Creative Wednesday,,,It's christmas lol

Happy Wednesday,

It's a Christmas theme over at Creative Expressions blog this month as we show a selection of cards and projects made using some of the latest Christmas Die release from Sue Wilson.  How are you getting on with your christmas Cards?  I know a lot of crafters don't like to start too early so we thought a little inspiration was sue!

I used the Joy to the world mini background for todays DT offering as I think its a really great die for making your more complex cards as being brilliant for your batch cards.  As the die has no outside cutting edge then it make the most beautiful card if just cut into a card blank on its own with a contrasting colour behind.

For today's offering I cut the background in white then shaded through the die using can blue colour cloud blending ink.  I covered a piece of cobalt foundation card with double sided adhesive and added iced snow.  I then forum monueted the joy to the world over this.  Next I added a frame, again cut from cobalt, into which I had added a piece of acetate.  This allowed me to foam mount this over the die cut and add more iced snow so that I made a shaker card front as the iced snow catches on the die cut and the background giving random pools of snow.

Finally I added a few layers of coconut white and cobalt to the frame and background along with an embossed panel made using the snowflake lattice embossing folder with the snowflakes highlighted with more of the colour cloud.

I added  poinsettia stamped and embossed with the shaded poinsettia stamp to die for onto cobalt card.  I made up the flower as shown with some pearl swirls ( which I will have on Hochanda next week) and a dazzler centre.

Pop over the the Creative Expressions blog HERE to see what inspiration for your Christmas Cards the rest of the team have.  It would be great if you could leave a comment or two on there as well!?!

Enjoy...

Mondays card giveaway was Pat S Witney, please email your address to Lockers@live.co.uk Pat and I will post it out to you!

Its Snowing...

Happy Wednesday,

Doesn't the time fly I can't believe its time for my Wednesday spot on the Creative Expressions design team again! This month we are focusing on the Snowflake background and I have to say, as can be testified by anyone who has attended one of my demo days, that I am spoilt for choice which card to show today.  This card is a variation of a shaker card as with the background being covered in iced snow then the loose snow falls gently (this really is a card you need to see in real life)

I stared by cutting the snowflake background (with out any of the centre pieces added) in coconut white foundation card.  I left a large bored around the die and added a piece of aqua card, with double sided adhesive added to it, behind the snowflake die cut.  Next I put iced snow all over the piece so that it stuck where the adhesive was, this gives the lovely snowy background.

To make the shaker element of the card I made a frame in aqua card using the background die as a guide for the internal aperture.  I then added a piece if acetate behind the frame and ran foam tape all round the back of the frame so that there were no gaps.  I poured a sprinkling of loose iced snow into the middle of the background piece and stuck the frame over this.

What this does is that the iced snow on the background catches the loose iced snow so that the snow appears to be falling slowly rather than just collecting at the bottom.

The remainder of the back of the card was made with my usual layers of aqua and white to frame the centre piece.

The front of the card, and its effective sentiment, is made by simply die cutting the Sue Wilson treating tree die in aqua card and embossing it.  Its important to emboss this die cut as the letters all have raised areas which you can bring out, as i have here, using pewter gilding wax.

A simple double bow of green bakers twine finishes the front and gives a focal point to this, hopefully, classic Christmas card.

don't forget to pop over to the Creative Expressios design team blog HERE and see what the rest of the team have come up with and if you have time leave a comment! lol

Back tomorrow with a last sneak peak for the Hochanda Shows along with a double giveaway, one on here and another on my Facebook! if you haven't joined my Facebook page then here's fair warning! lol



Ingredients:
Creative expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson
Snowflake background
greetings tree
Aqua & Coconut white foundation card
iced snow
CE double sided adhesive sheet
primary set bakers twine.



Enjoy...

Creative Wednesday...

Happy Wednesday,

Its time for the Creative Expressions design team project again (aren't the weeks flying by!) and we are using the Festive Collection from Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions.  This month I am using the Snowflake background (the large one not the same as the small one from yesterday)

I started by die cutting the background using in Snow Fibre paper which gives a beautiful textural look.  Next I die cur the smallest oval die that is included in the background set, whilst in the die I shaded the top using Adirondack snow cap white ink pad and a smoothie.  I added hand drawn stars using a silver gel pen.

I mounted this piece in a frame cut form cobalt foundation card and added a wider frame cut in coconut white to give the piece some focus.  I find that by framing your cards It gives some definition and shows us where to look!


Next I cut the winter trees in cobalt and added cosmic shimmer dries clear glue to the branches.  I then dipped them in White ice, one of the glitter jewel range, this is a solid white glitter that has an interference included which means that it sparkles with different colours (in real life) just like clean snow.  I added a few cosmic pearl PVA dots to highlight the snowflakes on the background and the main image was finished.

To finish the card I added a few layers of cobalt and white to make a card blank and mounted the framed element on top.  I finally added a couple of pearl sprays in the corners to highlight the image and finished.














Don't forget to pop over to the Creative Expressions design team blog to see what rest of the team have come up with.  It would be nice if you could leave a comment over there as well by clicking HERE.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson
Snowflake background
Winter Trees
Snow fibre paper
White ice glitter jewels
Adirondack snow cap ink pad
pearl swirls
Coconut white and Cobalt foundation card.

Enjoy...

Creative Wednesday...

Happy Wednesday,

Its creative expressions design team day and as promised I made a version of the Ornate Noble pierced card from a couple of weeks ago as a Christmas card.

I stated by making a card blank, form coconut white foundation card, by using the largest die in the set.  Next I made a filigree frame using the largest die no1 and no 2 and three together to make a frame with the detail.  Next I cut just a frame using dies 1 and three form coconut white card onto which I had added a

sheet of double sided adhesive.  I slipped the backing off and placed the filigree frame over this leaving the sticky showing through the filigree sections.  I then added iced snow and rubbed of the excess which leaves this glittered white on white finish.

I foam mounted the fame on and using the next die in the set, no 4, i cut out an aperture in the centre which I backed with heat resistant acetate (the heat resistant has the right stability for this).  Next I die cut the let it snow die using the piece of card form the centre of the frame that had the DS adhesive sheet on it,

I removed the protective film and covered the whole sentiment in iced snow.  This was placed over the aperture and a piece of vintage silver foundation card was added on the inside back go the card so It frames and shines through the sentiment.

Finally I added a die cut of the illuminated three die again cut form card with adhesive sheet and covered in iced snow.  I placed PVA pearl dots, using cosmic pearl PVA, on all the junctions of the filigree frame and added a small white seam binding bow and silver dazzler to finish.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft dies by Sue Wilson
Ornate pierced noble design
let it snow
illuminated tree
Coconut white foundation card
Heat resistant acetate
Creative Expressions double sided adhesive sheets
Iced snow.

If you get chance pop over to the Creative Expressions blog and see what the rest of the team have come up with HERE!
Enjoy...

Simple Sunday...

Happy Sunday,

I'm demoing at the Craft Company at Fleetwood today from 10am to 4pm pop along if you are in the area (there is a vintage car rally on as well in the town so plenty to do)  Today's card is one that I will be demoing and is the card spotted in the background of the picture for Thursdays card!

This is made using the ornate pierced noble design die used to make the card blank as well as all the layers.  I use a plethora of techniques on this card which makes it a perfect demo card!

If you want to know how to make this one you will need to come and see it in real life, though I may make a Christmas one and list the instructions for that one a week on Wednesday as my design Team entry for Creative Expressions.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft dies by Sue Wilson
Ornate pierced noble design
Classic folder flower
White seam binding
Cosmic Shimmer PVA pearls
Iced snow

Enjoy...

Stamping Saturday...

Happy Saturday,

I am in the Craft Shop in Astbury Meadow garden centre in Congletom today form 10am to 4pm if you are in the area or like me a bit of a Saturday Garden Centre addict ( I think we have something for the Coffee Shops lol) then pop in and see hi.  I will be demonstrating Die cutting techniques with Sue's new range of dies and throwing in a few of my stamps!


Back to today and I thought it was time for Stamping Saturday to return!  Today's card is made using the focus element from my Tulip elements clear stamp set.  I stared by stamping the oval frame with the tulips onto coconut white foundation card.  I then coloured the tulips using the CE Mica watercolour palettes in shades of pink and green (all taken form the carnival brights set) and then carefully cut the image out leaving an aperture in the frame.  Next I mounted this onto a piece of acetate to straighten the frame and create a window.

Next I made up a gate fold card, from a sheet of A4 coconut white card and die cut the centre panel form the regal striplet into each of the two front folds.  I then added a pice of card covered in CE double sided adhesive sheet behind the aperture and covered the exposed are with Iced Snow.  To get the colour in there I brushed over a soft mallow pink mica concentrating on the corners to 'shade' the die cut.  The Mica colours the iced snow and does not need any additional sealing.  I then added the frame onto the right hand side with foam tape so that it floats in the centre.

I then stamped the same image into the centre back of the gate fold card and coloured it using the same Mica watercolour paints.  I added a little gold around the tulips (again using one of the watercolour set)( to give some shading to the frame, this is where you can stamp your sentiment or write a message!

Finally I added, as usual, a liberal sprinkling of pearls!

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Clear stamps by John Lockwood
Tulip Elements
CE Craft dies by Sue Wilson Regal striplet
Carnival Brights mica watercolour palette
Coconut white foundation card
Acetate
Iced Snow & Mallow Mica
Double sided adhesive sheets

Pin IT, I didn't realise I had to add the pin it button to every post so sorry its been missing.  I have added it to the last couple of days and today's and will try (honest Guv) to add it to every post!

I have been asked where US and Canadian followers can get hold of my stamps well I am pleased to say that The Glitter Pot have agreed to send them anywhere in the world!  Click HERE to see their range.

Enjoy...

Demoing Again?...

Happy Saturday,

Once again today and tomorrow I am on my Happy Travels around the UK and one of my first forays into the south!  I will be at The Glitter Pot in Burgess Hill demoing the Amazing new Dies from Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions.  I have been busy beavering away since their release yesterday to make samples and come up with some interesting demos using them.  So if you want to see my take on these then its worth popping down and saying Hi!




Back to today and I thought It might be fun to show one of the techniques I get asked for the most Sue Wilson's Fire and Ice.  When I demo in a store I always like to ask those attending what they want to see rather than just showing what I like!  This box was made a couple of weeks ago when I was at Daisies Jewels and Crafts in Coventry.  I used the fire and ice technique using Mulled Wine gilding flakes and Iced Snow (of course lol) over the Caribbean Collection background die.  For the stage, made with the tank you expressions die, I just used the Gilding flakes to give a comparison.  Hopefully you can see the difference between using just the fire and when you tone it with the ice!

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson
Caribbean Background
Thank you Expressions die
Coconut White foundation card
Mulled Wine gilding flakes
Iced Snow
Double Sided adhesive Sheets
White Seam binding

Enjoy...

Twisted Lilac...

Happy Thursday,

Just a quick message to all those wonderful Bloggers and followers who have asked about my stamp range.  The too talented Julia Watts has opened an online shop and is stocking them as well as a small stock of the Daisy Corner set form my first designs.  Julia is offering 10% off until the 4th May so give her a visit by clicking HERE.

I have called this card and post Twisted Lilac because I have used Sue's wonderful weaving dies however when framing the piece to make the card I have twisted the design so that the weave goes diagonally and not straight.

I stared by die cutting 2 each of the classic and striped weaving dies 2 classic in white and 2 striped in lilac foundation card.  IO then wove them together using the small strips from the striped set stuck over the individual pieces form the classic die.  This gives a different look and also allows you to make a different pattern.  I have been playing with these dies and have found that by altering the colours you can make paper versions of different fabrics (i am working on a Tartan for reveal next week I hope!)

To make the frame I die cut the Caribbean background using just the largest piece from the set (some of the more detailed background have been made in parts so that you can get maximum detail and flexibility) in coconut white foundation card.  Whilst in the die I cut the oval out using my craft knife by running it along the edge of the die.  This gives me the detailed frame with an oval aperture cut form the centre.  I trimmed around the piercing on the edge of the background die.  I mounted this onto a piece of the lilac card and again trimmed away the goal in the centre using my knife.  I always think it is fun to look at what else you can do with your ides and I often use some the the no cutting edges as a guide for cutting either by drawing around them or using them as a template to cut with my scalpel.

Next I added this frame of the woven pattern twisting the pattern so that I runs diagonally cutting off the excess around the edges.  I then simply added a couple of mats and layers of the coconut white and lilac  to frame this.

It make the sentiment panel I simply used the middle die from the pierced flags die set which doesn't have a cutting line of the straight edge and turned to die to cut a double ended flag.  I added some of the new CE self adhesive pearl strips in white however i cut between the 2 lines on the strip and added one strip to each side.  I then die cut the best wishes die in lilac card onto which I had added a piece of double sided adhesive sheet and sugared the finished cut with Iced snow.  To finish the card I added a piece of the lilac embossed with the CE A4 embossing folder fine finials onto which I rubbed enchanted gold gilding wax.  I then, as always, added a few layers of the same colours to frame the piece and finish the card.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson
Weaving dies Classic and Striped
Caribbean background
Pierced Flags
Best Wishes expressions die
CE A4 embossing folder Fine Finials
Cosmic Shimmer enchanted gold gilding wax
Lilac & coconut white foundation card
Iced show

Enjoy...

Something Different Saturday...

Happy Saturday,

Today will find me demonstrating in Blackpool, somewhere I remember which much fondness from being a kid! lol  I will be in the Strikes Garden Centre in Thornton-Clevleys, for more information and the address click HERE.  It would be great if you are in the vicinity if you popped in and said hi! Also I wanted to correct my thank form yesterday, Mrs Duck was my glamorous assistant and was so helpful I can't believe I didn't say thank you publicly!

Back to toady and time for something different and I thought you might like a close up of the box and card I made on Ideal World on Wednesday, if you want to see how this is made simply look on ideal world.tv for the catch up show.

I love making boxes for my cards and making card sets and this Noble die, the ornate pierced square noble, is brilliant for this as it can be used as I have here to make a box and also the cards that match.

I used the smallest square from the die set to make the cards with the centre filigree section as well as using this filigree section to make the box.  I then used the cornflower die, the largest 3 sizes, to make the sugared flowers.  I did this by adding a sheet of Creative Expressions double sided adhesive to a piece of the lilac foundation card before cutting the flowers.  I cut all of the flowers twice, removed the backing sheet and placed 2 of each size of flower off sett to make the flowers.

I then added a liberal sprinkling of Iced snow, this gives the flowers almost a crystallised look, though I wouldn't suggest eating them!  To add the the luxurious feel I added a couple of the splendid swirls cut in coconut white foundation card and some of the new coloured dazzlers, form the pinks set, as the centres of the flowers.

Hopefully you saw this made or can catch it on cat up!




Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson
Ornate Pierced Noble square set
Cornflowers
Splendid Swirls
CE double sided adhesive sheets
Lilac & Coconut white foundation card
Iced snow
Pink small dazzler set (there are 3 sizes in 4 colours in each set)

Enjoy...

How Many samples?...

Happy Tuesday,

Todays card is another for my many samples for the shows today and tomorrow with the Great Sie Wilson on Create and Craft.  They come form the pick of the day show which launches at 9pm tonight!  Tune in on Ideal world to take a look at the stunning samples and techniques Sue has for us all.  I will be guesting the 11pm hour so if you can stay up it would be great if you could email in so I know i'm not the only one up after bedtime!

Those of you who have me on their Facebook (Johnathan Lockwood if you want to friend me) will have seen a sneak peak of this card last Friday as I showed this at my demo days at Daisies jewels and crafts in Coventry.  This is my first go at a shaker card!  to find out how to make it then you will have to tine in as this is a demo piece I am hoping to do sometime over the 2 days.

The card colours I have used are available in one of the card packs we have on the show which contains my favourite set of Blues and aqua!

The sentiment is form my new Daffodil set which will be featured on Create and Craft on the 5th May.  These should also be available elsewhere I will let you know as soon as I do!?!

and to answer the question in the title I have counted and there are 60 samples so far!...

Enjoy...

A Special Gift...

Happy Saturday,

I am feeling a lot better today and I promised Tracey from Creative Expressions that we would visit Coleman's Craft Warehouse in Rusden to heckle Phil Martin who is demoing there today.  If you are in the area pop in and see what Phil has to show us all!

Today's post is a quick one as I'm still not 100% and I know everyone is busy with Easter so I thought you wouldn't mind just pictures today.  This is the box I made for the gift I bought for trace's birthday last week.  I made it using the Noble ornate pierced square die, iced snow and decadent Denim mica powder.  I will hopefully be demoing this box at Ali Pali so will hold off on instructions for a while!

Enjoy...

Another Box?...

Happy Thursday,

I thought after the positive comments I received on Monday and Tuesdays post it would be nice to show you the box I made in the demo last saturday that uses the fire and Ice technique.  I have to admit I love how the fire and Ice (Sue Wilson's technique) shines and sometimes hate to cover it and use it as just a background therefore I showed on this project how to make this into a simple box that packs a punch (IMHO that is!)





I ran through the technique for this on Monday and I know Sue has a video on this on her you tube channel, click on Sue blog link on the right panel of this page to have a look!

Ingredients:
Coconut White foundation card
Harvest Moon Gilding Flakes
Iced Snow
CE Double sided adhesive sheets
CE Craft Dies by Sue Wilson - Caribbean collection background

Enjoy...

Simple(ish) Sunday...

Happy Sunday,

Although it may not look it if you ignore the rose this is a simple card that could be quickly replicated.  All I have done is to cut Sue's Italian background die form coconut white card, added a sheet of double sided adhesive sheet, and stuck the whole piece down to a card cut from rich plum foundation card.  Then I simply spread over Iced snow from the Glitter Jewels collection in the apertures.

Next I mounted this onto an A4 folded card blank  with a couple of layers of the plum and coconut white with foam tape.











To make it more complicated you can add a ribbon and a rose made using Sue's classic rose die set from her first release.  I dipped this is cosmic shimmer dries clear glue and added more of the iced snow.

Finally a bow, some dipped leaves, from the same set and a sentiment however the card has as much impact simply with the background cut!

Ingredients:
Sue Wilson's Dies
Classic Rose
Italian Collection Background
Iced snow
Rich Plum & Coconut White foundation Card.




Enjoy...

Back to Gemini...

Happy Thursday,


As yesterday was my day for the Creative Expressions DT Blog then I had to skip the Gemini week however it's back today.  Today's card is stole! well not exactly stolen but I was lucky enough to to allowed to Hinder Julia Watts at CE Towers in a workshop today's card is based almost solely on one of the cared the lovely ladies made in the Workshop.  The card has not appeared on Julia's blog as yet however click HERE to see what she has posted for us all today.

I stared by using the centre piece from the Gemini die set Orion i cut this twice facing each other (I am trying this week to show all the different ways these fantastic new idea of dies can be used) without using either of the edge dies.  As with all of the Gemini range of dies you get a separate cutting edge for each side which cuts a different pattern.  Once cut I used Sue Wilson's fire and Ice technique to decorate it.  I added a piece of double sided adhesive sheet to the front of the die cut.  Next using a mixture of gilding flakes at the bottom of my gilding box (I tend to use my gilding flakes in a 12 x 12 clear box I keep a pot of the scraps from the different gilds I do)  this sort of filigree design with small, detailed die cuts, is a really good way to use up the little bits left over.

Next I turned the piece over, removed the other side of the sheet and covered the whole piece with Iced Snow.  To make up the card I mounted this piece onto a larger may of the same coconut white card.  I made the centre decoration using the new Camilla die open petals I cut 2 of three different sizes and made these into three separate flowers.  I added these on the front with a piece of Creative Expressions white Tulle cut and tied to a bow style to the middle of the decorated panel.

To make the final card I embossed a larger mat of coconut white using the Honeycomb Haven A4 embossing folder and rubbed Pearl Moon gilding wax over the raised area.  Once dry I polished the gilding wax with a dry baby wipe (another of Julia's tips) its really important to do this like polishing shoes the wax needs to be shin up!





This card does have a really different finish to Julia's however it is based solely on her design so I can claim no plaudits for the techniques, inspiration or finish of this card which I think would be perfect for and anniversary.

Ingredients:

Sue Wilson's Dies

Gemini Collection - Orion

Camilla Flowers open petals

Mixed CE Gilding Flakes

Iced Snow

Creative Expressions A4 Honeycomb Haven embossing Folder

Pearl Moon gilding wax

Stick on pearls

Enjoy...

Christmas Friday...

Happy Friday,

I'm still on show samples I'm afraid and don't have anything ready that is christmassy I'm afraid! However with a change of sentiment and maybe colours this one could make a stunning Christmas card!

This is a complex card however the component pieces are quite simple however it has a long ingredient list.  Now this is a technique I am planning to demo on my next Create and Craft show which is pencilled in for the 5th November (will try to add some fireworks) and will be a die based show so lots of samples and demo's methinks!






 The background is cut using the beveled Glass striplet which is then mounted over a double sided adhesive sheet.  I added diamond snow which has a beautiful small crystal effect and in the flesh so to speak really shines!

The main piece is made by sticking a 14cm x 14cm piece of the double sided adhesive sheet onto a 16cm x 16cm piece of black foundation car.  I then rubbed perfect medium over the back of the that special touch mask Lattice so that it doesn't stick to the sheet and spread clear texture paste, Creative expressions cosmic shimmer range, over the mask then added midnight snow (this is the black version of the beautiful glitter jewels again form Cosmic Shimmer)  I pulled off the mask and washed it immediately as the mask has the midnight snow stuck to it!


I then allowed the piece to dry overnight.  Once dry I added more of the diamond snow over the adhesive parts that were hidden by the mask, giving this lovely black and white backing that really shines.  There is also a lovely dimension to this backing which isn't really visible in the pictures.

A few mats and layers of black and vintage silver and all I had to do was finish with a strip of ribbon, a messy bow all in black seem binding.  The sentiment is form the CE Friends set and is stamped in detail silver embossing powder onto a die cut form the French Collection Borders corners and tags set.  Finally, I hear you all breath a sigh of relief, 2 of the Grand Vinery die cuts, again in the silver.

Ingredients:
Sue Wilson's Dies
Bevelled Glass Striplet
French Collection Corners, Borders and tags
Grand Vinery
That Special Touch lattice Mask
Cosmic Shimmer Products
Clear Texture Paste
Diamond Snow
Midnight Snow
Detail Silver embossing powder
Black seem binding
Hatpins

If I have missed anything sorry but its quite a long list!

Enjoy...