Ice Silver Squares...

Happy Wednesday,

A little more complex card today as I feel I have been neglecting the Square Gerbera frame and I have had so much fun using it!

I started by cutting the Gerbera Square background die out of Ice Silver lustre print card.  I cut each palm out using the stitched square die included in the same set.  I flat mounted these onto more of the Ice Silver and foam mounted each square onto a larger 7" x7" square adding mats and layers to make this n 8" x 8" card when finished.












Next I cut the Gerbera Flower die twice to give me 12 flowers in two passes form one A5 piece of card ( well when its special card you want the most value from it!)  I shaped the flowers using a ball tool and made up six individual daisies I added glue in the centre and added Crafts Too white micro beads in the centre for texture.  I cut the matching Gerbera Leaves in more of the white twice giving me 6 sets of leaves( the other A5 piece of card was perfect for this agin great value)





















I cut the With Love tag sentiment the outline and then the outline die with the stitched die together to make a frame and added all of these to make the sentiment tag with dimension.  I arranged this with the leaves and flowers around the left of the card creating a spray focul point.

A classic Me card I feel.

Enjoy...

Smaller Frame...

Happy Friday,

I really hope that the cold hasn't got to you Its very cold here but we still have little snow!  Im demonstrating at Grafton Crafts to morrow so I hope its clear there or at least clears!

I thought I would share a card today made using one of the background dies this time the smaller Gerbera Square.  I love this die especially as I included 2 outline dies one plain and one stitched which makes framing your design so easy!

Todays card shows exactly what I intended with this die a frame that would be perfect for showing off your backgrounds.

I started by wanting to frame the centre panel which is an oddment form a demo of the media plates, I never like to throw anything away so I kept this for use one day.  I cut the Gerbera square into a piece of white card and foam mounted this over the background.  I then added a series of frames made using Maya Blue and Rosa pink lustre print card and the Press Cut stitch Dot squares.

Finally I  added a layer of white lustre card embossed with the Crafts Too A4 daisy lattice embossing folder.  I placed the bow of ombre ribbon in the corner and finished with one of my Starflowers shaded with pink.


Enjoy...

White Gerberas...

Happy Friday,

I'm back on my travels today for the workshops today and the Mini Show at the Art of Craft in farnborough tomorrow.  There is the wonderful Jenny Mayes from Hobby Art as well as the fantastic Jane Smith so loads to see at the show!

Back to today and I thought id share this white on white card made using my new Gerbera Daisy collection.

I started by cutting the daisy lattice in ice silver lustre print card.  I extended the pattern by slotting the die back in lower down to turn the square panel into a rectangular one.  I spray glued this down to another piece of the ice silver card so that the pattern is looks like it is embossed rather than die cut.  I then cut this out with the press cut Stitch Dot rectangles which are the perfect size for this.  I next wrapped strips of organza ribbon arround this piece before matting and layering onto more of the white.

I cut the Gerbera Daisy die twice which gave 2 12 individuals flowers which I layered upon to look like Gerberas with a large outside set of pew talks and an inward turning smaller set of petals.  I used glue and white microbeads for the centres of the flowers.  I placed these on the junction of the crossed ribbon over a messy bow.  Finally I added 3 hat pins to accent the flowers and added stick on pearls in the centres of the gerbera panel.

Enjoy...

Paperworld Gift...

Happy Friday,

Today I will be flying off the Paperworld in Frankfurt!  Im there for 3 days looking at all the new products available for 2018 ads well as having meetings with existing and new suppliers there should be some exciting thing to come this year...

Back to todays card and I made this card and box as a sample for the EU distributor of the John Next Door and Crafts Too ranges so I thought today was the perfect day to share it.  The card uses the smallest panel from the sandwich box die set  along with the stitch dot squares dies from Press Cut.  I cut the corner die on each corner of a 5" square piece of lustre card.  I then used the right sized square die form the stitch dot set and cut an aperture in the centre.

Next I added a piece of White cut with a smaller plain square die and finally a piece of black again cut with a smaller plain square die.

I cut the small panel twice into the pice that cuts from the centre of the top piece ( I hope this makes sense) and added this behind with the white square behind it.

Finally I added a spray of Starflowers cut in ice silver card along the join in the centre panel.

I made a matching sandwich box for the card using the other dies in the set so that the card is protected for the journey and makes a nice gift!


Enjoy...

All About the Bow...

Happy Wednesday,

I posted a card last week where the bow was, ion my opinion, far too big for the card and in the wrong place.  Therefore I thought I would make a card that was all about the bow with that made first and the card designed too show off the large bow making it the focal point.  Today's card is the result of the experiment and I have to say I really like the way this one has come out.

As stated I stared by making the large bow with some old May Arts ribbon from my stash.

I made a double bow using my bow maker adding a couple of stick pins and placing the bow diagonally on a large stitched flag.


I made the background using g the large corner die form my sandwich bow die set and foam mounted this over the white for contrast.

A few of my usual mats and layers and done.

Enjoy...

Pink Valentine...

Happy Tuesday,

Today's card stared as a demo on Hochanda when I launched the dies in November last year. However I wasn't happy with the finished result, especially as as usual I made it wonky, so I took the card apart and remade it!

I simply cut the panel die from the sandwich box die set into a piece of rosa lustre card.  I then cut the  aperture in the other side. I placed another cut using the panel die this time in the auburn lustre card behind this aperture.

Next I foam mounted the opposing colour behind each panel and added pearl strips around the outside and individual pearls on the detail of the panels.  I added a Valentines sentiment from my everyday sentiments clear stamp set cut with the matching tag dies.












Finally I added this to a layer of the rosa which I embossed with the Crafts Too Dots embossing folder and sanded back the raised area with a few layers of the Rosa and auburn.


Enjoy...

Show Day...

Happy Monday,

Dont forget to join me tonight at 6pm for the Launch of the One Day Special on Hochanda ( Freeview 85, Sky 663 or online at www.hochanda.com)  I will be demonstrating the brand new Cut and Emboss folder collection form Crafts Too.  These amazing folders will emboss the pattern as standard folders but during the pass will cut the centre panel out.  There are 6 different designs each with a different aperture in the centre.  Tune in to see the whole collection.

For today I thought I would share one of my favourite samples I have made for the show as it mixes the folders and the second part of the show the Media Plates.

For this card I actually used 2 of the folders the Corazon in the back and the Mariposa in the front.

I used a media plate made background for the lower layers cut with the heart and a piece of silver Lustre card in the front cut with the shaped folder.

to add some highlight and definition I added a messy bow of mixed ribbon at the bottom.  On top of this i added  spray of my starflower dies ( which I have also got on the show for anyone who missed them last time as they sold out so quickly!) I cut these form the scrap card I cleaned my brayer on so that the colours march the main card.  I shaped these and added a stick on pearl in the centre.

I will demonstrate the techniques in this card if not in tonights shows then tomorrow as I have shows at 9am, 1pm and Final Call at 5pm.


Enjoy...

Yet more blue...

Happy Friday,

Its the final day of the blue run, sorry I do get carried away with this colour especially the Yale Blue lustre card!


Todays card uses dies from the Opera box die set i love the fact that you dont have to make boxes with the box dies there are panels and pieces in each set that will make lots of different projects.

I stared by cutting the panel die from the opera box set once at the edge of a piece of Yale blue card.  I then slotted the die back into the design further down ( it will naturally fit back in meaning you can extend the pattern in any direction.

I then simply added 2 strips of organza ribbon and a messy bow using the white organza and a thin blue stain ribbon that matches the card colour.



Finally I added a large Gerbera Daisy made form the die in the sam Opera Box die set.

A different Blue...

Happy Wednesday,

Im using a different blue to yesterdays card however I have used the same die set as the base the Sandwich Box die set!

I stared by cutting the large corner die from the set into a piece of Maya Blue Lustre card facing each other to make a large square of the circle filigree.  Next using the Press Cut stitch dot and plain circles I made a set of frames in the Maya and the Silver lustre card.

I mounted this onto a set of squares cut with the Press Cut stitch Dot and plain squares sets with some additional layers of the lustre and Maya Blue card.

I used the circle dies again and cut a smaller centre panel in blue with a layer of the lustre card.  I then used my new Anniversary Sentiment clear stamp set ( launched next week on Hochanda) too make the Sapphire anniversary sentiment in the centre.

I added a spray of my starflower leaves around one side of the circle and added this to the centre.

A fresh looking card perfect for an anniversary and the new Anniversary clear set makes sentiments for any anniversary ( or Birthday) really easy!


Enjoy...

Bursting with Ideas...

Happy Tuesday,

I've titled todays post bursting with ideas as firstky todays card literally bursts out and secondly because I am bursting with ideas for this year.  I have been drawing, testing refining and finishing loads of new products for this year over the Christmas Period and I've still got loads of ideas coming its amazing wart a break and the support of some brilliant people Special mention to Jane and Peter smith who both help in very different ways!

Back to todays card and I have to admit this idea was suggested to me at a demo last year however I'm really sorry I can't remember who ( please feel free to claim responsibility if you are reading this!)  The suggestion was cutting the smaller corner die from my sandwich box die set 4 times in a square and then folding out the resultant panels.  Well here is the finished card!

I cut the opening panel in silver lustre card against the fabulous Yale Blue lustre card cutting a smaller square panel shaping the panels with a ball tool to hold their shape, thats the great thing about this die it can be tessellated in many ways to make different shapes and patterns, for the centre.

I added a set of frames in the same Yale and Lustre card using the Press Cut stitch dot squares and plain squares for the nested frame look.


I added my Starflower Dies ( Now back in stock at the Warehouse so should be available soon Im hoping to have some on my Hochanda show on the 8th & 9th January) cut alternately in the Yale and Lustre cards.

I put a large flower in the centre and a spray of three in alternate corners.

Whilst this is a deep card with lots of layers it easily fits inside the Sandwich Box when made up so its easy to make a matching box that fits the gift.  A card like this is, to me at least, a gift!



Enjoy...

First Sample...

Happy Monday,

I thought I would hare a fe closer pics of the first sample I made with my sandwich box die set.  This was exactly what I intended when I designed this die a set that could all be made with the one die.

I stared by making the full filigree box.  I cut the front pice 4 times and added the filigree panel to each of them.  Next I cut 4 of the side panels and again cut the filigree panel this time into each piece.  I then simply made up the box as shown in the youtube video thats on my channel.

Next I made the card.  I used the corner filigree panel die and cut this time into a piece of the gold lustre card.  I studded this with pearls and mounted it onto velum to give a soft look.  I added this to a set of layers made with the same card and the press cut stitch dot squares.

I added my Starflowers and leaves to the centre diagonal again cut in the same card shaped and with pearls in the centre.

For the smaller version of the  card I repeated the same process as above but used the smaller corner panel die which is exactly half the size of the larger panel.

I added smaller pearls in the centre of the filigree with just the smallest of the starflowers in the centre.

So just using one die set ( and one set of squares and one set of flowers) then a collection all done, perfect for a special occasion I thought!


Enjoy...

Simple Fold...

Happy Saturday,

Don't forget if you are in or around the Crafters Comoanion store today I am demoing form 10am till 4pm so say hello!

I thought I'd share a simple card today, again made with the panel die from the Sandwich Box set I know I've used this loads but the dies in the set are so flexible!

I simply made a gatefold card the same size as the double the die, to make this easy I measure my die in the guillotine and cut the card to size.  I then simply cut the panel die into each of the folds of the card ( I used the gold lustre card from Crafts too as it has a beautiful gold sheen where the light catches it.

I then used the microdot sheets ( so the glue wouldn't show on the inside) to add velum to the back which softens the colour of the pink at the back and adds strength to the card.  I added a simple row of stick on pearls and a ribbon tie.

I added the sentiment, from my everyday sentiment clear stamp set, to a piece of the lustre acrd and cut it out with the small circle die form my mini tags die set.  I added a mat of rosa lustre cut with the larger die in the set and added the smallest of my starflowers cut in vellum.

Enjoy...

Pretty in Rosa...

Happy Tuesday,

I really hope the weather is treating you al better today!  Once again I'm sharing a brighter card in softer colours today the soft pink lustre card called Rosa.

This is another easy card made using the dies from the sandwich box die set I replay wanted this die set to have lots of uses especially for those people who don't make boxes!

I stared by cutting the circles corner die into a piece of the silver lustre card then I rotated it cut the other side making a large square of the lattice.  I then added a piece of velum behind this, to soften the colour and to hide the foam tape i used to add this to a layer of the rosa lustre card.

Next I embossed a piece of the Rosa card with the Crafts Too Dotty embossing folder which I sanded down to reveal the white core and make the dots stronger.  I then cut the Gerbera Daisy die, that goes as a bonus in the opera box die set, in the Rosa and Vellum and made this upon into a flower with some of the starflower leaves cut form scrap card coloured with Green and yellow Izink Pigment inks.

As with yesterdays card I added this to the front of a 6x6" card blank so that it fits inside the sandwich box which will match and make sure the flower isn't squashed!


Enjoy...

Apple or Honeydew...

Happy Monday,

I hope everyone in the U.K. thats been afflicted with the snow ( Myself included) have kept nine and warm lol  I thought I would share today a card and matching bow that should remind us all of spring as the colour ( Honeydew or apple I can never decide what to call it) is to me at least very spring like!

There may be many more sets of cards and boxes as I love making a matching bow which allows me to make the cards as deep as i like!

I stared with the card and based this on a 6x6" card blank ( the perfect fit for the sandwich box)  I then matted and layered with the honeydew and gold lustre card.  I then added a panel of dots embossed honeydew lustre card that I had sanded to show the white card.

Next I cut a wreath using the press cut stitch dot dies to fit the card.  I then coloured a piece of white card using the izink dye based ink pads in verbena, tea and dawn.  I then cut my starflower leaves from the card which gives the look of shades on foliage.

I cut the starflower dies in gold lustre card and layers these in the different sizes with crafts too iridescent gems.  I arranged these on the foliage adding the smaller flowers around the edges.

Finally I stamped a sentiment from my everyday sentiments set and cut this out with my mini tags die set.

Enjoy...