Burgundy Swirl...

Happy Friday,

Firstly I have updated the Workshops page of the blog click the page to see where I will be for the next 6 months!

Another card today made using a mix of dies with my new Swirl Poinsettia stamp ( I was determined to be able to use this for projects other than christmas) and the Press cut Hexagon nesting dies which I just love.

I found this rich burgundy card - from Limetree Crafts I believe - when I was trying to sort out the new Craft Cave and had to stop tidying and do something with it!

I started by stamping my swirl poinsettia stamp in black ink onto the burgundy card.  I stamped the flowers twice and cut them out using the matching die.  I showed the flowers and using one of each size for each flower made up 6 different sized swirl flowers.  I added a pearl in the centre of each, I hate a flower without a definitive centre, and arranged these onto white pearl foliage cut with my swirl leaves ( from the Bee Balm collection)

I cut a set of frames using the burgundy, white pearl and black card using the press cut hexagons dies.  I ranged these to make the large frame using the cut out centres for the inset.  I stamped the sentiment, form Marinane, in sepia ink and offset the centre.

 I added some metal corners form my stash onto the set of mats and layers I used to  make up the card with the flowers sprayed in threes at opposing corners.

Ingredients:
JND Swirl Poinsettia Stamps set
JND Poinsettia Die
JND Swirl Leaves
Press Cut Hexagon Nesting die set

Burgundy, Black and Pearl card form Limetree Crafts

Enjoy...

Velum Violet...

Happy Sunday,

Its the last day of my Crafters Companion weekender today I am running morning workshops and afternoon demos in the Evesham store.



















Todays card is made using the same ingredients and method as Fridays however this time I used the Scoreboard for a frame of squares and I stamped bees in each square.

















I left a space in the centre adding the leaves and flowers this time in parchment which adds a lovely soft look to them.

Ingredients:
JND Bee Balm Clear stamp set
JND Bee Balm Die
JND Swirl Leaves die
Crafts Too shape Score board
Crafts Too Linen card Violet
Limetree Card Gold Dust


Enjoy...

Violet Flowers...

Happy Friday,

Today is the first day of the Crafters Companion Weekender first stop today is Newton Ayecliffe store, Tomorrow is Chesterfield and Sunday is Evesham!  If you are around these areas pop in and say hi!

For todays card I've chosen a sample made in white and violet using just the Bee Balm stamp and matching die as the main focus.

I started by scoring nine boxes onto a piece of gold dust card using the Crafts Too Score board.  I then stamped one of the Bee Balm flowers form the clear stamp set, in each square using Encre Izink dye ink pad.  I then simply cut this and matted it onto a few layers of matching Violet Crafts Too Linen card and more of the gold dust white.

I stamped the Bee Balm stamp which matches the die in more of the Encre ink and cut these out with the die.  I shaped the flowers shading them with more of the inks on the tips.

I cut the Swirl Leaves in more of the violet card shaped these and arranged them down one side of the card adding the flowers in the centres.

Ingredients:
JND Bee Balm Clear stamp set
JND Bee Balm Die
JND Swirl Leaves die
Crafts Too shape Score board
Crafts Too Linen card Violet
Limetree Card Gold Dust


Enjoy...

Rhapsody in Violet...

Happy Monday,

More inspiration from my Bee Balm collection today using a mix of dies form the background through to the butterflies.

The background uses the Bee Balm background cut 4 times and rotated.


I stamped the Bee Balm flowers then cut these out with the mathvcing die before shading them with Violet Izink pigment ink.
















I shaded the swirl leaves and added these first with the flowers arranged on top in the centre of the piece. I cut the backings for the butterflies using card covered in double sided adhesive sheet.  I cut the filigree butterfly dies and added these on top before sprinkling Stickles dry glitter over the exposed adhesive.

Ingredients:

Card - Crafts Too Linen Card in violet & Limetree crafts Gold dust card.

Dies -
JND Bee Balm Background
JND Bee Balm Flowers
JND Large Butterflies
JND Swirl Leaves

Stamps -
JND Bee Balm stamp set.


Enjoy...

Simple Gerbera...

Happy Sunday,

Yesterday was ,my last official demo and work day before christmas so today will be spent relaxing and catching up with some of the sleep I have missed since I launched the John Next Door brand in July!

Therefore I am sharing another simple card today just made with the bonus Gerbera daisy die in the opera box set.

I simply cut the daisy three times down a strip of lilac card ( From Limetree crafts) I then embossed the die three times into a piece of the gold lustre card and placed one of the embossed flower images behind each aperture and added a pearl in the centre.

A couple of mats and layers and card finished ( I used the actual cut outs on another project!)

I hope you doing think todays post has been 'Phoned in' lol

Enjoy...

Away in a manger...

Happy Thursday,

Today is the first day of the Craft Hobby and Stitch show at the NEC in Birmingham and I will be there demoing on the John Next Door stand for all four days!  The next few days I will show you some of the cards and techniques I will be demonstrating over the next 4 days!

Today's card is a really simple stamping job using my Festive Silhouettes clear stamps and if you like this card you can easily replicate it with a different centre perhaps one made with the bauble media plate or even a pre printed topper.

I stamp the manger, and scene in the centre of a piece of white card.  I then added a layer of more white cut with the stitch dot circles.  I stamped the winter trees from the same set over this so that the trees continue over the layers ( you may have to look closely to see this as it shows better in real life)

I then added a thin gold mirror card layer in the between these.

I added a top layer which I embossed and letter pressed using the same Izink gold metallic pigment ink pad using my snowflake circle embossing folder with the centre removed.

I surrounded the final circle aperture using the find it media festive foliage cut in gold with white gloss accents on the berries.  I finally added poinsettia cut in gold dust iridescent card which I also used for some of the layers.

I finished with a layer embossed with the crafts too falling snow embossing folder and layers of white, gold dust and gold mirror card.

Enjoy...

Nearly all white....

Happy Wednesday,

Today sees me back at Crafty Corner in Breedon Proriry for my Regular monthly workshop.  There are also some places left at the Anstey Workshop in October, details are on the main page on the right ( if you are viewing on mobile you need to click see web version at the bottom of the page to see the full blog)

Back to Todays card and I thought I would share another embossing folder card this time all in white. This really is simple to make It's all made form the Limetree gold dust iridescent card which is a white card with a sprinkling of gold dust when you catch the light.  I embossed the rustic frame in the card and simply added mats and layers using the press cut stitch dot square dies.  I added a stitch dot circle in the centre with the Merry Christmas die cut once in white and one in silver and offset the white sentiment so that it shows up.







The flowers used are a sneak peak of something coming at the end of next month so you will all have to wait to find out more!!  I added stick on pearls to highlight some ion the snowflakes and the flowers and finished with an 8x8" card blank ( as this is an actual card it may be sent lol


Enjoy...

Stolen...

Happy Saturday,

I am at Inspirations in Preston today and tomorrow demonstrating for the 9th Birthday of the shop.  Theres loads of demonstrators at the event and even cake ( as part of the Mcmilon Coffee Morning)  Pop in and say Hi if you are around.  I will be demonstrating lots of itemise from my new ranges Including the Textures pats and some new Izink Pigment ink pads!

One of the cards and techniques I will be demonstrating today is this one which I an Idea I stole ( witghj agreement) from the fabulous Martine.  I made this based on a card she sent me a picture of ( which she has promised as my Christmas Card!)

I made the background using  the round media plate, izink dye based inks and my Winter Trees clear stamp set.  I stamped the tree in the centre using the Silver Pigment ink pad that I will be demonstrating this weekend.  Next  I framed this using my snowflake circle embossing folder by cutting the centre out first then embossing the gold dust card ( from Limetree crafts) I added a thin border of silver mirror card around the stamping and the embossing.

I finished with a bow and a selection of filigree cut in the gold dust and silver mirror card ( all from the christmas foliage set i had on my last Hochanda show)  I added silver pearl dots and layered with more of the gold dust and mirror card.

Enjoy...

Sunrise in Brown...

Happy Friday,


I wam doing a Facebook live video today between 9am and 10am all about the Press to Impress stamping platform to share some of the unique features of this prior to its launch on Hochanda on the 8th August  I will try to post the video on my blog tomorrow for my blog family that aren't on Facebook!


Another sample from this weeks shows using the Media Plates ( I promise we will bring these back as soon as possible) this time what looks like a more complex card but again with the system really easy to reproduce!

I started by adding the circular media plate too my Press to Impress temp platform and added the Izink inks in walnut, honey and dawn in stripes across the plate.  I then ran my brayer across the surface to make an ombre effect which suggest a sunset.  Next I used the new small blending tool form crafts too and added more of the walnut to the top edge of the circle and the honey at the base, stamped it,  to give the circle a 3D appearance.




I then added the wheat style clear stamp form the spring stamp set onto an acrylic block and using the walnut ink I stamped this around the base of the circular media plate and stamped this.  This adds the shadows in the circle which, because I stamped it onto the media plate the shadow finishes perfectly at the edge of the circle.

I then added the wheat stamp onto the stamp press and inking with the honey stamped this repeatedly, by sliding the card within the stamp press, across the bottom of the card.  This is one of the reasons I love the press to impress board as It has an open side and bottom means I can use any size of card as well as slide card in the press to repeat a stamp perfectly!

To make up the card I simply cut the piece into a 6 x 6" square and then into 3 2" strips.  I mounted these in a chestneu card and spaced them evenly, with a 1/4" gap across the front of the card.  I made up the card with a long strip of the powder puff style embossing folder ( again form Crafts too and on this weeks shows)  Repeating the pattern by embossing twice as these folders are designed to repeat as much as you need and I love flexibility almost as much as value!







The card is finished with an 8x8" card blank in white *( hand made from Limetree A3 warm white card)

Enjoy...

Trees in the mist

Happy Wednesday,

Firstly thank you al Sooooooo much for the wonderful support yesterday and through this period of change to me new John Next Door brand.  The shows yesterday were so busy I hardly had time ti think trying to get more stock between shows so I didn't disappoint anyone!

I know I have said it before but I want to reiterate that none of this would be possible without those of my blog family who visit, whether you comment or not, every day It really is so special!

Roight Mushy over now nback to the crafting.  I thought I would share this card today as It has a softer feel but shows what other things can be achieved with the Winter Stamps from the new range .

This card started out as an accident, it happens to all of us I know, as i accidentally smudged one of the trees.  I stamped the tree from the winter trees set in the tea izink dye ink pad onto pearl acrd.  I moved the card along 5am and stamped it again and repeated this once more to get three tress.  I then used the mint and ocean inks and randomly stamped the leaves in the set over the trees. It was at this stage that I smudged one of the trees ( as the ink takes longer to dry on pearl card)


This gave me the smoky / misty look as seen on the trees.  I repeated the process but didn't smudge the next one and I simply cut this out and mounted it in a gold circle ( using the CE pierced circles dies)

I mounted the crisp tree at one edge of the misty strip and added a border of more gold before making up the card as sown with the Happy Birthday stamped repeatedly across the bottom.

Again something different to do with the Joh  Next Door range!

I have had loads of emails asking where the stamp press is available form as well as the rest of the range. There are lots of retailers who are stocking these there is a link to a couple on the sidebar.

I will be demonstrating the new John Next Door range at Inspirations in Preston Tomorrow and Friday as well as my selection form the Creative Expressions Christmas die range so pop in and see in person how to use the system and products!

Enjoy...

A little more me...

Happy Monday,

I really enjoyed making yesterdays card however after reading the comments I have to agree the front didn't match the inside! but as a few of you said its great to push our limits as crafters!

I thought I would share something a little more me today using some spellbinders dies form Last year that again I never got round to playing with!  This is made using the shells duality which is a similar idea to the Creative Expressions gemini dies and the Savoy decorative elements and labels.

I started by cutting the detail die form the duality range into the 2 edges of a piece of gold vintage card.  Next I cut a panel in the Limetree gold dust iridescent card and 'slotted' this between the 2 cuts using the shells to hold this strip in place.  I then added a strip of pearls along the edge.

Next I cut the elements in the savoy set alternating between the decorative elements and the labels in contrasting gold and gold dust ( this card has a gold shimmer in real life which doesn't show well in pictures)  I added pearls using squares cut form the three row pearl strip i used on the sides ( this is a new find with 3mm pearls in a triple strip meaning you can add a trio or cut into individual strips giving great value)

I finished with layers of the white and gold and whilst I was going to put some flowers on I love the stark decorative look of this card it juts needs a sentiment in the centre which Ive left till the right occasion presents itself!


Enjoy...

White and Gold...

Happy Wednesday,

Its another new ( or unused) Spellbinders die today and Ive been playing with the Intertwined spirals die designed by Becca Feeken.

I stared by cutting the largest die in the set with the intertwining swirls into a pice of gold stardust card I bought from Lifetree crafts at the Bolton show last friday.  I used just the detail die and backed this with plain vellum.  I then added the large circle in the same shade adding 3mm pearls around the edge ( I used some new triple pearl strips I bought recently for this as I get 3 single strips of 1m length form each pack)


Next I added the centre die cut with the outside edge in the gold dust iridescent and backed this with the velum before adding more of the pearls around the circular centre.


Finally I stamped the sentiment in bright gold embossing powder and cut this out with a small circle die from my stash of basic shapes ( from all different companies) and again finished with pearl strips.

I made up the card as shown with more of the pearls and a strip and bow of white organza ribbon.  I added a spray of pearl strings and a cameo from my stash.  To lie the colour i used some vintage gold for a couple of the layers.

Enjoy...

Contemporary Circles...

Happy Friday,

Todays post is made with another spellbinders Die that I bought but again left to languish in my to be used box!  Today's die is called the Circle Contemo die which gives this beautiful circle background pattern.



I started by cutting the die into a pice if sky blue card.  I then embossed the die into a square of champagne pearl card, i clipped the corners using a corner rounder and then added the circle die back into the champagne piece.

I temped the sentiment from my summers child clear stamp set in smoky grey versatile ink onto a piece of the champagne.  I cut this out using labels 50 from spellbinders and framed it with layers cut from blue and champagne .

I used the corner die from the contempt set and added these to each side with pearls in the centre.

I finished the card using the other section from the corner die on the champagne layers at each corner.  A few layers of the blue and champagne and a simple card with depth is finished.


Enjoy...