Something Old...

Happy Tuesday,

A while ago I said that I would try to do a regular feature showing new cards made with older dies and so I thought I would start today.  Therefore today's card is made to feature the older Weaving dies along with my new Autumns child stamp set.

I stared by cutting 2 each of the simple and the striped weaving dies by Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions.  O spray glued the striped weaving die over the solid one and wove the 2 pieces together.  This gives this amazing woven affect in 2 colours.  There is a video on the Creative Expressions you tube channel with Sue Wilson doing this technique well worth view!

I stamped the September's child form my Autumns child clear stamp set in detail white embossing powder onto more of the french navy card and cut it out with the double pierced squares set A.  I added thin layers of white and the blue and foam mounted this in the centre.

I made a set off frames using set A and B of the squares and added a trim of the stick on pearl strips in white and added a few more layers to the card to frame it.

For the embellishment I added clear varnish lacquer to the centre of a brass dazzler setting and added midnight blue pixie powders.  I added this to a wrinkle edged ribbon bow with a bow of thin blue ribbon from my stash.


Hopefully this will give us all the idea to pull out some of our older dies and try something different!

Enjoy...

Threaded Cobalt...

Happy Tuesday,

Isn't it funny how lightening strikes at the same time?!?  I had a comment yesterday from Anne O saying how she could see thin ribbon threaded through the apertures in the outline die in the Australia background die.  Well I made this a few weeks ago ready for the release so I couldn't resist showing this today!

I stared by stamping the stitched hearts A6 background stamp in cobalt archival ink onto coconut white foundation card.  I cut the outline die in the Australia background around the stamped image.

Next I threaded thin double sided satin ribbon through the outline and then added this piece to a cobalt foundation card to frame the piece.  I cut both the dies in the new configurations die Milford adornment which has a separate outside cutting die, in coconut white foundation card.  I then cut the outline die form the Milford adornment in cobalt card, again time, and placed the white detailed cuts over the blue plain shapes.  I butted 2 of these together and shaded around the outside using a mini smoothie and the cobalt archival ink.

I cut the centre die from the frames and tags set Lauren and stamped the sentiment, from my pierced flags and tags,and added this to a piece cut with the larger oval die in cobalt.

Next I cut 2 small and one medium complete petals sweetheart flowers in white and the matching dies in with open petals in cobalt.  I made up the flowers and added them around the sentiment with stick on pearls, and a messy bow of the double sided silver thin satin ribbon.

I finished the card with an embossed panel with the leafy quad A4 embossing folder which I again shaded in the cobalt ink using a mini smoothie .  A few layers of cobalt and white and finished.

I really hope this was the look you were thinking of Anne!

Ingredients:
Card Size: 18 x 30 cm
Colours: Coconut White, Cobalt foundation card
Stamps: Stitched Hearts A6 Background, Pierced Flags sentiments
Dies: Australia Background, Milford Adornment, Lauren Frame and Tags, Sweetheart Flowers
Embossing: Leafy Quad A4 embossing folder
Inks: Cobalt archival ink, 
Embellishments: 5mm & 8mm White stick on pearls, CE double sided satin ribbon pack Silver

Enjoy...

Roses are Red...

Happy Wednesday,

I know it seems strange to start again with a bow but I just love this double sided two tine red ribbon so I started this card by making the bow!  I then thought how well it would match with the stunning new design of stamps to die for Retro Roses which is designed to match with the Sydney die shape from the new Australia collection designed by Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions.

To start this one, once I had tied by bow, I stamped my stitched Heart A6 background stamp onto coconut white using red geranium archival ink.  If you look closely you will see all the hearts that make up the pattern are hand drawn as if stitched with cross stitch and straight stitches.  I cut this to size and mounted it onto rich red foundation card.

Next I stamped the retro roses stamp to die for in watering can archival ink and coloured it using watercolour pencils from my stash.  I shared using 2 colours of red and drew out the colours using a damp paintbrush.  For the lines at the back I light ran a pencil line down each one and softened these lines again using a damp paintbrush.  This gives a feeling of movement and shading.

Next I cut the whole piece out using the outline die from the Sydney set and used the largest centre circle from the set to cut the centre out.  I cut the smaller centre circle from a piece of rich red and mounted the coloured image above.  I then cut a plain mask in red from the Sydney outline and cut the centre out before cutting this in half and mounting each piece behind the stamped image to give a shadow or border.  Finally I used the circle lattice, again in the Sydney die set, how versatile is that?!? in white card and foam mounted this behind.

The whole piece is mounted over the stitched hearts background so that the pattern shows through the lattice.  I added this piece to a larger set of layers onto which, for balance, I added a further strip of the two tone ribbon.

Ingredients:
Card Size: 21 x 28 cm
Colours: Coconut White, Rich Red foundation Card
Stamps: Retro Roses Stamp to Die For, Stitched Hearts A6 background.
Dies: Sydney die set
Embossing:None
Inks: Red Geranium archival Ink
Embellishments: two tone fabric ribbon in red (for ribbon stockists Click HERE)

Enjoy...

Its all about...the bow...

Happy Wednesday,





Well the title says it all I actually made this bow first and then needed a card to show it off!  I know that large bows split opinion right down the middle but IMHO there is a place for them, even if you have to invent the card to hold it.  Despite the size of the flourish on this card it is a small card and could easily be adapted without the bow.

I stated by tying a double bow of silky crush ribbon in champagne.  I then twisted 2 of the pearl sprays around the know and added small pearl embellishment in the centre.  Next I cut a had made card blank, in hammered cardstock to 14cm x 16cm and added matts of vintage gold and white.  Next I cut 2 frames, one in gold and one in coconut white from the Tessa die using the inner, outer and filigree dies in the set.  I flat mounted these offset to create a shadowed frame.

I stamped the sentiment, from my Camellia ring elements clear stamp set for Creative Expressions, in black archival in the centre of a mat of coconut white.  I added a thin layer of vintage gold and tied a strip of the silky crush ribbon to the top of these layers.  I then added the frames, threading the ribbon over and under the frame.

Finally I added the bow and stuck down the frame set with foam tape to add a little dimension.  A few stick on pearls around the frame and a simple yet expansive is finished.

Julia Watts is launching the One Day Special on Hochanda this evening don't forget to tune in at 8pm to catch her wonderful tips and techniques!



Ingredients:
Card Size: 14 x 16 cm
Colours: Coconut White, Vintage GoldFoundation card
Dies: Tessa Frames and tags
Stamps: JL Camellia Ring Elements
Embossing:None
Inks: Jet Black Archival
Embellishments: 5mm white stick on Pearls, small Pearl Embellishment, Pearl Sprays, Champagne Silky Crush Ribbon

For any of my stamp sets please Click HERE for Julia Watts Crafts website


Enjoy...

Summer Papyrus...

Happy Tuesday,

After my holiday in Egypt a couple of weeks ago (feels like that though Ive just worked out it was 2 months ago lol) when I discovered Creative Expressions were doing a new colour called papyrus then I had to try it.  Today's card is the result of my playing and teaming it with coconut white.  I think it would look fab with `Ginger but guess I should wait until the autumn before I start heavily on the autumnal shades!

I stare by stamping the Infinite Reflections stamp to die for on the Papyrus card using perfect medium.  I added true white detail embossing powder and heat set it.  Next I stamped the sentiment, form my Daisy Chains set, in jet black archival ink in the scantier before cutting it out using the Porto die form Sue's Portuguese collection.

Next I cut 2 slits down each side and threaded the brown / ivory grosgrain ribbon through these slits to make a band effect.  I added 2 of the Porto die cuts in black and offset them so there was a shadow around the image (and it keeps the ribbon fixed).  It is always important when stamping with Black Ink to add a thin layer of black to make the stamping balance.

Next I took a square of coconut white card cut to 17 x 17cm and cut the eternal rings triplet inset die along the bottom.  I added a few PVA pearl dots in cosmic pearl and left it to dry.

Next I added a larger mat, using from tape, of the papyrus card and a thin mat of black, again to balance the image.

To finish the card I added a mat of papyrus card and a thin bored of the papyrus and black finishing at 19.5x19.5cm.

Finally a bow made form the ribbon and some black and white bakers twine with pearl centre (from my stash) to hide the bow.

Ingredients:

Creative Expressions Craft dies by Sue Wilson

Eternal Rings Striplet

Porto die shape

Infinite Reflections stamp to die for

True white detail embossing powder

Papyrus, Black and coconut white foundation card

Brown/ Ivory grosgrain ribbon

Enjoy...

Christmas Bling...

Happy Tuesday,





Well I held off as along as I could but you know I am a Christmas Card (and the whole Christmas thing) addict!  So today here is my fist card for 2015 which, of course, uses a collection of Sue Wilson's new festive collection for Creative expressions.  On this first card I had to add one of the matching stamps to die for the 'Twas the night background stamp as I drew this one for Sue!

I stared by stamping the background (A6 sized) in perfect medium then I embossed it using cosmic shimmer detail gold embossing powder onto rich red foundation card.  I cut this out and mounted it onto a mat of vintage gold foundation card.






Next I cut a large square of the rich red (18x18cm) and added  a strip of the gorgeous snowflake border cut in the vintage gold to the right hand side.  I mounted the stamped image to the left and tied a strip of two tone satin ribbon in red around the right hand side and added a bow.  I left the knot 'naked' as I love the way you can see the two tones of the red at this point.

To finish I cut the Merry Christmas die once form gold and once from rich red.  I mounted the gold on top of the red however i slightly offset the gold sentiment to give a shadow.

I hope you like the rich red and gold of my first Christmas Card of 2015, trust me there are many more to come!

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions Craft dies by Sue Wilson
Merry Christmas
Snowflake Corner, Border and tag
Stamps to Die For background stamp 'Twas the night
Vintage gold and rich red foundation card
May Arts two tone satin ribbon

Enjoy...

Greece in Lilac...

Happy Thursday,

I thought I should lighten things up and give a proper description for this card.  I had tried to put a link on yesterday to the demo of the card I made to the C&C America site but sorry it just didn't work!

I started with lilac foundation card and the Santorini die from the Greek Island collection.  I cut cot the first piece using the outside and inside die form the set and used the filigree section as well to make the detailed frame.  Next I cut a plain mat using the outside die in coconut white card  I then stuck the frame over the top and placed the next detailed filigree die in the space (by adding the frame first it allows you to place the next die in the exact place.  I die cut this and then added the sentiment, stamped on lilac card and cut with the centre die, with foam tape on top.

Next I foam mounted the piece over a mat again cut with the outline die in lilac however I mounted this with 2 layers of foam tape for extra depth adding a strip of orchid ribbon between the layers.





I embossed a piece of coconut card using the fine finials embossing folder and rubbed enchanted gold gilding wax over the raised area.  I buffed off the wax with a dry wet wipe to shine upon the piece.  I made a frame using a piece of lilac and white card and floated the centre piece over the aperture.  I then foam mounted this over the embossed piece and added a double bow, in the same matching ribbon, and added a couple of stick pins I made using pearls from the new stick pins elements set and a lilac dazzler.

Finally I mounted the whole piece onto a couple of layers of lilac and white.

Ingredients:
Creative Expressions craft dies by Sue Wilson
Santorini
Lilac and coconut white foundation card
Orchid double sided satin ribbon
stick pin elements 
CE A4 embossing folder fine finials

Enjoy...

A Little Brighter...

Happy Friday,

I thought I should show something a little brighter toast as it all seems to have been simple and white this week.

On this card all the colour is provided by the ribbon, satin edged form Creative expressions.  I simply wove 4 pieces of the ribbon over and under a hand cut frame over a pice of embossed card.  A simple rose die and sentiment added to a panel of the art deco background flat layered onto white card.








Ingredients:

Couture Creations dies
Art Deco
Rose
Celebrate
Satin edged ribbon in deep rose
Heart Dazzler.

Enjoy...

Too Good to Waste...

Happy Saturday,


As it nears the end of the year then I am slightly changing my days and something Different saturday is being retired until next year.  I have loads of new features planned for January 2015 onwards and so will be moving days round and adding new features.



That said today, and every saturday for the next couple of weeks, will feature a card or project until next years changes.  I know for the last couple of years I have heavily featured Christmas Projects In december but  a great number of them were too late for people to try and with all the dramatic changes in my life over the last six months time just simply has not been my friend!

Bak to toady and a simple card that, again, uses scrap pieces form another project this time the workshop project for january.  The whole card is based on the waste piece that I had left over from cutting the leaves for the front.  When I am cutting a specific die, especially when it is form an expensive piece of paper or one I have spent time prepping beforehand, I always look at the pice I am cutting bit from to see if I can either cut lots form the piece thus saving card, or whether it is worth centralising the die to make the most of the scrap piece.

For my workshop pice I wanted the foliage in silver gilding to match the gilded panel at the back and a few weeks ago Sue mentioned that she had received a tip that it was better to gild a piece of card then cut the die as it makes it easier to handle.  I therefore gilded a small(ish) piece and cut the leaves form the centre.  This acme the basis of today's card when I mounted this over a piece of Navy card form my stash I got a lovely shaded branch in relief.

I grabbed a double bow that was sitting on my desk, made during November workshop to try out this stunning stain centered ribbon from Creative Expressions in platinum and added it to the front.

The reminder of the card is pretty simple to put together I embossed a further piece of the navy card using the Creative Expressions A4 pinpoint embossing folder rows of bows and rubbed platinum gilding wax over the raised surface.  A strip of the ribbon and a few layers of silver and blue, with foam tape added for dimension of course, and finished.

A quick polish of the gilding wax and the gilded piece was required to bring out the shine (hopefully visible on the photo here) and the card really shone!

Enjoy...

Am away visiting my Father in Spain so shorter post for the next few days! x

New York II...

Happy Tuesday,

Here is the second instalment of my playing with Sue's new New York die set. This time I have simply die cut all the elements in the Union Square die set in Khaki and again in Grey foundation card.  AS with the previous card in the New York range I simply foam mounted each piece in alternate colours to make the focal element.

For the front I die cut the centre wreath like piece once in grey and twice in khaki. I simply then offset these and wrapped the piece together (the picture shows what I mean more on this than words can) and foam mounted this on the top.







To make the remainder of the card I ran a piece of the Khaki through the Art Deco A4 embossing folder  and mounted this onto a larger, hand cut, square of the grey.  I then made a large 21 x 21cm card blank in layers of the two colours and ran a piece of the Creative Expressions Solid Satin centre ribbon in pewter.

To complete the design I made a double bow and added this to the side at the front.


Ingredients:
Sue Wilson's New York Union Square die set
Creative Expressions A4 embossing folder Art Deco
Solid Satin Centre ribbon, Pewter
Khaki & Grey foundation Card.

Enjoy...

What More Christmas...

Happy Wednesday!

Sorry it;s another Christmas card I'm afraid, I know I didn't show any Christmas but looking back it's all I seemed to show last week!  Today's card is the last Christmas project on a Wednesday as This is the last card I made for the CE design team for September that was featured on Sue 's Christmas Die shows on C&C a few weeks ago.  I promise next week its different.

Today's card is a stamped and die cut bauble affair using the stamps to die for and the Outline bauble form the Vintage Bauble die set, again by Sue Wilson.  I simply stamped the image three times using perfect medium and embossed them with detail copper CE embossing powder.  I then coloured the edges with an old burgundy ink pad from my stash and cut n dry foam.

I mounted these, with foam pads, together in a set of the three onto a piece of burgundy card that I embossed through the quilted flower embossing folder.  I added a large bow in the matching grosgrain and a black dazzler in the centre.


The back panel is made by running double sided tape around a piece of the burgundy card and adding a matching bronze polished silk glitter.  A few hats of milk foundation card and another large piece of the embossed burgundy and one Christmas card is complete!

The Creative Expressions blog, click HERE for a look, has just changed its format placing all news in one post per day and includes the Design Team card(s) for that day.  AS Wednesday is my day I'd really appreciate it if you popped by and it should be easier to leave a comment!  for those of you on Facebook then there is a creative expressions page which you can like and see all my DT cards on, should you be a glutton for punishment.  Just search Creative Expressions in Facebook.

Ingredients:
Sue Wilson Vintage Bauble die set
Bauble stamp to die for from Creative Expressions
Quilted flowers A4 embossing folder (as above)


Enjoy...

Striplet Mask...

Happy Tuesday,

Now before anyone starts this is supposed to be red lol!  No pink intended in this one.  A very simple card to make using the striplet mask I made for the post HERE last week.  This time I have simply inked through the mask this time to create a simple shaded background which I mounted on red the white and red to set the image off.


















The header is a simple foam mounted set of layers where I have inked through the die however the back die cut is from I set I borrowed from Wendy months ago and i found the cut and inked piece in my bits box so hopefully Wendy can let us know the name of the set.  The top two layers are from Spellbinders divine elegance again, like yesterday, rotated to create a different shape.








Ingredients:
Spellbinders (borrowed from Wendy Die)
Sue Wilson striplet die
spellbinders divine elegance die
red brick distress ink
White linen cards PMD
Red PMD card.
Ribbon from stash (tutorial for this bow is on my videos page)






A simple card which is quite easy to put together and would, again, suit any occasion.

Enjoy...

A Little too much pink?

Happy Thursday,


Opening Night tonight so still AWOL I'm afraid!

Today's offering is a strange combination that, to be honest, I'm not sure I like!  Whilst I love the backing paper and it is blue and pink I'm not sure whether the colours match correctly.  Let me know what you think?!?

The backing paper is First Edition Floral Pavilion with a mixture of spellbinders die cuts in blue, pink and cream.







Ingredients:
First Edition Floral Pavilion paper
Spellbinders Gold Circles one
Spellbinders Elegant Ovals
Spellbinders Gold Ovals
Pink & Cream PMD Smooth Card
Whimsey Stamps sentiment stamp
Stick on Pearls


Enjoy...

More French Chic? ...

Happy Thursday,

Today's card is made using an old Spellbinders set, well from last year if you count that as old!  I have been using the new sets however I pulled Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles out to cut the centre oval for Monday's card and it just sat on my desk until I used it and put it away.

I actually used the scraps form Monday to start this card as it started with the banner and sentiment first.  I the cut the filigree insert from the set from an A5 sheet of white hammered PMD cardstock(yes I know hammered again however I Love the texture of the card and until I manage to buy some micro beads then this is my texture medium lol)

I mounted this over a slightly larger piece of Navy card with foam tape.  Next I cut the solid panel in the same Navy then the centre filigreed oval in White and foam mounted these on top.

The bow was next, this is simply one of my messy bows however I stuck in tightly under the panel so that it is very rosette like. Now I know this style has not been the most popular in the past however I am hoping that the colour composition will make this more accessible!  I inked the oval in the die with a dew drop midnight pigment ink and mounted the sentiment banner on top.









To hide the seem I added three silk ribbon roses and finished the front with a simple matching hatpin.


To finish the card I matted the front onto 2 layers of white and navy using foam tape as always and complete!

Again matching the French (Not Drench as I put earlier in the week thanx Ang) theme I have been carrying for a while!

Enjoy...

It' New! Honest

Happy Wednesday,

AS promised my new Spellbinders arrived on Saturday so I thought I should quickly show a creation using them.  I don't want anyone to overdose on my SW and Lilac Addiction!

Today's card is made by using the new release Spellbinders A2 Tranquil Moments die and Spellbinders Labels Thirty Eight

AS usual, when I receive a new die I cut all the individual elements and started stacking them to see what appears.



This card is a simple stacked card with a soft cream PMD card stock matched with a petrol blue.  I nipped the corners from the tranquil moments large die cut in order to place the largest of the labels 38 inside (see picture for what I mean)

Next I added s strip of cream ribbon and foam mounted each label in the set in alternate colours on top.

The sentiment is made with the centre piece of the die set which has a beautiful filigree, almost Indian inspired, design.  To stamp the sentiment, waltzing mouse, I drew round the inside of the centre die and hand cut this in the cream.

I threaded the ribbon through the centre piece by nipping the filigree to create a slit to thread through.

Finally a bow and a matching hat pin and complete.

I'm sure there will be more complex creations from this die however to start something, relatively, simple!

Enjoy...