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