POTW Over....On To Ally Pally!

I thought I would post a few pics of some of the card samples from the POTW shows.  They never really have time to show all the samples in detail so I hope this will help a bit.  I know my cheeky little chap's crown is way too big for him, but I couldn't resist!  It just made me laugh.

With my first POTW behind me now (YEAH!!) I want to say a great big thanks for all your lovely comments and support.  You don't know how much that means to me so thank you ever so much. Turns out that all the bundles sold out except for the mixed media, which I truly enjoyed working with, but I can see that they are a bit more specialised probably towards the altered arts.  I am now packing up the Particraft booth and the Rubbernecker booth to take to the Ally Pally show in London this weekend.  If you are planning on attending the show,  please stop by and say hello as I will be demoing at my Rubbernecker booth (right inside the door to your right as you enter).  I would love to put names and faces of my blog followers together so please pop by and say hi!  Over at the Particraft booth, there will be several of my demonstrators showing how to do various techniques and using lots of great Particraft products.  Don't forget to stop by there also and check out all the show specials at both booths too.  All for now, Sue x

Loving The Snowflake!

Who says that snowflakes don't go with red?!  I just love this combo, very striking, I think.  This new Spellbinder snowflake die is one of my absolute favourites.  I glittered the top snowflake but it just doesn't show up in the pic (you can see a spot of it that I forgot to dust off the card by the bow, though!) Those are my faux pearls in the corner that I made using the dries white Cosmic Shimmer glue and then dusting them with pearlescent mica.  After the glue has dried thoroughly, I give them a tiny spritz of water to set the mica after dusting them and they are ready to go.  Saves so much money if you don't have to purchase the real craft pearls too (More left over for other fun embellishments).  I have one last  Spellbinders POTW show to do in the morning (Monday the 20th) at 8am.  These nestibilities have been very popular and rightly so as they are amazingly versatile.  Please tune in if you get the chance.  All for now, Sue x

How 'bout A Few Quickie Cards?

Just had a few minutes to spare so I thought I would post a few more of the cards for the Spellbinders POTW show on Friday .  I picked these two cards because both are wonderfully simple and quick and easy as well, but I think both cards have a lovely appeal.  The large ornament was made using the largest die in that set and gold metal, which is on the show too.  I cut out the ornament (that may be the American word for the English "bauble", not certain, though), then ran it through an embossing folder to put the musical design on to it.  I won't be able to demo that one because we don't have embossing folders on the show, but hopefully you will be able to see the varied potential of these lovely ornament/bauble dies.  I am planning to demo the other card as I feel it is one of those cards that gives you stunning results with very little effort or time.  Just to give you a quick reminder the POTW show starts off on Friday at noon, then Saturday at 9am and Sunday at 8am and 2pm with Jo Channon and my last live show is Monday at 8am.  There are four brand new never seen nestibility bundles and one other bundle that was very popular from the last Spellbinder's show from which to pick.  I really hope you like what you see!  All for now, Sue x

Pick of the Week Show on Friday

I am excited to report that I am doing my first Pick of the Week shows on Create and Craft Friday the 17th.  Although the first show is only an hour long Friday at noon, I am hoping that you will be able to get a real good feel for just how lovely these new Spellbinder's nestibilities and dies are to use.  I have given you a few sneak peeks in this post of several of the dies that will be available, but there are many more to see on Friday.  This brand new lot will not fail to please, but they may be difficult to decide upon which is your favourite.  Before I began making samples, I had a few favourites just from seeing the pics of them.  After having a play with all of them, I am very hard pressed to decide which one I like the best.  It's kind of like having a lot of children, you just can't pick from among them!  I will also be on again Saturday morning at 9am and again on Monday morning at 8am (no sleeping in for me!)   There will be two shows on Sunday that will be done by Jo Channon at 8am and 2pm (I believe, but do check the schedule to make certain).  Jo has a wonderful style and is sure to bring completely different elements and ideas to the table so be sure to catch her two shows.                 I will try to get a few more samples on my blog before the POTW airs, so check back.  All for now, Sue x

New Candy!

Here is the new blog candy we are offering this time. All you need to do to enter is sign up as a follower and email your details to me at sales@particraft.co.uk.  If you leave a comment after each new blog posting, you will receive another entry into the contest.  It's that easy!   As you can see there are lots and lots of fun goodies for the winner.  Hope you like what you see!

After the last post, there was a request from Lynne from Spain.  She has asked that I post the instructions for the confetti flinger card that I demoed on air Tuesday morning.  Ordinarily. I would do this with pictures so you could follow along easily, however I am heading out for a trade show in Scotland and I am busily organising and packing so I haven't had the opportunity to do any, but here are the written instructions. 

To make a confetti flinger card, you need to start with a piece of cardstock that is relatively sturdy cut to 2'' x 6'' in size.  You will need to make a score line down the length of each side at 1/2''.  This will leave you an area of 1'' in the centre of your strip.  Next turn this piece on the short side and beginning at one end, score at 3/4'', then the next score line will be 1 1/2'' from the previous line and then do that two more times and that will leave you with a 3/4'' section at the end. Next you will need to use your scissors and cut a "V" from the edge of the card in to the 1/2" score line.  You will need to do this at every score that runs across the short side of the card on both sides.  This will allow you to fold the tabs in easily and will ease the bulkiness of the piece.  Next, fold and glue all the tabs you have just created so that you will end up with one long piece that is 6'' long but only 1'' wide.  Next you will need to cut a small "v" notch in the edge of the first and third scoreline folds on both sides.  It doesn't matter which end you start with here, just that you skip a section.  Your rubber band will then be fitted into these notches, beginning with the short tab area, then crisscross it and fit it into the other set of notches at the third score line.  You will need to use the thickest card as a base in which to secure your mechanism so that it can be held down and armed with confetti.  The size of the outside card can be anything of your choice so long as it is wide enough to accomodate your mechanism when it is pushed forward to arm it (So 3" is the absolute smallest size the card can be from folded edge to the front).  Using dries clear Cosmic Shimmer glue, put a liberal amount on both of the 3/4'' tabs only and attach it to the inside of your card.  Check to make sure it can be folded backwards and the flap of your card will still fold completely down.  Hold this in place until it is firmly attached.  Next, cut a small piece of tissue paper in a square (2'' in size or slightly less), fold the corners to the centre to create a small envelope to hold your confetti and using sticky tape, attach it to the top of your flinger mechanism.  Load it with confetti, push the mechanism backwards and fold the card shut and it is now armed for any unsuspecting recipient! 

All for now, Sue x

Pick A Winner Time Again!

We have reached that incredible number of 1100 followers, I can hardly believe it!  It is time to draw the winners names.  As always, we will begin with the third place winner's name, then second place and then finally the first place grand prize winner.  I just want to say that everyone has been fabulous, leaving so many warm and thoughtful comments on the blog.  It really does brighten my day to read what everyone has to say.  Please, please. please keep 'um coming!

Without further delay, the winner of the third prize, an A5 stamp set is.........................
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Miislucky

The winner of the second prize, an A4 stamp set is...................................................................
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Deanna Cosgrove

And finally, the winner of the Grand First prize blog candy is.....................................................
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Zoechaos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A great big congratulations to all three.  Please send me an email and verify your shipping address so that I may post off your prizes to you.  Thanks ever so much for all your support.  All for now, Sue x

Vintage Christmas Show on Monday

Just a quick note to remind everyone about the Vintage Christmas show on tomorrow Monday the 6th at 11 am.  The card to the left is one of my samples made with this lovely set of stamps designed by Sam Poole.  They are incredibly versatile and easy to work with to achieve stunning vintage styled cards.  I am hoping you tune in to see the fun demos  and new techniques that I have planned.  There is also a very useful and money saving top tip I have to share with you .

Tuesday  Sept. 7th at 9am I am on air again with the Santa and Elves stamp sets that I showed you a quick sneak peek of in the previous post.  Two shows in two days, that's a first!  I'm really excited about both of these shows, even though they are completely different types of stamps.  I think there should be something for everyone to enjoy between the two.  Hopefully you will be able to tune in and see what's up my sleeve!

Almost to the next milestone on the blog candy contest.  Thanks for all your support and wonderful comments.  You so make it all worthwhile!  All for now, Sue x