Shine Bright and Create: 2026

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

Decorated Notebook

I thought I'd share a little project that I made before Christmas . A decorated notebook that I made for someone who needed cheering up.

I used an A5 vinyl backed notebook that I had bought ages ago marked down in the sales and covered it with some rice paper that I had.

For the front of the book, I chose this fab stamped Festival Dollies image from Dolly Dimples Crafts. Colouring has never been a strong point for me, but I muddle through.

I do love this stamp set and have used it quite a lot and think 'Hope' is my favourite of the 3 dollies in the set.

I've also sewn some small metallic seed beads to the front of the elastic on the cover.

On the inside cover I added this lovely Mermaid digi image from JMC Designs and paired it up with some stamped images that I have also coloured in. I thought the stamped sentiment was very apt for the notebook.

Finally, on the inside of the back cover another stamped sentiment.

Hopefully the notebook will come in handy and brighten her day.

Every path in life has a bridge. The journey is crossing over it to the other side.

You are never alone, as someone, somewhere, will leave a light on for you...

You just need to look for it...

Have a great week, whatever you have planned for yourself.

Happy Crafting

Challenges

Path of Positivity - AG/New Project

Addicted to stamps - Any occasion

Try it on Tuesday - Add some Text

Pammies Inky Pinkies - AG

Sweet Stamping - Bright & Beautiful

Sunday, 11 January 2026

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all, and I hope it's a brighter, kinder one too.

It's been a while since my last post, and since I've crafted too, so I'm starting off with a blog challenge.

I spotted this beautiful image on the Gecko Galz Monthly card challenge this month, which inspired me to use it. My initial intention was to use it on one of my boxes, as I have one that is the perfect size, but since this is a card challenge and I'm a slow crafter, the box will follow.

I die cut my flowers from some fancy wallpaper that I acquired from one of those well known hardware stores. I love the texture of wallpaper for making flowers, and I've added some vintage dyed pearls in the centre of my blooms.

I've also layered my image onto gold embossed miri card and added a printed sheet from one of my Tattered Lace download collections.

Finally, adding a hint of shimmer to my image with a clear glitter pen. I like the Spectum Noir pens as they don't flood the brush with glitter.

One of the bonuses of digital downloads is that they mix & match with whatever you have in your craft collection, and you can also resize them to condense that design.

I've missed not having a printer, and I can tell you that I'm happy with my new Canon Mega Tank Inkjet so far, which has replaced my Epson EcoTank. It's certainly an improvement on the old one.

I enjoy participating in these challenges, and think that I just need to be a bit more organised in my crafting head. I appreciate all the creative, inspirational content that these blogs and challenges continually provide, so I will endeavour to support them more.

Have a great week, whatever you have planned for yourself.