Inspiration :: No. 3

We were out and about enjoying the sunshine at Ventnor Botanic Gardens, when we discovered an exhibion by the Vectis Quilters. Even if you don't quilt, you can't help but be impressed by the bright designs and colourful patterns.


Some of them were amazing geometric designs, while others were full of quirky details:

This one had the most amazing hand-stitching....someone obviously has a lot of patience! I love the effect of the variegated thread. (This is also the quilt used as the background on their homepage).

I have enough hobbies already, I don't need to start quilting. But there are definitely some ideas here for other projects with paper...

~ k ~

A perfectly finished piece

Most parchment work that Mum (that's Hilary) does is on cards or ATCs...running several workshops each month doesn't leave much time for creating anything else. So it's a change to see her making something that looks just perfect in a frame.

This lovely lady is full of delicate details and gorgeous 3-d flowers.

The frame is deep enough to let the piece sit perfectly without being squashed, but not so deep that you can't see the details. Beautiful!

~ k ~

Work in progress

I'm not sure where August went?

Things have been pretty busy in the world of Wightcat...but now the weather is cooling and it suddenly seems like the perfect time to start some serious crafting again.

This is a work-in-progress, and it's from this book. We're even running a competition for you to win a copy - just make a card and send it to us, and every entry will be put a draw for a copy of the book. After the competition, the cards will be sold for charity, so please remember to include a blank envelope with it!

All styles and skill levels welcome - go on, give it a try!

kate x

P.S. I couldn't possibly take credit for the beautiful parchment work - as always, it's done by Hilary.

Colour me happy

Pastels just don't cut it when it's hot. And lately temperatures have been hitting some unusual highs. Hot pink and green? Will always mean summer to me.

1. Lime green, hot pink and chocolate wedding cupcakes, 2. Hot Pink Green cotton Crochet stars!, 3. Latest & Greatest, 4. crafting 111/365, 5. Big Neon Sprinkles ring, 6. I somehow made this look cool., 7. 14 June 09 130ed, 8. Rainbow hair in bad lighting, 9. altered tin for my scraproom, 10. Elegant Pillow with Pink Flower Applique, 11. happy pink stack, 12. Pink and Green., 13. Thank You, 14. Embroidered button/brooch, 15. antidote to sadness, 16. Turkish Knot 83/365

Inspiration:: No.2

Owls are everywhere, aren't they?

K x

Quick and easy cards:: No.6

Decoupage isn't just for girls! This card was also made using one of these great value 99p sheets. I've used a larger card blank (A5) and some more masculine backing papers. I've even restrained myself from using glitter this time - instead, I've inked the edges of my paper with my favourite Versamark in Jumbo Java. This baby is my go-to colour whenever I want a dark edging that isn't too heavy, but gives definition.

K x

Inspiration:: No. 1

What inspires you?

I spent the last weekend in May discovering that Mindy and I are both museum junkies....we spent many happy hours exploring the delights of Oxford, and the Ashmolean was a big highlight for me. Everything was beautifully displayed (and well lit - take note, Pitt Rivers museum) and I was allowed to take photos to my heart's content. I will definitely be taking inspiration from these in the weeks to come.

K x

Quick and easy cards:: No.5

Die-cut decoupage is one of the easiest ways to create a stunning card in minutes. These sheets are just 99p and each one creates two toppers - great value. Here I have backed it with plain card and added a peel-off sentiment to finish it off. Perfect!

K x

Recording my life, one scrapbook page at a time

Last year was somewhat 'scrapbook interruptus' for various reasons, mostly health-related. Which means that over the last few months I have had plenty of photos to work on, and it's been lovely to re-live some fantastic moments from 2009. It was a busy, fun-filled year and I have the photos to prove it.

Further proof, if any were needed, of my glitter obsession:



K x

Quick and easy cards:: No.4

Another quick card...this one I have left blank, just waiting for a sentiment to be added to the middle. Sometimes I make a load of cards that all say 'happy birthday' and then need something for another occasion - so I like to have a few cards like this sitting in my stash that can be adapted to suit.

Use a simple patterned background and then punch your butterfly out of contrasting papers. I've used some stickles glue to highlight the edges. I know, I love my glitter!

K x

I don't think he understands me

Morpheus is my cat. I love him to bits, but I don't think he really 'gets' scrapbooking - other than as an endless source of bits of paper and ribbon to play with.

Quick and easy cards:: No.3

These embroidery stickers are technically for using with thread to create embroidered patterns on paper...instead, here I have used them to create some quick and beautiful embellishments for a simple card. Stick them on some fairly robust patterned paper, and then use something round (I use the blunt side of a pair of scissors) to curve the paper for a 3d effect. Position on a coloured background, and add some swirls with Stickles glitter glue. Easy!

K x

Sparkly scrapbook paper

Would you believe that one sheet of double-sided scrapbook paper was enough to do 2 pages, a card and a tag?

I kid you not. So I had fun experimenting with some different styles.

These photos were taken exactly a year ago....life has changed so much since then. I have to say, though - short hair is so much easier to look after ;)

This flower is part of the paper - just use a craft knife to cut around the petals and bend them slightly before you stick it to the page.

I didn't even need to add any extra sparkle to this one - all glitter is included!

K x

Need some inspiration with your kit?

If you have one of these kits from Hunkydory, you might be looking for inspiration...when I was putting together some samples for the shop, I noticed that there weren't a lot of images in the card kit itself. So, to help you - I've put together an idea sheet with some images of the cards I made. I hope it helps!



K x

Tip of the week

If you are embossing a straight line against a ruler it’s very easy using a Pergamano shader tool or PCA shader (holding it vertical), if you use a ball tool it can slip underneath the ruler if you are not careful.

Do you have any Crafting tips???

Send them in to us so we can share them we everyone, for every tip that we use, we will send you discount voucher for your next order when you shop with us (online or instore).

crafts@wightcat.com

It's all hunkydory

These new card making kits from Hunkydory are fabulous. I'll admit that they're not my usual style, so when Mum asked me to have a go at making some samples I was dubious to say the least. But, I'll try anything once - so I took the kit home, and am I ever glad I did!

The kit comes with enough cardstock to make at least 8 cards, including 4 A5 size. By adding extra card blanks from my own stash I was able to make more than double that, and I even added some tags using the leftovers. The quality is amazing - the cardstock is thick and glossy, the die cuts are beautiful and the gold finish makes them look truly luxe. These are quality cards and even better - they are super-quick to put together. You'd never guess that I made most of my cards in one evening, would you?

And some close-ups of the details. I couldn't resist adding even more glitz with some Stickles glitter glue.

The die cuts include single butterflies, and two sets of pyramid decoupage:

And you get a whole sheet of matching sentiments to add a message to your card:

Please excuse the mess on my desk - I think I have some clearing up to do now!

K x

Squares, repeated

I do scrapbook as well, you know!

Repeating a simple shape for a patterned effect works just as well on a larger scale as well as on cards. For this scrapbook page, I simply used a variety of co-ordinating scraps and arranged them in a grid pattern. I stamped on some of the squares to add a bit of variety. As you can see, the photo didn't quite fit in the grid so I added some brads down one side to balance everything out. The scalloped trim on top and bottom ties it all together.

I've just ordered a big batch of photos - there is so much of last year still missing from my scrapbooks. I'll have plenty more to share with you soon!

P.S. I use www.snapfish.co.uk for my prints - email me on katebucci@wightcat.com if you would like a referral :)

Quick and easy cards :: No. 2

Any punched shape, repeated in co-ordinating colours, is an easy way to create a stylish card. I particularly love this scalloped square, but any similar shape would do. A striking ribbon finishes it off nicely.

Do you know the simplest way to get your ribbon to look good? Instead of tying two ends of ribbon together to make a bow, lay one long piece of ribbon flat, take a shorter piece and tie around it. Much easier!

Do you believe in fairies?

This book is available to pre-order now, and will be with us (and you) in May. There are some beautiful designs in there and we are dying to get our hands on it!

New Book - Parchment Craft, A Classic Collection

This new Parchment Crafts book will be published later this month and is now available for pre-order on our website www.wightcat.com

This 92 page book is ideal both for beginners and experts in the craft.
It contains parchment craft techniques, step-by-step instructions for embossing, lace making, 3D figures & painting in various mediums

Each project is accompanied by work descriptions, a large colour photo of the completed work, thumbnails enlarging various sections of every project & patterns printed in full size for easy replication

Clear and concise instructions help to ensure that even newcomers to this fascinationg craft can follow with ease. There are plenty of tips from the designers, a tools/materials conversion table & tricks on how to achieve perfect lace

Designers- Dorothy Holness, Julie Roces, Tatsue Shibata, Loes Laanen, Ria van der Ploeg, Akiko Shida, Robyn Cockburn, Carla Prediger Trasel, Trisha Liu, Kannikar Sukseree, Mary G Kerr, Ria Van Avondt and Patricia Murphy

A total of 32 patterns and a multitude of interpretations guarantees months of endless parching

Available from Pre-Order Now at Wightcat Crafts www.wightcat.com

A parchment peek...

Hilary has been hard at work on the sample card for this week's parchment workshop.

I wish I had her patience!

A quick and easy card

Ever need a card in a hurry? I have been making a stash of quick and easy cards that I thought I'd share with you. Simple designs are the best!

For this one, all you need is some paper scraps. Cut into strips that are not quite as wide as your card blank, and around 1.5 inches high. The beauty of this card is that it doesn't matter if they are not even or exact.

Ink the edges of each strip. I find this makes such a difference and really makes your card look great. These chalk inks are great for this as the small pads are easy to handle and they dry quickly.

Arrange the strips on the card blank, deliberately making them slightly askew. This saves you having to line them up evenly. Use a strong pattern in the middle of the card, and choose two or three other papers to repeat, bringing the design together.

Layer some paper flowers together and secure them with a brad. Two or three flowers together gives a fuller effect. Secure these to the card. If you don't want to poke a hole in the card to put the brad through, just use a glue dot or some double sided tape instead.

Create your greeting. I like to use my own handwriting on a strip of co-ordinating cardstock. If you don't like your handwriting, you could use a stamp or a peel-off instead. Ink the edges of the cardstock strip and adhere to the card, tucking it behind the flowers. Of course, you could always leave the greeting blank and just fill it in when you're ready to use the card.

And there you have it! A quick card to use up your scraps.

It's more fun on the move

Isn't new technology great? I can sit here and type on Mum's shiny new blackberry. So much quicker than using the PC.
Which is a good job really, as we are being kept busy with some exciting new deliveries!

Spring = crafty goodness

It's been a long time coming but Spring is finally here! After what seems like weeks of hibernation the sunshine has restored my creative mojo. Of course, some new products always help and I've been trying out the latest products from Flowersoft.



The new Ultrafine is far more subtle than the original Flowersoft, and is great for doing cute outlines on cuddly bears, or for adding little details to the new recipe cards. It comes in some delicious colours and I think it would be great for adding texture to other projects as well. In the original Flowersoft is the new autumn range, which is a beautiful mixed orange and works with the new 'Autumn' and 'Oriental' cards.

I've been really impressed with these new products and love the results!

Countdown to Christmas

By now your advent calendars are half open and eaten if its a chocolate one.
Hopefully all your cards are made with a few too spare.
Some posted to far off places to friends you have never met.
Turkey's on order, sprouts already picked.

But have you checked your address book?

Make sure all your friends addresses are correct and complete, because after all the effort you have taken to make your cards and gifts, it would be a shame if they didnt arrive in the condition that they left you. Dont blame the Postie it probably wasn't his fault.

Here at Wightcat Crafts we are sending out Parcels nearly every day, most of them arrive and usually in the condition it was posted. I have just spent a few days at our local Sorting Office, where they are stretched to capacity with the Christmas post, (35000 2nd class letters in just one day).
Most letters are correctly address with a postcode making sorting easy, but there is a large amount that have wrong or missing Postcodes. Some letters are just adressed to "Fred & Jane" one I saw was address as follows:

"Miss Anne Jones (dont know your married name)
Nr Stroud
dont know Postcode"

You may well laugh but its more common than you may think.

So remember to check your addresses before you post your Cards.

New Magazine "Making Gifts"

Making Gifts

The new magazine from the publishers of

Making Cards Magazine and Parchment Craft Magazine.

Issue 1 available now from Wightcat Crafts

Order today http://www.wightcat.com/crafts/magazines3.htm

Where's to Time Gone

Just noticed thats its been months since I've posted on the Blog, must remember to do it more often, usualy put updates on twitter see www.twitter.com/wightcat

Will try to do better

Parchment Craft Christmas Special Magazine

Parchment Craft Magazine
Christmas Special

A bumper issue dedicated to the Christmas theme.

Apart from some wonderfully inspiring card ideas, there are also Christmas projects including crackers, table decorations, etc

Includes 2 FREE sheets of Red and 2 FREE sheets of Green Parchment Paper to make your projects with.

Due to a high demand this magazine sold out within days

But it is being reprinted

To ensure you get your copy here!

Order by Tuesday 13th to guarantee your copy

Christmas Prize Draw 2009

Wightcat Crafts

are running a

Christmas Prize Draw

and its FREE to enter

see http://www.wightcat.com/ to enter

Magazines - Christmas Specials

Parchment Craft Magazine

Christmas Special

A bumper issue dedicated to the Christmas theme. Apart from some wonderfully inspiring card ideas, there are also Christmas projects including crackers, table decorations, etc
Includes 2 FREE sheets of Red and 2 FREE sheets of Green Parchment Paper to make your projects with.
Issue out on 6th October order now to ensure you get your copy here!

Making Cards Christmas Special

Another Christmas Special from Making Cards, with over 40 unique projects.
Includes 32 sheets of FREE craft papers (including 16 GLITTER Varnished), to enable you to complete the projects.
Issue out on 6th October order now to ensure you get your copy here!

New Pergamano Products

Due out in September and Available for Pre-Order now

Click on the pictures to go to the webpage
Or
Copy and paste the link into your browser

http://www.wightcat.com/crafts/perg_new%5b2009%5db.htm

A lovely new collection of
Books, Patterns, Grids, Tools and other accessories
From Pergamano


Go to our website to see our special offer!


Don’t forget you will receive a free pattern with every order this month

Are you a Knitter? Do you Crochet?
Did you know we now sell wool?

Happy Crafting from Steve, Hilary & Mindy
Wightcat Crafts
14 Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1BL
Tel: +44 (0)1983 527525
Email: crafts@wightcat.com
www.wightcat.com

Are Hobbies Healthy for you

Well naturally some Hobbies like Sky Diving have dangers associated with them, but even these still health advantages.

How can Hobbies help with your health?

Having hobbies can help you keep busy so you are not overeating, they can lower your blood pressure, provide a release from stress, and keep your mind and body active.

Do you want to quit smoking or drinking?, lose weight, want to feel more interested in life, a sense of accomplishment?

Then take up a Hobby.

Your hobbies will be unique to you; find things you are good at, you have always wanted to learn, or bring back something you did years ago, recapturing your youth. They can range anywhere from: crafts, games, art, music, writing, pets, gardening, and exercise.

Hobbies such as, sports, exercise, and gardening, are forms of physical activity, providing movement for the body. This movement helps to tone and stretch the muscles, balance the blood sugar, lower the blood pressure, reduce stress and rid the body of toxins. Some of these can be done out in nature; connecting with nature has been shown to have great health benefits. Activities like: hiking, camping, gardening, or even a walk in the park, are great examples.

Animals are also important to health it can be watching a Gold Fish in a bowl or training a Parrot or walking a Dog. Taking care of and bonding with them, requires learning, activity and opening yourself up to love. Animals have been known to lower blood pressure, provide laughter and to even help people with disabilities open up. Laughter has been shown to provide many health benefits, such as: lowering blood pressure, helping digestion and keeping you young.

Art and music and writing have been used for therapy; it has been shown that developing our creative side is so valuable for overall health. Singing requires one to breath deeply, bringing more oxygen into the lungs and cells of the body. Writing allows us to express our feelings and creativity. Art, allows us to de-stress and to express ourselves; all three provide a sense of accomplishment.

Hobbies are great when you are trying to quit smoking, drinking, overeating, or other bad habits. Take up new hobbies instead of the bag of chips; Start today to keep your mind and body active. The latest studies show, we can develop new pathways in our brain, so start learning new hobbies today.

So de-stress, relax, chill and exercise your brain with one of the following:

Scrapbooking, Knitting, Embroidery, Paper Folding (Origami), Parchment Craft, Rubber Stamping, Decoupage, Painting

They are all good for your Healthy wellbeing

Cross Stitch Kits

Maia Embroidery Kits

Designed to inspire you down to the very last stitch

Maia is a premium counted cross stitch brand intended for fans of beautiful design.

Created expressly for a dedicated stitcher or someone who is wanting to make a statement

with a framed piece, maia kits are of the highest quality imaginable.
So whether you are new to stitching or you have been practising the art for many years, Maia is for you

New Siesta Grids

Check out the latest Ruler Grids from Siesta

ideal for dry embossing or Parchment Craft

15 different dessigns to choose from

http://www.wightcat.com/crafts/siestagrids.htm

Also New 2009 Christmas Grids

now in stock

http://www.wightcat.com/crafts/siestagrids.htm

Our Summer Sale Mystery Box will come as a great SURPRISE!

Packed full of goodies for cardmaking and crafting and incredible value for money.
All the products are new and the contents of each box will vary with over £50 of products (RRP)
These will make a great gift.....whether to yourself or someone else!

GREAT VALUE at just £25.00

Don't miss out!

This offer is available only whilst stocks last.

Typical contents include: Assorted papers, cards, stickers, boxes, assorted embellishments, sticky essentials, rubber stamping, 3D paint, punches, Christmas embellishments, decoupage papers, decorative stones, flowers etc

Order your Mystery Box here

New Products on our Website

Wightcat Crafts
http://www.wightcat.com/
And don’t forget
Free Pattern with Every Order

And enter code “WCCAUG” at checkout
to receive a free gift on orders over £30

(Offers valid until Aug 31st)

New Polar White from Flowersoft
The first delivery has come in and flown out to all Pre-Order customers
Katy Sue Designs Ltd are delighted to announce the launch of POLAR WHITE, the first new product in their premium Diamond Range

This is a speciality colour with unique properties. Crafters will be amazed at the semi translucent and frosted effects of Polar White, which has been specifically created to work on white areas within designs. Polar White is set to be the season’s sensation by giving the most realistic snow effects ever seen in paper crafts

http://www.wightcat.com/crafts/flowersoft.htm

New Christmas Cute and Polar Friends from Flowersoft

http://www.wightcat.com/crafts/flowersoft.htm


NEW! Tool Caddy Handle
The Tool caddy handle is proving very popular which is not surprising as it allows to combine all 3 (or 2 if you have only 2) layers of the PCA Tool Caddies together so that you can carry them with you... or spin each layer around to you as you work with it on the desk also!

http://www.wightcat.com/crafts/parchment-grids&accessories.htm

Are you a Knitter? Do you Crochet? Did you know we now sell wool?

Happy Crafting from Steve, Hilary & Mindy
Wightcat Crafts
14 Carisbrooke Road, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1BL
Tel: +44 (0)1983 527525
Email: http://www.blogger.com/crafts@wightcat.com
www.wightcat.com
http://www.wightcat.com/

Also follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/wightcat