Cute or what!!!

I am lucky enough to be on the Design Team of the uber talented Erica Martyn....
This is the info about her from her fab website Odds & Soxlets - 

Erica Martyn

Since a young child I have always been creative with a passion for drawing and making things! After studying art & design and theatre studies at college in Hampshire, I then furthered my education by moving to Liverpool to study theatrical costume interpretation alongside attending a professional dance school.

This was 14 years ago now and over this time I have been very lucky to have explored many different creative roles, including being a theatrical costume interpreter for theatre and television, dance teacher and personal trainer for a variety of leading UK health clubs alongside being a graphic designer for a UK property developer! In 2007 I joined the design team for a Dorset art & crafts distributor and worked as a graphics designer, illustrator & creative designer on a number of leading crafting brands.

Since having my son back in February 2010 I began to work on developing my own design studios so that I could combine being a full time mum with my passion for art, design & illustration. ‘Odds & Soxlets’ was founded in May 2011 with my sock creations and illustrations and has now developed into my creative design house for all my character creations and illustrated works of art!

‘Odds & Soxlets’ is a small business based in the town of Verwood in Dorset run solely by myself in my spare time around caring for my young son (1.2.2010). The future looks bright for ‘Odds & Soxlets’ and I have many plans to develop the business over the forthcoming years.

Now recently I saw that Erica had been working on a special project with someone else and I was amazed at the wonderful results!

 

 How amazing would that be to have a set for your childs day....

The cake was created by,

 

Cake Pop Corner – Delicious little cakes on sticks, our cake pops add to the fun and excitement of your party, event or any other special occasion. Also ideal for children's party bags!

Founded by Joanne King in 2011

‘’Based in Christchurch, Dorset my home-made cakes are crumbed and mixed with frosting then creatively turned into these amazing little cakes on sticks, so moist and delicious! Available in chocolate or lemon they are lovingly prepared and decorated by hand with many beautiful, fun and attractive designs to choose from, or if you have your own 'pop' idea for your event I'd be only too happy to discuss this with you.

Our cake pops are fun and different and your guests will love them!

All are individually wrapped and tied with a ribbon, making them ideal for wedding favours or children's party bags, or they can be left unwrapped and ready for you to display for immediate enjoyment during your event. We can advise on display ideas or provide stands and tastefully decorated displays at extra cost or refundable deposit.

Not only great for parties they are also a real treat sent as a gift box, again for any occasion from a new baby arrival to a special thank you to someone, the ideas are endless!

Visit us at www.cakepopcorner.co.uk to use our order / contact page or join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cake-Pop-Corner/114916325263917 ‘’

I know Erica designed the background and header for Jo's website too.

Both very talented ladies.

I just wanted to share this with you all.

Why don't you pop on over to both sites, have a look and see what they have for sale today.

Happy shopping!

Nikki x

The big reveal

So...... here is the project I have been working on this weekend that I have been dying to show you all!

I had so much fun working on it, and there are still a lot of bits that I want to add to it...... It was definitely a work of love. I can see me making lots of them! (I thought they would make a great gift for people - you could theme the house to whoever you were giving it to).
I made this one from a wooden box but I will be working on a paper version too - watch this space....
So for this one,

 This is the wooden template that I bought.

 I covered the whole thing with purple artiste acrylic paint (from Do Crafts). It took a couple of coats to make sure it was covered.

When that was dry, I covered the whole thing with artiste crackle glaze - left this overnight to dry and then added white artiste acrylic paint.

The crackle effect works best if you have a thick top coat of the white paint on it.
As the paint drys it splits and cracks, revealing the purple underneath.
At this point you decorate it however you want.
Each little section has a different story behind it.

Here is the house again as it is at the moment....

 I'll post another picture later when I have finished some more of it.
Hope you like it
Nikki x

What to do....

when you have a weekend off - well that one is easy! Get creative.....
Yesterday i worked in the garden, it's so nice to see it finally starting to come together - my own little patch....
Charlie Dimmock has nothing to worry about, but I am enjoying it.

It has been nice to be able to just craft for me this weekend too.
I am doing a post tomorrow on my project that I have been working on - I love it!
Today I thought I would show you these cards,

This afternoon I am colouring in some digis, ready for me to get creative with over the next week or so.
What are you up to today?
Happy crafting,
Nikki x

PS - not long now until it's my blogoversary!!!! I will be holding another blog candy and challenge for this. I hope you'll take part. x

Same stamp, different look...

Thank you so much to everyone who commented on my card yesterday.
I've never really made such a simple card before - but I loved it and I can see myself making a lot more like it!
Today I want to show you a couple of cards that I made using the same stamp as yesterday but with a different look to it.
It's available from your local Do Crafts stockist and is from the new Lucy Cromwell range.

I'll be back to show you more tomorrow..... now I am off to watch the Britains Got Talent final!!!
Happy craftin
Nikki x

Simple thank you

This is a simple little thank you card that I created using the Lucy Cromwell stamps from Do Crafts.
I love this simple look.

I stamped the image directly onto the card and then coloured it in using water colour pencils.
I love it so much that I'm thinking of making some gift sets as prezzies for people this Christmas........

Back soon with some more to show you....

Nikki x

Guest design post for Lej Designs

I was really pleased to be asked to be a guest designer for LEJ Designs... you will find the challenge blog here....
The theme for this weeks challenge is 'Things with wings'.
I got to chose the digi that I wanted to work with (and boy did that cause me an issue - I wanted to work with them all!!!) So I chose to use the snowdrops....
It would be really good if you could come on over and join in the challenge, hope to see you there!

I am entering this card to the PanPastel challenge, anything goes....... why don't you pop on over to their blog and join in too! You will find it here.....

Happy crafting
Nikki x

Earthtone Birthday

I loved the selection of colours that we were given to work with this month.
The Earthtone selection are wonderful for cards for the men in our lives, they are a wonderful selection that are fantastic as a base colour for any creation!
Here is the card that I made,

I loved the colour so much that I couldn't pick just one or two...... so I used them all!!!
I have used them in the order that they are on the banner
paprika - grape - honey - olive - pepper - mint - blueberry - nutmeg - pomegranate
The base colour I used for the dotty background was bark.


You will find all of the earthtones here....

The funky border stamps and wording is here .....

I'm working hard today on some samples that I will be able to share with you very soon.
Whatever you are doing, I hope it's a craft filled day xxx
Nikki x

I will....

Think it says it all really...
Nikki x

Meet Wellington

Now I will be the first to admit, when I heard there was another bear coming out I was not overly impressed.
But..... I am always willing to admit when I am wrong.
Wellington is not just another 'cute' bear..... He is a classical teddy, the kind we all had as a friend when we were little.
I think he is brilliant.
I love him to bits and love creating with him.
The range is brilliant for both children and adults and the wonderful papers and stamps are fantastic for creating mens cards!
Here are two cards that I have made to show at my demos this weekend

Don't you just want to pick him up and give him a hug?
Have a very crafty day
Nikki x

Oopsie....

Well the good intention was there - not managed to get onto the blog over the past few days.. things have just been mega busy - sorry....
I'm back again today! lol
Ok..... so today is national honesty day - wow...... ok.... go on then.... feel free to leave what ever kind of comment you would like - I can take it.......
Here is the card I wanted to share with you today.... you will find the digi I used over here...
Designed by the uber talented Erica - check out all the lovely creations that she makes.... LOVIN THEM!!!!

I had so much fun creating this card.
I'm really looking forward to working with her next lot of little monsters - I think they are adorable!!!!

Today the plan is - demo sample making.... two wonderful demos this weekend, it's gonna be busy! lol
And.... a couple of tutorials for the blog...... I also have some DT work to do.... not sure just how I am going to find the extra hours this week......
Be back soon...
Nikki x