Tuesday 31 January 2012

Stampavie New Releases...

Here are a just a few of the new releases from Stampavie. Check out www.bramwellcrafts.co.uk tomorrow to see the full range.

New Sarah Kay stamps can be found here . Codes SK2012-01 to SK2012-20
New Tina Wenke stamps can be found here . Codes WDS 751 to WDSSM5
New Penny Johnson stamps can be found here. Codes PEN65 to PEN80

All available to pre order now!



SK201208 Babette cuddling kitty


SK201215 Happy couple



WDS752 Giddy Up

WDS 753 A Sword Fight

Monday 30 January 2012

New goodies...

Just a quick update to say that we are having a great time and have found lots of new goodies! Off to see BoBunny and Hot Off The Press next. We are having trouble getting online and uploading our photos but we will keep trying.

Love Melanie and Alison xxx

Saturday 28 January 2012

From an excited but weary traveller

Hello
It is now10pm and we have just arrived at our hotel. We left home on the 28th at 7am!!! A full 24hours of planes and airports but I am sure I will think it is all worthwhile tomorrow when the show opens. Off to bed now to get some rest ready for a busy day ahead. Will post pictures tomorrow.
Have a good day (as they say over here)!!!
Love
Melanie and Alison xxx

Friday 27 January 2012

Blog Diary

Good morning all
Yesterday when I went in to the office I got my hands on the new Bo Bunny product that is being launched at CHA and I have to say all the collections are FANTASTIC!!!!!!! You can view all the new lines on the website bramwellcrafts.co.uk and if there is anything you specifically want you can pre-order.
Apart from that I decided that Alison and I will do a blog diary of our trip. So that means some un-suspecting American will be roped in to taking our photos!!!
Thought it would be fun for you to come along with us.
Take care
Love
Melanie xxx

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Getting ready for CHA

Hello crafters
I have spent the day getting ready for CHA. I cannot tell you how excited I am.  I have lots of ideas for new designs and product. The fact that I am going with Alison makes it even better as we always have lots of fun and laughs when we are together. I have to get lots of prep done before I go away though ready for my February shows. So back  to colouring in!!! Please help me spread the word about the blog as there will be lots of new exciting things happening this year.
Take care and I will try to catch up whilst I am away
Love
Melanie xxx

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Card from Shades of warm grey class...

Shades of Warm Grey class. This is a Copic class just using four warm grey pens. (Click on the card to enlarge)

This was a class I taught in Preston on Sunday. I am also repeating it in Blackburn on the 5th and 7th of Feb. You will need to know how to use Copic pens to attend and will also need W1, W3, W5 and W7.
Copics are my colouring medium of choice as you get a seamless blend and fantastic shading. The stamp I have used is by Stampavie and can be bought here.
 

Take care
Melanie xxx

Sunday 22 January 2012

MARCH CLASSES

Saturday 3rd  -  Copic and Stampavie class   Inspirations Preston   01772 880852
Tuesday  13th  -  Repeat Class



Saturday  10th  -  Cricut class   Includes 'Wrap it Up' cartridge.    Inspirations   Preston

Sunday  11th  -  Repeat Cricut Class    Inspirations  Preston

Saturday 24th  -  Advanced Copic class  Inspirations  Preston.

Monday  26th  -  Chest of drawers class   Grosvenor House   Kendal

FEBRUARY CLASSES

.

Saturday 11th - Cricut beginners class. You will need to bring your own Cricut. (any machine, but NOT Imagine)   Inspirations Preston   01772 880852.

Tuesday 28th  Copic DEMONSTRATION DAY   Inspirations Preston.

Good Morning and Apologies!

Good morning
Just thought I would do a short post before I go off to Preston to teach my Shades of Warm Grey class. This is a Copic class just using four warm grey pens. I have to say I am delighted with the result and I will put the photo on my blog this week.
The apology part of this post is to all the people who have asked questions on the blog. Unfortunately, although my laptop will allow me to do new posts, it won't allow mw to reply to questions!!!!!! See, now you know why I don't do technology!!!! I am going in to the office on Tuesday and I will respond to all your questions then.
Have a good day
Take care
 and once again thank you for all your support.
Love
Melanie xxx

Friday 20 January 2012

Two Down, One to Go!

Just thought I would do a quick post while I am waiting to do the 5pm show. Sadly i can't stay and do the shows for the rest of the week. Good news is though I am teaching classes this weekend so that will be great fun. I am doing a Shades of Warm Grey class at Inspirations on Sunday. This is making cards using  Stampavie stamp and just colouring it in with warm grey copics. W1, W3, W5 and W7. I will post the cards on my blog after I have done the class.
Have a great weekend.
Take care


Melanie xxx

Blown Away!!!!!

Hello crafters
WOW!!!!!! Just found out the price for the Pick of the Week. If you are looking to upgrade your Cricut to an Expression you need to tune in at 12pm.
I have some questions I need to answer on my blog so I will try to answer them in between shows.
Take care for now
Melanie xxx

Thursday 19 January 2012

What a wonderful day!

Sometimes I have to pinch myself and make sure that I am not day dreaming. This morning I get to go on create and Craft and do a Stampavie show and then I come back to the hotel and spend the day colouring in the new stamps for the February show. It a tough life lol!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you all enjoyed the show this morning. Please don't forget the Cricut shows tomorrow at 12pm, 3pm and 5pm.
If you have any questions I can help with on the machine then please feel free to email in.
Take care
Melanie xxx

Wednesday 18 January 2012

DAY TWO

Good morning cafters,
Thank you for all your support yesterday. I am just heading back to the studios for my Stampavie show this morning at 8am.
I think that is my only show today but after testerday.... who knows.
Hope you enjoy the show today.
Will post again when I get back to the hotel.
Have a great day
Take care
Melanie xxx

Quick update..

Just a quick one to let you know that I will be back on air with the Cricut at 4pm today! Hope you enjoy the shows.. Will be either Create and Craft or Ideal World : )

Monday 16 January 2012

Wreath

Hello

Just responding to a few questions. Firstly, YES I am doing the launch of the Pick of the Week this Friday and then home to teach classes. I have also been asked to do the Sunday Scrappers shows in April and May, I will give you dates when they have been confirmed. I can't tell you how EXCITED I am about that!!!!!!
Also, it appears I forgot to tell you what to attach your paper flowers on to to create your wreath. I used an 8" wicker wreath. I also used Hot glue to stick it all together.
Hope you enjoy the shows this week.
Have a great week
Love
Melanie xxx

Sunday 15 January 2012

Change of Plan!!!

Hello crafters
Just wanted to draw your attention to the fact that my shows and times have changed for this week. I have ammended them on the blog.
Hope you like the new project i have posted below too. I will put some pictures of the class on soon too.
Have a great week and enjoy the shows
Take care
love
Melanie xxx

Photos of Flower Shoppe Wreath

Hi Crafters
Just spent two fabulous days at Inspirations in Preston teaching this class using the Cricut Flower Shoppe cartridge. Thought you may like to make one too.
Enjoy
Melanie xxx






FLOWER SHOPPE WREATH
Products needed
2 x sets of co-ordinating coloured card. Each set needs to consist of a DARK shade, a MID colour and a LIGHT colour.  These sets will make up your large flowers.  You then also need a set of FOUR pieces of co-ordinating card. This will be used to create the smaller daisies that sit in-between the large flowers. These need to be a DARK,  a MID colour,   a LIGHT colour and a BRIGHT colour
2x Different shades of green card.  One must be darker than the other.
Two different colours of neutral card which will make the centres of the flowers.
A Brown ink pad and dry foam. Black and Brown fineliner pens. (You only need these if you intend to ink and dash your paper flower and leaf sections)
I am typing these instructions to suit the colours of my wreath. So is you are using different colours go on the shade of the card.

STEP BY STEP
1.     Place the DARK purple card on the mat. Make sure your pressure and blade depth settings are correct for the cardstock. Load mat. Set the size dial to 3”. Open the book at page 12. Have a good look at the page and you will see that the pictures of the cartridge overlays show you where the button is that you need to press.  Press BASIC 4, three times and CUT. Unload the mat.

2.     Put the MID purple colour on the mat. Load mat.  Turn to PAGE 15. You are going to use RUFFLE 3. You need 9 of them for each purple flower. So press RUFFLE 3  27 times. How you do this will depend on which machine you are working on.    If you are working on one of the smaller machines, then you will press the RUFFLE 3 button  9 times. Then when it has finished cutting simply press REPEAT LAST and CUT. Then REPEAT LAST and CUT again.
If you are working on either of the Expression machines, you can set the quantity you want. Unload mat.

3.     Put the LIGHT purple card on your mat. Load mat. Turn back to page 12. Press BASIC2  three times and CUT. Unload mat.
4.     Put one of your Neutral colours of card on to the mat. I have used a PALE YELLOW for the centres of my PURPLE flowers.   Load Mat.  Press BASIC 1  three times and CUT. Unload mat.

5.     Set the size dial to 2 ½”. Put the DARK PINK card on to the mat. Load mat. Turn to page 14.  Press HEART 4  four times and CUT. Unload mat.  Put the MEDIUM PINK card on the mat. Load mat.   You will need 5 of the HEART 3 shape for each flower.  So altogether you need  20.  So again, the machine you are using will determine how you do this.  CUT and then UNLOAD mat.

6.     Put the LIGHT PINK card on your mat.  Press HEART2,  four times and CUT.  UNLOAD mat.

7.     Put the other neutral colour card on your mat. I have used a LIGHT CREAM card for the centres of my PINK flowers.  LOAD MAT.  Press HEART 1,  four times and CUT.  UNLOAD MAT.

8.     Put the DARK YELLOW card on the mat. Set the size to 2”. LOAD MAT.  Turn to page 20. Press STACK 2,  Eight times  and CUT.  Unload mat.

9.     Put the MID YELLOW card on the mat. LOAD MAT. Press REPEAT LAST and CUT. UNLOAD MAT.    Put the LIGHT YELLOW card on the mat. LOAD MAT.  Press REPEAT LAST and CUT.  UNLOAD MAT.

10.                        Put the BRIGHT YELLOW card on the mat.  LOAD MAT.  Turn to page 15.  Press RUFFLE1  eight times and CUT.  Unload MAT.

11.                        Put the DARK GREEN card on the mat. LOAD MAT.  Leave the size at 2”. Turn to page 22.  Press the SCALLOP 5 leaf  thirteen times and CUT.  UNLOAD MAT.

12.                        Put the LIGHT GREEN card on the mat. LOAD MAT.  Set the size to 2 ¼”. Press EXOTIC 5, ten times and CUT. UNLOAD MAT.

13.                        Ok, now it is time to start building your flowers.  Take all the pieces for the PURPLE FLOWERS including the CENTRES. Ink and Dash the edges to suit your taste!!!!!!!       This is the time to SHAPE the petals if you want to add dimension to your flowers.      Start by sticking the DARK purple flower together with the tab. Then glue the individual MID purple petals to the inside of the DARK purple flower. I alternated these ie stuck every other one in place and then went back around and filled in the gaps. This gives you a neater flower.

14.                        Then glue the LIGHT purple flower in to the centre using double thickness of foam pads.  Take the LIGHT YELLOW centre and starting at the outside, roll it up to create the middle of the flower. Glue to hold in place.

15.                        Pink next.  Take the DARK PINK flowers and glue together with the tab. Take five of the MID PINK heart3 petals and glue them to the outside of the DARK flower. Repeat this on each flower. Take the LIGHT PINK flowers and cut into the petals slightly. Emboss them at this stage if you like. Then Glue them into the middle of the flowers using double thickness of foam pads.      Finally take the LIGHT CREAM centres. Roll and Glue them and then stick them in to the centres of your flowers.

16.                        Take one of each of the DARK, MID and LIGHT YELLOW flowers and in that order layer them on top of each other so the petals intersect each other. Roll and add the BRIGHT YELLOW centres. 

17.                         Make a BOW!!!!!!!!!

18.                        Then build your wreath. I put my flowers on first and then added the leaves in between. I split the SCALLOP 5 leaves in to two sets of five and put some of them on facing one way and then flipped the other five and used them facing the opposite way.

19.                        Hang it on your wall, and ADMIRE.xxx

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS AS PROMISED


FLOWER SHOPPE WREATH

Products needed

2 x sets of co-ordinating coloured card. Each set needs to consist of a DARK shade, a MID colour and a LIGHT colour. These sets will make up your large flowers. You then also need a set of FOUR pieces of co-ordinating card. This will be used to create the smaller daisies that sit in-between the large flowers. These need to be a DARK, a MID colour, a LIGHT colour and a BRIGHT colour

2x Different shades of green card. One must be darker than the other.

Two different colours of neutral card which will make the centres of the flowers.

A Brown ink pad and dry foam. Black and Brown fineliner pens. (You only need these if you intend to ink and dash your paper flower and leaf sections)

I am typing these instructions to suit the colours of my wreath. So is you are using different colours go on the shade of the card.


 

STEP BY STEP

  1. Place the DARK purple card on the mat. Make sure your pressure and blade depth settings are correct for the cardstock. Load mat. Set the size dial to 3". Open the book at page 12. Have a good look at the page and you will see that the pictures of the cartridge overlays show you where the button is that you need to press. Press BASIC 4, three times and CUT. Unload the mat.

     
  2. Put the MID purple colour on the mat. Load mat. Turn to PAGE 15. You are going to use RUFFLE 3. You need 10 of them for each purple flower. So press RUFFLE 3 30 times. How you do this will depend on which machine you are working on. If you are working on one of the smaller machines, then you will press the RUFFLE 3 button 10times. Then when it has finished cutting simply press REPEAT LAST and CUT. Then REPEAT LAST and CUT again.
    If you are working on either of the Expression machines, you can set the quantity you want. Unload mat.


     
  3. Put the LIGHT purple card on your mat. Load mat. Turn back to page 12. Press BASIC2 three times and CUT. Unload mat.
  4. Put one of your Neutral colours of card on to the mat. I have used a PALE YELLOW for the centres of my PURPLE flowers. Load Mat. Press BASIC 1 three times and CUT. Unload mat.

     
  5. Set the size dial to 2 ½". Put the DARK PINK card on to the mat. Load mat. Turn to page 14. Press HEART 4 four times and CUT. Unload mat. Put the MEDIUM PINK card on the mat. Load mat. You will need 5 of the HEART 3 shape for each flower. So altogether you need 20. So again, the machine you are using will determine how you do this. CUT and then UNLOAD mat.

     
  6. Put the LIGHT PINK card on your mat. Press HEART2, four times and CUT. UNLOAD mat.

     
  7. Put the other neutral colour card on your mat. I have used a LIGHT CREAM card for the centres of my PINK flowers. LOAD MAT. Press HEART 1, four times and CUT. UNLOAD MAT.

     
  8. Put the DARK YELLOW card on the mat. Set the size to 2". LOAD MAT. Turn to page 20. Press STACK 2, NINE times and CUT. Unload mat.

     
  9. Put the MID YELLOW card on the mat. LOAD MAT. Press REPEAT LAST and CUT. UNLOAD MAT. Put the LIGHT YELLOW card on the mat. LOAD MAT. Press REPEAT LAST and CUT. UNLOAD MAT.

     
  10. Put the BRIGHT YELLOW card on the mat. LOAD MAT. Turn to page 15. Press RUFFLE1 eight times and CUT. Unload MAT. Trust me it is eight not nine x x x

     
  11. Put the DARK GREEN card on the mat. LOAD MAT. Leave the size at 2". Turn to page 22. Press the SCALLOP 5 leaf thirteen times and CUT. UNLOAD MAT.

     
  12. Put the LIGHT GREEN card on the mat. LOAD MAT. Set the size to 2 ¼". Press EXOTIC 5, ten times and CUT. UNLOAD MAT.

     
  13. Ok, now it is time to start building your flowers. Take all the pieces for the PURPLE FLOWERS including the CENTRES. Ink and Dash the edges to suit your taste!!!!!!! This is the time to SHAPE the petals if you want to add dimension to your flowers. Start by sticking the DARK purple flower together with the tab. Then glue the individual MID purple petals to the inside of the DARK purple flower. I alternated these ie stuck every other one in place and then went back around and filled in the gaps. This gives you a neater flower.

     
  14. Then glue the LIGHT purple flower in to the centre using double thickness of foam pads. Take the LIGHT YELLOW centre and starting at the outside, roll it up to create the middle of the flower. Glue to hold in place.

     
  15. Pink next. Take the DARK PINK flowers and glue together with the tab. Take five of the MID PINK heart3 petals and glue them to the outside of the DARK flower. Repeat this on each flower. Take the LIGHT PINK flowers and cut into the petals slightly. Emboss them at this stage if you like. Then Glue them into the middle of the flowers using double thickness of foam pads. Finally take the LIGHT CREAM centres. Roll and Glue them and then stick them in to the centres of your flowers.

     
  16. Take one of each of the DARK, MID and LIGHT YELLOW flowers and in that order layer them on top of each other so the petals intersect each other. Roll and add the BRIGHT YELLOW centres.

     
  17. Make a BOW!!!!!!!!!

     
  18. Then build your wreath. I put my flowers on first and then added the leaves in between. I split the SCALLOP 5 leaves in to two sets of five and put some of them on facing one way and then flipped the other five and used them facing the opposite way.

     
Hang it on your wall, and ADMIRE.xxx

Thursday 12 January 2012

Create and Craft Shows

Good Morning everyone,
I have got some good news! I am going to be on Create and Craft NEXT WEEK!!!! Hoorah!
It seems ages since I was down in Peterborough but I will be there next Wednesday and Thursday.
My shows are as follows;
9am Wednesday 18th Jan Cricut
5pm Wednesday 18th Jan Stampavie :)


8am Thursday 19th Jan Stampavie :)

Friday 20th January 12pm, 3pm and 5pm

These shows may be on Ideal World rather than Create and Craft so check it out.


I hope you will tune in and enjoy the shows.

Take care

Melanie xxx

Monday 9 January 2012

Watch this space!!!

Good morning crafters
Well, here we are at the beginning of another crafty week. I can't believe it is the 9th of Jan already!
My project for this week is to design a wreath for the wall using the Flower Shoppe Cricut Cartridge. I am teaching the class on Saurday and Sunday this week and I will post it on my blog after that so watch this space.
Other than that I am starting my prep for my February shows and will give you a sneaky peek at some samples once I have made them.
I hope you have a great week.
Take care
Melanie xxx

p.s Don't forget to become a follower for extra special offers coming soon. Also if you want anything demonstrating then let me know and we will film some short demos for you. xxx

Thursday 5 January 2012

Hello

Hello
Back from germany. It was exhausting but fun at the same time. Thanks for your lovely comments on the blog. In response to your questions, the Cuttlebug Masterfolder I put through the Cuttlebug as it wont go through the Grand Calibur. Multi machining!!!!! Not multi tasking! I don't know when I am back On C&C as they couldn't fit me in in January :( So I will be back in february but not sure on dates yet :)
It will give me more time to make samples for the blog though and maybe do a few video demos, so if there is anything in particular you would like to see then let us know.
See you soon
Love melanie xxx

New Spellbinders Card Samples

Here are the card samples I did for Germany using the Spellbinders. Hope you like them..





Take care
Love Melanie xxx

Stampavie + Vicki B Cards

I am running a card class on Saturday and Tuesday (7th and the 19th Jan). These are the two cards you will be making. Come and join in hte fun. To book call Portfolio on 01254 665053.
These cards are made with Vicki B papers and Stampavie Stamp (SK2009VC05). I Have cut away the dog on the 2nd card , just an idea of how to use the stamp in a different way. I used Spellbinder dies to create the flowers & the frame..

Sunday 1 January 2012

Happy New Year

Happy New year to you all. I hope you enjoyed the celebrations whereever you were.
Going to Germany tomorrow so spending the day getting ready!
I will post the cards I have made when I get home.
Take care abd enjoy your day
Love
Melanie xxx