Saturday Bits & Bob's

Good Morning Ladies,

Well I have a bit of a 'mixed bag' of a blog post today, but variety is the spice of life they say, so here goes!.....

First up today are some Gift Boxes I have been playing with, I started with a 6 inch wide piece of red/green card from my scrap box, I then used the 'We R Memory Keepers' 'Pillow Box' Board to create the pillow boxes that you can see above, now I am going to be completely honest with you here, I have had this board a few years and I am not really that impressed with it, (pictured below)

You cut your card to 6 inches wide and it can be between 4 & 12 inches long, you then place it in indicated place punch and score, then over and repeat. Pop it in opening on the end and punch out finger lift tab, burnish your folds trim the excess off flap and glue together. 

The main problem I found is where you score the curves for the pillow box ends on both sides, it isn't a deep enough score so the food is a bit naff, in my opinion , because it is curved precisely you can't burnish the creases like you can a straight edge, you therefore end up with the ends looking a little untidy.  I'm maybe it's just me, I have watched tutorials etc though and they do same as I do, never mind, hopefully the decorations cover up the imperfections, but given the choice over again I wouldn't bother, it was about £12 on offer when I bought it, the idea is good, quick and simple. 

I decided to use so of my pre-cut embellishments, (I went crazy cutting pat's Poinsettia's the other day)!  I thought that the Poinsettia's worked well with the colour of my boxes, the Red box has a lovely Fir and Sowflake die cut in green, topped with a pretty Poinsettia, I added some Mirror Gold leaves for a little touch of luxury.

The green box decorations started with me tying some Gold glitter ribbon around the box, I then added a couple of Sue Wilson's Pine Twig die's cut in Gold, with a lovely Poinsettia placed in the centre.  

I think that these are a great idea for when you are giving a Gift Card or Cash as a gift, as it looks a lot more exciting than an envelope! 

I hope you like them xx

Next up today I am excited to share with you my baby Sister Emily's first crafting venture , she has loved fragranced candles for years and this summer she decided that she would like to have a go at making them herself.  So she started collecting jars, searched out good quality wax that burns correctly to make the most of the added fragrances.  She has sold loads to colleagues and she has had fantastic feed back, she has sent me a couple of photos of the candles in production in my Mum's kitchen and also a couple of the finished product.  I am amazed at how incredibly professional they look, the name 'Mable & Florence' comes from Emily's Guinea Pigs, which is very cute. Emily's partner Matt helped design, print be hand cut those fab labels too, he did a great job! I am going to take my Cuttlebug over next week and maybe get them a couple of basic die sets for Christmas, so they can die cut the labels. 

I feel very proud that my sister is joining me in crafting, at least someone in the family will Understand how passionate I get about all things craft related! 

Thank you for sharing your photos Emily xxxx

Last but not least we have Lynda's craft purchases for this past week, I didn't get the email in time to add the buys onto yesterday's post so I will add them today, 

I have to say I can't blame you for wanting that Heartfelt Creations, 'Warmest Wishes' Background stamp, I absolutely love it, I used my 'stamping Frame' when stamping it as I needed a couple of goes to get the best coverage, but being red rubber it stamps really well anyway, you will love this stamp Lynda, I think I will buy my own as I can see that I will use it a lot.  The Stampers Anonymous stamp set looks great too, I particularly like that 'Hessian/Burlao' background stamp, it has such great texture, the flowers look fab too, I look forward to seeing what you create. 

The second photo has the Making Cards magazine that has the free Altenew Die and 

Stamp set included, I have been looking at it, but not put it in the trolley so far! 

I think I can see the Sizzix Thinlets Foliage die set in the back of the photo, this is a lovely set that's on my wish list, then last up the Woodware Christmas Tree stamps , another stamp set I have seen used loads on Pinterest, I think Pat has it too, they make great background stamps as well.  

Thank you so much Lynda for sharing your buys with us, I will share your cards tomorrow. Xxx

I would love to see a photos of your Christmas trees too ladies, if you get the chance.

Have a lovely weekend,

Love and hugs

Sandra

Xxxxxx