Free Sue Wilson Christmas Card Project

To celebrate the launch of the Creative Expressions Project Book we're offering a FREE downloadable sample project designed by Sue Wilson!

The project is a beautiful Opulent Black and Gold Christmas Baubles card (pictured), and is just one of the 21 fabulous paper craft and mixed media makes included in the Project Book. 

Stunning Christmas Bauble card project by Sue Wilson from the Creative Expressions Project Book -
click here to download your FREE step-by-step project instructions

The download includes complete easy to follow step-by-step instructions, beautiful high resolution photography and a full list of the crafty materials you'll need. 

To download the free project now just click here.

The Creative Expressions Project Book is available now at an RRP of £4.99, to find your nearest stockist click here.

Meet the Team week eight - Tracy Evans

Welcome to another of our 'Meet the Team' posts, where each week we get to know a different member of our Design Team. This week, last but certainly not least, we talk to self-confessed 'dabbler in many things crafty' Tracy Evans...

1. Introduce yourself briefly...

My name is Tracy Evans: wife, mother, friend, gardeners and dabbler in many things crafty! Impatient, impulsive, with an addictive personality and probably a little obsessive about the little details. 

Design Team member Tracy Evans

2. How did you get into crafting?

I began approximately thirteen years ago when I was a stay at home mum with my son Ryan, then three years old. I needed a creative outlet, something for me and on a whim I attended a stamping workshop; and the rest as they say is history.

Before having my children I had a very busy career and I was itching to get my teeth into something new. Stamping took hold and I became so passionate that my hobby became my business, running a craft shop for nine years. I closed the door around three years ago to spend more time with my children and on my passions. 

3. How would you describe your style?

I am rather an eclectic crafter, leaning more towards the grungy, collage style. I am all about the little details... They complete a creative piece for me and make my creations unique, something I strive to maintain for as long as I craft.

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?

Inspiration is everywhere! My garden often inspires my colour choices; plant combinations and colours inspire me with every passing season. I also find inspiration in home decor and fashion magazines, which highlight current trends in colours, patterns and styles that we can use in creative pieces.

5. What's your favourite technique right now?

 At the moment it's the Tim Holtz Riveted Patchwork technique, from his Compendium of Curiosities II book. This technique really appeals as it co-ordinates with the steampunk/industrial makes I love to create. I also love to work on pieces for men, I find it a challenge and love to think outside the box when it comes to artwork that appeals to men.

Tracy's latest DT project: a stunning festive card made using the Umount Let It Snow stamp set

6. What's your favourite colour?

Oh no just one favourite colour? This is difficult! My favourites change by the day, but if I had to pick one it would be brown as it work so well with my grungy, vintage style.

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?

I am one of those crafters who cannot snack whilst creating, purely because I am a little obsessive about keeping my work area clean and tidy! I would have chocolate finger prints all over my work if I snacked. 

I have learned from experience, on many occasions I've taken a cup of tea to my craft room only to place a paintbrush into it! Not a good idea and doesn't add anything to the flavour!

8. What do you do when you are not crafting?

If I'm not crafting (which doesn't happen often!) you'll find me digging in the garden or on my allotment. I love my garden, there's nothing more satisfying than watching your garden grow. You can also find me at the gym. I love to keep active and exercise always helps my creative thought process!

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...

I was once a Personal Assistant to the CEO of a FTSE 100 company.

10. What craft tool couldn't you live without?

Only ONE? You have got to be kidding! After much thought I think it would be my Fiskars Paper Trimmer as I could not cut a straight line with a pair of scissors if my life depended on it! I could add another hundred products to this list though!

11. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?

As long as my family and little dog were safe, I would have to save all my rubber stamps...well that is one product there's just lots of them haha!

You can see more gorgeous cards and mixed media makes from Tracy on her blog here, including all her Creative Expressions DT pieces. 

We hope you've enjoyed 'meeting' our Design Team over the last eight weeks! If you have we would love to hear your feedback, just leave a comment below or on our Facebook page. 

Meet the Team week seven - Shary Nettleship

Each week in our 'Meet the Team' posts we find out a little more about one member of the Creative Expressions Design Team. This week it's the turn of Shary Nettleship, as we 'meet' her in our penultimate post...

1.Introduce yourself briefly...

My name is Sharon, but Shary in the crafting world, I'm happily married and have four kids. I'm a stay at home mum to my two youngest, who are at primary school, and my two eldest are studying at university. 

2.How did you get into crafting?

I've knitted and cross-stitched in the past, but one day ten years ago I saw a really basic card making case (just a few peel offs, wooden stamps etc). I picked it up and put it back down again.

After a day of shopping and almost getting back into the car, I said to hubby that maybe I should have got it. So he told me to quickly run back and get it. I can't tell you how much that little case has grown and how much it has ended up costing him!

Design Team member Shary Nettleship

3. How would you describe your style?

Hmm that's a hard one... I make cutesy cards but I also like to make altered art projects and getting messy with inks, paints and whatever else I can lay my hands on.

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?

Crafty blogs and magazines.

5. What's your favourite technique right now?

At the moment it's stamping, heat embossing and then going over with Distress Ink to really make the image pop! 

6. What's your favourite colour?

Lilac, especially combined with browns and pinks. All together if I can get away with it!

Shary's latest DT make - 3 beautiful festive ATCs made using the Heartfelt Creations Ornamental Medallion stamp set

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?

I drink loads of tea, but I don't really eat anything whilst crafting. I can't trust myself not to get it everywhere!

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?

Walking our Labrador retriever Milly, spending time with my family and reading on my Kindle.

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...

I have just moved back to the UK after living in Germany for 11 years.

10. What craft tool couldn't you live without?

Ooh there are lots. But... I think it would be my new Cameo Silhouette!

11. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?

Gotta be my dog and my guinea pigs!!! Milly lays by my feet when I'm crafting and my piggies live in my craft room. 


You can see all of Shary's excellent makes, including her DT pieces, on her blog here. Be sure to check back here next week for our last Meet the Team post, where we'll be getting to know Tracy Evans!

Christmas Bauble Challenge winner...

We received some fantastic festive entries for our Christmas Bauble Challenge this month!

We asked you for crafty Yuletide projects featuring Bauble motifs and you sent us absolutely stunning Bauble cards, tags, decorations and more! Just some of our judges favourite creations this month are below...

Wonderful layered Poinsettia decoration by Miria Amano

Lovely Memory Glass Christmas decoration made using the Umount Pine Cone Christmas stamp set by Jassy Veale

But unfortunately our judges could only pick one winner to receive the Studio 490 prize bundle, so...
CONGRATULATIONS to our Christmas Bauble Challenge winner... JEAN PHILLIPS! 

Challenge winner - Embossed Bauble card by Jean Phillips

Our judges loved the attention to detail on Jean's beautiful embossed Christmas card, created using the JustRite Deck the Halls stamp set and Spellbinders Holiday Magic M-Bossabilities embossing folder.

Well done Jean! Your Studio 490 prize bundle worth over £50 is on it's way to you!

Thank you to everyone that entered our Christmas Bauble Challenge, check back here soon to see our next Challenge theme and the fabulous prize up for grabs.

The Creative Expressions Project Book is here!

We’re excited to announce that the brand new Creative Expressions Project Book is coming to a craft shop near you soon!

The A4 Book is 44 pages long (with no adverts!) and contains a myriad of stunning projects to inspire you.

The 21 beautiful makes featured in the Book were created by your favourite craft celebrities, including Sue Wilson, Sam Poole, Julia Watts and Hels Sheridan, as well as members of our fabulous Design Team.

The Creative Expressions Project Book has 21 unique projects inside

The Project Book is incredibly varied and includes cards, tags, mixed media pieces and ATCs. Style-wise, there’s also something for everyone; from bright clean and simple designs, to vintage altered art and steampunk pieces. 

You can see some of the creations featured in the magazine below...

This Artists Set Plaque by Gabrielle Price is just one of the fab makes in the Book!

Another is this elegant Ooh La La French Frills card by Sue Wilson

This Within Your Heart dimensional wall hanging by Hels Sheridan is sure to be a favourite!

What’s more, the projects vary in complexity, so whether you’re an advanced crafter or a newbie you’ll find plenty of ideas and easy to follow techniques to spark your creativity!

The Creative Expressions Project Book is available now through Creative Expressions stockists, to find a stockist near you click here.

We'd love to hear what you think of the Project Book, so please let us know either by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page. 

Meet the Team week six - Michelle Webb

It's time again for another Meet the Team post, where each week we get to know a member of the Creative Expressions DT a little better. 

This week we 'meet' singer, chef, computer genius and (most importantly) passionate crafter: Michelle Webb. Read on below to find out more...

1. Introduce yourself briefly...

Hi my name is Michelle Webb and I'm 41. I work as a full time computer slave, but when I get home of an evening my pent up creativity is let loose and I love getting messy in my craft room!

I have three cheeky cats (two young ones and one kitten), who usually run away with various crafty items from my work desk, and one grown up son who occasionally joins in my messy antics!

I'm into stamping, drawing my own images, mixed media and art journalling. 

Creative Expressions DT Member Michelle Webb

2. How did you get into crafting?

Have I ever been out of it?! I was one of those whiny kids that was always saying 'I'm bored'. So my mum filled a sideboard with egg boxes, washing up bottles and anything else crafty that she could get her hands on, and I was never bored again! I always made a mess when I had a Tony Hart project on the go!

I've never stopped ever since, moving from one crafty obsession to another! I'm saving glass-blowing for when I retire in 25 years...

3. How would you describe your style?

My style usually consists of lots of layers, lots of colour and lots of mediums. It can change often too because I always like to try new products and techniques.

A beautiful festive tag created by Michelle: made using the Umount Let It Snow stamp set

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?

In a nutshell; blogs, art classes, YouTube videos, Pinterest... Blogs in particular are a HUGE inspiration for me. I get time 'suckage' though; I spend my time going from one blog to another and before I know it I've got no time left to create myself!

Also since my first visit to a class at a local craft shop earlier this year I've been on a whirlwind of discovery. I happened to go there on a preview day where art samples were everywhere for you to look at and touch. I can't tell you how life-changing that day was for me. 

Mostly this crafting lark is a solitary hobby until you find a group of like-minded people who get together to make things; then you want to do it again and again! You all inspire each other!

5. What's your favourite technique right now?

Gesso over everything! It makes everything look like it belongs there; no matter how random it looks before you put the Gesso on.

6. What's your favourite colour?

Blue and Teal.

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?

Anything that will leave dirty, greasy, chocolatey marks on all my creations!

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?

I cook a lot. I used to be a chef many moons ago, so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. And any spare time I have left is dedicated to house work...booo, hiss!

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...

I'm in a Pop Choir! (I hear you say 'Do I have any time?! Haha, no!)

10. What craft tool couldn't you live without?

Hmm...this is tough. You know there would be tonnes of things I couldn't live without, but most of all it would be my craft mat, is that a tool? I'm not very good at this, if not then my heat gun!

11. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?

My Distress Inks! I'd do a trolley dash to grab whatever else I could get before the house collapsed. If a fireman came to the window to rescue me, I'd hand him all my Tim Holtz stamps before me!...I have my priorities wrong don't I?

You can find all of Michelle's fabulous DT makes and more on her blog here. Next week we'll be 'meeting' another member of the team, so please check back here!

Meet the Team week five - Trace Metcalfe

Unbelievably it's been another week since our last Meet the Team post! So it's time once again to get to know one of our Design Team members a little better. This week it's the turn of Trace Metcalfe...

1. Introduce yourself briefly...
My name is Trace, a 39 year old Mum of three children (James, 9, Oliver, 7, and Lucy, 2) and wife to Steve. I love all things Distress and have found much inspiration in distressed, vintage and steampunk styles. I've been blogging now for just over a year and am loving the crafty friends I am making and inspirational friends I'm finding along the way.

Design Team member Trace Metcalfe

2. How did you get into crafting?
I have always been an arty girl but discovered ink when I left primary school teaching to bring up my children. From small beginnings I continue to enjoy my inky adventures!

3. How would you describe your style?
A mix of Distress and steampunk, with a dash of vintage and colour thrown in. My style seems to evolve and I'm loving the journey!

4. Where do you draw inspiration from? 
Tim Holtz!

5. What's your favourite technique right now?
Riveted patchwork.

6. What's your favourite colour?
Blue, but my favourite colour combination is blue and brown! (Vintage Photo and Broken China)

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?
I snack on Soft Mints, whilst drinking coffee with two sugars.

A fabulous steampunk card by Trace: made using Sam Poole's Steampunk Christmas stamp set

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?
Browse crafty blogs, shop for more crafting stash, post on my blog...and look after my three children and husband of course!

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...
I got married over an anvil in a chapel in Scotland.

10. What craft tool couldn't you live without?
My ink blending tools, hotly followed by my Tiny Attacher!

11. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?
My Distress Inks, but if my arms were big enough I would take my blending tools too.


More fabulous makes from Trace, including her Creative Expressions Design Team projects, can be found on her blog here. 
We'll be 'meeting' another member of the Creative Expressions DT right here next week, so be sure to check back!

Meet the Team week four - Kim Dellow

We 'meet' Creative Expressions Design Team member Kim Dellow in this week's Meet the Team post to find out what's inspiring her right now, which craft tool she can't do without, what she likes to snack on whilst crafting and more...

1. Introduce yourself briefly...
Hi my name is Kim Dellow and I'm an artist, crafter, blogger living in London, UK. I live with my wonderful partner David in a flat that is fast becoming overrun with arts and craft products! Yikes! I have a paper and fabric fetish but shhh! - It's a secret so don't tell anyone! You can find me on my blog, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kim.dellow) and on Twitter (@KimDellow).

Design Team member Kim Dellow

2. How did you get into crafting?
At heart I think I've always been a bit arty and crafty. I dabbled as a kid, but didn't pursue it until about five years ago when I started making cards as a way to relax. Then I entered the Papercraft Essentials magazine Papercrafter of the Year Competition in 2008, purely on a whim and never expecting to actually win. I did win and am really lucky to still be regularly published in Papercraft Essentials and Simply Cards & Papercraft  now.

3. How would you describe your style?
Erm...I'm a bit of a Jane of all styles, master of none. I like everything from grungy to cute and try my hand at it all. But I think I'm at my happiest when I'm getting messy with colour; and playing with paper, fabric and stitch too. I love creating with recycled packaging and corrugated card.

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?
Got to say it, but everywhere! Like most arty, crafty folk I draw inspiration from any place it strikes. But I firmly believe that you have to put the hours in to make good use of that inspiration!  

5. What's your favourite technique right now?
Playing with watercolour is making me happy at the moment, I'm learning lots about this medium!

6. What's your favourite colour?
I'm a jewel colour person and teal is one of my faves. But I do try to break out of my comfort zone every once in a while to expand my colour combos.

A beautifully textured Christmas card by Kim: created using the Tim Holtz Christmas Time stamp set

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?
I don't tend to snack. If I do though it would be fruit as we don't really have crisps or biscuits in the flat (they don't last long enough!). 

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?
Exploring my home town of London or trying out different cuisines, and drinking tea with my feet up.

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...
I can touch my nose with my tongue and pick pencils up with my toes - too much detail?

10. What craft tool could you not live without?
Scissors!

11. If your flat was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?
Yikes! Sewing machine? All my colour making materials? Sketchbooks?! Oh boy!


You can take a peek at more of Kim's stunning creations, including all of her Creative Expressions DT projects, on her blog here. 

Next Wednesday (31st Oct), in week five of Meet the Team, we'll be getting to know a little more about another Creative Expressions DT member. So be sure to check back here! 

Meet the Team week three - Gillian Simson

It's Wednesday, which means it's time to meet another member of the Creative Expressions Design Team and find out a little about what makes them tick. This week we would like to introduce DT member Gillian Simson...

1. Introduce yourself briefly...
Hi everyone, I'm Gillian. I live on the North-East coast of Scotland with my husband (the most patient man in the world!), one teenage son and a mad Labrador called Sam (now six!). I'm very fortunate to have a job I love! I work as a manager in an Older Peoples Day Care Resource Centre.

DT Member Gillian Simson

2. How did you get into crafting?
Whilst recovering from illness way back in the late 90's I bought a card making kit from a well known TV shopping channel, I was hooked immediately! The rest, as they say, is history...

3. How would you describe your style?
I love vintage style crafting, absolutely anything distressed or grungy!

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?
I love working with quirky stamp designs. Wendy Vecchi's Studio 490 range always sets my cogs ticking! I also love to include texture within my work... whether that be by layering embellishments or using Gesso through stencils. I love the freedom of working on alterable items such as paper mache, wooden items and lasered chipboard.

5. What's your favourite technique right now?
My fave and most used is the Spritz and Flick technique, closely followed by Riveted Patchwork. 

6. What's your favourite colour?
I always tend to reach for blue and I love turquoise tones. My favourite "go to" Distress Inks to reach for right now are Peacock Feathers and Weathered Wood!

A bright Steampunk Christmas Decoration by Gillian: made using Sam Poole's Steampunk Christmas stamp set

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?
Most of the time I'm way too engrossed in what I'm doing to eat, but if something isn't going to plan I reach for the chocolate...

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?
Spend way too much time on social networking sites! However at the moment I'm studying, so if I'm not crafting I have my head stuck in books!

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...
I have never tasted coffee!

10. What craft tool couldn't you live without?
My paper trimmer, it's invaluable!

11. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?
Oh now that is a tough question! Just one thing? Really?? It would have to be my collection of stamps!


You can take a look at more fabulous projects from Gillian, including her Creative Expressions DT projects, on her blog here. 

Next Wednesday (24th Oct) we'll be meeting another member of the Creative Expressions DT, so be sure to check back here then!

Christmas Bauble Challenge!

Our Christmas Card Challenge is now open!

This month's Card Challenge theme is Christmas Baubles and we have a prize of over £50.00 of Studio 490 goodies for the winner!

Christmas Baubles Challenge prize stash: including Studio 490 stamps, Art Parts, Stencils and more.

Click here to find out more about the theme and how to enter...

Meet the Team week two - Trish Latimer

It's time for week two of our Meet the Team blog posts, where we get to know the wonderful ladies of the Creative Expressions Design Team a little better! This week we would like to introduce Trish Latimer...

Question 1. Introduce yourself briefly...
I'm Trish Latimer and I'm a full time mixed media designer . I live in sunny(!) Blackpool with my husband and four children. I've been crafting for around 15 years and write for various crafting magazines, I've also recently released a DVD called 'Create with Paint'. 

DT Member Trish Latimer

2. How did you get into crafting?
I saw a TV demo of rubber stamping years and years ago and have been hooked ever since!

3. How would you describe your style?
My style is messy, painty, quirky and very colourful!

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?
I love looking at fabrics and all kinds of textiles to get colour combination inspiration, but you can find great colour combos anywhere if you look hard enough!

5. What's your favourite technique right now?
My favourite technique probably changes every week! Right now I'm very 'into' paint splatters using a bottle brush. Next week? Who knows!

An Icy Santa Christmas themed canvas by Trish: made using  the Tim Holtz Christmas Time stamp set

6. What's your favourite colour?
I like combinations of colour rather than a single shade. Right now I adore lime, black and white together.

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?
Nothing! The crumbs would get everywhere and as I use my fingers to apply most of the mediums I use, eating whilst crafting would probably end up with me eating those too!

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?
Sleep...and even then my brain doesn't switch off. I have my best ideas in those split seconds before sleep happens!

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...
I used to be a primary school teacher. I haven't taught in schools for 17 years, but I've taught craft workshops for the last ten. 

10. What craft tool couldn't you live without?
My brayer...I love brayering layers of paint all over everything!

11. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?
My jewellery pliers. Everything else is pretty much replaceable but I've spent years getting those pliers worn enough to fit my hands perfectly!

You can see more of Trish's stunning makes, including her Creative Expressions DT projects, on her blog here. Be sure to check back here next Wednesday (17th Oct) to read our next Meet the Team post!

Meet the Team week one - Jean Gursoy

Hello and welcome to the first of our Meet the Team blog posts! 

In these blog posts over the next eight weeks we'll be asking each of the new Creative Expressions Design Team members some questions to find out what techniques they're into right now, what inspires them to create and even what treats they like to snack on whilst getting inky! 

So without further ado, this week we would like to introduce DT member Jean Gursoy...

DT Member Jean Gursoy

Question 1. Introduce yourself briefly...
My name is Jean Gursoy, I live in London and am lucky enough to have a wonderful family who support me in everything I do. I am going through a difficult time in my life right now as my husband passed away in April, and we were together for forty years.  I am privileged to have been chosen as a design team member because it is really helping me to cope and do creative and positive things and learn from other people’s work.  

I have a background in the textile industry, but retrained later on as an ESOL teacher, teaching English to foreign students. Craft is my real passion in life, I don’t see craft as simply a hobby; it is so therapeutic too and I cannot live without it. If I had to describe myself in a nutshell, I'd say I'm a craftaholic!

2. How did you get into crafting?
I have always crafted since I was a small child, being an only child, I spent a lot of time alone so I quickly learnt to amuse myself with an array of pens, paints, paper and anything else I could get my mum to buy for me.  When I was around 14, I unpicked one of my favourite skirts, cut a pattern from it and sewed all the seams by hand with tiny, tiny stitches. My grandmother asked me where I got the sewing machine from and, after I told her I had completed it by hand, a sewing machine arrived that Christmas. Incidentally, I still love sewing by hand believe it or not!

A Christmas themed birthday card by Jean: made using Spellbinders Nestabilities and Bakers Twine. 

3. How would you describe your style?
I can be quite eclectic and get interested in different styles; at the moment I would like to do more Steampunk style projects. On the other hand, I love symmetry and designs that have a Medieval or Arts and Crafts feel to them too.

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from everywhere; magazines, books, the internet and YouTube, other crafters’ blogs, from nature and from my own feelings. I am a fan of Pre-Raphaelite Art, William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement.  I also love Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Impressionist Art. I also really like folkart painting and the intricacy of Ottoman design. 

5. What's your favourite technique right now?
I don’t think I have a favourite technique, although I have to say I enjoy brayering when creating scenes, using distressing techniques and creating my own background papers using inks, misters and embossing folders.  

There's nothing I like better than to get myself really messy (the rebel in me!), but I even shock myself and can never understand how, in the space of five minutes, I can create so much chaos and disorder! There’s such a plethora of stamping techniques, all interesting in their own way, and I love to experiment with bleach on dark card, do a little zentangling (doodling), ripping, tearing and crumpling paper (very therapeutic). 

6. What's your favourite colour?
I love autumn colours; reds, browns and golds. Also, dare I say it, I love PINK! Especially with black; sorry about that.

7. What do you like to snack on whilst crafting?
Well, the thing is that when I get into my craft room I really have a problem getting out again! When I do, I am so hungry that I eat anything available that does not have to be cooked – that’s usually ice cream, cream crackers and Turkish cheese, olives and my favourite chilly peppers that I eat with all savoury food.  I would ideally like to snack on shish kebab, but no chance of that.

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?
Spend time with my lovely family, watch all the wonderful programmes on Turkish Satellite TV (so I don’t forget my Turkish) and play with my sweet little half Bengal cat called Elmaz (Diamond). 

9. Tell us a random fact about yourself...
I love learning languages! I am fluent in Turkish, Modern Greek and also spent two years studying Spanish with the Open University. The problem is that if you don't use it you lose it and although I can read Spanish and understand it; not having the chance to speak it is a huge drawback.

10. What craft tool could you not live without?
My Grand Calibur!!!

11. If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room?
My Spellbinders dies, as many as possible. If I could carry them that is!

You can see more of Jean's beautiful creations, including her Creative Expressions DT pieces, on her blog here. 

Check back here next Tuesday to read our next Meet the Team post!

August Card Challenge winner!

It's time again for us to announce the winner of our monthly Card Challenge! August's challenge theme was Embellishment and we received an absolute bundle of stunning entries adorned with brads, beads, bling, bows and more.

But our judges could only pick one crafty make to win the challenge prize of three Creative Expressions Umount stamp sets, so CONGRATULATIONS to...

Kim Hurley from Essex!

Our judges loved Kim's card (pictured below) made using our Gala Event stamp set and decorated with brads, jewel embellishments, fibres and die cuts (created with the fab Spellbinders Venetian Accents and Venetian Motifs dies). 

Well done Kim, your prize will be winging its way to you soon. Thanks to everyone that entered the Embellished Challenge, our September challenge theme will be announced here next week so be sure to check back!

Announcing the Creative Expressions Design Team 2012!

Thank you once again to everyone that applied for our 2012 Design Team call. The number of applications we received this year was huge and included a whole host of wonderfully creative cards, tags, inchies, mixed media projects and more!

Our judges had the difficult job of reducing the mountain of excellent applicants down to the final eight DT members. When going through the applicants they were looking for creative flair, a variety of techniques, great execution and a versatile style. It was a tough task as the standard was so high, but they managed to pick the eight crafters that best fitted the bill...

So without further ado, we are delighted to announce that the successful members of the Creative Expressions Design Team 2012 are:

·         Tracey Metcalfe

·         Shary Nettleship

·         Tracy Evans

·         Jean Gursoy

·         Kim Dellow

·         Trish Latimer

·         Michelle Webb

·         and Gillian Simson

A massive congratulations to all of you! We will be in contact soon to formally welcome you to the team and to confirm the first 2012 DT stamp set!

We would like to say a sincere thank you to the members of our 2011 Design Team, who have created unique and inspiring projects for us week after week over the last year!

To everyone else that applied for the DT call, we’re sorry you haven’t been chosen this time, but thank you for taking the time to apply.

We'll be getting to know the new team over the next eight weeks through our Meet the Team blog posts; looking at each team members style, favourite products, artistic influences and more so be sure to check back here regularly!

New DT 2012...Not long now!

After careful consideration our judges have selected the eight members of our 2012 Design Team! Check back here at 5pm today to see the new team members announced!

Thank you all for your DT applications!

Thank you to everyone who has applied for the Creative Expressions Design Team call 2012. We’ve received a mountain of fantastic entries and seen some truly inspiring pieces created for our Texture Challenge!

As of 5pm today the DT call will be closed and we will not be accepting any more applications. Our judges will then go away and carefully consider all the entries, before whittling them down to our eight new team members for 2012. The winners will be announced here on the CE News Blog at 5pm on Wednesday 5^th September.

Good luck to everyone that has applied and don’t forget to check back here on Wednesday when we’ll be revealing the new team!

July Card Challenge Winner!

Thanks to everyone that entered our Monochrome July Card Challenge. There were some fantastic entries and our judges had a tough task, but they managed to whittle the entries down to one winner. So...

Congratulations to Oksana Clegg from Lancashire!

Our judges loved Oksana's card (pictured), entitled 'Tres Chic'. Oksana cut the centrepiece of the card using the Spellbinders Floral Ovals die set and stamped the sentiment from our Umount Kind Thoughts stamp set. She also made the paper rose embellishment using the Spellbinders Rose Creations die set.

Well done Oksana, your prize of three Umount rubber stamp sets is on its way to you now. To everyone that didn't win this time, you can find details of our August Card Challenge here.

2012 Creative Expressions Design Team Call!

Do you love creating inspirational papercraft makes? Would you like to be given new Creative Expressions stamps every month for free? Read on...

We're looking for eight passionate crafters to become part of our 2012 Creative Expressions Design Team (CEDT) and make wonderful projects that showcase our rubber stamp designs at their best.


Who are we looking for?
We want enthusiastic, versatile papercraft artists that love creating beautifully executed projects. Previous experience on a design team isn't necessary and the most important thing to us is that you have a real passion for craft!


To be eligible for the CEDT we ask that you:

• Have an active blog where you post at least once per week
• Can produce one DT project per week -posting it on your blog, the CE Facebook page and other social media you may be involved with
• Can produce one tutorial per month and post it on your blog (This can be one of your weekly projects)
• Actively promote Creative Expressions on your blog, craft forums and other social media that you're involved with - linking back to our website where appropriate

What's in it for you?

There are some great benefits to being a member of the CEDT, as a member you will:

• Receive a new set of Creative Expressions rubber stamps every month absolutely free (as well as other craft goodies from time to time!)
• Receive a generous 20% discount on all products that Creative Expressions supply*
• Have your blog promoted on our website and a link hosted on this blog
• Receive a CEDT 2012 badge to display on your blog
• Have your creations showcased on our website and in marketing materials

*Please note: 20% discount applies to RRP of products and is applicable only when ordering from Creative Expressions

How do you enter?

To apply for this DT call please email ryan@creative-expressions.uk.com with the subject line as 'DT Entry: Your Name'. 

Please send with your email high resolution images of three projects you've made which best demonstrate your style and skill. Please also include a little about why you want to join the team and any relevant experience, as well as a link to your DT Call Challenge entry (see below). Applicants from the UK, Europe and the USA are all welcome. The closing date for entries is Friday 31st August.

DT Call Challenge... Texture

As taking part in challenges will be a part of a CEDT members role, we would also like you to take part in a little challenge and the theme for our DT Call Challenge is Texture.

The rules are simple...create any style of papercraft make you like (atc, card, scrapbook layout etc) as long as it features rubber stamping and features texture somewhere on the piece. The texture can be achieved using embossing folders, heat embossing, textured paints, heat bondable fibres or any other crafty product you prefer. 

You don't have to use Creative Expressions stamps in your challenge entry, but being familiar with our stamps is a plus.

Closing Date - Friday 31st August

We ask that all DT Call applications be sent to us by 5pm on Friday 31st August. The eight successful candidates will then be chosen by our judges and the winners will be announced here on the Creative Expressions News Blog on Wednesday 5th September. 

If anyone has any queries please feel free to comment below or email ryan@creative-expressions.uk.com. 

Good luck to everyone and we look forward to seeing your creations!