Another style

This is a card that I made a while ago but forgot to add to the blog.
Using the computer, I made a grid which I then printed. Using my lovely Dutch house stamps, I stamped a house in each box. The stamped paper was then cut to size, along with a blue border. The letters were cut with my Big Shot and glued to the border.

Three new additions

It has been a busy time here of late but still we have three new designs available in store.

Another photo to share

Having seen Paul's pic's on his blog , I decided to share another one of mine.

I love tulips and I especially love the colour of these.

Check out Paul's blog for some more lovely pic's.

Have a great weekend!

A first

Every year our magnolia tree is just about to bloom and then it is hit by frost. We have never seen it in full bloom until this year. The blooms don't last long but whilst in flower it looks so lovely. I couldn't resist taking a photo (just in case we never see it like this again.

Anonymous said...

I just love the magnolia trees it is such a shame that they don't stay in flower longer. Is this another string to OUR bow taking pictures of a flowering tree. Give it a couple of minutes and I'll upload mine.Paul

15 April 2009 22:05

Spring is in the air

Despite the weather being so awful, spring is just about here. The garden is beginning to burst in to life after its winter sleep. I just couldn't resist sharing this cheery photo of some pansies in the garden - so bright & colourful - a reminder that spring is on its way and hopefully some nicer weather!




Sarah said...

Hi, reading your blog from Tehran! hope you guys are all Ok and enjoying the nice weather, damn! I am missing summer in holland ;-)take care

13 April 2009 21:04

and more flowers

Today's flower offering is for a get well card.

Using my lovely blue metallic paper (again), mounted on a white card blank, again the result is simple but effective.

Until the next time . . . . . . Happy crafting!Y

More flowers, but this time for Mum

With Mother's Day fast approaching, I had to get down to work and design a card for the occassion. As I am still so much in love with the robo I wanted to design something that I could cut with the robo. The lattice is cut in one piece and stuck to the back face of an oval aperture card. The scalloped frame is cut separately and stuck to the front of the aperture, making a nice neat finish. The "Mum" was cut from pink card and stuck to the lattice. To finish off, I dug out my favourite flower punches and made two large daisies and 3 small. The centres are tiny gemstones.

Now available from our shop

Would also make a great birthday card.

Anonymous said...

lovely card Lesley hope you get lots of orders as it is different from anything in the shops

11 March 2009 12:03

Spring is in the air . . . . . .

Despite the awful weather, spring is on the way. The crocus are beginning to appear in the garden, so I decided that this week's theme for cards would be . . . .flowers.

Male birthdays are always difficult (as we all know!) - I used metallic blue paper to cut the tulip design and words, mounted on white card, the result is simple but effective.

Another commission

I was asked to make a get well card. I was given a free reign with the design, the only criteria being that it was different to the usual type of get well card.



I came up with a "thinking of you" card.

The letters, lattice and frame were all cut using the robo and the flowers made using one of my favourite punches. The flowers were finished with purple & pink brads to co-ordinate with the pearly purple card & pink letters.

Until the next time . . . . . . Happy crafting!Y

Anonymous said...

I was the one who commissioned the card, and I was so pleased with it, it was just what I wanted and so beautiful.

Grace

11 March 2009 12:10

Can you guess what it is yet?

Is it a liquorice allsort? No, its Winnie in her new bed!!

Having been so very upset by the furniture being moved around, the little madam decided she wasn't going to sleep in her cat bed anymore, preferring to sleep anywhere but where she is supposed to. In order to placate her (well, she is an old cat) and to get back in her good books we bought her a new bed. We chose a nice girly pink and it was an immediate hit with her ladyship. What we didn't realize when we chose it is that she looks like a liquorice allsort when in it, much to the amusement of everybody who has seen it. Oh well, at least Winnie likes it.

Sarah said...

Hi,what a luxury life! if i turn into a cat in my next life I wan one of those!!!!!!!byeSarah.

27 February 2009 11:05

Project Spice continues . . . . . . . .

Having successfully revamped all my herbs and spices last week - new jars and labels, I decided to have a go at some bigger jars.
I am very pleased with the results and they look great in the cupboard with the smaller ones.

Happy crafting!Y

Anonymous said...

Hi Lesley been a while since I paid a visit to your blog. Must say I think these lables are fantastic very professional.Paul

05 April 2009 22:13

Ruled by the cat!

For a while now I have wanted to move the furniture around in the living room. As half term started early, I decided to seize the moment and get on with it with the help of DS. We spent a few hours moving everything around, cleaning as we went. We hadn't bargained on a temper tantrum from the cat. She decided that she didn't like what was going on and decided to make her thoughts known.

Here she is sitting in the upturned foot stool, with her back to us in protest. Her theory was, if I'm sitting in it you can't move it!!














Anonymous said...

I know Winnie well,he definitely acts like a aristocrat when he is put out, but he is lovely and has spent many an hour on my lap, he is thoroughly spoilt and I am coming back as a cat if I can be Lesley's.

Grace

11 March 2009 13:18

A project for the home . . . . with vinyl!

Having dabbled last week cutting vinyl on the robo for DS, I thought I would try and do something for the house. My herb & spice collection has seen better days - not the contents but the jars. They were showing signs of age and were certainly well worn, some even had the labels missing! That made for some interesting meals!!
I bought some small herbs pots, some self adhesive vinyl and then designed & cut the labels using the robo.

This is how they turned out.

Now what can I robo next??

Happy crafting!Y

Friends, finally

Having spent a long time last week playing with the robo, I think that I can say that we have now become friends, at the very least, we have reached an understanding.

When the robo first arrived, I must admit that I was a bit overwhelmed by it - the software seemed to be a demon and the machine itself scary. Add to that the vast number of possible settings and you end up with a situation that seems impossible to conquer! I've spent hours (literally) with the software and machine, determined not to be beaten and on Thursday something seemed to click. What I had on the screen was actually cutting on the robo - wow what a breakthrough. I am now so in love with the robo and I am looking forward to what I can create next.

Happy crafting!Y

Why?

Why is it that whatever I do I always end up doing something for DS? This time is to do with the Craft Robo. Once DS saw what it could do, he came up with a list of things that I could cut for him. If I was to work my way through his list I wouldn't get any commissions made until June!!

Well, I am like most Mum's during the half term break - anything for a quiet life. Having been regularly nagged for the past month to do "something" with the robo for DS, I finally caved in and did something. The brief, well that was simple - make something to go on the outside of a case, using his nickname (Spanner) . . . . this is what I did.

Result: One happy son and one quiet life!

Now to start on those orders . . . .

For all the romantics

Happy Valentine's Day!

As you would expect, DH has received a card from me created on the robo. Again I've kept it simple, whilst I am still learning what the robo can and can't do. The heart has been mounted on pearlescent card (looks better than the photo).

I have been playing

Having spent the last few days learning about my new machine, I thought I'd show what I came up with.

I chose to design something simple and then go from there. The temple, frame and card aperture were cut using the robo. I then stuck the temple onto red tissue paper, assembled the frame and then stuck this to the card, carefully matching the apertures.

I was pleased with the result - DH & DS also gave their approval!

New Year. . . . . . . . new machine

I have been saving my Euro cents for a new machine for Krafted Keepsakes. Late December I finally had enough saved (coupled with a poor £ to € rate which worked in my favour) and I placed my order for . . . . . (there should be a fanfare at this point) a Craft Robo. Robbie the Robo, as he is affectionately known, arrived early January and despite my best efforts, I haven't had a chance to put this machine through its paces until last week.

I am absolutley hooked - this is my first effort, designed from scratch.

I am busy trying to master the software and machine - watch this space to see my progress.

Here's to an exciting year of new designs.

End of an era and another card

This week sees the leaving of one of DH's colleagues. During the time that they have worked together she has also become a family friend. Of course we couldn't let her leaving pass without a special handmade card.

This time I chose to do an exploding box. I have made these before and always enjoy the look on the recipient's face when they open it and find all that is concealed within.

The centre contains a tiny tissue box, with a real size tissue and two hearts with the words "bye, bye". On the sides I have incorporated sentiments and a picture of a night to remember when we were all partying together (the 70's party back in September). I used a pocket to hold a tag with the words "Good friends never say goodbye, they simply say "see you soon" and the third side simply says "we'll miss you!". The lid has the recipient's name and a handmade paper rose.

I was lucky enough to be able to hand deliver this one and to watch her face when she opened it. Fingers crossed she will read this post and make a comment herself.

Good luck and best wishes to Sarah - may she be happy and successful in whatever she does next.

Sarah said...

I am the lucky one receiving this fantastic card,, the exploding box is more an exploding emotions box, opening it reminds me that I have been thought of, cared, had good memories with Mark & Lesley and how much I will miss them.Thanks again Lesley, your creations are one of a kind, creative and always have a persona touch!hugs,Sarah

07 February 2009 13:00

Birthdays, birthdays & more birthdays

From December to the end of January we have a lot of family birthdays. Below are a selection of cards made using various techniques.

Male birthdays seem to be the most difficult to make for. This time around I chose flowers and dark contrasting papers - something a bit different eh? Some are ideas based on a magazine I was given, with my own added spin!

Happy crafting!

My birthday

Today is my 4#@ birthday - how odd, when I try to type the number it comes out wrong!
I have had a lovely day - beautiful cards and beautiful presents - how lucky am I?
Thanks to all for my birthday cards, birthday e-mails and blog comments, it is so kind of you to remember.

I am looking forward to my roast dinner this evening, followed by a visit from our friends.

By the way, those trying to guess my age, it is the meaning of life (the universe and everything) in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

A Christmas present

My cousin and I have a shared interest in all things Oriental. Over the years I have cross stitched the "Grace" oriental lady, as a special birthday present and the kimonos, individually rather than as a wall hanging. The cross stitch that I have done for my cousin is all beautifully framed (by her) and grouped together on one wall - known in the family as "Lesley's wall". I wanted to do something special for my cousin for Christmas and I came up with the idea of doing the symbols for her (see previous post - Another oriental project - this truly is the last!). However, I didn't want to make them into a tissue box cover (or anything else for that matter) but I didn't just want to wrap them in there raw state - this is what I came up with . . . .


Here we have the finished cross stitch panels.



I then took 3 pieces of A4 card, scored them in the middle. I printed the meanings of the symbols onto the card. I cut apertures (to suit the cross stitch panels) in 2 of the pieces of card and covered the cut edges of the apertures with red folded paper.





On the last piece of card I added my name, using the stamp that DH had made for me on a business trip to China! This was heat embossed with red embossing powder. For the front I made a silver embossed Chinese symbol. I added an eyelet to the front and back.


Then came the tricky part of putting it all together.
















The finished item!

















Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!!!!!I wish you a very pleasent day with your family!Kiss,Esther

13 January 2009 11:34

A big thank you

As some of you may have been aware, both the Nedbears and Krafted Keepsakes shops have been unavailable for the last 10 days. This was caused by an enforced server move, the timing of which was beyond our control.

I am pleased to say that both shops are now back online and we apologise for any inconvenience caused during our enforced outage.

We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Many thanks for your patience,
Lesley

Click here to visit Nedbears - the place for all your Bad Taste Bears
Click here to visit Krafted Keepsakes - to see our range of designer handkrafted keepsakes.

Back to normal

Yesterday saw us taking down the Christmas decorations - shame its all over for another year.

However, one member of the household was certainly miffed that it was all done and done with - Winnie had taken to sleeping under the table that the tree was on. She was unimpressed that it was being taken away and decided to have a "sleep-in!"

Today saw DH and DS back to work and school - something else for the cat to complain about - she's got used to having them home and having cuddles when she wants. I have had to put up (half-heartedly) with all her attention seeking tricks - sitting on the keyboard, sitting on the desk meowing and sitting in the middle of the dining table. The dining table is a guaranteed attention grabber as she is not allowed to sit on it, ever. What fun!

First post of 2009

Message from me: I am not sitting at my 'puter 1 minute into the New Year - this is a scheduled post and as this is posting I will be seeing in the New Year with a drink in hand!!

Last post for 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a

Happy New Year!!!

Good friends

My dear friend (and neighbour) made this for us. It will be the perfect centre piece when we sit down to our Christmas dinner. As you can see, it compliments the colours of our dining table perfectly and will look even more beautiful when the candle is lit.
Many, many thanks Hélène for doing this for us.




paul said...

Hi lesley that looks something special, will set of Xmas dinner very well.

24 December 2008 00:04

The tallest Christmas tree in the world . . .

The Gerbrandytoren is a TV & radio tower situated in IJsselstein.


At Christmas time, lights are suspended along the tower wires, and at 375m, makes it the tallest Christmas tree in the world.


This year I was lucky enough to receive a digital SLR for my birthday, which I was allowed to have early. The tower still had it's lights and I managed to take a picture of the Gebrandytoren at night - all lit up!

Photo taken January 2008

Yesterdays gift box creations

I spent a pleasant afternoon yesterday making gift boxes.

These are the milk carton style ones, made from a template. I used holographic card and carefully cut & scored to make the box. The bows are hand tied and finished off with ribbon curls and a tiny gift card (die cut).

Hope DS and DH like the boxes and the contents inside.

The second type of gift box is a minature popcorn box (die cut). This too was cut from holographic card. The picture below shows the boxes made up and one unmade (at the back).

Now available from our shop

Happy crafting!Y

paul said...

love the boxes Lesley they a brilliant ...oh you are such a talented lady well done

16 December 2008 20:35

Our Christmas Tree

As I said before, I would love a "real" Christmas tree but cannot face clearing up the mess when the needles drop!
Here is our beautiful "fake" tree. Please note, that Winnie just had to be in the picture too!
This picture was taken by DH with his mobile phone - he wanted a picture of the tree with the lights on - not a bad photo, all things considered.


Today I am busy making gift boxes - milk carton ones in various sizes. I haven't made this type before but so far I am pleased with the results. I made some other gift boxes at the weekend (for my own Christmas present I might add!!), well, I say I made them, all I did was cut them out and provide instructions on how to put them together (couldn't do it all as it was for my Christmas present!!) . DH had his first craft lesson and although it was a simple project, he certainly seemed to enjoy it.

Happy crafting!Y

Twelve days of Christmas

Many years ago when DS was little, I made these Christmas bell pulls. Every year they are put up despite the fact I think they should be retired.
Each square represents one of the twelve days of Christmas. The border is holly and the berries are tiny red beads. Backed with felt and topped with green ribbon bows they still remain a firm favourite with DS.
















Anonymous said...

Wauw, you did an amazing job again Lesly!

Greetings,Esther

13 December 2008 09:14

Our little Christmas tree

I have always wanted a "real" Christmas tree but I must admit the thought of clearing up all those pine needles did not appeal.



This year in a moment of madness, I bought a small, real Christmas tree and found some small baubles that were suitable. I spent a pleasant hour tying on the baubles, the pearly star on top is one from my stash and the pot is one that I already had.

It now has pride of place in the middle of the coffee table (conveniently blocking the view of the TV - didn't think of that one!). I am really pleased with the result, just a shame that my photography skills are not up to much this week - I'm blaming that on the cold that I have - it must be affecting my vision, mustn't it???

We received a handmade Christmas card!

This morning we received this beautiful handmade Christmas card - isn't it great?
This was from our dear friends, Paul and Hazel and is one of Hazel's lovely creations. Thank you so very much!

Check out more of her lovely Christmas cards on Paul's blog His photo's are better than mine!!

Another Christmas card

It is always difficult to come up with an idea for a card for DS - too sentimental is not an option for this teenager and funny cards can be a bit hit & miss. This year I combined his nickname and his love of brands to come up with this unique Christmas tree. The spanners are for his nickname - he is affectionately known as Spanner (as they are useful some of the time! lol!!) and the "Converse All Star" logo as the tree topper, to satisfy the brand idea. The card is based on a gatefold, with the tree cut from the folded fronts. A cuttlebugged embossed background completes the card.

DS loved his card and to my amazement even found it funny - wonders will never cease!


paul said...

Yet again the master / mistress you'll have to advise me on that Lesley any you have shown you are the tops in creativity ability. well done.

Paul

11 December 2008 21:36

Creative Christmas

I love Christmas. I love making Christmas cards, Christmas shopping, wrapping the presents - I could go on. I dislike the crowds, the food shopping and the lists. I do a lot of my Christmas preparations when I am back in the UK, getting all the Christmas goodies DH & DS love that we cannot get here - Christmas pudding (nut free of course!!), stuffing and Christmas crackers to name but a few. Unfortunately this year we were back too early to get the Christmas crackers, the Christmas stuff was only just arriving in the shops - but at least I managed to get the pud!!

As I couldn't get the crackers I decided to make them myself.


The theme for this year is silver and black. I got a bit carried away and made some gift tags too!

A very personal commission. . . .

A few weeks ago I was asked by DH to make an A4 page to be included in a digital book for a retirement present. The idea for the book came from the retiree himself, as he had said that in his retirement he would write his memoirs about his time at work. His colleagues decided to write his memoirs for him!

The brief was to: "Write a story, rhyme, or anecdote with the retiree as leading character. Maybe a photo of you and him together. It is also possible to draw or paint something if you like."

Now I was lucky enough to know the man who was retiring (I worked with him 20 years ago!!), and DH has worked with him for the last 10 years but known him for over 20 years, so I had a little inside knowledge.

He had been counting down to his "big day" by cutting the segments from a tape measure, 1cm equalling 1 week and had also talked of what he would like to do with his new found freedom. I wanted to include this in the final design but it wasn't enough to fill an A4 page. I then had a brainwave and decided to split the page in to two - one half for the retiree, showing his hopes and dreams for his retirement and the other half for his wife showing her hopes and dreams for his retirement. As you will see below, her hopes and dreams for his time are the complete opposite to his!!

The poem reads:

Best wishes on your retirement
Enjoy a rest that's overdue
Take pleasure in the finer things
That are awaiting you

Retirement . . . . . . . . .
where every day is Saturday!!

Here's hoping that our retiree loves his book and all the memories within.