Ahead of the game... for once!!!

Hi folks.. A rarity for me, but I think I might have just managed to stay ahead of the game for once this year..

I know Father's Day is a few weeks off yet, but I've completed mine well in advance...
All I need to do now is to make sure I don't misplace it between now and the middle of June!!
I think if I leave it out on display for Club Members Weekend this weekend and then put it in that "somewhere safe" place, I should be OK!!
Oh, and the positioning of the hands!

Significant??!! Nah, not really!!! Or is it???
Thanks for checking us out.. See you soon.
Andy.

Cheery Lynn Die - B357 Clock
Spellbinders Die - Sprightly Sprockets S5-048
Spellbinders 3D M-Bossabilitie Folder - Creative Cogs E3D-002

Moon Walk....

This one goes out to all of those hardy folk who will be doing the Moon Walk in London (and other places) this weekend in awareness of Breast Cancer...

Good Luck everyone...

Wedding Anniversary Cats....

Hi folks.. Just trying to get ahead of the game with today's project... We're almost at the end of April, which means May is very nearly here and more to the point June, which is when I have a whole host of Wedding Anniversaries!!!

So, this is the first one checked off my list...
I had several Hearts left over from Saturday's demo which I had prepared but never actually used... So, rather than let them go to waste.... I've teamed them up with my new SteamPunk Corner Die and my ever so "oooh La La" cats.. Tres Chic, non??!! Check out his little Bow Tie which I added. Bet you'll never guess in a million years when that came from!!
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

Cheery Lynn Die - B437 Steampunk Corners
Cheery Lynn Die - B446 Wedding
Cheery Lynn Die - B243 Anniversary
Marianne Designs Collectables Die - COL1344 French Cats
Marianne Designs Creatables Die - LR0299 Anja's Filigraan Heart
Embossalicious A4 Embossing Folder - Gothic Script

Faux Leather....

Hi folks... One of my last samples for tomorrows Embossing Demo Day here at Pinnacles..

It features the Faux Leather technique. Well, my version of it anyway...

When we played around with this technique in class we also ended up making Faux Sandpaper and Faux Flock, but that's a whole other story..!

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow if you are popping along.
I have a few other tricks up my sleeve to share too..
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

Butterfly Box.....

Hi folks.... Just been getting some prep done for our Embossing Demo Day on the 26th April..

Like most boxes I make, this particular one has no practical use what so ever!!

But still an effective and fun project to do none the less..
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.
Spellbinders 3D M-Bossibilitie E3D-016 Labels Thirty Four
Cheery Lynn B117 Fanciful Flourish
Cheery Lynn DL116 Exotic Butterfly Medium #3

Up, up and away...

Hi folks.. Another couple of my Dies have fallen victim to being turned into Stamps.... My collection is growing by the day!!

Another card for the pile for Saturday's demo.....
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

A little more prep.....

Hi everyone... Just finishing off a little more prep for Saturday's Die Cutting Demonstration Day here @ Pinnacles....
As I'm sure you are aware Dies are absolutely huge at the moment?! Not necessarily in their size (although some are whoppers!) but in the quantity of the designs and brands which are available. As nice as it would be to have one of everything, I think we'll need to win the lottery to fulfil that requirement!
The purpose of Saturday's demo is to get the most out of the dies which we already have or plan to have in the future...

So, today’s project uses another Die not only as it perhaps was intended to be used (as a Die Cut) but also as a stamp..
Using the same or similar image really ties the project together don't you think? In the past I have often used a Die and thought I need a stamped image to work with it. Now I know there are several companies that produce matching Die and Stamp combo's, but sometimes at considerable cost!! My stamp cost me pennies to make, so I can save the money for,.... erm more Dies I guess!!!
I'll be sharing how to do to this technique at Saturday's demo...
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

Happy Birthday Paul....

Hi folks... Well, I nearly made the ultimate crafter's "no, no" yesterday!! Was on the verge of actually going out and "BUYING" a card!!
It's Paul's (B-I-L) Birthday today, and a combination of lack of time and lack of inspiration, left me with almost no other choice... However, I did knuckle down to finally get something done..

It's not my best work, but then again, he's not a crafter and wouldn't have the foggiest as to what went into it!! I've left a little idea of his age by the time on the clock.. And no, he's not 74!!!
Happy Birthday Paul, hope you enjoy your day.
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

Deck the Halls....

Hi folks.. My crafting mojo has been m.i.a for the past couple of days! So, to get the creative juices flowing again, I treated myself to a couple of new crafting bits!!

And bipity bopity boo, creativity has been restored.. For now.....

Just need to ride the wave whilst the mojo is still here..
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

Bauble - Spellbonders/Just Rite Die AG-04395 Lacey Tiers
Holly - Cheery Lynn Die B168 - Mega Holly Flourish
Sentiment - Tonic Studios Die - 373e Christmas Sentiments 1

Deck the Halls.....

... Hi folks... I think I have finally settled on a design for my own personal Christmas Cards this year!

It has a little bit of everything on it, Pan Pastels, Embossing and Die Cutting. So, it should keep my busy over the coming weeks!
Off to start churning them out, or variations thereof!!
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.
Metallic Pan Pastels: Bronze, Copper, Light Gold, Rich Gold, Silver.
Cheery Lynn Die: B148 Holly Lace Flourish
XCut Embossing Folder: Delicate Flourishes
Deck the Halls: Tonic Studios Die Set Christmas Sentiments One

Happy Birthday Sis....

Hi folks.. Well, for a change, NO Christmas project, as today is Joanne's (my Sister) Birthday...
To be honest, it's been a right pain thinking of a card for her... I spent the best part of yesterday playing around with Inks, Pan Pastels, Stamps, you name it I tried it!! But to no avail!!

Then, we had a delivery of these, and within half an hour, BAM!!! card done!!

Happy Birthday Jo Jo. Hope you enjoy your day..xxx
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy..

Tonic Studios Christmas Verso Die - 398e Decorative Wreath Rings
Cheery Lynn Die - B226 Happy
Cheery Lynn Die - B231 Birthday

Wooden Poinsettia's....

Hi folks...
Last sample from the weekends Christmas Workshop for you today..
In my last post, I said it was a little difficult to take a picture of the project, as it had so much Mirror card on it, reflection was a problem..

So, today’s project has the bare minimum of Mirror card, but a whole lot of wood, which makes a nice change???
Thanks for checking us out. See you soon.
Andy.
Dee's Distinctively Poinsettia Die IME-047
Cheery Lynn B383 Owl with Gears
Tando Creative Compass
Glossy Accents
Andy Skinner Stamps - Letting off Steam
Tim Holtz Screw Head Brads
Nellie Snellen Brad Spacers.

Christmas Steampunk Owl....

Hi folks.. Last sample for tomorrows Christmas workshop!!

Don't think I've ever used sooo much Mirror card on one project!! Ah, who am I kidding!! I'm a Mirror card fiend!! But it does make it a little difficult to photograph (reflection)!! Still, I have an idea today to try and rectify that!! Will show you next time, if it works out that is!!
Thanks for checking us out, see you soon.
Andy.

Getting something a little bit extra...

Hi Folks. Like most crafters, I like to get as much out of my crafting stash as I can. Trying to see things other than their intended use...
And that is defo the case with today's project!!

Yes, I see Baubles too... But where did they come from??

Recognise them now?? Hot Air Balloons..

Lob off the basket and Viola!! Baubles....
Opens up a whole new use for this die!!
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.
Spellbinders D Lite Die S2-056 Holly Twig and Leaves
Cheery Lynn Die B360 Hot Air Balloons

You'll either ....

... Love it or Hate it!!! Steampunk that is!! Just like Marmite! Which, as you may know.. I'm a fan of!!
Just getting a few samples ready for next weekend’s "Steampunk Christmas" workshop...

This little cheeky Chappie will be adorning the Pinnacles Christmas Tree this year, once he had served his purpose in the workshop that is!!
Thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

Tim Holtz Gadget Gears Die
Cheery Lynn B383 Owl with Gears Die

Making use of ....

... an oldie, but a goodie!
Hi Folks. Just to ring the changes a bit and save you getting bored with the Gilded Wreath projects, I thought I'd share with you a card that proved to be rather popular at last weekend’s Club Members Event!.

The project allowed me to play with a few new bits and pieces and also to use an old fave!! "Just love the embossed Glittered Vellum in the Background". We've had it in the shop on and off for about 3 years now, I doubt there are many paper designs out there which have stood the test of time as well as this one..
So, as I said in the title....."An oldie, but a goodie"!!
Thanks for checking us out. See you soon.
Andy.

Happy Anniversary #3

Hi folks.. Last Anniversary card for now!... Today is the 1st Wedding Anniversary of one of my besties...
You may recall last year that I was "one of" their Best Men at their wedding!! How the year has flown!! And today, they celebrate their first wedding Anniversary..

Traditionally, this is celebrated with Paper.. And in the modern fraternity it is celebrated with clocks... So, as I use paper pretty much every day of my life that was easy to incorporate into their Anniversary card.. Trying to keep up with modern tradition was the tricky part, but hopefully I have captured both traditions in this project!! However, I still may have to explain the thought behind the process though!! Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs C.. Hope you enjoy your day..
See you soon. Andy.

Dies: Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish (B117), Happy (B226), Anniversary (B243), Marianne Craftables Clock (CR1234),

Happy Anniversary.....

Hi Folks... It's Joanne and Paul's (Sister & B-I-L) Anniversary today... and they said it wouldn't last!!!

Here's the card I have made for them... I'm defo in a Cream and Black mode at the moment!! It's Ma & Pa's Anniversary Tomorrow, (god, it's like busses round here at the moment!! None for ages, and then they all come at once!!) So If I don't get any inspo today then I may have to do this one again but in the reverse colour way.. We'll see..
Have a great day and thanks for checking us out.
See you soon.
Andy.

Spellbinders Die Floral Ovals (S4-356), Classics Ovals Large (S4-110)
Marianne Designs Creatables Die Lord & Lady (LR0211)
Cheery Lynn Die Fanciful Flourish (B117)
Inverted Corner Punch

Shaving Foam Flower...

Hi Folks.. Well, here we are with yet another Bank Holiday.. I hope you are going to be able to make the most of the weather today, cos it's not going to last here in the SE!!
Work for me today!!, but I'll be making sure I get out and catch a few rays when I take Hollister for her walk's!! So, although I'll be stuck inside for most of the day, I might as well enjoy myself...

Today, I will mostly be playing with.... Shaving Foam me thinks!!
Have a great day. See you soon.
Andy..

Shaving Foam
Alcohol Ink (Raisin)
Archival Ink (Black)
Cheery Lynn Die Fanciful Flourish
6" x 6" Embossing Folder (Lattice)

From Flakes to Wax....

Hi Folks... I appear to have developed a theme!!!

Last week it was all about Gilding Flakes, and this week I've moved onto Gilding Wax..

Whilst I was in town last week waiting for some new glasses, I popped into Wilkinson's to kill a bit of time!! You know they say "never go food shopping when you are hungry!?" as you'll end up buying loads of stuff that you don't really need!! Well, I want to add to that.. Don't go to Wilko's when you're looking for a bit of crafting inspo, cos you'll come out with several bags full of stuff that is just gagging to be altered!!
I picked up several of these inexpensive frames. I think this one was only £3.00!!

I gave it a whollop of Gilding Wax, I say whollop, in fact, you use very little. For this one I used Patina Blue which is from the Peacock set. But, to be honest, any individual colour of Gilding Wax would give a great effect.. Can't wait to give the Vintage Plum a go...

When playing around, I'm never quite sure in which direction I'm taking the project. So, for now, I've just added a Gilded Die Cut to the frame. When I get the right picture to go inside it then I'll swap it over for that!!

I also purchased a few White frames,

this one was coloured using the Verde Gris Wax, which is also from the Peacock set...

Finished off with some Hunkydory Die cut Decoupage and a Cheery Lynn sentiment, as again, I wasn't too sure where I was going with this!! Still, quite pleased with the initial results!! More play time looms me thinks...
Just a reminder to all those Pinnacle Crafts Club Members out there.. It's Club Members Weekend this weekend.. And as it's another Bank Holiday Weekend, it's another Pinnacles 4 day'er... The fun starts at 9am on Friday... We look forward to seeing you there.
Thanks for checking us out, see you soon.
Andy.