Are we nearly there yet?

Just a few more days to wait and the mini catalogue will finally be launched! I'm sooo looking forward to showing you all the cards that I've been making and to share with you all the new ideas and products. It's really hard keeping secrets! If you haven't already let me know about my Lanch party on Saturday April 2nd (2.00-4.00), please remember to let me know asap so that you can book your goodie bag! See you then

And Finally... Actually this is the first card we made! I love the fact that we decorated a gift bag to match - what a fantastic idea. We used the artisitic etchings set to create the background and the colour sprizer tool to help "age" the background. Making the roses was really simple - but they are so effective and I am finally converted to using the striped grosgrain ribbon. To be honest I wasn't very sure about this ribbon when I first saw it - thought it was too wide to be any use. But the more I see it being used, the more I like it - I can see me having to but myself some!

Next comes this really simple card using the sweetheart set. It's amazing how effective it becomes by using a border punch and crimper to create the 3D flower. This technique would work really well for scrapbooks.

I will show you some close ups of the various cards. Fir

st we have a card made with ornate flowers. It uses chocolate chip and rich razzleberry and gold embossing powder. Doesn't it look fantastic - so elegant and simple to make.

At last!

Sorry it's taken me a few days to take these photos and upload them - but I thought you would like to see some of the projects from the fabulous day run by Cate. There is still one project that I have yet to complete so I will post that once it's finished - but it may take a while as I am preparing for the mini catalogue launch party on Saturday 2nd April. If you haven't booked your place - it's not too late. Just let me know by Thursday 31st March.

Had a fabulous time today at the retreat run by Cate (blueangelcrafts). Met lots of lovely ladies and was truely inspired by the range of projects that we were able to make on the day. I will take photos and post them for you all to see in the next couple of days.

Hope you had a great day and were able to enjoy the fantastic weather! Happy crafting everyone!

I can't believe that it's only a few weeks to go to Easter. I haven't started making my cards yet - I'm having far too much fun playing with my new toys! I love this cute set - A good Egg - but it's not just for Easter. I think it makes a really cute baby card and I am also planning to make some birthday cards (watch out for examples in the future). I used a combination of marina mist and so saffron for the colours - and I love the effect of the versamark ink pad to create the background.

Mini Catalogue Launch!

The new Stampin'Up! mini Catalogue is launched on April 1st with lots of new products. So to celebrate I am holding a launch party at my home from 2.00pm on Saturday 2nd April. As with all parties there will be cake and goody bags, prizes and of course, a make and take, so you can try out some of the new products! I'll also have lots of samples made with new products to give you ideas of just what you can achieve!

If you would like to join in the fun just email me (diane@craftyducks.co.uk) and book your (free) place now!

Scrapbooking for men?

(from today's Daily Mail, copyright Lopes)

Looks like Tim managed to beat me to this and posted it before I did! I just couldn't resist this one - we'll get the men card making and scrapbooking one day!

I thought that I would show you this card today. I made it for my husband for Valentine's day but I think it could also work for an engagement card, wedding card or anniversary card. My niece is getting married this summer so I guess I may be making another of these! Because it's quite simple, it didn't take too long - which is how all cards should be! I do love the Baroque Motifs stamp set - it's really versatile - I can make it slightly more vintage or bling it up. It just seems to suit all styles.

As I've shown you one card that I made using the fabulous Sense of Time stamp set, I thought that I should show you another! I made a card very similar to this for my brother's birthday using the previous sentiment. He's a great guy but timing isn't his strong point and so I couldn't resist sending him this card! I used a mixture of my favourite baja breeze and the sadly missed close to cocoa. I think this is a really versatile set to use - especially for men's cards. It also really suits a slightly vintage feel and would look great on a scrapbook page. Hmmm - perhaps I'll have to give that a go one day soon.

This was the card that I made for the swap at the recent training day. It was the first time that I had taken part in a swap so I wanted to try something a little different. I used so safron, pumpkin pie and rose red ink pads to create the background and punched the sillouette using the two step bird punch. The sentiment comes from the set Sense of Time. I think the card is versatile enough to be used for lots of different occasions by just changing the sentiment. I was really pleased with the result and the other demonstrators seemed to like it too - what a relief!

I've been having such fun making cards this weekend and I'm dying to show then to you. Unfortunately I am not able to until 1st April (hint)! In the meantime, I thought I should start to post some of the other cards that I have made for you to see!

I hope you like them!

Lots to look forward to

I've just got back from my first ever Stampin'Up! training event. What a great way to meet lots of lovely crafters (hello ladies) and to get a sneeky peek at the mini catalogue which is launched in April. All I can say is WOW! Lots of goodies coming our way - I can't wait to share them with you! Do watch this space for some events that I am planning!

March Frenzy

If you would like to know more about the Stampin'Up! March offers - just click on the image to take you to the Stampin'Up! website where you can view more details about the offer. If you would like to order any items from either the offer or the catalogue just drop me a line and I will be happy to help.

Welcome

Hi there and thanks for visiting my new blog! This is a new venture for me and I'm just starting to get to grips with the technology. Lots to learn and (probably) lots of mistakes to make! Over the next few weeks you will see loads of changes as I play around with different layouts etc. You will have to let me know what you think as the site develops!

Of course, the main reason for my blog is to share my love of crafting and stamping in particular. I look forward to posting pictures of the cards that I make - hopefully you will like them and will be inspired to try things for yourself.

Crafty Ducks

Coming soon ...