Tuesday 8 December 2015

The countdown!!

70 days to go!! Not that I'm counting - but I've 70 days before I can start work again. February does sound like such a long way away doesn't it...but time does fly, and I will be starting the job before I know it. I thought I would set myself a little challenge and attempt to do a blog post each day - with a finished ATC. At the end of the 70 days I'll give away the ATC's I have made, not sure how yet, but I'll think of something.

I'm allowing myself to "play" with anything. It may be craft stuff that's been in my stash for years, it may be something nice and new. I'll attempt to mix it up.

For my first day I decided to work with wonderful fusible fibres. Angelina fibres have always been a favourite for me, and there's so many ways of using them.

I'm using a pack brought to us by Clarity - look at the big box of colour!!

First take a small amount of the fibres from the box and "mix" them together. Spread the fibres out on a piece of paper - keep it fine to create a delicate sheet

Cover with another piece of paper and then iron. The fibres fuse together with heat - and you don't need too much heat! If you iron for too long you can burn the fibres. A fine layer like this will fuse in a few seconds. Always cover the fibres before you iron, or you'll get a sticky iron! If the fibres arnt fused properly they will still feel "fluffy". Simply cover and iron again.

Sorry about the lighting on my photos, the lighting in my room is terrible!! I had to unplug my daylight lamp for the iron!

Anyway, try this. Create a cone with a piece of card, and wrap the sheet you have created around it

Allow the sheet to overlap, as you are going to fuse this together. Cover the part where the fibres join, with paper, and gently iron. The fibres will fuse giving you a cone shape. I ironed mid air, as it will fuse quickly so isn't to awkward.


This would make a lovely Christmas tree, or, as I did, make a lovely Christmas decoration. I've just added wire and beads





Next, take a rubber stamp, make sure it's one which will with-stand heat. I've inked the stamp up with versamark. You then need a clump of fibres. You will need more fibres for this as you are making an impression, so need depth in order to do this. The stamp I'm using is an old favourite of mine from Crafty Notions:


Pop the fibres on top of the stamp, and cover with paper


Again, apply the iron. You will need more heat this time, and always avoid using steam!

When it is done, the image will be indented into the fibres. I love this look. Some stamps suit this technique more than others. You can use different colour ink to ink up your stamp, use different colour fibres, or even colour the fibres with a permanent pen. If it hasn't fused properly it will, again, feel fluffy and won't have picked up the detail properly. Over heated, and it will have gone a little dull:



I used gold pebeo gilding wax over the top of my fibres, just gently brushing it over the image so it hits the top of the image. I then finished the card by adding it to a black card, and popped on a word stamped topper



One day down....are the bets on for how many I get done!! gulp :)
Xx


27 comments:

LisaB said...

Love these ideas! Really missing your enthusiasm and cheery face on tv, it's not the same without u. Gonna give stamping the fibres a bash. X��

Unknown said...

Both brilliant ideas...thank you Lickle Leonie. Can't wait to hear about your new adventures. Take care, lovely lady xx

Joanne said...

You are bringing back so many memories. Mostly - Fab Friday - my best friends were formed from your club xx

Unknown said...

It's great to see you back crafting. 70 days will be over before you know it :-)

Unknown said...

It's great to see you back crafting. 70 days will be over before you know it :-)

Paper Art Memories said...

Welcome back to playing 😃 love Angelina fibres. February will be here before you know it xxx

Paper Art Memories said...

Welcome back to playing 😃 love Angelina fibres. February will be here before you know it xxx

lycar123 said...

Great idea must give it a try. If it was done in white it could be turned into an angel/ fairy using the stamping method for wings maybe?

Helen said...

Fantastic blog and I echo the comments above- it's fab to see you crafting again. Can't wait until you are back on our screens :)

Unknown said...

I love these Leonie and particularly the stamping technique. Hope you keep up your blog promise. Cathy x

hazel young said...

Lovely ideas thank for sharing x xhazel

julie_woolston said...

Wow amazing Leonie it looks great.
Hugs Julie xxx

Julie said...

Love the Christmas decoration! xxx

whyducks said...

Lovely. Enjoy your new job and have a good Christmas. x

Unknown said...

What a brilliant idea, I love what you have done. I have a big box of fibres that I might just play with. I look forward to seeing you back on our screens. Good luck for 2016 and Merry Christmas xxx

Unknown said...

Never used this but adore the feather stamped into the fibres.....gorgeous!!! Looking forward to watching you....hopefully demonstrating..

Terrie said...

These are beautiful, just the sort of inspiration I need at the moment!



jean.phillips1 said...

Two brilliant techniques! Goodluck with keeping up your blog! xxx

Cally said...

Thank you for reminding us about this technique. Hugs x

Unknown said...

Really missed you on T.V as I loved your humour and your crafting is just great.Will keep popping by to your blog for my "fix" of Leonie craft and fun.Merry Christmas and let's hope 2016 is fabulous.

cr@fty said...

Two fabulous projects thanks for sharing, February must seem a long way away but it will soon fly.

Anonymous said...

Good to be reminded of things we all have lurking somewhere in our stash! Lovely idea if the cones. Time will pass very quickly if you keep up your self imposed challenge so good luck!

Tracy Welham said...

Thanks for sharing this Leonie. I have some fuseable fibre in my stash but have been to afraid to use it!
Creative Blessings, Tracy x

Roisin said...

Great to see you back with your wonderful ideas Leonie! February is no length away!

Lynnda's Blog said...

It will fly by, but glad you have come up with such a positive way to count the days until then, like many I will look forward to seeing what you get up to.

Anonymous said...

We've missed you Leonie!!!!

Looking forward to the countdown on your blog...and then to see 'what Leonie did next...'

Good luck

Love Debbie

Anne Chilvers said...

You're really bringing all these things back to life Leonie, I used to work in a craft shop and remember all the bags of fibres on the shelf, and customers coming in and asking what they were etc. You know, I have never used them ! Maybe now's the time eh. Great step by step instructions, looking forward to sharing your new adventures in February x