It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas ............

Hi everyone, how are your Christmas  preparations coming Along?  Hopefully  your cards are well underway and you can now think of the gift packaging.

I'd like to share with you a little  squeeze box all decorated for Christmas.

You can find more projects like this in the Win and Tonic Challenge. This month's Challenge is 

Take your Pick

There's also an amazing prize to win. Pop over and check it out.

This little box is made using the Tonic Studios Diamond Favour Squeeze Box. The box is so easy to make. I've decorated the box with a little bit of inking using  Distress ink - Walnut stain.

I've used the some decorative paper for the front and back of the box and added 2 Tonic Studios Holly Bouquet die cuts to decorate the front. I've  added a little bow tail and Tonic Studios Miniature Moments Seasons Greetings die.

I've  curved the bow tail to add more dimension.

The last finishing touch is a ribbon hanger and bow. 

Thanks for visiting.

Big hugs

Alison xx  

Bags Galore

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted. Where is the time going?

Today's  project is a little Kensington bag, made using a Tonic die.

This is August's Win and Tonic entry.

I have cut all the main parts of the bag in white and the little panels in black and white  check card. 

To finish off the bag I've  added a little  piece of grosgrain  ribbon and topped it with a little buckle ( this also comes in the Kensington bag  die set). One last touch is a little flower on the handle.

Hope you'll be able to join in the Challenge

Big hugs 

Alison xx 

A little bit of black and white........

I can not believe where the time  is going..... this is Win and Tonics 3rd Challenge. 

This month's  Challenge  is:

1. Colour -  Black and white and ……. any other colour of your choice

2. Technique - Glue Gun stuff - see here for some ideas - 
 http://diyjoy.com/hot-glue-gun-crafts-ideas
https://www.buzzfeed.com/twopoodles/23-projects-for-you-and-hot-glue-9g24
http://www.babble.com/home/25-surprisingly-hip-hot-glue-projects/
https://uk.pinterest.com/explore/glue-gun-crafts/

3. Product - A little Rococo

4. Theme - one for the girls this month 

You can  choose one of these themes or use up to all four of them if you fancy a real challenge 

~~~~~~

I have used 2 categories for my card - Black, white and another colour & One for the girls.

I've heard so many comments  from crafters of late  saying they have such a lot of craft goodies they don't  know what to use. I decided I would make a card using one set of dies cuts and a sentiment. 
I used Thinking of you - Essentials die set and Miniature Moments Best Wishes die.

To make the card I used an 8x8" scalloped card blank. I cut a square of pink card 7 x7" and added  a 63/4 x 63/4" black & white spotted card on top.


Using the patterned strip die in the Essentials die pack, I cut it in pink card. I then cut a strip of white card the same width as the die cut. Layered the white card onto some pink card which was 1/8" wider than the white layer. I stuck this layer onto the black & white card. I cut the pink patterned strip in half and stuck it on both edges of the white strip. You won't see the gap in the middle when the next layer is added.

The next later is a 5 x 5" white card with a 43/4 x 43/4" pink card on top. I placed these layers onto 3d foam pads to add some depth to the card.

I used the outer 3 layering dies and cut them in black spot, pink & white card respectively. 

The Best Wishes has been cut in pink and black card and layered on top of each other to give a dropped shadow effect.

To finish the card I've cut 2 small  corner dies in white. I've added some ebony Crystal drops to finish the design.

Hope you like my card and can take some inspiration from it.

Check out Win and Tonic Challenge  page for details of  last month's winner and this month's  competition  entries.

Big Hugs 
Alison xx 

For the Man in your Life ........

Congratulations  Libby on winning our 1st Win and Tonic Challenge . Your card is beautiful.  

As it's  Father's Day on 19th June this month's  Challenge  is 

Colour - Orange   ( What else could it be!!)

Technique - Create your card base from any Tonic die

Product - Use any Tonic flower die or punch

Theme - Happy Father's Day / One for the Boys

You can use 1, 2, 3 or 4 of these themes on your card.

Please add your entries to the Win and Tonic Challenge page. Closing date for the entries will be 14th July.


Don't  forget to check out the blogs of the other design team members for some amazing  card ideas and projects

I used 2 themes for my card 

One for the Boys and I created the base card from  a Tonic die.

The base card is made using Tonic Bowscale layering die set

The Bowscale die set adds a beautiful  decorative edge to your card.

I then cut a square of card in Navy 6 1/4" x 6 1/4"

On top of this I added a 6 x 6"  piece of  turquoise card

The quatrefoil design is made using the new Tonic Patterned Screens die.

The circles were cut in Navy and white card from Tonic Circle Layering dies

My Perfect Partner  is from the Tonic Partner die set. I cut one in navy and also turquoise and drop shadowed the wording.

Last but not least I added the  Tonic Vintage car die. This was cut in Turquoise  and silver foil card. I stuck the turquoise car to navy card and cut around the die. The waste die cuts of the wheels  and headlights were glued on top of the navy card. The silver foiled die cut has been  placed behind the car to give a reflection.

Thanks for checking out my blog and this month's entry to the Win and Tonic Challenge. 

Big Hugs

Alison xx

A Little Bit of Stamping........

It's been  a long time  since I got my ink pads out to a spot of stamping. I thoroughly enjoyed trying out the new range of stamps from Tonic Studios. Tonic are not traditionally known for their stamp ranges,  but these are certainly something different to add to any stamp collection. 

I absolutely love the modern style of the Modern Buttonhole  stamp set. 

Here’s another card made with the same set.

This stamp range appeals to all tastes. It also has more traditional style flowers to be used in a new way. 

There are also 2 Sentiment Strip stamps  to complement  the flowers, It's your Special Day and Just a Note to Say.

All these stamp sets are exclusively available from Create and Craft 

Thanks for popping by, hope you gather some  inspiration from my cards.

Big Hugs

Alison xx 

Sweet Nothings

Do you have any parties planned in the near future? Then you need to look at Tonics new die set - Sweet Nothings.  They are a range of 3 envelopes,  but they are so much more

The large envelope, Delicate Embrace,  will make the perfect  size invitation.

The middle  sized envelope, Treasured Token,   is perfect for a gift card for that special  someone.  It could also be an RSVP  to send out with your  party invitation  or a mini photo album holding photos of that special  occasion.

The mini envelope,  Secret Whisper,  is perfect for notes for the special person  in your life. It could be used to write messages for the bride & groom or even extra special tombola tickets at your fundraising event.

There is certainly  lots of fun to be had with this set of dies.

Catch  up  with  you  soon 

Big hugs 

Alison xx 

Bargains Galore

Wow there's some fantastic  bargains up for grabs today on Create and Craft.  Tonic have been holding a half price sale.  Why not treat yourself to some bargains.

I've  picked out a few cards which include the dies on sale.

Love Strip Die

Here’s a gatefold  card featuring the elegant Love Strip die. I've  added a bit of glitter for sparkle. 

Butterfly Purse die set 

This is a simple card featuring  the Butterfly Purse die set.

Hugs Strip die

Who doesn't like a hug. This is our fabulous  Hugs Strip die. 

All these dies are still available  at half price on the Create and Craft website. Pop over and grab yourself a treat.

Big Hugs

Alison xx

A Mahusive Welcome to the 1st Win & Tonic Challenge

Thank you for joining us today on the very special  occasion,  this is the launch of the Win & Tonic Challenge.  We know there are a huge amount of crafters who love Tonic products.  So we thought we'd  give you another reason to get your dies  out and create.

The Challenge will start on 15th of every  month  and the winner will be announced on the 14th. So this month's winner will be announced on 14th June. So you have a whole month to create your wonderful projects.  The rule is you have to use a Tonic product  in your project.

This month's  theme is
Anything Goes 

If there's  a winner,  there must be a prize  and this month's prize  which has been donated by Tonic Studios  (thank you so much for your support )

This month's  amazing prize is 

Two fabulous  Layering Die sets 

                 Nuvo Crystal drops

Nuvo Glitter Drops

As we are having the Twisting Veranda set as part of our prize I thought
I would use this to make my card.  I've kept it plain & simple by using just 2 colours. I had to add a ribbon as a finishing touch  and of course some flowers  and the wonderful  Nuvo Crystal drops.

I hope you enjoy looking at the wonderful  cards made by the team. I look forward to seeing your wonderful projects 

Big hugs

Alison xx 

Patterned Panels to Delight

Summer has finally arrived in  Bridgend  today, I really  hope it stays, at least for a while, lol.
Today I've  got some cards to share with you using the new Tonic Patterned  Panel  die  sets. There are 6 sets of dies, the outer edges will all interchange with the inner patterned die. All the geometric  dies can be extended  to make a bigger pattern.

This card is made using the Damask  Patterned Panel.  I love the elegance of this design.

This has to be my favourite  of the Panels.  I think it's  a very modern  design that could easily be  paper pieced or possibly  glittered.

Hope you like  today's shares.
Thanks for visiting

Big Hugs
Alison
xx

A Big Hello. ..........

Thank you so much for popping  by to take a look at my blog. My aim over the coming weeks is to share my ideas for Papercrafting projects with you. I love to make shaped cards and 3d projects.

I am a Craft Designer for Tonic Studios so I will be sharing new products and giving you all my tips and tricks.

I will be back soon
Big hugs
Alison xx