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Hi, I'm Debbie and welcome to my blog. I'm a mom to two amazing kids, and wife to a wonderful Husband. I thrive on being creative - thanks to my incredible Mom. She is talented in so many areas; she taught me to sew, enjoy baking and creating from experiences. I enjoy many forms of creativity: Graphic design (my newest venture), sewing, paper crafting and even cake decorating. I am constantly evolving and thus, an avid Pinner! The world and its array of wonderful people, will forever be inspiration. I hope you find something here that will inspire you to find your inner creativity. I love to learn new things and hear about my readers. Please leave a comment if a post has inspired you or just made you smile.

Tuesday 20 March 2018

A little bit of love

Hello there. I'm just defrosting from our last little bit of snow and wondering where Spring is!

This is just a quick post to show you one of the graphic designs I have been playing around with.

There is so much to learn, and I am hoping to start teaching myself Adobe Illustrator soon. WHY are there only 24 hours in a day???


I think this would be lovely in a tweens room!

I am hoping to get up to the Diva Den and do some paper crafting - It seems like an age since I played.

Take care and hope to see you soon.


Saturday 24 February 2018

Scan n Cut - Bird house gift boxes

Hello there. I'm trying to keep warm as temperatures drop here in the UK.

Almost a year ago, my lovely MIL sent us some money - kids got bikes and I bought myself the Brother Scan n Cut - CM900.
I had been wanting an electric cutting machine for years. but never had the spare cash to get one.
OH MY - this machine has not disappointed me in the least.

Initially I watched a ton of YouTube videos, so when my machine arrived, I felt confident to just get cracking. I bought mine from Create and Craft as a bundle - it included a USB with cut files.
I loaded my paper and just selected a file.
Soon, I was cutting names that I had learnt to weld together. I fumbled my way through Canvas and then, tentatively, Inkscape. I have so much to learn, but can highly recommend the ride!

Canvas has new designs loaded periodically; they include a video of the make and the cut files to download.

This super cute Bird House is one of the cut files.


I used scrapbook 12'x12' card that I bought from Wilko's - it's double sided, so looked great from all angles.



It's very easy to put together - just remember to use strong adhesive. I used the red tape.

I hoard acetate from packaging, so used this for the windows.

The finishing touches were a tag I punched using off cuts, the heart from the off cuts too and organza ribbon.



Cute, even if I say so myself!

Thanks for popping by. Take care.

Debbie x




Friday 23 February 2018

Where has the time gone?

Hello lovely peeps! It has been beyond forever since I last posted. In the past three years the kids have grown and I've started to burst at the seams of my fabulous craft room!

In my last post, we were getting ready to move. It has been wonderful growing into our new home and doing the few home DIY projects in this beautiful Victorian house.
Life and kids have been my most major projects, but I have had a little time to craft.

I recently set up a Face Book page to showcase some of the things I have done.
Please pop by for a visit:
www.facebook.com/ollieandcohandmade

Cake making and decorating, paper crafting and some sewing bits have kept the creative in me.

My recent splurge has to be the Scan n Cut! I have really enjoyed learning how to use the machine, and crafting some fabulous makes.

I have also started dabbling in Graphic design - baby steps at the moment, but I am really enjoying the new challenge.

I will start posting some of my makes in the next day or so.

Thank you, as ever, for popping by.