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I have to praise the staff at CraftStash.co.uk for their excellent customer service this year. They offer free delivery for all UK orders over £30 pounds as well as same day dispatch on all weekday orders placed before 3 PM and a reward club, that allow you to gather point that can be taken of your next order. On top of the excellent service you can also:

Save 20% on your first order

when you join our VIP mailing list, & get special offers + projects in your inbox.

This is what was in my Birthday Package:

Spellbinders Tool n' One

Creative Dies:

'Tis the Season die

Happy Christmas Message Die

Christmas Cheer die                                                              

Eat, Drink & Be Merry die

Happy New Year die

Joy to the World die

Love, Peace & Joy die

Merry & Bright die

Peace on Earth die 

             

Ultimate Crafts:

Silent Night die - Christmas Pageant Border

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad:

Carved Pumpkin (October 2015 Colour of the Month)     

Lucky Clover (November 2015 Colour of the Month)  

And free Creative Dies Happy Christmas Message Die

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This weeks Outlawz Challenge

Sunday - CAS: Christmas Ornaments
Monday - Greeting: 3 patterned papers and at least 1 die cut
Tuesday - Color:

Wednesday - Sketch:

Twisted Thursday: Winter Theme
Friday - Coloring Challenge: Let it Snow
Saturday - Paper a la Mode: Birthdays

My First Box Card

Wow I just made my first box card.  I cheated and used a Stamps of Life die
to make it, I received it this morning and just had to use it.  I just love Stphanie Barnard's dies and stamps and how they create the wow factor with so little effort.  No this is one Design Team I would love to join.  I used Centura Pearl card as a base because you need a sturdy heavy weight base, silver mirror card and a recycled Gift Bag for my creation.

Birthday Card for a birthday Buddy

I hope you like this card I made for a colleague who share my birthday on Friday, 4th of December.

I used the Sizzix Framelits Balloons Step Card by Stephanie Barnard for the basic card shape and embellishments and the  Robert Addams Papercrafts All Occasions Upper and Lower Case Alphabet Bundle for her name. The designer paper is from an old Stampin Up paper pack and I used Centura Pearl card to cut the base and words as it is a sturdy card at 300gsm.  I also used my We R Memory Envelope Punch Board and We R Memory Envelope Notcher to make an matching envelope.

I feel happy with the result and hopefully she will like it as well.

Below is the card my two girls made for me using some more Sizzix Framelits.

This weeks Outlawz Challenge

Current Challenges

Sunday - CAS: Travel Home for Christmas 

Monday - Greeting: Anything Goes

Tuesday - Color:


Wednesday - Sketch:


Twisted Thursday: Anything Goes

Friday - Coloring Challenge: Anything Goes/Optional Christmas Twist

Saturday - Paper a la Mode: Anything Goes

 

 Last weeks Challenge

Sunday - CAS: Thankful
Monday - Greeting: Christmas in Only Two Colors
Tuesday - Color:

Wednesday - Sketch:

Twisted Thursday: Something With Wings
Friday - Coloring Challenge: Thanks/Thanksgiving
Saturday - Paper a la Mode: Glitter

The Big Christmas Questionnaire

Favourite Christmas Song:
White Craftroom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3nQ17iDg4)

Best Present ever:
My kids, they all celebrate birthdays at Christams time as well


Worst Present Ever: 
A new Mobile Phone

Favourite Christmas Food: 
A BBQ with family but now that I live in the UK Goose with Roasted Potatoes and veg, like my other half make.  I am lucky he does most of the cooking during the holidays and his food is to die for.

Do You Eat Brussel Sprouts: 
 Only because I have to put on a brave face to get the kids to try as my other half and oldest love them, yuck, yuck, yuck ...

Christmas Jumpers- yay or nay?  
If it is hand knitted, yes but only indoors, do not spend money on buying one it is not the same

If you could only receive one present this year, what would it be?
For my family to spend time over Christmas with my brother, his family,mother-in-law and sisters-in-law and their families.  We have not had a Christmas together in 15 years as we live nearly 9000 miles away from them and plane tickets this time of year is ridiculously expensive.

The Outlawz Challenges November 2015 Update

The November challenges are in full swing so do join in at: The Outlawz Challenges

Each challenge has a sponsor and below you can find a list of these:

Sunday CAS - DeeDee's Digi's

Monday - Greetings - Bugaboo/ A day for Daisies

Tuesday - Colour - Sweet Pea stamps

Wednesday - Sketch - Sami Stamps

Thursday - Twisted Thursday - Ppinky dolls

Friday - Coloring challenge - Vera Lane studio

Saturday - Paper Ala Mode - Sassy Studio Design

Progressive Challenge - this month we have a freebie from SLS lines

sample recipe card

Here's the recipe:
Stamps: Flower Patch, Hey You
Ink: Real Red, Stazon
Paper: Deck the Halls dsp, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Cherry Cobbler blendabilities
Accessories: Pearls
Tools: Project Life framelits, Flower Fair framelits, Flower Frenzy bigz die

This weeks Outlawz Challenge and Nobember 2015 Sponsors

CURRENT CHALLENGES

Sunday - CAS: Thank You for Vets or First Responders

Monday - Greeting: Christmas Reflections

Tuesday - Color: 

Wednesday - Sketch: 

Twisted Thursday: Triple Play - Use 3 Colors

Friday - Coloring Challenge: Anything Goes/Optional Christmas Twist

Saturday - Paper a la Mode: Anything Goes

Each challenge has a sponsor and below you can find a list of these:

Sunday CAS - DeeDee's Digi's

Monday - Greetings - Bugaboo/ A day for Daisies

Tuesday - Colour - Sweet Pea stamps

Wednesday - Sketch - Sami Stamps

Thursday - Twisted Thursday - Ppinky dolls

Friday - Coloring challenge - Vera Lane studio

Saturday - Paper Ala Mode - Sassy Studio Design

Progressive Challenge - this month we have a freebie from SLS lines

My dream job and an update

Craft Product Development Manager Job Vacancy
We are a market-leading craft company looking for a passionate crafter to lead our craft product innovations and build a Design Team to create new and innovative ranges of paper craft products.
As Craft Product Development Manager your main responsibilities will be as follows:

• Create concepts, brief designers and test own-brand paper craft products for retail
• Build and manage own-brand product design team
• Appoint and manage a craft team to produce quality sample cards with own-branded paper craft range
• Select third-party paper craft products, recommend quantities and purchase them from external companies at competitive rates
• Identify trends and ensure all products stay relevant and appealing to our target audience
• Continually monitor range and suggest additions, pricing and deletions

This role would suit a passionate crafter who has an eye for great craft products. As the role is unique we don’t expect you to have exact experience but applicable skills/experience would include:

• Organised
• Creative
• Commercial
• Well skilled in paper craft
• Worked on design teams for craft companies / magazines
• Good understanding of the paper crafts industry and what sells well

To Apply:

If you feel you have the passion, craft knowledge and skills we are looking for please do not hesitate to get in touch at cvs@practicalpublishing.co.uk providing a covering letter, CV and craft portfolio (if you have one).

Location:
Stockport, Cheshire.


Wish I was in the correct area and frame of mind as this is my DREAM JOB.  Well I guess now I know what to work towards.  Hope it is useful for one of my readers:)  And to top it of I just received this in an email:

On behalf of our friends at Artdeco Creations, please read on for details of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

WANTED – UK-BASED TV SHOPPING CHANNEL GUEST PRESENTER

Artdeco Creations are looking for someone to represent the company’s products on air with the most reputable TV Craft Shopping Channel in the UK.
The successful applicant must have the following qualities:

• Must be of impeccable presentation and be able to be interviewed whilst demonstrating product in front of a camera
• Must have a knowledge and love of crafting, cutting dies, embossing folders, papers and other associated products
• Must be able to connect with the products and craft itself
• Must have sales experience
• Must be commercially aware and confident
• Must be able to retain information
• Must be able to maintain an interesting flow of conversation, show enthusiasm and be natural and bubbly in personality

To apply, please click on this link, upload your CV and the information below, ensuring each document / video is titled consistently, eg Mrs Smith CV / Mrs Smith video:

• A 5-minute video clip with yourself and another person doing a role play (you can use your mobile phone)
• An image of yourself
• Your work history and any experience you may have
• Samples of some of the craft work that you have done

Magazine available in the UK

Cardmaking & Papercraft  There is also competitions and free downloads on this page.
Papercraft Essentials
PaperCrafter

Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine

 Magazine Competitions
http://www.cardmakingandpapercraft.com/competitions


Colour Challenges:

 http://chocolatebaroquechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Very Sad Times

I have not been crating or blogging for a preiod now as I lost my mother on October 6th, 2015.  She had not been well for some time and just could not ight anymore.  I really miss her and our conversations a lot.

 An old photo of the two of us at a family member's wedding.  I am trying hard to get myself back together but it is hard, I miss our conversation, she was a great inspiration in my life and a brilliant mother and grandmother.  Rest in Peace Mammie.

This weeks Outlawz Challenge

Current Challenges

Sunday - CAS: Birthdays
Monday - Greeting: Anything Goes
Tuesday - Color:

Wednesday - Sketch:

Twisted Thursday: ATCs
Friday - Coloring Challenge: Alice in Wonderland
Saturday - Paper a la Mode:ATCs

This weeks Outlawz Challenge

CURRENT CHALLENGES

Sunday - CAS: Music

Monday - Greeting: Use Pink

Tuesday - Color: 

Wednesday - Sketch: 

Twisted Thursday: All Dressed Up

Friday - Coloring Challenge: Hats

Saturday - Paper a la Mode: Anything Goes

Card or Project Planner A la Bon

So as promised here is my card planner. I use it for nearly every project and  I also have an Stampin Up! 6 x 8 Project life folder with blank sheet that goes just about every where with me to log inspiration.  In the image below you can see how I can utilize the sketch space for square as well as landscape or portrait cards. I like drawing a rough sketch of ideas I get from other blogs, Pinterest, magazines or even adverts or YouTube video's rather then having a picture of original to avoid just coping another crafter's work.  I try to record as much information about my idea before I start so I can go to my stash and pull everything out I need in one go.  This folder is really useful when the dreaded crafter's block strike.  Feel free to grap a copy for personal use by right clicking and saving the image file.  I will provide a PDF at a later stage.  

I like to write the measurements of completed cards on the back of these sheets that I leave blank specifically for this reason and if I am really happy with the end result I will also print out a small photo of the project to stick on the back next to the measurements.

Need some Card Sketches for Inspiration

Making a card and deciding where to put what  can be time-consuming so many card makers participate in sketch challenges each week.  These sketches alleviate hours of frustration and crafters block by showing us the best placement of card components and are great for inspiration.

A card sketch is made up of three very basic components: matting paper, designer paper, and embellishments. Matting paper is typically, but not always, cardstock, and is used to frame the designer paper to make it pop.  Matting paper is typically, but not always, cardstock, and is used to frame the designer paper to make it pop. Designer paper is available in many different brands, colors, and sizes and will be the most crucial part in the design of your card. The focal image, ribbons, buttons, brads, or "embellishments", you choose to use for your card are often based on the theme of your designer paper.

Below is a list of websites that offer free sketches and/or sketch challenges.

Splitcoast Stampers

• Splitcoast Stampers
  Splitcoast Stampers is one of the largest paper craft communities you will find on the web. Besides the endless resources they provide, Splitcoast offers a weekly card sketch challenge each Wednesday in which hundreds of card markers participate.

Taylored Expressions Blog

• Taylored Expressions
  At the Taylored Expressions blog, you will find dozens and dozens of paper craft creation ideas and card sketches. Taylored Expressions also hosts a card sketch challenge each Friday in which many card makers participate.

Mojo Monday Blog

• Mojo Monday - The Blog
  Mojo Monday is a blog completely dedicated to card sketches and sketch challenges. Each monday, a new challenge is given to those who wish to participate, and a winner is announced on the following Tuesday.

Card Patterns Weekly Sketch Blog

• CardPatterns
  Card Patterns Weekly Sketch blog offers many different free card sketches for any skill level. They also host a sketch challenge every Friday.

Inspirational Card Sketches Blog

• Inspirational Card Sketches
  Inspirational Card Sketches offers many different card sketches as well as a weekly sketch challenge every Tuesday.

Card Challenges & More Blog

• Card Challenges & More
  Another wonderful resource for card sketch templates. Card Challenges and More also hosts weekly sketch challenges.

Two Peas in a Bucket

• The Best Scrapbooking Supplies On The Web - Two Peas in a Bucket
  Two Peas in a Bucket offers many different card sketches. They also provide message boards for paper crafters, tutorials and resources for projects, weekly challenges, and more.

Oz-some Stamps Blog

• Oz-somestamps: Card Sketches
  Oz-some stamps: Card Sketches is a blog that offers many card sketches, as well as weekly challenges, project tutorials and more.

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2 Sketches 4 U

• 2 Sketches 4 You
  This blog has a lot of unique, card sketches and also features a weekly sketch challenge

 Sugar Pea Designs

• Sugar Pea Designs
  This blog has nice card sketches and also features a regular sketch challenge.

 Operation Write Home

• Operation Write Home
  Operation Write home has hundreds of sketches with measurements for US A2 cards (4.25" x 5.5").  They also have brilliant tutorials and a youtube channel.  The have a great link to a colour schemer to inspire you even more.

Verve Stamps

• Verve Stamps
  Verve stamps have great sketches with weekly challenges and a monthly sketch and color challenge.  This is one of the blogs I have followed for the longest due to the inspiration I get from their sketches and gallery.

Fusion

• Fusion
  This blog has nice card sketches and inspirational photo's and also features a regular challenges where you can use only the sketch or the photo of combine the two.

 Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

• Operation Write Home
  Operation Write home has hundreds of sketches with measurements for US A2 cards (4.25" x 5.5").  They also have brilliant tutorials and a youtube channel.  The have a great link to a colour schemer to inspire you even more.

Getting ready for a Improved blogposts

So many people are blogging these days that it can be a real challenge finding things you identify with and getting the information readers as well as companies would like to see.  During my research on what Design Teams want to see I decided to change what I blog and how I blog a bit to making it more friendly for both parties and here is how I plan on doing it and what I plan to change.  So please let me know how this work for you.
 

Think ahead when you make your card and jot down all the information about the card so it is easy to blog about it.  I love making the cards and scrapbook layout but find the admin of blogging hard work so here is a sample of what I have next to me when I create a card:

I can honestly not remember where I got it from but I printed off about a hundred and made a notepad, if it was your handy work .  I fill it in as I make the card and then put it in a binder with a photo of the card so I can blog about it quickly and easily recreate something similar if need be.  If I have to send my card to the company I design for or a magazine I can simply include a copy of this and hey presto all the hard work is done. 

Hope this help you as much as it has helped me.  I have also created my own version for future ideas, this had space for a sketch as well as possible products and colours I would like to use.  So a copy of this with a quick write up tomorrow.