Design Team soon entering Phase 2.....

Hi all,

Can you believe that the phase 1 of our design team is nearly over with just one more kit left to reveal before phase 2 and the new kits start.

I am so delighted with the success of the first phase and that is down mainly to our amazing design team (who ooooozzzzzzeeee talent I think you will agree) and of course our Kit members who purchase the kits every month and share their amazing projects either here or over on our Ning network or through their own personal web pages, blogs and Facebook pages. Thank you all.

I get so excited each time I see a project made with the kit I put together and I love wacthing new crafters confidence grow month by month and experienced crafters skills flourish and perfect. Most of all I love the communtiy and the sharing between you all. I know I might not always be the most vocal but I can assure you I read every single blog post and comment and view and admire each and every one of your projects.

So this week I have been asking my design team for their feedback on how they think the first phase has gone so far and now I am going to ask our loyal and valued kit club members to let me know too. What have we done right? What can we do better? What do you enjoy the most from the kits? Do you find the tutorials useful? Could we do more of them? Would you like to see and particpate in more regular and more professional challenges? Do you think the kits represent could value for your crafty budgets? What would you like to see more or less of in the kits?

Please email me at cathy(at)craftyalley.com with any comments. These will be essential as I plan phase 2.

Once again.....thank you so much.....you have made the Design Team / Kits a huge success.

Cathy :o)

Prima Paper Shoe

Hello Ladies,

I created this shoe using the lovely Prima papers from the July Crafty Alley kit available HERE. The only supplies not in the kit are the pearl trim and the aqua lace.

If you'd like to have a go at creating one for yourself, you can download the pattern HERE in pdf form. (download may begin automatically) The creator of the template is HERE. However, I followed the video tutorial of my YouTube friend Tracy HERE. It was easier than I expected, and only took about 25-30 minutes from start to finish. Lots of fun! What do you do with it? I suppose there are many uses that an imaginative person can come up with, but the opening is wide enough to add a little gift such as a bag of ribbon, trims or charms, a small box, or some yummy candy inside and give it as a gift. Hope you have fun with it.

Hugs,

Robyn xx

August BUMPER STASH kit!

Guest Designer: Sandie

Our very popular guest designer Sandie is back this week with a stunning project using the July kit.

I think you will all agree that this is gorgeous. 

Thanks Sandie!

It's a gift!!

If.. like me.. you never seem to have the right gift box for that special present.. then this project might be right up your (crafty) alley.. (excuse the pun!)..

It's actually a very simple technique but I think it looks so cute! I made it using supplies entirely from the July kit and it is for a friend who has been very good to me recently...

I hope you guys like it! These kits are so versatile don't you think?

Katie xoxo

A Couple of Cards And a Sneaky Peak

Hi there everyone and hope you had a lovely weekend. Today I’d like to show you a couple of cards that I’ve made using the gorgeous DP from  the July kit and also a sneak peak into the August kit.

For this card I’ve used the adorable ‘Fairy Tallulah’ from Digi Stamp Boutique and I’ve coloured her using my ProMarker pens.

The DP is from the July kit along with the self-adhesive yellow gems.

The flowers I made myself using various dies.

For this card I’ve used one of the gorgeous Crystal Fairy images from Pollycraft and again I’ve coloured her using my ProMarker pens. I’ve inked the edges up using Frayed Burlap Distress Inks from the Crafty Alley.

The DP is from the new August Kit which will be available very soon.

The flowers I made myself using various dies.

I also just want to show the gorgeous embellishments that is included in the August kit

Along with 9 Maya Road Kraft Journaling Tags and then there is also 50 12x12 K&Company Classic Paper Collection (which everyone I love)

Because there’s so much in the August kit, there’s a limited amount, so once they’re gone you won’t be able to get your hands on it. So you’d better be quick to avoid a disappointment.

Ok well that’s it from me today and I hope that you’ve enjoyed a sneak peak into the August kit.

Hugs Michele x

An Easel With A Twist

Hi everyone!
A quick easel card to share with you today - it's very frilly that's for sure!

Everything used to make this card is in the July Kit, I have simply added Distress Inks but that's it! How are you all getting on with the kit?

Katie xoxo

Introducing Guest designer Sinéad Kirby

Sinéad is our guest designer this week and she made this stunning layout using the July Kit. 

Sinéad said "I absolutely loved this July kit with all the beautiful Prima papers and embellishments! This layout is about me turning eighteen earlier this month, and the things that I love at the moment.  I got the idea from Shimelle Laine's blog, as she creates a page like this every year for her birthday.  All the papers I used are from the kit, I tore them to give a roughed up look, and also dry brushed my cardstock and one of the labels from the kit with pink paint mixed with glimmer mist to outline and highlight the papers.  I used the flowers and leaves from the kit and decorated them with the glimmer mist, and also embellished with lots of the buttons and rhinestones from the kit, along with the lacy ribbon trim which I stitched along the bottom of the paper".

We look forward to seeing plenty more from Sinéad in the future.

This is a one off kit and we have two left - for more details click here....

Altered Pegs

Hello Ladies,

The lovely summer colours from the July Crafty Alley kit are appearing all over my house. I have been altering things left and right! I have one such project to share with you today; a couple of altered jumbo pegs.

They can be used for displaying photos, reminder notes, or cards to name a few. I used the Prima papers, Baubles, and chipboard stickers from the kit.

I think there are only 1 or 2 kits left, and I don't think they'll be around long!

Hope you have a great week. Thanks for stopping by.

- Robyn xx

A Couple of Cards

Hi there everyone and hope you’re enjoying the gorgeous July kit. Today I’d like to show you a couple of cards that I’ve made using the very yummy DP and embellies from the July kit

The image I’ve used is one of the Crystal Fairy digital images from Pollycraft and I’ve used my ProMarkers to colour her in.

The sketch I’ve followed from Friday Sketchers.

The lace ribbon is from the July kit

The flowers I made myself using my slice machine and the raffia and feather are from my stash.

And here’s another card that I’ve made using the gorgeous DP from the July kit.

The image that I’ve used is the adorable Willow from Whiff of Joy and I’ve coloured her using my ProMarker pens. I’ve inked up the edges using Blue Faded Jeans distress inks from Crafty Alley and also used a swirl stamp.

The flowers I made myself using various dies.

Ok that’s it from me for now and don’t forget to pop back again tomorrow to see what gorgeous creations the other DT has for you.

Hugs Michele x

Altered Children's Book

Hi there everyone and thanks for stopping by. Today I’d like to show you a little project that I’ve made using a hard-backed children’s book. I’ve got so many of these books that my children don’t look at anymore, so I thought that I’d put them to good use. So I decided to make a mini-album for the very first time. A friend of mine is getting married in a few weeks time so I thought that I would make a wedding mini-album for her as a little gift.

I’ve really enjoyed putting this mini-album together and this will definitely won’t be the last

Almost all the materials I’ve used are from the July kit from Crafty Alley and also previous kits, except for the flowers which I made myself.

Hope you all like this mini-album.

Hugs Michele x

Vintage Butterfly...or is it?

Happy Friday Ladies! I can't believe how fast this week has flown by! I have a card to share with you today that is using DP from the lovely July kit from the Crafty Alley shop. I've really grunged it up and distressed it quite a lot.

I've created the butterfly using the Cracked Glass technique.

First I stamped the flower onto watercolour paper using StazOn ink. I then colored it in using my AquaPainter and Stampin' Up! ink pads. I spritzed it with a brown marker and then die cut the butterfly shape with my Big Shot. After inking up the edges of the butterfly, I added VersaMark ink to the entire surface. I heat embossed it a total of 3 times using UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel by Ranger). Then all you do is pop it into the freezer for about 15 minutes to harden it up further, and when you take it out you simply bend and snap the UTEE. Voilà! You've done the Cracked Glass technique. To further emphasize the cracks, I like to rub ink over the surface so it gets down into the cracks.

I hope you give it a go, it is a lot of fun. Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Robyn xx

Online Crop Shenanigans!!

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would share with everyone the amazing creations from our July Crafty Alley Online Crop.

We had a choice of two projects, an easel card or a criss cross card, and this is what our crazy group came up with!

First up.. Sandie.. who managed to get both projects done using the papers from the July Crafty Alley kit...

Next up we have our very talented DT member Robyn, who went very quiet for a little while and then came back with this masterpiece!! :)

Next up we have Nicole who made these two cute minature cards with lots of sparkle...

Our friend Maria in the UK made this gorgeaus girlie criss cross card....

Jo was working on her anniversary card for her hubby.. and very cleverly combined the two projects in one... between Pina Coladas...

Next up we have Cathy.. who shock horror made a card! You would never know it was her first ever card.. gorgeous!

Last up we have the lovely Ann who made this beautiful feminine criss cross card using the July kit!

We also played some little forum games.. and wrote this little story between us.. it needs an ending though if anyone fancies giving it a shot in the comments....

One day, Cathy ordered some Websters Pages for her girls, to write their 'Storybook' tale, but by the time I had placed my order online, to my horror, guess what?! They had all but gone. So I had to then consult my under-sized pet giraffe, and I got advised to stick with fluffy pink marshmallows. Now, knowing that giraffes are known for their tall stories, and love of sweet treats, we decided on another plan, to climb a tall tree. But then, Felicia and Ebony, with their fear of heights, got called in for tea, and saw a mountain and decided, with the lovely Irish weather, it was time for a ................................

Good luck making an ending to make that all make sense! Looking forward to seeing your endings!

Katie xoxo

Guest Designer Day: Charmaine

We have a brand new guest designer this week: Charmaine!

She has made an absolutely beautiful layout using one of the fabulous Prima 12x12's in this month's kit. Such a lovely layout, I particularly like how she has used the gems from the kit in the centres of the flowers on the design paper.

You can see more of Char's lovely work on her blog, by clicking HERE.

Katie xoxo

The Criss Cross Crazy Crop!

Hello all!

My project this week is from our July Crafty Alley Online Crop - we had an amazing time last night! We had a choice of two projects, and inbetween all the natter and craziness, this is what my hot glue gun and I came up with:

Tomorrow is Guest Designer day, and on Thursday I will be posting up more from the crop, including everyone's beautiful projects that took part.

Thanks for peeking

Katie xxx

Criss Cross Card Tutorial - ONLINE CROP

Here is the second tutorial for tonight!

Hope to see you all there!

Katie xoxo

ONLINE CROP - Easel Card Tutorial

A very quick video for tonight's online crop where we will be working on a choice of two projects: either a criss cross card or an easel card. Here is the tutorial for the easel card for anyone that fancies giving it a go!

Katie xoxo

Online Crop Tonight!

Hello All,

Don't forget that we are having an online crop over on the Crafty Alley Ning Network, tonight at 8 PM Dublin Time (GMT+1) !!!

We will have a choice of two projects (both if you're feeling ambitious), a 15 minute challenge, and lots of games and nattering! Also, attend the crop and upload your project pic to be in with the chance of winning a cool prize sponsored by the Crafty Alley, more to be revealed tonight!

Don't forget to stop by later too as Michele will have a cool project with the July Kit to share with you.

Katie xoxo

Prima 3-D Cone

Hello Everyone and happy Friday! I have a fun home decor project to share with you today that would make a lovely gift or even as a party favor for a birthday or bridal event. I've created my samples to be 9" long, but you could adjust it to any size, even 6x6 so you could get 2 out of 1 piece of 12x12 paper. Just customize it to whatever suits you. I'm using supplies from the July Crafty Alley kit to create this lovely Prima paper cone. Would it be considered a Tussie Mussie? Not sure, but I'm pleased to share it with you today along with a tutorial. I hope you enjoy it.

And here is the one I created in the tutorial all decorated. On this one, I wanted to keep the trim simple to give another option. So, I've just added a line of scor-tape (or red tacky tape) along the bottom point and added some Martha Stewart glitter.



I hope you give it a try. If so, I'd ❤ to see yours.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Have a blessed weekend!

Robyn xx

PS - There are only 3 July kits left, if you are holding off getting yours, you may want to order it today.