Jen Kray

Finally, it's New Year's Eve. It's been quite a bumpy year for me personally but we've made it and can kiss that sucka (2016) goodbye! There are a few highlights for me and they mainly revolve around papercrafting. I've met so many wonderful people, some of whom are now friends, confidants, crafting teamies or all three! You've inspired me continuously and I wanted to take the time to say, thank you. Thank you for being part of my life; I appreciate all that you do.   And what better way to share our appreciation than to design something for the occasion. I've actually made a third project but I can't share...yet.  We've gone vintage with an older die from the Tonic Inspirations collection. These are AWESOME! My card was designed with the Circle Layering Dies and the Inspire Sentiment from Tonic. Again, I used the Layering Dies to create a 14.5cm circle card blank. I die cut the sentiment using Centura Pearl Paper and added a few Petaloo flowers and ...

Welcome to my blog post on this sunny late December day from cheery Cornwall!  Today I'm sharing some cards designed with the New Edition Tartan Paper Pads from Craftwork Cards.  CWC previously brought out some handbag card blanks and luckily, I made a stencil of one a few months ago and used it today. The very large flowers came in the kit and I hand cut the large stamen, added some matching Candi and a few gems to complete the card.  I used A4 white card to make a Double Z Card, adding all the tartan designs from one of the pads for this quirky design. Adding sentiments, bows, flowers and matching Cando from the Goodybag.  Again, I used the A4 white card in the Goodybag to create this card blank (with a sizzix die this time) and just mat and layered for quite an effective card.  Also, I've lined the inside of the card with matching papers for a finished look.  My last card is a simple matt and layered 15cm square card using all the elements from the Goody...

Happy Boxing Day!  Having woke up this morning from the excesses of Christmas I decided it was time to get creative today. But before I cover myself in glue and glitter I wanted to share some cards I designed for Craftwork Cards.  I was privileged to work with the Shoreline Goodybag  and it's gorgeous! Everything works together beautifully.  Shoreline Goodybag  contains  £25.00  worth of product beautifully co-ordinated together with a wonderful ideas sheet with 5 card ideas for  only £10.00 Contains : 36 sheets 8x8" patterned papers - Coastal 10 white deep etch embossed frames - 5 each of 2 kinds 1 x 10g pack Candi Ribbons and bows Foiled Sentiments Flowers  Embossed Die cuts 10 sheets A4 white cardstock - 300gsm ready to cut and crease to your favourite card size You can buy it here:  http://www.craftworkcards.co.uk/5006/goodybag-shoreline-free-p-p/ Why not take a look at ALL the Boxing Day Goodybags and sale items which you can see he...

Ho, ho, ho - Merry Christmas!  Now, we've all made and received countless Christmas cards over the years but have you ever wondered where it all began? Henry Cole was part of the 'elite' in early Victorian England, and had the misfortune of having too many friends. By 1843, those friends had become quite a pain in the backside with all their letters A custom in England, the Christmas and New Year’s letter had received a new impetus with the recent expansion of the British postal system and the introduction of the 'Penny Post,' allowing the sender to send a letter or card anywhere in the country by affixing a penny stamp to the correspondence. And everybody who was anybody sent letters! Cole was quite an enthusiastic supporter of the new postal system, and he enjoyed being the 1840s equivalent of an A List Celebrity, but he was also a very busy man, fretting over what to do when there were stacks of unanswered correspondence. “In Victorian England, it was considered ...

If someone says you have too many dies, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.  Speaking of dies, I've recently acquired a haul of Tonic Sentiment Dies and goodness they are useful! I've been crafitng just over a year now, and I don't think I've ever seen more than a couple bereavement cards in craft groups which got me thinking... why are bereavement cards the elephant in the room? Brits love talking about cups of tea, puddings, what they're having for lunch and England winning the 1966 World Cup. They enthusiastically discuss the weather and some nutter called Guy Fawkes! They LOVE to tell you all the bargains they found...oooh ah, Margaret, I was in shop today and picked up 2 kilo of apples for 50p!  Now Iris, that's nothin... our Michael went to butchers last Sunday and picked up 3 pork chops, a small loaf. 2 slightly burnt pasties and a pickled egg for 34p. You can't beat a bit of a bargain, now can ya? While you...

I don't know about you, but I'm thrilled it's finally the weekend! And what better sentiment to use on a few cards than 'Have a Beautiful Day' by Tonic Studios. I often send my friends little notes to say I am thinking about them or a quick hello and tonight was the perfect time to make up a small batch. This was the first chance I had to clear my desk in about a week and bust out my new 'Have a Beautiful Day' Tonic Studios Die Set, which, by the way, is absolutely STUNNING! Three cards for you today...  Tonic Products Used Have a Beautiful Day Die Set you can buy  here Star Layering Die Set you can buy  here Petunia Trellis Die Set you can buy  here I found this great neon cardstock recently and it was perfect for my new Tonic dies! My first card was designed using the Have a Beautiful Day sentiment which was layered with white/neon pink, and the Petunia Trellis die set. The neon pink card which sits behind the petunia really makes the flower pop. The addit...

If anyone tells you they don't like Gin & Tonic, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.  Speaking of gin and tonic, today I'm sharing a few of my most recent creations using - G45 Artisan papers and Tonic dies.  I bought the G45 Artisan collection earlier this year and felt it was time to crack it open and see what all the fuss was about. Products used: Tonic Layering Die Set - Swirling Frame Tonic Beautiful Blooms Die Set  Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Pen Graphic 45 - Artisan Collection Honey Doo Crafts - Sticky Glue twine; string pearls; clear gems; hot glue Some close up detail.   The matching box, which is decorated and lined. ready to post.  The card and matching box using Graphic 45 Artisan Collection, and Tonic Layering Die Set - Swirling Frame.  And here is the finished design. This is going to a wonderful friend, as a thank you to her.  I've also designed a Birthday card & box for my niece, which...