Black and Gold...

Happy Monday,

It's a black and gold card today made with the configurations dies.  I love the fact that these small dies can be used to make a whole large card just with a few cuts and layers!




I stared by cutting the Lattice Arched Adornment die twice in black gold card.  I added these to a strip of the back gloss that I had cut the detail pattern form the Caribbean collection border die into the centre.  I baked the centre with  antique copper pearl foundation card and added the whole pice too a layer of the antique gold pearl foundations card.

I then cut the detail and outer die from the caribbean accent tag ( which is included in the border set) twice in black gloss and backed one with copper and one with gold.  I rated these to make the pattern as shown and added these to the centre.

For the main card I cut a piece of black gloss with the swirl stripe edger at the top and the oval input die from the same set at the bottom.  I backed this with copper and added a larger mat of the gold.

Finally a few layers of gold, copper and black and finished.  I know this card really needs a sentiment but I do have a habit of making cards without so IU can add a sentiment when I decide who and what occasion I am sending it for!

Enjoy...

Die cutting Essentials...

Happy Thursday,

I meant to blog this a couple weeks ago but again time and show schedules got the better of me!  This is the card I made for the latest edition of die cutting essentials using the exclusive die designed by Sue Wilson for the magazine.  As you know Sue loves the configurations dies and I love the usefulness of these.  For this card I only used the free die although I did have to cut it 18 times lol

Full instructions on this card can be found in the magazine along with cards by Sue Wilson, Julia Watts and Tracey Laughton.

The only dies I have added are the centre ovals and the peony cluster used to centre the card.

a few more shots in case you want o work out how this one was made.  I have to admit its a classic me card as Mrs Duck would say so should be easy to emulate lol

Enjoy...

A Fancy Fan...

Happy Tuesday,

I thought I had shared this card with you all however after a look through my blog for the last 3 months I cant find it.  Therefore I apologise if you have seen this already!

This was one of the first cards I made with the double pierced oval dies designed by Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions.  As I am sure you know I have a soft spot for Ovals ( still loving the Austrian Collection!)   I love the way that this set will match with previous Oval sets released by Sue but this in perfectly, as used here, with the Geneva die from the Swiss Collection.

I teamed frames form the double pierced cut in varying sizes in periwinkle and coconut white and the dies in the geneva set.  The large band of piercing comes from the Geneva set which has this large oval with the random pierced elements around it.

The main feature of this card is the fan on the base which is the easiest part!

To make the fan I simply cut the larger die from the ornamental accents die ( from the configurations collection) in coconut white. I the cut just the outline form periwinkle and added the two together.  I repeated this until I had 5 of the fan shapes and then 'hooked' them together to make the fan effect. This happens quite easily honest!

Tons of pearls and pearl strips, a set of messy bows in silky crush white and bluebird thin satin ribbon to embellish.  Next I made this into a large ( almost A4 in size I'm afraid) with an embossed layer and a few mats and layers.

A complex looking card that is worth the effort!

Enjoy...

For Barbara...

Happy Monday,

I have promised that I would blog this card to a lovely lady called Barbara that I met at Inspirations in Preston, I'm so sorry its taken so long to blog.  I made this card as one of my Design Team cards for Creative Expressions however with changes to the blog It didn't get posted in time!

I stared by cutting  a strip of card the same width as the Dorado Gemini die.  I then cut the filigree and bottom cutting edge form this strip and offset it on a piece of rich plum cut using just the cutting edge.

Next I cut 2 of the Milford Adornment twice in coconut white foundation card mounting them onto pieces cut in rich plum using just the outline die in the set.  I glued these to the top and bottom of a strip of the white I had stamped with the sentiment ( from my Daisy clear stamp set) in watering can archival.

To cover the join I cut a strip of double self adhesive pearl strips in two and placed one strip on each edge.

I also added a bow of thin matching ribbon in the raisin and white collars adding a pearl in the centre.

To finish I scored a piece of the coconut white on my score pal and added this to the bottom making yup the finished card as shown.

Once again I'm sorry its taken a while but i hope this is ok Barbara!

Enjoy...

An Invitation...

Happy Friday,

Don't forget Sue Wilson is launching the One Day Special tonight at 8pm!  I thought I would show another card I made using some of the dies Sue has on the show.  I was asked to make a sample for a wedding invitation for some marketing at Creative Expressions for a Scandinavian company and this is what I came up with, I hope you like it.

I stared by making a gate fold card form coconut white foundation card, I then used the new lattice Window die to cut the filigree sections in each of the two panels of the fold i used the detail and the insert cutting die.  Next I cut 2 panels of wisteria foundation card using the outside cutting die form the triplet, I then cut the lattice section of the die in the centre of each of these panels and mounted these behind the front card panels.

Next I cut the largest die in the heart of hearts die in coconut white foundation card that I had covered in double sided adhesive.  I then cut the centre section with the hearts form wisteria card using the largest heart die on the outside.  Next I used the largest and the next size heart and cut a frame using coconut white foundation card.  I removed the adhesive form the backer and stuck the wisteria heart over the top.  I covered the exposed adhesive with microbes and added the white frame over the top.
I stamped the wedding invitation sentiment on a scrap of wisteria and cut it out with the smallest die in the pierced flags die set and added this across the heart with some stick on pearls at the joint.  I adhered the heart, with from tape, to the left hand side of the gate fold.

Next I cut two of the buckle bars and hooked the two together adhering them at the back.  This meant that I have to ends of the buckle coming across the front.  When the card is closed the two ends of the buckle interlock ( I'm sure Sue will be demoing this tonight or tomorrow)  I added a pearl in the centre as well as small 3mm stick on pearls on each of the joint of the filigree.

I hope this makes sense however here are a few more pictures which should hopefully help!

Scribbled Lilac...

Happy Sunday,

A simple looking card today again from my shows earlier this week.  This is one I demoed so I hope you caught the shows to see how this card was done as sometimes it's really hard to write instructions.

Here I go, lol, I stared by cutting the configurations die twice in lilac card I then cut a strip of the lilac card at 11cm wide by whatever length you want.  I then glued the adornments to either end of the strip.  Next I cut 2 more of the configurations from coconut white card and cut a narrower strip of coconut white at 9cm.  I cut the adornments down to the same width ( there is a natural place to do this) and attached these to the top and bottom of the white strip.




















For the front panel I die cut the two scribble flowers with stems form a smaller piece of the coconut white card.  I carefully attached a piece of double sided adhesive to the back before removing the die and took out the die cut flowers leaving a negative of the flower showing.,  I added a spice of lilac card and covered the negative space with diamond sprinkles adding a pearl in the centre of each flower.

I made up the card as shown using a panel of checker board embossing at the back along with some layers of the lilac and white.

A bow and a sentiment and finished the card with a few more pearls ( of course)

More tomorrow,

Enjoy...

More Shows Today...

Happy Thursday,

I hope some of you were able to tune in for the launch of the One day special last night it certainly was fun.  Today's card is the first demo I did last night.. Those of you who managed to catch the show will know that this card is made simply using 2 of the Configurations dies from Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions.

I used Lilac and coconut white foundation card I threw in little amethyst foundation card as well just to give some light and shade.


Im back on today with the brilliant one day special bundle of Sue Wilson's fabulous die range today at 9am, 12pm, 4pm and last chance at 7pm.

Enjoy...

Configured...a giveaway

Happy Monday,

I thought I would start a giveaway with some of the cars I made on my Hochanda shows last week Today's card I made using just one small die!  I love sues configurations dies but the new release with a separate outside cutting line just blew me away how much versatility can you get in one die?

I used just the inside die form the teardrop adornment around a square of coal card and cut this along the edge four times.  This gives this really detailed filigree square.








Next I cut four more however I used the outline die as well and mounted these on a piece of coconut white card rot make the larger accent background.  I then cut 2 more with both dies in cobalt and then 2 2 bases using just the outline in white. I mounted these together and stuck them to the front using foam tape opposite each other to make the shape on the front.

I used cosmic pearl PVA for the pearl dots and added a seam binding bow for a little relief.

If you want to win this card simply leave a comment t below and I will choose a winner on Wednesday.

Enjoy...

Sneak Peak...

Happy Wednesday,

I know its early for a sneak peak however I thought I'd give you a taste of the samples and demo's I have readied for the Launch of the Dies by Sue Wilson One Day Special starting tomorrow night at 8pm on Hochanda.  I will be showing a selection of dies from the current release and hopefully some new ( and some basic) techniques.

This card is planned as a demo on Friday and I have to admit I love how the stamping and colouring have come out I think you get a real watercolour / porcelain look to this.

Julia Watts is keeping things warm on Hochanda with a stunning selection of Justrite Stamps at 11am, 2pm and 5pm today.  Julia tells me they are fantastic prices!

I will be demonstrating how I achieved this look, along with the remainder of the card over the course of Fridays shows ( 9am, 12pm, 4pm & last Chance at 7pm)

There will be another sneak peak and the winners of yesterdays card tomorrow!

Enjoy...

Chocolate Anyone?...

Happy Wednesday,

Once again it should be my day for the Creative expressions design team however shows and designing some new stamps have eaten all my time!  However don't forget that the Design Team call for creative expressions finishes on Friday!  Click HERE if you want the details on how to enter and join the team.  There are some excellent benefits of being a member and it would be great to see everyone to give it a try you never know!


Today's card is the demo piece I made on Sunday on my Hochanda shows and just shows the simplicity of the Configurations dies.  For those of you who haven't seen this range before Sue Wilson has designed these to be totally flexible and they can be used in so many different way to make loads of different patterns.




For Today's card I have simply used 2 of the lattice Arched adornments on the front together to make the main shape.  I have then used 2 more on a different level to frame the card.  Sandra and Kieron from Crafty Company in fleetwood really took this card to heart when I made it at a demo there in gold that they have made it in a few different colours, click HERE to see what they made on Facebook

The flowers are simply stamped with the shaded peony in true white detail embossing powder onto chestnut foundation card heat set and grouped as with yesterdays card.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft dies by Sue Wilson
Lattice Arched adornment 
perfect peony complete petals
pierced flags
Stamp to die for shaded peony
chestnut & milk foundation card

Enjoy...

in and out?...

Happy Tuesday,


Another new stamp to die for reveal today and a new concept which is in and out stamps.  These 2 stamps were designed to match the new Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions Heraldic square die.  The difference is that there is an innie stamp and an outie stamp, both of which I have used for this card.  I have to say that Mr ND said that this is the nicest card he has seen form me this year! maybe its because I've used peach for the first time! lol

This is in a similar style as yesterdays card however this time I thought id go for a rectangular card.


Sorry for the large picture but I wanted you to see the detail on this one lol!

I stared by stamping the Lotus inner stamp in jet black archival onto coconut white I coloured the image using distress markers by shading the edges then pulling the colour out using a water brush.  Next I stamped the outer lotus stamp onto coconut white, coloured it then cut the aperture using the square form the heraldic square die.  I lined up one of the double pierced square noble dies around this to centre it and cut it out.  The next step was to foam mount this square over the inner stamped image as you can see the designs mirror each other perfectly and give a real depth and dimension to your creations.

I matted this onto a larger square of peach card and, as yesterday, added 2 charming lace Trim (i think these are going to appear on loads of my cards in the near future) on the top and bottom.

I cut the new Diagonal folded flower from white felt and made up the flower by glueing the 2 edges together and rolling the flower up.  AS you can see this gives a really different flower with petals that shot off at a diagonal.  I can't wait to try this coloured with some cool cloud I think there are some great effects to be created in this one!  I then added 2 of the laurel sprays behind and a triple bow made of black twine from my stash.

To make the backing I used the noble double pierced rectangular die.  I then embossed this with the bed of roses embossing folder and matted this onto a thin layer of peach and then black.  I have added thin black mats to this card as the stamping is a definitive black and when using black stamping it is always best to balance it using black elsewhere on the card.

I cut a larger mat of white using the double pierced rectangles which leaves a lovely faux pierced edge around the card.  whilst this is not as deep or a definitive as hand piercing it works really well for giving the effect, and you know me anything for a quick effect! lol  Finally I added 5mm stick on pearls in the corners and the points of the charming lace trim.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions craft dies by Sue Wilson
Heraldic square
diaganol foldover flower
charming lace edger
Laurel Leaves
Lotus outer stamp
Lotus inner stamp
bed of roses embossing folder
Black, coconut white and peach foundation card.

Enjoy...

Stamped to Die For...

Happy Monday,

I hope you all were able to see the new die launch over at Sue Wilson's particraft blog last week, I can't wait to have a play!  I designed a few stamps to die for for this range and thought I would show you some of these over the next few days!

I stared with one of the four newt sets that match with the finishing touches classic Vase die.  This die is fab as it works like the configurations and you get the insert as well as the outline meaning that the possibilities are endless.  Here I tied it, as a vase, with the new Peony Bouquet stamp to die for.  This stamp is designed to fit within the die cut vase perfectly with all the stems drawn to fit as if the vase was holding the bouquet!

The stamp does, however, have all the stems to the bottom so it can be used as just a bouquet of flowers.  There is also a sentiment included in each set and these are separate so that they can be mixed and matched.

For the peonies in todays card I stamped the image ( which come remounted and cut for you) onto coconut white foundation card with jet black archival ink.  Next, using distress markers, I coloured around each flower and leave then using a water brush I pulled the colour into the main body of each flower.  I went back over the leaves with shabby shutters distress marker to give some real definition to them.  Next I cut them out by hand (fussy cutting) and foam mounted the vase over them to give some depth.  I foam mounted the whole piece on a square of wisteria foundation card which I cut with the new Noble double pierced square set which leaves a lovely pierced and embossed edge around the square..

To decorate the square I cut one of the new delicate garden frames in coconut white and then cut it into four corner sections.  These I flat mounted  around the square which highlights the stamp and vase design as well as the piercing form the square.

I edged the square with a mat of coconut white and added 2 of the new charming lace trim from the configurations range.  I glued 2 of these along the top and bottom, cut again in the coconut white, to focus the card and balance the delicate garden frame.  I added appears in the centre to give a full stop to the image and stop me adding more lol.

I made up the reminder of the card using a larger square, again cut with the double pierced noble set which I then embossed with the pinpoint checkerboard embossing folder.  I added a couple of strips of wide satin ribbon form the silver pack from Creative Expressions I used the thinner ribbon for a messy bow and placed this on the corner of the main square.  A couple of layers of the coconut white and wisteria, again cut with the noble set, to finish and a classic card is complete.









Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson
Noble double pierced squares
delicate garden frame
classic vase
charming lace trim
Stamp to die for Peony Bouquet
CE Pinpoint checkerboard embossing folder
Wisteria & coconut white foundation card
Distress markers
Silver double sided satin ribbon pack.

Enjoy...

Golden Monday...

Happy Monday,

As we are only in July I thought I would soft peddle the Christmas by dropping in  Christmas cards in every now and again!  I hope this makes sense lol.  Therefore today's card is in gold however it is distinctly not Christmas and is for any occasion although I have made this into a Birthday card (though it would make a great Golden Wedding card)

I stated by die cutting the Lattice Arched Adornment die from the configurations line (I love this range as the individual dies can be used in so many different ways) 4 times in Milk foundation card.

I adhered 2 of these facing each other on a strip of vintage gold card I then clipped the corners to round them.  Next I added 2 of the adornments to another piece of gold card cut slightly larger than the first (this was all done by eye so measurements are difficult!)  This time I added them opposite at the top and bottom and foam mounted the first piece on top.  Next I mounted this onto a piece of the gold and made up the card using a piece of the gold card which I pierced and a few layers of milk and gold to frame the centrepiece.

I then stamped the shaded peonies in cosmic shimmer true white detail embossing powder onto vintage gold card.  I then cut the stamped images out using the matching die and made up three flowers with an 8mm pearl in the centre.  I also stamped and die cut the matching foliage (which also comes in the set) and placed these around the flowers which I arranged on the left of the centrepiece.

Finally I stamped Happy Birthday from my Daisy Corner stamp set, in perfect medium and embossed using the same detail powder.  I cut this out using the medium die in the pierced flags set and mounted it onto a piece of milk card which I had cut to  make a small mat.

I added a few 5mm stick on pearls and finished. I love the variability of the configurations dies and the way you can mix and match them to create your own patterns and style.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson
Lattice Arched Adornment
Pierced Flags
Perfect Peonies complete petals
Shaded peonies stamps to die for
Vintage Gold and milk foundation card
Cosmic Shimmer true White detail embossing powder
8mm & 5mm white stick on pearls.

Enjoy...