Monday Peak...

Happy Monday,

I hope those of you who were able to caught Saturday and yesterdays shows on Hochanda It was fab to be able to share my favourite dies from Sue Wilson's designs for the end of last year with you all.  I have to admit, as I'm sure you will all see over the coming weeks, I have a bit of a thing for the orange blossom flowers, leaves and matching stamps.  The good news is, if you enjoyed the shows that is, that I am back on Hochanda a week today with the launch of my New Spring collection of paper pad and stamps.  I thought therefore this week I would show you one of the samples or demo card I have prepped for the show every day.  I do hope you will all forgive this indulgence its just Ive had so much fun with this collection!

Today started with y favourite colours the blue and more specifically the Chambray form the paper pad, although I have only used one of the papers for the diaries on this card it shows how the papers match with all of our existing collections of foundation card and cosmic shimmer products.  I am one for making things match and if I can match to what I already have in my stash that just makes it better value!

The sentiment and the daisies around it are stamped using Phill Martin's frosted Sky colour cloud blending ink using my Daisy Trail elements stamps set with the centres made using the matching PVA dimensional glue.  The background, using the spring trail background stamp, is stamped in the same colour cloud before the frames and tags are loaded on top.

The diaries, well it had to be daisies didn't it!, are made using the cornflower die designed by Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions.  This makes a perfect daisy as you get all the individual petals here I have cut them in the Chambray text dot paper form my new paper pad it does match as the text running through the dots ( you have to look closely but it adds a layer of texture) is the Daisy Daisy song so there is a tie in!

I will be demoing a version of this card next week so tune in for more details!

Enjoy...

Ce Sunday and Shows

Happy Sunday,

Don't forget that the One Day Special continues with me today on Hochanda TV at 9am, 12pm, 4pm and last chance at 7pm.  This card works perfectly for the shows as well as for the Creative Expressions design team inspiration.

I used the section of orange blossom products for this card which are part off the Design  Team stash this week as well as the Cathedral background that Ive got on the show so a perfect match!







I used the Corvus mini gemini die to make the side panels of this card and I will be demoing this technique with Polished Silk Glitter later today on Hochanda.

For the main element I used the centre panel form the Cathedral background ( you all know by now my addiction to Sue Wilson's background dies as they are so versatile)  This one is split with the central oval also having 2 outline dies which makes a simple but really effective frame.

I stamped the orange blossom leaves in white detail embossing powder form Cosmic Shimmer on spearmint card and cut them out with the matching die ( thee would be really hard to cut by hand so the dies are a must for me at least) I then cut the larger orange blossom flowers form coconut white foundation card and added the open petals dies cut in spearmint to make a different flower again.

A few PVA pearls in graceful mint and cosmic pearl to finish along with a stamped sentiment, form my pierced flags set, onto white and cut with the pierced flags die and a matching larger flag cut in spearmint.

To see what the rest of the design team have come up with this week click HERE.

Enjoy...

Something Different Saturday...New

Happy Saturday,

I thought you might like a sneak peak of one of the products I was demoing at the trade show last weekend.  All of these projects are made using the Brand New Cosmic Shimmer Metallic Gilding Polish which, for me at least, is a revolutionary product.  It works with paper, MDF and so many other surfaces it blends colours, coats evenly ( without need of a base coat) and has its own unique applicator in the lid.  There will be more of this when the polish is available in shops later this month or early in march and I am haloing to demo it on Hochanda as soon as possible.  But I thought you might like to see some go the creations I gave made before that as they are very different for me!

They are all based on the new MDF driftwood pack and I have used one pice form the six ( of 2 different sizes) that come in the pack.  The pack is designed to to used all together to create a panel however I just loved the shoe of the individual pieces that I used one per project ( cheap aren't i? lol)  I believe the MDF is already winging its way to the shops along with the stamps I have used in the projects as well as the MDF shapes that match each set.

The above piece, which features the seaside MDF shapes as well as matching stamps, uses three of the colours of Polish and shows how they bland and the stunning effects you can get easily.  Heres I have used one of the new mini masks as well as stamping and PVA to make the sea feel realistic.

Finally another piece that has ended up in my home using the sentiment form my Lily of the Valley set haloing with the MDF seagulls and driftwood.

I hope you like this difference I have a few more pieces including a Seahorse stable to show when the polish is released.

Don't forget I am back on Hochanda tonight at 8pm with the One Day Special featuring my favourite dies from the Sue Wilson designs realised in November.  I will be demonstrating the orange blossom flowers and leaves box I made a few weeks ago that everyone keeps asking about.  Shows continue tomorrow at 9am, 12pm, 4pm and last chance at 7pm.  Hochanda is on freeview 39, Sky 663 and freest 819 as well as online live in HD at www.hochanda.com.

Lily of the Valley...

Happy Friday,

Well we have reached the end of my Stamp release days its back to something different tomorrow but I have saved Mrs Ducks favourite flower for last, I just hope I have done it justice!  as you may have guessed form the title and the card this is the Lily of the valley set the flower of may.

To me the background and main image form the elements set just tired out to be stamped then gilded in silver moon gliding flakes, in real life the stamping is in pure reflective silver which really sets the flowers off.  Therefore I ma premiering the spring grail A6 background as well as the Lily of the Valley elements clear stamp set and the lily of the valley sentiments set.

In the main elements set I have drawn a few different spray of the lily of the valley with a set of uplifting sentiments as well as some delicate sentiment which are perfect, again, for smaller and batch cards.  As usual there are all the elements you need to add to the flowers and to make your own backgrounds etc.

The sentiments set is in the everyday mode with a set of 6 everyday use sentiments this time with a circle surrounding them.  I have added stitch detail to the circles as well as a delicate spray of the lily of the valley (which can cover loads of different flower form bluebells to snowdrops) surrounding them 

I really hope you haven't mind me showing you the new releases.  There are background stamps and other rubber stamps to compliment all the ranges and the paper pack which I'm sure will be popping up over the coming days and weeks!

I have the first collection on Hochanda the 7th March with the second instalment later in the month and have loads of demos planned to show you ideas I have for using them.

Enjoy...

Primroses...

Happy Thursday,

Its another day and another set of new spring stamps, this time its the Primrose elements turn. I wanted to draw a set, that still had the elements theme, but which was also large enough for all of us who like to colour!

For today's card I coloured the primroses in using watercolour pencils for the main image and a shading using the watercolours for the background.

Here is the stamp plate for the Primrose elements which has the usual selection of main element as well as a range of sentiments and the flowers and foliage to enable you to make your own sprays or backgrounds.

I have also created a sentiment set i the everyday range to match this as well as I just loved the heart shape and the flowers!

I also carried on the theme of adding brooches of the flowers which I find so useful for smaller cards ( yes I do make some and have some great small cards ready to demo on Hochanda) and for gift tags.

Loopy Lynda, you need to email me your address so that I can post your card and gift to you please!

Enjoy...

Pink Daisies...

Happy Wednesday,

First I have to apologise as yesterday I inadvertently published a draft version of the springs child stamps etc, spellings and all!  I know it is usual for those of you who read this to be used to my spoonerisms and bad spelling and grammar but this was a step too far! lol

That said we are back on the stamp launch with 1 clear set and a background stamp to show you today.  I chose this card as I just love the daisies in pink even though Pink is not usually my colour (however it has featured a lot recently!)

This card was made using the new square daisy daisy background rubber stamp as well as one of the new clear Daisy Everyday Sentiments set, the full set is shown below.

I designed this et to match with the new Daisy Trail elements clear stamp set because I am always struggling for sentiments that match for my everyday cards.  We all need to make birthday, thank you, special day cards etc and I wanted some pretty, small yet detailed sentiment stamps that would tie in.

These have been designed to match with the Daisy Corner stamp set that I released last year as well as the new daisy set that will be revealed tonorrow and to tie in with the Spring Shades paper pack. I love things that match and make my crafting easier!  As you would expect form me there are additional stamps on the set the solid stamps can be stamped separately as well as with the flourishes at the top and bottom to allow for single or dual colour stamping.  I will be demonstrating these on the One Day Special at Hochanda on the 7th March so there are loads of demos planned for these sets.

here are a few close ups of the finished card which could be made in any colour or with any of the 6 sentiments in the set.

the winner of the Saturday Sneak Peak giveaway was Loopy Linda ( Linda Mellor)  If you email me on Lockers@live.co.uk with your address I will post the card, and maybe a surprise over to you.  The correct answer was the new paper pad and the sentiment stamp!

More Tomorrow,

John x

Give me your answer do...

Happy Tuesday,


Well it day 2 of the reveal of my new ranges for Spring and as promised here are a few samples from the Springs Child stamps set.  I know a lot of you have been asking when the Birthday Poems and sentiments for March,April and May would be available so here they are I will try really hard to have the Summers Child set ready for late April!

Today's card is made in the same style as the cards I showed for my paper pad reveal yesterday however Today I have changed the main element to using the Maggie die form Sue Wilson's latest collection for Creative Expressions and the soft sage colour way of the paper.  Whilst I do not usually use Greens I felt that a soft sage colour was perfect for Spring and I simply love how the colour works with the patterns of the paper and the stamps.

Here's a close up of the full stamp set, as you can see it covers birthdays in March, April and May and once again I have hand written these based on the attributes of the people born in each month.

I have also added a main sentiment, as shown on the card above, so that you have the option to use the sentiment on the outside and the poem as the insert for your card.  This can be reversed and the flower bars against each month are separate stamps so that you can use any of the flowers against any month.

I have also matched the flowers to the birth flowers for each month and have drawn an elements set for each flower.  This means that there is a new diary set that matches the bar for March, Primrose set for the May bar and a Lily of the Valley set for the April bar.

More of these over the coming days!

Hers a close top of the May sentiment for which I chose to use the daisy flower bar or flag.

I hope you are enjoying these reveals more spring tomorrow!

Enjoy...

Daisy Daisy...

Happy Monday,

Well after a great reception at the trade show yesterday I can finally start to reveal my Spring Launches!  I wanted to start with the new Paper Pad that I have to admit I am really proud of.  As I am sure you all know by know I am a self confessed paper stroker and to have my own range of papers, in my own range of colours is something I am sure we have all wanted.  I can't believe I get to share this vision with you all.

Today's first card showcases the papers in just one of the six colours that the pad covers, I have called the pad Spring Shades as it is my favourite collection of spring colours with a spring floral, stripe, dotty and a daisy head paper all based on hand coloured paper.  I stared the designs by clouding a piece of card using Colour Cloud blending ink in each of the colours.  I then drew the patterns on in white so that each page has a hand coloured and drawn look to it.

The colours are, Chambray ( used for the first card), Sea Mist, Soft Sage, Warm Linen, Lilac Haze & Buttermilk.  I have to admit to me it is my version of  perfect Spring shades that will match so many different card and craft projects I have been using them on everything I have been making for the last couple of weeks.

The card to the left uses one of the new stamp sets which will feature later in the week, and is made in the Warm Linen colour way of the paper pack and hopefully shows just how versatile the patterns and papers are.  The above card is made using exactly the same recipe but this time it features the Lilac Haze.  There are 8 patterns and plains in each colour way.  I have designed these so that they are double sided with a different pattern on the reverse, from stripes and spots to 2 different shades of colour clouded background so if you love the cloudy look but don't want to shade a whole piece of card to match then its already been done for you!

More tomorrow, Enjoy x

CE Sunday...

Happy Sunday,

Today is the first day of "stitches" the Craft, stitch and hobby trade show at the NEC and I will be demoing all day with new ranges form Creative Expressions, Cosmic Shimmer and the new Designs I have out.  There will be a full run down starting tomorrow as well as the winner from yesterday!  Today is my spot for the Creative Expressions design team and we are working with the amazing Orange Blossom range this month.

Today's card is a lilac and white work which looks so simple as if the flowers are floating around the frame.

I stared by stamping the sentiment in the centre of a piece of coconut white foundation card.  Next I covered this with n a sheet of CE double sided adhesive I then embossed this with the A4 s quilted circles pinpoint embossing folder.  I cut the piece to size, making sure I had the stamped image in the centre, removed the protective sheet and added diamond sprinkles over the whole piece.  This gives a subtle emboss and glitter to the piece that really need no more adornments.











I cut the 2 outer dies form the Grace frame and take die in coconut white and added this to the centre to frame the sentiment.  By covering the stamping with the diamond sprinkles it tones down the colour and gives it, hopefully, a mystical look!?!

I stamped a selection of the orange blossom stamps and cut them out with the matching die set.  I then shaded these with lilac whisper colour cloud blending ink from cosmic shimmer.  I shaped the flowers, added a stick on pearl centre and arranged these ( with some of the stamped and cut matching leaves) around the frame.

I also added, because I would, a thin satin bow to match.

A few layers of lilac and white, a couple of pearls and finished!

To See what the rest of the design team have created to inspire you click HERE.

Enjoy...

Sneak Peak Saturday...

Happy Saturday,

Well today's card is a bit of a sneak peak so I'm not giving any details on today's card I'm sorry, what I will do if you can guess what new product designed by me I will send this card out to the whoever guesses     (or the first one drawn at random if you all work it out)

I have added a few more pictures to help you guess and hopefully get some inspiration form the card.

The full ranges for spring 2016 will be released tomorrow at the trade show so there will be reveals each day next week from Monday.

Enjoy...

In the pink...and blush...and white...

Happy Friday,

I think a few of you got it right that I am on a bit of a pink kick at the moment!  I don't know why but its a colour I rarely use however it just seems to keep coming out of the card stash at the moment, today a colour i didn't think I would use but am loving Baby Pink?!?















This card, rarely for me, uses only one die of course its one of the striplets I really do have stripletitis!  I started by cutting the rococo triplet inner and out die in coconut white.  I then cut just the outer die in Baby Pink and blush foundation card, I cut the centre from the blush one and adhered it behind the centre of the triplet, I then added the baby pink cut behind this so that the colours change.

For the background I cut just the centre die form the rococo striplet on each side of a square of baby pink.  I then added strips of coconut white and blush across the back so that the colours complement the stripes behind the front piece.  Finally I added 8mm white stick on pearls in the centre of each triplet cut and foam mounted the centre panel in the centre.  A few layers of white, blush and pink finish the card.

Ingredients:
Card Size: 21 x 21 cm
Colours: Coconut White, Blush & Baby Pink foundation card
Dies: Rococo Striplet
Stamps: None
Embossing:None
Inks: None
Embellishments: 86 white stick on pearls

Enjoy...

All that Glitters...

Happy Thursday,

Well hopefully we are all ready for the Trade show launch of all the new Ranges for 2016, I have a new range of stamps, stamps to die for and a new Spring colour themed paper pack!  I can't wait to show you all the new things we have been busy beavering away at.  Hopefully there will be a reveal of the first set on Sunday so hope you can all tune in.

Back to today and a reminder of one of my favourite stamp sets form my last winter release, this time stamped in Glitter!

Although it doesn't look it form the pictures the main element stamped is stamped in flake and glitter glue and then Dark Bronze polished silk glitter is sprinkled over the top showing the stamped image that glitters and shines In real life.

I added layers of vintage gold and chestnut to the pierced square that the image is on.  I added this to a large card made of layers of the gold and chestnut with an embossed panel, again with the pinpoint A4 quilted circles embossing folder.  I added a mixed spray of the beaded swirl flourish, lace edged leaves and a strip of grosgrain ribbon.

Finally I stamped the sentiment, again in the glitter, onto a pierced flag with a larger chestnut mat.

Ingredients:
Card Size: 21 x 28 cm
Colours: Coconut White & Chestnut & Vintage Gold Foundation Card
Stamps: JL camellia Ring Elements clear stamp set
Dies: Beaded Swirl Flourish, Lace edged leaves, Pierced Flags, Double pierced squares
Embossing:Quilted Circles A4 pinpoint embossing folder
Inks: Flake & Glitter glue
Embellishments:Brown Ivory Grosgrain ribbon, Frosty Mink PVA dimensional glue, dark bronze polished silk glitter.

Enjoy...

I missed one...

Happy Wednesday,

When I checked my many files of pictures of Cards I have made I found today's card, from the new release of Stamps to die for and Dies designed by Sue Wilson, I found this card that somehow I missed and didn't blog!  I thought it deserved its day in the sun!

Quite a simple card for me with no large bow and again in pink!  I stamped the floret circle stamp in watering can archival ink and coloured the flowers and around the foliage wit my watercolour pencils to give a soft chalky colouring.

I then cut this out using the matching Melbourne die form the Australian collection use g the outline die, which cuts it out perfectly, and the inner circle that has the stunning piercing around the edges.  I added a bow a thin double sided satin ribbon and foam mounted this on a squire of coconut white before adding to a card of layers of blush, white and raspberry.

For the main car I used the Rococo triplet and the quilted circles A4 pinpoint embossing folder.

Enjoy...