The Belleek Technique

Yes I know this is nothing new and even I've had a bash at it before but it's never worked. Truth be told it didn't fully work this time either but at least now I understand where I went wrong.


I followed instructions found here on Splitcoast Stampers. I'd previously used a brayer as advised on another website but have since found out you need a soft ball brayer which would explain why mine just skidded across the surface.

This time I just patted the ink pad directly and it was sort of even but the centres of the dandelions picked up the ink and they should have been white so had to be covered with a crafters best friend; a self adhesive gem!

I wish I'd used thicker ribbon too as I didn't get the bunched up effect I was after but once the DST was on there was no going back!

I now have a soft ball brayer so I'm looking forward to trying again. The great thing about these embossing folder cards is that although I added the charms for this one for an anniversary they are so adaptable. Change the colour or just leave it white and it could be for any occasion; even the good old happy birthday!

Tagxedo 50th Birthday Card

Using tips from this very helpful blog entry at JustJimJams Blog this is another Tagxedo card for a friends upcoming 50th birthday.

Added buttons and gems.



And speaking of turning 50, here is a piccy of me at my 'tastefully' decorated (by my friend I must add, not the hotel, lol) table for dinner out at The Stower Grange. She is my oldest and dearest friend and she and her husband had come across from the other side of the country for this. They had put so much effort into making it special and it was wonderful evening and they had a fabulous stay in the hotel with their dog.

Seasons Greetings

Sissix Snow embossing folder, Cheery Lynn Merry Christmas, Memory Box Star of Wonder and Marianne Village die.

Merry Christmas xx

15th Birthday Card using Tagxedo Word Cloud

15th Birthday Card using Tagxedo Word Cloud inspired by the one on here and using instructions similar to those provided by Just Jimjams here
http://just-jimjams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/tagxedo-theme-tones.html.

Now for some reason these didn't exactly work for me so I had to tweak them and after hours and hours, well days actually lol, I finally worked out a way to do it. I also used a different font for this card.

Thank You Using Tagul

Great friend and neighbour gave his time and hard effort free of charge to help put on a new garage roof which saved us an awful lot of money. In exchange all he got was a bacon butty every morning, some lunch and as many brews as he wanted. The job turned out to be so much bigger than anticipated (don't they always?) and took so much longer. So I had a word on the QT with his wife and insisted that he must have something in return so at her suggestion we bought him a beautiful acer and I made this card.

Just goes to show there really are some really special people out there. xx

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Bird Cage Die & Embossing Folder

Birthday card for my closest friend.





Now I know I'm way behind with this die and it was out yonks ago but it came up second hand on Ebay (don't you just love Ebay?!) for a bargain price with free postage! Well it would have been rude not to buy it there and then. Lol. And the little bird cage charms are just sooooo cute! The bird is actually carrying the charm but you can't see the gold thread in the picture.

Paper Embroidery

Have a friends birthday coming up so needed to create a card. Wanted to keep it simple as my migraines and vertigo have been playing up lately.

For future reference, I would recommend just buying one! Especially when you have a furry friend that keeps having a swipe at the thread! Lol. xx