Patchwork 'N Stitches.....

Evening everyone....just thought I'd pop by with another card from the 'Stitch In Time' stamp set..  

I love the colours on this card, it's so bright, on what's been a very wet, gloomy day.

Don't forget you can win these stamps if you click on

 http://oakhousestudio.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/new-era.html

All you have to do is leave a comment on the above 'post'....the winner will be announced on Monday 4th Feb. This means you could have the stamps and be using them in time for Valentine's Day.

If you can't wait until then, and want to buy them now, at a reduced price of £9  (for 18 stamps....that's only 50p per stamp!) your payment will be refunded if you are lucky enough to win.

The black, and white 'linen' cardstock is from
Papermill.

I first inked the card with Colour Chemistry

in Citrus Yellow, Golden Oak and Green

Then I overstamped with hearts and buttons from the above set....and 2 other stamps from a different collection

Some of the stamps were heat embossed with Colour Chemistry embossing powder.

9 squares joined together with the faux stitching stamp, a few of the buttons mounted onto foam tape and a computer generated sentiment, and voila!

A bright cheerful card which could be used for Valentine's Day or Wedding Anniversary.

Hope you like it.

Don't forget to enter the 'give-away' 

xx

First card for Oak House Studios........

Morning everyone, hope you're all having a good, crafty day......

Firstly, I'd like to say a big thanks to Lynnda for 'letting me loose' on her blog.....so trusting! ;-)

As she has said, as soon as I saw the request to be part of her Design Team, I was very interested and zapped a message.

 I remember seeing Lynnda on Create and Craft a few years ago, with the amazing Clematis stamps. At that time, I hadn't been cardmaking very long and typically my cards consisted of 'matting and layering' or 'kits', which, I know, is how we all start off.......so although I loved the stamps, I didn't buy.

 However,a while later, one of the family bought me a few little stamps and a tiny inkpad, and needless to say I was hooked! .........Stamping has come a very long way since we did 'lino-cutting' or chopping out half a spud to use as a stamp at primary school, don't you think??

Anyway, now that I'm a stamping & inking addict,  I've discovered Lynnda's stamps and products again...whoohoo!

So, the very first card for Oak House Studio is a very simple one made with some of the 

Colour Chemistry ink range Here, Heart Stamps Here and Embossing Powder Here

The black card and bronze metallic are from my own stash.

Hope you like it.

4 of the hearts heat embossed, cut out and mounted onto squares, cut with a Spellbinder die.

3 of the Colour Chemistry inks used on the background...Jubilee Red, Citrus Yellow and Golden Oak. The inks were sprayed randomly, then dabbed with kitchen roll to 'soften' the colours

The finished card with a computer generated 'Love You'. I thought the gorgeous colours just needed a very simple background.

I'll be back in a day or so with my next card.......and a much shorter post! (Hope you're all still awake)

Please leave a comment if you've enjoyed looking and don't forget to have a look at all the lovely products on sale in 

Oak House Studio

New Era

There are two days left to get your applications in the Design team, so check out the post below to find the details of what to do if you want to join the fun. One name that shone out from the applications was that of the talented Barbara Daines. I was so excited to know she wanted to work with Oak House Studio I asked her be guest designer on the blog for February, whilst I sort out the rest of the team and fit in my annual trip to the NEC and suppliers, (I try and make a week of it). Barbara has her stash for this month and I think she is ready to get going, so watch out for an early post from her.

In the meantime I have decided to offer another a give-away this time on the blog. Leave a comment to tell me why you liked to win the hearts and other stamps in time for Valentines Day. Winner will be chosen on Monday 4th February.

More give-aways to go with the new guest designer so watch this space.

If you can't wait til Monday you can buy the stamps here at a very special prize, and should you win, I will simply send you your money back.

Summer School Projects

For me Summer School and the full days allows me to teach the projects I really want to do myself. They take longer to do and require some slightly more expensive materials but that is what the indulgence of these events is about. I try and make sure the food in a bit special too. I am working on a project on material, a project on wood and a project in clay for this summer. Dates on website soon.

Here is a glimpse of some of last years projects.

I know keeping the blog up to date is one of my weaknesses so I am looking for some help.

Wanted crafters who love to use stamps in their projects.

As soon as I started stamping I became fascinated with how versatile they were and how many different ways they could be used. No surprise that I went on to start to designing stamps and create my own stamp company. I am looking other crafters from a range of backgrounds and crafts to join a design team. I have to admit this is my first full blown design team so I am not sure how it will all work out and I may need some help and ideas.

Requirements include:

1. The ability to produce 3 projects from each parcel you will be sent. No more than one parcel in any one month. You won’t be needed every month so you if have some months you prefer to miss let me know.
2. Good photography skills for taking pictures of your projects
3. Projects posted with social media: Facebook, your personal blog, Oak House Studio Blog
4. Participation in our blog, including writing your own posts.
5. Participation in this year’s one stamp event. Details of last year can be found on the website. The provisional date for this year is 21st/22^nd of September, but you will have your kit in time to make ahead of the date if need be.

Does that sound fun?  If it does, it’s about to get better.  Here’s what I’ll do for you in return:

1. The featured stamp(s) plus inks and embossing powder sent to you in advance of the event.
2. BONUS product chosen by YOU to be sent following your successful completion of this project.
3. Link from our blog and Facebook page to your personal blog
4. My undying gratitude and amazement for your creations

What do you need to do to enter?  That’s easy too! 

1.  Submit photos of 3 of your most favourite projects that highlight your own personal use of stamps, and links to your blog or gallery to oakhousestudio@gmail.com (Projects do not need to use Oak House Studio products, but we’d love it if they did!)
2. Submissions must be received NO LATER than Thursday 31st January 2013.
3. Write up a quick bio about yourself, mentioning why you’re interested in being on the DT, what experience (if any) you have with DTs, and why you love stamping.
4. Wait impatiently as I collect the submissions and choose who I can use for this project.
5. I will keep your details on file and will contact you if I think you may be able to help us with design team work in the future.

Calf House Studio Cows

The cows at the studio are possibly my favourite bit. In the worst months they come closer to the farm and some are inside. When I wander off round the barns to visit those inside, I am calmed by their breathing and could honestly stay there for hours. I love the Blues for their faces, everyone different.

Beverley Westwood

Between where I live and the studios is a magical place called the WESTWOOD. Is a large open pasture managed by the Pasture Masters, there are cattle, a golf course and the racecourse. It is in short a great place to escape to whatever the weather if you live or visit near here.
Here are some views of just a small part, taken on my way home from the studio on Wednesday

Here is a fantastic view of Beverley Minster. I love the way you see the Monster as you drive home from anywhere. There are great views of it from the studios.  It is easy to see how it has dominated the local landscape for hundreds of years and has been a testament to the town. From Medieval times Beverley had a reputation for having the finest merchants and today it enjoys a similar reputation for it's independent stores that mix well with the big names.

A beautiful place to be

With continued snow I have not spent any time crafting at the studio this week.
I did drive up there and pick up some stash to play with at home, but brain obviously wasn't working and although I brought plenty home, I forgot some vital and even some stuff to post out.
I did however fall in love yet again with the view and took some photos. I am sharing them so you might know a little of why I love this place.
These were taken at the studios on Wednesday, the snow was not deep, the paths had all been gritted but it was cold.

 It does look equally pretty for Summer School, so I am going to make a brew and settle down to get Summer School details on the Website, I think I better those who came last year have been pestering me for dates so they can get booked early for this year.