ROUND UP OF OCTOBER 2022 AND LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

 

Hello and welcome to the second of my monthly round-up blogs

We began October with a day dedicated to us because it was World Card-Making Day.  The winner of my Giveaway was Miriam Lowrie and I know she is already enjoying her prize.  Here are just a few of my favourite cards from the day.  Made by Allyson Matthews, Andrea Herron, Jeanette Handley and Marie Jo Davis.

Seeing the high uptake of people willing to try the October Word Prompt Challenge has been good.  Special mentions go to Christine Price and Gill Harrop who seem to have shared a card virtually daily.

Christine's love of Santangling shines through in her classy card.  

Gill has kept us entertained with her interpretation of the word prompts.  This one for foiled made me chuckle.  "Batman always foils the baddies!"

I also loved the interpretations and the artistry in these cards too.  By  Karen L Williams, Liz Cavill and Mary Blackhurst-Hill

I know many of you enjoy the fancy fold cards and here is just a snapshot of some created by 

Elaine Thomson Smith, Linda Preece, Lisa Shaw and Yvonne Rowland.

Many of you are sharing your Christmas makes, including: Elaine Wheatley, Karen Shaw, Gail Mands, Helen Bullock and Heather Thomas.  I love seeing the different techniques and styles used to make each of these cards.

I have spotted some wonderful projects during Mixed Up Monday from Tracy Shephard who has spent 16 weeks stitching this mini masterpiece.

Lynne Hollingsworth has also spent several months earning these badges.  Then stitching over 100 Girl Guide badges and 2 sashes to this blanket.  Congratulations Lynne.

I also loved this individual artwork from Rita Alexander Arancibia.  It really is a reminder that Autumn is  here.

One of the best things about Creative Minds Kind Hearts is the support that you show one another.  Papercrafters of all abilities are able to share their work and know that they will receive positive comments.  Sometimes we are our own worst critics but there is no need to be.  If you are nervous about sharing your own work or are unsure of how to upload photos to the page - then please just ask one of the Group Experts who are more than happy to help.

We are happy to welcome back as a Group Expert - the very talented Karen Watling.  She will be popping up with more of her makes, alongside: Liz Cavill, Caroline Pattenden, Angela Stinchcombe, Cathryn Walker and Tracy Shephard.  The Group Experts have been particularly busy this month in preparation for our upcoming Anniversary Event.  My personal thanks also go to Gail Mands who is always on hand to help with the Admin involved in the running our group.   Sadly, Lisa Shaw and Julie Walker have stepped down as Group Experts due to family commitments.  Thankfully, they are both still, full and active members of the main group.

In addition to the seasonal and challenge cards, it has been a joy to see some of your personal "just because" makes.  Including these little beauties from Karen Shaw, Eva Wanders, Geraldine Entwistle, Jean Craig, Janice Viggers, Karen Watling and Mary Kelly.  Thank you all for sharing your work.

Next, I would like to congratulate the very talented Janet Roberts on being included in Crafts Beautiful.  Try and read the article if you can because it is an interesting read.

Here is just one of Janet's classy cards.  Most of which are sold to raise much needed funds for charity.

I would also like to offer Yvonne Mallick belated birthday wishes for her very special day.  Just in case you missed seeing these beautiful cards, Yvonne celebrated her 70th birthday.  I hope you had a wonderful time with your friends and family.

Please also join me in congratulating Tracy Shephard on joining the design team for Debbi Moore Designs.  I am sure we will be seeing many of her DT makes in the weeks ahead.

I am also pleased to know that Julie Dawson is settled into her new home and more importantly is back crafting!   This is the first of her new makes (it was for a sad event) but at least Julie is up and running again.

Before looking forward to November, it is only right that I share a few Halloween makes from our much missed friend Moira Yakova.  She loved sharing her makes at this time of year.  We were often treated to her sweet boxes and individual cards for her grandchildren.  Our thoughts are with them as they mark Halloween without Moira this year.

Looking forward to November and another Challenge.  This time it is an One Sheet Wonder which may come in handy when you are creating your Christmas cards.  The grid can be found in the CMKH Planner and I have added a copy below too.  Many of you will know how this works but the Group Experts and myself will try to add some further inspiration in the days ahead.  I will also set up a new album for the November Challenge so that all your cards can be saved and shared.

On the 12th November, our group will be holding it's 5th Anniversary Event.  The Group Experts and a few of my Crafting Friends have been creating unique projects with full video or blog tutorials.  This means that you will have a full days workshop at your fingertips - on our dedicated YouTube channel and here on this blog.  Please let me know you are interested by signing up to the Event Page in the main group.   If you are unable to join in with the online chat on the day - you can watch the videos back in your own time.  It has taken a few hours work but I am sure you will enjoy all the ideas that we have to share. 

As always, the birthday list will be shared on the last day of this month and the new Happy Post list will be set up on the first day of November.

If you are able to - please subscribe to this blog and leave a comment below to let me know your thoughts.  As always, my thanks to all of you for being a part of Creative Minds Kind Hearts.  Here is to the next 5 years!

Be Creative - Be Kind - Be You.

Love Elisabeth xx

HAPPY WORLD CARD MAKING DAY 2022 and ROUND UP OF SEPTEMBER 2022.

 

Hello everyone

Happy World Card Making Day to you all.  What projects will you be working on, or will you be treating yourself to some new crafting items?  Whatever you decide - raise a glass and acknowledge this great hobby that brings us all together.

I have become increasingly frustrated by the limits placed on me in maintaining our Facebook Group.  I still haven't made sense of the notification settings. Therefore, I thought I would try writing an extensive blog post to you all so that I can share your September creations, and some new ideas for October and celebrate some magnificent achievements with you too.

One Sheet Wonder

Thank you to our Group Experts for all their efforts over the past few weeks.  I was very impressed with the results achieved by Gail Mands, Caroline Pattenden and Liz Cavill using the One Sheet Wonder Challenge.  I love the variety of these designs and how the ladies added their own style to the design.  I hope these cards will inspire you with your future makes.  It is really amazing to see how many cards can be made from one sheet of 12x12 paper.

October Challenge - Word prompts

October sees the start of a new word prompt challenge ( which is featured in the CMKH planner)  You will find a copy of the list below.  As always you can set yourself a target to complete any number of days or you could just concentrate on stamping cards or making all your Halloween projects with the prompts.  These challenges are great for giving your mojo a kickstart or making you think about your craft in another way.   

The words can be interpreted as you wish.  For example, on Day 15 a card could be created using brush pens or watercolour paint.  Alternatively, a picture of a "brush" could be the main focal point of your card.   I will set up a new album however I am very aware of all the problems Facebook causes with their constant updates.  The main thing is to share your work - so add it to the main discussion page and add the day you are making it for.  It makes sense to post your cards/projects on the date ie the 3rd Bewitched should be added on the 3rd of October.  

Albums

When I set up this version of Creative Minds Kind Hearts - the album system worked very well and everything was pretty easy to follow.  Through no fault of my own, Facebook has made uploading and finding albums increasingly tricky.  Don't panic if you can't find an album - simply add your photos to the main discussion page and ask one of the Group Experts to help you add them to an album.  Photos don't need to be in an album unless you want to save them for the future.  If you are sharing monthly Happy Posts then please tag Elisabeth or Gail so that we know cards have been sent/received.

If you want to have a go at finding the albums on your mobile/tablets.  Look for the three dots in the left-hand corner of the main page.  Tap on them to reveal a drop-down menu.  Albums will be one of the headers.  Tap on Albums and a whole list of various albums will appear.

On a computer - look for the menu underneath the page banner.  Then scroll across to Media.  Click on the tab and Albums will appear.

The address album is saved lower down the list.  Names are stored as Christian names rather than surnames so my name is saved under E for Elisabeth not H for Hogarth.

The birthday album is one of the last on the list.  If you would like a mention at the start of your birthday month then look for the month and tell me in the comments below the photo your birth date.

The Christmas Card - a- long is filling up nicely now.  You can join in at any time and you can also use the album as a source of inspiration.

Wednesday Wonders/ Sketches are paused due to limited interest.  If you want to find the older versions then either view them in the WW Album or look for the Ultimate Sketch Album to view the entire collection we have created.  Most of them have a link to a YouTube tutorial or a blog post.  

Poll

A few weeks ago I held a series of polls.  It is good to see how many of you enjoy visiting the group.  The main reason you seem to use it is to connect with the other members.  Many of you are talented crafters who enjoy looking for inspiration.  Creative Minds Kind Hearts can only stay fresh and interesting if its members engage and let us know what they like.  Emojis and comments on posts really help us to know what content to create so please do try to engage and share your work.

Expanding from card making to all crafts

It is wonderful to see so many crafts shared on Mixed Up Monday.  I would like to know if you would prefer to keep the group as a predominantly card-making group or would you prefer to share all of your crafts every day of the week?  Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

A big shout out to Miriam Lowrie, Elaine Thomson Smith and Gill Cox for all the brilliant makes and wedding decorations they shared with the group.

It has also been great seeing the really stylish cards that have been made this month.  It is heartwarming to see so many company design team members willing to share their work and their ideas with the group.  If you have questions about how these cards are made then do ask the questions because as crafters we can all share our knowledge.  Thank you for sharing Donna Cleary, Heidi Hobson, Mary Kelly and Lorraine Sanders.

Of course, you don't need to be on a company design team to share your cards.  Look at these classy numbers from Janet Roberts, Elaine Thomson Smith and Tracy Shephard.

And as always there have been some fancy folded cards created by  Karen L Williams and Lesley Chambers.

As you can see there really is something for everyone in Creative Minds Kind Hearts.

Five Year Anniversary

The group as you know it - will be celebrating its fifth anniversary in November.   During that time, I myself have worked with several craft companies including Craftwork Cards, The Hobby House, Splashcrafts, Kanban Crafts, Lisa Horton Crafts, Craft Consortium and most recently Graphic 45.  As I have evolved so has this group (of which I am very proud). This group would not work without the ladies who have committed to being Group Designers/Group Experts.  Many of them have gone on to achieve so much in their own right. 

Congratulations on your achievements.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate 

Lesley Kilby on joining the Craft Consortium design team and this week completing a full magazine spread in Papercraft Essentials Issue 217.

Gail Mands on setting up her own Card Design Page and celebrating its 2nd Anniversary.  Please follow the link and help Gail's page grow.  https://www.facebook.com/gail.mands.card.designs

Congratulations should also be given to Lisa Shaw who has recently joined the Nitwits Collections Design Team.  It is great to see that all the Fb Lives Lisa shared with us got her noticed and she is able to share her love of digital crafting with others.

I would also like to congratulate Heidi Hobson on achieving her dream role of becoming a Guest Designer for Oakwood Direct on Hobby Maker.  You can watch her live on Freeview Channel 73 on 1st October at 1pm.

In addition, many congratulations to Natasja Bosker upon joining the Oakwood Direct Design Team and for creating her own set of stamps with Pronty stamps.

It is really important to celebrate and applaud each other's achievements. We may be a small group but "Great oaks from little acorns grow"

CMKH Planner

During Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022, I pulled together a Crafty Planner dedicated to the members of this group.  More than 30 copies were sold.  I would love to know from those of you that bought a copy if you found it useful?  If you didn't buy a copy is it something you would like to receive this year.  If there is enough positive interest I am willing to create a 2023 planner which would be available to buy in time for Christmas 2022.

Finally...

I would love to know your thoughts on this blog post.  Did you enjoy reading a monthly round-up of September?  Is it helpful to have all the news and information in one place rather than hopping around the Features area on the group page?  Please let me know in the comments below.

Finally, I will be setting up the October Happy Post list on the 1st of October and you have until the 5th of October to sign up.  If you have friends who are interested please would you point them in the right direction because I hate it when people miss out.  

HAPPY CRAFTING

Love Elisabeth

Be Creative - Be Kind - Be You

PS Here is a little something I have been working on for Kanban Crafts.  It includes a new must-have crafting product.  I will let you know the showtimes and availability soon! 

#53 WW Diagonal double fold card by Julie Walker

Found a video online by Lisa Curcio of Lisa's Stamp Studio and loved it, hope you will too. looks a bit complicated but trust me it isn't

You will need to start with a piece of base card 8.5 inches by 11 inches (21.6 cm by 28 cm) Score this card at the half way point on both the vertical and horizontal, so 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) on the short side and 5.5 inches (14 cm) on the longer side.

Cut one complete quadrant from the card

The arrows in the picture indicate how to diagaonally cut two further quadrants on your card, so that you end up with a base card that looks like this

Score your folds well so that the card sits nicely. The side panel folds inwards and the top panel folds down . Now its time to decorate. A little more tricky than I at first thought but you just have to remember if your paper is directional to make sure you are cutting your angles correctly. Hope you will have a try at this card, I don't think you will be disappointed. I put mats and layers on my card and it still folds nice and flat into a standard envelope. Have fun and happy crafting everyone.

Wednesday Wonder #52 by Tracy Shephard

 Hello everyone.

Welcome to my second card for the 'Wednesday Wonder' challenge and I hope you love it as much as I do. 

I think it is a fabulous fold and so versatile. You can change it in so many different ways.

Of course it has to be a bit of a showstopper!

You will need..

cardstock 5 x 20 inches. I used 160gsm.

acetate   5 x 10 inches

Design paper of your choice

plain or coloured card for mat and layering

For the Rosette

cardstock 1 x 15 inches

small circle

center flower decoration

You will also need a large sentiment.

So let's get started...

1. Score your 5 x 20 cardstock along the long side at 5 and 15 inches, fold and burnish.

2. I used three mats for the inside of my card. Each one cut 1/4 inch smaller than the other.

   Pink layer 9 3/4 x 4 3/4

   White layer 9 1/2 x 4 1/2

   Design paper 9 1/4 x 4 1/4

3. For the folds on each side of your card...

I found using a lighter card, made the folding easier. You need sharp, crisp folds and a neat point.

Each flap is 5 x 5 inches. Find the center of the flap and lightly mark it. 

 

On each side, mark at 2 inches, and 4 1/4 inches. 

Using your scoring tool, starting at the center point, score to each side mark. 

Fold and burnish each scoreline so you get get a lovely crisp edge.

 4. For the mat and layers for the flaps, I used three layers for the triangle..

Pink layer 4 3/4 x 4 3/4

White layer 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 

Design paper 4 1/4 x 4 1/4

I cut each piece as a square, found the center point and cut to each bottom corner. 

5. The pink layers, were a bit more tricky, so take your time... 

You will need 4 of the following shape. 

You can make a template. Using copy paper, make the 5 x 5 flap and fold and cut the piece you need for the layer. This will make it much easier. 

6. Take your 5 x 20 inch acetate and place it on your card with the flaps over it. I used red liner tape to attach the flaps to the acetate. 

7. The Rosette is made by scoring the 1 x 15 inch cardstock and scoring it every 1/4 inch. Concertina fold the scorelines and tape together to make a circle, 

8. Fiddle the Rosette into a neat circle and using hot glue, stick the small cicle to the back. 

Hot glue is brilliant for this purpose, making it quick, easy and less messy. 

Stick a pretty flower to the front of the Rosette, and then , agin using hot glue, place the Rosette to the center points of the front flaps on your card. 

9. Finally, add you sentiment. I used 3D foam pads, which gave it a lift and it stands out beautifully. 

I do hope you will give this a try and I can't wait to see your gorgeous creations.

Happy crafting

Tracy x 

 

 

#51 WW Twist and Fold Card by Liz Cavill

Welcome to another Wednesday Wonder and this week it's a Twist and Fold card.

The butterflies are attached just by the body and antennae, leaving the wings loose.  

This is the card closed.....

..... and this shows what it is like when opened.

There are a lot of templates online for starting with a 8" x 8" piece of card, but I couldn't find any for 10" x 10", so I've made the one below.  The finished card when folded will be 5" x 5".   The larger version is less fiddly to fold.

Start with a 10" x 10" piece of card, it's best to use fairly thin card as it will be easier to fold the card flat. 

The blue and red lines are the score lines.  I found it easiest to score the four rectangles in the corners first, then score the four diagonal lines.

Red lines = Mountain folds 

Blue lines = Valley folds

Decorate the sections with mats ¼" smaller than each section.

When folded, the four corners are the parts that will show on the front of the card, so embellishments can be added on the corners. 

I've left the middle of the card blank for the message, but you could decorate this area and write the message on the back.  To close the card, make sure all your mountains and valley folds are well burnished, to enable you to easily twist and fold the card.

For my second card, I added an extra white mat and changed the shape I used of some the mats.  The flowers are attached just by the middle and the petals bent up to add some dimension.

This little video shows how the card opens and closes.  You may need to click on it twice to view.

I hope you try this fold.  Don't forget to share a photo on our CMKH Facebook page and add to the WW album.

Love Liz xx