September Challenge at Krafty Hands

Okay this months Challenge is "Quilted and Patchwork" over at Kraftyhands.
And in all honesty its not one of my favourite areas, but hopefully I have come up with an idea you might not have had, and it makes some very nice Quilted images too!

So there you have a Quilted card with a difference, enjoy, xx and dont forget to join in with the Challenge, we have loads of new stuff going on,  new Cd's and a new format, new ideas, and a new team. We have Make it Mondays, new stuff by the team , all sorts going on, so pop over and join in, its just for fun, xxx

Lou

Romantique samples

HI Guys and girls, okay the new cd has launched, and hopefully the shows on the http://www.britishcraftnetwork.tv/ will feature some of the samples I made. The samples for this cd do have to be some of my favourites of all time!, so heres one, to whet the appetite, for the shows on http://www.britishcraftnetwork.tv/ at 4 pm!

Hugs

Lou

Christmas in July

Not too long ago, I was inspired by the work of Patience Brewster with an odd concept: Christmas in July. You see I like the Christmas season, I like the Cold, and the Wet, and the late sunrise, and cozy late afternoons in front of the fire. But Celebrating Christmas in July didn't really feature in my life, well except for the Crafty sales that is, and the launches of new stuff for Christmas
So I have sat there thinking about celebrating Christmas in July, and several things have happened over the past few days, so this isnt going to be a tale of ME celebrating Christmas in JUly, but the tale of someone else.
I have been sitting there waiting for postie, as you do, and a New Christmas Create it 5 magazine has arrived, A free subs gift from one of my magazine subscriptions has arrived, mostly Christmas based, Christmas topper sets have arrived, all since Marietta emailed me about celebrating Christmas in July.
So here is my Tale of Celebrating Christmas in July.
My Daughter has been seeing her significant other for some years, they have 3 children together, and last Christmas, having turned him down repeatedly, she asked Him to marry her. He said yes, then we spent a nightmare christmas with her being quite ill, as she was 33 weeks pregnant.I became that unhappy that I forced her to move hospitals and revert to the one person I trusted to deliver her baby safely, the consultant who had saved her life the first time round. So In January I dragged her back to the consultant, and discovered that David (her Boyfriend)'s Mother was in hospital too. I havent really had much dealings with this lady in the past. But she was in the same hospital. The worst happened a week later, the only night we had 3 inches of snow and the ambulances had stopped running, as we live in a very hilly town, and the Gritters had been caught short. My daughter started to Haemorrhage, very very scarey!
So I drove when the ambulances wouldnt, and my daughter made it to the Hospital. David had stayed at home as the other 2 children were asleep in bed, so I was in a state in the hospital, fearing the worst, trying to find my daughter who had been whisked off while I parked the car. Then Davids Mum appeared and took me to her. She wasnt supposed to be in the delivery room, as she was an inpatient on the ward, but shhh!
My daughter was prepared for an emergency C-section and Davids Mum and I were left in the room for hours, well okay it wasnt exactly hours but it felt like it!
Eventually our Grand daughter was born, and rushed into the Neonatal unit, as she was premature, at 4lb and 8oz. So Dee and I had a bit of a sob together as you do, as both of them were alive.
I spent the next week at the hospital as David stayed with the kids at home, and I supported my daughter in the hospital. It turns out that Dee had had a nerve severed during a previous surgery, and was in a huge amount of pain, and taking some tablets that I used to take, and I apparently made some comments at the time, that Dee knew to be true and had stayed with her since then.
Now we come to July, and Dee reached out to me, having recalled what I had said back in the beginning of January. She needed help adjusting to everything going on, didnt know how to cope with the pain, filling out paper work, all that sort of stuff.
Now dont get us wrong here, Both Dee and I have done some jobs in the past Police force, court staff etc, so we havent laid about, we have worked but now we cant, so as I was struck down earlier than her, and have been through the paper work process before she turned to me for help.
Which is where Celebrating Christmas in July comes in. Not in having a party or drinking eggnog with Ice -cubes, but gift giving. Giving the gift of Craft.
Dee spent a day here last week going over the paper work, and we did get a bit side tracked in the craftroom, I will admit. And Dee has been here today, learning how to make a Christmas card, then watching as I took her card apart and remade it, to get her to open her mind and think a bit outside the box. She has left here today buzzing with excitement, with cardstock, papers, Christmas toppers, Glitter, a diecutting and embossing machine, and some dies and embossing folders to tide her over until Monday when she can come and play again.
She hasnt touched her painkillers while she has been here, she hasnt thought about her pain levels, admittedly I think she's probably a gibbering wreck on her settee about now, and in lots of pain, but now she knows the Joy of Craft. Everything I gave her is still in her car boot, until her partner goes to work tomorrow, as he's a bit of a neat freak, but I suspect she may be in trouble tomorrow when he gets home from work, and she has lost track of time again, so I will phone her before he's due home.
But Marietta, thats what Christmas in July means to me,  giving hope and joy to someone, be it a decorated room that make my grandchildren want to stay as theres so much to see, or a beautifully prepared meal for the family, or just indulging in our own Christmas Traditions, and giving each other the gift of our time and attention.
Which now brings me to Patience. I must admit, what her family does is quite amazing, and I am extremely green with envy! Patience hand designs and creates whimsical Christmas ornaments similar in style to the Docrafts enchanter Christmas range!  For the english readers Patience's work is in the same style as the Docrafts enchanted Christmas range, which I have 3 shots of here:

We cant get them on this side of the pond, well we can but the postage is the same as the cost of the ornament, which takes it out of my price point! So I am exceedingly jealous of all you on the American side of the Pond! And she is having an Instagram competition for one of her ornaments, so green!!!

Hugs to all
Lou
xxx

get ready heres my last sample

Okay the show starts at 11 am, uk, and I do mean you need this cd if you make any cards for the younger generations!
You can buy the CD I used from Here: Kraftyhands

and you can watch the show here: http://www.britishcraftnetwork.tv/ at 11 o'clock

hugs

Lou

sneaky peek 2

Okay tomorrow sees the launch of a CD you need! Honestly you do if you make cards for the younger generation then you do need this CD!
Its called Luv 2 Txt, and now you know whats on it!

Now come on which 16 yr old do you know who wouldnt think this was a fab card to recieve? so thats why you need the cd from the boys at Kraftyhands and you can see my samples and my teamies on the BCN tomorrow

Tomorrow is Launch day

Okay Finally I can unveil some stuff that I made a while ago,

The boys over at Kraftyhands have a fabulous and very useful cd about to launch; Luv 2 Txt.
Basically a cd which is based on the text messages everyone is sending now a days, so here is peek number one fom Me:

The 30 is a popout on an 8x8 inch card base, and I used one of the Tonic Intrica punches for the detail
and thats it, See what I mean about a useful CD?!?!

Dont forget to tune in to the BCN tomorrow to see what else I have been up to along with my teamies,

Hugs

Lou

My post over at Kraftyhands

Hi Guys and girls,

okay its my turn today over at Kraftyhands, and this time its a surprise box on A4 cardstock, tutorial and measurements, so pop over here:

a lovely lady is giving away some used gear,

Brenda is having a clear out, heres some stuff that is duplicated from workshops,

so why dont you pop along and add your link, to the list

Kraftyhands July Challenge is live

Afternoon girls and boys, the challenge this month over at http://kraftyhands.blogspot.co.uk/ is Bags and Boxes!

On the run up to the busiest season of the year its time to start thinking about packaging, Now mine isnt festive Phew I hear you say, BUT...............its time to start thinking about it, so heres mine, using Fido and friends CD an oldie from the boys at Kraftyhands

I'm not very good at bags, but I did it, so why dont you have a go, and come out of your comfort zone, like me?

Hugs

Lou

June challenge over at Kraftyhands

okay its the 7th of the month, so a new blog challenge over at Kraftyhands

okay you may not realize it but......

You think I have been quiet, erm no, you have been missing half my posts as you arent looking in the right place!!
twice a month I blog, or rather vlog, on the Kraftyhands blog, along with each of my teamies, so you have been missing the vlogs!
heres one of the first ones for you:

May Challenge over at Kraftyhands

Well Its Challenge time over at Kraftyhands this month. Pearls and Lace
 here's my video:

Sports T-shirts

Okay I am a couple of days late for the launch, but now that the big posts from all my teamies have been done, maybe you would like to see some of what I have been upto?
I have been a bit snowed with DT stuff, and making for my craft stall, so some things I cant show yet, I am waiting for things to appear on screens to post, and I f you know me then you know I dont tend to show stuff that someone is buying so.

Now I dont know why it says Nephew inside my Card on screen, coz I wanted a reasonably feminine one, so dont ask me why its changed, I dont recall doing it, lol
But basically the walk through for this gatefold shirt is on the British Craft Network on the Boys Sports T-shirts programs, currently, so no point in me going over it now, lol

book folding

okay did a post on using cutting software to create book folding patterns, this caused a lot of questions on MTC with the Americans so I had to do a tutorial on it for them,
here it is for the rest of you




hugs

Lou

its hysterical!

Live on the Kraftyhands blog today is......... a very speeded up tutorial on my  Natures work Challenge card, worth a giggle!

Brother scan n cut and folders on the usb

how I make book folding patterns

You know when you've lost a day?

Well all day I have been convinced that it was Monday, I have just discovered that its Tuesday, so I am already running late!!!
I have NO idea why I thought today was Monday, but I have been convinced its Monday all day, even did the Bank Holiday Roast Beef for Diner today! We had soup yesterday!
So I am running late, my teamies have alreday posted their cards for this months challenge over at http://kraftyhands.blogspot.co.uk/
The Theme this month is: Natures Work, so heres my creation:

I love the colours on this card, lovely and bright, and fitting for the Challenge, after all we have flowers, and ladybirds, and Butterflies!
a 7 1/2 x7 1/2 inch bard base, cut the front on the diagonal, add a sheet of embossed acetate, mount the main image printed on photo, and matt card stock, add a bit of glitter and a lovely wooden button, and jobs a gud 'un, as my Dad would say.
There is a video of me making this card, but I have to edit it yet, so I'll add it another day,
So it comes from the Spring Garden CD an old one from the Boys at Kraftyhands, so what will you enter into the challenge?

Hugs

Lou

Look for my Cards at the NEC

Hi Guys and Girls,

well I said I had been busy didn't I?
Did you believe me?
Now I know that the lovely Papercrafts Ltd are taking my cards to the NEC with them, I can show you what I have been working on.

 This is using the Happy Birthday die, both as a stamp, (cut in Funky Foam) and as the diecut.

 This one is using Double sided sticky, Cut the Happy Birthday from Double sided sticky,, and mount on the card, then pop the die back over, the die cut, and emboss the die into the card, before mounting on mats and layers.

This is one of the Corner Dies, used as a snowflake, and also embossed into the picture

And this one is using the Corner Trellis die, to create an embossed background.
The corner dies are the subject of some new Videos Rob Addams is doing on the British Craft Network.
So hope you will keep your eyes open for them if you are NEC bound, hugs

Lou

Create it 4

Hello again,
Okay the Boys over at Kraftyhands asked me to make a card for the Create it 4 magazine. The magazine is a bit different, there's a step by step on each of the designs, but theres videos and artwork on the CD. Each Magazine contains @10 designs, and worth having on the bookshelf.
So heres my Card for the Magazine.

 All the artwork is on the CD. just print it off.
So the instructions are in the Magazine for how I did this, so why dont you pop off and order yours?

Lou

March Challenge

Well you dont seem to hear a lot from me lately do you?
Fact is I am BUSY!!!! I have a craft fair the weekend before Easter, some comissions which I dont photo, as its not fair to put someones card up without their knowledge, and the DT work is keeping me extra busy as well, so its all go on this end!
The loads of DT stuff will be up as soon as I know things are going to air, and I do have one comission that I will share at a later date, including the cut files for it, svg, mtc, dxf AND fcm formats, approval having been given, but not yet.
Today is the start of the new challenge over at Kraftyhands, and a chance for all my American followers to get a head start!
March in the UK has lots of  important dates, St David's Day, St Patricks day, My Birthday, My Mum's Birthday, My Brothers birthday, 3 Aunts Birthdays, My Sons Girlfirends Birthday, 2 Cousins Birthdays, sometimes Easter, the beginning of the Formula One Season, and last but not least, Mothers Day!!!
This year its on the 15th, so not long to go, and the theme for this months challenge is One for Mothers!
Not necessarily Mothers day, but a MUM card if you please!
So Mine comes from the CD Summer of '59, a lovely, light fresh CD, based around those Big Skirts with loads of layers.

This is more or less direct from the CD onto 250gsm card stock. A bit of lace from my stash, as they always had that final layer of Laced edged Tulle didnt they? Cosmic Shimmer Pearl Drops, some square light green gems from my stash, and some glossy accents for the final layer of decoupage, to lift the ladies from the background a bit more. The sentiment is included on the cd, and uses a Stampin' Up punch.
Currently I am running my designs through my eldest sons girlfriend, Sam (21), who has never seen this artwork before and was very taken with it, her words, "It's really light and different, I love it!"
So what can you create for the One for mothers Challenge over on the Kraftyhands Blog? While you're there dont forget to grab your free Bently Bonus artwork, the boys have a new Pup, and every so often have Bently Bonus's up for grabs, free artwork from their cds or individual designs, and I hope to pop along to your blogs and comment

Hugs

Lou

Kraftyhands February challenge

morning!
Okay the challenge over at Kraftyhands is Hearts and flowers, very appropriate for February, just wish hubby would remember................
But never mind!
This time I have used a fab CD, Vintage Valentines, which is being featured this month on the Kraftyhands sites.
Its quirky, and a bit of fun, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, if you're of a certain age!

So an A3 cardstock, cut to 8x8 inch card base, embossed with crafters companion/sheena, A4 floral embossing folder.
the Centre piece, and decoupage are from one of the 6x6 card making sets on the CD, as is one of the mats. the other is part of the matching insert for the card, but as this is an 8x8 not a 6x6, I chopped it in half and used part of it on the outside, and the verse on the inside.
the paper ribbons are from the kit as well.
the branches are tattered lace, and the flowers from my stash
you can join in over here, and I hope to pop to your blogs and comment, xxx

Sowing the Seeds of love

well todays the second airing of the Show from the boys at Krafthands, so here's another of my samples:

Sowing the seeds of love 11 am BCN

well the show starts soon, 11am on the http://www.britishcraftnetwork.tv/, and I cant wait to see what everyone else has come up with,  so here's another of my samples for the show:

I find this CD useful for anyone who likes gardening, male or female, and no age restrictions either. It can be very CAS or as layered and distressed as you want

today at 11 am

Hi Guys and Girls,
well the shows premier is launched today on the British Craft Network, Sowing the Seeds of love, so heres one from my samples to give you an idea of whats on the cd:

This is A3 based. Its one of those side stepping cards that is becoming popular. but because of the decoupage, taken straight from the cd with no size adjustments, and I wanted a walled garden look, from the backing paper, it had to be A3 sized.

sowing the seeds of love BCN sneak peeks

well the beginning of Feb marks the newest release from the Boys at Kraftyhands.
A new CD I think aimed at Gardeners, or anyone who like florals. I must admit, I wish I had got my hands on some of Rob Adams tools to go with the cd!
heres one to tickle the taste buds!

so tune in next week to see what the boys, and girls and myself have come up with. I do think this is a very versatile CD!

Also if youre old enough like me, or a child of the eighty's, then the words sowing the seeds of love sent a song dancing through my head for days!!!!

would you drive a car when you were only allowed to buy fuel from the car manufacturer? And what I found out!

would you drive a car when you were only allowed to buy fuel from the car manufacturer?
Well? Would you?
If the car companies tried to do what printer manufacturers do, then the answer would be NO!
I posted a few weeks ago about what I had said to my MP, you can find it further down
So in my continuing quest to get this sorted heres the letters I have recieved:

 and here's what I wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority, and what I found out!!!
Dear Sir/Madam

As advised by Mr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, I am contacting you to raise my concerns with Printer Manufacturer monopolies.
In America, the scenario we have with Printer Manufacturers is Illegal, which made me query the UK Situation.
Here is a copy of the text of an email, I sent to My MP Mr Michael Meacher Dated 30th Dec 2014: See blog post here
I then proceeded to contact each of the 4 main Printer manufacturers to query the warranty adjustments Mr Cable states can be made.

Canon, 0207 660 0186, Printer dept Michael.
They categorically DO NOT offer any adjustable warranties with regards to their printers. Any use of unofficial cartridges or CIS immediately voids their warranty. In addition they do offer printers that will take heavier weight cardstocks, up to 300 gsm, but the warranty ONLY covers use of Canon's own 300gsm card stock, no other manufacturer is allowed, otherwise the warranty is VOID.
Hewlett Packard, 0207 660 0596 Claire. No adjustment to any Warranty to enable use of unofficial Cartridges, or CIS is available. Warranty is VOIDED if used immediately
Epson, 01952 607111 No warranty adjustment is available to use unofficial Cartridges. Epson are now offering one A4 printer model with their own CIS, Called an ECOTANK, model number L355, for the cost of £249.99 inc vat, so will not make any adjustments to warranties as they have their own CIS which is only available for one model. The CIS is a an open system, and refillable, but information does not clarify as to wether other companies inks can be used to refill the CIS without voiding the warranties.
Brother, 0333 777 4444, No adjustable  warranties are available at all. Any use of unofficial Cartridges or CIS immediately VOIDS the warranty.
So it would seem that MR Cable is Wrong in his assumption that Printer manufacturers provide adjustable warranties.
Each of the printer manufacturers have complete monopoly over any inks used, or even in some cases materials used in their printers. Warranties are immediately voided if you use another companies ink cartridge or INK.
Those who work from home, or have hobbies requiring a lot of printing, eg, card makers, amature photograhpers, if they do NOT want to risk voiding their warranties are held to ransom by these companies.
I understand that I do NOT have to purchase a printer. However in a lot of cases, as stated in my original email to Mr Meacher, we are forced to use printers. Childrens school homework is now done via a computer and internet access. Everything is electronic now-a-days, thus you need a printer.
I understand that printers would be more expensive and that companies would lose revenue if they made ink affordable and printers expensive.
However my original points still stand. Ecologically it is irresponsible of printer manufacturers to adopt this stance, I also believe it is irresponsible for Printer manufacturers to force you to buy their cartridges which are NOT refillable, and are a constant addition to our ever growing land refuse resources.
I still view this as buying a Toaster from Sainsburys but only being able to toast Sainsburys bread in it!
I would like you to Inform myself as to how this situation is NOT a monopoly. The country would be in uproar if we were forced to by car Fuel in the same manner that Printer manufacturers force us to buy ink.

I am forwarding a copy of this email to My MP Mr Michael Meacher, I will also endeavour to email a copy to Mr Cable. I will also be publishing this information via social media sites.

Yours Sincerely,

So Canon do a printer that takes 300gsm, but its ONLY covered by warranty if you only use Canon 300gsm card.
Epson now do a CIS or Ecotank as they now call it, for ONE A4 printer which takes up to 255gsm.
Both of them still hold you hostage though!
So the question remains, would you buy a car if you could only fill up at the manufacturers garages? Would you use other garages which were cheaper even though it VOIDS the cars warranty? So why  do we allow it to happen with our printers?

My MP has shown interest in Printers! Why?

I have a printer, well its number 7 of the same model, so when it decided to break again over New year, I was somewhat fed up.
One thing that annoys me is the fact that if I use a compatible brand of printer cratridge then I i8mmediatly invalidate my Warranty on my printer, so being in a bad mood with my printer I emailed my MP via Write to them, a government email system for all MP's.
This is what I wrote:

I write with regard to printer manufacturers .
Please can you explain to me how the government has not tackled this problem before?
In America it is Illegal to void a warranty or repair if you have used ink cartridges not made by the Printer manufacturer. Yet in the UK, if we use another brand of Ink cartridge, as in NOT made by the Printer manufacturer, eg, Hewlett Packard, Epson, Canon, Brother, etc, which cost on average £12.00 for 6 milliliters of ink per cartridge, the printer manufacturer can VOID the warranty of a printer?
In this era where re-use and recycle is encouraged by all Government parties, can you please explain to me why we are filling dumps with printers where its cheaper to buy a new printer instead of a set of ink Cartridges? Where a re-useable system of controlled ink-flow is allowed to VOID a Warranty, by reducing the need for buying ink cartridges which in turn are then tossed in the bin.
In the current economic Climate pennies are tight, yet all government and local government departments prefer you to print out forms at home, to cut YOUR costs, yet put the additional burden of paying in the region of £40.00 to the client in order to print out a letter to send to you?
After a couple of months of not using the printer, as you dont want to use up the ink incase you have to print out yet another form, you need to print out another form.............only to discover that the ink has dried in the cartridge through lack of use, or even worse, dried in the printer head. The only thing to do then is...............go out and buy another printer!!!! Its cheaper in a lot of cases to buy a new printer than to replace the Ink Cartridges, and definitely cheaper than replacing the print head.
In my situation the Ink cartridges cost: £41.09, the printer costs £89.00, and the print Head is £149.99. For my printer I could buy a CIS System, a Continuous Ink System (Controlled Ink Flow) for £40, and 400 milliliters of ink for £12.00. Most standard cartridges contain 4-6 Milliliters of ink, and they charge @£12.00 per cartridge.
In most cases the printer is in the region of £30, and the cartridges cost in the region of £40, from most Supermarkets.
With a view to re-cycling, and re-using can you please explain to me why NO government has tackled this issue, which is Illegal in America, and what the government can and will do about this?
How on earth have the printer manufacturers been allowed to decide to Void a warranty if you use some one elses ink? Its like buying a toaster from Sainsburys, but only being allowed to toast Sainsburys bread in it! or Buying a Ford and only being allowed to refuel at a Ford garage! Or being forced to buy paper and envelopes from the Post Office, so that you can send a letter!
Common Sense dictates that this is a ridiculous situation, and I would like you to rectify this nonsensical impasse as soon as possible, especially with regard to re-use of ink cartridges and CIS systems.
Yours sincerely,

Today I recieved a reply from my MP, (Which brings me to another rant, as all my post had been opened and read, then stuck through my letter box!) heres his response:

Thank you for your recent email about warranties on Commercial Printers.

I have to admit I am quite astonished by some of the points you have made here. As a former Environment Minister, the potential environmental effects of this policy alone are very troubling.

I have written to the government Minister who has political responsibility for business competitiveness on your behalf, and asked him for comments about this.

I will be in touch with you when I receive a response, 

So any one want to write to their MP? lol, as my MP normally sends long detailed reasons why something is done or not done, this letter is out of the ordinary for him, in its honesty, personal opinion, and brevity! And I didnt know he was the former Environment Minister either, lol. But if enough people complain about this making references to things like using a ford car and having to use ford Petrol, and the deliberate cheapness of printers versus the cost of the ink, then we might be all able to use compatibles, or CISS systems without voiding the warranties of the damned things!

Which in our situation is quite important, as we can use a LOT of ink!!!!

New year means changes

Okay the Kraftyhands Challenge blog has now merged with the Kraftyhands main Blog, so for entires you need to go here!http://kraftyhands.blogspot.co.uk/
For details on my card here's the link to youtube: