Wednesday 26 April 2017

Beetle On Over To The Male Room


     Our challenge this fortnight at The Male Room is Many Legs, for me this meant a bug of some sort.
     I have used Spellbinders set Damask Motif to make some Scarab beetles. If you use holographic mirri card for the beetles shell you can get some great effects and black card for the legs.
     The shell of the beetle has been shaped to give it some body and then it's stuck on the legs using double stacked foam pads down the middle, the tip of it's head is also stuck down.
     The box is die cut from hieroglyphic patterned card, before assembly all the edges have been coloured with Distress Ink Old Paper to give it an aged look.
    Once the box was complete one of the beetles has been stuck on the top to finish it off. I chose to make a gift box but these beetles can just as easily be added to cards or tags.
    Pop over to The Male Room for more inspiration, this theme has been interpreted many ways by the DT giving you lots of project choice.



I would like to enter this project in the following challenges:
Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

Tuesday 25 April 2017

MHK Designs - Sea Creatures

 

     This is the last new release set from MHK Designs for this month, and what a great set it is too. Sea Creatures is full of gorgeous aquatic images accompanied by a seagull and some great sentiments.
 
      Using my photo package I took some paper from Country Farm and added weeds and white fish to create my background.
     The card is a box card that will stand independently but will also fold flat for posting. The backing paper was printed, trimmed and then stuck to the inside of the back of the box.
   
 
      In the centre of the box card there is an acetate layer with some more fish printed on it. These fish are coloured with alcohol markers so they maintain their transparency.
     This layer is stuck on with red line tape ready for the front when it's finished.
   
     The front window has another acetate panel, this time with a seahorse printed on it. The seahorse is coloured with glitter added on the reverse.
     After the glitter glue had set the panel was added to the window, then both front and back were stuck together to form the box.
   

     To complete the card the greeting was printed on white card and die cut, coloured while the die was still in place. This is stuck onto the card with foam pads.

     You still have a chance to win some of these gorgeous new release sets, if you pop over to MHK Designs blog you can find out how. All sets are now available from the Etsy shop.



Sea Creatures
Country Farm
 
 









I would like to enter this project in the following challenges:
Addicted To Stamps - Not A Square
Glitter 'N' Sparkle - Anything Goes
Digi Choosday - Anything Goes


Thursday 20 April 2017

MHK Designs - Funky Flowers


     This image is from MHK Designs new release set Funky Flowers, teamed with paper set Damsel In Distress.
     The image is altered to achieve the graduated colour effect and then it's placed over the backing paper, all this is done in my photo package. The whole panel is printed out on thick paper and then the greeting has been die cut through it.
     One cut and trimmed the image panel is mounted on black card, then stuck on to a white card blank. To finish, some tiny pink gems have been added to the corners to give a little sparkle.
     There is still another set to come later in the month but if you'd like to see all the new sets so far then please pop over to the MHK Designs blog, where you also have the chance to win some of them.

Funky Flowers
Damsel In Distress
 









I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Digi Choosday - Anything Goes
Wonderful Wednesdays - Anything Goes

Saturday 15 April 2017

MHK Designs - Dear Dad


     Welcome to new release number three at MHK Designs, Dear Dad, a great set for Father's Day.
     I chose to make this card black and white with just a splash of colour. I started by covering a white card blank with a layer of patterned paper from Egg-cellent Easter, then added a black circle in the middle.
     The image panels are mounted on a layer of blue card, the sentiment is stuck flush to the card but the image is stuck on foam pads over the top.
     To complete the card I have used square foam pads in the opposing corners and covered them with blue foil so they look like brads.
     There is an opportunity for you to win some of the new release sets, you'll need to go to the release posts on the MHK Designs blog to find out how. While you're there why not take a look at our challenge, come and join us with your creations.

Dear Dad
Egg-cellent
   










Wednesday 12 April 2017

The Male Room Blueprint


     The new challenge at The Male Room is all about Architecture, this gave me the perfect opportunity to break out the Chocolate Baroque stash.
     I stamped and clear embossed the window details on white card, then I coloured the card with Distress Oxide Ink, it gives a chalky finish which I thought looked a bit like a blueprint.
     The words were stamped and embossed in white, although the white powder is a little more cream than the card it still looks alright. A simple mount straight on to a white card blank finished it off.
     Please pop over and take a look at all the inspiration we have for you, then come and join in with the challenge, we'd love to see what you make of this theme.


Monday 10 April 2017

MHK Designs - Birdcage Silhouettes


     This is the second of our new releases at MHK Designs, Birdcage Silhouettes. With three lovely birdcages and some great sentiments this set is quite versatile.
     I have printed one birdcage and the small sentiment on white card, using a black pen I have extended the chain holding the cage to meet the edge of the card.
     Using a die cut heart shape I have inked through it to add a heart around the birds and another smaller heart just above the words. To make sure of a perfect colour match I have inked the edges of a white card blank before mounting the image panel on it.
     We still have three more great sets to show you so pop back when you can and take a look at all the inspiration we have for you at MHK Designs. There is also an opportunity to win some of these new designs, all details are over on the MHK Designs blog.


Birdcage Silhouettes


Friday 7 April 2017

MHK Designs Monthly Inspiration


     We have some fabulous new releases for you this month, this is one of them, Funky Flowers.
     The images were printed on white card arranged around the sentiment to form a frame. The sentiment should have come out green but due to a small hiccup with my printer it is a little more yellow, a lucky mishap as it turns out because now it goes so well with the flowers.
     The flowers are coloured in with some fine tip pens I have in my stash, then the image panel is mounted on a pearl orange layer before going on a Kraft card blank. Nice and flat for easy posting, here in the UK we have to pay more if it's considered too thick, something to do with the sorting machines I think.
     You can find this set in our Etsy shop but if you would like to win it then take a look at the release posts to find out how. Don't forget you can also win images by joining our monthly challenge.

Funky Flowers
                                    

                              I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
                                                     Try It On Tuesday - Botanical
                                                   Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Wednesday 5 April 2017

MHK Designs - And Many More


     Welcome to the first of this months new releases at MHK Designs, this one is called And Many More.
     The base card is die cut to look like a cupcake, I don't know the make of the die as I bought it pre-loved. On the lower part I have cut out a corrugated layer to look like the case and covered the top part with double sided sticky sheet and trimmed to fit before sprinkling it with micro beads.
     The image and greeting were printed out on white card and die cut, but before removing the die I used some Distress ink to colour them. The image has a gold mirri mat layer before be mounted on foam pads on the front of the card, the greeting has been stuck flat to the inside of the card.
     We will have four more new releases to show you through this month, if you fancy the chance to win them then please pop over to the challenge blog and to find out how. You can find this set and many more in our Etsy shop along with lots of inspiration.

And Many More

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Ooh La La Creations - Layer It Up
Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Saturday 1 April 2017

Fancy Feathers at The House Of Cards


     A new challenge at the House Of Cards this month has a great challenge prompt inspired by feathers.
     Using a Sizzix feather die I cut a 'stamp' from funky foam, to get it to release from the die easily I used Stix2 Die Release Sheet, all parts came out of the die intact so I have a thin mask to use aswell.
     I have coloured a piece of white card with Distress Ink Oxides in Broken China and Walnut Stain, then using the improvised stamp spritzed with water I have stamped and blotted the feather across the card. This was followed by a little bit of spritz and flick to get the speckles. To darken the edges I have used Walnut Stain basic Distress ink, this helps draw the eye to the centre of the card.
     The turquoise feather in the centre is die cut from double sided sticky sheet, stuck onto the card and covered with transfer foil. The image panel is mounted on a thin turquoise layer before going on a Kraft card blank. The greeting is from MHK Designs, printed on white card, die cut and coloured with Distress ink Old Paper, the mat layer is coloured with the same marker as the other mat layer, then using foam pads it's stuck over the corner of the card.
     This challenge runs for a month so please come and join us with your cards, we'd love to see what inspiration you get from the picture below.

April challenge - House Of Cards

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Creative Knockouts - Anything Goes
Double D - Things that fly
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

MHK Designs April Challenge


     A new challenge starts today at MHK Designs and I have used a new set due for release later this month as it fits the challenge prompt perfectly, this set is called Birdcage Silhouettes.
     I started by printing the birdcages onto an A6 piece of watercolour card, then I cut a mask using thin card and heart shaped dies.
     Once the mask was in place I sprinkled red Brusho over the hearts and spritzed with water, taking care not to get it too wet so it didn't run under the mask.
   
 
     Once the red hearts were dry I covered them with the die cut shapes from the mask to protect them when colouring the background. This was made using blue Distress ink and a mask of different sized circles to create a Bokeh effect, building up layers of colour with various sized circles until I was happy with it.
     Adding in the chains for the birdcages to hang on was done at the end so the ink wouldn't get smudged. Then the image panel was mounted on a black background layer, I have kept it as a flat panel so I can put it on the wall above my desk but it would make a nice card too.
   
 
     We have lots of new stamp sets to show you this month so please pop over to MHK Designs blog to see them as they appear, come and join our challenge and you may win some of them. You can see all of the great designs we have in our Etsy shop, including some gorgeous backing papers.

Birdcage Silhouettes


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Digital Delights - Anything Goes
Digi Choosday Crafting - Anything Goes


Swimming Along With Altered Eclectics


     I was challenged to produce a mixed media  project that wasn't grungy, so this is what I came up with. It's also the project I wish to feature for Altered Eclectics, a challenge for mixed media and recycled artwork.
     I started with an 8 inch square canvas and added texture using some  stencils to create weeds and stones.
     The weeds on the left are sections of lace cut and stuck on, there are also some small embellishments made with hot glue in a silicone mold added before painting.
     Once all that was dry, which wasn't long, I set about painting over it all with a light blue acrylic paint. Once the paint was dry I started to use some mica sprays to add shades of blue and purple, while this was still wet I sprinkled it with rock salt and left it to dry. The salt pools the colour and creates a great mottled effect but has to dry naturally, speeding it up with a heat gun doesn't get the same effect, the salt can be gently rubbed off once dry.
    The next step was to paint the weeds a greenish colour, along with painting the crab, seahorse and shells. I went over the weeds with a pearl green paint and dabbed a little on here and there.
     There are some rice paper words added at the top and to make the bottom look a little more like a seabed I have dded sand poured over a thick coat of PVA glue.  
     I chose to leave the shells in their natural state so after moving them around to get them where I wanted I fixed them with hot glue.
     I wanted to add some jelly fish so I made them on my craft mat with hot glue and then dusted them with pearl mica powder.
     To add a splash of bright colour I used an MDF fish and covered him with foil using a 2in1 glue pen. I have added some glossy accents to his eye.
     Altered Eclectics challenge runs all month so you have lots of time to come and join us with your projects, we would like to see anything but cards and ATC's.


I would like to enter this canvas in the following challenges:
Colour Crazy Craft - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers - Anything Goes


Sparkly Flowers


     This card was made a little while ago, it's been sitting waiting for the right recipient and that lovely lady has got it now so it's safe to share with CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
     The card is huge, 8 inches square, not a size I would normally use but as it's not been posted it's not a problem and it does give a nice big area to decorate.
     The patterned paper panels are from a Woodware paper pack, with co-ordinating strips and banners. Mat layers are cut from black card with added faux stitching using a white pen.
     The flowers are stamped, embossed and coloured with gel Glaze pens, sprinkled with clear glitter when wet, then cut out when dry, the leaves are just coloured.
     With the addition of ribbon, Candi and buttons the front is complete, which leaves the inside to decorate. Just stamping a greeting inside seemed rather sparse when compared to the front so I have die cut a large flower from white card, coloured the edges with Distress ink, added a greeting and stuck the flower flush to the card. There is still plenty of room to write a message and now the inside looks a little more appealing.
     CrafytHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge runs all month and the only requirement is the use of patterned paper so come along and join us with your creations.


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
That's Crafty - Foliage and Flowers
Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes