Funky Hand thoughts

Another Steam Funk card idea.

2012-01-19T15:59:00.000Z

Wow, it was busy weekend with the launch of two new craft download collections, a blog hop and a new Get Funky Challenge all in two days. Don't forget with a new Get Funky Challenge means a new Funky Freebie backing paper on my website www.funkyhand.com to download, grab it and join in with the challenge if you haven't already!

I've been working on the new craft CD rom we will be bringing to you in the springtime so it's been pretty busy in the ole Garden Studio all week as well. Then I realise that I haven't actually talked to you here since Monday so, here I am! I can't show you any of the 'stuff' I have been working on this week just yet so I thought I would share one of the other cards that I made using the new Steam Funk download that was released last weekend. It's proving to be very popular even with people who have never thought about trying a little Steam Punk crafting..maybe you should give it a try..you never know you might like it!

This card was made very simply and pretty quickly actually. Here's how I did it:

First I printed the light coloured word paper (Backing Paper 1 in the collection) directly onto my white base card so the word image was on the back of the card as well. That's something I like doing if it works for the card..it just seems more finished off if you know what I mean.
Then I used a strip of the paper with swirls all over (Backing Paper 17 in the collection) that I'd printed onto plain white paper rather than card. I roughed up the edges a little using a flat file that I have in a collection of different shaped files by Basic Grey which I've had in my stash for about 5 years.
Using that same file I curled over the top right hand corner of the printed backing paper.
I inked around the paper with a black ink pad to grunge it up a little further and then attached it to the printed card using wet glue, remembering not to cover the top right hand corner because I wanted that to stay curled and loose.
Whilst that paper was drying I printed off the 'Time ticks by' sentiment from the download onto more white card.
I cut it free hand with sharp craft scissors planning to cut it with no straight lines.
I cut the top and bottom of the sentiment first and then measured it up against the base card so I could cut the sides at angles to fit perfectly on to the card.
Once that was cut, I inked all around the edges of it with a black ink pad and left it to dry.
Once everything was dry it was very simple to just stick the sentiment to the card. I used wet glue to attach it and had it lying flat but you could easily attach it with foam pads to give it more depth.

It's a simple card as I said at the beginning but great for those times when you need a quick card to send a message to someone. You could always use the basic idea and add buttons or twine for a more 'crafted' look or try the same idea with completely different backing papers and sentiment for a very different look!

Well, I best get back to my designing or the next CD wil never be finished. If you'd like to hear more from me why not follow me on my Twitter account or join our Funky Hand Facebook page for more Funky Hand chatter and even maybe a few special offers!

Speak soon
Anice xx

Winner of the Funky Hand Blog Hop Jan 2012

2012-01-16T14:54:00.000Z

The Blog Hop this weekend went really well. I think everyone who took part enjoyed themselves. I know the Design Team and I all did. Thank you to everyone who took the time to take part. We have all loved you visiting our blogs and leaving such lovely comments. Hopefully you may have come across blogs you had never visited before and decided to start following them.

Finally, to the interesting bit..the winner. Firstly the correct answer was VARNISHED

It's took me ages this mornng checking answers and hopping around all the blogs looking for comments. It's amazing how long it takes to read everything everyone has to say. A long time, but really interesting!!

First, here are all the correct entrants.. doubled up if you answered correctly and then commented on our Facebook page as well.

Then I had to put them in the 'hat' in this case it has to be the giant Funky Hand Teapot from the studios kitchen!!

Here I am picking out the winner..

And finally, who is the winner of a free copy of both of the newly released craft download collections Steam Funk and Funky Kraft Stash? I'll not keep you waiting any longer..

Congratulations to our winner Totty Teabag. Please contact me via the Contact Us page on my website www.funkyhand.com so I can send you your winners code to use on the website to download both craft paper collections for FREE!

I hope you enjoyed this blog hop..keep your eye on here and our Facebook page as we plan to have more Blog Hops and other fun crafty activities where you can win Funky Hand products in the near future!!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

It's time for a new Get Funky Challenge!

2012-01-15T03:00:00.001Z

It's been a mad house around this studio this weekend. New download launches ( Steam Funk and Funky Kraft Stash) and the launch Blog Hop. That is still going on today (Sunday 15th) as well so Get Hopping by reading the Blog hop post HERE and have a chance of winning both new downloads on Monday afternoon when I choose the winner out of the 'hat' You know what they say..you can't win it of you're not in it!!

Talking of winning..congratulations to Gilly for winning last months 'Thank You' Get Funky Challenge. Which brings me very nicely on to the fact that it's the Funky 15th which means only one thing..a NEW Get Funky Challenge.

Lou is our host this month and she has picked a great theme 'January Blues' you can make any sort of project that you like as long as it has some blue papers..here is just one picture of the wonderful Smash Book that Lou has made to get us started.

To see all of the pages, which are well worth seeing by the way, get over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog and take a look. As always, there is only one rule for joining in with the Get Funky Challenge and that is that you need to use at least ONE Funky Hand product used on your entry. As usual I have created a Funky Freebie that is available on my website www.funkyhand.com specially for this challenge so if you don't own any Funky Hand craft CDs, papers or stamps yet then you can still join in. If you win, then the prize is your choice of any Funky Hand download collection.

Right, less of me talking, get over to the Get Funky Challenge blog and take a look at Lou's fab creation and leave her a comment. Then get crafting and join in. We love seeing what you make, visiting your blogs and leaving you comments.

Speak again very soon..tomorow afternoon infact when I will be announcing the winner of this weekends Blog Hop. Still time to join in so the winner could be you!
Anice xx

The Funky Hand Download release BLOG HOP!

2012-01-14T09:00:00.004Z

Welcome another Funky Hand Design Team Blog Hop. If it's your first time joining in with a hop don't worry because I'm going to explain what you need to do very clearly.

This Blog Hop is to give you a peek at what you can make with my two new craft download collections Steam Funk and Funky Kraft Stash which are available for sale TODAY on my website www.funkyhand.com If you join in with this weekends Blog Hop you will get the chance to win a fab Funky Hand prize.

Whats the prize? A FREE copy of BOTH of the new downloads Steam Funk and Funky Kraft Stash.

OK, what do you need to do to have a chance to win the prize?

Firstly you need to visit each of the Design Team blogs and take a look at the wonderful card or project that they have posted there. They will have been created using either one or both of the new downloads Steam Funk and Funky Kraft Stash. Each of the Blog posts will contain a link to the next Design Team members blog for you to visit or 'hop' to, so it's nice and easy to know where to go next.
On each of the blog posts you will find a letter that the DT member will give to you. Note down the letter from each post. (I have a letter to get you started which you will find later in this post)
Before you move onto the next Blog post remember to leave a message letting the DT member know that you have visited their blog on your hop around. It doesn't have to be a long message just say Hi and if you would like to, let them know what you think of their crafty creation. (This is really important as you need to leave a comment on each blog post or you wont be able to win the prize!) If you don't have a blog account of your own don't worry, you can still post a comment but it will come up as an Anonymous comment. Just remember to put you name in your written comment so we know it was you who has visited!
Once you have visited all the blogs you will have NINE letters and the last DT blog you visit will send you back to this blog post. Mix the letters around until your find a nine letter word. (Hint..it's something you would do with a piece of wooden furniture)
Once you have worked out the word all you need to do is put it in a comment here on my blog. Now, don't worry if you don't see your answer appear here straightaway as I will be monitoring all the comments so no one can copy your answer!!
The Blog Hop will end at 12 midnight (GMT) on Sunday 15th January. On Monday morning I will post all the answers that were added to the comments section here. I will check all the correct answers I received also left a comment on all the hop blogs.(See, I told you it was important to leave a comment on each blog!) Then I'll put all those names into a 'hat' and pull out a winner!
I'll post pictures of me picking the winner out it here on Monday afternoon so come back then to see if you are the winner!!
There's one little extra..Are you a member of Facebook? If you are, then follow this link to our Funky Hand Page. http://www.facebook.com/funkyhand You'll find a post there about this blog hop and an invitation for you to comment, if you leave a comment there as well..and get the answer right at the end.. you will be rewarded with having your name go twice into the 'hat' so double the chance of winning. Whilst you are on our Facebook page don't forget to 'like' it as we plan on giving special exclusive offers on there which you'll miss otherwise. If you are not signed up to Facebook..you could take this chance to create yourself an account..it's a great place to chat with friends, family and crafty virual friends as well. I couldn't live without it now!

Right enough of all the rules, here are the cards that I have made to get the hop started,

This card was created using backing papers, a digital stamp and letters from the Alpha bits paper from the Steam Funk download collection. It was great fun distressing the edges of the papers, not being too worried about everything being perfectly placed. I coloured the clock digital stamp using Letraset Aquamarkers, which you will be seeing available on the website in the near future as they are my new favourites and I'd like to share them with my customers if they haven't tried them yet.

My second card was made with a paper from the Funky Kraft Stash download which I used as the base card. Kraft card is very 'in' at the moment and it can be a great base for any sort of card you want to make. As it is so netural you can use any sort of paper or stamp that you like with it. For my example card I decided to leave it really simple and show alot of the Kraft paper that I had printed. All I have done is stick a simple circle of buttons directly to the base card. If you are wondering how I got them in a circle it is a simple trick. I drew a circle in pencil..I actually drew around an empty ribbon spool that was the perfect size, and then added the buttons around that. I then rubbed out any pencil left showing between the buttons. It's a fun effect for a card I think.

So what is the first letter of this Blog Hop to get you started? My letter is 'N'

OK..now it's time for you to start hopping, pop over to see what Ruth has for you by clicking her name. Remember to take a note of her letter and leave a comment.. See you back here in a while..enjoy your Funky Hop!!

Just incase you get lost, here is a list of all the DT member posts so you can look at them again if you need to:

Ruth
Jules
Lou
Jenny
Amanda
Jackie
Debs
Allison

Good luck..and have fun!
Anice xx

New Downloads this weekend & a Blog Hop

2012-01-13T10:18:00.000Z

As usual I am apologising for not blogging as often as I should. It's just been a bit mad here in the Garden Studio and I haven't had much of interest to tell you..I was in the middle of loads of things but nothing finished..until now!

This is just a very quick post to let you know that this weekend is a bit of a Funky Hand mad house. We are releasing TWO new downloads that have been along time over due and to launch them the Design Team and I are having another BLOG HOP. So, pop back here tomorrow to see what you need to do to get a chance of winning both new downloads for free!! I know you love your freebies!

As well as new downloads and a blog hop, Decembers Challenge over on the Get Funky Blog is coming to an end so you have today and tomorrow to get your entries in to have a chance of winning the prize for the current challenge. Then on Sunday I will be announcing the winner and an all NEW Get Funky Challenge will be starting with a new Funky Freebie paper on our website. The current one for Decembers challenge is still available to download now but, it will be gone Saturday night and a new one will replace it so don't miss out.

Right I'm off now to make more coffee and finish my cards for the new download galleries..I'm sure your are going to love these new downloads and the Design Team have out done themselves again with their inspiring samples.
Speak to you again tomorrow for the launch and the Blog Hop that starts here!!
Anice xx

Good Morning..and a Happy New Year

2012-01-04T09:42:00.000Z

Well here it is 2012. I wonder what this New Year will hold for us all. I'm wishing wonderful things for all of you.
Here in the Garden Studio we have been planning everything for this year for quite a while. There are lots of things ahead, new download collections, craft CD ROMS and a few exciting all new things that I don't think I'll tell you about just yet.. hehe! I'm a teaser I know.

Even though it's already the 4th January this is my first blog post of the year..see I knew I would break my first New Year resolution 'You will blog more' Isn't it always the same? But, I have plenty of ideas in my head I just need to get to that crafting table and get them made so I can show you!

This morning, as well as saying Happy New Year to you here I am putting the finishing touches to two new Download collections and hopefully getting a new freebie gift finished that I'll tell you all about very soon. To keep me going in this wet and windy weather I am drinking alot of lovely coffee. Infact this morning I decided not to keep having to go back and forth to the mini kitchen, getting another, but bring the coffee to me! Here's my coffee pot already quarter gone on my desk..

I've made it nice and strong and put plenty of Ameretto Syrup that I had for Christmas in it..hopefully it will keep me working all morning getting these new products finished!!

I'll speak to you again with some crafty stuff very soon. Now where is my cup? I need another drink!
Anice xx

New Year Ahead..

2011-12-30T14:04:00.000Z

I hope you all got your hands on some of our sale items over the last few days in our year end sale. It's quite nice to have a sale and clear out some of the stock room ready for new things to take their places.
We have plenty of new Funky Hand products planned for 2012 so those spaces wont be empty for too long!!

I don't know about you but I always have mixed feelings about the New Year.
Part of me is looking forward to January 1st. New fresh start..stating all your new year resolutions just like every other year..losing weight, blogging three times a week (at least), going on long walks to get all that lovely extra exercise I need..BLAH BLAH.
The other part of me likes the comfort of this year..I knew what happened, not all of it was great but..some was good, even fantastic and I find it hard to give up another year that I have survived.

Reading this back it all sounds a bit strange but that is just how I always feel as the New Year approaches. How about you? Do you like New Year or loath it?

As I have been clearing out the office ready for 2012 I found an image, on my external drive, that I used for my Christmas cards this year that I hadn't shared. (For some mad reason I didn't take a picture of my Christmas cards completed, I know idiot!!) So, I thought I would show it to you to, sort of, end the 'Christmas' period..as it pretty much is now really.

The image is a digital stamp from the Funky Hand Christmas CD ROM Twelve Crafters Crafting. Alot of crafters I have spoken to with the CD completely missed this image so keep it in mind for next year!! I sat for ages colouring the images (there were a few cards to make!) using my new set of Letreset Aquamarkers which are now my big favourites. Expect to see them available for sale on the Funky Hand website www.funkyhand.com in the New Year.

Well I have enjoyed talking to you all this year..more than likely this will be my last post for 2011 as I have two new download collections to get finished over the next couple of days ready for release in 2012, sounds funny doesn't it!

Anyway, that doesn't mean that there wont be more Funky Hand blogging going on though as the last challenge for 2011 over on the Get Funky Challenge Blog is still in full swing and you have until the 14th January to join in and have a chance of winning a download of your choice. So, what are you waiting for? Get over there and take a look at the fantastic creations the Funky Hand Design Team Members have already made to inspire you for this challenge. You know you want to use that new craft stash you had for Christmas..maybe joining in with our challenge could be one of your New Year resolutions!

Have a good start to the New Year..speak to you again in 2012!
Anice xx

It's Sale Time!!!!

2011-12-27T10:42:00.002Z

As it says clearly above..just if you have had a bit of a good Christmas so far and your eyes are a little crossed! We are having a three day sale over on the Funky Hand website. There is 50% off all Funky Hand branded products. That's all the CDs, downloads, paper packs, buttons and ribbons. But, we couldn't just leave it at that so, we've also reduced all the additional stash like Promarkers by 10% as well.

Get over to the Funky Hand website www.funkyhand.com NOW and grab yourself a Christmas crafty bargain.

Oh and by the way..hope you are having a wonderful Christmas time.
Anice xx

Merry Christmas one and all!!

2011-12-24T16:27:00.000Z

It's a new Get Funky Challenge

2011-12-15T09:00:00.001Z

Yes folks it's the last Get Funky Challenge of 2011 and I am the host this month! The challenge is pretty straight forward. THANK YOU.

I thought I'd give you a little rest from all those Christmas cards you have been making to get started on your thank you cards!! This challenge is not just about thank you for presents or cooking a nice turkey though. Your cards, scrapbook pages or any other craft creation can be for any sort of thank you.

Here is my card to start the challenge off..

Go over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog to get a closer look and see how I made the card. All I can say that there are things from three of my craft CDs, Colour Me Happy, Craft The Year Away and Twelve Crafters Crafting included on it!

As always the one rule for the challenge is to include at least one Funky Hand product on your creation. To make that easy for everyone I have created a new Funky Freebie for you to download and use. Find it on my website www.funkyhand.com

Whilst I have you here I wanted to ask you, do you use Facebook? If you do, then it would be great if you would 'Like' the Funky Hand page which you can find here http://www.facebook.com/#!/funkyhand or just by searching for Funky Hand. In 2012 we intend to extend the things that we will be including on that page..like special codes just for Facebook followers for discounts and competitions to win Funky Hand products. It would be great to see you over there.

Right back to work for me. Hope to see your Thank You cards on the Get Funky Blog very soon.
Anice xx

Getting ready to put up the tree!

2011-12-09T10:45:00.000Z

I know alot of you out there will have your Christmas Trees and decorations all up and twinkling already but in the Funky Hand household I'm afraid it's always the last moment. But woohoo! it is all going up this weekend. We moved to a bigger house earlier this year so we now have room to put the Christmas tree in front of the juliet balcony that we have in the lounge and still be able to see the TV!!

With this in mind I decided that we needed some new decorations. I don't know if you remember a few years ago I bought Christmas decorations of Henry VIII and his six wives on a journey to London..it was 2009 actually there were loads of exhibitions to celebrate that it was 500 years after Henry came to the throne in 1509..sorry as well as crafting the Tudor era in history is a big interest for me.If you want to see them take at look at this post..http://funkyhand.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-i-was-up-to-this-weekend.html Anyway, Henry and the girls have got some new baubles (green ones of course my favourite colour) but I wanted something total unique and hand made so I followed a link from one of my Twitter 'friends' Mel to her Etsy shop.. Wow the handmade Christmas decorations that she makes are just wonderful. I just couldn't resist...

The pictures don't really show up the sparkle that well, but the decoration is made and finished so beautifully I hardly want to get it out of it's packaging and put it on the tree this weekend!

If you'd like to take a look at what she has in her Etsy shop at the moment, pop over here to her shop Inky Doodles Crafts http://www.etsy.com/shop/inkydoodlecrafts?ref=ss_profile you wont be disappointed.

Before I pop off again I just want to remind you of the Get Funky Challenge that is still going on for this month. There is still time to join in if you fancy it or why not just go over and take a look at the wonderful creations that the Funky Hand Design Team have been posting since the challenge started last month.

A new challenge will start on the 'Funky 15th' of December and I'm the host, so you had best not miss out on the last challenge of 2011. It'll be a nice easy one and the Funky Freebie is pretty cool even if I say so myself!!

Finally, just before I pop off for good today, I wanted to mention that Funky Hand has a page on Facebook that could really do with a few more 'Likes'! In 2012 we have big plans to have special offers available on there and share even more Funky stuff so, if you are on Facebook go over and 'Like' the Funky Hand page so you don't miss out. We are also on Twitter and you can follow me here https://twitter.com/#!/funkyhand I promise I don't tweet every few minutes and in the New Year there are plans for special offers on there as well. Right enough talking time for more designing and crafting!

Speak again very soon and happy crafting!
Anice xx

Get Funky Challenge round 2!

2011-12-07T09:00:00.001Z

Due to a couple of changes with the Funky Hand Design Team this month there was a posting space for this months Get Funky challenge so as a good leader I took the challenge for a second time and allowed my wonderful, over worked, DT members to concentrate on next months challenge. Oh, and Christmas and stuff like that!!

So, this months Get Funky Challenge was set by Jackie and she wants us to create two cards. One traditional Christmas cards and then another card for an occasion with is nothing to do with the 'C' word but still using Christmas papers!

Here are both my cards, pop over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog to get a better look at them and read how I made them. Both cards were made using the latest Funky Hand craft CD release Twelve Crafters Crafting.

Pretty different cards! Please don't forget to go over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog and join in with us this month. We love to see what you create and get the chance to visit your blogs. Even just leave a message on my post or any other other Design Team posts for this month to let us know what you think of our creations, it would be great to hear from you.

Right, back to my own Christmas card making..as usual I have left it until the last possible moment.
Anice xx

Those dreaded mens cards!

2011-12-03T09:00:00.002Z

Just after my birthday last month it was Ians Brother in laws birthday Colin. I decided that I would make his card reminding him that he was getting closer to 40 this year as he enjoys reminding me how much I am moving into my 40's grrrr.

Anyway, I thought I would share the card I created for him...

For this card I used the spotty paper from my Happy Happy Birthday CD ROM. The collection I used was Just For Men ..surprisingly! I found some really nice mottled olive green paper in my stash which I thought would go really well with the spotty paper colours. I created the topper using the Happy Happy Birthday CD workspace. I used the un coloured resizeable number digital stamps and added the writing with the writer also on the workspace. Actually it was great because I was able to create my topper and print the spotty paper all on one piece of A4 card by fitting everything onto one page of the workspace and printing it. I then was able to use the piece of white card left not printed on the A4 sheet to use as the white card under the topper. Less messing about, less printing and less waste of card!

I'd printed out the topper using the un coloured number digital stamps one, because the coloured ones didn't match my card colours but also because I wanted to have a play with my new favourite crafty item Aquamarkers by Letraset. (Expect to see them available for sale on my website www.funkyhand.com in the very near future!) I used two Aquamarkers to colour this topper Golden Brown and Spring Green. Before I started painting though I let the image sit over night just so that I was sure that the printer ink was completely dry. Probably a few hours would be enough though. I then drew a line around the ouside of the numbers with a Promarker pen, I used the Cool Grey 1, to make the numbers jump out just a little. Here's a closer look at the image..

I'm not claiming in anyway that I am a specialist in using Aquamarkers but I have always enjoyed using paints with my stamped images digital or inked stamps. I always used to use Twinkling H2O's and have a large collection of them but Ive really enjoyed working with Aquamarkers for the first time. They mix together so well and even a new user can create something to be proud of with just a little effort. In the near future, and after a little more practice, I plan on making a quick video on how to use Aquamarkers with your Funky Hand digital stamps. It's great fun!

Right I'm off to get creative as I am lucky enough to have two spots this month on the Get Funky Challenge Blog. So you will see a couple more cards from me in a few days following the challenge set this month. Which, is to create a Christmas card in traditional colours, red, gold, green and then create a none Christmas card but using Christmas papers.. a bit of a teaser our Jackie has set us this month..but it's fun to stretch yourself when you are crafting. I'll be using my latest craft CD Twelve Crafters Crafting for both cards of course. Pop over to The Get Funky Challenge blog and take a look at the wonderful creations that my Design Team members have already posted so far this month and maybe you will be inspired to join in with us.

Right I'm really off now., speak again very soon.
Anice xx

Good News! It's A Boy!

2011-11-26T12:00:00.000Z

To anyone reading this thinking I'm announcing anything about me, think again!!

No, we have a new member of the family..he was a little earlier than we thought but Ian my other half and Funky Hand techy has become an Uncle once again. Matthew David was born earlier in the week and he is a darling! Of course I needed to make a new baby card so I thought I would share it with you here..in detail!!

The card has been made using my craft CD Craft The Year Away. The collection for the paper I used is November Rain as it has some lovely blues and lilac tones. I used the coloured baby carriage image from the digital stamps on that same CD and wrote the sentiment in the work space. It was great as I was able to put everything I needed, backing paper, sentiment and digital image all on one A4 piece of card and print them all out together.

I decided that I wanted to make a wire curly handle for the pram so I used black covered 22 gauge wire. It's thick enough to look good for the pram handle but not so thick I couldn't add a few black beads to it to give a bit of movement and noise to the card!

Of course I needed to add some ribbon to a baby card but as he is a boy I just wanted something simple so I added sheer blue ribbon with white dots. I have trouble tying bows so I always opt for the 'decorative knot' in these circumstances!! I decided to add a white heart pin through the knot that I found in my stash which has a lovely sheen on it. Sorry I don't know where I got it from, I've had it in my stash for years!

Once I had started to put the card together.. I don't know about you but I always seem to change my mind and add or take things away. It was at this point I decided that there needed to be a little more definition to the backing paper so I quickly doodled a rather wobbly line around the edge of it with a black Sakura Gelly roll glaze pen. It tied the black pram handle into the overall card design better. I mounted the pram on the card with foam pads and once it was all together I added Glossy Accents to the heart to give it a lovely sheen..and it also meant there was no chance of me touching it and messing it up. Which is what I usually do as I have no patience to wait for things to dry.

So there you go..my first real baby card for quite a while!

I hope you all had a chance to grab any Funky Hand products yesterday in my one day birthday sale. It will be a while before you see those sorts of discounts on the website again so I hope you did get anything you fancied before it was all over. I had a lovely birthday yesterday. I went to the hairdressers, did 'lunch' and coffee with my good friend Vic and was taken out for dinner by Ian.

Today is family get together day for my birthday so little Matthew will get his first outing since he arrived home earlier in the week. Bring on the party food! I love that sort of thing even more than the children..well it's my birthday party so I should stuff my face shouldn't I?

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

It's my birthday 43% off SALE

2011-11-25T08:00:00.002Z

Yes, it's my birthday and for ONE DAY ONLY you can get 43% off ALL FUNKY HAND PRODUCTS on my website www.funkyhand.com

That means prices like my latest Papercraft Factory craft CD ROM Twelve Crafters Crafting coming down from £16.99 to a tiny £9.68 Find the same amazing discount for all our craft CDs

The discounts are not just on our craft CDs but all Funky Hand Download collections and other Funky Hand products like Our Betty Stamps, buttons, ribbons and paper packs.

If you still have crafty gifts to buy for Christmas or just want to grab some huge bargains for yourself you had better get onto my website www.funkyhand.com NOW as this sale is only running from Midnight 24th November until Midnight tonight Friday 25th November.

Don't kick yourself tomorrow for missing out as we will not be having as big a sale discount again. So get over to www.funkyhand.com quickly before time runs out or the stock does!!

Now, I'm off to enjoy my birthday and wish you all a very happy crafting day!
Speak very soon
Anice xx

Time for a Funky Challenge

2011-11-23T08:30:00.002Z

It's my turn on the old Get Funky! Challenge blog today. Jackie is the Boss this month and she set us a bit of an interesting challenge. She wants us all to make a Christmas card in the traditional green and red etc colours and then using less tradtional colours but still Christmas papers from collections make a none Christmas card.. well that's a tester!

I've decided that I'm only going to put the Christmas card that I created for this challenge up here on my blog so you need to pop over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog to see what my other creation was..it's not Christmassy that's for sure!!

All the Design Team are using my latest CD release Twelve Crafters Crafting for their cards so I have as well!! This card is made with the Easel card template that can be found on the CD and papers from the Merry Christmas Collection. Both the Christmas Tree and the sentiment are hand drawn digital stamps that can also be found on the Twelve Crafters Crafting CD ROM.

Ok, so now you've seen my Christmas half of the challenge pop over to Get Funky and see what else I made none Christmas using Christmas papers then, have a go yourself..we love to see your creations and visit your blogs. Even if you don't join in leave a comment on any of the posts so we know you were there!!

Speak again soon

Anice xx

A craft gift from my Mom!

2011-11-17T09:30:00.004Z

If you know anything about me or how Funky Hand started as a business you will know that it was my Mom who got me started papercrafting. Anyway, since she retired recently she has been picking up old crafts like knitting and sewing that she used to always be doing when I was a child. But as well as those things she has also been trying out some new ones as well. She has taken up jewellery making.

Last weekend Mom and Dad visited us and Mom gave me a fab bracelet that she had made for me. Basically she gathered together every green bead she had in her stash, as she knows it's my favourite colour, and created this wild bracelet..

It's made using memory wire so I don't have to worry about trying to do up clasps with my dodgy right hand.
Here it is on my wrist..

Expect to see this in any future Create and Craft TV shows front and centre..though it does rattle a little with all the giant beads. It might mean you can't hear me talking, which isn't such a bad thing I imagine you are thinking!!

Just one last picture before I leave you to your day. What I really loved was a little charm that Mom had added to the end of the bracelet..

A little silver hand saying Hand Made.Isn't that great? We should all be proud of our crafty creations, being hand made doesn't mean the item is 'less' than something you could buy in the shops. It means it's much better as it's been made with love and care.

Speak again very soon

Anice xx

It's time for a new Get Funky Challenge

2011-11-15T12:01:00.000Z

I know I say this every month but I just can't believe the Funky 15th has come around again. Which can only mean a new Get Funky Challenge.

Jackie is our Boss this month and as it's her first time running the monthly challenge I thought I might get an easy ride..not a chance. This month Jackie wants us makng two cards!! One which is a standard Christmas card using traditional colours like red, green, gold etc and then really stretch our crafting talents and make a card that isn't Christmas themed but with Christmas papers!!

Here are Jackies cards for this challenge to get you started, but go over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog to get a proper look at what she has created.

For both cards she used papers from our latest CD ROM Twelve Crafters Crafting.. First the traditional Christmas card..

and then a really fab Birthday card using the same Christmas CD ROM Twelve Crafters Crafting..

Aren't they both great? Just proves that Twelve Crafters Crafting, isn't just for Christmas..you can use it all year around! I'll be showing you my take on this Get Funky Challenge at the weekend. I just need to get them both made!

So, get yourself over to the Get Funky Challenge blog and join in with this months challenge. The only rule to be able to win the free Funky Hand download prize is that you use at least one Funky Hand product. If you haven't got anything from us in your stash just yet then do not fear I have created a Funky Freebie download paper that you can download from my website www.funkyhand.com to help you on your way.

Have fun crafting!
Anice xx

If you missed my create and Craft Shows...

2011-11-11T09:00:00.002Z

..then you missed out on some big savings on my Papercraft Factory CD ROMs including my latest releases Happy Happy Birthday and Twelve Crafters Crafting! If you've already got them then who cares eh? If you haven't pop over to their website www.createandcraft.tv and see if they still have any of the deals in stock. If not they are available for sale on my website www.funkyhand.com while stocks last!!

Anyway I thought I would share with you a couple of the cards that I made on the shows so you could have a bit of a look at them! First up is my go at distressing paper using a file..not a good idea when you have paid good money for a manicure to go on telly!!

This jolly Santa card was created using papers,digital stamps and sentiment from my latest Christmas CD release Twelve Crafters Crafting. Here's a closer look at the distressing of the edge of the paper..

Next I'm going to share a really simple easel card. All the papers, digital images, sentiment and the easel card template also come from the new Twelve Crafters Crafting Christmas CD ROM.

Here's a side view..

Without reducing the easel card template from full size it measures 4.8" square so it will fill perfectly in a 5" square envelope for sending out to people.

I really think Sally my digi stamp designer has created some wonderful stamps with this CD. They are not overly complicated so they are great for paper piecing and they are cute with out being cutsey..if you know what I mean!

Anyway, there are two cards I demonstrated making on Wednesdays Create and Craft TV shows. If you'd like to take a good look at the other paper colours and designs, stamps and generally get a better idea of the sorts of things you could make using this CD then pop to the Twelve Crafters Crafting page on my website and take a look at the gallery on there. My Design Team have made some amazing Christmas cards and lots of other things besides with the papers available on this CD. Infact if you have a look around at all the other CD pages you will see galleries on all of them that will give you loads of inspiration to get crafting!

I'll be back soon with a tutorial about how to use the pillow box template available on this CD so you can see how to make really great boxes, just right for small gifts like jewellery etc..

Speak again soon
Anice xx

Live shows on Create and Craft tomorrow

2011-11-08T13:27:00.000Z

Hi everyone. I'm just dropping by pretty quickly today to remind you, or let you know if you didn't already, that I have two live TV shows tomorrow.Wednesday 9th November On the Create and Craft TV channel at 8am and 1pm. Find the shows on Sky Channel 671, Freeview 36 and Freesat 813

I will be launching my newest Christmas themed CD ROM release Twelve Crafters Crafting for all you late Christmas card makers like me. I never make a Christmas card before my birthday, 25th November..though I've had to this year for demo cards!! Ha Ha!

On the shows there will also be chances to see my last CD Happy Happy Birthday which to tell you the truth is only a couple of months old itself so it's like doing a double launch!! Look out for some fantastic card samples from my wonderful Design Team members as always they will blow you away with their crafty talent!

I want to give you a BIG heads up that there are going to be some BIG savings available on all my craft CD ROMS on these shows..and that even includes the new releases!! If you don't have Twelve Crafters Crafting and Happy Happy Birthday yet then make sure you watch at 8am and 1pm tomorrow or go on the Create and Craft website and you might just get yourself a very nice surprise..don't you deserve an early Christmas present???!!

There are reductions on the prices of my older papercraft factory CDs Dreams Come True and Colour Me Happy as well so maybe you need to complete your collection..do it tomorrow with the sale prices on the individual CDs and even more on multi buys.

I'm off now to just finish packing my tote bag and huge Really Useful Box with all the demos and card samples for tomorrow. I hope we can get them all in the car!!

Let me know what you think of the shows..I'd love to hear from you.
Until later in the week
Anice xx

My Dad had a birthday..

2011-11-07T09:00:00.001Z

My Dad and I have birthdays in the same month so November is a month for me to make birthday cards and to receive them! Here's the fun little card that I made Dad this year,

I know I was being a bit cheeky..but he doesn't mind!! The card was made with papers, digital images and sentiments from my CD Happy Happy Birthday. I had to send it in the post so I wanted it to have some layers but not be so thick that it would cost a forture to send in the post or would just get wrecked! So, I didn't use any foam pads but stuck each part of the card down flat with wet glue. To create a feeling of layers I added a section of the same printed card on top of the main backing paper and just doodled with a black Sakura pen simply around the edges of both. The topper was created in the Happy Happy Birthday Work Space using three digital stamps, the pint of beer and the two sentiments 'Over the hill' and the 'Happy Birthday' banner. That's the great thing about the Papercraft Factory Work Space that you will find on all our Papercraft Factory CD ROMS (Dreams Come True, Colour Me Happy, Craft The Year Away, Happy Happy Birthday & Twelve Crafters Crafting) you can resize all the digital images and sentiments and mix and match them to create your own perfect topper. If none of the sentiments are exactly what you want, maybe you want add the persons name, then just use the sentiment writer, also available on the Work Space, and write whatever you like in loads of different fonts. Your options are endless really. Of course you might think that I would say that as Papercraft Factory is a Funky Hand creation but I know that it's a big plus from all the emails I get every week from really happy customers..so I must be doing something right with it!!

Anyway, back to my Dad's birthday card ! I finished off the topper by colouring it in with Promarker pens and adding highlights to the image with a white Sakura pen. I always find it a bit strange using a white Sakura pen as when you draw it on..it's clear..then after a few mins it dries and it's suddenly white. Then you find out if you have put it in the right place!! But that's what crafting is all about to me..having a go at things you have never done before and having fun at the same time !

Enjoy your crafting this week!
Anice xx

Twelve Crafters Crafting CD officially launched!

2011-11-05T11:36:00.000Z

Yep, I'm all excited today as our Christmas CD Twelve Crafters Crafting is officially launched on our website www.funkyhand.com.. all you eager crafters that pre ordered the CD all last week should be seeing your copies arriving today as they were all dispatch first class yesterday to you (Friday 4th Nov)

I've been working with the CD all week and will be the rest of this weekend coming up with demonstrations to include on our two live TV shows on Create and Craft TV next Wednesday 9th November at 8am and 1pm. I hope you can join me to have a closer look at Twelve Crafters Crafting and have a few laughs as well, crossed fingers.

Here's card I made with the CD just last week, I even coloured the Christmas crakers myself with promarker pens! I'm still learning how to use them properly but the digital stamps on Twelve Crafters Crafting really lend themselves brilliantly to colouring..they are amazing, Sally my image designer has done a fab job..I can't wait to be able to show you more of them..though if you can't wait to have a look take a glance at the gallery on the Twelve Crafters Crafting page on the website and you will see some amazing cards and projects that my Design team members have created.

Right I had best get back to making demos or there will be nothing for me to do or show you next week on my TV shows!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

The Winner of the Funky Hand Blog Hop

2011-10-31T17:08:00.000Z

Well, it was a great Blog Hop last weekend and I think everyone who took part enjoyed themselves. I know the Design Team and I all did, very much. Thank you to everyone who took the time to take part. We loved having you visiting our blogs and leaving such lovely comments. Hopefully you came across some blogs you had never visited before and started following them.

But here finally, is the interesting bit..the winner. But first I had promised that I would give you a video of me picking the winner but I just didn't have time to get it done so..you'll have to put up with pictures!

First, here are all the correct entrants..

Then I had to put them in the 'hat' in this case it had to be the giant Funky Hand Teapot..

Here I am picking out the winner.. (try taking a picture that's not blurred with one hand!)

And finally, who is the winner of a free copy of our brand new craft CD ROM release Twelve Crafters Crafting ? I'll not keep you waiting any longer..

Congratulations to our winner CraftyBugMum. Please contact me via the Contact Us page on my website www.funkyhand.com let me know your name and address so I can get your Twelve Crafters Craft CD prize out to you.

The Twelve Crafters Crafting CD isn't officially released until next Saturday 5th Nov but you are able to pre order it now ready for delivery to arrive on the day of release from my website www.funkyhand.com It's selling pretty fast so I hope we have enough stock to cover pre sales, launch sales and then the order for Create and Craft TV when we launch it on there Live Wednesday 9th November at 8am and 1pm. Oh, I love launching new CD ROMS it's always so much fun!

I hope you enjoyed our blog hop..keep your eye on here we may well have another one in the future!!
Speak again soon
Anice xx

Twelve Crafters Crafting BLOG HOP!

2011-10-29T09:00:00.042+01:00

Welcome to the Funky Hand Design Teams very first Blog Hop. If it's your first time joining in with a hop as well don't worry because I'm going to explain what you need to do very clearly.

This Blog Hop is to give you a peek at what you can make with my new Christmas CD Twelve Crafters Crafting which is being made available TODAY on my website www.funkyhand.com for Pre Order. It will be official launched on Saturday 5th November. If you join in with this weekends Blog Hop you will get the chance to win a fab Funky Hand prize.

Whats the prize? A FREE copy of the new Christmas CD ROM Twelve Crafters Crafting.

OK, what do you need to do to have a chance to win the prize?

Firstly you need to visit each of the Design Team blogs and take a look at the wonderful card or project that they have posted there that has been created using the new CD Twelve Crafters Crafting. Each of the Blog posts will contain a link to the next Design Team members blog for you to visit or 'hop' to, so it's nice and easy to know where to go next.
On each of the blog posts you will find a letter that the DT member will give to you. Note down the letter from each post.
Before you move onto the next Blog post remember to leave a message letting the DT member know that you have visited their blog on your hop around. It doesn't have to be a long message just say Hi and if you would like to let them know what you think of their crafty creation. (This is really important as you need to leave a comment on each blog post or you wont be able to win the prize!) If you don't have a blog account of your own don't worry, you can still post a comment but it will come up as an Anonymous comment. Just remember to put you name in your written comment so we know it was you who has visited!
Once you have visited all the blogs you will have TEN letters and the last DT blog you visit will send you back to this blog post. Mix the letters around until your find two words, that are actually a title of one of the collections on the new CD. (Hint, they are Christmas themed!)
Once you have worked out the two words all you need to do is put them in a comment here on my blog. Now, don't worry if you don't see your answer appear here straightaway as I will be monitoring all the comments so no one can copy your answer!!
The Blog Hop will end at 12 midnight (GMT) on Sunday 30th Oct. On Monday morning I will post all the answers that were added to the comments section here. I will check all the correct answers I received also left a comment on all the hop blogs.(See, I told you it was important to leave a comment on each blog!) Then I'll put all those names into a 'hat' and pull out a winner!
I'll make a video of me picking the winner out and post it here on Monday so come back to see if you are the winner!!

Right enough of all the rules, here is the card that I made to get the hop started,

I made this card with papers from the Merry Christmas Collection from the Twelve Crafters Crafting CD ROM. The topper is two of the hand drawn digital stamps/sentiments included on the Christmas CD ROM put together. I coloured the wise men with Promarkers and used gold and silver Sakura pens to give their outfits and gifts a little sparkle!

OK..now it's time for you to start hopping, pop over to see what Lou has for you by clicking her name. Remember to take a note of her letter and leave a comment.. See you back here in a while..enjoy your Funky Hop!!

Just incase you get lost, here is a list of all the DT member posts so you can look at them again if you need to:

Lou
Jackie
Jules
Ruth
Amanda
Paula
Jenny
Katina
Kathy
Allison

Good luck..and have fun!
Anice xx

Blog hop this weekend!

2011-10-27T09:07:00.000+01:00

This is just a little message to let you know that the Funky Hand Design Team are having our very first BLOG HOP this weekend. It's to celebrate the launch of our new Christmas themed craft CD ROM Twelve Crafters Crafting, which is officially released on the 5th of Nov, BUT is going to be available to pre order on our website www.funkyhand.com from this weekend!! If you join in the fun with our blog hop you could be in with a chance of winning a fabby prize! Find out what it is on Saturday!!

I just wanted to give you a little heads up so you know that it will be starting here on my blog, Funky Hand Thoughts on Saturday 29th October at 9am and you will be able to join in and add your answer right up until 12 midnight Sunday 30th. The winner of the Blog Hop prize will be announced on Monday 31st.

It's going to be great fun hopping around all the Design Teams Blogs seeing example of cards and craft creations they have been making with the new Christmas CD. Get ready for seeing some AMAZING creations and having fun with the Funky Hand DT Gang.

I can't wait, and if you are like me and this is you first blog hop..don't worry I've made it really clear how to join in, it will be easy and loads of fun! So, I'm really looking forward to seeing you here on Saturday and Sunday.

Lets all get ready to get hopping!!
Anice xx

Get Funky, gets scary!

2011-10-23T09:00:00.005+01:00

It's my turn today to bring you a card for our Get Funky Challenge this month. Amanda has set us a challenge with Autumn in mind so I have decided to head along the Halloween route..here's my card..

I have used the Funky Freebie that is available on my website www.funkyhand.com for this month as the base card pattern and everything else has come from my craft CD ROM Craft The Year Away. If you want to know more about how I made this card and get a closer look at my colouring of the pumpkin then pop over the Get Funky Challenge Blog now.

I enjoyed making this card and it's a nice change just before I start to make the dreaded Christmas cards! Though I think this year it's going to be much easier as I will just use my new Christmas CD Twelve Crafters Crafting.. New CD? I hear you ask , I haven't seen it yet..Oh, but you will very soon.

We have some fun things planned to launch this CD, look out for the details later in the week of the BLOG HOP next weekend and don't forget the 25% OFF SALE that is going on right now on the website www.funkyhand.com There are live TV shows on Create and Craft already booked so you can take a closer look at the CD then as well if you want to.

I'll be back to show and tell you more in the very near future, until then, get joining in with the Get Funky Challenge!
Speak very soon
Anice xx

25% SALE starts today!

2011-10-22T09:00:00.001+01:00

Our BIG 25% off SALE starts today so get over to www.funkyhand.com today and grab yourself a fantastic crafty bargain. It's on all weekend but I can't guarantee how long the stocks of everything will last so don't miss out!

See you over there!
Anice xx

A little heads up for a BIG SALE starting tomorrow!

2011-10-21T10:35:00.000+01:00

Yep, tomorrow is the beginning of the fun as we head towards launch of our brand new Christmas CD ROM Twelve Crafters Crafting..

Tomorrow, Saturday 22nd October we start a two day massive sale with a giant,

25% discount off

all Funky Hand Products on my website www.funkyhand.com. That's 25% off all the current CD ROMS, Download collections, paper packs, stamps and Funky Hand stash which includes ribbons, buttons and word book envelopes.

That means you could buy our latest CD Happy Happy Birthday for a tiny £12.74, and an Original Funky Hand CD ROM like Funky Word Books for just £5.99, no one can beat those prices on Funky Hand products this weekend!

Also, don't forget when you buy from www.funkyhand.com any order over £10.00 has FREE DELIVERY.

We need to make to make a bit of space in the warehouse for the arrival of the new Christmas CD in a couple of weeks time. So, why not grab yourself a good ole' Funky bargain? It could be for Chrtistmas gifts for your crafty friends or even just something you've had your eye on ..who can resist a 25% off Sale? Not me that's the truth!!

After this weekends sale we (that's the funky Hand Design Team and me) have plans for next weekend..how about a fabby BLOG HOP with a very special prize for the winner? I'll tell you more about that later next week.

I'll be back tomorrow to remind you about the sale but I thought I would just give you a little teaser..
See you tomorrow
Anice xx

Another Birthday card!

2011-10-17T08:30:00.001+01:00

I don't know what it is about this time of year but all my friends seem to be having their birthdays at the moment! Here is a card that I made for one of them, Sandra who had her birthday last Friday. We had a really good get together with friends, good food and laughs to celebrate, so thanks for that Sandra!

Here is the card I made for her..

The card blank is a really small square white card that I bought in a pack ages ago. I used papers and digital stamps from my craft CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday.

I was also very giving and used two of my vast collection of brads on this card as well. It's never easy to give them up I have admit!! How sad is that? But I bet there's plenty of you out there understanding my feeling of loss!! The brads are both by Making Memories..they probably aren't even available anymore I've had them so long!! Luckily I have another pack so I can still have them to look at when I want to!! (Shakes head at the madness of brad collection and love!)

I'm working hard as usual this week but this time I'm getting ready for my Create and Craft Shows on Saturday coming 22nd October. You can catch my live shows at 11am and then I'm on again at 4pm. These shows will have my CD Happy Happy Birthday as the lead product but as usual I'll have my other Papercraft Factory CDs available as well. I'm working on new demonstrations to let you see what's actually available on this CD for all your Birthday cards..so, I'd best get back to it or I'll never have everything finished! As always my Design Team have produced amazing cards and other creations for these shows so even if you just watch to see them, you wont be disappointed..you can turn the sound down so you don't have to listen to me chatter if you like!!

Oh before I forget, call back later in the week as we might have a little offer on the website that could be of interest to you.. I'm so naughty to tease you!
Speak very soon.
Anice xx

Fancy an Autumn Get Funky Challenge?

2011-10-15T12:16:00.001+01:00

It's that time again, the Funky 15th of the month and that can only mean one thing..a new Get Funky Challenge!

Congratulations to Hazel for being our Winner for last months challenge and to our other top three Funkettes! Infact thank you to everyone who entered the challenges last month and each month over on Get Funky. It's always so wonderful to get to visit new blogs and meet and comment on all the fab card makers each month.

Right back to this months challenge Amanda is in charge and her challenge is a great one as it 'leaves' you to create so many different projects...

AUTUMN

Now this challenge can include anything you are inspired by for Autumn, including Halloween, which is lucky as that is what I've made! You'll see that later in the month..

Here is the great card that Amanda has started us off with this month..

Isn't it fab? She used this months Funky Freebie which can be found on my website www.funkyhand.com and a digital stamp from the Funky Hand Craft The Year Away CD ROM. With such a fab inspiring start how could you not want to pop over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog right now and get crafting to join in with us this month? There are only two little rules for the challenge and they are that you follow the challenge ..which is obvious! and that you use at least one Funky Hand product in your creation, that can be a paper, digital stamp, rubber stamp image whatever you want. If you don't have any Funky Hand stash yet then you will find the Funky Freebie as I mentioned before to help you..and introduce you to the Funky Hand range. There's nothing like trying before you buy! So that's this months challenge, hope to see you over there!

I thought I'd also tell you in this post that I am going to be doing some more live shows on the Create and Craft TV channel again next Saturday (22nd October) at 11am and 4pm showing my latest CD rom Happy Happy Birthday along with all the other Papercraft Factory CD ROMs so you can get a good look at all of them. If you missed the shows last month I suggest you check out these live shows as the Design Team really out did themselves with the wonderful creations they made with the CD and you can get a really good look at what could be created with the CD. It's birthday themed which is something we all need as birthdays never seem to stop, not in my craft space anyway!! I hope that you will be able to watch. If you are a Create and Craft Club member you get a 10% discount off the RRP when you order from them which can't be bad!

Anyway, I'll be back very soon to show you a birthday card I made for my friend (see birthdays never end!) and of course to show you my take on this months Get Funky Challenge.

Enjoy your crafting!

Anice xx

Happy Birthday Lisa

2011-10-11T08:30:00.003+01:00

It's one of my close friends birthdays today..so, Happy Birthday Lisa! I made sure that I took time to make her a handmade card as I have to admit to being pretty bad at keeping on top of my card making for real occasions rather than TV demos etc. Anyway here is my creation...

I used two papers from my craft CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday. The spotty one as the base for the whole design and one of the 'plain' papers that I always include for each collection that matches, to layer the image on. They are always just one colour from the five that are used in the collection but this one isn't really 'plain' it has a textured pattern to it, so they are real patterned papers, not just a plain colour.

The topper is made up of three digital stamps from the same CD. That's the great thing with the papercraft factory workspace on the CDs, you can resize the digital images to whatever size you need but also mix them together to make whatever image you want for your card. The image of the four cupcakes is one of my favourites from this disc and I used the coloured versions but added some Sakura silver gell pen doodles to the image to give it a bit of sparkle! The picture doesn't show that up that well I'm afraid!

I found the perfect dark orange satin ribbon in my 'huge' collection of ribbon stash, I just can't seem to stop buying ribbon..probably not the only one I know! Anyway I wrapped it around the base paper (actually printed on to card) that I had cut slightly smaller than my white base card and knotted it at the front. With my 'Funky' right hand I can't tie nice bows anymore so I tend to knot ribbon and other bindings instead..actually I quite like it as a knot is less likely to come untied! I secured the ribbon on the back of the printed card with tape so it wouldn't slip off..I've had that happen many times so I've learned..if you are not going to see it..stick it down!

Once the ribbon was secured I thought it needed just something else to finish it so I dug around in my stash and found a collection of lovely pins with heart heads on that I'd forgotten I'd bought. I'm sorry I can't remember where I got them from or who they are by as there was nothing on the packaging. Sticking the pin through my knotted ribbon just finished the card off perfectly.

I love it when a card comes together and you are really pleased with the end result and I have to say this one I really like! Infact it was hard to hand over but..Lisa will appreciate it I'm sure!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

My Funky Ring

2011-10-08T08:30:00.001+01:00

When I was on Create and Craft TV last month I wore a mad ring and I've had lots of messages asking me about it. Well, it isn't any designer special I have to admit..I bought it from Next for less than £10.00 ! Good old Next, I love their costume jewellery. If you didn't see it here's a couple of pictures...

I can't wear necklaces on the TV as they bang on the microphones so I've decided to get funky with rings and bracelets instead! Makes me happy searching for something new..and cheap!!

Look out for what I come up with when I am on Create and Craft again Live with another outing of my latest craft CD Happy Happy Birthday on Saturday 22nd October at 11am and 4pm

Speak again soon, with more info on the Create & Craft TV shows and..details of our Christmas CD release Twelve Crafters Crafting and Create and Craft TV shows for that as well!!

Anicexx

Free Funky Hand Download Vouchers!

2011-10-03T16:24:00.000+01:00

Do you read the following craft magazines? Simply cards, Papercraft Essentials or Creative Card Making.

Well if you do then you will have been seeing a new voucher page that has started in them where different craft companies offer readers special offers for that month...this issue of each of those magazines have this voucher offer from me..

Obviously I have taken the voucher codes and vaild dates off this image as they are different in the different magazines!! But I wanted to you know about them as I think this is a pretty good offer.(Even if I say so myself!!) Basically if you spend a minimum of £16.99 from the Funky Hand website www.funkyhand.com , which is really could just be one of our Papercraft Factory CDs and you can add ANY one of our download collections into your basket as well, use the code when checking out and your download will be FREE!!

I've been running these voucher offers for the last couple of months in these magazines with different offers on and lots of you have been taking me up on the offers. But I thought this one was pretty good so I thought I'd tell you about them so if you have the mags you can take another look or you might be planning on buying one of them..this offer from Funky Hand is available! I don't want you to miss out with Happy Happy Birthday freshly released and a brand new Christmas themed CD about to go off to the manufacturers!!

I'll keep you informed of any other offers that I'll be making over the next months..and freebies that will be in magazines in the future.

Before I go, don't forget that my Design Team have a great challenge on over on their challenge blog Get Funky. It's called 'Birthday Fun' and basically you just need to make a birthday card using just one Funky Hand product in your creation to be in to win a free download. I even make it easy for you, if you don't have any Funky Hand products yet there's a Funky Freebie download on my website www.funkyhand.com to help you. It changes every month to match the new challenge so no excuses! See you over there I hope. The DT members put up new card ideas every couple of days during the month so you will find lots of inspiration..go on give it a go, everyone is very welcome!

Speak again soon
Anice xx

Its Get Funky Challenge Time!

2011-09-22T08:30:00.003+01:00

Did you catch the shows that I did on Create and Craft last week? I had great fun working with Leonie on both of them and the Happy Happy Birthday CD ROM went down a storm with the viewers. I've had a few questions about the ring I was wearing for the shows..If you didn't see it I'll be back with some pictures and info on another post.. now why am I posting today? Oh yes...

It's my turn to offer you some inspiration for this months Get Funky Challenge from our lovely Jenny which is BIRTHDAY FUN

Well, with no more chat here is my card..

I made it using papers and images from my latest craft CD release Happy Happy Birthday. The collection I used is Sunshine Birthday. It's pretty bright as you can see so I decided to colour the topper I created by putting the three outline images together rather than use the pre coloured images available on the CD as well.

I coloured them using Promarkers in colours Lime Green, Canary, Bright Orange and Amethyst. I used Cool Grey 1 to highlight the images around the edges so help them stand out from the white card. Here's a closer look..

You may be wondering what I have done with the paper behind the topper..well I had my first go at a bit of paper pleating. I'm not one for having things all perfectly neat and repeating beautifuly so I scored the paper at random points and got a slightly different effect. Uneven in other words!!

I am thinking of adding this to my list of video tutorials that I will be filming in the near future so look out here and on my website www.funkyhand.com for the link!

Before I go today I wanted to tell you about the weekly challenge that is going on over on the Daring Card Makers blog at the moment. It's to make a birthday card with at least one candle on but, Funky Hand is the sponsor so you can win a copy of Happy Happy Birthday if your card is chosen. You need to be quick as the challenge closes today but if you are clever..you could enter both our challenges with just one card!!

So get yourselves over to Get Funky and Daring Card Makers today and join in, you could be a double challenge winner!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Are you watching Create and Craft?

2011-09-15T08:45:00.003+01:00

Sky 671 | Freeview 36 | Freesat 813

If you're not you'll miss my show at 9am!! But if you already have missed me then hopefully we haven't sold out of my new CD Happy Happy Birthday and you can catch me again live at 4pm.

The main reason I'm here today is to remind you have there is a new challenge starting today over on the Get Funky Challenge Blog.Jenny is in charge this month and she is keeping the Birthday theme going! Pop over and take a look, then get crafting and enter the challenge by adding your blog post of your creation to the linky at the end of each of the Design Teams posts.

All you need to remember is that you need to use at least one Funky Hand paper or extra on your creation so that you can be able to have a chance of winning a free Funky Hand download of your choice. Because there is a new challenge that means there is also a new Funky Freebie on my website www.funkyhand.com to help you join in if you don't have any Funky Hand products yet. So no excuses. I look forward to seeing your creations and having the chance to visit your blog.

So, see you, literally on the Create and Craft Shows today oh, and don't miss the special offer on a multibuy of two of the CD ROMs only available on C&C

Speak again soon
Anice xx

Create & Craft Shows Thursday 15th

2011-09-14T15:58:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,
I'm dropping by very quickly to let you know, if you already didn't, that I am showcasing my new CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday on Create and Craft TV tomorrow (Sky 671 | Freeview 36 | Freesat 813). My shows are at 9am and 4pm don't forget to watch them if you can. I've got loads of fantastic card examples that have been made by my wonderful Design Team members not only for Happy Happy Birthday, but for all the Papercraft Factory CDs, Dreams Come True, Colour Me Happy and Craft The Year Away. So that is a least one reason to watch!

Here's another,just to give you a little teaser..there is a really good deal on a multi buy of two of my CDs so don't miss out on them from the shows if you don't own them yet!

Also, today is the last day to enter this months Get Funky Challenge set by Paula ' At the Seaside' There will be a new challenge starting tomorrow lead by the lovely Kathy. Which also means there will be a new Funky Freebie available as well. Grab this months before this evening or it will be gone!!

Well, best get on with organising to travel to Peterborough to the Create and Craft Studio, think of me tomorrow getting up at 5am to be at the studio for 7am to set up..yawn. I best get to bed as soon as we get to the hotel tonight or I'll have bags under my eyes big enough to carry the shopping home with!!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Woohoo! Happy Happy Birthday released TODAY!

2011-09-10T10:55:00.000+01:00

I'm really pleased to be able to let you know that our new birthday themed craft CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday is now available to purchase from our website www.funkyhand.com

As you can probably tell I'm very excited about it! There are loads of new papers, templates, word books and digital stamps (over 100 digital stamps!) all themed to help you make the most fab and funky birthday cards! It's my first CD release since the beginning of the year when Craft The Year Away was released so it's been a while but..I really think it's been worth the wait! My Design Team have been having a ball playing with it these last few weeks and they have made the most fantastic creations using it. There is a great gallery of the stuff that they have made on the Happy Happy Birthday page on our website to give you some inspiration. There is also a full run through of how the Papercraft Factory CD works and the first of a few videos from me showing you things you can make using this craft CD.

I am very pleased with how Happy Happy Birthday has turned out. I hope you will like it as well!

Speak again very soon!!
Anice xx

How to make a cake box on video

2011-09-08T14:15:00.000+01:00

Hello lovely crafters,

I hope you have had some free time this week to get your craft stash out and have a play. I have been hard at work as usual getting everything ready for the launch of our new CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday. You can get a good look at what's in store with it by taking a look at it's page on our website www.funkyhand.com The launch date is very close (closer than you might think actually!!) and I'll be back here shouting that date from the roof tops as soon as it's absolutely confirmed.

Anyway last weekend, Ian and I had a video making session and we created a video tutorial of how to create a cake box, which is just one of the templates on the new CD Happy Happy Birthday. I thought I'd share it with you here. It's a classic, me using double sided tape to 'speed' things up but really just slowing me down is why you hardly ever see me using it! Have a watch, have a laugh, and get an idea of just one of the things you'll be able to create using the new CD.. watch out, there will be more of these videos coming your way soon!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Happy Happy Birthday to Vic

2011-09-04T14:32:00.000+01:00

It was my friend Vics birthday at the end of last month so I took the opportunity to make her a card which I gave her last night when we went out for dinner. Hence the blog post today. It wont matter if she sees it here now !

I made it using papers and digital images from my yet to be released craft CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday.

The topper is two digital stamps printed together on to white card. That's one of the the great things about the workspace in the Papercraft Factory CD ROMS, you can mess about with the sizes of the digital stamps and make them fit together how ever you want to. On this CD Happy Happy Birthday there are loads of digital stamps that can be put together to create tons of different images..I can't wait for you all to be able to get your hands on the CD. Though there is a page on our website www.funkyhand.com already with a run through video of what's on the CD so you can have a look at that to get a bit of an idea.

Anyway I used two papers for this CD from the Birthday Girl collection and then was a bit lazy and used two coloured digital stamps for the topper. Most of the digital stamps have identical black and white versions available as well so those of you out there who are not as lazy as me can colour your images however you want them. The buttons are from the Funky Hand November Rain button collection.

To add a little more interest I printed two copies of the birthday parcel and layered them with foam pads, mini decoupage!

Of course as usual I inked around the edges of everything to make them stand out a little. I was considering a bit of doodling but decided against it as I thought the digital flower wreath around the parcel was doodle enough!

Right, so I will be back very soon with more cards and a date when Happy Happy Birthday will be available for sale.

Before I go, if you haven't commented on my last blog post about what craft magazines you buy then please take a second to read it and put your comment as I'd really like to know what your thoughts are about where you get your craft inspiration, magazines, blogs etc. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Speak again soon.
Anice xx

Do you read many craft magazines?

2011-09-02T15:31:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking lately as I've been putting the finishing touches to my latest craft CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday (to be released later in September) and working on the next CD release, how I get copies of craft/card making magazines each month and I hardly ever have a chance to actually sit down and read them.

We all have busy lives these days I know, gosh I have been really busy recently! But I'd like to hear about which magazines you buy and the ones you enjoy reading the most. As an advertiser I do get copies of all the magazines I advertise in but much to my sadness they tend to sit unopened on the shelf in my office, or they are looked at so late that the contents are months old!

I know I should take the time to read them, to see what's new out that I might NEED for my craft stash! It would be a good way see what is going on in the crafty world that might inspire my card making, and my designing.

I'd be really interested in what your thoughts are about Card Making magazines, are they an inspiration or do yours sit gathering dust? Do you not bother buying any and why? Where are you getting your ideas and inspiration from, somewhere else?

With the Internet full of amazing blogs, forums, website tutorials are you interested in that side of things more these days or are you a happy magazine reader? Come on crafters, I'm really interested in your thoughts about this. Leave me a message and tell me just what your inspirations are, when you are creating.

Anice xx

Preview of our new CD Happy Happy Birthday

2011-08-30T11:29:00.000+01:00

It's been quiet a long time coming but finally in a few days we will be able to release our new craft CD ROM Happy Happy Birthday. Infact it's been seven months in the making..I was a little ill so that is why it wasn't out earlier..but then don't they say 'if something is worth having it's worth waiting for?'

Well, I hope you feel that way about Happy Happy Birthday when you get to see it. What we have decided to do this time is to let you have a good look at the CD BEFORE we release it. If you pop over to our website www.funkyhand.com you will find a Happy Happy Birthday page already all there complete with card idea gallery and a video run through of the CD put together by my wonderful other half Ian..enjoy his Geordie tones on the voice over!!

We hope to be able to release the CD for sale on the 10th September and then give you a few live demonstrations on Create and Craft TV shows on the 15th September at 9am and 4pm. I'll keep you completely up to date on everything right here.

So pop over and take a look at the new CD, I hope you like what you see !
Speak again very soon
Anice xx

25% off Sale of Funky Hand products this weekend

2011-08-27T12:31:00.000+01:00

Just a very quick post to let you all know that we have a BIG BANK HOLIDAY SALE on the Funky Hand website www.funkyhand.com. There is a HUGE 25% DISCOUNT off all Funky Hand branded products. So that's off CD ROMs, downloads, paper packs, buttons, ribbons and Our Betty clear stamp sets.

Grab yourself a bargain today..I know you love a good bargain to take a look around and grab them whilst they are still available!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

My Get Funky Seaside card

2011-08-27T09:05:00.001+01:00

It's my turn to try to inspire you today to get involved with this months Get Funky Challenge Blog challenge. Paulas in charge this month and her challenge is 'At the Seaside'

I've created a pretty simple card, for the challenge,with papers and digital stamps from my craft CD Craft the Year Away, but it's to show you that your entries to the Get Funky Challenge don't have to be really complicated or extra special. Everyone is welcome at Get Funky! no matter how experienced a crafter you are..

Pop over to the Get Funky Challenge blog for more information about how I made it and how you can enter the challenge. There's even a new Funky Freebie on my website www.funkyhand.com to help you out, so no excuses!!

On the new CD ROM front I'm pleased to let you know that my next CD Happy Happy Birthday will be available in September..there might even be some TV dates on the Create and Craft TV channel mentioned on this blog if you are eagle eyed about looking!! I'll be back with more information about that very soon. I'm really excited about you seeing this new CD and my Design Team are loving using it. They are creating the most amazing things using it, as usual!!

I thought I might also mention, I may be back here later today to tell you about a Bank holiday Sale we 'might' be having on the website www.funkyhand.com this weekend.. now you'll have to pop back later just to see! After you have been to the Get Funky Challenge Blog and entered the challenge of course !! (HeHe!)

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Time for a new Get Funky Challenge

2011-08-15T10:07:00.000+01:00

I know I say it every month but..I can't believe that it's the Funky 15th again and time for a new challenge over of the Funky Hand Design Team challenge Blog Get Funky!.

Firstly I'd like to say thank you to everyone who took part in Ruths Boys Boys Boys challenge last month and congratulations to our winners..pop over to the Get Funky challenge blog to see if you were one of them!

But now it's time for a new challenge and this month Paula is in charge and she has decided on a very appropriate theme for this time of the year..By the Seaside

Here is just one of the images that Paula has given us to get us started on the challenge this morning..go over there to see all the other details she has on this card.

Isn't it just fab? I love it..oh and if your interested the bucket and spade and Sun image that you can see are digital stamps that are included on the Funky Hand craft CD ROM Craft The Year Away. As always I have included a Funky Freebie on my website www.funkyhand.com to help you join in with the challenge if you don't own any Funky Hand products. All crafters are always welcome but there is just one rule, please use at least one Funky Hand product on your challenge entry.

Right that's about it for today. Just time for a little update on the new Funky Hand CD release Happy Happy Birthday, it's in it's final stages of completion and will be with the manufacturers very shortly. Once I have a release date you will know about it as I will be shouting it from the roof tops!!

It's been rather a long time since our last CD was released due to a bout of illness that I had (darn MS!) earlier in the year which put my designing right back grrrr. Anyway it's on it's way and I'm very excited about sharing it with you and my Design Team who are all chomping at the bit to get their hands on early copies of it!!

Right, best get back to work and I look forward to seeing you over on Get Funky stretching your crafting legs with Paulas By the Seaside challenge.

Speak again very soon.
Anice xx

Get Funky Challenge..It's my turn!

2011-08-13T09:00:00.001+01:00

I can't believe it but this months Get Funky Challenge is coming to an end..who knows where the time goes?

Saying that you still have time to join in with us and have a chance of winning a Funky Hand download of your choice.
The challenge this month has been set by Ruth and it's BOYS BOYS BOYS. Here is my card for the challenge but go over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog to see more about how I made it..

All the papers and digital images are taken from my last craft CD ROM Craft the Year Away that you can find more info about on my website www.funkyhand.com. There is a Funky Freebie download on my website as well to help you with this challenge..but hurry as it is only available until the 14th late on when it will be changed to another freebie paper for the new challenge that starts on the Funky 15th!

Try and join in with us over on the challenge blog..we'd love to see and hear from you there.
Anice xx

Lottie Dog working at Funky Hand!

2011-08-10T16:33:00.000+01:00

No crafting today I'm afraid just a picture of Lottie the Dog, who belongs to our friends Andy & Vic. Due to circustances out of her control poor Lottie had to come stay with Ian and I for four days..now she's a good little thing, very well behaved and sweet as a button.

But, I don't think she enjoyed working at Funky Hand much! When I was in the office she came with me and it was pretty boring for her..she ended up sitting under my desk just looking up at me most of the day with those 'take me for a walk' eyes. When I ignored her she gently nudged my leg..for HOURS!

It's a shame she didn't like crafting I could have kept her busy but only walkies would do! Ian thinks he wants a dog but..I think he will be waiting a while, unless he can find one who likes making cards as well!!

Speak again soon
Anice xx

Sneek peek of the new Funky Hand CD ROM

2011-08-06T09:00:00.001+01:00

I said last week that I'd be giving you a little sneaky look at the next Funky Hand CD Rom release Happy Happy Birthday in the near future..and here that time is!! I had to wait until now as this card is my Moms Birthday card and I wanted her to have received it before I was showing it all over my blog!!

The base card is made from a paper from the new CD..and the topper is made from one of the over ONE HUNDRED digital stamps that will be available on this craft CD ROM. There is something on this CD for every birthday card you will ever need to make..all with the usual Funky edge!!

I coloured in the YUMMY with Promarker pens but the two cup cakes that I added are pre coloured ones, there are un coloured versions on the CD as well if you like to colour them yourselves. Here's a closer look at the cupcakes..all I did was add a little sparkle to them with glitter sakura pens. (Which hasn't shown up that well on the pictures!)

I'm so excited about letting you see a little hint of what you will be able to expect from our next CD release. It should be available to buy on our website www.funkyhand.com towards the end of August..but I'll keep you posted.

I imagine I will be able to tell you about dates you will be able to see it and me on the Create and Craft TV channel as well pretty soon.

Hope you like what you see!
Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Welcome to a new Funky Hand DT member

2011-08-03T09:35:00.000+01:00

It's always great to have a brand new sparkly Design Team Member join us here at Funky Hand..and that is just what has happened:

Katina

has joined us over on the Funky Hand Design Team and I wanted to introduce her to you here. We are very pleased to have her join our Funky Hand Gang and I'm sure she is going to create some wonderful craft creations to inspire you with your Funky Hand projects. Click on Katinas name to be transported to her personal blog and see the fab work that she creates. Enjoy!

Speak again very soon

Anice xx

Happy Birthday Card

2011-07-30T10:00:00.001+01:00

Woohoo! I actually got to make a card recently for Ians Mum birthday so I thought I would share it with you so you believed me!!

I created it using my craft CD ROM Craft the Year Away , the papers are from the Come what May Collection.
With moving my craft box I found lots of crafty stash that I'd completely forgotten about..namely my craft wire. I used to use this all the time and I'm afraid it's back again! Just to add a little more girlyness I added a couple of beads to it which moved around as you moved the card. Ians Mum loved it so that's all that really matters. Here's a close up of the wire and bead combo..

Before I go I wanted to remind you of the Challenge we have on over on the Get Funky Challenge blog..Ruth has set the monthy challenge titled Boys Boys Boys. There is, as usual, a Funky Freebie download on my website www.funkyhand.com to help you get started if you don't have any Funky Hand paper yet. We love seeing what you create, visiting your blogs and getting your comments so visit us soon.

Speak very soon
Anice xx

Been on my Holidays!

2011-07-27T12:13:00.000+01:00

I have to admit I don't get too much time off these days..that includes weekends so when we were invited to visit our friends Andy and Vics family villa in Majorca we nearly ripped their arms off!! With getting the new CD ready for manufacture (more about that very soon I promise) moving house, moving business premises, Ian and I were ready to just run away!

As I have been away for a few days I haven't been crafting but I thought I'd share a couple of photos of us on holiday just to let you know that I'm still here..

This is me by the little bay close to the villa..notice the fetching hat..I burnt my head!! It was wonderful weather and the place was beautiful.

and here is Ian and I just a little later waiting for food!! Ian is doing his 'undercover' look. Dark glasses and hat..he watches far too many Bourne movies!!

Anyway I thought I'd just let you know where I have been and what I've been up to. I'm back rested, slightly pink and ready to take on the world again. We have nearly finished the new CD release and I've started designing papers for the next one! Expect to see a few new things from us in the very near future!

Whilst I was off sunning myself the wonderful girls in my Design Team kept on working and they have launched another fab challenge over on the Get Funky Challenge Blog. There's a very relevant Funky Freebie over on my website www.funkyhand.com available until 14th August so if you haven't any Funky Hand products yet then this download will make joining in with this months challenge extra easy. I'm looking forward to seeing you over there.

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Roll out the red carpet .. and a new Get Funky Challenge

2011-07-15T09:05:00.001+01:00

Thank you to everyone who took time to enter last months Get Funky! Sketch challenge set by yours truly! As always there can only be one winner and that winner for the month of Junes challenge is.....

Debbie Johns

Thank you very much for all your fab contributions. It's always wonderful to see what you are inspired to create when you join in with the Get Funky challenges.

Right, with the winner of last months Get Funky challenge announced all there is left to do is hand over to Ruth who is in charge this Funky 15th. Her challenge is to make cards for BOYS. Arrgghh! the dreaded male cards! Get over to the Get Funky! Challenge Blog now and see what she has in store for you. Just remember to entry the Get Funky challenge you need to include at least one Funky Hand paper or extra. If you don't have any Funky Hand products don't worry every month I give everyone a FREE paper download from my website www.funkyhand.com just go to Funky Freebie to pick it up. This months paper is specially designed to help you create a boys card so give it a look!

I can't wait to see what the Design Team will create for this one and see your entries to win a free Funky Hand download.

Speak again very soon

Anice xx

Happy Birthday!

2011-07-12T09:00:00.001+01:00

As I'm always telling you I hardly ever get a chance to make cards just for fun but recently I have actually forced some time for getting the craft box open and recently I had an extra excuse when one of our good friends had a birthday..

Oh no, the dreaded male birthday card..don't we all cringe just a little when we need to make a card for a man. Out go the flowers, glitter (usually) and other standard card making essentials as chaps just are not interested in that sort of stuff!! Ivor is a landscape gardener so he is a bit of an outside sort of lad but still I don't think he would put up with a flower on his birthday card!!

I decided to make this card pretty simple but to really grunge it up using black inks not just around the edges but actually on the main body of the card as well. I used papers from my Funky Daze CD Rom and the topper is a happy birthday sticker I have had forever..sorry I can't remember where it is from.

After a bit of grunging and layering all it needed to finish it off was some simple straight (ish) lines doodled with a black Sakura jelly roll pen.

Before I leave you I want to remind you that Thursday 14th is your last chance to enter this months Get Funky sketch Challenge. If you want to be in with a chance to win a free Funky Hand download of your choice get your entries on the Get Funky blog by then. On the 15th a new challenge will begin.

'Till I see you again..
Anice xx

Free Our Betty Stamps in Papercraft Essentials

2011-07-08T10:54:00.000+01:00

Just a quck post today about the exclusive Our Betty stamps that are available in this months issue of Papercraft Essentials Magazine (Issue 70)

The Our Betty stamps were exclusively drawn for the magazine so you can't buy the stamps from me or get them anywhere else!

If you like Our Betty Stamps then this is a fab addition to your collection of them. If you haven't tried them yet then it a great way to try them out and get a fab magazine at the same time! Then if you get a liking for Our Betty you can find the four clear stamp sets available on my website www.funkyhand.com and not get a stamp double up!

Find the magazine in your local shop from now or order it from the Practical Publishing website. Enjoy meeting Our Betty!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

I couldn't resist these stupid shoes!!

2011-07-07T09:00:00.001+01:00

I have to admit to not being like alot of other ladies I know..I don't really care that much about shoes and handbags. Show me a new craft gadget and I'll be rushing for my credit card but shoes..not bothered. Until last week when I was shopping with Vic in the Metro Centre. Vic was trying on something in Next and I was just looking around while I waited for her to finish.. then I saw them, the most stupid shoes I had seen in some time.

I found that I just NEEDED them! So I tried them on, tottered around the shop and bought them. I'm only 5'3" so I'm used to seeing everything from my level..when I have my new shoes on I'm nearly as tall as Ian, which I think freaked him out a little bit!!..I can see everything as people who are 5'9" or so see..it's great! Of course I can't wear them all the time..but just you wait until the next time I'm out.. I might actually get seen at a crowded bar by the bartender for a change!!

Right what else stupid can I buy now? I'll get my thinking cap on!
Speak again soon
Anice xx

Congratulations Card

2011-07-05T09:59:00.000+01:00

It's been some time since I've had a chance to make a card for someone, so I've decided that I'm going to try to make time every week to make at least one card. I mean I'm supposed to be a crafter..but work just always seems to get in the way.

Well, one of my closest friends Vic finished her Physio degree and got her results last week and I was so pleased for her that she had passed that I made her this card to celebrate...

I printed the base card with a paper from my CD Craft The Year Away the November Rain collection. The Congratulations digital stamp also came from the Craft The Year Away CD.

I coloured in the congratulations wording on the banner using a dark blue Sakura glaze pen and added her results using my favourite Doodlebug rub on letters. Once I'd got everything together the ribbon, sparkly stick on dots and a bit of doodling around the edge of the card, I felt that it needed just something else and after much messing about I added black craft wire which I twisted around the sentiment and curled the ends to make it look fun.

I have to say I was pretty pleased with the result, I'd forgotten about my craft wire, and how much I love working with it!! With the move of offices I uncovered alot of different colours and weights of craft wire so expect to see it back on my cards more often now!!

Right back to working on the new CD, but before I go don't forget that we have a sketch challenge on over at the Funky Hand design team blog Get Funky! You can still take part until 14th July so pop over and take a look at what the DT have been making then..join in yourself. We would love to see your creations and visit your blogs.

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

New Challenge Blog Fetch A Sketch launched

2011-06-27T09:57:00.000+01:00

Just a very quick post today as I have to get back to getting the word books finished for the new Funky Hand CD but I couldn't miss the chance to tell you about the brand new challenge blog launched today by two of my design team members Jenny and Ruth It's called Fetch A Sketch and it's a bi weekly sketch challenge starting on a Monday.

Not only that but there are some fab prizes to be won some of them this launch are from Funky Hand!! So don't miss out on some crafty fun and a chance to win some fab prizes. Get yourself over there and join in.

As soon as these word books are finished I'm going to have a go..I love sketch challenges and now I'm in my new offices I intend to join in with more of them when I can. Starting with Fetch A Stetch!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

New Download Tea's Up Available NOW!!

2011-06-26T16:09:00.000+01:00

I'm really pleased to let you know that we have released a brand new download called Tea's Up on our website www.funkyhand.com

It contains 20 funky backing papers, 3 mini funky alphabets in matching colours and a set of toppers and sentiments to make things a little easier if you need to make a quick card! The price for this all new download is just £3.49. Take a look at the fantastic gallery of cards that the Funky Hand design team have made using the papers on the Tea's Up page and get some great inspiration for getting crafting in this lovely weather we are having at the moment!

I'm sitting here in my Garden Studio with the doors open and the lovely fresh breeze just cooling me down..all I need now is to have a nice cocktail in my hand and my day would be perfect. Not likely just yet though as I still have a bit of work to get done..maybe later!!

Oh, before I go I must remember to remind you to go over to the Funky Hand Design Team challenge blog Get Funky! and join in with this months challenge. It's a sketch challenge and it was set by me..so of course I would love you to join in!! See you over there I hope!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

How time flies!

2011-06-21T10:19:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone,
I thought I would just drop by to let you know that we have finally moved into our new house and I have moved my Funky Hand offices from Teapot Studios to a new office. I'm happily unpacking at home and in the Garden Studio. It's so great to have all my craft stash around me again as I've been working in both places for a little while and it's been really hard to get any crafting or designing done. Which you can image has been driving me mad!

I have a new download collection with my Design Team at the moment and they are making some amazing cards for the gallery on my website to inspire you, I hope to be able to give you a release date soon..it will be very soon. With all these moves etc I'm afraid my designing has taken a back seat but, I'm back in the saddle now and you can expect more download collections and a new CD Rom in the next few months.

It's freaking me out how much Christmas themed stuff is available at the moment so you can count on me to give you Christmas free products for a little while longer!! I'll get into that sort of thing later in the year.. but before Christmas Eve I promise!!

I really appreciate you all sticking by me during this pretty stressful time of moving and change so a big thanks to you you all. Especially those of you who have sent me private messages with good wishes. You don't know how much I appreciate your support. Thank you all.

Now before I go I have to mention this months Get Funky Challenge as I am the challenge setter (is that a term? oh well!) this month and it's nice friendly sketch so I'd love to see you over there joining in. You just need to use at least one Funky Hand paper or image to be in with a chance of winning a free Funky Hand download..and as there are new ones around the corner if they have the ones you want already then maybe you will have more choice to pick from if you are the winner!! If you don't have any Funky Hand papers yet then fear not there is a Freebie download paper on my site www.funkyhand.com so you can still join in. It changes every month so grab it before the 14th July as that is when it will change again.

Well, I'd best not hang around here chatting with you I have work to be done.
Speak again very soon.
Anice xx

2011-06-15T09:34:00.000+01:00

Hello, it's my turn this month to set the Get Funky! Challenge so, as I love a good sketch challenge that's what I thought I'd bring to you this month..so here is the sketch for you to follow..

You can use this sketch for your creations anyway you like. Turn it on it's side, twist it around or use it just as you see it. As long as we can see the basic sketch idea in your crafty creation then that is just fine. Also as always you need to use at least one Funky Hand product..but there is a new Funky Freebie on my website www.funkyhand.com waiting for you just incase you don't own any Funky Hand products yet.

Here is my card made with the sketch for your first bit of inspiration..

For this card I used papers from my craft CD Craft The Year Away The papers are from the February Love collection and the cupcake is one of the digital images also available on Craft The Year Away. I was a bit lazy and used the pre coloured digi image but there is a blank version on the CD as well so you can colour your cupcake how ever you would like! I have added a little Glossy Accents to the cherry on the top of the cake but I'm afraid the picture doesn't show the glossy effect that well.

So, there you go. As usual the other members of the Funky Hand Design Team will be back on the Get Funky Blog ever few days to show you their take on this months sketch. They will be sharing their creations and I'm sure a few tips and tricks along the way so don't forget to keep popping back to be inspired. Oh and don't forget to join in..we love to see your creations and visit your blogs..and for the winner there is a free Funky Hand download of your choice. I'm really looking forward to hearing what you think and seeing what you make.

What's been going on here then? Well we have moved house and if I never see another piece of unmade Ikea furniture it will still be far too soon and don't even talk to me about BT moving phone lines!! The house is pretty much sorted now except for the small bedroom which is still full of unpacked boxes..we'll get to them sometime!! In our old house the agreement between Ian and I was that he cleaned the kitchen and I did the bathrooms..Now, the kitchen here is much larger than at our old house, I'll grant you but, there are four bathrooms here and there were only two at the other house. My cleaning duties have doubled which Ian seems to think is OK. I am definately going to have to re-negotiate the cleaning rota!!

On the crafting front I have been able to start back designing and there should be a new download available soon and the next Papercraft Factory CD is finally starting to come together so I should be able to share that with you pretty soon as well. Moving house and trying to run a business at the same time is really hard work but, things are finally starting to get back on track.

I hope you can find time to pop over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog this month as I'd love to hear from you and have lots of entries to choose from for the winners prize.

Anyway until next time, happy crafting!
Anice xx

My turn to follow the challenge Recipe

2011-06-10T09:00:00.001+01:00

Today is my turn to follow Kathys craft recipe over on the Get Funky challenge blog. The recipe set by Kathy is here:

5 Flowers

3 Different Papers

2 Buttons

1 Ribbon

and a sprinkle if Gems or Pearls

So, here is my creation...

I used this months Funky Freebie from my website www.funkyhand.com as the base card and then the other papers are from my CD Colour Me Happy, from the Contented Coffee Collection. The two buttons are from the Funky Hand February Love Buttons Collection and the ribbon is from the February Love Ribbons Collection.
I'm working on some new downloads that will help you make versions of the grungy flowers that I have added to complete my recipe which are attached with pearl brads. If grungy flowers are your thing then keep your eye here and on my website www.funkyhand.com to see the new downloads and video to show you how to actually make your flowers. They should be available in the near future.

So, there you go my Get Funky challenge card for this month. Why don't you pop over there right now and take a look at all the wonderful cards that the Funky Hand Design Team have been creating all month. Then join in with us! You need to be quick as this challenge ends on the evening of the 14th and a new challenge with begin on the Funky 15th of June. We'd love to hear your comments and see your creations so join in and have a change of winning a free Funky Hand download of your choice.

See you over there!
Anice xx

Hello Everyone..wondering where I've been?

2011-06-01T10:25:00.000+01:00

Hi all you crafty people,
I just wanted to drop a quick message to you all that I haven't disappeared from the world just that I have moved house. We moved last Friday 27th May into a wonderful brand new three storey house (I'm getting a proper work out walking up and down all these flights of stairs!!) and we finally have a telephone line and broadband in the house..hence I can talk to you!! As you can image it has been a pretty stressful time for Ian and myself but we are in now..surrounded by boxes to unpack still but it's more like home everyday!!

Things with Funky Hand will be getting back on track very soon..over the next few days really. I'll be back soon with my entry for this months Get Funky! challenge..and hopefully more interesting posts for you to read!!
Right best get back to unpacking!
Speak again very soon
Anice xx

New Funky Hand Challenge for May!

2011-05-16T14:20:00.000+01:00

Oops! I'm afraid I'm a little late with my blog post for our brand new challenge over on the Get Funky! Challenge Blog. The new monthly challenge all kicked off yesterday (Sunday 15th May) and Kathy is in charge this month.

Now,she has set us a fab challenge for this month, a craft recipe. Don't worry if you are not much of a cook (Like me!) as this is a great bit of crafty cooking, which I know you are all good at! Here are the recipe ingredients and Kathys creation to get your craft juices flowing!

Ingredients:

3 different papers

5 flowers

2 buttons

1 length of ribbon (you can chop this up to taste)

A sprinkling of pearls or gems to season.

At least one Funky Hand product must be included!

Now isn't this a fab card? If you pop over to the Get Funky! Blog you will see lots of information from Kathy about how she made this card and some great ideas about how to manipulate your digital papers to meet your crafting needs exactly. As always there is a new Freebie craft paper download available from my website www.funkyhand.com. You will find it in the download collection section. This month is a great kraft paper style design which I hope you enjoy trying out.

I'm looking forward to seeing your creations with Kathys recipe this month, and keep calling back every couple of days to Get Funky! to see more ideas from the rest of the Funky Hand Design Team.

On the Funky Hand front it's all go here as usual, our latest download Rainbow Stripey Stripes seems to have worked out to be as popular and useful to you as it's sister download Rainbow Polka Dots so thanks for buying those and putting some fab colours into your crafting. Keep your eye on here and the Funky Hand website for our next download release in the near future.

I'm still working away on the new Funky Hand CD ROM release as well and it's going really well, I'll be back with sneaky peeks of that and lots of other news over the next few weeks.

Enjoy your crafting

Anice xx

It's Get Funky! Anice style again!

2011-05-11T09:00:00.001+01:00

It's my turn to put a bit of inspiration on the Get Funky Challenge Blog today for this months Spots and Stripes challenge. So, here's my card..

I made it using spotty paper from the Rainbow Polka Dot Download Paper collection, the stripes are this months Get Funky Freebie Download backing paper which can be found on my website www.funkyhand.com in the download section, best be quick though as it will be changing to a new freebie download paper on the evening of the 14th ready for the new Get Funky challenge on the 15th. But less of that as you still have time to enter this months challenge first!

The topper was created using two images from the digital stamps available on the latest Funky Hand Papercraft Factory CD Craft The Year Away. I used the coloured version of the cake as I was short of time but you could colour one to match whatever you were creating as there is a black outlined drawing available on the CD as well. The ribbon and buttons are from a couple of different Funky Hand stash collections all available on the website.

Well, it's been a very busy time here at Teapot studios with Easter sales, new downloads and me working on the paper designs for the next craft CD ROM release. I hope to be able to share some more info on the new CD soon and when it will be available.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your crafting and this little bit of good weather we have been having recently! Don't forget to pop over to the Get Funky Challenge Blog and take a look at all the amazing creations that the Funky Hand Design Team have created this month, there are some great techniques and tutorials from everyone all month long every few days so lots to inspire you with your crafting.

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

New Download Collection released

2011-05-08T10:15:00.000+01:00

I'm pleased to let you know that we have a new download collection available for you on www.funkyhand.com.

The new download is called Rainbow Stripey Stripes and it matches our last release Rainbow Polka Dots exactly. The download is made up of 26 striped papers in every colour of the rainbow and a few more!

If you are quick you will be able to use this new download to join in with this months Get Funky Challenge which is Spots and Stripes!!

Enjoy your Sunday and I'll speak to you again very soon.
Anice xx

It just never gets old!

2011-05-04T08:30:00.001+01:00

I know I've been around in this amazing crafty world for a while now but, I have to admit I still get excited when I see my products in magazines so, I thought I'd share a few pictures of the great spread we have of cards made with our range of Our Betty clear Stamps in this months Simply Cards and Papercraft!

We were lucky enough to have a fab designer from the mag Laura Dougherty working with the Our Betty stamps and coming up with some great card designs.. here are a couple of pictures of the four pages.

As well as using the Our Betty stamp collections Laura also used papers from my last CD ROM release Craft The Year Away. This months Simply Cards Magazine has loads of great stuff included in it, not just our stamps! So, go out and get yourself a copy, you wont be disappointed!

Oh, before I rush off back to designing backing papers for my next download release and CD ROM, I wanted to remind you of what I said in my last post about the reduction of the prices for the Our Betty stamps they are now only £7.99 a set.
Also, don't forget to pop over and take a look at all the fab creations from my Design Team this month on our Funky Hand Challenge Blog Get Funky! There have been some wonderful cards so far this month and plenty more to come before the 14th. Get inspired and join in with us for a chance to win a Funky Hand download.

Right, enough reading crafty magazines I have to get back to work! Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Our Betty Stamps now only £7.99

2011-04-28T14:23:00.000+01:00

Just a quick message today to let you all know that we have been able to reduce our costs in manufacturing our clear stamp collections 'Our Betty' and we've decided to pass these savings onto you.

So, if you want to complete your collection of the Our Betty stamps or you haven't tried them out yet here's a good excuse to treat yourself! All the stamp collections are now £7.99 so grab them now from www.funkyhand.com and get stamping!!

Enjoy your day
Anice xx

Hope you've enjoyed your weekend..

2011-04-26T09:00:00.002+01:00

We've been pretty busy here with you all going a bit mad with our Easter sale! Thank you to everyone who visited www.funkyhand.com this Bank holiday weekend you've kept us very busy. I'm going to have to get a fast order in for some more promarkers and other stash items.. I'm all sold out!!

I know it's a little late but I wanted to send you a nice bright Easter card to say thanks and here's to a lovely Spring and Summer heading our way!

This card was made using my latest craft CD ROM release Craft The Year Away. I took advantage of the coloured eggs image on the CD and just added a little Glossy Accents to make them nice and tasty looking!! I know it's a really simple card but I think that with just a few little bits of doodling you can make a card quickly but fun.

As I've said loads of times before recently I'm working away on our next craft CD ROM release and it's starting to come together nicely now. I'll keep you informed about when you will be able to see it..but expect a few new backing paper download collections to be released in the near future to keep you crafting while you have to wait for me to finish designing new backing papers. This new Funky Hand craft CD will be one to grab I promise !!

So, before I sign off I wanted to remind you to remember to pop over to the Funky Hand Design Teams Get Funky! Challenge Blog and be inspired by the wonderful card creations that the DT members are sharing with us every few days over the month. This months challenge theme is Spots and Stripes and we would love to see your crafty creations. If you win the challenge you will get to choose a free Funky Hand Download Collection as your prize. So go on, have a read of the challenge Blog and join in with us..we'd love to have you!!

Speak again very soon,
Anice xx

BIG EASTER SALE ON NOW!

2011-04-22T09:59:00.001+01:00

Yes it's that time of year again on the Funky Hand website. www.funkyhand.com We have a BIG Easter Sale on NOW with 25% off EVERYTHING available for sale on the website until 10pm Monday 25th April.

So, if you have been meaning to buy that Funky Hand CD, maybe our latest Papercraft Factory release Craft the Year Away or complete your collection of the Funky Hand original craft CD ROMS. this weekend will be the perfect time to grab that bargain. Maybe you'd like to download one of the Funky Hand downloadable backing paper collections, perhaps the latest release Rainbow Polka Dots, get 25% off the normal prices and give yourself a little Easter treat!

Don't forget as well as all the Funky Hand downloads and craft CD ROMS there is also our new range of clear rubber stamps featuring the lovely Our Betty and lots of button and ribbon collections put together especially for Funky Hand. That's not all though, we haven't forgotten to include all the fabby craft stash items that we have available on the website in the sale so take a good look and grab yourself some fantastic bargains on sets of Letraset Promarkers, Sakura Gel pens,Stazon inks pads and much more!

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter break and find some time to fit in a bit of crafting. I'll be working on my backing paper designs for our next Funky Hand CD release but I'm going to make sure I find time to have at least a little bit of fun along the way!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Spots and Stripes New Get Funky Challenge

2011-04-15T11:47:00.000+01:00

Hello again, can you believe that another month has flown by and it's time for a new challenge over on the Get Funky Challenge Blog.

But first I'd like to say thank you to everyone who created wonderful entries for last months challenge and to congratulate all the winners. WELL DONE! Thank you so much for joining in, we all love seeing what you are inspired to create each month.

Right now for this months challenge. Debs is our hostess this month and her challenge is for you to create anything that you like using SPOTS AND STRIPES. Who doesn't like using spots and stripes in their crafting? So we are expecting some fab entries this month! Here's Debs card to get you going...

How's that for a little different? The butterflies have been cut from papers from the Funky Hand Dreams Come True CD ROM and our latest spotty download collection Rainbow Polka Dots. There will be new entries on the the Get Funky challenge blog every few days over the next month from the Funky Hand DT members to get your mojo flowing so remember to call back often. All you need to remember to do when entering the challenge to be considered for the winners prize of a Funky Hand download collection of your choice is that you include at least one Funky Hand paper, stamp image or extra on your creation. Don't worry if you don't own any Funky Hand stuff yet as there is a freebie Funky Hand backing paper on our website www.funkyhand.com each month to help you. (Grab it before the 14th May as it will be changed to a new one for next months challenge then)

This month is a very bright stripey paper which matches the colours on the Rainbow Polka Dot download collection. I hope you can join in with us this month.

What else has been going on here at Teapot Studios..well I'm working away on new backing paper designs for our next CD ROM release which should be ready for you to have a look at May/June time. That's if I can get everything done in time!! I'm hoping to be able to get sat down infront of my craft table very soon as I've been so busy with business things I've not had a chance to craft for ages. Hopefully I'll be back with some of my creations to share with you very soon!

Right, no rest for the wicked, I have to get back to designing.
I'll speak to you again very soon.
Anice xx

Last chance for this months challenge...

2011-04-14T16:24:00.000+01:00

Just a very quick message today as I'm in the magic throws of great mojo designing papers for the next Funky Hand craft CD ROM release. Look out for more details about that over the next month or so..

Anyway, I just wanted to remind you that today is the last day that you have to enter this months Get Funky Blog Challenge 'Zing into Spring' and also grab this months freebie Funky Hand backing paper to help you from www.funkyhand.com. It's all change tomorrow for the challenge and the freebie paper so get crafting this afternoon and enter this months challenge to have the chance to win your choice of Funky Hand download collections.

I'll be back tomorrow with the details of our next challenge so I'll get back to designing backing papers and speak to you tomorrow!!
Anice xx

Bad Bad Blogger !

2011-04-04T12:03:00.000+01:00

Wow, I can't believe how quickly time is going by this year. This of course could be my excuse for being such a terrible blogger but really it's much more because of my terrible health recently. I'm not going to bore you with all the details except to say..having MS and epilepsy sucks and I wouldn't recommend either to any of you!!

So, here I am trying to catch up a bit and let you know that I am still around! I'm working on the next Funky Hand CD Rom release and I'll be back soon to give you lots more information on how I'm getting on and what you can expect from the next edition from the Papercraft Factory range. There are ALOT of things going on here at the moment that I think I hinted at in my last post..but it was so long ago I can't remember!! Well..things are moving on pretty quickly so I'll be giving you more info about all the stuff going on here in the Funky Hand camp when all the loose ends are tied up.

Whilst I have been in my sick bed my Design Team have been keeping everything rocking and rolling over on the Get Funky Challenge Blog with some amazing card creations for this months challenge. If you haven't been over there to get some inspiration..WHY NOT? You might even be inspired to join in and have the chance of winning a free Funky Hand download collection of your choice..well to give you a taste here are a few pictures of the wonderful cards the Funky Hand girls have been sharing with us..

First up is Debs fab pleated flower card...

Next are Janes fab mini cards. She is so good at making these little gems!

Ruth shared a fabby card next with us this month using a couple of stamps from the Our Betty Your special Day Collection..now that's the size of pressie I would like to receive!

Faye shared her wonderful Flower card next which she used this months Funky Hand Freebie backing paper on..if you haven't grabbed this free paper from www.funkyhand.com yet you had better get over there as it will be gone on the 14th April and replaced with a new one for next months challenge..

Today it's Jennys turn to get us all inspired on the Get Funky! Challenge blog and she is proving to be the queen of making cards with space and elegance.. I definately could do with learning from her about that!!

I'm really hoping that this latest bout of illness will be the last for a while so I can get right back on track with everything that is planned for the next few months with Funky Hand and if I'm to catch up I can't hang around here chatting!! Enjoy your crafting!

Speak again very soon.
Anice xx

More inspiration from Get Funky!

2011-03-21T12:30:00.000Z

I thought I would just share with you the wonderful card that Kathy has posted on the Funky Hand Design Team Challenge blog Get Funky that is her contribution to this months challenge set by Lou 'Zing into Spring'

Isn't it just fab? She has created it using the latest Funky Hand craft CD Craft The Year Away and if you pop over to the Get Funky! Challenge blog you will be able to see exactly how she created it.

Then with all that inspiration get to your crafting spot and make a card to enter the challenge! Each month the winner gets to choose a Funky Hand download as their prize. All you have to remember to do to be in with a chance of winning the prize is that your card, scrap page or whatever your creation is, needs to have at least one Funky Hand backing paper or extra on it. Now, if you don't have any Funky Hand backing papers don't worry because you can still join in because I provide a free Funky Hand backing paper to download from my website www.funkyhand.com each month which will be relevant to the challenge that month. Just go to the download section on the website and you will find it there. So you've no excuse not to have a go now!

The 25% discount sale on our download collections over on www.funkyhand.com finished last night and it was a big success, so thank you to everyone who came over and took advantage of the discount. I hope you are enjoying using your download collections.

I'll speak to you again very soon
Anice xx

25% off Funky Hand Downloads

2011-03-19T08:26:00.001Z

Yes I'm feeling Spring in the air and I thought it was time we had a bit of a sale as they don't happen too often over at www.funkyhand.com

Go over to the website www.funkyhand.com this weekend and you will see that there is 25% discount on all our download collections, even our newly released Rainbow Polka Dots Collection. If you don't take a look you'll never know if you will see anything you need...you know like us crafters do when there is a sale on!!

On other matters, the new Get Funky! Challenge was launched on the 15th of this month so once you have grabbed yourself a Funky bargain from our sale pop over there to take a look at the latest posts and get some inspiration for your cards. This month Lou is our hostess and she has asked us to put some' Zing into Spring' on our card creations. Join in with our challenge the winner each month gets to choose a Funky Hand download and of course a Winners Blinkie for their blog and the runners up all get blinkies as well. It's the weekend see if you can grab an hour to yourself and join in with our challenge..we'd love to see you over there.

There is alot going on here over at Teapot Studios and I'll fill you in on some of the details in posts soon. Lets just say I am working hard on getting the next Funky Hand CD designs finished and there are plenty of other exciting things on the horizon. Just keep tuned in here!!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

New Get Funky Challenge has launched

2011-03-17T10:29:00.002Z

Oops I'm a bit late as the Get Funky Challenge launch on the 15th. Lou is in charge this month and she has asked us to 'Zing into Spring' so lots of greens, yellows and lilacs to liven up our crafting. It is my turn today to share my card for the challenge..it's not that zingy I have to admit but I still like it and I hope you do as well...

The papers and the digital stamp are all from my latest CD ROM Craft the Year Away. I'm going to be recording a video to add to my website on how I made this card so keep your eye on here and I'll let you know when it's available to watch.

I'm afraid my health is a bit rough at the moment so I'm working from home today..which is great because I'm writing this blog post in my PJs!! Shocking I know! But it means that I am away from my craft stash as it's in the office :( That means just one thing..designing all day which is not a bad thing I have to admit!! :) I'm working hard on the next Funky Hand CD and I'm sure this one will be of interest to alot of you..that's all I'm saying for now..because I'm a tease, but it's going to be fun!

Right so, you've seen my card for this months Get Funky! Challenge..get yourself over there to take a look at Lous opening card as it's just fab and then call back every couple of days as the Design Team update the blog with new posts all month long. Oh and then the most important thing JOIN IN!! We love seeing your creations..and don't forget, not having any Funky Hand papers is no excuse for not getting involved as there is a new freebie paper especially for this challenge on my website www.funkyhand.com

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Oh no Anice is on the TV again!

2011-03-14T12:00:00.001Z

Yes that's right, I've got two live shows on Tuesday 15th March on Create and Craft TV one at 10am and the other at 2pm. I'll be showing you the joys of Craft The Year Away CD ROM again and you will be able to pick up the special multi buy of the other two Papercraft Factory CDs Dreams Come True and Colour Me Happy for just £24.99 only from Create and Craft.

The most exciting thing for me is that I will also be introducing our new venture into clear stamps to you. You will be able to buy Our Betty stamps for the first time from Create and Craft and as a special offer they will be selling them in double collections for the amazing price of just £15.99 each! The multi buys are Your Special Day and Celebrate together, and Love N That and All A Girl Needs together.

My wonderful Design Team have created some amazing samples to show you how the stamps can be used so I strongly recommend you catch either..or both of the shows as I will be doing different demonstrations on each one.

I hope you can join me as it's always nice to know that there are some friendly watchers out there!!

Speak Again soon
Anice xx

New Polka Dot Download Released

2011-03-10T10:24:00.000Z

Name me a crafter who can survive with out a few polka dot papers? Well I know I can't so, that's why I thought it was time to release a download that fed those dotty needs! So yesterday we released a brand new download that contains 26 rainbow coloured dotty papers called Rainbow Polka Dots..inspired name I know!! You will find it on our website www.funkyhand.com for just £3.49

I thought I'd show you a couple of the fab cards that my Design Team members have created using the papers..

Kathy has created some fantastic funky flowers that just jump off the card!

Jane has used the different colours to create this really striking birthday card. With one of her amazing flowers..I so wish I could get the hang of doing these. I suppose I have to just keep trying!!
To see even more wonderful creations by my Design Team with this new Rainbow Polka Dot Download Collection pop over to my website and take a good look at the gallery attached to the page. They are an amazing group of crafters and I'm so very lucky to have them working with me.

Unfortunately I'm not to well at the moment..have some sort of gland infection in my neck so I'm writing this from my sick bed..well the kitchen table at home actually!! But poor old Corrina is in Teapot studios on her own today..I bet she will have all my craft stash out and have a play! When the cats away the mice will play as they say.. not that I mind at all. I'm just pleased she seems to have got the crafting bug..ha ha another unsuspecting none crafter pulled in!!

I'll be back very soon to tell you all about the Create and Craft shows that I will be presenting next week (hence the trying to get better as soon as possible!)

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

I should be ashamed!

2011-03-01T14:19:00.000Z

I haven't been here to have a chat for days..and over those days my DT ladies have been working up a storm on the Get Funky! Challenge Blog. I thought I'd share some quick pictures of their makes here if you haven't been on there the last few days to give you a taster of the great creations they are sharing..First up is Debs.

Then next..being a little cheeky is Jane..

finally so far this month is Ruths fab handbag card..

All of the cards have been made using various Funky Hand papers and digi stamps which you can find for sale on my website www.funkyhand.com Though I highly recommend you go over to the Get Funky! challenge blog and take a closer look, and then why not join in? Everyone is welcome!!

Ok, now for my excuses for not blogging as regularly as I had promised myself at the beginning of the New Year. I just haven't stopped recently with the release of our Craft The Year Away CD and preparing for the shows that I've done with it on the Create and Craft TV channel with it.

We have been preparing some video content for the website..me making cards etc..which has been fun, and we hope to be able to share them in the very near future, so keep an eye out and I'll let you know when you can have a laugh at them here when they are available. I have also been working on a new download which will be available soon as well..are you seeing a theme here yet? We are doing loads but it's taking some time to get everything ready for release!! HeHe! It's will all come together soon. Oh, I've also started work on the next CD release and I'm really pleased with the papers so far. You should be seeing that in May time (fingers crossed!)

So there you are I've shared the great creations from the DT on Get Funky! and made my pathetic excuses. Hopefully next time I'll be back with something I've created..but I wouldn't hold your breath!!

Speak again real soon
Anice xx

You have to see Kathys card!

2011-02-21T12:12:00.000Z

It's time for another post from the Funky Hand DT ladies on their Get Funky! Challenge blog and Kathys card is a real stunner.

She explains wonderfully how she created the card as well, which has given me some ideas. Go and take a look and be inspired to join in with this months challenge on the Get Funky! Challenge Blog

Yesterday (Sunday) Ian, Corrina and I made the 3 1/2 hour journey from Newcastle to Birmingham to visit the Hobby Craft and Stitch Trade show. It was very interesting talking with new ribbon and button sellers and lots of other lovely must have sparkles!! After this visit we have lots of great ideas to add to the ones we already had for the rest of the year for Funky Hand. We arrived home last night after 8pm (that was after a quick pop into my Mom and Dads for a cuppa and a lovely piece of Chocolate cake!! Yum) very tired but full of ideas! We are still buzzing today so I'd best get going and put some of these ideas into action!

Speak again very soon.
Anice xx

It's my turn at Get Funky!

2011-02-19T08:05:00.001Z

The challenge on the Funky Hand Design Team challenge blog Get Funky! has been set this month by Jules so it's no surprise with her love of all things heart related that the theme is 'Show us your Heart'!

I decided not to go with the usual red for hearts this time and headed more for my favourite colour green with my entry and here it is..

Now if you head over to the Get Funky! Challenge blog you will be able to see exactly how I made this card as I've put details of each step along with images on the post..prepare for a long post!!

But then why don't you make a card to join in with us this month whilst you are crafting this weekend? The only rule is that you need to include at least one Funky Hand paper or element on you card..don't worry if you haven't got any of my products yet as I am being extra nice to everyone and giving away a freebie paper download on my website www.funkyhand.com each month so you can join in. you'll find it in the downloads section.whilst you are there why not take a look around you might find some Funky Hand products or stash that you suddenly NEED!! (We have new items in the Stash section of the website..Glossy Accents that none of the DT seem to be able to live without!!)

We are getting all sorted out to go down to Birmingham over the next few days to attend the Stitches Trade Show..it's the UK version of the CHA you've probably been hearing about all over blogland. I'm looking forward to see new products and meeting some new potential manufacturers for the Funky Hand items we have planned for the rest of the year but also meeting up with our current manufacturers and magazine contacts face to face again and having a good old catch up! There is sure to be alot of coffees being drunk I can tell you!!

Very soon I hope to be able to tell you about some more Create and Craft TV shows that we will be presenting and bringing a new little friend along with us...But that's all for another time. Don't forget to visit the Get Funky! Blog and if you don't have time to join in at least leave a comment so we know you've had a look around, we all love to hear from you.

Speak real soon
Anice xx

It time for a new challenge on Get Funky!

2011-02-15T12:06:00.000Z

Congratulations to our winner from last months Get Funky! Challenge and great big thank you to everyone who joined in last month. It was fab going around and seeing your creations..also I had fun visiting new blogs and following some new interesting crafters!

Anyway last month is all done now so it's over to Jules our hostess for this months Get Funky! Challenge to get you inspired and creating! This months challenge is Show Us Your Heart here is the beautiful card that Jules has started us off with this month..

Those hearts she has added are taken from the freebie paper that is available on my website www.funkyhand.com to compliment this months challenge. So if you'd like to join in but don't have any Funky Hand papers yet..then try this one out and see if you'd like more!! There are more funkettes now so..we will be posting something new on the Get Funky! challenge blog to inspire you every two days this month so keep popping back for tips and inspiration all month long.

Speak again soon..and don't forget to join in with the challenge!!
Anice xx

All aboard the Get Funky! Challenge Blog..

2011-02-11T17:42:00.000Z

I just wanted to let you know that today was the final posting from the Funky Hand Design Team members for this months Get Funky! Challenge Going round in Circles set by Allison. Todays cards are from three of our newest members of the team Jackie, Amanda and Jenny. Jenny did the honours writing the post so here's her lovely fun card to give you a taster of what you will see over there..

The first month of our changes over at Get Funky! have been a great success and I know all the DT lasses have enjoyed posting their cards seperately during the month and being able to tell you a little about how they made them and sharing tips and techniques all month long. If you haven't had a chance to join in with the challenge this month you still have sometime as it closes at 7pm on Monday 14th Feb..so you have the weekend to get a bit of crafting done!!

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has already entered their cards and projects they are all fab! I'm looking forward to seeing a few more before the closing time and visiting some more new blogs and meeting some new crafters.

Talking of meeting new people..are you a member on Facebook? If you are then you might like to join our Funky Hand Fans page where you will see any new blog posts mentioned and have an opportunity to meet other Funky Hand fans. There have been some fab cards from crafters posted on there recently showing what creations they have been making with the new craft CD Craft The Year Away. So come and join us!

Also, we received a new delivery today of the stash items that we have added to the website www.funkyhand.com so if there was any stash that you had fancied but it was out of stock the last time you looked..it wont be now!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

A few cards that I have thrown together!

2011-02-09T14:56:00.000Z

Sorry I haven't been around much over the last few days. With the preparing for and then guest presenting the TV shows on Create and Craft last week it's been a little hectic around here, as I'm sure you can image. I'd like to say thank you very much to everyone who watched the TV shows and supported the launch of our newest Papercraft Factory release Craft The Year Away by either buying from Create and Craft or directly from our website www.funkyhand.com. It's been a great success and the wonderful reaction, comments and general support we have received from you all overwhelms me everytime.

OK OK, the Oscar speech is over now don't worry! As some of you wont have caught the shows I guest presented last week on TV I thought I'd share a few of the demo cards that I made to give you a taste of the new craft CD.

I'll start off with the LOVE word book that I made using word book pages from Craft The Year Away CD ROM the February Love collection.

The heart is a digi stamp on the CD which I coloured in using Promarkers. The 'All you need is..' writing is also from the CD. I just wrote it using the new writer available on the CD using the Impact Label font..which is proving to be pretty popular with my Design Team!!

Next up is a nice bright Easter themed card..

The daffodils are also a digi stamp from the CD. What I did was print the plain black outlined version of the digital stamp directly onto the yellow gingham paper and then printed out another coloured version of the daffs. exactly the same size, on white card which I cut out and then layered over the top using a few foam pads to give it a bit of height. The sentiment was created using the writer on the CD (Impact Label font again!) and by layering it onto a co ordinating paper from the same collection (April Fool) a relatively simple but very effective card was pulled together pretty quickly.

Right onto another card, this one is actually one of my favourite cards I've made in a while. We are back on the love theme, with Valentines Day so close I suppose it has to be done..

This card was created using one of our new templates, a wobble card. If you print the card full size it will be an A5 card but you can reduce the size in the workspace in the Craft The Year Away CD and make it any size that you like really. This one is A5. I used the Marching On paper collection for this one. The rainbow image is another digital stamp from the CD. I used the coloured version for speed but if you want to colour your own rainbow then there is a black outlined one available to use. The sentiment was printed out using the writer on the CD. To finish off I just added a little doodling around the edges of the layered paper using a Sakura Gelly Roll pen in black and a Sakura Gelly Roll pen in gold on the sentiment. Another simple 'Anice' card but still fun to make!!

Last but not least for my cards today is another lovey dovey card I'm afraid..

This card was created using a template to create the square card with patterned hearts picked out on it. In the other templates available on the CD there are two in the same vain but with circles and stars picked out instead. They make a great base for a card. The 'U&ME' part of the sentiment was created using the individual characters available on the CD for each collection (this collection is Evening in June) and the 'Forever' the writer again and that favourite Impact Label font! With a little inking around the edges of the sentiments and a heart on opposite corners just doodled with a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen in Silver it was finished!

Well that's my round up of cards I made on Create and Craft last Friday so I just have time to remind you that this months challenge over at the Funky Hand Design Team challenge Blog Get Funky! is still on the go, so you can still join in until the 14th of the month. Paula has just posted her entry for this month and it's a great reminder to use up those left over bits of paper us crafters never seems to be able to throw away. Take a look at it here http://getfunkyandcraft.blogspot.com/2011/02/going-round-in-circles-challenge-paulas.html

If you are inspired, join in with the challenge and have a chance to win a little prize. If you don't fancy the challenge this month, have a glance at all the fab posts the Design Team have put up so far this month and leave them a comment, I know they would really appreciate them. We'd love to see you over there!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

I'm on TV again..& we have a new Download available

2011-02-03T14:26:00.000Z

I know it only seems like a few days ago that I was gracing your screens on the Create and Craft channel launching our new craft CD ROM Craft The Year Away... actually it was only last Sunday!! But, you will have the 'pleasure' of seeing me live again tomorrow (Friday 4th February) I'm guest presenting two live shows tomorrow on Create and Craft at 10am and then again at 2pm.

I've been working away here in Teapot Studios making new demonstrations for each of the shows so..if you missed the launch last weekend maybe you'll be able to catch one of the shows tomorrow. I'll be showcasing the new CD Craft The Year Away, (which is selling like hot cakes by the way!!) Colour Me Happy and Dreams Come True. There also will be an opportunity to purchase the two earlier Papercraft Factory CDs together for the exclusive price of £24.99. This is only available on Create and Craft so grab it whilst they still have stock..remember if you purchase the new CD Craft The Year Away, when you install it, it will upgrade the older two craft CDs and you will have the new Workspace to use on both of them as well!

If that's not enough to tell you today, I'm also pleased to let you know that there is a new Funky Hand Download collection called Love Love Love available NOW on the website www.funkyhand.com.

It is of course Love themed in time for Valentines Day card making but it would be great for any romantic card you need to make. Though I haven't gone for pinks this time..red, white and three shades of grey are the colours for this collection so great for making cards for men! Another good thing about this download collection is that it's priced at just £3.19.

Anyway..I'd best get back to work and let you get on with your day! Join me tomorrow if you can, it's nice to know that some friendly virtual pals are watching.

Speak again very soon..
Anice xx

Just a quick thanks..

2011-02-01T16:07:00.000Z

I'm very quickly dropping in today to say thank you to everyone who has been in touch about the Create and Craft TV show on Sunday. You are all very kind and I am more pleased than I can really express here with the wonderful reaction that we have received for our new craft CD Craft the Year Away.

Thank you to everyone who has already ordered the CD either from Create and Craft or our website www.funkyhand.com Releasing a new product that you have been working on for months is always a nerve wrecking experience..but you all make it a much more bearable!

Oh, whilst I'm here, you may or may not have noticed on our website that we now have a STASH section with a few crafty 'must haves' to keep you going but..we have also added this weekend with the launch of Craft The Year Away co ordinating ribbons and buttons for six of the twelve collections included on the CD.

All the ribbons are lovely double sided satin and the buttons are good quality plain,spotty & striped in mixed sizes..just what the crafty Doctor ordered!! As well as ribbons and buttons to match the CD there is also a collection of ribbon and buttons in black and white..always a winner with crafters..who can craft without a bit of black and white gingham ribbon in their stash?!

If they prove to be popular it might just be the beginning of more Funky Hand branded stash coming your way!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Launch of new craft CD Craft The Year Away

2011-01-29T11:12:00.000Z

Finally after all the talking I can say that our new craft CD Craft The Year Away is ready for launch and you will be able to see me live tomorrow Sunday 30th January at 10am on Create and Craft TV launching it and showing you the amazing cards that my wonderful Design Team Members have created using it. It will be launched on our Funky Hand website on the same day Sunday 30th at 1pm..along with some other funky new items that are exclusive to the website to go with the new CD!! The new CD will be the same price as the other Papercraft Factory CDs £16.99 no VAT price rises for Funky Hand customers!!

I'm really excited to share this CD with you as we have listened to what our customers have fed back to us whilst they have been using our other Papercraft Factory releases Dreams come True and Colour Me Happy and made some improvements that I'm sure you are going to love..and the really great thing is, if you already have the other Papercraft Factory CDs installed on your PC when you install the new CD..the others will be updated with the new improvements as well so you get to use the papers and digi stamps that you already love in a new way!! How good is that? Take a bow Ian..my technical geek, you are a wonder!

If you would like a look around the new CD before you buy it then you can have a little look right here..
Craft The Year Away Demo

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Get over to Get Funky!

2011-01-28T15:22:00.000Z

Sorry to sound a little commanding in my blog post title but if you haven't been over to my Design Team challenge Blog Get Funky! this month you are really missing out!

We've had a bit of an overhaul and now, instead of just one post at the beginning of the month we are starting our months on the Funky 15th..and then putting up a new post with new card inspirations, techniques for you to try and just general funky fun every three or so days all month long.

So far this month we've had a wonderful demo of how to make a round easel card from Jules..
http://getfunkyandcraft.blogspot.com/2011/01/get-funky-going-round-in-circles.html

A fab idea for making your note pads more fun from Lou
http://getfunkyandcraft.blogspot.com/2011/01/funky-fifteenth-challenge-going-round.html

and yesterday Kathy gave us all something to have a try at with her round handbag card decorated with fab funky flowers..she even told us how she made it all!!
http://getfunkyandcraft.blogspot.com/2011/01/funky-fifteenth-going-round-in-circles.html

Allison is our boss this month dishing out the challenge so hopefully she is happy with everyones efforts so far! Oh, by the way the paper that Kathy has used on the bottom of her handbag is the freebie available this month on my website www.funkyhand.com Grab it before the 15th of Feb as it will be changing then for next months Challenge freebie. Once you've grabbed it, there's no reason to not to join in with the challenge and have a chance of winning a Funky Hand download collection of your choice. If you are not really into challenges that's OK but still pop over and pop a comment on the posts that the Funky Hand Design Team ladies are adding we'd all love to hear from you.

Right I'm off to start to try to sort out my tote bag ready for the launch of my brand new craft CD Craft the Year Away on the Create and Craft Channel on Sunday...but I'll be back very soon to tell you all about that!

Enjoy your crafting!
Anice xx

It's my turn to Get Funky!!

2011-01-24T09:00:00.001Z

The new look Get Funky! Challenge blog run by my Design Team members is going great..have you been over to take a look yet? As well as a challenge with a prize, there is also techniques and hints from the very talented ladies that I have the honour to have on my team, spread all throughout the month.

Well, it's my turn to post so here's my card for the 'Going round in circles challenge'

If you don't recognise the papers or digi stamp don't be concerned as I've been a bit naughty and made my challenge card using my new craft CD Craft the Year Away. I'll be launching it for sale next Sunday 30th at 10am on the Create and Craft TV channel, it will be available to buy from my website www.funkyhand.com at 1pm the same day. I'm very excited about you seeing all the new things we have added to this third edition of the Papercraft Factory craft CD ROM series.

Infact I'm so eager for you to see what it's like there is a demo available for you to watch on the home page of my website www.funkyhand.com where you can see the basics of what the CD can offer to you. Take a look!

OK, I've got alot of prep still to do to be ready for my TV show next weekend and I'm already working on new downloads for release in the near future, but just because I'm busy I hope you still have time to join us on Get Funky! for this months challenge. We'd love to see you over there.

Speak again very soon.
Anice xx

Release of stamps and New Get Funky! Challenge

2011-01-15T11:00:00.001Z

Wow..it's a busy day here at Teapot Studios today, we have two fab things happening both at the sametime (and I wonder why I'm stressed out!!)

First up it's the grand relaunch of the Funky Hand Design Team Challenge Blog Get Funky! You may notice that it's the 15th today rather than the beginning of the month well that's because we have changed the monthly start date from the 1st of each month to the Funky 15th! That's just the first of the changes we have made over there, we are going to be updating the blog all month long with new inspiration cards from different Design Team members and there will be tutorials, hints and tips thrown in all month long as well..all the more reason to call back for some Get Funky! fun during the month.. Our first challenge hostess this year is Allison and the challenge is Going around in Circles..here's her card to give you a flavour but pop over now to the challenge blog to get all the details..

I said there were two things going on here today and the second thing is the launch of the first Funky Hand clear stamp sets featuring Our Betty,

...they have been on show on www.funkyhand.com for a few days but today you are able to purchase them! We are all very excited as this is the first of a number of new products we will be bringing you over the next few months under the Funky Hand brand name.

Along with the new stamps we have also added a few new stash items..things I can't live without when I'm stamping and crafting so hopefully you will see things you would like to add to your stash.

Please feel free to send me any stash items that you would like to see on our website by sending a message through the contact us page and I'll see what I can do to get them for you!

Well speak again very soon.
Anice xx

Meet my new Design Team Members..

2011-01-10T17:46:00.001Z

Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in applications to join my Design Team. I was overwhelmed by the number of amazing crafters who wanted to join our little gang. Unfortunately I couldn't invite you all to join but I want to thank you all very much for taking the time to contact me and share your wonderful creations.

Now on to my new Design Team Members, I'm pleased to introduce them to you:

Welcome to the Funky Hand Gang, we are all really looking forward to working with you! Click on their names to have a look at their blogs..I'm sure they'd love to have you!

It's another big week for Funky Hand again ...new DT members, Corrina is coming back to work after 3 weeks off on holiday (my, my I'm a good Boss!!)

Oh yes, and we are releasing the first four collections of the brand new 'Our Betty' clear stamp sets on Saturday 15th Jan. Pop over to my website www.funkyhand.com now to see details about them and some fab cards made by the Design Team lasses. They are not for sale yet but hopefully having a quick look will wet your appetities for Saturday!!

I'll be back before the end of the week to tell you about the changes to our challenge blog Get Funky! and other interesting things that will be available on the website..

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

The Funky Hand DesignTeam Call is closed.

2011-01-08T13:47:00.000Z

Wow! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact me about joining the Funky Hand Design Team, and then sent in such amazing applications. I have received so many applications it may take me a bit of time to get through them all. So, I wanted to say a very big thank you to everyone who has applied here and to let you know that you will be hearing from me in the near future.

I will announce the new members of the DT here hopefully tomorrow (Sunday) but at the latest Monday..yes there were that many applications! It's taking me along time to get through to have a really good look at them all. All I can say at the moment is that there are ALOT of very talented crafters out there and you are making my life very difficult having to choose just few of you to join us. I'm also very honoured that you want to join Funky Hand, I'm one lucky lass.

Because of the changes over at our DT lead Challenge blog Get Funky! you have a few more days this month to get your challenge entry in. Join in before 15th Jan for a chance to win a £20.00 voucher to spend on www.funkyhand.com. It's all change over there come the 15th so don't forget to drop in and take a look at what we have waiting for you then!!

Speak again very soon.
Anice xx

Design Team Call.. do you want to be in our gang?

2011-01-04T07:30:00.001Z

Would you like to make cards and other projects from Funky Hand products that you haven't had to pay for and have your hands on before they are even released for sale? Would you like to see your work displayed on our website www.funkyhand.com and regularly be shown on live Create and Craft TV shows? Would you like to have the opportunity to make cards for inclusion in your favourite craft magazines? Would you like to be part of a really friendly, supportive, funny, amazingly talented and down to earth group of crafters?

Then you just might like the idea of applying for a place in our Funky Hand Design Team.

Here's what you need to do to find out more. Email me on contact@funkyhand.com and I will send you all the details of how to apply to join us. You need to return your applications to me by Friday 7th January and I will announce the new members of our Design Gang on Sunday 10th January.

I'm really looking forward to hearing from you all, theres lots of exciting things instore here at Funky Hand this year and the first thing any new DT member can have a play with is our new craft CD ROM that is due to be launched on Create and Craft TV on Sunday 30th January 10am.

Looking forward to hearing from you
Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Introducing 'Our Betty' !

2011-01-03T07:30:00.001Z

If you are reading this blog post after 12noon Monday 3rd Jan then you have missed the end of the 25% discount sale over on my website www.funkyhand.com if it's not 12 o'clock yet ..then get over there quick as the sale will be over VERY soon!!

I've been hinting of ages about new Funky Hand branded products coming in 2011 so I thought I would share a little picture of the all new clear stamp sets which feature our lovely lass 'Our Betty' She's a down to earth sort of lass who likes her chocolates, wine and doesn't worry too much about the dress size she is in today..she will start that diet tomorrow...

There will be four collections available initially and then who knows where Our Betty will venture next. I hope you like the look of her.

Keep your eyes here and on my website www.funkyhand.com for her official release date but I can tell you it will be in January so not too long to wait..though I can hardly wait to let you get your hands on her. My Design Team are making some amazing cards with the stamps that I know will really inspire you.

Do you fancy joining the Funky Hand Design Gang? Then make sure you call back here tomorrow you'll find out how you can apply.
See you here tomorrow...
Anice xx

Happy New Year Everyone!

2011-01-01T12:35:00.000Z

I hope you all had fun whatever you were doing last night, we were at a party at Corrinas, my Business Managers, house and had lots of fun. I want to wish you all from everyone at Funky Hand a wonderfully Happy New Year and I hope that 2011 is all that you want it to be for you and your families.

As an added little bonus we have decided to extend the 25% discount sale on our website www.funkyhand.com until 12 noon on Monday 3rd January 2011 so if you have been too busy to have a chance to grab a Funky Hand bargain then you have a little more time now..but hurry everything is flying out of the door very fast!!

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

It's Sale Time at Funky Hand!

2010-12-28T12:47:00.000Z

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I know I have eaten and drunk enough to keep me going for all of 2011! I don't know why we do it.. as I'm pushing in that third sausage roll I know I'm going to regret it come January when I can't get my favourite jeans on, but it still doesn't stop me!!

Anyway less of my over eating and more about the BIG SALE we are having over at our website www.funkyhand.com there is 25% discount off everything, craft CD Roms, downloads and paper packs so grab yourself a real bargain before the New Year begins. The sale starts at 12 noon Tuesday 28th December and ends 12 noon 1st January.

In the New Year we will be launching some fantastic new Funky Hand products which I hope you will love as much as I do and my Design Team did when they received them just before Christmas! I'm looking forward to seeing what they create with them and sharing their creations and the new products with you. There are going to be lots of changes in 2011 for Funky Hand on the website www.funkyhand.com and lots of new products for you to enjoy as well. There is still time for you to join in with the December Challenge over on the Get Funky Challenge Blog. It will be your last chance to win £20.00 to spend on our website as there are going to be changes over there too in 2011. Woohoo! It's all go here at the moment.

Right, I'd best get back to work as I have a new download collection to finish for release in January and start to make plans for the release of our new craft CD Rom at the end that month. Keep your eyes here to see more details about that..though the eagled eyed amongst you might have noticed an updated date for a show on Ideal World/ Create and Craft TV in January on the side bar here already..that might give you a clue when the new Funky Hand craft CD will be launching.... wink!

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year..now what are you still doing here? Get over to www.funkyhand.com straight away and grab a bargain before they are all gone!!
Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Seasons Greetings to you..

2010-12-24T08:30:00.001Z

I hope that you are all ready for your wonderful Christmas break and that you get every bit of crafty stash that you asked for, and fully deserve, from Santa tomorrow morning.

Just a quick message today as I know we are all very busy. Have a great time whatever you are doing and I'll be back before the turn of the year to catch up and let you know about a few Funky new crafty bits that you will be able to find on www.funkyhand.com in the New Year.

Merry Christmas and thank you all for following this blog and supporting Funky Hand in 2010 we really appreciate you all.
Anice xx

Crafting is in the family..

2010-12-21T11:22:00.000Z

Sorry, I haven't been around here much recently. I have just had one illness after another. First I got a frozen shoulder in my good left arm which ended with having to have a steroid injection in it to give it the kick it needed to get on it's way.Thankfully I have a wonderful friend Vic who is training as a physio so she was able to give me exercises to do which helped loads as well which has meant that I haven't suffered too much recently with the stupid thing! Though it really put a stop to my crafting, which at this time of the year isn't the greatest. Just as I was starting to get back to some sort of normal last week I started to sound like a poor young lad who's voice was breaking, then I couldn't talk (which Ian seemed to think wasn't such a problem surprisingly!!) After ANOTHER trip to the Doctor I was diagnosed with viral Laryngitis. Grrrr..just starting to feel slightly normal now..well as close as I get anyway, so here I am to catch up with you all.

As I said I haven't been crafting much recently for one reason or another but I was very pleased to receive a lovely card from Ians seven year old nephew Adam which he drew himself and then his school printed them so they could be the family Christmas cards this year. I asked his permission to share it with you and he said it would be OK for you to see his creation which I think is just great..

I think he is expecting lots of lovely big presents from Santa under his Christmas Tree this year if his card is anything to go by!

I'm pleased to tell you that our new craft CD is now finished and will be released at the end of January 2011. Of course I will give you more info as we get closer to the time for release but..it has some great new additions to it and we are really excited for you to see it. Infact 2011 is going to start off very lively on the www.funkyhand.com website. In January we will be launching some great new products that I'll be back with more information about over the next couple of weeks before the beginning of the year. I'll be back before Christmas to wish you all the best for the season..now I'm off to have a nice cuppa and see if I can put the finishing touches to a new download collection for January.. see it's all go here!!

Oh, before I get back to work if you have a spare moment try and join in with this months challenge over on the Get Funky! challenge Blog as it's the last one where you will be able to win £20.00 to spend on Funky Hand products on our website as we are having a big old change around and shake up starting in 2011.

Speak again very soon..keep warm and safe.
Anice xx

Wow..will this snow ever end?

2010-12-09T13:28:00.000Z

I know I'm not the only person in the UK to be thinking this today..or infact for the last few weeks! We couldn't even get into Teapot Studios last week, but Corrina and I have fought through the snow this week to get here..it's been a fight every day though I can tell you.

Here's a couple of pictures I took this morning as I ventured out of the office building to the post room to see if we had any post..

This is outside of Teapot Studios main doors..and this is the view from there toward the post room..

That snow really is piled up practically above the windows!! You know what..when I got to the post room the postman had only just arrived and the post hadn't been sorted so I'll have to go back later. Doh!

Anyway with all the catching up we have had to do I haven't been anywhere near my crafty stash to be able to create anything, which is pretty sad. But..we have had a few exciting deliveries arrive this week of brand new Funky Hand products that I have been hinting about for a while. They will not be available to purchase until the New Year but I think I might give you a little sneaky peek of some of them in my next blog post.. see I'll just keep you guessing for a little while longer what a tease I am!

Well that's it from me today, keep safe and warm whatever you are upto and I'll speak to you again very soon.
Anice xx

We're having a SALE!

2010-12-04T17:09:00.000Z

Yes we have decided it's time to give you a little discount on the website so from today Saturday 4th December until Monday 6th December at 10pm you can grab 25% discount on all the Funky Hand download collections. So go to www.funkyhand.com now to get your hands on the deals!

Also I want to remind you that all the original Funky Hand craft CD ROMs have been permanently reduced in price so it's easy for you to fill any gaps you might have in your Funky Hand collections for alot less and you'll be helping me out at the same time! We need space in the warehouse for all the lovely new craft items that are starting to arrive and will be on sale in the New Year.

If I said, all new clear stamps collections exclusively designed with our own special character 'Our Betty' a new Papercraft Factory CD Rom and matching ribbons and buttons just for starters would that wet your appetite? I can't wait to show you everything we have in store..now just get these original CDs off my hands so I can fit them in..is that a deal?

Speak again very soon
Anice xx

December Get Funky Time!

2010-12-01T10:25:00.000Z

It's that time again where we launch a new Get Funky Monthly challenge..but be warned..this will be the last month in this format as we are having a change around. It's all good and about time as Get Funky! is now one year old and nothing should stay the same for too long. I'll fill you in on more details in the New Year but for now lets get to this months challenge.
As I am a bad leader and I have been stranded away from Teapot studios for almost a week now with the bad snow we have here in Newcastle I haven't been able to make a card for this months challenge yet (shocking!) as soon as things get back to some normality here I'll get it made and on the blog, also I have been very disorganised so Kathy from my DT twinkled in like a fairy godmother and offered to let us join in with her sketch blog Kathys Waffle Sketch File this month. So, here is the sketch for you to have a go at..

For a bit of inspiration here is the wonderful creation that Kathy made using papers from the Colour Me Happy CD ROM.

Now you know the rules you just have to use at least one paper or extra on your creation from Funky Hand and you will be in with a chance of winning the £20.00 voucher to spend on my website www.funkyhand.com

I look forward to seeing your creations.
Speak again very soon
Anice xx

Birthdays galore in November!

2010-11-26T12:02:00.000Z

I don't know what it is but there are loads of birthdays this month amongst my friends and family. I thought I'd share a couple of very simple cards I made for my cousin Jenny who had her birthday few days ago and her fiance Andy who has the honour of having the same birthday as me!

Jennys card was made with papers from my craft CD Rom Colour Me Happy and the flower is just two different sorts of Prima flowers layered on top of each other and attached with a fancy brad from my stash. I was really pleased with how the flower turned out so I kept the rest of the card very simple. I think that is a good way of showing off a complicated embelishment..less is more as they say!!

Now, mens card are never easy I find, and they are not my favourite card to try to make so, I decided to keep Andys card pretty simple as well just using the papers, also all taken from my craft CD Rom Colour Me Happy, to make the card and keeping the embellishments to a minimum..

I can't remember where I bought the Happy Birthday spongy topper sorry but I have a packet of them that have saved my life a few times making cards!! I just added a co ordinating button with a little button twine to finish it off.

I have to admit that my card making has taken a simple turn recently, with all the fab stuff we have been working on ready to be released in the New Year it meant that my card making has had to be quick! Now as everything is coming together and the pressure is starting to lift, slightly! I hope to be able to get myself around a few interesting blogs and get some new ideas for cards. I'm looking forward to it!

Before I go I want to just remind you that there is just a few more days left to join in with this months Get Funky! challenge and be in with a chance of winning £20.00 worth of vouchers to spend on www.funkyhand.com Next months challenge starts on 1st December and I'm the host..it will be a special month as it's the last of the year and I'll be telling you all about the exciting changes we are going to have starting in the New Year.

Anyway, enjoy your day whatever you are up to..and try and fit some crafting in if you can.
Speak again very soon
Anice xx