Craft Buddy Crystal Art - 5D Diamond Painting with a difference!

Hi everyone,

Its been a while so thought I would get to it and update my blog as I've had an exciting time recently.

I have recently joined the Craft Buddy Crystal Cards and Crystal Art Design and Product Test Team which is a real honour and a priviledge. 

I completed my first project some time ago in August and was my giraffes, I really haven't looked back since.  I cannot tell you how relaxing this hobby is, its perfect for me to pick up after a busy days work and sit and relax for a couple of hours. 

I firmly believe that quality is better than quantity, I have seen many of the other canvasses that arrive from having been purchased online and are creased, Dawn's canvas was not mounted and I can tell you that having a mounted picture to work on not only ensures you have nice straight edges and lines but its much easier to work on if you (like myself and mum) sit in an armchair working on your canvasses.  They are much higher quality products and based right here in the UK.  The last picture in the blog shows the canvas from the back and what it looks like, the best of it is, when you have finished your picture there are no worries on how to mount it as its already done and ready to hang instantly.  A win win situation if you ask me!  Craft Buddy/Crystal Art Kits.

This was my first project which was shown on Hochanda and has just launched.  You can purchase it directly at  crystal card kit .  I think this is an absolutely stunning picture.

Live on Hochanda

I was thrilled to be asked to do a second project, this time top secret until today, it is now currently on display at the NEC in Birmingham on Dawn Bibby's stand.

It is absolutely stunning and was hard work I can tell you, Mum had to help me with this to get it back, we hand delivered it to Craft Buddy HQ on Tuesday and I got to meet Gary and Dino which was a real pleasure.  But we missed Dawn....

This is the closest I've ever been to Dawn, who as you know is my crafting heroine and someone I've wanted to meet for years and years.

This dream is going to come true later this month as I will be joining Gary, Dino and Dawn on the Crystal Art Stand at the Sewing, Stitching and Hobbycraft Show at The Excel Centre in London on the 18th November - the event runs from the 16th November.  I cannot tell you how happy I am, I hope to see you there.

Have you seen Dawn's Gem It range?  I have some of the dies and stamps to play with and will be reviewing them on my blog next time with some photos hopefully of me and Dawn and Gary and Dino.

The crystal art cards are also really lovely to do, here are a few pictures of ones I have completed recently.

Crystal art is a great hobby for anyone at any age, my mum aged 76 loves it and also finds it relaxing. Here she is with her latest project. 

As you can see Mum is very pleased with her picture, I gave it to her on Monday after our trip to Craft Buddy HQ.  It had been in my stash at home for a while since August!

I bought this poppy kit along with this small 20 x 20 elephant kit, it is a full crystal and again available from the Crystal Card Kit website - click here crystalcardkit.com to order.  It will be stunning when its finished, just as special as the bigger projects.

Work in progress

Work in progress

How the canvas looks from the back.

Anyway, that's all for now folks, please leave a comment and follow me for up to receive notification of new blog updates.  Have a lovely day and enjoy the sunshine.

A Bit of Bling with Craft Buddy Crystal Art

Hi everyone,

Hope you are well and enjoyed the Bank Holiday.  Its been a very sparkly week in our house.  Did any of you catch Gary and Dino from Craft Buddy on Hochanda last Monday?  They did their first show standing in for Dawn Bibby on Hochanda.  Anyway, to cut a long story short I ended up buying the Giraffe Family crystal art canvas and I have to say that this is now a new hobby.

My first attempt was a ballerina card I throughly enjoyed doing and took me about 40 minutes to complete.  The results are simply stunning.  Its a bit like painting by numbers but you put the crystals on the cleverly pre-tacky surface and then the crystals are stuck down securely.  For those of you with dexterity problems or having surgery for example carpal tunnel release, its really good as you can do it all one handed!  I really enjoyed this.  I'm sending it to my niece Becky who starts her new secondary school next week.  She will love it as she does ballet.

I apologise in advance that this blog is very picture heavy, I cannot say how brilliant this idea is, its brilliant, the special applicators and magic pencils are really easy to use.  My Mum fell in love with the Lavendar Fields kit and is now happily applying her crystals.

I will say that Craft Buddy think of everything, with the canvas kits you get two applicator tools, two dishes for the crystals!  Just as well as Millie took a liking to the first tool!

For anyone who loves a bit of bling - which is what Craft Buddy is famous for this is a must purchase.  Be aware there are other "cheaper" versions from China that do not come mounted on canvas like the Craft Buddy ones which are far superior quality.

New stock is arriving 1 September at Craft Buddy and then some new launches later on in the autumn.  If you would like to see what is available you can either purchase direct by clicking on this link Crystal Card Kit or from Hochanda.

I personally cannot recommend Craft Buddy's Crystal Art enough, the cards are excellent quality and make something different which I can sit and do whilst watching TV.

Craft Buddy are working with Dawn Bibby and have a fantastic set of gems and a special pokey tool available on Hochanda.  Dawn's Autumn Treasure Chest also made its debut yesterday and is selling out as we speak.

Congratulations to you all on bringing us crafters such amazing products. I'm patiently waiting for the new pictures to become available.  Sitting on hands now...  Thanks Dino & Gary xxx

What the cards look like after unwrapping.

Just tear along the perforated line to open the packets.

What comes in the box with the card.

Painting by numbers.

The finished card.

Millie sulking after she got told off.

It wasn't me mummy Ise a good girl.

Ok, paws up, who did it?  Need I ask - Millie!!

After about an hour....

Looking gorgeous.

So much can make a difference with a little bit of bling.

Fabulous detail.

Nearly finished.  Wowzers.

Look at that detail.  Love it.

All I have left to do.

Here's the letters, each letter represents a colour.

Never too old, Mum aged 76 having a go.

Work in progress.  Very sparkly.

The tree finished.  Wow.

A Sticky Situation - Adhesives

Hi everyone.

It has been a few weeks since my last post, Mum and I have been up to our neck in christmas cards and birthday cards.  We have made a hundred of each for our first card stall on the 2nd September.  We are really looking forward to this.

I've also taken delivery of a Brother ScanNCut CM300, which I'm slowly getting my head around.  Trouble is I've fallen in love with it already, and all the Tattered Lace USBs look fabulous!

Anyway the subject of this blog is really all about adhesives.

My go to wet glue has always been Tonic Funky Glue, which I adore as its so easy to use and gets tacky really quickly, have had a few issues with mirri getting marked - but hasn't everybody - that's where a baby wipe comes into play.  However, I have recently purchased the Nuvo glue which is the same product but has a much finer nib, much easier to dab in the right places (though not use too much) on my delicate dies.  I would give both Funky and Nuvo glues 10/10 for ease of use and results!  They both do what they say on the tin, fabulous products as one would expect from Tonic.

Tape runners.

I've tried a few of these, including Hobbycraft, Tonic, Stix2 and Create & Craft's own.  It is tie between Stix2 and Tonic on this, both are really good and excellent value for money.  And they are both refillable which you can buy for half the price as the whole complete pen.

Tissue Tear Tape

The best one I've found so far is made by Hunkydory and tears easily between your fingers.

High Tack Tape

Stix 2, Create & Craft have both been trialled, but Stix2 wins hands down, much better quality.

Sticky Foam Pads

I have trialled Hunkydory and Stix2.  I always used to use the Stix brand but swapped over to Hunkydory when I started using Hunkydory products as the tops were so easy to lift off, but have ordered a huge quantity from Stix2 as I was having problems with orders being despatched by Create & Craft and had run out.  You can order direct from Stix2 and the customer service is really quick.  I last purchased Stix2 and now will be my go to product and I won't use anything else! 

Pinflair

I have underlined Pinflair because I was recently having a problem with matting and layering not being quite perfect and sticky glue marks on mirri.  I was advised by Ruth and Pauline from Hunkydory to try Pinflair.  I've had some in my stash for years, and wow, wow, wow, I've made the most cards ever in one day, perfect matting and layering with no glue smuges.  Love Pinflair so much, its amazing glue.  I can't thank Ruth and Pauline enough for encouraging me to use it.  Love it.  My best product discovery yet.  I've now got 9 tubes in the house (don't ask!!).  So I'm never likely to run out of glue.

On the knitting front, I've started a little scarf in Stylecraft Candy Swirl.  Love it so far.  And I'm still knitting socks in Wendy Roam, haven't been very motivated lately as I've been busy with my cards.  Oh and I finally finished my Harmony Blanket!!  Also in Stylecraft Special DK.

Having a bit of an easy day today as I've had a monstrous migraine this morning.  Been watching Craft Buddy on Hochanda and now Katy Sue Designs.  I love Craft Buddy, I've treat myself to a Crystal Art Canvas so will enjoy doing that - something completely different to what I'm used to.

Anyway, I will be reviewing the Crystal Art Canvas and some other Craft Buddy products next time. Just want to say hello to my crafting hero Dawn Bibby who has been poorly on her holiday in Tenerife.  Sending you lots of love and hugs and best wishes Dawn, get well soon.  Glad you are home and hope you are getting lots of rest and cuddles from Charlie the dog.

My finished Harmony Blanket

Stix2 delivery

First birthday card completed on Scan NCut

Stix2 foam pads

Candy Swirl

Straberry Taffy

The beginnings of something beautiful

A few boxes on the Scan NCut - just practice ones

Pinflair!

Tonic taperunner

My trusty Funky Glue

Nuvo

My Wendy Roam Frusion sock

A box of christmas cards

A box of birthday cards.

Card making and craft fairs

Hi everyone,

Been a few weeks since I last blogged, haven't been doing much knitting of late, been busy in the garden picking my lovely fresh veg, a bit of cross stitch and am pleased to announce that Towneley Crafts has it's very first craft stall selling our home made cards booked. So excited, have been up to our eyes in gorgeous Hunkydory products making some lovely Christmas cards.  I'm currently working on a pair of socks in Wendy Roan, the majority of my time away from my desk has been spent card making.


I'm waiting for the new Hunkydory At Home USB 3 to arrive from Hunkydory Towers, when I've received it I will post a review.

Sadly the gearing went in our Gemini and it had to go back to Crafters Companion who kindly replaced our machine free of charge.  I have to say that the customer service team at Crafters Companion are an absolute dream to deal with, so understanding and I must thank Sara Davies for that as they are a fantastic bunch of girls.

Hasn't the summer so far been a washout? I really hope the weather improves.  It would seem that tomorrow we are going to be battered once again by more thunder storms.  My poor cat is terrified of them, we have to make him a den to hide.



I've also invested  in a brand new craft product/machine which I'm excited about but keeping it a secret for now.  It will make my card making a dream.

Enjoy the cards below, they have all been made using Hunkydory card kits, hunkydory sticky foam pads (which are the best there is) and also Hunkydory Adorable Scorable and Mirri card.