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26 Dec 2012

Merry craftmas!!

Hi all,
So sorry for not being on here for a while :( just added the app to my phone so you won't get me off here now!
It's been a very busy few months in the shop thanks to all of you for your continued support x . We have some great classes coming in the new year! We have been playing in our craft cabin in the garden and come up some great new ideas! I have added a piccy of a card using the new Do-craft goodies! Love the steampunk, we have this in the shop now along with some great items at unbelievable prices!! We re-open on the Wednesday the 2nd, so you can all get your fix, hope you all had a great Christmas and Santa bought you some nice things?
Love and bugs xxxxxx

13 Oct 2012

Kids class

Hi all well another great week for classes at Ali-craft, we had a great turn out for the Stamp of the month class, so thanks to those of you who came. We all agreed that the new table layout is great and works well so you all have plenty of room. We will have a kids class in the half term, (kids are always on holiday! I have two so can say that!) it will be decorating door hangers, this will include inks, papers and lots of mess!! It will be on the 29th October, either 10:30 - 11:30 or 13:30- 14:30, only two places left on the morning session, so book early to avoid dissapointment. Just email or go to www.ali-craft.co.uk Love and bugs Andrea xxxx

20 Sept 2012

Hi all.....

Well goodness what a summer we have had here, sorry about the lack of posts we have just been uba busy and had a little holiday thrown in there! We have opened a shop and workshop at 3 Manor st. Ruskington, Lincoln, NG34 9EL.
WE ARE OPEN : MONDAY 10- 3PM, WEDNESDAY 10-3PM AND SATURDAY 10-2PM We have a weekly workshop on a Wednesday and twice a month have a get together on a Monday, we kept some free so we can have other people in to share their knowledge on different crafts, Charlotte will be doing an itroduction to silk paining on the 1st October, for more details on that or any workshop times and prices just pop over to the web site!!! We are having a great time and would love for you all to come and join in with the fun hope to see you soon love and bugs Andreaxxxx

3 Jul 2012

Newbury show

Hi all Ali and Iain will be at the Newbury show this weekend. We are delighted to say that the UK Distributors of Memory Box will be on our stand on saturday at ARTSTAMPS NEWBURY show - make sure you pop along to see us on stand 26. So make sure you pop along and have a look !!! here are some of the fab cards they will be demonstrating or very similar to these. they are so pretty.
Love and bugs xxxx

25 Jun 2012

Charlotte's fab bits for this week:

Hi all, well all finaly sunny here, lets hope it lasts??? Here are the great things Charlotte has come up with for this week and they all look great. BUTTERFLY NECKLACE Products from Ali-Craft Kaisercraft Tigerlilly Clear Stamp Set Distress Inks Tumbled Glass, Dusty Concord and Mustard Seed Tim Holtz Idea-ology Fragments Glossy Accents Black Archival Ink From my Stash Inkssentials Memory Foil 1/4" Aluminum Foil Acetate Clear Parcel Tape Blank Card Charms Necklace cord Necklace Bail The background was made by blending the distress inks onto some blank card make a larger piece so you can cut some to back the design and then stamp the remainder with Archival ink using the Tigerlilly stamps. I placed one of the Fragments over the image and chose which part I wanted to use the cut to size. Cut the background piece to size and stick the fragment onto the design with glossy accents and use the clear parcel tape to cover the back of the card and edge with the self adhesive foil tape to create a faux frame. The charms and necklace bail are adhered with glossy accents but needs to be left to dry completely so best left overnight. Thread onto necklace cord when dry. SHRINK PLASTIC BRACELET Products from Ali-Craft Alcohol Inks Cool Peri, Lemonade, Aqua Alcohol Inks Blending Tool and Felts Kaiser Craft Tigerlilly Clear Stamp Set From My Stash Frosted Shrink Plastic Spellbinders Eyelet Circles Die Seed Beads Stretch Magic Clear Elastic Black Stazon Ink Heat Gun Clear Nail Varnish Instructions On the clear side of the shrink plastic create a background using the Alcohol Inks but remember that when shrunk the colour intensifies let this dry then on the frosted side stamp with stazon the design using the tigerlilly stamp set. Cut using spellbinders die then shrink with heat gun or place into the oven to shrink. Using two pieces of elastic thread on circles spacing with seed beads knot the elastic using a surgeons knot ( tie a knot one way then tie another knot in the opposite direction and thread elastic through last knot twice ie. left over right then right over left ) and add a drop of clear nail varnish onto the knot to act as a glue do not use super glue as this damages the elastic. Quick tip when using Shrink Plastic don't forget any holes punched will also shrink so might be worth to try for size on a piece of scrap. If you want matching designs always stamp in the same direction on the shrink plastic as it shrinks slightly differently in each different direction. BUTTERFLY CARD Products Used from Ali-Craft Little Darlings 8" x 8" Paper Pad Kaisercraft Tigerlilly Clear Stamp Set Kaisercraft Chicken Wire 2" x 5" Clear Stamp Black Archival Ink Tattered Rose Distress Ink Products From My Stash DL Card Plain Card Thin Line Gold Peel Offs The Butterfly images were stamped onto the Little Darlings papers each design stamped twice onto the same design of paper. These were layered and I shaped the wings to add depth just glue the top butterfly on at the body only leaving the wings free to shape. The blank card was stamped all over with the Chicken Wire background stamp with the Tattered Rose Distress Ink then I blended the Tattered Rose Ink all over the card. The edges of the card were edged with a thin peel off, when attaching cross the peel off on each corner then use a craft knife and cut away excess diagonally to create a mitered corner. Layer up with different patterned papers. Attach the butterfly's to the card. Thanks Charlotte they are so so fabby love and bugsxxxxx

22 Jun 2012

Hi all.......

Hi all, so sorry for the delay this week been uba busy here!!!!! I have been creating for a craft fair I am doing tomorrow!! sewing, card making you name it I think I have done it this week! Don't be rude.... been far too busy! It was my Birthday yesterday and I got some fab crafty books and a day on Wednesday Painting and had loads of fun! I have a few cards that are for the craft fair that I added here. I also have some great news and that has kept me very busy! I am relocating studio's!!! I am moving to Sleaford!!! It is bigger and I am going to have regular opening times! Monday 10- 3:30pm, Wednesday 10- 3:30pm and Saturday 10- 2pm. I am opening on the 9th July so pop along!!! The craft workshops are set in an attractive block paved courtyard, close to a main public car park in the heart of Sleaford’s ‘Craft and Design Quarter’. Classes are booking up fast!!!! Love and Bugsxxxxxx

11 Jun 2012

Laura's wonderful books

Hi all well Laura has made some amazing books!!! her things are just so so pretty loving them here: She has used the graphic 45 Little Darlings papers. I have been very busy too this week making lots of cards but will share those with you all soon. Had baby duke to the groomers I think he hates me now!!!! Was sick over Ali's sofa so probably thinks it is all her fault!! Hope you all love Laura's books as much as us they would make fantastic gifts: Thanks Laura they are just fab Love and bugs xxxxxxx

4 Jun 2012

Barbara's amazing graphic 45 tin!!

Hi all well I hope you have all eaten as much as I have over the weekend! I am sure I will be rolling round soon!!! Barbara has made an amazing Graphic 45 tin that comes with the card in. She has done a great job using the Graphic 45 papers and bits and pieces we all love it here! Outer tin: Thanks again Barbara looks amazing! Even better up close Love and bugsxxxxxx

31 May 2012

busy bee

Hi all thought I would post a card I made the other week using the Graphic 45 papers. Would nmake a great male card.
Swing over to Ali's website as she has some great bank holiday offers on just now Love and bugsxxxxxx

28 May 2012

Charlottes lovely card and door hanger

Hi all
well had a great day at Lincoln yesterday demoing. Thanks to all of you who came along. I am going to repeat the mess with distress class due to alot of people saying they loved the cards but couldn't get the same effect so I will be holding this class in July. Keep looking at Ali-craft for the date if you are interested in doing this class.
Well today is the turn of Charlottes project and they are great. A lovely card and a door hanger great for any nursery using the Graphic 45 Little Darlings papers. We all think they are lovely. The flower is excellent and I love the pale blue. So thanks again hon. love and bugsxxxxx

21 May 2012

Linda's Lovely Tags

Hi All, Well looks like the weather may just be getting there a ray of sun!!! Linda has sent over some lovely tags so here they are: Sewing tag:
Butterfly tag:
Linda has used : Tag Mount Board Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Big & Juicy Wooden Buttons Charms An assortment of threads WOW Embossing powder Stazon Perfect Medium Stamp Set - Tim Holtz Collection Attic Treasure CMS123 Love and bugs xxx

14 May 2012

Laura's cards very cute

Hi all sorry for the late post! I had a great stamp of the month class this morning. Had loads of fun and a great turn out so thanks ladies. We made three fabby cards. And I don't know where this afternoon has gone with all the lovely sun??? So here are a lovely selection of cards from Laura and they all look great! loving the flowers. So thanks Laura x Rosette card: Graphic 45 Little Darlings paper Cream linen card Inkadinkado words buttons ribbon and gems gold embossing powder
Cute as A Button card: Little Darlings Graphic 45 paper linen cream card scrap gold card Kaisercraft postmarks stamp wording and butterfly own stamp
Sent From Heaven card: Graphic 45 Little Darlings paper cream linen card buttons and gems versamark and gold embossing ink gold die cut ribbon
what lovely cards Laura they look fab and Laura has used The Graphic 45 Little Darlings paper pad. Love and bugsxxxxx

7 May 2012

Charlotte's fab cards for this month

Hi all, Hope everyone had a great weekend even if it did rain. We have been up to sunny Scotland. Shame the car broke down as soon as we got there and had to be towed all the way home alone!!!! Charlotte has been making some great cards and here is the first for this week. It looks great so thanks Charlotte:
ALI-CRAFT PRODUCTS USED Crafty Individuals "Bird 230" Stamp Graphic 45 "Little Darlings" 8" x 8" paper pad, papers used "Cherished" and "Precious Poesy" Ranger Distress Inks "Peeled Paint", "Shabby Shutters", "Mustard Seed", "Tea Dye", "Vintage Photo" Rangers Distress Tool Sizzix Bigz Die "Tattered Florals" PRODUCTS USED FROM MY STASH DL Ivory Card Blank Ivory Card Versafine Black Ink Pad Centura Pearl Card Jewelled Brad, Adhesive Pearls Double sided tape, Pin Flair Glue Gel Water Brush, Water Mister
I made this card as I wanted to show that the papers from this pad are not all baby designs. I stamped the bird image twice and use a dye based ink so I could water colour, I used the plain side of the centura card but any good quality card will do. I used the distress tool to blend in the Shabby Shutters all over one design and then the Peeled Paint to add a depth of colour and then used a water brush (or a damp paint brush) to paint over some of the design and dab off the colour with some kitchen paper or a tissue, this removes some of the ink and highlights the inked image. I used a water mister and misted over the project to add a mottled effect. I then water coloured the second image I used Mustard Seed, Vintage Photo and Tea Dye Distress Inks. To water colour with distress inks never put the brush into the inkpad but tap the pad onto something like a tile or Perspex block and use that as your pallet, add a little water and paint from that or use a water brush. I painted the birds and allowed them to dry then cut out and layered on top of the main image, I used glue gel as it gives movement when placing. I made a paper flower using several layers of the Tattered Florals Die and on some flowers I cut into them to allow more movement and to make more petals so each layer was different. I inked the edges and then curled the petals (I used a round lolly stick but anything round would do e.g., knitting needle, crochet hook) I glued together with glue gel and put a gem brad through the center.The Graphic 45 Papers are all double sided and a great thickness and hold their shape. I assembled the card inking all the edges and stuck on some adhesive pearls. I just love the designs of the papers and the stamp is adorable especially the little bird in the middle, the stamp is deep red rubber stamp and stamps clearly every time.
thanks again Charlotte, love and bugs Andreax

30 Apr 2012

Hi All, Charlotte was unable to blog today so I am adding my "Curiosity shoppe" card stand. I hope you like as I really enjoyed making this one and think it is very different. Front: For this I cut and shaped a piece of A4 card and made it into a curved envelope style. Then I added the papers. I added hinges and metal bits from the shed to add the steampunk look.
Side: For this side I cut the man from the papers and curled him and added some foam pads to make him stand out.
Side: For this side I stamped on a domino and then added some Tim Holtz tissue tape.
For the stand I scored a piece of black card and added some Curiosity Shoppe stickers to prop up the card. Love and Bugsxxxxx

26 Apr 2012

Hi all
Well i promised the ladies who came to the Steampunk flower class I would make a larger flower than the one we made in the workshop. So here is the card. I have used Olde Curiosity Shopp papers from Graphic 45 and love them. I have taken the picture in front of my sewing machine my new best friend. Hope you like ladies it was great fun. Love and bugs Andrea xxxxx

23 Apr 2012

Linda's lovely cards

Hi all here are Linda's cards for this month. Fashion card
Bird card
Butterfly card
Paris card
The materials I have used to make these 4 cards are as follows: Kaiser Clear Stamps – Bonjour Tim Holtz Ticket Tape Distress Inks, Forest Green, Stormy Sky, Wild Honey Adirondak – Plum Memento Ink Graphic 45 – Glimpse of Paris and Feminine Heart Charms Doily PanPastel pastels – Violet Perfect Medium WOW Silver embossing powder Celebrate it – Handmade Decor Flowers What lovely cards Linda they are great thanks so much love and Bugsxxxxx

22 Apr 2012

ALL DAY WORKSHOP - STONELEIGH

One Day workshop - Stoneleigh, Warwickshire June 16th 2012 Ali, from Ali-Craft, Lorraine from A1 Crafts and Clare this years UK Graphic 45 Design Team Member are holding a one day workshop and would love you to join them for some crafty fun and creativity. Date: Saturday 16th June 2012 Time: 10am to 5pm Location: Stoneleigh Village Hall, Warwickshire. Car parking at rear. Lunch: Please bring your won sandwiches Refreshments: Tea and coffee will be provided What to bring: Scissors, paper trimmer, black or brown ink pad. All other supplies will be provided for you on the day Cost: £28.00. Deposit £10.00 Shop: Ali Craft & A1 Crafts will be offering a shop at the event The workshops There are three, two hour workshops covering loads of techniques for you to enjoy during the day: Places are limited - to book a place just send Ali an email on alison.iain43yahoo.co.uk If you ‘d like more info, or have a question that hasn’t been covered in the blurb above just mail Clare at clarecharv@ntlworld.com. We’re looking forward to seeing you and having a fun day. Ali, Lorraine and Clare

19 Apr 2012

Some lovely cards from Laura

Hi all


well the weather is rubbish and I have no enthusiasm what so ever! even the coffee didn't do it this morning.

I have some lovely cards from Laura to share with you all and yes they did cheer me up as they are lovely so here they are:

Blue Tic toc card


Recipe:

Kaisercraft Tic toc stamp
Blue card stock
scrap of gold card
Prima flowers
faded jeans distress ink
glossy accents
Kaisercraft word stamp
brad and gems

Cream bird card



Recipe:

Kaisercraft Tic toc stamp
distress inks: pumice stone, peeled paint, black soot and vintage photo.
bird punch
glossy accents

well I think they are great and show you two totally different ways in which the tic toc stamp can be used.
Love and bugsxxxxx

15 Apr 2012

Welome to Laura on our design team

Hi all

A huge welcome to Laura on our design team. Just have to get a picture.
Laura has been crafting for many years and we here think she is great at it. Laura can turn any stamp into a card and they all have the wow factor. Laura demonstrates for stamping up and uses her knowledge to continue to produce excellent cards. we know you will love her work.

So here are three cards she has made:

Purple flowers postmarks card


Recipe

Kaisercraft Postmarks stamp
prima flowers
glossy accents
white card stock
distress inks: dusty concord and mustard seed
scraps of black card
tags

Decorative Lamp card



Recipe

Kaisercraft lamp stamp
kaisercraft word stamp
distress inks: dusty concord, mustard seed and peeled paint
butterfly punch
glossy accents
ribbon
gems

Red decorative lamp card



Recipe

white card stock
kaisercraft lamp stamp
red paper
black card
distress inks: faded jeans, dusty concord, peeled paint and fired brick
glossy accents
ribbon
flower stamp and words stamp

thanks Laura these cards are beautiful you can find most of the products used at Ali's the other bits are Laura's own.

So a great big welcome

love and bugs xxxxx