Thursday 31 July 2014

A sneaky peek...

...at our August club stamps! All of our club members should have received their August club packs by now and we hope you all likey??

These new club stamps will be released on 1st August but here is a little snippet to let you see what we have to show you...



...can you guess what it is yet?



...and another glimpse...



That's all you're getting for now but visit the website tomorrow to see the full image!

Little Claire xxx







Tuesday 29 July 2014

Introducing two NEW stamps...

...namely our latest Birdhouses that can also be used with the original Changing Birdhouse set.

So, here they are...

Gardening Birdhouse £3.99

 Changing Gardening Birdhouse stamp

 And our lovely Wedding Birdhouse £3.99

Changing Birdhouse Wedding stamp

Just look at these fab cards designed by our teamies using these little stamps...


designed by Diane
Diane has used the stamp with stand from the Changing Birdhouse set to create a real stunner!

Here's another gorgeous card from Helen N...

designed by Helen N

We love the little stripey deckchair!

Here's the Wedding Birdhouse, with two cards from Francy..


designed by Francy

And a lovely layout from Gaynor, using the branches from the original Changing Birdhouse set...

designed by Gaynor

You like?  We LOVE these two new additions to the Changing Birdhouse collection, especially as you can use them on their own too. Head over to the website to see the whole collection.

COMPETITION TIME....tell us which of the two you like best and why and we'll pick a winner and send you your chosen Birdhouse stamp. Winner to be announced on Tuesday 5th August.

And now for the winners of last week's Birdhouse Baby Washing Line competition, drumroll....
....the winners are

CherylW ...
These cards for babies are so sweet. I really love that image. I'd like to see my linens hanging on the line again. I haven't been able to hang things outside to dry for decades, as I don't live in a place with that capability. I love the fresh smell of linens that have been outside, though.

Debra Kenworthy...
These cards for babies are so sweet. I really love that image. I'd like to see my linens hanging on the line again. I haven't been able to hang things outside to dry for decades, as I don't live in a place with that capability. I love the fresh smell of linens that have been outside, though.

Sharon...
I would love to see my mum out on my line (or maybe pegging the washing out!), died a year ago and miss her sooo much

Please could you email Carol to claim your prize. 

Now here's how to grab yourself something BARGAINOUS!  We're continuing with our stock room summer clear out and having a good old tidy.  Hop over to the website to see our SALE page.  We've added papers, Bazzill card and Distress Inks.  You'd better be quick, as it's only while stocks last. Here's a sneaky look at what's on offer...


Distress Ink Pad Vintage PhotoDistress  Ink Pad Mustard Seed


 Distress inks NOW £2.80 (were £4.50)

Bazzill Card - Aloe VeraBazzill Card - Rain

 Bazzill card NOW 30p (was 50p)

FINALLY, just a reminder that Steve will be at the Stamparama Show in Stevenage this Sunday 3 August - go and say hi to him if you're there!

The Little Claire Team xxx





Monday 28 July 2014

Little Claire Likes Weekly Project - 'Freedom' Panel Card

Hello and welcome to another great weekly project in our 'Little Claire Likes' posts.
 
Today, is the turn of a favourite set - 'Freedom'.  It has lots of beautiful elements, including two butterflies, which decoupage so well and a two-part beautiful sentiment.
 
 
You can purchase this gorgeous set of stamps at the reduced price of £5.00 (normally £8.99) subject to availability.
 
Here is Heidi's card using the stamps.  She has made a three-panelled card from kraft card, dotty ribbon, Promarker's and a lovely Vintage Sepia inkpad.
 
 
 Products Used :
 
Versafine 'Vintage Sepia' Inkpad
Promarker Pens - Oatmeal, Coral, Khaki, Pastel Beige and Putty
Crop-o-dile, Labels # 22 die, sticky pads and sticky tape from stash.
 
(Front Panel)
 
 Card Instructions :
 
(1) Using kraft card, cut three squares of card measuring : 10cms x 10cms.
(2) Cut three white squares : 9.5cms x 9.5cms.
(3) Over all three white squares, stamp up 'Buddlea' image, colour in.
 
(Middle panel)
 
(4) Onto two small oblongs, stamp up first and second half of 'Freedom' sentiments,
matt onto kraft card.
(5) Die-cut shape and stamp 'Butterfly Cage' image onto it.  Add small sentiment.
(6) Ink around all edges using 'Versafine' inkpad.
(7) Stamp up four smaller 'Butterfly' images, cut out and ink edges.
 
(last panel of card)
 
(8) Using Crop-o-dile, punch two small holes onto edge of centre piece and two on each side piece, one edge only.
(9) Thread dotty ribbon through holes and tie knots.
(10) Stick all elements together, add pearls.
 
 We do hope that you have enjoyed our Monday project today, please feel free to leave us a comment.
 
We are also still having a sale on our website, lots of stamps/products to be sold to make-way for lots of new gorgeous Little Claire stamps, coming soon.  You can see what we have in our 'Sale' section - HERE.
 
The Little Claire Team
 
xxxx


Friday 25 July 2014

Vellum Flowerhead



Morning guys !!

It's my turn for a Little Claire friday project for you and I thought I would show you how to make this pretty card using " Flowerhead " and a sentiment from " Fabulous Day "



You will need:
Flowerhead and Fabulous Day stamps
A pink 6" x 6" card blank
I sheet of vellum
Embossing folder
I  fancy white die cut shape
White embossing powder
White card
Versamark ink pad
Heat gun
Black Versafine ink pad
3D foam
Glue
A few pearls

1: Stamp with versamark and emboss with white powder onto vellum,  3 Flowerheads.
   
2: Cut out and lightly colour on back of each with pink. I have used Spectrum Noir PL1.

3: Cut a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square of vellum and emboss. You can use any patteren you like. You may find with some embossing folders the vellim will crack, don't worry about it.

 
4: Die cut any fancy shape you like in white card about 4 1/4" to 4 1/2"  I have used Spellbinders Nestsbilities Luscious Labels. Then stamp sentiment .


5: Glue embossed vellum square onto card front, then mount white fancy square onto 3d foam on top of this. Then using a small piece of 3d foam on each of the flowers arrange and attach around sentiment.

6: Finish off by adding pearls to centres of the flowers and one small one for dot of i on sentiment.




Here's the same card, but I have used two colours of flowers and used a different design embossing folder and small pink pearls.














 Why not give Flowerhead vellum flowers a try and see what design you can create !!

hugs Diane xx

Wednesday 23 July 2014

A lovely sunny day here...

...just perfect for hanging out the washing on the line, which reminds us that it's time to show you our teamie Diane's new creation made with the new Baby Washing Line stamp:

Diane has made this gorgeous banner featuring the Baby Washing Line and here's the stamp close up:


What a pretty keepsake this would make!

And here are two more cards made by Helen N made with this great stamp to show you one stamp with many ways:



What a lovely stamp - wish we had a baby at Little Claire for us to send it to!!
This is our Baby, lol!!


She's actually called 'Baby', isn't she beautiful, we love her to bits. It's too hot for her outside today so she's on the windowsill cooling off and watching the washing on the line.
Ok, competition time...

...for your chance to win one of our Baby Washing Line stamps, just tell us what you would like to see hanging on your washing line.  We'd like to see gorgeous George (Clooney of course!).

We'll randomly draw three winners on Tuesday 29th July.  Good luck!!

Tuesday 22 July 2014

July Club Card Photo Tutorial


Hello to everyone - it's Helen N here with a quick photo tutorial for this month's Little Claire club stamp card.  

For anyone who isn't part of the club, members receive a brand new Little Claire stamp each month together with the materials and instructions to make a card.  There are also instructions for two more cards and exclusive news and special offers.  You also get a 10% discount on all purchases online, by phone or at shows and free postage!  For more information click here to go to the Little Claire website for all the details.

On to the July club card.  I find that I get the best results with silhouette stamps when I stamp using a Versafine ink pad - for this card I used the Onyx Black pad which is available here on the Little Claire website.  It's a 'juicier' pad than the Memento ink (which needs to be used with alcohol markers) but still gives very clear and fine detail.  When you're inking the silhouette make sure you move the ink pad round as you ink the stamp - this avoids any lines from the edge of the ink pad appearing on your stamped image.

I also find it easier to use some padding under the card I'm stamping on to - the stamping mat sold by Little Claire here is ideal for this.


1. The base card is a square 14.5cm square card blank.  Open it out and then cut one panel of the card so you are left with a piece measuring 5cm high as shown in the photo above.


2. Next mat together a piece of black paper (14cm square) and a piece of patterned paper (13.5cm square) as shown above.


3. I've used the sentiment 'best wishes on your birthday' stamped direct on to the patterned paper.  To make it easier to stamp, I put the entire sentiment on the acrylic block at once and also used on the lines on my cutting mat to line up the stamps on the block.  This is a great way to ensure your stamping is straight - line the acrylic block up with one of the lines on your stamping mat and then use another of the lines to get your stamps in place straight as shown in the photo above.


4. Use the dots on the paper and a ruler to line up the sentiments on each side as shown above.


5. This is the completed stamped paper.


6. Mat the paper on to the inside of the card as shown in the photo above.


7. Next stamp the floral border twice on a piece of white card measuring 13.5cm by 4cm.  You will be stamping one complete border and part of a second one so make sure you stamp on to scrap paper.  Stamp the 'celebrate today & everyday' sentiment on to a piece of white card measuring 4cm by 2cm as shown above.


8. Mat the floral border on to black paper measuring 14cm by 4.5cm and the sentiment on to black paper measuring 4.5cm by 2.5cm as shown above.


9. Attach the border image to the front of the card and the sentiment panel in the middle of the border image as shown above.


10. Stamp the main image on to a piece of white card measuring 7cm by 7.5cm.


11. Mat the image on to a piece of black paper measuring 7.5cm by 8cm and attach to the inside of the card - close the front of the card across to make sure you put the image high enough to be seen clearly.


And here's another view of the final card.

Make sure you have a look on the website to see the card samples from the rest of the Design Team!



Monday 21 July 2014

Little Claire Likes Weekly Project - 'Christmas House'

Good morning,
 
For our 'Little Claire Likes' project today, we are showcasing a gorgeous stamp, 'Christmas House' stamp.  It is a substantial stamp, so if you haven't started your Christmas cards, this stamp is the perfect image to get you started.
 
 
You can pick up this great stamp for the great price of £4.50 (usually £6.50) until Thursday, 24th July 2014 or until stocks run out.
 
Here is Heidi's card, its very clean and simple and great to make in numbers, if you need a quicker card.
 
 
 This gorgeous stamp shows up really well with just some black and white card and silver embossing powder.  The little sentiment comes from another Christmas set called 'Feed the Birds'.  It also is on special offer at the moment at only £5.00 per set (normally £8.99). 
 
Product List :
 
Black card and Silver Embossing powder from stash.
 
 Card Instructions :
 
(1) Cut two pieces of black cardstock, 13.5cms x 13.5cms and 12.5cms x 12.5cms.
(2) Cut a square piece of white card, 13cms x 13cms.
(3) Matt and layer the larger black piece and white piece together and stick to the card blank.
(4) Onto the last piece of black card, stamp up image using Versamark inkpad.
(5) Cover with embossing powder and heat with a heat gun.
(6) Stamp up sentiment from 'Feed the Birds' set, matt and layer onto white card.
(7) Stick image down, add sentiment and add stones.
 
We hope you have enjoyed our project today.
 
The Little Claire Team
 
xxxxx


Friday 18 July 2014

Owl Christmas Bag


Marianne here today with a little Christmas bag for you. I know it is still Summer but as we are nearer to Christmas than we are to last Christmas it is never too early to start your Christmas makes. This is a lovely rustic bag with lots of different textures.
You will need


Bag to decorate
Burlap paper
Memory Box precious stockings die
Red card
Gold glitter card
Owl ribbon
Red raffia

1 Remove the owl diecut from sheet and mount onto red card. Cut a piece of burlap paper to fit the width of your bag but leaving a gap at the bottom of the bag. Cut a piece of ribbon the width of the bag.

2 Attach burlap paper to the front of the bag. Attach ribbon to the top of the bag.
3 cut three pieces of raffia slightly longer than the width of your bag. attach two pieces across the bag. Tie a bow around the raffia with the third piece. Attach the owl image over the raffia ensuring you have room for the stockings,
4  Die cut the stockings from red card and the stocking tops from gold glitter card. Make up the stockings and attach to the bottom of the image.

You can see more details of products used on my blog.

Wednesday 16 July 2014

...and a bit more of a Summer Sale!

Well, we are rolling along with our fantastic Summer Sale which began yesterday and thank you to everyone who has placed an order and taken advantage of our wonderful offers, we will post your goodies to you this week...

Steve has now got involved with our sale and has decided to add even more crafting goodies to the pot today including Birdhouse Garland stamp:

Just £2.50 (rrp: £5.50)

and our fabulous Butterfly Flourish stamp set just £5.00 (rrp: £8.99)

and our Chimney Sweep stamp - Bert, now just £2.50 (rrp: £5.50)

and for Christmas here is Feed the Birds stamp set:

Now just £5.00 (rrp: 8.99)

Here's a very useful stamp set Buttons and Stitching:

a must-have for your craft stash, now £3.50 WAS £6.50!!!

Man Squares stamp set, the four images with the MAN circular sentiment:

Now just £3.50 (rrp: £6.50)

Lots more stamp bargains on our web - it's worth taking a second look - and don't forget, if you are a club member you will receive a further 10% discount too!

The Little Claire Team xxx