Crafty countdown is down to 18 days!!

18 days.  For goodness sake!!

Okay, I fancied a bit of stamping today.  So, I found a scrap of watercolour card stock, this is the base

I wanted to create my own background, so decided to use some nice big stamps

Ink the stamp, but you are only touching part of the stamp to the card.  You will have seen the lovely Julia Watts do this technique on TV I'm sure (check out her blog if you haven't already: 

 http://inkyfingerzone.blogspot.co.uk)

Build up the background with different stamps, filling in the gaps.  I used distress inks.

Now, it looks quite intense doesn't it.

So, spritz it with water.  Now it just looks scary.  Don't panic.  It's a piece of card, there's always more card!  

Cover the whole piece with a piece of kitchen paper to soak up the water and excess ink

This will result in a really pretty subtle background.  See how the images now seem to blend together?

Next I stamped and embossed a stunning Stampendous flower.  This is a massive stamp, so really makes a fantastic focal point.

I coloured the flower with the same distress inks used for the background. This will ensure your colour palette matches perfectly.  I layered the colours, using 2 blue tones, and a red/pink

To create shadow, I worked round the flower image with a pencil.  Choose a nice soft pencil which you will be able to blend.  This really does give your image additional definition.

To create a few highlights, I added just a little white paint.  The paint does soak up some of the ink, but it still looks good

Although there is a shine with the distress ink, I wanted to add another sheen.  I took a little Pebeo gilding wax and literally swept it across my card.  I didn't put pressure on, as I only wanted it to touch the top fibres of the card.  You can just see the shine of gold in the light.  Very subtle

As you can see, I stamped my sentiment under the flower

I matted the piece onto black and white card. Complete.

Craftaganza Weekend

As promised here are the cards I made for the fantastic weekend I spent with the Crafters Companion team and the brilliant crafters. We had such a good time, and I got loose with glitter (poor poor hotel!!).





The first project I prepared was a tag, which could be used as a topper for a card of course. This was easily made. First the base was created using Spellbinders Labels 12 dies, cut the largest then the next one down, then cut a frame using both of these dies. I used the wonderful watercolour card to cut out my frames, and used the embossing mat to make an embossed border.

Now, ink, my favourite! I used Distress Ink Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey. I stamped using the beautiful stamps designed by the very clever Jayne Nestorenko, the Cute Companions Christmas Delights range (if you haven't tried these yet, get them, they are really delightful). The image I used was the rabbit reading a Christmas wish list. Simply stamp in the darker Distress ink, and using a damp paint brush gently blend some of the ink from the image. This gives your picture tone and you can even create a base. If you need more ink, simply dab your Distress ink pad on a mat or plastic bag and pick a little ink up with your paint brush - mix the ink with water to dilute the colour. Using the Rusty Hinge stamp the Yuletide Greetings word to your tag.

Using a cut and dry sponge, pick up the Distress Ink Wild Honey from the pad and start to blend the ink round the edges of the stamped card. Add a little of the darker Rusty Hinge round the edges.

The largest label can be coloured using the rusty hinge colour, when covered I used a splash of water to give a little texture. I only added a small touch of colour to the frame, as you want to keep some white to allow it to lift the top label from the bottom, and not blend into the layers. I wrapped a piece of ribbon around the frame and then glued the frame to the largest label, I then stuck the smallest label on the front with 3D foam. I tied a piece of cinnamon stick to the top of the label.

To finish the tag I mixed some ground cinnamon with fine cut glitter. I added a larger proportion cinnamon to glitter - until I was happy with the fragrance and colour. Using a quickie glue pen I applied glue to the embossed edge of my labels, and covered with your wonderful smelling festive glitter.

Why not try adding cinnamon to embossing powders, I haven't tried it yet, but it's on the "to do" list!!





Next is the snowy Love card. The base of this card was made using the letters from the Adorables CD (fantastic for the paper selection as well!). I printed the capital L as large as I could, twice, and then the rest of the letters the next size down, just once. Print them off and cut them out.

Go round each letter with a white gel pen. Now stamp using a black staz-on the cute figures, again from the Cute Companions Christmas Delight sets. I used the snowman, mouse with her little toy, broom and quite a few snowballs. Colour the images in using you preferred medium - I used watercolour pencils for this card.

Now it is simply a case of putting the card together. The letters actually form the card, so first you need to stick the two L's together. Put them one on top of the other, the back one you need to score and fold, then attach them using double sided tape. The L's will now open like a L shaped card. Now build the rest of the letters and figures to the top L. Design the card first so you know where you want to put your characters, you can have them over lapping, interlinking, some flat and some attached with 3D foam. It is important all the letters are straight, so the card will stand up. It is also important all characters overlap to keep the card together. This will form the front of your card.

The back of the card, so give stability, I have used a little torn card to resemble a snowy hill, attach this behind the back of the second L. You can add more "snow", if you feel the card needs an extra layer.

Try using this method to create personal cards with someones name, or a message. You can have your figures dotted all over the card, and using the CD's means you can alter the colour and pattern to make it different every time.

A touch of glitter glue adds a lovely finishing sparkle.

Workshop projects and new date

After a costly visit to the vets today I let Teela have a nosey round the shelves to pick her treat (that's the benefit of having your vet in Pets at Home!). She was so cute - first time she's been in there. I should have taken her round that bit first, maybe then she wouldn't have shed hair everywhere and barked at nothing!

Anyhow, I bought them a bone each. An hour passed and I heard Dylan scratching around upstairs. The guilt was written all over his face (guilty dogs are ace arn't they). Nipped in the bathroom and he had cunningly hid the bone under the bath mat - I don't know how I spotted it!



Dog with a very little brain!!

Anyhow, our last workshop went particularly well - really good fun. We now have more dates. The first is in Wincheap, Canterbury next week on the 7th November, the one after that will be on the 14th in Harlow (see details on the right hand side). I've ordered some lovely bits again - love buying stuff for workshops.

In the last couple of workshops two of the cards we used I have featured here: firstly a Christmas card using a gorgeous Snowbaby stamp by our wonderful Lindsay Mason. We made the card from punched circles, some made from the wonderful whitewash cardstock, then added snowflake peel-offs to finish the card.






For the second card I'm going to share here we did some blending with Distress Inks, and stamping. A cracking tree stamp made the perfect focal image - and the top of the tree also makes a fantastic border. We used a white gel pen to emphasise some of the swirls. If you ink the stamp using two colours of Distress Ink, then Spritz a little water directly onto the stamp it helps to blend the colours, and also enables you to drag out the ink at the base of the trunk to create the ground after stamping (if you catch the ink before it dries). Looks effective, and saves ink! I also picked up the ink still remaining on the stamp to add extra colour to extend my ground (if required). These are the kind of "cutting corners" tips I will be sharing with you - and asking you to send in, in our new blog.






The stamp looks fantastic used with metal flakes. Stamp your image once with Distress Ink, then clean your stamp and sponge glue onto the stamp. Stamp over the top of your first image. Some of the glue will still be wet, and the flakes will stick to this part - I like this technique as you don't get a perfect coverage of flakes, so it adds to the distress look.

I have 3 of the tree stamps priced £8.60, and 4 of the Snowbaby Stamps £8.55, left to sell. If you would like to purchase either stamp, or both, add a message to this posting - it will be on a first come first served basis. I'll only add 75p per stamp for the postage
xxxxx

ATC's, QVC, RAC, VAT

Okay, I'm not going to babble about RAC or VAT - it just fitted in and I got on a role!

Sorry my posts have been quiet, I seem to have been away from home for ages - or at least if I've been here I've been busy with work or family. Busy busy.

Had my workshop on Saturday, really enjoyed it. Everyone was lovely, I could have done a full day - need to do a few of them I think. We did a Christmas card using the lovely Lindsay Mason's Snowbaby stamp - dead cute. We also used the great stamps by the equally lovely Paula Pascual, her sentiment stamps are so handy and look clean and sophisticated when stamped out. We did some blending using Tim Holtz Distress pads and work with gilding flakes.

Booked the next workshop for the 24th October in Wincheap again. Hopefully should have another one in Harlow - I'll confirm that when it's booked though.

Well, I'm almost ready for tomorrow, ironing done and dusted. Nicky has taken photo's of some of the cards I have made for the shows so I can share them with you this week, but the ATC on here tonight is an old one that I did for a workshop. I really liked this one, as I used old watch hands which I bought from Ebay, they are so delicate and detailed. They have been attached to a stamped watch face using glossy accents.

Righto, time for bed. Remember we have our MacMillan Event on Thursday, really looking forward to it (bit of a panic now, loads to do!!).
xxx

Fab Friday Time

This week is another one where I've had a little play, this time with a set of stamps coming up on QVC (been on before but back in stock). The title of the challenge is:

Flower Chains

I've used the stamps to create my flower chain, you can go for stamps, decoupage, stickers, die cuts - whatever you have that's flowery. The chain can be the main focal image, or just an additional embellishment on your card. As ever, I really look forward to seeing your wonderful designs. I've done an almost step by step instruction with photo's which I hope some of you will find inspirational.

I used yellow paper which I gave a part wash of white acrylic paint to the left hand side:


Ink up your stamp, covering the stalk and leaf so you are only applying ink to the flower head. I used yellow Distress ink for the first application. When the image has been stamped use a water brush (or a paint brush with water), to drag the ink into the flower:


Layer colours by re inking your stamp and over stamping the images. Do not worry if the images are slightly out, as this gives a shaded effect. I used Adirondack Terracotta then Espresso, layering each and dragging in the colour until I was happy with the effect:





Finally I have cut a card image of a lady, which I colour tinted round the edge. Cut a few flowers so the image will slot behind them. Add a little shading with a colour pencil. To create a frame using the Espresso ink pad add ink around the edge of the card:

Fab Friday ATC Challenge

Well this time I was inspired from my lovely weekend at Kew Gardens, so the theme is:
Recollection and Receipts
Sounds abit fancy, really what I want you to try this week is using a receipt, ticket, programme etc from somewhere you have been and decorate it, or use it as part of your decoration. Give life to your old bus ticket, or preserve the memory of a great day out on your ATC. We get receipts and leaflets for everything, and some are lovely. The one's we received at Kew Gardens have a lovely picture on the back, which I used for the top of my card. The "Kew" part has been torn from the second ticket and I've taken the date off the card as well. I've hand drawn some trees, and colour tinted using Distress Inks.

Now I was going to make a second card, dug out the stamps to use and everything, with the receipt from the butterfly exhibition at the Natural History Museum. However, I have discovered if you iron them they turn black!! Could only find one receipt, so that was the end of that. Suppose that's why it's a good idea to photocopy them and use the copy not the original. I know, I know, I just didn't!! Duh.

I hope you like the challenge, it's not a tricky one and gives you a chance to look at your bits and bobs more carefully before they are recycled.
xxxx
Leonie

The one that went wrong!!

Portugal ATC's

This card has been made using components from my Sunshine Shades kit. This is a really easy one. Take one of the pre-printed cards, simply add torn flower paper to the top of the card, then edge the card using a matching ink-pad (I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink spiced marmalade). I then added a rub-on to the bottom of the card then glued three buttons along the paper line. I completed the card by adding a little ribbon underneath a jewelled flower. Easy-peasy.