Winters child snowflakes...

Happy Wednesday,

I'm rushing to the airport today to pick up the wonderful Wendy as she's flying in from Spain to help out at the Crafting at Ally Pally show this weekend.  Therefore its a quick card today just some simple stamping and a quite interesting background technique.

I stated by making the background by adding the snow flurry mask to a piece of white foundation card.  I then spread polar white cosmic shimmer sparkle texture paste through this and let it dry ( about 2 hours to be sure).  Next I shaded around the piece using clear day colour cloud blending ink.  I shaded darker around the outside then lightened it as I got to the centre.  The sparkle texture paste resists the colour cloud blending ink and so shines in white!

Next I tend some bakers twine across the left hand side and added the stamped panel.  I cut an oval using the Geneva die set and stamped the stars ( from my Birthday seasons clear stamp set) in clear day colour cloud around the edges.  Next I stamped the poem from the same set in the centre.  I then over-stamped the stars and poem using Cobalt archival ink to give a shaded look.

Finally a few layers of coconut white and cobalt foundation card, a messy bow and a crystal charm from Craft Consortium in the centre and a couple of aqua stick pins.

Enjoy...

Leaping Reindeer...

Happy Wednesday,

Well its another day and another Christmas Release 2016 sneak peak.  Today I thought I would concentrate on the Leaping Reindeer set ( I'm not sure of the official name TBH lol)

This set features a section of sentiments and stamps with a stars and reindeer feel starting with this large outline leaping reindeer shown on today card.  I will make sure that This card gets its day in the sun as it were as its a great background technique that needs some explaining!

As per usual for the launch I am showing the drawings themselves so you can see the collection of stars moons and reindeer as well as the Star surrounded funky sentiment!

I designed this set around the reindeer with the idea that you can build a scene with the stars trailing form behind and either a solid or present moon.  I also included the smaller reindeer leaping to either side, with matching stars, so that I got maximum flexibility.

The other really useful stamp, that seems to be appearing on loads of my samples, is the wreath of stars which is shown here in polished silk glitter with a painted silver glitter background.  This stamp is small enough for gift cards and as a focal element on smaller cards which I know myself is really handy when I get into the batch making.

To finish today a quick shot of the sentiment, stamped in gold sparkle embossing powder on still card.

More tomorrow and the paper pad I promise lol

Enjoy...

Masks on Monday...

Happy Monday,

I hope you all enjoyed the Takeover at the weekend on Hochanda I know we did!  Here is a close up of the card I made up from the piece I made on my Mask show yesterday with my New* technique.  I say now as I haven't seen anyone do this before so its new to me lol.

I think it looks like enamel or Chinese cloisonne well that's what I thought of when this experiment came out like this.  I stated by using the A4 leaves mask over a sheet of CE heat restitent acetate and spread Copper Kettle texture paste through this to cover the area.  I left this to dry overnight however it should be dry in an hour or two.  Next I covered the uncovered area with Gold pearl texture paste using a smoothie.  This gives a cloudy effect to the background and you can use different colours together to create more effects!


I mounted this over a piece of milk card then added frame cut in Milk using Sue's double pierced rectangles for Creative Expressions.  This neatens the edges and frames the piece like a screen.

Next I added this to layers of ginger and milk adding the largest pierced rectangle toggle a faux pierced layer.

To finish I made up an orange blossom flowers using the 2 largest dies in the set and one of the matching leaves.  I coloured the edges of these with Natural Rosewood colour cloud and added a messy bow made from London Tan seam binding

Ingredients:
Card Size: 16 x 21 cm
Colours: Milk & Ginger foundations card
Dies: Orange blossom complete petals & matching foliage
Cosmic Shimmer: Copper Kettle & Royal Gold texture paste
Mask: A4 autumn Leaves
Inks: Natural Rosewood Colour Cloud



I have added a close up of the texture paste background below!

Enjoy...

Ce Sunday...

Happy Sunday,

well the gang get thrown out of Hochanda tonight at 8pm so today is the last chance to see us takeover the channel!  Today I will be working with a fabulous range of masks and this also coincides with todays DT inspiration for Creative Expressions design team how lucky is that?

I will be demoing lots of different techniques with masks such as todays sparkle texture paste on acetate so tune in at 2pm to see how this technique is achieved.  I have also prepped a couple of demo cards so as well as showing lots of different things to do with make I will still be trying to finish some cards.  I hacv come up with a new ( well to me anyway) technique using masks, acetate and texture paste so that should be fun hope it works!




Back to today's DT project and I made this especially s I have daffodils blooming o my kitchen windowsil ( in a planter of course) that I have grown from blue.  This card reminds me of the view out the window as the daffodils are blooming as the snow is falling!

I started by stamping the main element from my daffodil elements clear stamp set for Creative Expressions in perfect medium onto acetate.  I then heat embossed the image using cosmic Shimmer detail what embossing powder.  I then rubbed lemon meringue colour cloud over the top and rubbed off the excess so there is just a hint of yellow.

For the bakcground I spears polar white sparkle texture paste through the snowflake flurry mask onto acetate and arranged this behind the daffodils.  I placed this image behind a frame of coconut white foundation card made with the double pierced rectangles and added a strip and bow of ribbon before finally adding a tag stamped with my pierced tags clear stamp set  and the with love sentiment.

To see what other stunning inspiration the design team have come up with this week, or this month so far, click HERE.

Enjoy....

Sneak Peak...

Happy Wednesday,

I thought you might all like to see the Promo Video of the takeover of Hochanda we have planned for this weekend at Creative Expressions!  The video is just below if you want to see the details or just have  a laugh ( I know we did when we were making it!)

Today's card sample is one of the demo cards I have made for the show using a selection of products available over the weekend.  There are dies from Sue Wilson's festive range as well as a couple of Masks from the Mask show and even some Phill Martin cosmic shimmer products ( Frosty Sky).  There are some great offers and prices across the weekend so well worth tuning in.  I will also be demoing this card over the weekend so tune in to see how it was made.  Hochanda is visible anywhere in the world in HD at www.hochanda.com or live in the UK ( and across Europe) freeview 39 and Sky 663.

I have 2 hours on Sunday all about Masks and will try to pack in as many demos as possible.  I will try to do the Acetate technique to answer Karenlottys question as well as the Leather technique!

As I may of mentioned yesterday the Creative Team from Creative expressions will be taking over Hochanda all weekend form 8pm Friday till 8pm Sunday.  We did a rocky on Monday to make sure we knew how to lock the doors and work all the equipment!

If the video won't work then click the following link to view ( as I know it might not work on some browsers!)



https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27393328/CE_TAKEOVER_WEB.mp4

Here are a few more shots of the card and the list of ingredients.


Ingredients:
Card Size: 21 x 21 cm
Colours: Coconut White
Dies:Star Spray, snowflake lattice. 
Stamps: JL Winters Child
Inks: Phill Martin Frosted Sky Cosmic Shimmer range - Colour Cloud, PVA Pearls, Gilding wax & Mica





Enjoy...

Masks Away!

Happy Tuesday,

Its a giveaway day but first the amazing Talented and hilarious on a six hour drive across the country Julia Watts is on Hochanda today with her Magic with Masks shows ( these won't involve Julia wearing different animal masks cut from the back of cornflake packet honest! lol) Julia will be on at 10am, 1pm and 6pm it would be great if you could tune in I know I am so I can steal more techniques from her!

I thought it would be nice to show a card I made for the shows I did with ue Wilson last year as it features the counterpane mask and iced snow.  This is hopefully one of the techniques Julia will show.







If you would like the chance to win this card simply leave a comment on this post.

Enjoy...

P.s. Dont forget I am on Hochanda tomorrow ( I nearly forgot its been a busy weekend lol) with the new watercolour stamps by Sam Poole tune in tomorrow for a sneak peak!

Another Chance!

Happy Tuesday,

I thought I would give, as promised, another chance to win one of my background stamps, I will also include one of the cards I made with the stamp as bonus!  All you need to do to be in with chance is to be a follower and leave a comment on any day this week.  I will include one entry for each day you comment from today until Friday!

Back to today and another of Sue's new release of festive dies that add to her latest collection.  Today I have used the new mini snowflake background which, again, is great for smaller or batch cards, believe it or not this is a small card form me just being 14x14cm.

I stared by die cutting the background in coconut white foundation card I then mounted it onto another piece of coconut white onto which I had added sheet of A4 double sided adhesive sheet.  I rubbed iced snow over all the exposed adhesive area to add a bit of bling.  To colour the piece I brushed on Phil Martins new Frosty Sky mica powder.  This coloured the iced snow and I shaded the piece by adding more mica powder at the edges.

 I wrapped a strip of blue white seam binding around the topper and added a bow made from twine (from my stash) and a felt flower made using the classic folder flower die from Sue Wilson for creative expressions.  To make the card I embossed a piece of coconut white foundation card using the snowflake mask form that special touch and added frosty sky gilding wax over the snowflakes so they 'pop'.  This is layered with cobalt foundation card and added to a layer embossed with the frosty swirls embossing folder.  Finally I added Let It Snow form the previous release which I cut from card with the adhesive and added the mica to make the sentiment shine (which it does in real life honest!)

A smaller car for me however you could make a larger one or, again as yesterday, make your batch cards simply using this die on its own to cut a beautiful aperture into pre-folded cards.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft dies by Sue Wilson
Mini snowflake background
Classic folder flower
Let It snow
That special touch snowflake mask (available form Julia Watts online shop)
Phill Martin Cosmic Frosty Sky range

Enjoy...

Cloudy Sunday...

Happy Sunday,

Today I am demoing at the Stoneleigh craft show for my Friend Wendy from Daisies jewels and crafts.  I will be demoing between 11am and 2pm and will be doing some demonstrations with the fabulous new Colour Cloud Blending inks form Cosmic Shimmer.  There will be some christmas die cutting and maybe a little stamping form my new ranges as well!

Ive usually stuck away form shading and colouring through masks as I struggle to get an even colour tone, thankfully the blending abilities of the Colour Clouds makes it easy!

I thought as a quick card I would show you this sample I made just using papyrus foundation card and the Creme Brûlée colour cloud ink!

If you are at the show pop along and say Hi, Julia and Phill will also be there on his Sentimentally yours stand so you may see the three of us together.

Blue Friday...

Happy Friday,

Well back to Blue Friday as I have a whole heap of blue cards to show you (may have to  make next week blue week!)  Toady will find me prepping for the glitter pot 2 day Spring Spectacular Demonstration.  Click HERE to see more details.

Back to today's card and whilst in keeping with the theme I have again used the weaving dies in a different format this time I have used the classic weaving die as the weft and the striped weaving die for the warp.  I cut the classic die in Aqua (hope that counts as blue) and cut the striped die in coconut white.  I then wove them together to give this look which reminds me of oxford stripe fabric.






I matched this with a simple set of frames in white and Aqua cut using the square dies in spellbinders 6x6 matting basics A & B making a smaller frame in white and a larger frame in the duck egg and glued them together, this offsets the weave beautifully!

Next I made a double pierced flag using the 2 largest dies in the pierced flags set, one in white and one in duck egg and stamped the sentiment form my Butterfly Dreams set using the new Colour Cloud landing inks form Cosmic Shimmer.  I used the same ink with a smoothie through the Native mask from that special touch to create the background.





To finish the card I made a satin rose using red line tape and Sue Wilson's technique to make the flower click on Sue's blog HERE for more detail on this technique.  I added a messy bow of the fine ribbon that comes in the set I used the Ocean double sided ribbon pack which perfectly matches the Aqua foundation card.  I added 2 pearls swirls behind and placed the whole embellishment at the end of the flag.

The colours harmonise because they are all made to harmonise that Is one of the brilliant thing about the Cosmic Shimmer and Creative Expressions ranges!

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft Dies
Weaving dies in Classic and Striped
Pierced Flags
Spellbinders Matting Basics 6x6 A&B sets
Coconut white and Aqua foundation card
Finishing Touches satin ribbon Pack Ocean Blue
Butterfly Dreams stamp set by me
That Special Touch Mask Native
Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Turquoise Pool


Enjoy...

Technique Tuesday...

Happy Tuesday,

Well its back to normal and Its a technique simply because it's Tuesday.  Today's technique is masking using the demo I did on my shows at the weekend.  The secret to this masking is the Cricut transfer tape.  This allows you to stamp onto it, cut it out and because it is transparent you can see exactly where you place it.  The other benefit is that it is removable and can be used over and over.

To make the background I stamped the leaf from my Dog flower set a few times on the tape (make sure this is a second generation stamp as you do not want to use too much ink as it can take a while to dry)  Next cut out the leaves exactly on the lines you can store these on a piece of normal card until you want to use them then simply place them back for future use.  next I stamped leaves, using archival black ink, onto a piece of pumice foundation card along the side.  Next I masked these off using the transfer tape masks I made earlier.

To achieve the faded look I grabbed distress ink in Spiced marmalade and tea dye over the image using the new Creative Expressions smoothies.  These are brilliant as you can't get a line in your colouring as there are no edges!

I removed the masks and placed them on a piece of card for another use and cut the edge of the background along the edge of the leaves.

Finally I stamped the main element form the set and decoupaged the flowers back on top by stamping 2 more of the main elements and hand cutting out the spray of flowers on the top.  A ribbon bow and small black dazzlers finished the card (along with a square 21 x 21cm card base made up of layers of Taupe and black foundation card.

Ingredients:
CE Clear stamps Dog flower frame elements - by me
Cricut transfer tape
Distress ink in spiced Marmalade & Tea Dye
CE Smoothies
Foundation card in Pumice, Black and Taupe.

If you'd like to see a video of this technique then it should be available on catch up on Create and Craft until Friday!

Enjoy...

Technique Tuesday...

Happy Tuesday,

Today will find find me leading a workshop at CE Towers in Kettering I have arranged a date for February and March and will let you all know the details as soon as the Designs can be released!  Back to today and a simple technique using a mask again however this time with a die cut aperture.

I have completed a photo tutorial for this week as my typing is not the best!

I die cut an aperture into spice of Kraft card from CE and then placed the waste piece over the card I wanted to add the design to.  Next I added the mask over the top and simply inked through the mask using distress ink.  I then shaded around the shape to add a little more faded effect to the piece.  Finally I simply added a stamped and die cut sentiment a bow and added it to a card blank, 18 x 18cm, that I had also shaded with the mask.

Take a look at your die collection and see what simple cards you can make from masks and the interesting shapes left behind.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Sue Wilson dies
Oslo
Californian Border, Tag and corner
That Special touch detail mask
Tea dye distress ink
Sand, Black,Coconut White and Kraft foundation card.

Enjoy...

Saturday Stamping more Pink...

Happy Saturday,

I thought I should show another version of the rose stamp I showed last week.  This time I have stamped the image In cosmic Shimmer detail black embossing powder and then I coloured in the image. I coloured the rose bud using Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet distress markers this time making sure I colour inside the lines this time!

I coloured the leaves in a selection of green distress markers using a wet paintbrush I pulled the colours from the edges to shade the image.








Next I cut the image out using the Lotus Filet due form Couture Creations die and shaded the centre whilst in the die using Spoun Sugare distress ink.  I then gently coloured the edges of the die cut using cut n dry foam.

To make the card Background I embossed a piece of coconut white foundation card using a mask and the technique I detailed on Tuesday.  Whilst still in the mask I shaded the raised area using more of the distress ink pad and cut it into a large square.  Next I simply shaded around the card, the embossing of the mask leaves a frame around the embossed masks which looks like you have added and extra layer.

Finally I added the whole piece, with a strip of ribbon and a pink dazzler, to a hand cut 21cm x 21cm card blank onto which I stamped some creative expressions swirl stamps (I've had them for years so I don't know the name sorry!)  in the spun sugar.

Hopefully this comes across a little less pink than Thursdays offering!

Ingredients:
That Special touch mask
CE Singles rose bud stamp
Couture Creations Lotus Filet die
Spun Sugar distress ink & Markers

Enjoy...

Technique Tuesday...all white?

Happy Tuesday,

A  really simple technique today and I wanted to keep the all white going as it proved so popular yesterday (I'll announce the winner of yesterdays card tomorrow)

back to today and as I said a really simple technique however I always struggle to remember how to do it and end up ringing Mrs Duck for her to remind me how to emboss with masks as I learnt it from her.  Hopefully you can all see form the pictures how the hammered white card has been embossed with the pattern form the that special touch mask however the pressure is not the same as an embossing folder which means that you keep the texture of the paper or card.

I started with a piece of white hammered foundation card from creative expressions special finishes pack and made the sandwich for my Grand Calibur in the following format:

Grey base plate
Rubber embossing mat
Cardstock
Mask
Pink plate

You will need to play with different sandwich make ups depending on your die cutting machine however the way this works for me is that the rubber embossing mate pushes up through the mask to emboss the card (I hope that makes sense)

Once you have the embossed piece you can use distress inks either through the mask or just onto the piece to bring out the pattern however I have left this piece white for a simple look.

I made up the rest of the card using mats of coconut white card, which adds a lovely white on white contrast, and foam raised layers of the hammered card.

To complete the card I simply added a strip of sprinkle edge ribbon wrapped around 2 of the layers, again to add dimension.  I then simply tied another piece on the front, rather than a bow, with a die cut waterlily in parchment wrapped over the know and a heart dazzler.

Finally a simple hand cut banner with a simple sentiment stamped in black archival.

Ingredients:
That Special Touch Openwork mask
White Hammered & coconut white foundation card
Crinkle edge ribbon
Heart dazzler
Couture Creations Waterlily die set
Creative Expressions sentiment stamp

Enjoy...

Simple Sunday...

Happy Sunday,

I was struggling at the end of last year (doesn't it feel strange saying last year about a couple of weeks ago?) to keep simple sunday going however It did prove very popular so while some of the simple cards and projects may be more complex I am intending to show something each week that can be made quickly!

This card couldn't be simpler it is just the mask which I have inked through using Shaded Lilac distress ink.  I inked the edges and added it to a layered card with the embossed panel.

I added some pearl PVA glue dts at the junctions on the inked image as well as a strip of sea binding and a messy bow with a heart dazzler in the centre.



I hope you will agree that this is an effective card however it is a simple one to create and could suit many occasions.



Ingredients:

That Special Touch mask Delicate
Shaded Lilac distress Ink
Cosmic Shimmer pearl PVA
Couture Creations large retro flowers embossing folder
CE Lilac seam binding.


Enjoy...

Lots of blue...

Happy Thursday,

I thought I would show a blue card today as it seems an age since I shared one of my creations in one of my favourite colours!  Today's card is from my Show on Create and Craft In November which is over a month ago and yet feels like yesterday!  I will be back on Create and Craft on January the 6th with a selection of new Dies form Couture creations so I am manically making samples at the moment (thankfully we did most of our Christmas Shopping on Holiday in November)

Today's card uses a selection of Techniques and Dies that I love, form the Craft Die range by Creative Expressions, designed by Sue Wilson. For the show I got to choose my selection of favourites form the whole range and as a lover of Ovals and Filigree I selected my first set form the Austrian Collection of course.

I started by inking through a that special touch mask using perfect medium onto pale blue card then embossed the perfect medium'd section with Cosmic Shimmer detail silver embossing powder.  Next I die cut an oval form the centre of this panel and foam mounted a silver frame cut from the Salzburg set on top, studded with Cosmic Shimmer ivory PVA.

This piece was mounted onto a square of pale blue onto which I had stamped the sentiment and dragged with broken china and chipped sapphire distress ink to give a faded look.


The background is made from cutting the Austrian collection border 4 times from vintage silver foundation card and overlapping them around a square to make a frame.  Again I added dots of the PVA to highlight the piece.

Finally I made the flowers using the Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Classic die with the filigree section in.  I die cut each of the two larger sizes from a sheet of the blue card onto which I had added different colours of distress ink using Chipped sapphire, broken china and Milled lavender.  The piece of card looks so messy before you die cut the flowers however once cut it gives beautiful shaded flowers and foliage (I used the same technique for the new Ivy Die a couple of weeks ago as suggested to me by Sue)  A very messy bow in white and blue seam binding and finished.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Sue Wilson design Dies
Classic Rose
Austrian Collection Corners, Borders and Tags
Austrian Salzburg Die set
That Special Touch Mask, Counterpane
Cosmic Shimmer - Ivory PVA, Detail silver embossing powder
Distress Inks - as listed above
Blue & Vintage Silver foundation card


Enjoy...