Creative Expressions Sheer Inspiration Blog Hop!

Our very first Blog Hop will start from 10am on Wednesday 3rd April and will be across all the blogs of our talented Design Team, who have created some fantastic makes especially for the Hop!

What's a Blog Hop again?

For the uninitiated, in a blog hop you "hop" from one crafty blog to another by following a series of links on each blog. On each blog you'll see stunning creative makes from our DT, who have each been challenged to create a project using Creative Expressions ribbon in the most innovative way they can think of. We're already excited to see what they come up with!

Why should I take part?

There will be inspiration and ideas galore all along the Hop, whether you're a card maker, jewellery maker or mixed media artist. Plus we'll be giving away over £100 of craft goodies as part of the Blog Hop prize draws, and all you have to do to enter is follow the Hop and leave a comment on each Blog.

How do I play?

To get involved just visit this blog anytime from 10am on Wednesday. We'll post links to all the blogs in the Hop, in order, and all you have to do to get started is click the first link.

We can't wait! Have a crafty Easter!

Who's for a blog hop?

Exciting news! Next week, starting from Wednesday 3rd April, Creative Expressions will be launching our very first Blog Hop...

The Hop will include lots of inspirational makes, crafty prizes and more. Check back here tomorrow for more details!

Visit us at The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show

The countdown is on for the award-winning April Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show at Alexandra Palace and Creative Expressions will be there with some of your favourite crafty celebrities!

The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show - 13th & 14th April

We'll have Create & Craft regulars Julia Watts and Sam Poole demo-ing live on the Creative Expressions stand all weekend at the Show to spark your creativity. Plus the talented Hels Sheridan and Leonie Pujol will also be demo-ing on our stand on the second day of the Show (Sun 14th), sharing their favourite paper craft tips and techniques!

Above: Just some of the craft personalities that will be demonstrating 
at the Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show

But that's not all, Sue Wilson, Barbara Gray, Ali Reeve and more will all be at the Show too; showcasing gorgeous projects and sharing their crafty know-how. What's more, as well as bucket loads of creative inspiration, there will be shopping galore at the Show from over 60 craft retailers and a free grand prize draw for Creative Expressions stash. 

If you haven't got your advance show ticket yet, you only have two weeks left to book and save money on the full price. To book your ticket now click here or call 01536 481778.

We're looking forward to it already and we hope to see you there! 

Julia Watts live on Create & Craft TV

The talented Julia Watts will be live on Create & Craft TV (Sky 671/Freeview 36/Freesat 813) today at 2pm and 5pm continuing the fantastic Spellbinders Pick of the Week shows!

She will be sharing fantastic techniques and ideas using the new Spellbinders Die D-Lites, Creative Expressions new Gilding Wax and a variety of new products from our Cosmic Shimmer range...

For details of all of our live TV shows coming up this month, take a look at our Events Calendar here. 

TV Shows this week on Create & Craft

We have a whole host of exciting live paper crafting shows on Create & Craft TV and Ideal World this week, starting this very afternoon!

Today...

Hels Sheridan will be live on Create & Craft (Sky 671/Freeview 36/Freesat 813) at 3pm and 6pm, showcasing her unique style and some fabulous techniques using the latest die designs from Spellbinders.

Tomorrow...

Sue Wilson will be showing you even more great techniques with dies as she launches the Spellbinders Pick of the Week on Create & Craft, with live shows at 12pm, 3pm and 5pm. 

Saturday...

Julia Watts continues the Spellbinders Pick of the Week on Create & Craft with live shows at 8am, 1pm and 7pm. 

And that's not all...

For full times of the rest of the live Spellbinders Pick of the Week shows and our other upcoming shows visit our Events Calendar. There you can always find the latest information on all Creative Expressions upcoming TV shows, in-store demos and exhibitions.

Meet the Team - Tracey Laughton

This week we have a special Meet the Team post with Creative Expressions resident crafter, Tracey Laughton. Tracey helps test our newest products and produces many of the fantastic cards you see featured on our Create & Craft TV shows. Read on below to find out a little more about Tracey and her crafty style...

1. Introduce yourself briefly...

Hi, I'm Tracey Laughton. Proud Mum to two sons, carer to two little canines and resident crafter at Creative Expressions. 

Tracey Laughton is Creative Expressions resident crafter 

2. How did you get into crafting?

I've always liked to make things and as a child tried sewing, weaving and origami (to name just a few!). Whilst expecting my first child I was forced to have complete bed rest for a few weeks, so to pass the time I got into cross-stitch. This eventually progressed into me discovering paper crafting and stamping.

3. How would you describe your style?

I prefer elegant or pretty designs, rather than distressed or grungy, but I like to try and vary my style.

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?

This is the hardest question to answer. Inspiration can come from anywhere at any time, so I try to always jot ideas down when they come to me. I also follow paper craft blogs, read magazines and go to craft clubs.

5. What's your favourite technique right now?

I enjoy using dies, rubber stamping and paper folding. I'm also really enjoying learning techniques for colouring stamped images with alcohol markers at the moment. 

6. What's your favourite colour?

Pink or purple, but I like lots of colours really. I like to use two or three main colours in a card project and match my embellishments to those.

Tracey's beautiful Dreams card, as featured in the Creative Expressions Project Book Two 

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

I don't usually snack whilst crafting, but a mug of tea or coffee is always present. 

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

Fortunately, working for Creative Expressions, I get to craft most of the time. But when I'm not I enjoy sewing and embroidery, walking my dogs, the cinema and spending time with my family. 

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

As a child I went to seven different schools. Not because I kept getting expelled, but because we moved around a lot!

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

 My Grand Calibur!

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

Definitely my paper stash! You know the stuff I mean: the papers that are "too good to use" and some which would be irreplaceable.

You can see fabulous cards and other makes from Tracey on Creative Expressions live TV shows on Create & Craft and in the Creative Expressions Project Book Two, available now. You can also see Tracey's latest projects on her blog here.