Happy Mail (Killing Kits Series)

Hello lovelies! It's Clair with the latest video in the Killing Kits Series and today, I'm sharing some 'Happy Mail' that I made with the last little bits of my 'Field Notes' Counterfeit Kit from September 2017.

I'm actually a little sorry to have finished this kit. It was one of my all time favourites! Do you have a favourite? Have you kept little bits of it around to look at wistfully? Let me know, okay? It would be nice to know I'm not alone!!!

Please feel free to leave comments here, on YouTube, or find me over in the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Community. I would love to hear from you!

Mix & Match {January's Counterfeit Kit}

I know, I know it's been a while! But what better way to throw myself back into blogging and creating than by creating my first Counterfeit Kit of 2013. I'm a little bit late to the party, but it's taken me a while to wade through my scrapbooking supplies. My craft room is in desperate need of a tidy!

In effort to start sorting - and using - I've only pulled cardstock, papers and embellishments from the mess that was on my desk. Surprisingly that means that I have quite a bit to work with - ahem! As I'll be building a Project Life album during 2013, all of my card and paper scraps have been 're-sized' to either 3x4 or 4x6. As I'm a little bit nervous about combining brighter colours and heavy patterns with my photographs and ephemera, I've stuck to a large palette of neutrals, with just a few nods at the reds in the Inspiration Kit.

However, I've gone to town with my embellishments, including a rather electic mix leftover from previous counterfeit kits - including brads, buttons and floral cabachons. I've also included some brighter die-cuts from Elle's Studio and Dear Lizzy, some washi tape and baker's twine. It's actually quite an exciting little mix of goodies!

Even if we are already half way through the month, I have no doubt that I'm going to be using a fair chunk of this little kit. I'm really looking forward to discovering what will and won't work in a Project Life album and to re-discovering my mojo. No doubt it's hiding somewhere underneath all the rubbish on my desk!

Positive Negatives {Counterfeit Kit Challenge}

Oh man! I am absolutely loving the Counterfeit Kit Challenge this month. Well, really, I love it every month but I've really had to stretch myself a little during my stint as their Guest Designer. And, of course, I've also been stretching my stash! 

Master Forger Challenge #3 was to use the negative space from a punch, die-cut or die-cut machine. Having made quite a mess whilst making my earlier layouts, I gathered up all of my little leftovers to make some cute cards. For my first card, I chose to simply use a piece of scrap patterned paper that already had a little star punched from one corner; then added a little bit of twine, some stickers from my kit - and voila!

For my second card, I gathered up all of those long, strips that were lying around on my desk and attached them to a piece of white card. Then, using a large scalloped circle, punched the edge of my card to leave a negative space. I attached the card behind the punch-out and, because it was all layered onto white card, the inside still looks nice and neat! An Elle's Studio banner and a couple of handmade flowers finish off the card!

There's some amazing ideas from the Master Forgers DT already on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, so do head on over to have a look. And don't forget that if you've been inspired by any of the challenges, you can link up your projects so we can all stop by to say 'ooh'.

Challenges And Experiments! {Counterfeit Kit Challenge}

September is always a little bit of a crazy month - working in a university means that as soon as autumn arrives, we're welcoming new students; catching up with old friends and working, working, working. This is really the first day this month that I've had chance to catch my breath and I've enjoyed working on a few things in my little craft room. Unfortunately, that doesn't include tidying! It's such a mess! 

Thankfully, the weather has been a little brighter today, so I've managed to take some better photographs of the layouts I've made for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, and here's my take on Master Forger Challenge #1. The aim was to use something from our stash - either a tool or embellishment - that we love but haven't used for a while. Inspired by the Organise This theme for the month, I dug out a couple of punches that haven't seen the light of day for some time!

I've been wanting to experiment a little with some different sizes and shapes of layouts and I'm so pleased with the result - even if it does have a photograph of me on it!

Master Forger Challenge #2 was a little more....challenging. Basing a layout on an inspiring character from one of my favourite books or television shows didn't come easily. I was getting a little panicky, when I spotted John Le Carre's, The Constant Gardener on my bookshelf. I've hidden some journalling away about my own favourite 'Constant Gardener' - my dad - but the gardening theme is easy to spot! 

I decided that a little more experimentation was in order and although I'm not as pleased with the overall balance of the layout - I'm just not feeling the 12x12 at the moment - I am pleased with my layering. Leaving each layer 'looser' than normal and adding some distressing has really given my layout some extra dimension. I've used some stamps from Lawn Fawn's Check This Out and Flutterby to add some embellishment - they were just perfect for this layout!

There's more to share, but you'll have to wait a little bit longer. In the meantime tell me, have you been experimenting with your scrapbooking recently?

I've Been Caught Stealing

Uh. Oh. I've been caught stealing! But instead of the shame that you'd usually associate with that phrase, my little heart has, instead, been filled with pride because I'll be joining the Counterfeit Kit Challenge as their Guest Designer for September. 

I am such a huge fan of the Counterfeit Kit Challenge that each month I can be found sneaking onto the blog during my tea break, or lunches, so that I can hit refresh 'just one more time' until the inspiration kit is finally revealed. I'll start thinking about how I can adapt the kit to suit my own tastes; wondering what papers I have that I can substitute in; what kind of embellishments I might be able to make myself; and which photographs I might try to use during the month.

Of course, as soon as the Master Forgers reveal their own counterfeit kits the following day, I'll often see something that starts me thinking all over again - like a paper I hadn't considered using, or a new way of combining the colours and textures from the inspiration kit. I start to get excited about the papers and products I already have in my stash! And that's why, even before I've started pulling together my own kit, or scrap-booking my pretty pictures, that the Counterfeit Kit Challenge is so much fun!

Learning Something New - Mini Album

I'm eagerly anticipating the start of Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day at the weekend.I've taken part in this annual class many times and there is something wonderfully about revisiting an old favourite. One lesson that I have learnt the hard way though, is that if I don't prepare for the class, I never finish my album!

Using August's Counterfeit Kit has made it fairly easy to get started. I cut down a lot of cardstock and patterned papers to 3 x 5 inches, 'chomped' all of the corners and punched a hole in one end of each piece. To start making the base album feel a little bit more 'lived in', I've decorated the front using a little spritz of Mister Huey's Calico Shine; added a patterned paper effect with the camera stamp from Lawn Fawn's Say Cheese Too; and added a title with some Sassafras Alphas.

Inside the album, I've started to add some additional pattern with the chevron stamp from Papersmooches Geographic - it stamps wonderfully and, because it's a clear stamp, it's so easy to build up the pattern to create a fuller effect - and some extra embellishment with some of the smaller stamps from Papersmooches Teen Routine.

It's shaping up to be a fun album, full of colour and pattern - which is one reason why I love mini-albums, they really give you a chance to experiment with new ideas, products and techniques. Looks like I've started learning already!

Is anyone else planning on taking part this year? Have you done your preparation? Please let me know so that I can come and take a look. You see the best thing about starting class, is all the new friends!

Mini Lovin', Card Makin' {August's Counterfeit Kit}

It might seem a little late, but my Counterfeit Kit is finally ready for it's reveal. I've had hugely hectic month - and my little craft room looks like the four riders of the apocalypse stopped by for a spot of fun - so trying to find the time (and, um, find the supplies under all the mess) has made putting my kit together a little more difficult this month.

As Stitching On Paper (my very first paper-crafting class!) will wind down next weekend, I'm looking forward to starting Shimelle's annual class - Learn Something New Everyday - at the beginning of September. Having taken the class for the past two or three years now, I know that the best way for my to finish the class - with a complete album - is to prepare everything in advance. So, I've designed this month's Counterfeit Kit with that in mind.

I've once again pulled out my (now dwindling) box of scraps and have chosen papers from American Crafts, Echo Park, We Are Memory Keepers, Crate Paper and Bazill which echoed the colours and patterns from the inspiration kit - Summer Lovin'. I've then cut these papers down to 3x5 inches, chomped the corners and punched a hole in the end - creating the base for a mini album.

I've saved all of the scraps from cutting the pages for my mini-album and, as I'm hoping to have a card making session with a good friend very soon, I've added in some extra cardstock and that beautiful, chevron fabric paper from American Crafts. *swoon*

In order to choose my extras I made a small list of the embellishments in the inspiration kit and then set to with my stamp sets from Make The Day Special. I've used stamps from Say Cheese Too, Admit One,  Learning Year By Year and Blossom Stackers to create stars, circles, cameras and tickets. Then added a healthy dose of alphas, sequins, ric rac, sentiments, ribbon and twine. 

All based on the inspiration kit, but with my own little twists! You know how it is, right?

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Cross Stitch

After spending most of the evening fiddling around with manuals, plug sockets and wiring, I have internet again. Hurrah! How did anyone cope before Google, Twitter and Facebook? Maybe I have a little bit of a problem?

And, moving on! Who's ready for some more Stitching On Paper? In today's installment, Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Cross Stitch, I'm joined by Guest Designer Sian Fair, as we take a look a contemporary twist on a traditional craft. 

I've been so amazed and gratified to see people starting to create their own Stitching On Paper projects this week, based on some of the earlier lessons in the class. It really makes all of my hard work seem worthwhile, so thank you so much!

Check out the Stitching On Paper - Introduction to see some of the projects that have been linked up so far, or link your up your own project using stitching to have the chance of winning a pretty little package of paper-crafting supplies.

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Embroidery

In today's installment of Stitching On Paper, I'm joined by Guest Designer Lisa Hausman, as we expand our stitching credentials and get Inspired By Embroidery. There are inspirational projects, tons of tips and a collection of lovely links to help you learn. 

I'd recommend getting yourself a cuppa - and maybe a packet of biscuits - before settling down to read through today's download. You'll head off to look through all of the links and I guarantee that it could be hours before you resurface! Enjoy! x

Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Stamping

Morning! Ready for some more Stitching On Paper? We've learnt the basics of hand and machine stitching, but now we're going to start looking at how our stitching can be inspired by some more familiar crafts like stamping, embroidery and cross stitch. 

In today's part of the class, Stitching On Paper - Inspired By Stamping, I'm joined by Guest Designers Julie Kirk and Mel H. We've all interpreted our use of stamping and stitching a little differently, so there's plenty of inspiration. 

Remember that if you've been inspired by the class, I'd love to see what you've created. You could win a little something! Have a lovely weekend! x

PS Last week's Guest Designer, Jennifer Grace, has a little stitching template available on her blog. It's the cute cloud from last week's layout. Go get it!

Stitching On Paper - Inspired To Stitch By Machine

Hello! Hello! Are you ready for a little bit more Stitching On Paper? Today's element of the class, Stitching On Paper - Inspired To Stitch By Machine, we look at the basics of machine stitching, with lots of tips and techniques for getting started and a perfect finish. There are also inspirational projects from Guest Designers Jennifer Grace, Jemma Sharrock and Mel H - and let me tell you, they blew me away!

If you’re inspired by any of the techniques and tutorials featured in Stitching On Paper, please feel free to post your projects on your own blog, in your own online communities, anywhere! You can post a link to your projects using the Mr. Linky in the Stitching On Paper – Introduction - I would love to see them! And at the end of the month, I'll be randomly choosing one lucky participant to receive this rather pretty collection of papers, embellishments and stamps.

And one last note, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has commented, e-mailed, downloaded or joined me as a follower recently. It really does mean so much to me and makes all of my hard work (and endless worrying) worthwhile. I hope that you're enjoying the class! x

Stitching On Paper - Inspired To Stitch By Hand

Well, it's a little later than I expected but I'm having a little bit of a manic weekend - and am busy juggling house guests, far too many loads of laundry and ... um, a craft class. When I over-commit myself I really like to do it properly. Let's move on swiftly, shall we?

This morning’s Stitching On Paper - Introduction looked at all of the tools and supplies that you’ll need to start hand stitching. Hopefully, by now, you’ll have rummaged through your craft stash and will have everything that you need to hand.

If stitching on paper is something new to you, you might still be feeling a little apprehensive – so how about a little bit of inspiration to whet the appetite? In the next part of our class - Inspired To Stitch By Hand - you'll find projects from Guest Designers Jennifer Grace and Lara Watson. There's also a tutorial and template for creating your own hand stitched card. 

If you’re inspired by any of the techniques and tutorials featured in Stitching On Paper, please feel free to post your projects on your own blog, in your own online communities, anywhere!

You can post a link to your projects using the Mr. Linky in the Stitching On Paper – Introduction so that I, and all of the other class participants, can ‘ooh and ahh’ over your project.

And – just in case the recognition of your fellow classmates isn’t enough of an incentive to share – at the end of the class, I’ll be picking one participant at random to receive the rather splendid prize pictured above. The prize includes patterned papers from Crate Paper, Prima, American Crafts and We Are Memory Keepers,; American Crafts 'Fellow' Thickers; Elle's Studio Pink Pennants; Embroidery Threads; Organza Ribbon; Doilies; K & Co. Diecuts; A Clear Mini Frame; Floral Embellishment - and the latest edition of Scrap 365. 


Also included (but not pictured) is this super cute, Papersmooches Stamp Set - Summer Grooves - kindly sponsored by my lovely Design Team Co-ordinator, Emily from Make The Day Special.

So, what are you waiting for, get stitching!

Stitching On Paper Class - Introduction

Welcome to the first day of class! I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response already. Thank you so to all of my followers - new and old - for all of the comments and well wishes that you've left me this week! It's so very much appreciated!

All of the class materials will be available via the Stitching On Paper Collection over on Scribd. You should be able to view all of the class materials without an account, though you may need to create a (free) account to print or download. I hope this suits everyone - there just seemed to be too much material for each part of the class to pack into one or two blog posts!

The first part of the class, Stitching On Paper - Introduction is a simple hunting and gathering exercise, to help you ease into the weekend - and the idea of learning - gently. I'll be back later on today with the first tutorial, some inspirational projects and the details of that prize I mentioned! Enjoy x

Notts Weekend Mini Book

For the last couple of weeks, I've been working on turning my July Counterfeit Kit into a mini book recording our beautiful Nottingham Weekend. Lots of cutting, corner chomping, stamping and sticking later and I've finally finished. There's a lot of pages packed into one little mini book, so I've only included a few photographs. (Here's the whole Notts Weekend Mini, if you're interested.)

I very much wanted the emphasis to be on the photographs and the journalling - and, I've included a lots of journalling cards to make space for those all important stories. There's still a few more stories to add in - and I'd especially like to have The Steve write a few of them. I'm conscious that I don't often include our stories from his point of view!

Because there's so many pages, I've kept my embellishments to a minimum, using my favourite Lawn Fawn sets - Bon Voyage, Bannerific and Say Cheese Too, along with some of the smaller doily shapes from the Unity set Blossom Stackers. There's some teeny bits of bling too, just to add some, but not too much, dimension and some continuity between the pages.

The Sassafras and Lily Bee Alphas from my Counterfeit Kit were also the perfect sizes to include mini-titles on some of my pages, highlighting important photographs and adding a little bit of texture.

Getting seriously excited by the idea of a new Counterfeit Kit which will be 'revealed' on Sunday. Between you and me, I become a little obsessed with the 'refresh' button on the 5th of each month!

Stitching On Paper Class - Sneak Peeks

The idea of stitching on paper might be nothing new, but I'm still amazed by the amount of e-mails that I receive asking me how I've managed to add hand stitching to my cards, or the people who leave me comments telling me that they wouldn't have the confidence to start stitching on their own layouts. 

Rather than reply to each and every one of those e-mails and comments individually, I started to think about the idea of hosting a class - for free - to share my own tips and techniques. It's been a long time coming, but I'm ever so proud to announce that Stitching On Paper will start on the 4th August, with tutorials every Saturday and Sunday throughout August.

I'll be exploring how to stitch on paper - covering the basics of hand stitching and machine stitching - then taking those techniques further inspired by stamping, embroidery, cross stitch, string art and quilting. Each element of the class will include tips, techniques and inspiration projects. 

Of course, I have a few Guest Designers joining me - Sian Fair, Mel H, Julie Kirk, Kim Dellow, Lisa Hausman, Tricia Simmons, Jemma Sharrock, Jennifer Grace & Lara Watston. Pretty amazing line-up, right? Each of these talented ladies will be sharing their own interpretation of my basic prompts - and I guarantee that you'll be inspired to start stitching on paper to create your own projects. Oh, and did I mention a prize?

Hey, Hey, Hey!

I know, I'm always featuring cards that use greetings like 'Hello', 'Hey' or 'Hi', but really, I don't know that many people who happen to be getting married, or have just had a baby. These more generic greetings are perfect for just reminding someone that I care about them - and I send them all the time. Just because.

I'm currently in love with the Samantha Walker Blossom Stackers from Make The Day Special - I simply cannot get enough of the amazing circular and doily style images. I've used two of the larger images on this card - cutting them by hand and 'stacking' them with some dimensional tape.

The cute 'Hey' sentiment from Boob Tubes by Paper Smooches, is also one of my favourites and, surprisingly, seems to work well with some of the more intricate doilies in the Blossom Stackers set. 

It just goes to show that combining your stamps successfully is all about playing around with colours and styles. So get out your stamps and your inks - and start messing.

West Kirby Marina

I found a little bit of time this weekend to do some scrapbooking. I've really missed playing with my pretty papers over the last few months, so it's lovely to be feeling inspired again. Thankfully, there's lots of inspiration around at the moment - I had some new (well, old really) photographs printed off recently which is always a big boost to my scrapbooking mojo and, of course, I've been playing along with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. 

The paper's in my kit for this month are perfect for scrapping the blues, greys and browns of my spring-time photographs from last year and I'm hoping that they'll be just as useful in scrapping the rest! I seem to have a lot of kit left, but not a lot of month though - so we'll have to see if I can manage to squeeze in everything I have in mind.

I come back to this simple formula of strips and stitching, time and time again, because it works for me. It's minimalist, but it works especially well with my larger photographs. I've added in a little extra detail with some Cosmic Shimmer Mist and a selection of stamps from the Blossom Stacker Set by Unity and a word stamp from the Say Cheese Too Set by Lawn Fawn (both of which are available in the UK from Make The Day Special.) 

Do you have a scrapbooking formula? One that works for you when you're in a hurry, or when you need a kick start? I'd be interested to know - so that I can try it!

All Packaged Up {Giveaway Winner!}

I just wanted to say a really big thank you to everyone who took the time last week to visit Make The Day Special and join in our Get 'Em While You Can Blog Hop. All of the DT Girls were thrilled with the extra love!

I've had a little giveaway planned for one lucky follower of the Make The Day Special Blog and thought it was about time that I put you all out of your misery. I used Random.Org and then checked the blog's followers....

....which means Louise, you're a winner! I'll be contacting you later on today to ask for your address and then I'll be packaging up this little pretty.

It's decorated with a combination of embellishments from The Girl's Paperie, Precocious Paper, John Lewis' Haberdashery - and, of course, some stamped images from Blissful Botanicals and Harvest Of Memories. Inside there's a little packet of tickets I stamped using Admit One, plus the Sweet Little Notes I showed you yesterday. There's also some handmade flowers, jars of teeny tiny embellishments and some pretty, pink lace.

Remember, if you entered any of the other competitions along the way, you'll need to visit everyone's blogs to check whether you've won. You never know what could be waiting for you!

Hello. Hi. How Are You?

I'll be the first to admit that I've never really been much of a card maker, but I'm determined to use up some of my smaller scraps and conquer my fear of small (design) spaces by making some cards. So, in an attempt to make life easier for myself, I've been designing more mini cards.

These dinky, little cards have a canvas size smaller than an ATC, so filling up the space is a lot easier than when you're designing a traditionally sized card - especially when you have such beautiful stamps to hand.

The first card features one of the suitcase stamps from the A Girl & Her Adventures collection but once again I've used it almost as a background stamp and it's made a plain bit of card into an 'oh so pretty' piece of patterned paper and adds a shabby chic, vintage touch. A couple of stickers and embellishments later and I was done.

For the second, I simple stamped a quote from the delicious All About The Journey collection, added some scraps of paper and a hand rolled fabric rose. All done in less time than takes to make a cup of tea - and just as refreshing!

Two of the easiest cards I've ever made, yet easily two of my favourites. I'm sure my Make The Day Special stamps will be getting a little more use this weekend, as I play around with the big pile of scraps that's accumulated on my desk.

Bee-oo-tiful

Since putting together my counterfeit kits, I've been dying to work with my version of 'Wildflower'. It's no surprise that it was my favourite of the kits I put together - and in fact - when I've been visiting other counterfeiters, it's generally been my favourite of their kits too!

I started with one of the many photographs I took on a beautiful weekend. One I will never, ever forget. Since the memories of that weekend are so special, I decided to be really, really brave and pulled out my favourite piece of cardstock - Japanese Tea Garden from Basic Grey's Pheobe collection and used that as a base for my layout. I added in a page from an old children's books and a journalling sheet from My Mind's Eye, plus several partial sheets of patterned paper from my kit.

I distressed the edges of my cardstock using my craft knife and then blended some inks onto the book page to give it an aged, antiquey look. It's the first time I used my new distress inks and I'm so pleased with how they turned out - something actually worked!

I swapped out the large flower from my original kit and replaced it with a pink one, then combined it with a couple of handmade flowers from last month's kit. The one I hardly used. I also added in some leaves, some of fabric and some of polymer clay - both of which have been in my stash for quite some time.

Of course, I knew that I wouldn't be able to resist adding in embellishments once I started (which is why I tried not to act smug when visitors congratulated me on keeping my kit embellishments to a minimum!) But I think that the freedom to add in bits and pieces is what makes the whole process fun. Besides, it's all from stash, so it's all good.