Say Hello To Harry

Hi there. Long time no see. Just a quick post to introduce my new best friend, Harry. There, I've written his name down, so we can't change it again LOL.

Harry was originally called Cefa, (as in C for cat), which I thought was quite cute, but he is such a Houdini, that we decided to call him Harry instead. He's a rescue cat and is about 3 years old and I'm totally besotted by him. He has settled in so well that its just like he's always been with us. He's so gentle and affectionate with us even hubby is smitten too.

All my crafting friends know that, whilst I LOVE to make books, I don't 'do' 12x12 scrapbooking. Hmmm I think I might just have found a photo subject that might actually make me do some. Watch this space.......

Poor health has taken my mojo away over the last few weeks but I think its starting to return. If I disappear from blogland, you'll know why, but. hopefully things are about to turn around.

So, in the meantime, give thanks for all the wonderful little blessings of each day. It is so easy to take them for granted.

Back with a crafting post soon.

Iolanthe x

Happy Anniversary

Hello my blogging friends. This card is for my Mum and Dad's Wedding Anniversary.

A few health issues have meant I don't have much energy to spend crafting at the moment so, I wanted maximum impact in minimum time. Looking around I found some beautiful glittered rubons which I've had for ages.

The base card is 7 inches square, which just allows a piece of 6x6 paper to be used without any trimming. \the base paper is from a 6x6 stack of Prima Analee. This was then embossed with large swiss dots and the edges inked with Bundled sage distress ink. The edges were enhanced by a peel off border, which just added a little bling.

The focal panel was cut with a Go Create die and again, the edges inked with the Bundled Sage, whilst still in the die to keep the edges white.

A tag stamped with the sentiment, 3 gorgeous rhinestones and some organza ribbon finish to off.

Back soon.

Iolanthe x

Bit Box Cards 2

I have two 'bit boxes'. In one I keep all the die cut label shapes and mats that I've cut, but for one reason or another haven't used. In the other I keep all the bits that I've created when I've been playing.

Some months ago I was playing with memory glass and alcohol inks and created the centrpiece of this card. I stamped the bird in the heart, which if I remember rightly was a free stamp with Craft Stamper early last year, on the glass with Black Stazon. When that was dry I inked the back of the stamp with 2 different alcohol inks. I thought the resulting tile was really cute, so it was popped into the 'bit box' where it remained until today.

The base card is 5x5, smaller than I usually do, but the Marths Stewart corner and border punches fit exactly, if you are very careful! The backing paper is from the gorgeous Analee Prima 6x6 pad, which is lovely for femenine pretty cards. Little birdie was popped onto a Nestie mat from the other bit box with Diamond Glaze.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time.

Iolanthe x

Nestabilities 2011 Winter Releases

Those of you who are obsessed with these little beauties might like to know that they can be pre-ordered now from The Stamp Pad now!

I just want to say, I don't work for the Stamp Pad, just wanted to promote my lovely friend Gwen and her amazing shop, I think this is a great offer.

I have set up a page on my blog where you can see order the details. Look here:.

If you want to see all of the new releases look on the Spellbinders site here

Here are some pics of the little beauties......

Aren't they fabulous? That's just a few to whet your appetite! I think I'm going to have to go into therapy, (but not before I've got my order in.)

I'm off to make my list.....

Iolanthe x

Simply Sanded

This card was the result of a little experiment. I picked up this cutlee little embossing folder at The Stamp Pad last week and thought I'd have a play. I dug out a pad of Prima papers and thought, "I wonder what it would be like embossed and sanded?" and this was the result. I sanded the edges of the paper to finish it off before mounting on a 6x6 card base.

I had the (badly) stamped Nestie label in my bit box (can't bring myself to throw things like that away!). When I put it next to the sanded card I really liked liked the fact that it wasn't perfectly stamped, it added to the slightly shabby look of the card.

Then I went slightly bling crazy and popped some tiny gems into the middle of each of the little flowers. It's a pity the piccy doesn't do its sparkliness much justice.

Hmmmmm, what next?........

Off to play,

Iolanthe x

Glamorous Jazmyne Part 2



Here we are again with the rest of the Jazmyne 40th Birthday Book.

The left hand page is simply created from  1/4 of a circular scalloped paper, which makes a nice pocket for a large photo mat. The right hand page is finished with rub-ons with the right hand side opening out to give space for extra pictures or journalling.

These pages are very straight forward using chipboard pieces for the embellishment. Again, only the outer edges are fixed down allowing photos to be slipped under the chipboard as required.



On the left hand side the chipboard plaque is secured with organza ribbon which is held in place with a glazed brad at the top and the bottom. On the right hand page I used a large white rub on corner to break up the purple background. The flower is a chipboard piece and the pocket is placed on hinges so that it can be moved downwards to see all of the photo mat behind it.

The little flap down pocket on the left has a magnetic fastening under the Prima flower. On the right hand page I secured a K&Co scalloped tag with a glazed brad so that it can swivel out of the way to place a photo underneath. 

And there you have it. I loved working with these papers. Totally girly and very glamorous. All the papers and accessories used in the book are available here.

I wasn't able to give the book to the recipient in person, but I'm told she absolutely loved it, which is always nice to hear. She has quite a few events planned for her 40th Birthday year and has promised to let me see it when it is filled with all her special photos.

Now, what next? Maybe time for a bit of card making, or box decorating. Too many decisions.

Bye for now.

Iolanthe x

Gorgeous, Glamorous Jazmyne Part 1

So, Hubby's baby sister turned 40. Time to make a book. She is a really 'girly girl', so I knew she would like the papers. I nearly had to go into therapy to get the point where I could cut it up though. If you have never seen Bo Bunny's Jazmyne Collection it is absolutely scrumptious. Every sheet is glittered and the colours are just fab. I am drooling I know.

All that said, it could be too much on its own, so I decided to team it up with lots of plains and co-ordinating 'double dot' papers, which I think toned it all down just enough, but without taking away any of its gorgeous glamour.

The collection includes co-ordinating ribbons, brads, buttons, rub-ons and a 12x12 sheet of chipboard pieces all of which make putting a book like this together a dream. This pair of pages is very simple. A couple of pockets and tags dressed up with Prima flowers and brads. I have used the same Martha Stewart border punch throughout the book, which I think gives It a feel of unity.

This pair of pages both have flaps decorated with rub-ons - well you can't cover them up can you? The flap on the left opens back, secured with page flips and the one on the right lifts up, secured with a gold swirl. The frame was cut with my Cricut. Where there is a frame I always leave one free edge so that a photo can be slipped underneath (but I leave double sided tape in place so it can be sealed down later).

Last two pages for today. Pockets galore. Three small tags on the left, one huge one in the scalloped pocket on the right. Finished off with on the left with a chipboard swirl and three green candydots. Each of the tags has a matching ribbon and one of the gorgeous Bo Bunny glazed brads. The right hand pocket is finished off with a chipboard flower on the photo mat and two Prima flowers, again joined together with a glazed brad.

All the materials to make the book pages are available from The Stamp Pad.

Until next time, happy crafting,

Iolanthe x



Birthday Wishes For My Brother

I needed to make a card pretty fast for my Brother's Birthday and I remembered that I had this Marianne die with the 3 little owls that I have never used. Aren't those little fellas so cute! I thought they were just right for a masculine card. I think they'll be let out to fly a little more often in future.

Stripey background paper is Basic Grey Archaic. The card is 6 inches square. So I simply 'cuttlebugged' the tree bark panel, which I think works really well with these little guys. I Popped them on their branch and just added a stamped sentiment onto a Nesties tag with a little brown ribbon.

Four brown Candy Dots just finished it off. Really quick and fun to do. I hope he likes it.

Have fun,

Iolanthe x

Mini Marathon Part 4

Hello friends. I keep going missing don't I? Well, the truth is I am having a few health issues that are preventing me from spending as much time as I would like playing.

Anyway, here are the final pictures of my Graphic 45 book which is for a 40th Birthday. I hope the recipient  likes it. I have to say of all the things I have made recently, this was the most fun, and yet it was a little out of my normal style.

The lady in the picture just looked so elegant, she was far too lovely to cover up,..........

So under the flap there is a nice space for two photos or some journalling.

I cut around the frame so that it opened like a little door. This was really cute. On the opposite page there was another lovely lady that had to remain on view with a little pocket in which to put a memento or a secret perhaps!

This pocket opens out to reveal 2 large photo spots and is fastened with a magnet hidden under the flower. But, I couldn't stop there! I found a tiny piece of paper with yet another elegant lady and decided to cut her out and stick her to the back of a Tim Holtz oval and dangle her with some fibre from the flower. I just love the way it added some movement and texture.

 Another flap with hidden photo spots and finally a large pocket that has another little mini book in it for even more piccies.



So, there you have it. Thank you for taking the time to look. If you come back soon I have another album that I've just finished for my sister-in-law's 4oth using the gorgeous Bo Bunny Jazmyne collection.

Back soon.

Iolanthe x

Mini Marathon Part 3

The left hand pocket is made with a sizzix die, whilst the right hand fold out pocket has its fancy edge cut with a Nestie. The large red flower was just the right shade, it just had to go there. Tim Hotltz ribbon tape and tickets work really well with this Graphic 45 paper too.

This fold out leaves loads of room for pictures.

Another page that folds back to reveal extra picture space. The file tab and 'happiness' were cut on the Cricut, together with the little tags that are concealed in the opening of the opposite page

Inking the edges of everything with Vintage Photo Distress Ink ties all the pages and softens the look of the whole project. These papers can look a little masculine, which is why I wanted to use flowers and ribbons etc wherever possible to soften it up.

Each of the left hand openings has a huge fat tag, cut on the Cricut, to give extra space for larger photos or journalling.

I have another book to make for Saturday. Hubby's sister celebrates her 40th Birthday so I will have to get my skates on. The hardest part will be deciding which paper is going to get cut up!!

See you for Part 3 later.

Iolanthe x





Mini Marathon Part 2

The book is constructed from five brown C5 envelopes. These are great for making books from as they are cheap, very strong but not too bulky. I'm quite hooked on them at the moment. The brown ones really worked with this range of papers and the Vintage Photo distress ink. To add a little extra room to the left hand panel I bound the pages with a black strip of Bazzil punched with a Martha Stewart border punch. I found this was a nice way to pull all the pages together too, as it is on every page and carried through on the covers.

Sometimes it really is hard to cover up some of these designer papers so I don't! I make a flap and put places for the pictures to hide underneath. A small brad half way up the red pocket makes a nice divider for the two tags. I think attention to detail is what really makes the difference between a good project and a great one, so, I always try to cover the back of brads and the ends of ribbons.



My second New Year's resolution is to use my Cricut. I really quite like this flourish (I think its from the Storybook Cartridge) with a flower layered up from the paper and a brad through the centre

A gold swirl clip secures another flap for piccies or journalling

The right hand side of each envelope is cut to be left open to house a giant tag (cut on the Cricut) which has a nice large space for a photo. Since I forgot to pull out one of the tags when I was taking the pictures, I'll take one for part 3.

So far I am really enjoying my New Year's resolutions. We are all guilty of keeping our lovely papers stashed away, but you know what, the new lines that come out every month are just as lovely and we buy those too, so go on GET THE TRIMMER OUT take a deep breath and CUT IT!!

Have fun and remember "Its only a piece of paper darling!' (Wink wink, to those of you who know who I'm quoting!)

Iolanthe x

I Love You

Well, here we are again on a Waltzing mouse bloghop. The theme is Love, so I thought I would get ahead and make Hubby's Valentine. The Stamp set is Waltzing Mouse Holiday Label 14 which works beautifully with Nestability Labels 14. The sentiment is from the Waltzing Mouse Fancy Phrases set, both stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink. The patterned paper is Memory Box. Also used were Lattice Pendant and Lattice Border and a gold Nestability square.

This card was also inspired by the Our Creative Corner sketch for this week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Iolanthe x

A Mini Marathon

2011 is one of those years with lots of special landmark Birthdays for my family and crafting friends.

So, I have spent the last week or so working on this.........

Oh I really have had such fun with this.! My New Year's resolution is to be scissor happy and use up as much of my stash as I can. So I feel a lot more books coming on! Anyone who knows me will know that I have a bit of a passion for making books. SO this time I took the scissors and paper trimmer to Graphic 45 Communique which I have had for longer than I can remember and gallons of vintage photo distress ink. The front cover is printed on Personal Impressions Canvas Cloth. I've had this for ages too but this is the first time I have used it. I can tell you it won't be the last. It went through my printer like a dream, amazing stuff!

The book is crammed with pockets, pullouts and tags. It really is a departure from my usual style. I love clean and pretty whereas this is grungy and distressed and I LOVED making it.

Look out for more pictures later in the week.

Happy crafting

Iolanthe x

I'm Back! And Some Good News.

I hope I'm not too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I can't believe it is so long since I posted, but 'real life' has got in the way.

One of our staff at work got engaged at the weekend so I made this card for the Happy Couple. I was aiming for relatively quick and elegant.

Good old Nesties to the rescue yet again. I really do get my money's worth from them. I used the Lattice border and matching pendant. The heart was stamped with gold encore and embossed with gold detail embossing powder.

I have been working on a 'special project' which I will share over the next few days, so watch this space......

My First Blogging Award

Thank you to Hazel for giving me this award, I have only just discovered it in your comment on my last post.

On receiving the award I have to think of 3 things to tell you about myself that you probably don't already know and pass on the award to other Bloggers worthy of recognition. Hmmmm, 3 things that I can own up to publicly ! LOL I will have to think about that and get back to you, but thank you Hazel.

Off for a think..........

Iolanthe x

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

I came across three of these cute little bare wooden treasure chests a few weeks ago and decided to decorate for my sisters-in-law. After sanding I covered the box with Viva Inka Gold paint using a piece of wet and dry. This is the most gorgeous creamy textured paint and a little goes a very long way. It dries with a fabulous sheen.

I then covered the box with papers from the GCD Paris Nights paper stack. Oh my, these are lovely! Easy for me to cut them up because you get more than one of each , ha ha! The edges of each piece were inked with Tea Dye Distress Ink, to give them a slightly shabby look. The paper on the outside and inside of the lid are flocked, so strokeable!!

I covered the outside base of the box with a piece of black velvet paper to stop it from scratching surfaces. I always think that makes boxes look finished and more expensive looking.

Finally I dug out my Prima bling. Oh that took a deep breath to stick that on and give it away I can tell you! I just hope they like their little boxes.

Well, that's probably me done with blogging until after Christmas Day. So, I hope you are all where you want to be.

Keep warm, and Happy Christmas.

Iolanthe xx

Look What The Postman Brought Me......

Isn't it amazing? This was my prize for coming 1st in the Bramwells Papercraft Challenge which I won with my 'Boys Toys' book.

So, what was in the box?

A gorgeous Bo Bunny bag, with all of the following Bo Bunny kits:

A Noel Canvas Project kit

Winter Joy Scrapbook kit

12x12 kit of Midnight Frost,

12x12 kit of Cambridge

12x12 kit of Olivia

Mini Edgy Album Sophie

Sophie paper pad

Mini Edgy Album Noel

Noel paper pad

Midnight Frost card kit

Noel card kit

Noel stamp set

Noel rub ons

Jones Tones glitters set

A cute little giraffe

Phew! Quite a list eh? Huge thanks to Bramwells for their very generous prize. All I need now is to get snowed in over Christmas so that I can play!!

I hope to be back posting regularly soon, life in the 'real world' has been getting in the way lately.

Stay warm! Happy crafting

Iolanthe x

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas....

Looking out of the window at all that snow, there was only one stamp that I could use for my card today. It's now getting close to the point where I need to get on with the cards that will be made in batches. This one is for all my staff at work. So, I decided that I needed something classy and elegant that could be put together quickly. So here it is......



I stamped the image first using Adirondak Denim. The image was then die cut with the Marianne frame. Before taking it out of the frame I ran a Quickie glue pen over the embossed areas and then, after removing it from the frame, sprinkled it with Glamour Dust. I also added some Glamour Dust to the roof of the little cabin, the trees and the snow on the ground. The stamped panel was then mounted onto a piece of blue mirri card.

The background was embossed using a snowflake Cuttlebug folder and the edge inked with the Adirondak Denim ink.

So, there you have it, very simple and quick. All I have to do now is make another 25 to go with it!

Happy crafting

Iolanthe x