way Glue Pen, 3D Dimensionals, Corner Rounder Punch and Fun Flock - Cotton Ball White.
Sentiment: Computer generated - Mellow Moss RGB: 111, 136, 60.
Card Size:
A5.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like the card and enjoy your day.

Alex

Sunday, 12 December 2010

Army Kidlets Christmas Card Commission

Morning all,

This time last year, I was asked to make a couple of Christmas cards for the following Christmas, i.e. for now, so a couple of months back I completed four Christmas cards for a lady that wanted special personalised cards for her grandchildren.

Just found out recently that they have all received and opened them, so it's safe to post away :) I shall upload a new one every other day...

For the card below I was told that the grandson loves soldiers/army etc, so I had to make a Christmas card that fitted this theme! Argh. I sourced a digi stamp, camouflage ribbon whilst I was on holiday back in May and hey presto, I'm pleased with the outcome so that it's both a little Christmassy, but soldier/army related and appropriate for a boy.

Kidlets - Army Christmas Card


Stamps: Season of Joy (P.22). Digi Stamp: Kidlets - Army by Bugaboo.
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White.
Inkpad:
Always Artichoke.
Accessories: Shimmer Paint - Champagne Mist, Sponge Dauber, Small Corner Punch, Bone Folder, Paper Snips, 3D Dimensionals and Offray Ribbon - Camoflage GG Olive. Sentiment - computer generated - Cherry Cobbler RGB: 154, 48, 51.
Card Size:
A5.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like, enjoy your Sunday.

Alex

Friday, 10 December 2010

Season of Joy Card - Commission.

Afternoon all,

Recently been asked to make 25 simple Christmas cards, so I've been busy with these. Using Season of Joy stamp set (which is one of the stamp sets on promotion this month) along with Contempo Christmas and the FREE promotional ribbon (the reverse of the 3/4" Real Red Polka Dot) , I made the following:

Season of Joy


Stamps: Season of Joy (P.22) and Contempo Christmas (P.25).
Cardstock: Real Red, Always Artichoke and Whisper White.
Inkpad:
Real Red and Always Artichoke. Versamark Stamp Pad.
Accessories: Stampin' Write Marker - Real Red, Small Corner Punch, 3/4" Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon (reversible), Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Bone Folder, Paper Snips and 3D Dimensionals.
Card Size:
A6.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend!

Bye for now,

Alex

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

Large Card Storage Tote.

Morning all,

Another day goes by and the roads are getting a lot better to drive on :) As promised I have some photos to share with you of the recent Large Storage Tote that I made on Sunday. I finished making this late Sunday night and took a few photos (knowing that with the poor lighting, I would do more in the morning). Then, Monday morning I took a few more around 7.30am, again the lighting wasn't the best, but had to do some in case I didn't get a chance later. I was hoping to take the pictures in better lighting conditions around midday-ish, but unfortunately, the Large Card Storage Tote left home around 9am and the lighting wasn't much better, so I'm afraid the pictures are the best I could do given the time frame I had.

So, without further ado, here are a few photos from different angles of the Large Card Storage Tote:

Front View



Side View - Shut


Side View - Open

Front View With Calendar Insert


Inkpad: Versamark Stamp Pad (For the beads).
Cardstock: Rose Red and Barely Banana (retired). Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (retired) and Patterns Designer Series Paper - So Saffron (retired).
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Round Tab Extra-Large Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Big Bite, Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon - Rose Red, Taffeta Ribbon - Pretty In Pink, Jumbo Eyelets - Pewter, Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Emboss - Clear, Heat Tool, Bone Folder, Paper Snips, Mount board and HP printer paper for the calendar inserts.

Card Storage Tote Size:
8" x 8" x 4".

Hope you like - thanks for stopping by.

Have a good day.

Alex

Monday, 6 December 2010

Large Card Storage Tote.

Morning all,

Woke up to a foggy day this morning, with more snow melting on the ground, so that's a good thing.

Yesterday I was busy making two Large Card Storage Totes that I had recently been asked to make. I really enjoyed making these, I think I've got them down to a fine art now seeing as I've made three altogether in a matter of a weeks! lol.

Have a good day, and be back in a day or two with photos.

Bye for now,

Alex

Sunday, 5 December 2010

Going Away Card

Morning everyone,

Finally I can see the ground! The snow is finally melting and things may get back to "normal" very soon. I had my last Stampin' Up! Class of the year yesterday and I had some sad news, that one of my regular ladies is relocating up north and will no longer be joining us "in person" ;) on our monthly card classes :( She will be missed, but certainly NOT forgotten - thanks to the beauty of the internet and our love of Stampin' Up! :)

So below is a card I made for her to keep and treasure to remember all her crafting friends by. It's a spinner card - something I haven't actually made since last year in my October 2009 Stampin' Up! Class using Tree Trimmings stamp set, see here for the card, so this was a lot of fun to make :)

I tried to personalise the card for Catherine as much as possible and made it in Rose Red as that's one of her favourite Stampin' Up! Colours. I have included her family with her in the truck and as you tilt the card, the truck spins up and down from A to B as she embarks on her journey to her new location.

Enjoy, the pictures below:

Going Away Card


Obviously I can't show you the affect of the spinner card in action, but here are a series of pictures to try and show you the affect :) The truck starts at A, travels along (spins) and finally gets to B to her new home.

Going Away - Spinner Card


Inside the card (sentiment created on the computer)


Stamps: Loads of Love (retired), Loads of Love Accessories (retired) and Good Neighbors (SAB 2010).
Cardstock: Rose Red, Brilliant Blue (retired) and Whisper White.
Inkpad:
Basic Black, Close To Cocoa (retired) and Ruby Red (retired).
Accessories: Bone Folder, Paper Snips, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Stampin' Dimensionals, x2 1p coins, craft knife, cutting mat and ruler. Printed map (google maps) and sentiments created on the computer using RGB values for Rose Red - 199, 80, 116.
Card Size:
A5.

Hope you like, enjoy your day!

Bye for now,

Alex

Saturday, 4 December 2010

Stampin' Up! Class - Dasher

Hi all,

Today I had my December's Stampin' Up! Class and the last one for this year - wow, doesn't that sound scary! So, seeing as it's December, I had to make it the last Christmas themed Class using the lovely Dasher stamp set along with the Jolly Holiday DSP, the gorgeous Scallop Trim Border Punch and the FREE ribbon that is on promotion for this month for any Christmas Gift-Giving Bundle.

Today's class, the ladies made a Dasher Christmas card and a gift card holder that was inspired and cased from Monica. I tweaked it here and there and added a belly band to close it.

Dasher Christmas Card


Stamps: Dasher (P.113) and Occasional Greetings (P.21).
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Real Red and Whisper White. Designer Series Paper - Jolly Holiday.
Inkpad:
Crumb Cake, Real Red and Old Olive. Versamark Stamp Pad.
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Oval Extra-Large Punch, Sponge Dauber, Mistletoe Originals Ribbon - 1/2" Whisper White with Real Red, Embossing Buddy, Stampin' Emboss Powder - Clear, Bone Folder, Paper Snips and 3D Dimensionals.
Card Size:
A6.


Gift Card Holder


Stamps: Dasher (P.113) and Occasional Greetings (P.21).
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Old Olive and Whisper White. Designer Series Paper - Jolly Holiday.
Inkpad:
Real Red and Old Olive.
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Sponge Dauber, Bone Folder, Paper Snips and 3D Dimensionals.
Gift Card Holder Size:
4" x 3" (when closed).

Here's the Occasional Greetings stamp set as seen on P.21 of the Idea Book & Catalogue which features a number of sentiments:


Hope you liked seeing what the ladies made today. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Bye for now,

Alex

Next Stampin' Up! Class - Saturday 4 December 2010

This post will stay at the top.
Please scroll down for new posts.

Morning all,

Hope you're well and keeping warm :) Just wanted to pop by with some sneak peeks of my next Stampin' Up! Class being held this Saturday 4 December.

Sneak Peek 1


Sneak Peek 2


Hope that's wet your appetite. Come back on Saturday afternoon sometime to see the projects in full.

Have a good day everyone!

Bye for now,

Alex

Friday, 3 December 2010

Christmas Cards

Evening all,

With the weather like it has been and the UK practically grinded to a halt, I have been stuck indoors since Tuesday with nothing better to do than.... CRAFT! lol.

It's been great, waking up each morning to start crafting till bedtime :) With these extra days off work, I have really managed to get a good number of Christmas cards made! I can't wait to upload pictures of these, but once posted to their intended recipients, they will be here for you all to see.

Got my last Stampin' Up! Class for 2010 tomorrow which I'm looking forward to. Originally I made the decision on Thursday to postpone it to the following weekend, but a girl is able to change her mind right? lol. So, it's back on for Saturday 4 December, as my ladies really want to come along and craft despite the snow!

Be back tomorrow with the Christmas projects the ladies will make on Saturday morning.

Until then,

Alex

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Oh no... MORE snow!

... another snowy day here and another crafting day for me - what a shame! ;)

As much as I love the snow, it does mean that with these snowy conditions I have decided to postpone my Stampin' Up! Class this Saturday til the following weekend - Saturday 11 December :(

Edited: Change of plans, it's going ahead on Saturday 4 December as originally planned :).

I will be placing an order tomorrow, so if you fancy some goodies, please let me know asap.

Bye for now,

Alex

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

Another Snowy Day...

... means an all day crafting session :) I've been in my element over the last two days with all this snow as I've had non-stop crafting time to get on with my Christmas cards and latest commissions :) I'm afraid I can't reveal the Christmas cards yet, as some of these will be on their way to you over the next week or two, but later once posted, I'll reveal.

Hope you're wrapped up warm inside, along with your favourite beverage (mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows on the top!) lol.

Bye for now,

Alex