Merry Band

Just a quick post this morning as I'm off to set up for a show that is on tomorrow at Bracknell.Although I will be calling into Colemans open day on the way to meet up with some old friends.

This card is made using a Penny Black stamp called the Merry Band.I used Spectrum Noir pens to colour it and Vintage Photo Distress Ink to go around the edge.The die was the Mega Ovals and Classic Scalloped Mega Ovals,these were just the right size for the stamp.The rosette I made using the Hougie board and added a little button to the top.The swirl was a Marianne creatable.Oh I forgot to say the background was embossed using a Spellbinders M-Bossability Imperial.

My next post will be tomorrow night with another card made with Jayne's new stamps.
Have a good weekend everybody
Bye

Indian Princess

To go with the Taj Mahal yesterday here is the Indian Princess.

This is quite a simple card,the Princess was stamped with Jet Black Archival and the edge of the card inked with Bundled Sage Distress Ink.This was then mounted on a piece of black card die-cut using Fleur de lis Rectangle.The paper for the other layers was from my stash but edged with Bundled Sage to tie them in.I then added a few swirly rhinestones to the piece and quicky glue pen and glitter to make her jewels sparkle.
Tomorrow's post will be an early one as I'm off to Bracknell for a Sincerely Yours Show.If your going to the show please come and say Hi.I will be on the Hougie stand with Kay.

Taj Mahal

Did not enjoy the weather today so muggy,my studio (shed) was too hot to do much,hope it's a bit cooler tomorrow.Why oh why are we never happy with British weather?
Here's the second card I made using Jayne's stamps, this time it's the Taj Mahal which can be brought on it's own or as a set with the Indian Princess.
Because of my love of Distress Inks I knew what I wanted do with this image,it just needed a sunset background.I wiped the colours Brushed Corduroy,Barn Door,Rusty Hinge,Wild Honey,and Faded Jeans across the card blending as I went.The stamp was inked with Jet Black Archival and stamped across the background.
Also I stamped out a few of the flowers from the accessory set,then coloured them with the same Distress Inks.

Grande Journeys

Well the announcement is the my friend Jayne Nestorenko has brought out her own range of stamps called the Grande Journeys Collection, part of the Just My Imagination stamp range.Jayne asked me if I would like to make some samples, so over time I will show you what I've made.
Here is the full picture of my first card of which I showed a sneek peek yesterday.

For this card I used the Venetian Lady and the Rialto Bridge which can be brought separately or as a pair.The flowers came from the accessories set.The images were stamped with Jet Black Archival then embossed with clear embossing powder.The Spellbinders die I used for the aperture was labels seventeen.
I enjoy doing these simple black and white cards, they are striking to look at.Ok not so simple,sorry but I do enjoy stamping and cutting out to 3D the images,not keen on flat cards.
Looking forward to showing the other samples,hope you like them,please leave a comment and let me know.Thanks.

If you would like to see all the stamps in the range there is a link on the right hand side of my blog to Jayne's website.

Sneek Peek

No card tonight, just a peek at what I've been making recently.Tomorrow a new website will be launched with some brand new stamps for sale from a person I know you will recognise.
I loved working with these stamps and feel I haven't finished playing with them yet, still more ideas needing to be made.



I hope you will visit tomorrow and leave a comment,I'd love to know what you think of these new stamps.

The card this time shows a form of shadow stamping using distress ink and Jet Black Archival.The background was created by inking over a piece of white card with Brushed Corduroy but first, mask of a circle using a punched circle post-it note.
Ink up the tree stamp with the same distress ink and stamp so part of the tree goes across the circle.Re-ink the tree this time with Jet Black Archival and stamp over the previous image but slightly further down.
Die-cut the frame using Grand Labels One,leave in the die after embossing so it can be stencilled,which gives you a white edge to the frame.Also stamp the fence while it is still in the die.
Mount the frame over the background using foam pads,then add to the base card.The greeting was stamped onto one of the Fancy Tags,inking as before through the die.

Best Friends

Evening all,
My card today was made using another stamp from the Penny Black acrylic set called Mimi's Many Loves.The image was stamped with Mememto ink then coloured with Spectrum Noir pens.Using the lacey circles die from Spellbinders I cut out purple and also a yellow one the same size.Mounting the image, die-cut with standard circles on top of the yellow one but slightly twisting it around when mounting on the purple.



The paper from Best Creations was cut to size then attached to the base card.The leaves were cut out using a Martha Stewart punch. I had some white adhesive pearls but needed yellow so I coloured them with the Spectrum noir. The paper flowers,paper,die and stamps came from J & C Creations.

Heartfelt Iris

The card today is made with a stamp from the Heartfelt Creations range,Dutch Iris Oval is one of the pre-cut sets.I stamped the image with Jet Black Archival then watercoloured with Chipped Sapphire and Peeled Paint Distress inks.Embossed a piece of Coconut White card with the Lattice Folder from Creative Expressions.Then cut out a few of the squares to show the coloured card below.I also die-cut an oval aperture in it to place of the Iris.Using the same size die plus a larger one I cut a frame,which was inked around the inside and outside edges.The bow was made from some American Seam binding which I coloured with the Chipped Sapphire.To do this wipe the distress pad onto a craft sheet then spray with water.Wipe the piece of ribbon into the ink until the ribbon is covered,add more ink or water if needed.Dry with a heat gun,keep scrunching it up as you heat if a shabby chic look is wanted.Add some buttons for extra embellishment.

Well I must remember to transfer the photos from my netbook tomorrow otherwise I'll run out of card designs to post.The cards I am working on at the moment unfortunately I cannot show, as soon as I get the go ahead I'll put them on.All I can say is I have more ideas than time.......

Last One

This will be the last Christmas one I'll show .......for a little while.



The Heartfelt Creations stamp (Heartfelt Scene Combo) was inked with Black Soot and stamped on Coconut White card.Then with a damp brush pull out the colour from the image to give shading.Die-cut an aperture in another piece of white card using Spellbinders labels Five,then emboss it using the M-Bossabilities Imperial folder.Place this over the stamped image using foam pads to stick it down.Mount onto a black card and add a bow for decoration.I used some of the vintage ribbon from Creative Expressions for this.Fairly simple but lovely card can easily be made in other colours of Distress ink and different dies to produce different shaped apertures.

Tomorrow I'll be going on a trip to the Norfolk Boards,it's my husband's birthday on Sunday but it looks like heavy rain then so tomorrow it is.

Christmas Again

Well I'm posting a bit earlier tonight,tired after a day walking around Oxford.Need to plan ahead for the next trip there in order to see a few more sights, going on the open top bus ride might be one idea.



For this card it was the same process as yesterdays post using Black Soot Distress ink.I used Spellbinders Labels Eight and Sixteen for the shapes as well as the Aster die for the flower.The swirls are Marianne dies.
The sparkly edge was created by adding a pattern to the edge in Cosmic Shimmer Dries clear glue then sprinkling black glitter over it.I wish I could remember where the pattern paper came from all I can say it was from my stash,sorry.
The wording came from a Creative Expressions plate called Dreamy Sentiments.I did look up the wording from yesterday it was from the Holly plate,
Haven't decided on tomorrow's card, if you would like more Christmas let me know?

Christmas !!!

Well I suppose it's time to show one of the Christmas cards I've made as it's that time on Create and Craft.I actually made this one in March too.....early but I was working with some lovely Heartfelt Creation rubber stamps which just said Christmas to me.



The main image was created by stamping with Black Soot one of the Snowy Window Scenes.
Then using a damp paintbrush pull the colour from the stamped image to give some shading.As the Distress Inks react with water this will happen easily if you have the right cardstock.I use Coconut white foundations cardstock,the one Sue Wilson uses on TV,available from J & C Creations.It works with all the techniques I do with Distress Inks, so I hate being without it.
The image is die-cut with the labels two from Spellbinders,then ink around the edge with the Black Soot.Create the background by stamping the Magnificent Spruce Trees in Black Soot on a piece of card just a bit smaller than A5.To give the misty look to the trees,ink and stamp,then stamp again without reinking,there will be enough ink on the stamp to give a faded second image.
The wording is one of my favourites for Christmas cards,it sits on it's own acrylic block,that's why I can't remember which of Sheena's designed stamps it came from, it was either the Holly or the Ivy from Creative Expressions.
What doesn't show due to my bad photography is the I used a Quicky Glue pen and Glamour Dust to add a little sparkle.
I love doing Christmas cards with Distress inks as there are so many colours you could use for Christmas.Also with this card you could change the die used to give you more options.
More Christmas tomorrow SORRY.........

In the Skies

To answer my question from yesterday,yes it did stay dry.Lovely day infact,walking,shopping and eating couldn't ask for more.
For today's card I've used another Penny Black Stamp called Mimi in the skies.



This image was again coloured with Spectrum Noirs after stamping using Mememto ink.I then cut it out using a Spellbinders Grand labels Four. The clouds were also made using a die, Labels Six,cutting out several different sizes in white card.

All the Penny Black stamps I've used came from J & C Creations who have an large range including a lot of new designs.

Rainy Days

I don't normally do cute but I was asked to do several cards using some new Penny Black acrylic stamps.This was my favourite and very appt at the moment.



Stamped with Mememto and then coloured with Spectrum Noirs the topper was matted onto some Foundations double-sided papers.The heart was cut using a Spellbinders die and the faux stitching was done with an Inkssentials white pen.

I hope we don't have to much rain this week,my husband is on holiday and we are hoping to go on a few day trips out.
Well that's 4 days posting in a row,how long will it continue ?

Had a lovely day today at Scotch Lodge Farm & Craft Shop,they had a craft day with discount, always good! Demos with Isobel the owner and Sam and plenty of tea and coffee.Being a farm shop as well there were pies,quiches,cheese,free range eggs and so much more for sale.Check out www.facebook.com/scotchlodgefarm.
Ok for today's sample I've used distress inks and Sheena's silhouette stamps.



I punched a hole in a piece of copy paper,used this as a stencil then inked through using Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge Distress inks to make the sun. To form the hills I inked along the edge of a piece of torn paper with Peeled paint. The silhouette stamps were inked up with Jet Black Archival then stamped onto the backgound to build up the picture.

Short post today as it's past bedtime.
Night

Embossing Folder technique

Here's one of my favourite techniques using embossing folders,in this case one of Sheena's.Open the folder and wipe a Perfect Medium pad over the small raised areas,do not press down otherwise you will over ink it.Place the cardstock inside then put through any of the die-cutting machines.When it's removed you need the debossed side,cover with embossing powder,shake of the excess,then heat.Cover this with Distress ink(Walnut Stain),this will make the embossing powder pop.
Just a quick note to add, versamark doesn't work with this technique it's something to do with the consistancy of the ink.Emboss pads do but not as good as the Perfect Medium.
The daisies from Sheena's Paint Fusion set were stamped onto printed scrapbook paper and cut out.The centre of the flowers were painted with distress ink.



The box started out using the same technique,then scored to form the box and the same daisies added to the top.
Hope you like this technique and have a go,think of all the combinations of embossing powders and inks you could have.
It makes me want to go and play again but I think it's time for bed.

Free Flight

Here's the second card they made on Tuesday's workshop.This was an 8x8 white card,the front of which was folded back in half.The following two layers were die-cut with Grand labels one,one black,one white.Cover the white layer completely with Broken China distress ink then add Brushed Corduroy around the edge.Spray the birdcage stamp with a fine mist of water and stamp down on the bottom half of the card, leave for a couple of seconds then dab with kitchen roll,repeat this to cover the bottom half.The topper is made by inking a piece of white card with Broken China and Brushed Corduroy blended together.Stamp the birdcage over this using Jet Black archival and then tear around the piece to give a white edge.The leaves are from the Spellbinders Foliage set,and the rose was made using the flower from Sam Poole's Button Floral stamp plate.
By the way Free Flight is the stamp set we used to make both cards.



My next workshop will be on the 10th July,details are the same as last month.If you are interested please call,this time I don't think will be as inky.......



This card is similar to one of the cards that will be made during the workshop.Hope you like it.

Well where do I start......there are so many things to show and tell.I think I'll start with a show of some of the cards made for Sheena's latest shows.

This was one of our favourites for the embossing folder show, I embossed a piece of coredinations card stock and sanded it.This was then used on the front of the easel card. Using the flower stamp from Sheena's paint fusion Berries set I stamped in jet black archival onto white card and cut them out.The leaves were stamped then coloured with Spectrum Noir pens.



I love this technique,it's quick but very effective,first die-cut a shape, in this case a circle into a piece of copy paper.This is then used as a stencil through which to apply the distress ink,Wild Honey first,then Rusty Hinge around the bottom edge.Give the distress ink a quick blast of the heat gun,then ink up the chairs and table with archival and stamp on the edge of the circle.

I'll add some more samples in future posts.





My second workshop took place yesterday,and again everyone left with very inky fingers but with two lovely cards.Here is one of the cards they made


It was made using Penny Black stamp set called Free Flight which can be purchased from J & C Creations. The distress ink colours were Stormy Sky,Brushed Corduroy,Walnut stain and Black Soot.Using a mixture of techniques,blending the colours,spraying the stamp with a fine mist of water them stamping on the backgound to lift the colour.Then the burnt edge effect on the topper,the butterflies were stamped then colour added with a blending tool.
Then second card I'll post tomorrow.If you're interested in attending one of my workshops,details of the next one will be on my blog tomorrow.

Hope you like the cards that have been posted today, please check back tomorrow for more.