Mothers Day

I'm sure you've all remembered it's Mothering Sunday on 2 March!
Sadly my own mum passed away many years ago but I do have a lovely stepmum and thought I'd show you the card I've made for her today.
I've mounted the main photo (her dancing with my very suave-looking dad, what an attractive couple they make, doncha think?) onto some nice textured coordinating paper and the background paper is a striking repeat close up of my stepmum Margaret. It's finished with a handmade Happy Mothers Day greeting tag secured with a lovely gold brad. The card insert is personalised and printed in the same typeface to match the greeting tag
...now I KNOW she isnt going to receive another card quite like it!

Orders for your own personalised photograph greetings cards, announcements or invitations can be made by just giving me a call! As I like to say - handmade is special - adding a name makes it personal - using their photo makes it UNIQUE!

...until next time, please treasure your mum!

Focus on Crystal Velvet Weddings

How lovely to hear my Wedding Special has been featured on another great Blogsite, check it out here http://crystalvelvetweddings.blogspot.com/

Karen designs beautiful bespoke tiaras and jewellery and her Crystal Velvet Weddings blog features not only her own designs but a wonderful selection of all things weddingy - a perfect place for the bride to be or her friends & family to visit for inspiration and suppliers

Karen's work can also be found here http://www.crystalvelvet.co.uk/ and here http://www.beadsbydesign.co.uk/ so I hope you'll pay her a visit and enjoy looking at her beautiful things

...until next time, thanks for featuring Focus Karen!

Perfect Kaleidescope Designs

Kaleidescope effects can be used to create all sorts of innovative gifts - from unusual double sided hanging baubles like the one shown here - to multi layered baubles giving a more 3D effect - to framed Kaleidescoped pictures - or as a striking and uniquely personal feature on a handmade greetings card, invitation or announcement for a special person or occasion


Some tips for selecting the perfect photo to submit for your Focus Kaleidescope gift are:

* most subjects can be used - people, animals or perhaps a child's drawing to create an unusual keepsake

* I can re-size your photograph when making the Kaleidescope so dont worry too much if you think the image is too small, you'll be amazed at what can be achieved

* similarly, if there are items in the foreground or background of your photo that you don't like, fear not! The Kaleidescopic nature of the design often makes a lovely pattern from the most mundane everyday items within a photograph!

....so until next time, see your photos with a new eye...then give me a ring to discuss your order!

Perfect 3D Photographs

Just thought I'd post some tips and ideas for selecting the perfect photos to submit for your Focus on Life 3D design!

* group photos are always good and 3D techniques give them a whole new life & dimension
* not just weddings - school photos, sports teams, stag/hen groups, family events, club groups...
* having other items in the foreground/background is even better - eg trophy presentations
* if the group looks great but your background is poor, dont worry - I can change it!
* so just think, you could be outside the off licence...but I can put you outside a manor house!
* 3D techniques can still be used in a photo with just one or two people in, we have the power!

I hope this begins to show you why each design & quotation is personal to you. Your photograph will dictate the number of "layers" that can be used - and of course, more layers gives an even greater 3D effect. Your own taste dictates the materials that can be used in the design, you may like simple, modern lines or simple embellishments - or you may like a touch more detail or glamour with gemstones, sequins, ribbons, glitter, Flowersoft etc

....until next time (when I'll share some Kaleidescope design tips!), subscribe for your regular email update from Shaz! Thanks for dropping by x

Foolish Friends

Here I am with just some of my samples at the Craft Fair organised by Foolish Friends in Lostock Hall, Preston yesterday. Big thanks to Lindsey & Geoff for organising such a lovely event, not only were there lots of wonderful and innovative craft stalls but we had live entertainment no less! Folk musicians, clog dancers, first aid demonstrations from St John's Ambulance - there was no end of interesting things to look at (not least my stall!)
















I certainly hope they organise another but, until next time, a big hello to everyone who took part and visited us on the day...who knows, you might be reading this Blog right now, you know who you are! Thanks, Shaz x

Cats

As I'm busy getting ready for tomorrow's Craft Fair, I'll just leave you with a couple of funny photos of my cats - Missy doing her ET impression amongst the cuddly toys! - and Bonny trying his best to get the last poppodom out of the bag!
...until next time, enjoy your weekend

Wedding Special

I try to be a girl of my word so, here it is, a photo of the Keepsake Kollection Wedding Special I promised you.

I love these frames, theyre a nice big size (A3) with a deep enough recess to make a striking feature of the memories from any special event.

Here the bride's garter has been put under glass (instead of in her knicker drawer!) and a real box of confetti is raining down on the happy group!...

...and I hope this close up side-view of the wedding party gives you just an idea of how the photograph can be brought to life using careful cutting and layering techniques - believe me, with this many people in the shot, it takes some doing! But its a labour of love and the finished effect is well worth the effort.

...until next time, make your life a labour of love! x Hippy Chick!