Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year - Here's to a Crafty 2012!!

Well New Years Eve is upon us and very shortly we will be celebrating with a glass or two to see in the New Year.  But first we wanted to take a quick look back over the year as 2011 has been a momentous year for Inspire Creationz. 

Firstly, we were able to launch our craft classes in our new workshop inside the grounds of Belgrave Hall, Leicester.  These classes have proved really popular and quite a few classes for early 2012 are already fully booked.  We really have a good group of supporters that have helped to shape the classes and without this support this new venture may not have worked - THANK YOU everyone!

Secondly, we were also able to open our shop inside Leicester Indoor Market (Floor 3 C10).  Offering cardmaking and scrapbooking supplies.  Again, a big THANK YOU to our loyal customer base that has helped see our product ranges expand no end!!!!

Here is to a really crafty 2012 - we have lots more plans ready to launch and "things can only get better"!!!!

Happy New Year xxxx

Handmade Wooden Heart Decorations - The Snowman

Evening All,

Quick post tonight, just wanted to share with you this handmade Wooden Snowman Heart decoration I have made for our new shop.  When I saw these hearts I just knew what I wanted to make and the Snowman Decoupage & Papers & Ribbon works wonders.  I have bought more hearts so will be making lots more to sell in our shop as we now have a dedicated handmade gifts area.  I will post pictures soon

Sharon xxx

Inspire Creationz Moves into Larger Shop - C10 Leicester Indoor Market

Hello All,

Sorry for not posting but we have some really exciting news - we have now opened our new shop inside Leicester Indoor Market - C10.  On Saturday, we decorated the space, our husbands built shelving and stock was transferred over in just over 5 hours!!  We were all exhausted but it was really worth it.

We started trading from the market in October with a small stall to test the water and were delighted how busy we became very quickly with lots of loyal customers.  As the weeks progressed we felt that the space was not big enough for our plans and were very fortunate that the shop opposite became empty - FATE..

Our new shop will allow us to offer demonstrations & classes, sell handmade gifts and cards as well as vastly expanding our product ranges to include Tim Holtz, Pro-Markers, Kaisercraft, Echo Park, 7Gypsies and lots lots more...  The new Kaisercraft tag pads are amazing!

If you are in Leicester or are passing, please come and say hello.  We are on the 3rd Floor, C10 and offer a loyalty card for our customers.

xxx

Quick Christmas Cards - Still Need to Make Lots More..

Hello,

Where has the time gone - only 14 days left before Christmas and now on a mad card making frenzy.  I always leave cards until late as I seem to get more inspiration that way but there is really not many more posting days left.

I just love the leaf stamp that I used to make these wreaths for the centre of the cards and just by adding different backing papers and bazzill card can really make each card different.  Better get back to it, please pop back soon

xxx

Another use for French Foliage stamps... Christmas Cards

Another Christmas card made with my favourite stamps at the minute - "Stampin Up French Foliage" - this set is AMAZING  as it is really versatile - a must for crafters.  see post below for an autumnal card made with the same stamps. 

This week has been really busy at Inspire Creationz - lots of web orders coming in, lots of new people visiting our craft stall at Leicester Indoor Market and planning has already begun on our classes for 2012 - a big thank you to all our customers

xxx

Fabric Hearts - more sewing treats made this week

Really busy day today with orders to get out, a trip to the gym and a determination to get my sewing machine out again.  Just loving these easy to make heart bookmarks at the minute and have made over 8 now in all different colours and patterns - will load some pics shortly.

What has made these so much easier is my new Sizzix Heart Nesties - lots of different size hearts which when used on the Bigshot also cuts fabric :-) - so much easier and not reliant upon by drawing skills - just perfect.

Better get cracking, my son has asked for an Alien Cushion so need to cut out the pieces and finish the last few hearts before school finishes.

C xxx

More Stamping Fun - French Foliage



Last Saturday we held our last crop Session of the year and thought I would try out my new Stampin Up French Foliage Stamps whilst I had the opportunity.  If I am honest, when the new catalogue came out I really was not keen on these stamps.  It was only when I started to see cards and projects made with them that it gave me the inspiration to see the flexibility this set has to offer.

I am really pleased with how this turned out and have already made lots of backing papers (inside of the card) ready for future projects which I will list soon - please pop back soon for more cardmaking inspiration...

xxx

More Stamping Fun with Masks - Xmas Hedgehogs...

Morning All,

I just love Sunday mornings - Coffee, Sunday Papers and a little time to craft for blog - just perfect. 

Thought I would share this stamping quick make with you.  I just love this card as it is so simple and allows me to use the masking technique with the stamp to get that triple effect.  I have then used gold Stickles to highlight the Hedgehog spines and stars - finished off with mirri card and multi-coloured ribbon.Stamping

I hope you enjoy...

Inspired Owl Pillow - Sewing Fun!!!

Sorry for not posting for a while - it has been really busy at Inspire Creationz recently - lots of new stock, craft classes and getting our new Market Stall at Leicester's Indoor Market (C12) up and running.  But I finally found an hour or two and really wanted to get my sewing machine out that I bought in July but was gathering dust on the floor.

I had seen lots of owl cushions for sale at craft fairs locally and really wanted one for my daughter so I thought I would have a go.  All I can say is daughter is over the moon and has not let go yet!  Once I got going, I got to grips with the sewing machine without too much hassle and I am now coveting fabric like I do with papers.  Cardmaking will always be my first love but sewing is fast becoming a new hobby of mine.  My son is now after an Alien Cushion so will keep you posted on how I get on

Thanks for popping by xxxxx

Bags, Tags & Boxes Class Pics - Let's Get Crafty....

Really enjoyed our Bags, Tags & Boxes class today - if I am honest I always look forward to this class as it allows everyone to experiment and use cardmaking technique but going that little bit further.  With Christmas coming up, I can see lots of presents being beautifully presented in hand-crafts boxes and bags.

A big thank you to everyone who came for a lovely afternoon crafting.  Instructions will follow shortly as soon as I have 5 minutes.  Fireworks time, please pop back soon....

xxxx

Twisted Easel - Fizzy Moon Christmas Card

I just love Twisted Easel cards at the minute as they look beautiful standing up and so special!!!! 

Here is one I made last night using the new Fizzy Moon Christmas Decoupage and red card.  The Decoupage is easy to use as it is die-cut for you so do not need to cut out the pieces.  I am going to personalise this card to give away but don't want to spoil the surprise just yet....

Please pop back soon - lots more designs to follow

xxx

Boo.... Halloween Treat Bags & Card

Quick post today, but just wanted to share these Halloween Treat Bags and card which I have made ready for next Monday. 

Lots more bags to make and a trip to the supermarket to get some sweets to fill them but getting there!!!.  Just love these die-cuts made using the Cricut Machine - must have a proper play soon!!!!!

Really enjoying crafting again - lots of ideas just need to get them down on paper but right now a good cup of coffee is needed - please pop back soon...

xxx

New First Edition Paper Pad - NEW LEAF - Just Had To Have A Play...

Hello,

The fab new First Edition New Leaf paper pad arrived this morning and I couldn't wait to have a play.   When I saw this sheet I just knew what card I wanted to make and what stamps would work well and have to say I am really pleased with the results.

 I just love the colours on these papers.  I know they are called papers but at 200gsm, these heavy weight card stock sheets are a real delight.  The pad includes 8 double sided designs and 8 glittered sheets in lovely autumnal colours - these are not to be missed -  a must for every craft box.

Sample packs (one sheet of each design) are available from our website - http://www.inspirecreationz.com/

Please pop back soon ....

Xmas Cardmaking Class Photos - Inspire Creationz

Hello All,

What a lovely morning - cold but fresh..  I just wanted to share with you a picture of the cards we made yesterday at our cardmaking class.  we went for two cards - one an easel card and the other using our new Spellbinders Banner Dies.  Each card needed to use embossing folders, dies, stamps and embellishments so lots of crafting was had by all and everyone got to try new techniques.



What I really like is that as much as we provide a sample card to follow - every card looked unique.  Thank you ladies for a lovely afternoon crafting.

xxxx

P.s more class dates can be found on our website - www.inspirecreationz.com/shop/department/events

Quick Makes Christmas Cards - Time to Use Up Scraps....

Trying to sort my Christmas craft stash and thought I would make these two really quick makes to use up some scraps I had of the silver mesh.  Loving purple & silver  for Christmas cards at the minute and the snowflake punch makes light work of making fab embellishments for cards.

Please pop back soon as lots more cards to share with you - crafting mojo is back and making the most of it ....

Masculine Cards - Need to Make Lots More!!!!

Sorry for not posting for a while - crafting mojo is now back and having fun making masculine cards.  I always struggle with cards for the boys but thought I would persevere and really happy with the results!!!  Just love green right now and having lots of fun.

We have also taken stock of 2 fab paper pads ideal for masculine cards - Kaisercraft Hunt & Gather & My Minds Eye Breeze.  Both of these pads are amazing and giving me lots of inspiration.....

available from  our website - www.inspirecreationz.com

Will post again soon xxxx

Thinking of You card Design - Attempting Watercolouring!!!

Last night I had fun with water colouring as I wanted to try a new technique and finished up with this card which I am really pleased with.  I love this colour anyway and the stamps have been in my kit for a while but hardly used - well not anymore!!!!!!!

I wanted a card to let a family member know I am thinking of them as they recover from on operation and "Get Well Soon" just did not feel appropriate - I hope they like this card - fingers crossed.

Claire xxx

Inspire Creationz Christmas Crafting Day - Belgrave Hall Craft Village

Yesterday we held our Christmas Crafting Day class at Belgrave Hall Craft Village and we thought we would share some pictures with you.

Here are the little treats I made our ladies to kick start the crafting:

Some of the projects we had lots of fun making:

Having Fun - thank you so much ladies - we really enjoyed this class...

Claire & Sharon xxxx

Details of all our classes can be found on our website - Events

Kaisercraft Papers & Embellishments Have Arrived .....

   

We are delighted to announce that the absolutely amazing Kaisercraft range is now in stock and we can honestly say it is stunning!  We have paper pads, chipboard stickers, Rub-ons, Stamps & Tag pads available from our Ebay shop (Ebay - Kaisercraft) and will be on our website shortly.

This new brand from Australia is really starting to take the crafting world by storm and the quality of products speak for themselves.

Claire & Sharon xxx

Contemporary Christmas Cards ....

It's Christmas Card time again...... 

Now that the Children have gone back to school, I feel the time is right to start making Christmas Cards - but want something different this year.  As soon as it was launched, I absolutely loved the First Edition Christmas Joy - especially the colour scheme as the oranges, teals & cream really offer card makers a contemporary look & feel to the cards.  Others must feel the same as it is our biggest seller at the minute from our website.

All I can say is 2 down, lots, lots more to go....

Claire xxx

Website - www.inspirecreationz.com

New Class Dates Announced.... Booking Now Being Taken

Our classes are filling up fast so we have announced our dates up until November - reserve your place today by booking online - www.inspirecreationz.com/shop/department/events

Most Classes (excluding Crop Sessions) all you will need to bring is yourself. All equipment and craft essentials such as glue, cutting mats & tools will be provided for you and is included in the price. Anything you make will be yours to take home with you.

Classes are ideal for crafters both young and old, although an age limit of 16 years old is imposed. Whether you are a beginner or would just like to practise your technique our classes are suitable for all...  All of our classes must be booked and paid for in advance and are non-refundable.

Hope to see you soon

xxxx



Birthday Card for my Son ...

I cannot believe where the time has gone - my little boy is now 7 and not so little!!!!! 

He is really into aliens and monsters at the minute so wanted to make a card that I know he would like.  After searching for embellishments I remembered that I had the Build a Monster set from Stampin Up which was just perfect for this card.

Over at Inspire Creationz, we are also big fans of Card Candi at the minute and just love how they add the finishing touches to cards with little effort.

Thanks

Claire xxx

Experimenting with Colour & Paper Pleating ...

What a lovely day today!!!! Took the children to the park for a picnic with friends which was enjoyed by all and still managed to find 5 minutes to craft and thought I would share this card with you.

I found these stickers in a local craft shop and just loved them but had not used them on any projects so thought I would have a go as I wanted to experiment with different colours than my usual at the minute - does anyone else get stuck on a particular colour?

I also wanted to have a go at pleating paper before I stuck it to the card base as I had tried this with ribbon but wanted to see if it could be done with card and I am really pleased how this has come out - very effective!

Happy Crafting

Claire xxx

Another box frame project completed....

Here at Inspire Creationz, we are really enjoying making the Box Frames shown above so I thought I would make one for the wall in my new Kitchen which is creams & browns and here is the finished result....

I am planning a feature wall with lots of photos of the children and thought this would work really well - just need to convince my hubby now!!!!

Claire & Sharon xxx

Lots of crafting fun with freebies....

Well, I started to clear my pile of craft magazines this morning as it looked ready to tumble over and cover the floor and found these lovely printed images which came free and just couldn't resist having a play. 

Let's just say the magazines still need sorting but lots of fun has been had and I've even tried using new embellishments such as the flowers and Card Candi.  As soon as my second card has dried fully I will post another picture.  We would love to hear what freebies you have enjoyed using .....

Pop back soon

Sharon xxx

Jumbo Paperclips - All Sold and Gone To Good Homes.....

Just wanted to share these with you - jumbo paperclips / bookmarks.  We really enjoyed making these but we only made a small batch for fun and were really surprised how quick they were snapped up.  We only made a few as a trial run and all sold straightway - we had better get making more........

Hope you enjoy

Claire & Sharon xxx



Wedding Commission for a Happy Customer

Here is our latest project for a very happy customer.  They needed a unique gift for a Wedding they are attending over the weekend and I had in mind just the thing!!!  We have created lots of these frames now for a Baby Boy, Baby Girl, Weddings and contemporary home decor - all personalised and with a choice of colours.

I absolutely love making these boxed frames and enjoy finding all the embellishments that co-ordinate together.  We have more commissions on the go so will post the pictures as soon as they are ready.  If you are after a unique gift then let us know - commissions taken.

Sharon xxx

Working with Acetate Craft Class - Lots of Fun...

We held our "Working with Acetate" class yesterday and really enjoyed it.  I don't often use acetate on cards but will certainly be doing so now!   We made two projects that used different techniques and can honestly say that my favourite was the card pictured above.  By embossing acetate you really can create different effects, especially with printed acetate!!!!  All of the cards the ladies created looked beautiful - especially the origami Butterflies!!!

More of our class dates are now on our website - www.inspirecreationz.com/shop/department/events

Right I better go and make a few more cards so pop back soon

Claire & Sharon xxx

Anniversary Card for my lovely OH

Just a quick post today as we are planning  our classes for the next few months but I wanted to share this card I made for my 5th Wedding Anniversary which was last weekend.  I can post it now as I have already given it to my lovely Hubby...

I just love the hearts templates that come free with Simply Homemade magazine this month and cannot stop using them and love this colour theme at the minute - lots more hearts being cut out so pop back soon and see what else we have made this week.

Claire xxx

Made In Leicestershire Craft Event - Belgrave Hall

Just back from the Made in Leicester Craft Fair at Belgrave Hall.  We met lots of lovely people and have taken bookings for our forthcoming craft classes.

I just thought I would share with you some of the Post It Note Holders we made for the day.  I really enjoyed making these and were well received today.  I will definitely be making more as they are so simple but really effective.

Time to go and unload the car before I sit down and relax.  I will post in the week pictures of some of the other gifts we made.

Have a good weekend

Claire xxx

First Edition Love Letters Wedding Day Card

Good Morning All,

The fabulous First Edition paper packs are not to be missed! - Love Letters is my favourite so far but we have just taken delivery of the Christmas range so this may change. This evening I am going to a Wedding Reception and wanted a card to take with me and had been struggling to make a card that was modern and not too fussy until I saw a card made by the fabulous Sue Burrows and knew straight away what I wanted to do.

So with Love Letters in hand and the amazing templates which came with this months Simply Homemade magazine the card above was created.  I am pleased with how this has turned out - could maybe have added some Stickles around the edges of the hearts but have run out - why is it we always want craft supplies we don't have!!!!!

Hope you enjoy

Claire xxx

Tri-Shutter Card Class Pics

Morning All,

Just wanted to share with you the card we made in our class yesterday.  We have been having a lot of requests for these cards and I have to say that they are my favourite at the minute as I love embellishments!!!!  With this demo, I really wanted to use colours outside of my comfort zone and when I found this patterned paper from the My Minds Eye Laundry Line Pad, I just knew that I wanted a brown and cream theme - this can work for both male and female cards.

The class got to use lots of Cuttlebug Embossing Folders to create texture, Spellbinders to create frames and lots and lots of other embellishments.  It was lovely to see that whilst following our demo, each card made was unique and has given us lots more ideas.  The class then made their own templates using the Hougie Board for them to take home so that they more after the class - we cannot wait to see their creations...

Hope you enjoy

Claire & Sharon xx

PS  - more class dates are now available on our website - www.inspirecreationz.com/shop/department/events

Lots of Stamping Fun!!!!

Good Morning,

I thought I would share with you all the card we made in our class yesterday.  Rubber Stamping is always a popular class so we thought we would go beyond just stamping an image for a topper.  We stamped the backgrounds, the flowers are double stamped and then covered in Glossy Accents which dried just in time for the end of the class!

Once the cards were made we then spent over a hour having a play with lots of different stamps, inks, embossing powders, chalks and watercolours.  The class made lots of toppers to take home with them.  Lots of fun was had by all...

Not craft I know.....but I just wanted to share some pictures taken in the grounds of Belgrave Hall Craft Village where our Studio is located as it looked beautiful in the sun yesterday:

See you soon

Claire & Sharon xxx

P.S More class dates are available on our website - www.inspirecreationz.com

Forever Friends Birthday Card

Morning All,

Busy planning our Classes until the end of September but thought I would take 5 minutes to upload this card I made with the Forever Friends card Kit. 

If I am honest I am not a big fan of these kits as the papers are really thin and limited for the cost, but I really like how this has turned out

Hope you enjoy

Sharon xxx

P.s - our class details can be found here - www.inspirecreationz.com/shop/department/events

First Edition Animal Antics Card...

Just a quick post today as planning for our class tomorrow.  I have been a fan on the First Edition Animal Antics paper range for a few weeks now and have finally got round to making a card with the chipboards and paper.  The papers in this range are ideal for a New Baby card or for young Birthday cards and they make a nice change from pinks & blues

I hope you enjoy

Sharon xxx