Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Helen Broxap

Saturday 27 April 2013

Bunting

I've just won a bunting kit on the Craftwork Cards blog http://craftworkcards.blogspot.co.uk/

Yippee! Can't wait to play so look out for the finished article soon... I'm thinking of something for my craftroom so I get to keep it but we'll see. Whatever I think it is going to be unashamedly girly - flowers and ribbons and a bit of sparkle. and probably in pink and green :-).

Helen x

P.S. There is still opportunity to win today's bunting kit if you head over to their blog and leave a comment :-)

Thursday 25 April 2013

Delightful Daisies


So the name of blog kind of gives it away, but I kind of love daisies!  My favourite little flower especially the little tiny, find them in the middle of your lawn type.  Anyway, these daisies are probably never going to be found in your garden.  But they are crazy and colourful and cheerful which I love.  From Craftwork Cards of course.
 I used an 8x8 scalloped blank, and tried to make the daisies stand out which you can see from the side view. And again totally loving the buttons. So perfect for the flower centres.

So the daisies and dandelions in my lawn still need sorting but can't bear mowing them down. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

I'll be back soon.

Helen x

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Boy oh boy

Why is it so hard to make cards for men?  For me I really want to make something that is special, and is appreciated, but sometimes they just miss a bit of the zing you can put into girl cards.  I've always been a bit of a sucker for pink and frills (just ask my family about the pink dress!).  So most of the male cards I've made or you see in the shops just seem a bit bland.  But then along came kraft, buttons and bakers twine, and for some reason I'm liking the boy cards again.  So here's one I made earlier:

This uses two pieces of 6x6 Kraft card, cropodile-punched down the edge and threaded with twine. The trees are Clarity Stamps, which I just love.  I actually stamped this ages ago but was never inspired enough to know how to showcase it until now.



Pretty aren't they, in a very masculine sort of way of course!  I tried putting a sentiment on it but couldn't get it in the right place and in the end decided it looked better without for a change. Well once finished it needed the male focus group to approve or not. Thankfully Thomas decided to show his approval :-)


Hope you like it. You never know there may be more boy cards appearing here in the future now.

Helen x

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Creme Egg Brownies

So this isn't all about cards :-).  I did say I loved to bake but sadly ill health has meant that not a lot of that has happened recently. But a friend's birthday spurred me on to try a recipe I'd been itching to try!  Take a look at this:


Totally over the top, calorie-busting, chocolately yumminess.  Dark and white chocolate brownies with half creme eggs pushed in to the top.  It was ridiculously sweet but delicious. Silence fell in the room as each spoonful was savoured which I took to be an extremely good sign.

If anyone fancies having a go, send me a message or leave me a comment and I'll email you the recipe (which as usual I've adapted!).

Enjoy, even if it is just a feast for the eyes and not for the tum.

Helen x

Monday 15 April 2013

Well Hello Dolly

As regular readers of my blog, and crafty friends will know, I kind of love all things that come from the Craftwork Cards company :-). I won a privilege club membership a while ago and the goodies were so good as a member that I kept it up.  I've really enjoyed the member kits and the challenge to try new things. Nearly every card I made includes a craftwork cards card blank, as well other key embellishments or Card Candi. One of the latest ranges to come out is a lovely collection called Dolly Mixtures.  I knew I had to get some of the dollies and papers as soon as I saw them and you can find them here. Not all my friends would appreciate some of the cuter images that are around in craftworld at the moment, but I still love my colouring in with alcohol markers, so these more grown-up images hit the mark. 

I've made 3 cards to showcase each of the Dollies.  I hope you like them as much as I do!

Amy

Here's the first of the dollies:


Amy has been matched with the Coleen papers, which includes lots of pretty pinks and greens (of course my favourites!).  The stepper card blank is also CWC, as are the flowers and sentiments etc.  Here are a couple of close ups:



Coleen

I just love this Dolly with the little scottie dog in her bag.



Again another stepper card using the Coleen papers, along with some snazzy spotty washi tape from Paperchase. Again a close up of the side view and you can see my favourite paper of the bunch on the back step - lots of funky little scottie dogs:




This card has already gone off to my friend Karen who is having a rough patch at the moment. Hoping and praying the appointment to sort out her medication goes well this week!

Cheryl

Last but not least is Cheryl in all her elegance!  I love the big flower in her hair.


Not as big as the ones Kirsty Wiseman has been making but I think Cheryl's been following her blog ;-)



For this card I use and elegant square card blank to form the easel card, and jazzed up the heart with a bit of glossy accents and stickles. I gave her auburn hair to match the colours coming through in the papers.  I'd love hair like that!


And here's a quick look at the inside:


So there are my 3 lovely ladies. Hope you've enjoyed seeing them.  Back soon with a boy card :-).

Helen x