Wednesday 8 December 2010

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.

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