All Things Grow With Love by Kim Robertson

Kim Robertson has been getting crafty with the Winter Flowers Stamp by CE as well as one of the new MDF wooden panels! We are really impressed with the results - thanks Kim!

Visit Kim's blog to find out more...http://inkykimcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Winter Flowers by Tracy Heaton

Tracy Heaton has created this gorgeous Winter Card using the new Winter Flowers Stamp Sheet by Creative Expressions.

Head on over to her blog for a closer look and for step by step instructions: http://ahintofmagnolia.blogspot.co.uk/

CEDT - Meet Tracy Heaton

Creative Expressions Design Team - Meet the Team

Name: Tracy Heaton

Here is a photo of one of the projects Tracy submitted to us as part of her CEDT application:-

About Tracy:-

Introduce yourself briefly... My name is Tracy Heaton, I live on Anglesey with my husband, daughter, two dogs, one cat and three chickens.

How did you get into crafting? I don't really remember not crafting. I started sewing and knitting when I was really young. I've had a go at most crafts, including quilting, glass painting, mosaic and dressmaking. I discovered paper crafting about 15 years ago and have never looked back.

How would you describe your style? Experimental. Whilst sometimes I have an idea of where I'm going with a project, I often adopt a 'go with the flow' approach and try a variety of techniques to produce a finished piece

Where do you draw inspiration from? I'm so lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country, and can't help but be inspired by my surroundings, the ever changing textures and colours of the sea and countryside never fail to inspire.

What’s your favourite technique right now? I love to add texture to my projects and at the moment that includes texture paste and ink sprays.

What’s your favourite colour? I love blues and reds, but find it so difficult to choose a favourite colour – I love them all!

What do you like to snack on whilst crafting? I don't tend to snack whilst crafting, but I can't live without my Red bush tea – it's my crafting essential.

What do you do when you’re not crafting? I craft most days, in fact, if I'm not crafting, it's probably because I'm asleep!

Tell us a random fact about yourself... I'm a pop music trivia whiz

What craft tool couldn't you live without? My Tim Holtz ruler

If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you would save from your craft room? My Distress ink/paint/stain stash.

If you want to see more of Tracy's projects, then visit her blog and FOLLOW HER at http://www.ahintofmagnolia.blogspot.co.uk/

Welcome to the team Tracy - looking forward to seeing all of your amazing projects!!

Cyclamen - by Neil Burley

Neil Burley  has been busy prepping his first CEDT post recently... here are the results of all his hard work... 
http://perfectly4med.co.uk/

Halloween Fun with Kim Dellow....

Kim Dellow has been having some Halloween fun using the Umount Winter Flower stamp set and lots of Creative Expressions products!!!

To find out more visit her blog, but be warned, it is not for the faint hearted...http://www.kimdellow.co.uk/

CEDT - Meet Pam Smith

Creative Expressions Design Team - Meet the Team

Name: Pam Smith

Here is a photo of one of the projects Pam submitted to us as part of her CEDT application:-

About Pam:-

Introduce yourself briefly... I'm Pam, married with 2 grown-up Daughters, 1 Grandson and 2 grown-up Step Children. I teach workshops on cruise shops as well as on land. I've been crafting since 2002 and it keeps me from my second hobby; eating too much chocolate!

How did you get into crafting? Accidentally! I found a set of stamps in a DIY shop that were reduce in price, so I thought I would have a go!

How would you describe your style? Quirky, Inky & Painty.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? Blogs, magazines and  the BSSBS at Ally Pally!

What's your favourite technique right now? Rubber stamping - always. I also like Ink/Paint techniques and working on canvases.

What's your favourite colour? Blue.

What do you like to snack on whilst crafting? Anything! Mostly chocolate though!

What do you do when you're not crafting? Travelling on cruise shops, reading, paying the Ukulele and going on archaeological digs.

Tell us a random fact about yourself... I teach Ukulele.

What craft tool couldn't you live without? My paper trimmer. But please can I have Cut-N-Dry Foam as well??

If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you would save from your craft room? My drawer unit containing most of my rubber stamps.

If you want to see more of Pam's creative projects, then visit her blog and FOLLOW HER at http://www.smiffyscards.blogspot.co.uk/

Welcome to the team Pam - can't wait to see what amazing creations you have up your sleeve for us!!!

Melt Art Pick of the Day with Hels Sheridan on Ideal and Create & Craft

Hels Sheridan is on Ideal TV tonight for a special Melt Art Pick of the Day! Hels will be showing off a brand new range of Cosmic Shimmer Melt Inks! Catch Hels at these times:

Tonight:
9pm & 11pm on Ideal 

Tomorrow:
8am & 10am on Ideal
12pm Create & Craft
1pm Ideal
4pm Ideal
7pm Ideal

Here is a sneaky peak at one of the many fabulous creations she will be showing us over the next couple of days.... (we can't wait!!).

Check out her blog for more reveals....http://pinkleart.blogspot.co.uk/

First DT Post for Donna Ratcliffe

Donna Ratcliffe is another of our new recruits to the CEDT and will be blogging her work every Tuesday. We will introduce Donna in more detail next week, but in the meantime, check out her first DT project for us using the Winter Flowers Stamp by Creative Expressions!

Find out how Donna made this: http://donnaslittlecraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Winter Flowers by Pam Smith

Pam Smith is also new to the DT and will be blogging her work every Tuesday. We will introduce Pam in more detail tomorrow, but in the meantime, check out her first DT project for us using the Winter Flowers Stamp by Creative Expressions! 

Find out how Pam made this:http://smiffyscards.blogspot.co.uk/

CEDT - Meet Neil Burley

Creative Expressions Design Team - Meet the Team

Name: Neil Burley

Here is a photo of one of the projects Neil submitted to us as part of his CEDT application:-

About Neil:

Introduce yourself briefly... I'm Neil Burley, also known on the internet as perfectly4med, and I've just finished an extended diploma in Art and Design at Leicester College and opened my own teaching studio.

How did you get into crafting? It started with squidging some paint between pearlescent paper – and then I got introduced to rubber stamping. Over fifteen years later, I've made it into my career.

How would you describe your style? A bit of everything! I can create anything from a clean and simple card to a large sculpture for the garden, a 12 x 12” layout to a beaded necklace. I also quilt and crochet. I like to learn new techniques and use whatever is new in craft-land, so my ‘style’ is constantly evolving.

Where do you draw inspiration from? I'm used to being inspired by the products and materials I've been asked to use. For my ‘freestyle’ pieces, nature and geometry are my main inspirations. For techniques I turn to magazines, books and art journalling videos on the internet.

What’s your favourite technique right now? Water colouring with Distress Re inkers over a heat embossed resist.

What’s your favourite colour? Anything in the blue/purple spectrum.

What do you like to snack on whilst crafting? I don’t snack while crafting as I don’t like the greasy finger marks. I normally have a cup of tea or a diet coke on the side though.

What do you do when you’re not crafting? Dreaming new designs and ideas, planning new workshops, teaching them, keeping the allotment, walking my two dogs or catching up with admin and accounts. Oh, and I'm responsible for the housework.

Tell us a random fact about yourself... I used to be a psychiatrist.

What craft tool couldn't you live without? My scalpel (kept from my Uni days!)

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

The computer! It has a digital record of all my work, college course as well as being a significant investment – I’d have to blog the event after all!

If you want to see more of Neil's creative designs, then visit his blog and FOLLOW HIM at http://perfectly4med.co.uk 

Welcome to the team Neil - we are really excited to have you on board and look forward to seeing what amazing projects you create for us over the next year!

Crafting My Style with Sue Wilson - Joy to the World

Morning crafters! Today sees the release of another video in the 'Crafting My Style' series with Sue Wilson. Today, Sue is making a "Joy to the World" card which focusses on techniques with embossing folders! 

Click on the link to see the video http://www.particraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Pretty in Pink by Kim Dellow

Don't you just love a splash of pink with Kraft? Kim Dellow does, as you can see from today's make. It is a card that Kim has created using a selection of products stocked by CE. Really pretty Kim - thank you! 

Find out more at Kim's Blog, here.

CEDT - Meet Kim Robertson

Creative Expressions Design Team - Meet the Team

Name: Kim Robertson

Here is a photo of one of the projects Kim submitted to us as part of her CEDT application:-

About Kim:-

Introduce yourself briefly...  Hello, My name is Kim Robertson, I am mum to two grown up children and I have fostered a couple more. I live in Hertfordshire and my ultimate dream is to work in the craft industry full time.

How did you get into crafting? I have always crafted I can't remember a time when I didn't have a pen in my hand or covered in pieces of paper, Or wool and knitting/crochet needles. My brother is a Wildlife Artist and was always drawing. I picked up huge amounts of knowledge from him and this is where my love for Art and craft began.

How would you describe your style? My style is very Arty, I know that sounds odd but I always work hard for each team I am on and try to bring my style to their products but I am most at home when I am covered in Ink ,paint,waxes etc I love seeing several uses for each element I use.

Where do you draw inspiration from? As I said my early inspiration came from my brother and even now he helps if I need it but for card making and current trends I look at Sue Wilson as her work has always been stunning to me and that is what you want, the wow factor, there is no better feeling.

What’s your favourite technique right now? Oh that's easy , I love my melt pot and gilding flakes and  any form of ageing techniques.

What’s your favourite colour? Hmm I'm loving all the shades of turquoise through to green but ask me next week and it will be different, I love colour.

What do you like to snack on whilst crafting? I don't, I am too paranoid to get it on my work. However tea is always warmly welcomed.

What do you do when you’re not crafting? Well I have a 9-5 in the NHS and my way of relaxing is crafting. I can happily do that until the small hours of the night as I really enjoy those quiet hours.

 Tell us a random fact about yourself... A random fact , hmm I have lost over 17 stone in weight as I used to be an extremely voluptuous lady haha.

What craft tool couldn't you live without? I want to say die cutting machine but I think it is actually my pencils as I love to draw and if I didn't have my pencils I couldn't. But what about my trimmer.. oh dear.

 If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you would save from your craft room? One of the units full of crafty stash lol... you didn't say how big! Seriously though I'd grab my daughter and leave.

If you want to see more of Kim's fabulous projects, then visit her blog and FOLLOW HER at http://inkykimcraft.blogspot.co.uk

Welcome to the team Kim- we are delighted to have you on board and look forward to seeing all of your fabulous creation over the next year!!

Memories Are Stitched With Love by Tracy Evans

Tracy Evans has yet another delightful masterpiece to share with us today -  it's Fab-U-Lous! Tracy has used the Vintage Sewing Set by Sam Poole!

Find out how Tracy made this by visiting her blog at:
  http://craftaddicts-tracyevans.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/memories-are-stitched-with-love_25.html 

CEDT - Meet Kerry Hickton

Creative Expressions Design Team - Meet the Team

Name: Kerry Hickton (aka Kezzy)

 

Here is a photo of one of the projects Kerry submitted to us as part of her CEDT application:-

About Kerry:

I started crafting after I had a nervous breakdown. I asked my partner to nip to a stationery shop and grab some colour tissue and card so I could do some Easter cards with the kids. I couldn't go out at the time and really wanted the kids to still enjoy Easter.  When he came back he had proper blank cards and embellishments with sentiments and I was completely smitten. I made all the cards in the end as the kids went out with their dad and I played with my new found hobby. My first crafty outing was to the large store Hobbycraft, and the rest is history.

I work part time as an accountant, due to back problems a lot of my work is at home and less time at the office.  I love working part time as now I have plenty of time to play! My children are 14 and 16 so don’t actually craft much. My daughter loves to draw and I have taught her some shading techniques, but at almost 17 (and having just started college), she knows it all lol!  I have to admit having two teenagers in the house can be interesting sometimes: they have more opinions now, but they have social lives and interests which does give me more time in the craft room, but I do miss those kiddy times J

The thing I have loved most about crafting is the journey: learning the many techniques is like visiting amazing cities around the world for the first time. Each time I use a new technique I feel overwhelmed with happiness, as if I was looking in awe at an historic building.  I absolutely love to share everything I do, remembering that once I was a beginner eagerly looking for inspiration from others. And, like any journey, I want more: I want to do more and bring my bloggy friends for the ride. J I find lots of inspiration from outings and flowers as the colours are truly amazing, I also love to blog and find inspiration from others and Pinterest is awesome.  During my time with Creative Expressions, I am hoping to share lots of wonderful textured projects and most of all have lots of fun creating J

My love at the moment is definitely mixed media, I love colour (favourite being orange and blues) and lots of texture, I love to be able to feel my project and the more bumps it has the happier I am. I also love to colour with different mediums especially distress markers/ink pads and alcohol pens.  I think my favourite technique will always be with distress as I still love how water reacts and also heat embossing with my cosmic UTEE, the colours are so gorgeous that I still never get bored of them.  I also learnt to crochet this year and, during the times of bad back, I love to get comfy on the sofa with some gorgeous cotton yarn.  I do like crochet flowers etc. so they do find themselves being sprayed or painted for a project. In my spare time I like to make jewellery and at the moment I am experimenting changing textured mixed media items into my jewellery making.  I also love to read and my favourite authors are James Patterson and Michael Connelly.

I tend never to eat when I craft, I used to but once I was having a go with a canvas whilst nibbling on a biscuit and without noticing I got crumbs that managed to get glued onto the canvas which looked awful, I did try and include them as texture, but I had this awful dread that it would end up getting mouldy lol.  I do like to have my cuppa upstairs but from past experience I now leave it on my computer desk as whilst on my craft desk many times I have gone to have a swig and found paint brushes into it!!!  I don’t think I could live without my cutting knife, distress and heat tool as I could probably do most things with them alone from items around the house.  If my house was on fire I would try and save all my paints, distress, Grand Caliber, cutting dies, jewellery, patterned paper ……. I think I need to start keeping a few black bags in my craft room just in case.

A random fact about me would be I used to do amateur dramatics on stage at a local theatre until just before my breakdown. I have never gone back to acting as I much prefer to create, so now instead of acting I occasionally help with making props etc for shows.

If you want to see more of Kerry's creative designs, then visit her blog and FOLLOW HER at www.kezzyscraftyjourney.blogspot.com 

Welcome to the team Kerry - can't wait to see what amazing creations you have up your sleeve for us!!!

Let it Snow Card - Video by Sue Wilson

Morning Crafters! 

Sue Wilson has just released another video today creating a fabulous "Let it Snow" card using a really unique technique involving shaving foam, distress inks & Micro beads!

Check it out at http://www.particraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Crafting My Style with Sue Wilson - New Video Exclusive!

We are exciting to announce that we have just released the first of a new video series called "Crafting My Style" with Sue Wilson.

Each episode will show you how to make an exciting project with a link to buy all of the products featured in the video, so that you can go and make it yourself!

The first video focuses on a Silver Ribbon Card and you can find it at: http://www.particraft.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Here is a cheeky glimpse at the first card:

Vintage Sewing Stamp by Tracy Evans

Another make from our wonderful DT team; this time it's Tracy Evans who has made this glorious Vintage Sewing Book with the Vintage Sewing stamp set by Sam Poole!

http://craftaddicts-tracyevans.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/vintage-sewing-book.html

New Make From Kim Dellow

Check out this fabulous new make from DT member, Kim Dellow! We love it over here!

http://www.kimdellow.co.uk/2013/10/an-inky-atc-for-friday.html

Sue Wilson on C&C with a JustRite Toolshed

Sue Wilson is on Create & Craft on Sunday between 12 & 2pm and then again at 7-8pm! This is a JustRite Toolshed - don't forget to tune in!!!

Memories are Stitched with Love - Tracy Evans

DT superstar, Tracy Evans has created this gorgeous project to share with us on this windy day using the Vintage Sewing stamp set by Sam Poole! Check out her blog for more info: http://craftaddicts-tracyevans.blogspot.co.uk/

Julia Watts on Create & Craft

Morning All! Julia will be on Create & Craft this afternoon at 2pm to show you a new range of stamps from Creative Expressions! Here is a cheeky peak at two of the cards Julia will be showing us how to make