Hi

Hi, Thanks for dropping by.

My name is Eileen but to friends in the card making world I'm known as 'ikki'. (which is pronounced I-KEY) From where or how this came about I'm not sure - it just got shorten from my original craft name of Ikemo by various friends along my crafting way! I started crafting whilst recouperating from an accident, and from my first attempts with peeloffs and paint - I was hooked! Now my passion is my BUG! and now BEADING!

In the Cupboard you will find ideas, news, tips and techniques to help you get more from this fab little machine. So come in - join the fun and Cuttle with me!


Monday 27 February 2012

Broken folders - what you can do with them

This is my most used and favourite folder....Stylish Flowers by Cuttlebug (Provocraft)...which was one of the first folders I bought.......but.....

alas, as you can see with constant use it is in two parts!  I have had it taped and it works like that, but it occurred to me when thinking of masks etc that it might also work using one side?!?!?  So out came my JT machine which I'm not very confident about using with folders because it is such an effort to get the folder through and this is the result....

To Deboss:
   The sandwich: White Plate/Black Mat/Paper/Back of folder/Blue plate



To Emboss
The Sandwich:White Place/ Back of folder/Paper/Black Mat/Blue Plate

 So the BACK HALF OF THE FOLDER WORKS! BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FRONT.....   
Well that does too - you just reverse the sandwich.
To Deboss:
Sandwich: White Plate/ Front of folder/Paper/Black Mat/Blue Plate
To Emboss:
Sandwich: White Plate/Black Mat/Paper/Front of Folder/Blue Plate

What's the point you may ask, well for a start I don't have to throw away my fav folder,  and also using it   this way reduces the likelihood of the JT breaking.  It also means that the folder is more versatile because you can now use is either landscape or portrait.     These examples are done on copy paper but it also works on card.  The half folder also works in the Bug, but the sandwich is slightly different.  I will post that later.  

Thank you all  for your help re dear Mr. Blogger, I seem to be okay now as I have managed to revert back to the old template which to me is so much clearer.  I also have installed Chrome, but stragnely (at the moment) I can connect with Internet Explorer as well?!?!?    The mysteries of the Web!!!!!

Sunday 26 February 2012

My way of stopping spammers!

The other day Elizabeth noticed when visiting from WOYWW that I had words about spammers on my comments box and she asked if it was effective.  The answer is Yes and No - I still get spammers occasionally leaving remarks but since I have set up all comments to come direct to me before posting -  I have control not them!.  This seems to work for me and at least this way the ..... nuisances  are denial the pleasure of advertising their rubbish to all who visit the Cupboard.

If you're having a problem and would like to try this ........ go to the Setting page.  Click on Comments....scroll down to  the Comments Form Message and type in your message.   Then set Comments Notifications as "always"  and save your alterations.  However many comments are made, the number will then appear on your Dashboard .... you click on the number and you will be redirected to the Comments Awaiting Moderation page where you can read the message and select/or not to post.

Also mentioned was setting "Word Verification".  I set mine as "No".    You  do this on the same page - just select either "Yes" or "No" whatever suits you    I personally find word verification is not necessary because of  how my comment form is set and it does save any frustration to anyone who wants to leave a comment. AND, after all we  like to receive comments, BUT NOT FROM SPAMMERS!

Hope you find this info useful.

ps:  Thanks PeeJay, you're right and I'm thankful that Blogger does sometimes intervene, BUT NOT ALWAYS because I do sometimes get some weird comments, so I would not like to trust it completely because of the great number of visitors to the Cupboard I seem to be targeted!   Not all visitors leave a comment but many do read the comments left by others so I feel I need that extra bit of assurance.  But thanks for your input  -it may be useful to others.


Thursday 23 February 2012

Tippy Thursday

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!  Well as far as computers go!!!!  Yesterday I had a day long full of problems and thought  I'd solve everything, but I should have burnt the midnight oil and finished my work because this morning I'm back to square one, AND discovered that the little I know is not enough!

Thanks to all who tried to help - it's a good feeling to know that I'm not alone.  I had already installed Chrome and it seemed to make matters worse so I uninstalled and then this morning I have re-installed and at the moment I'm IN!  BUT, I've somehow managed to get into the new blogger template and I can't find my way out!   

Yesterday I had a message from Twiglet asking if I had any suggestions for an elongated heart die.  I have this one from Marianne Creatables which cuts nicely in both the Bug and the JT.  

If you know of any others please leave a comment here for Twiglet.
Also, Twiglet is looking for a plain flower die.  Well there are lots of flower dies about and if you want a large size the Nesties are worth looking at.  I would suggest looking at the main Spellbinder site for the complete range.  If it's a smaller type of flower, Marianne again to a nice range but I like these.....

    
Nice
They are Crealies and you get four dies on a small plate - they cut both paper and a good quality card with no problems and also layer well.  I know that CB sell them and I'm sure there will be offer available on ebay.  

Well back to trying out CHROME!  Hope to be back soonish!

Wednesday 22 February 2012

WOYWW

 I'm not sure what's going on with Blogger BUT I'm having a lot of headache with it!!!!!

My blog interface has been changed without any "by your leave" and on my main PC I have suddenly become "blogger not supported by server".  Not sure what this means or how to put it right.   Is this just happening to me?

Anyway after turning to my laptop and some more messing about  I have managed to get back on my blog just  to say not much doing on on my desk (lol)....
but I have been playing around with my bug and hope to show you what you can do with damaged/old folders, that is if I can sort out my blogger  problems!  If anyone is having the same sort of thing happen to them - WOULD love to hear from you.   Thanks,

ikki




Monday 13 February 2012

Valentine Day Pop up card

Last week I watched C&C's show and the offer they have on for the Grand Calibur machine and two sets of dies.  Very nice dies, but quite an expensive buy!

On the show the demonstrator show a design using dies to make a pop up embelllishment.  Since two years ago I did a tutorial for this card.....and you may not have seen it.....and since it is Valentines Day tomorrow.....I thought it was time to look in the back on the cupboard and find this bit of history ...... and here it is......




These are just odd pictures from the tutorial and if you are interested in learning more....this is the link




Friday 10 February 2012

Nestabilitie Label 4 - Golden Wedding Anniversary

Today is my husband's cousin's Golden Wedding anniversary and this is the card  I've sent to them....




The stamps are from Chocolate Baroque called Floral Swirls and as well as using them to embellish the base card and label, I have also put them to good use on the insert.......



I think I'll have to add this card to my Love and Marriage showcase. I love the owls sitting together side by side -  very appropriate when celebrating 50 years of marriage!

Wednesday 8 February 2012

WOYWW

A little late today for WOYWW - an early appointment at the opticians and then a blood test and the morning just disappeared!
I did, however, managed to take a piccy of my desk before I ventured out in the cold but as you can see not a lot is going on..... 
I've been playing with a new lily of the valley stamp from Clarity Stamps and think an idea is about to form- well I'm  hoping so!  I'm very impressed with Barbara Grey and her clever stamps which has you can see make pretty patterns.
I've also had my Bug in operation this week, but not for paper crafting......
I've been cutting fun foam with my Nestie Label 4 and make holders for the mounting pile of earrings that I seem to have an obsession to make!  Does anyone have other uses for their dies?

I hoping to get round to seeing some desks now (well that is when I've cut the sandwiches for tonight's bowls match).  So take care all and stay warm and safe.




Thursday 2 February 2012

Tippy Thursday - Sizzix Bigz XL dies

I have been asked by BJ 
"Ikki, couldn't find anywhere else to ask but do you know if the Sizzix Bigz XL dies will go through the Cuttlebug? I know the Bigz ones do both ways round (sandwiched with 2 'B' plates only) so am hoping the XL ones will too. Thanks BJ "

I afraid I do not have any experience using this type of die, but I've done a search and found the subject is covered by a blog called Indigoinklings - here is the  link

From what Jay says in her article the answer is yes, but you will need to make adjustments because the cutting plates are not big enough.  There is a tutorial which will show you how these adjustments can be made.

 

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Stamping Ground WOYWW

Hi, old friends, I was thinking this morning surely it's not Wednesday already!!! Where does the time go?  AND, then the thought occured to me that I'd not been over to WOYWW for a long long time so to put that right I popped over to SG and immediately it felt like home seeing Julia desk sitting there as I remember it!  I just love this woman's organization skills - a crafter after my own heart!  Well done Julia for keeping WOYWW going - I'm so pleased that you're still there and that you have so many loyal followers who do visit you regularly. 
My desk is quite tidy today since my crafting mojo has gone walkabouts, but when the postie delivered a parcel the contents did get quickly unwrapped, fondled and then photographed.

These are just lovely gems - great colours - nice quality and a good buy from the sale at Beads Direct.
This is what I'm spending my pennies (read pounds) on at the moment, and I'm thinking of opening a new page in the Cupboard to feature beading which seems to be catching the attention of many.  I love my beads and I think I now have the biggest stash of necklaces, bracelets and earrings than anyone on the planet! 

Thanks for dropping by - hope you are all well - I'll try to catch up asap.