APRIL FOOLS DAY VIRUS ALERT

Just to remind you that the Conficker virus looks set to go out from midnight tonight.


Copyright-free image from Tack-o-Rama




The usual April Fool's Day fun (not). This warning was sent to me by Dawn (GoldBettyBoop). God bless you, girl!

Here are the links:

• Yahoo
• Snopes re Conficker

So can I PLEASE urge you all to update your virus checkers and firewalls.

Here is the Microsoft link to install the Windows Live OneCare scanner (free) which will eradicate the virus. You need to download this via Internet Explorer (not Firefox) and then run it - it will take several hours to do a full scan, so allow yourself enough time.

And if you have just one password for all of your stuff (your bank, PayPal & eBay etc) please change it so you have separate passwords - a mix of letters and numbers is best. Just think of something off the top of your head, the sillier the better. And don't forget to write them down - this means NOT typing a list on your computer and saving it, by the way. Keep a little book by your computer and hand write this stuff in. If you get a trojan or the Conficker virus, they will go through your entire system and rip any passwords you may have thought you hid there. Also any banking details.

Whilst you are at it, you might as well do a little housekeeping:

• Go to Accessories > System Tools > ScanDisc to remove any clutter in your system
• Go back to System Tools and Defragment
• Back to System Tools to create a System Restore point
• Back up all your stuff onto CDs or DVDs or an external hard drive
• Go to Microsoft/Windows Update for the latest downloads
  

I know this is something we don't usually bother to do regularly (although you should be updating your Virus Checker & Firewall at least twice a week, and running Scan Disc and Defragment weekly) so you might as well do it all now for your own peace of mind.

After all that, your computer should be skipping around like a newborn lamb and you should have all the latest security stuff ready to swing into action to protect you.

And the usual common-sense stuff: don't open any weird-looking emails or attachments (run a scan first if you think you need to see them) and if you get emails from any banking groups, insurance companies etc - or eBay or PayPal - don't click on any links the email. Go to the company's main website and then go into your account to see any messages. There are a lot of clever spoofs out there, and the web pages LOOK genuine, but aren't (I got caught that way).

I'm sure you'll think I am paranoid - but better safe than sorry.

VINTAGE-STYLE DECOUPAGE EASTER DECORATION

I found a great video tutorial by Tracy Porter on how to make vintage-style Easter egg decorations with decoupage.



Copyright-free image from Karen's Whimsy

Isn't this great fun!

You can use stickers, photocopies (try Karen's Whimsy for suitable copyright-free images) or single layers of napkin tissue. Use decoupage medium or Mod Podge, and try places like toy stores or your local florist for coloured sand.

And just enough time to do something before the Easter Holidays. Also something you can do as a project with children.

COMPETITION REMINDER

Just a quick note to remind you that entries for the competition close on Tuesday!


Floral Butterfly by Freyja Lee

The BladeRubberStamps team, plus Freyja and myself will look at all the entries and I will then post up the 10 chosen for YOU to vote for!

Click the button in the sidebar for full details - it isn't too late to enter.

Go on, have a go... you know you want to!

HOW TO TIE A RIBBON BOW FREEHAND

I just found this great little video on YouTube: How to tie a ribbon bow (freehand) so that it lies flat to stick on your card.

I have always found bows a pain and a torment - the ends always stick out and keep twisting around so I usually beat them into submission with large applications of PVA glue ... this little tutorial works perfectly (just tried it).

Hooray for bows that do exactly what they are told!

COMPETITION - THE ENTRIES ARE FLYING IN!

I'm like a kiddie in a sweetshop!

It's so exciting! The competition entries are flying in from all over - entries from Finland, Canada, Portugal, USA... There has been so much variety... there is some incredible talent out there.

Spring concertina book by Susie Jefferson

Just in case you are stuck, and need some more inspiration...

There's another 8 days until the competition closes (31st March) so keep on sending them in!

COMPETITION - PROGRESS

I'm really excited - the competition entries are starting to fly in, and there are some lovely ones.


Tulips by Susie Jefferson

In case you still need inspiration, here's a card by me, and one by Freyja.

Cultivate Love by Freyja Lee

I am really looking forward to seeing all your art: so far, I have recieved cards, a scrapbook page and ATCs. Just gorgeous (sigh)...

Anyone just reading this, click the button in the sidebar, which will take you to all the details. Everyone can enter (this is not limited to the UK) by sending me an email with a jpg attached.

You still have time to send your artwork - entries close 31st March.

PERFECT PEARLS VIDEO

Don't you just love Perfect Pearls! Ranger have just produced two brilliant new videos on how to use them, and I highly recommend you take a look.

This one has some projects you may not have seen before.

As always, beautifully produced with great photography.

"WINGED BEAUTIES" SHADOW BOX

Stampington have just published another charming video by Vanessa Spencer - how to make the "Winged Beauties" shadow box.



I bet you are wondering where to get a shadow box... so why not make one yourself?

To help you, here is my BladeRubberStamps tutorial on box making. The instructions work for the EZ Score board, M&F board or any of the Crafters Companion boards.

HOW TO MAKE THAT LID

• Use thick/stiff card for the whole box, and score really well
• Before you cut tabs and make up the lid, cut out an aperture (the width of a ruler, all the way round, measured from the score lines in towards the centre)
• Cut a piece of acetate larger than the aperture
  
• Use PVA (white) glue, dry liner tape or double-sided tape on the underside of the lid round the edges of the aperture
• Stick the acetate to this, creating your see-through window!

SO much easier than you thought it was going to be! My tutorial has photographs and sizings to help you.

What about vintage images? Where to get those?
Have a look at the sidebar, where I have listed several copyright-free image resource sites, Art-e-Zine being one of the best.

And what about using rubber stamps?
There are loads of photoart-style stamps around: PaperArtsy, Crafty Individuals and Tim Holtz have some absolutely gorgeous ones. If you decide to stamp your image, I recommend glossy paper and VersaFine or Mementos ink for the sharpest, most photo-like image. Hand tint with Distress Inks and a cotton bud.

Have fun!

"I'LL FLY AWAY" MINIATURE WALL HANGING

Somerset Studio have just released this video for a sweet miniature wall hanging by Sarah Meehan.

Sarah used Diamond Glaze, but Glossy Accents or PVA glue would work just as well.

Apart from that, all you will need is some scrapbooking papers, two tags, two mini canvases (any art shop) and some mini brads.

SOME FLORAL INSPIRATION

More floral inspiration for anyone who needs it: a Deco book spread, with the book bound with the Bind-it-All machine.

"B" for Birds, Bees & Butterflies
"F" for Fly & Flowers
Copyright Susie Jefferson

• These pages were coloured with pigment inks, Direct-to-Paper (I used Versacolour mini inkpads in Old Rose and Narcissus) then overstamped with PaperArtsy Squiggly Ink Swirls&Curls4 UM plate.
• I then mixed vintage images with giant cardboard letters, also coloured with pigment inks, then stamped with Swirls&Curls, and covered with a thick layer of Ranger's Glossy Accents.
• All of this was layered on top of two giant silk daisies, and a couple of feather butterflies were added as a finishing touch.

NOTE: The copyright-free vintage pix were from Art-e-Zine. I printed these onto acetate and then coloured the back of the acetate with a gold Krylon pen. This gave a kind of a backglow, a really interesting effect.

COMPETITION UPDATE - QUERY

Image from Tack-o-Rama





I just had a query from Lindart, about what stamps you can use in the competition. I am so glad she asked, as perhaps other people were also wondering but didn't like to ask....

You can use ANY STAMPS YOU HAVE, whatever make or style, as long as they fit the Floral theme.

You can make a card, decorate a box, paint a canvas, make a shrine, book, journal page, altered book, quilt, an ATC - anything whatsoever that inspires you, as long as the theme is FLORAL and you used rubber stamps for the main image(s).

If anyone has any queries whatsoever, please don't be embarrassed to email me!

COMPETITION REMINDER

Folks, don't forget the first Great BladeRubberStamps Rubber Stamping Competition! Entries close at the end of this month (31st March).


INSPIRATION....

Oriental Red
Bleach on red card
copyright Susie Jefferson


COMPETITION RULES

The theme is FLORAL: this means a floral card, ATC, scrapbook page... anything you want, as long as you use rubber stamps to create it.

You can use embellishments, flatback stones etc, peeloffs or German Scrap - anything you like, as long as they are not the main focus of the card, which must be hand stamped.

ELIGIBILITY

Anybody - this competition is not limited to the UK.

As long as the theme is FLORAL (this means flowers, leaves, plants) and the main image is hand stamped, you can enter the competition.

HOW TO ENTER

Send a jpg (photograph or scan) to my email address and put Competition in the subject line (click the button, top right).

OR send in a card, ATC or whatever, to

Competition
c/o Susie Jefferson
Blade Rubber Stamps Ltd.
12 Bury Place
London WC1A 2JL
UK

Don't forget to inclued your contact details (or we won't know where to send the prizes).

CLOSING DATE

31st March 2009

THEN WHAT?

Graham & Kaye from BladeRubberStamps, along with Freyja and myself, will pick out the 10 best entries, and put them up on the blog for everyone to vote on.

We'll close the voting on Good Friday (10th April) and I will announce the winners on the blog on Easter Sunday (12th April) and then send out the prizes!

THE PRIZES ARE:

• 1st Prize - 5 unmounted Blade Rubber Stamps images
• 2nd Prize - 3 unmounted Blade Rubber Stamps images
• 3rd Prize - 1 unmounted Blade Rubber Stamps images

Plus, the prizewinning entries will be put on the BladeRubberStamps website. Any cards, ATCs etc, sent in by post will be displayed in the shop.

So get those entries sent in!
I can't wait to see them!

A LITTLE BOX FOR SPRING

Butterfly Box
copyright Susie Jefferson







Have you noticed the days are finally brightening? And the crocuses and daffodils are beginning to come through?

I'm beginning to feel that Spring is finally here... so here's a little box for you to look at. Want to know how to make it? It's easy, promise (as long as you have a score board). You can do it without one, but it's much easier with one so that all your sides are the same height etc.

I added a little feather butterfly for extra "je ne sais quoi"! Fun.