Teal Wedding...

Happy Sunday,

Todays card is the wedding card I made for some friends of mine that got married on friday ( you may have seen all the posts on Facebook)  As the card has now been given I can safely share the card.

The colour scheme for the wedding was a soft Teal and White and you all know I love to coordinate so although this may not be a usual colour for a wedding but it worked on this occasion.  There was also some extra pressure on this one as there were other craft demonstrators attending so I was competing with Sizzix and Tonic! lol

I stared by cutting the 4 squares used in the background form the butterfly frame by Creative Expressions in white and backed these with Teal.

I then cut the CE Love expressions die in both teal and white and backed these with the alternate colour.

Using the Cape Daisy I made up the flower as shown using a white pigment ink pad to shade this and make the flower softer ( well it is a wedding card!)  I arranged this with metallic linx, pearl sprays and a large messy white organza bow.








I made a box to fit the card at 8x8" using an old die cut for the front with another cape daisy spray and stick on pearls.

I have included the box I made, as I'm sure you know I like to make boxes for my cards as I find envelopes really difficult to make!  ( I will learn to do this as I have just bought a new punch that makes corners on one side and puts the envelope notch in on the other!)


It was a wonderful day and wedding and the card was well recieved ( phew!)

Enjoy...

It's a Box...

Happy Monday,

I hope you all enjoyed the brief sojourn into Christmas 2017 over the weekend.  Today I'm sharing a box that is the workshop for next Sunday at Craft Locker in Poole.  I am there all weekend with 4 technique workshops on the Saturday and this box as a longer workshop making this box on Sunday Morning.

This is made using the Prism striplet from Creative Expressions and the orange blossom flowers and leaves along with matching stamps!

I love making Hexagon boxes and find them really fun as they only use one sheet of A4 card.

I will share the template next week however there is an earlier version on my Facebook which you can download.

Enjoy...

Round Box tutorial...

Happy Saturday,

As promised here is the tutorial for the round box from last Saturday!  Its pictorial as I feel this is the best method outside a youtube video!

To make the box cut a strip 4" wide by the diameter of your chosen circle die ( if you are unsure of the diameter get a rough idea using a piece of twine or ribbon.  Score this at 3.5" and cut small slits into the shorter edge up to the score line.

You will also need 2 large circles and three smaller circles ( as shown pin the picture.

Next adhere each of the tabs you created to one of the smaller circles until it is covered.  This is easier if you bend the card round to give some shape.















Seal the 2 edged that meet to make a round box as shown in the next picture.


Next add the larger circle to the base making a neat and finished edge ( this will take some playing with until you are happy with the fit.

Make the decorative element for the lid of your box I used felt roses, ribbon and the Tonic trellis circle die.

on the rear of the lid  add a strip of ribbon to act as the closure and add a smaller circle over the top.  This isn't just for decorative reasons the different in the size creates the edge that sits on the top of the box. ( sorry its really hard to explain)



Finally use the ribbon as a hinge and the box is finished and is (hopefully) pretty inside and out.

Enjoy...

Bliss Box...

Happy Wednesday,

I thought I should make a new box after all the wonderful comments I got on the old ones I posted a couple of weeks ago!  I seem to be playing with the Swirl Bliss die a lot so thought this would be the ideal candidate for the box.

I stared by scoring a piece of ivory card into 5 sections 5 x 10cm adding a flap for the sides and top / base.  I then cut the strip die form the Swirl Bliss into this using one die cut per panel.

I then simply folded the box together punching holes in the centre of each top flap and threading ombre ribbon through the holes to close the box.  The base is made by adding a hexagon to the flaps at the bottom to give a solid base ( just draw around the completed box to get the size for the base)

















To decorate the box I stamped the CE shaded orange blossom flowers onto pixie powdered paper and cut them out using the matching die.  I repeated this with the shaded orange blossom leaves stamps and cut these out with the matching dies.


I shaped the flowers and leaves and added ta smaller spray on the top to seal the box as shown.  I added a larger spray on the 'front' of the box adding stick on pearls in the centre.

Enjoy...

3D Flower Show...

Happy Saturday,

As I'm sure you will all have worked out by now I do have a soft spot for flowers, on my cards, on my stamp designs and also in my new Apartment I have vases of them lol  So today at 8pm I will be launching the One Day Special with Creative Expressions making 3D paper fl;owners using papers and dies.  I hope you can tune in if not tonight then Ill be back tomorrow ( sunday) at 9am, 12pm, 4pm and 7pm on Freeview 39, Sky 663 or online at www.hcohanda.com.

I thought therefore today I would show you a few of the demo pieces I have made for the shows.  Some of these will be full demos however a great deal of the prep I have been doing is on making the flowers so expect lots of techniques and tips which you can use to make paper and fabric flowers!

Above are a couple of the roses made using the fabulous Paper Stack ( thats precept how easy is that?!?) from DCWV.  I will also demo how to make the presentation box which just adds, IMHO, a touch of class to any paper flower gift.  A great point with paper flowers is how useful they are to send to people in hospital as Real flowers are no longer allowed.


The second flower her which I feel looks like a peony, is made using the same basic pieces form the pack.  Tomorrow I will be showing how you can make at least 4 different flowers form the paper rose section!

Enjoy...

Saturday Box...

Happy Saturday,

Today's finds me in Farnborough at the Art of Craft with the wonderful Penny and Jayne doing demos and workshops!  I will be demoing between 12pm and 3pm with workshops before and after.  I don't seem to go southwards often so this is a great chance to pop down and say hi!

Back to today and I thought I would show you the latter / box I made on Hochanda this week with the new paper cuts dies from Creative Expressions.  I made this box on the 12pm show on hochanda click HERE to watch this made on catch up.

the scoring sizes for the box are:

With an A4 sheet of bright white foundation card on your score board landscape score at 7cm, 14cm, 21cm and 28cm

move card to portrait and score at 3.5cm, 7cm

rotate card to other side portrait and score at 3.5cm

The explanation of making this is too difficult to write however once scored it should be a little clearer.  The best way to make this is to watch on catch up at www.hochanad.com

however cut the bottom flaps then cut the top flaps so that you have 5 sections just linked along the larger rectangle.  Remove 2 opposing flaps where there are the doubles ( where you scored at 3.5 and 7.  Then the box folds up.

Next simply die cut each of the paper cuts dies in the centre of the side sections.  Adhere acetate ( i use CE heat resistant acetate) soapy the front of the die cuts and sprinkle the rock candy Glitter ( or Diamond snow if you have it) then spray glue the back and adhere these back into the apertures.

Simply then decorate the box in your chosen style!

Enjoy...

Papercutting...

Happy Monday,

I'm introducing the brand new paper cuts dies form Creative Expressions.  The festive range of four dies are simply stunning and are designed to emulate the effects you get with hand paper cutting but without the fuss!

I decided to seat, as I would, with box using all four of the dies cut in ancient copper pearl card and mounted onto an acetate box.

I thought this was a great way to show all four and introduce them before I launch them on Hochanda as the ODS at 8pm on Wednesday night!

The main die shown on the first side is the Christmas tree and to highlight the border I filled the space with silver PVA dimensional glue. this gives the mother of pearl frame that is visible when you look carefully lol

The next side shows the festive baubles die on the right and the reindeer on the left .






















The final picture shows the fourth die the festive feast !

Over the next couple of days I will be showing a few more samples as Ive made loads!!

Enjoy...

Something Different Saturday...

Happy Saturday,

There are probably far too many pictures on todays post but I got a bit camera happy with this box.  I made this box for my let lockers loose show to highlight a different technique with gilding fakes and I have to admit I love how it has come out.

I stared by covering all the parts of the MDF treasure box using fake and glitter glue and cut n dry foam.  I left the glue for about 5 minutes to make the glue key to the surface.  It takes a little bit longer on MDF to go off but the best way to tell is that the glue goes clear form a blueish colour.

Next I added Verdigris gilding flakes form Cosmic Shimmer and smoothed off the excess with Rubit Scrubit.

Next I covered the other side of each of the pieces then glued the box together using Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue ( its great that the same glue I use for papercxrafts works just as well for MDF)  Once together I used the flake and glitter highlighter to add gilding flakes to the edges that join the box.

I then added the metal corners from Creative Expressions again using cosmic shimmer glue.

I used some of the metal leaf embellishments in the centre.  I then added gold silk roses and threaded some of the small metallic linx in gold around the centrepiece.

I hope you don't mind all these pictures!

Enjoy...

Something Different Saturday...

Happy Saturday,


There are 2  something different's today as I thought I'd show 2 of the projects I made for Julia Watts wedding show with spellbinders earlier this week.  I loved making the gift box from Becca Feeken  in the gloss card and decorating it, it looks complex but once I got the knack it was quite simple, great for making wedding or party favours!

All you do is cut the two main dies twice and simply stick it together.  There is a box that closes inside to keep the favours safe!

Next I made an R.S.V.P. card using the Classic Elegance Tall Pocket die from Spellbinders.  The great thing on this one is that the front die folds round to make a pocket that holds the invitation or card.

I decorated the front using a black organza bow and finished with one of the heart charms from the Craft Consortium Always and Forever embellishment range.  The one I have used is a heart shaped pearl surrounded by Diamante.  I used stick on Diamante on the front pocket to echo this.

As you can see for this picture the card at the front is removable sop that you can add the event details or make the RSVP card for guests to return to you.


Bothe different form standard cards or projects and hopefully some ideas for those summer weddings, parties and events!

Enjoy...

Something Different Saturday...

Happy Saturday,

Now this project was supposed to have cards to match with the box however I have had to delay the planned something different for this week so today I have skipped up a week and am just showing the box ( as thats the bit thats finished!)

I started by making up a 13 x 13 cm box using a sheet of A4 card then die cutting the front using the edge die form the Corvus striplet.  I then made the fall separately and cut the matching edge so that there was a flap that would slide perfectly into the box to keep it closed and secure.

Next I cut a decorative piece using the filigree section and the matching edge in the taupe card and added a pice of black at the back cut with just the outline die.

I attached this to the front and studded it with 8mm and 5mm black stick on pearls.

The front of the box I cut using the Thank you Expressions die by Sue Wilson for creative expressions and placed black behind to make it stand out.

A simple Taupe coloured bow form my ( too big) stash of ribbon and finished.  I will repeat this, with the cards in a few weeks with all the measurements etc!


Dont forget Phill, Julia, Lias and I are continuing our takeover of Hochanda today and tomorrow!


Enjoy...

Something Different Saturday...

Happy Saturday,

Well I promised a box to go with last weeks tag and here it is!  This is planned for my workshops at CE towers in Kettering in February so today I'm just showing the box with the list of ingredients I'm afford .  I will however be demoing this on Hochanda in March I think so you will be able to watch a demo on this one at some point!

This box was designed to go with the tag made last week and I have included a picture of the lid with the tag.

List of ingredients at the bottom as usual!

I will be demoing all day today at Julia Watts big Demo and Sale Click HERE for more details.  There are some fantastic bargains on offer with Crafty stash from just £1!

Ingredients:
Card Size: Box uses A4 paper
Colours: Wisteria & Coconut white
Dies: Lattice Window Striplet, Orange Blossom Complete Petals, Orange Blossom Leaves 
Enjoy...

More shows but Lighter today...

Happy Sunday,

Another sneak peak form Today's shows on Hochanda I'll be on at 9am, 12pm, 4pm and finally at 7pm for the last chance.  I hope you can join me as I have some nice demo's planned in a range of colours. As you may have noticed from yesterdays card and the card pack if you caught the shows, I have got the autumn bug with a range form Milk through to deep cocoa foundation card.  I did however add in this stunning Primrose which I have used for today's sneak peak to make a gift bag and matching tag using the Lattice and lace striplet and perfect peony dies.











I hope you can watch if so don't forget to email in at studio@hochanda.com

Till Tomorrow,

Enjoy...