Monday 27 July 2015

More Happy Thoughts


     I like this sentiment so much I had to use it again, but this time with the rest of the stamps from the Daffodil Elements set by John Lockwood with Creative Expressions.
     The image panel has been stamped on white card and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Detail Black, then coloured in with alcohol markers. In the set there are some separate flowers that can be stamped and cut out to build up dimesion on your picture, I chose to use three flower heads and mounted them on foam pads.
     The DL card had a rather large space at each end of the image panel so I used another of John's stamps sets to stamp and emboss in CS Bright Gold some butterflies.
 
      I stamped on spare card the same butterflies, then coloured with CS Drawing inks. I coloured the butterfly on the card as well as the spare one so when the wings are up it still looks nice. The back of the butterflies wings are coloured the same pale blue as the sky.
     The image panel is stuck down before adding the top wings of the butterfly.
     There are several sentiments with this set so it's quite versatile which is what we all want from any craft item, John's stamp sets offer a range of uses making them value for money.



Materials used
CE John Lockwood stamps - Daffodil Elements / Butterfly Dreams
CE Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks
CE Embossing Powder - Detail Black / Bright Gold
Perfect Medium Ink Pad

Wednesday 22 July 2015

Spots and Stripes


     Welcome to another project for The Male Room, this fortnight we are looking for a masculine card with spots and stripes on it.
     I have used a clear stamp by Woodware called Huge Happy Birthday and a technique called paper piecing to make a card that is approximately 7x5 inches.
    I have stamped with Perfect Medium and embossed with Stampendous Detail Black embossing powder on to white card, then stamped and embossed on to striped paper and spotty paper. Each letter has been cut out from the designer papers and glued on to the white card, alternating spots and stripes. As they are patterned papers (rather than card) it doesn't come out too thick and heavy so it's alright for standard postage, I have matted and layered but it's still quite thin.
     The beauty of this stamp is it can be used for young and old, male and female, all you need do is change the colours, now that's what I call value for money!
     Please come and join us at The Male Room with your creations, we would love to see them.


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Fashionable Stamping - All About The Men
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes

Monday 20 July 2015

Sending Happy Thoughts.....


     This weeks project for Creative Expressions is 'Sending Happy Thoughts...' your way. I have used a striplet stamp by John Lockwood called Daffodil Burst.
      The image is stamped and embossed in Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold on Foundations Cream card. I have used Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks to colour the flowers. Drawing inks are Mica watercolours in liquid form, in a handy little bottle with a tiny brush (just like an eyeliner), they are the same gorgeous watercolour that is available in a paint pallet.
     I painted each flower separately with white then immediately with yellow so that I could blend the inks slightly. The stamens are painted with Marigold to add a small splash of bold colour.
     I chose to paint the flowers more like Narcissus as I have used a bright yellow card blank, well if you're sending happy thoughts it has to be a happy colour too.
     The image panel is mounted on a thin layer of burnt orange, then a larger layer of green , both coloured with alcohol markers, before going on to a thin layer of cream. I know it's lots of layers but it still comes up quite thin so postage should be standard.
     The sentiment comes from another of John's stamp sets called Daffodil Elements, it is stamped and embossed in CS Bright Gold again.

Materials used
CE John Lockwood stamps - Daffodil Burst Striplet / Daffodil Elements
CE Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks - Pearl Shine / Sunrise Yellow / Marigold Burst
CE Embossing Powder - Bright Gold
Perfect Medium Ink Pad

Monday 13 July 2015

Anniversary Hearts


     This weeks project for Creative Expressions is again using John Lockwood's stamp set Flower Hearts Elements, but this time the roses. It was my friends wedding anniversary last week so it's safe to show this now.
     I began with a white card panel the same size as a small DL card. I stamped a small empty heart in the middle on the right hand side, then I masked it off and stamped over it with a rose heart.
     Then I stamped two more rose hearts at the top and the bottom, with two empty hearts between them. All the hearts are in line because I followed a faint pencil drawn line which I later used as a guide for cutting.
     I cut away the card to the right of the hearts and backed it with some gold paper. I cut a Spellbinder border from the same gold paper to run up the left of the card.
     The hearts are coloured red with a Graph It alcohol marker leaving the empty hearts clear for words.
     The sentiment comes with the stamp set, it's embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold. The names are added using an alphabet peel off sheet.
     This whole panel is then mounted on a small DL card blank. Doing it this way means my alcohol marker doesn't show inside the card to spoil it.


Materials used 
CE John Lockwood Stamps - Flower Hearts Elements
CE Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder - Bright Gold


Wednesday 8 July 2015

Purple Haze


     Welcome to another challenge at The Male Room, this time we are looking for anything masculine inspired by a Song Title.
        The canvas is six inches square, this is a trial run for a bigger version at a later date. I have learnt a few things with this one, like the paper the image of Jimi is printed on should have a torn edge rather than cut, then it won't show up so much. I've been experimenting with thin papers as I'm a little worried about putting tissue through my printer, this is printed on Chinese calligraphy paper.
     I painted the canvas purple first, then added the texture using a quick drying flexible filler and a Memory Box stencil. The whole canvas was then spritzed with a Cosmic Shimmer mister Purple Violet and sprinkled with rock salt, then left to dry naturally.
     Once dry I tapped all the salt off the canvas which left me with a speckled effect that unfortunately doesn't show very well in the photo, taking photos of sparkly things can be very tricky sometimes.
     I have stamped in silver using a swirl stamp on the top right corner, I've also taken this stamping over the edge on to the sides of the canvas. I have stamped a music note using Archival Ink black, it didn't come out as dark as I wanted so I have gone over it with a Stardust Black gel pen.
    It really is very purple (Chris, you'd love it!) but it comes out a little more blue in the pictures and it's quite sparkly too. I need to collect a few more musical embellishments for the bigger one I think, as well as play around with different papers to print on. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them, after all carfting is sharing and we're always learning.
    Please come and join us at The Male Room with your Song Title inspiration, anything you like as long as it's masculine.


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Anything But A Card - Anything Goes
Mixed Media World - Masculine / Father's Day
Love To Create - Anything Goes Mixed Media
That Craft Place - Anything Goes Mixed Media

Monday 6 July 2015

Blooming Hearts


     This weeks project for Creative Expressions is made using John Lockwood stamp set Flower Hearts Elements, along with some other CE goodies.

      I stamped nine hearts and embossed them using Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold. To colour them I used Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks, these are a liquid version of the watercolour paints. These paints come in small bottles with a brush very much like an eyeliner. The embossing repels the ink making it easy to achieve a great effect.
     Once all nine hearts were coloured I cut them out by hand and folded them along the centre line of one side. Glue the flat side over the folded side making sure to line them up carefully.

     As you work around the flower gluing all the hearts together they lift slightly giving the flower a little dimension.
    I used an alcohol marker to colour the white edges of the hearts to make them blend in. The centre is one of the new Dazzlers from the Gold set. There are three Dazzlers of Four different shades per pack.
     I chose to mount the flower on white card die cut with Sue Wilson's Madison Square die set. I used the two largest dies and kept them together over a green paper. The card blank was white before I covered it with gold paper.
     The finishing touch was to add some tiny gems to the white card, this could just as easily have been done using Cosmic Shimmer PVA Coloured glue, maybe next time. I haven't added a greeting to this card as I don't know what it will be used for yet but there are greetings with the stamp set.

Materials used
CE John Lockwood stamp set - Flower Hearts Elements
CE Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder - Bright Gold
CE Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks
CE Cosmic Shimmer PVA - Dries Clear
CE Dazzlers - Circles - Gold Collection
CE Sue Wilson Die Set - New York Collection - Madison Square


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Come and Get It - Anything Goes with Flowers
Allsorts - How Does Your Garden Grow
Sister Act - Anything Goes (cards)


Friday 3 July 2015

CASE-ing Christmas Blog Hop



Hi, friends!  Welcome to the CASE-ing Christmas "CHRISTMAS IN JULY" blog hop!  There will be prizes from fabulous sponsors, and the challenge will be a bit different from what we usually do, but we think you'll like it!  You should have arrived here from  Donna.  Make sure to complete the whole hop for the most chances to win!


Here are our fabulous sponsors~

Christmas Post
All Dressed Up has been selling it's darling digis on Etsy since 2013.  There is a large variety of seasons and occasions available--check the store out for the perfect image for your upcoming crafty creations!
Chocolate Baroque is a small independent art and craft company based in the North-East of England, owned and run by Lesley Wharton. We design our own range of natural rubber and clear art stamps from Sue Pages's hand drawn originals, complemented by typography from Glenda Waterworth. The rubber stamps are made in-house to our very exacting quality standards.


Deedee's Digis
DeeDee's Digis specializes in wholesome, family friendly, digital stamps and papers that can be used for a variety of projects.  Check out their progressive challenge to get a FREE digi set each month for playing along!



Graciellie Design specializes in beautiful vintage digital images, papers, printables, and gorgeous handmade paper craft items.  Gracie Chavez is the very talented designer behind the store, and lives with her family in Honduras.

MHK Designs digital sentiments are made by Mynn Kitchen of On A Stampage.  Mynn does not at this time have an online store, but for more information, or to request a personalized set of sentiments for a prize,email her at onastampageATyahooDOTcom.
boutique
The Paper Sweeties LLC stamp line was created based on Debbie Marcinkiewicz's passion for everything paper, glue,ink, glitter … and whimsical girlie charm! The original design concept for the line of dolls with outfits and accessories was created in June, 2010, and follow up sets with beautiful frames, labels, banners, sentiments and lovely images followed.  She officially launched the business in August, 2012, and has since made thousands of customers happy with her sweet designs!
Polkadoodles Ltd
PolkaDoodles is a small company owned by Nikky Hall, based in the UK. Nikky is also the artistic talent behind PolkaDoodle's own range of rubber and digital stamps. We also stocks general craft supplies, and, best of all: Worldwide shipping is FREE!


 This image is from Graciellie Design, you get the image and the sentiment so you can make a complete card from one purchase.
       The cityscape has been duplicated to create a full street across my card and the sentiment is printed at the top. 

I have masked off the edges so I get a nice white border, the centre of the sentiment and the city are also masked to keep them white. Using Distress Ink Chipped Sapphire I coloured the whole card , making the sky darker at the top away from the city lights.
I spritzed the sky with a Tattered Angel Pearl Glimmer Mist to give it a star like twinkle, then added a tiny gold star. The windows of the city have a tiny touch from a pale yellow marker.
Once dry I removed the masking tape and mounted the panel on a dark blue card blank. I've deliberately kept this card A6 and almost one layer so I can send it overseas.

And now, here's the hop list~

Your next stop is Steph, so get to hopping!  Afterwards, come back and link up with us.  We cannot WAIT to see what you create for us this month!  HUGS and Merry stamping, friends! :)

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Have Your Cake And Eat It


     Welcome to a new months challenge at the House Of Cards, this month we have a picture prompt or colour chart, if you wish you can use both 'Food' and the colours.
     I have had this House Mouse stamp for some time now but I still love it. Since I bought my Graph It alcohol markers I have been slowly working my way through the stamps I have that I can use them with.
     I have stamped on white card suitable for markers, then coloured the image, I think a little more practise with fur may be needed but on the whole I'm quite happy with it.
     Once the image was coloured I cut it out using Spellbinder Labels Seventeen, before removing the die I used Distress Ink Spun Sugar  to colour the edge of the panel, giving me a white border all around the panel.
     The pink pearl layer is also cut with the Spellbinder die, the image panel is mounted on foam pads on to the pearl layer. I have used some pink gingham card to make an easel card, so when I stuck my image panel on I made sure to only fix it on the bottom half.
     There is a small strip of pink pearl across the inside of the card with a sentiment stamped in Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid on a panel cut with the smallest die in the set, again I have used Distress Ink to edge the panel. This is mounted on foam pads on top of the pearl strip to help the card to stand up when displayed. For posting it is only two layer thick so it will still go standard rate.

fresh cut color
Use a Food image and/or the colours
  We are open all month at House Of Cards for you to come and join us,  there will be design inspiration popping up every few days on our blog just incase you should need it.


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Inky Chicks - My Furry Friend
PINspirational - Everything Is Better In Pink

Cheers!


     This months project for Altered Eclectics is a great way to jazz up some bargain glasses, perfect for a special party or a wedding.

      To get the butterflies on the bowl of the glass I used a punch to cut a stencil in some Non Slip Grip from Stix2. It's an amazing static cling film that is used on rulers to stop them slipping, it really works too! For this project it was great as it just clings to the glass making a perfect seal.
     Once the stencil was in place I used some water based glue and sealant dabbed on with a brush, removed the stencil carefully and sprinkled it with pink glitter. I did this at random around the glass making sure to avoid the rim area that will touch the mouth.
     The stem of the glass is also glittered. This was done by painting the glue on to the whole stem and base, making sure not to put too much on or it may run down, then sprinkling with green glitter.
     The glue does take quite a while to dry as it's on a non porous surface, I left this one overnight and it was set firm by morning. It will not be dishwasher safe, a gentle hand rinse and air dry would be fine.
     Have a look in your local charity shops, they often have glasses at very reasonable prices, as well as vases and fruit bowls, so it needn't cost a fortune to experiment. When you've made your project pop over to Altered Eclectics and show us, we would love to see it.


I would like to enter my glittery glass in the following challenges:
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes
Sparkle N Sprinkle - Anything Goes with Glitter

Ornament Brats


   Welcome to July and another challenge at CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra. We are a monthly challenge that accepts anything Christmas so please come and join us with your creations for the festive season.
    I have used a digi stamp from our sponsors Bugaboo, called Scene It Ornament Brats. The image is printed on card suitable for alcohol markers, I have used Graph It markers as well as metallic Sharpies and Sparkling Gel pens, with a little white flock thrown in for good measure.
    The image panel is cut out with a Spellbinder die, Labels Seventeen. Before removing the panel from the die I have used Distress Ink Bundled Sage to edge the image, if you do this with the die still on you get a neat little white border around your panel.
    The gold layer is made by drawing around the outside of the die and then cutting around the shape by hand, I had to do this as the die used for the image was the largest one in the set. These two layers are stuck together flat before mounting them on foam pads on to a red card blank.
    The greeting shape is the smallest die in the set and I have edged it with Sage again then added a peel off greeting as I don't have a stamp that small (yet!). This panel is also mounted on foam pads.
    As it's now July there should be some new Christmas crafting items out there, so when you make something with them come and show us at CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra, we would love to see them.


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes