Floral Parchment card created for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 35

Good morning. Today I am sharing another of my samples for the recent shows on Hochanda. I had so much fun with these stamps and this time I chose to create a Spring themed floral card.

I have just started experimenting with the world of parchment. I hope that you like my effort. My picot snipping needs a little more practice – tee hee.

This one also perfectly fits the Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge this month too.

 
Materials:

• Spring Fairy Collection (March)
• 9 X 21cm white card blank, pearlescent purple card, parchment
• Parchment embossing template to create the frame and scalloped border (Groovi system from Claritystamp)
• Parchment scoring and embossing tools
• Parchment 2 needle pricking tool and snips
• StazOn (Opaque White)
• Alcohol markers (greens and purple)
• Organza ribbon (purple)
• Stickles glitter glue (Star Dust)
• Perga Glue

How to make it:

1. Stamp the flower on parchment with white StazOn. Turn the image over and working on the back emboss over the stamped outlines using a fine embossing tool and mat. Add highlights using larger embossing ball tools.
2. Again working on the back, add colour using alcohol ink pens.
3. Using an embossing template add a scalloped frame around the image. I used the Groovi system which is really easy to use. The Groovi plates come with etched designs which are just the right depth to easily emboss using fine tipped embossing tools. I used a scalloped square design plate, extending the design to create the rectangle.
4. Now working from the front use the twin needle piercing tool to pierce around the outside of the embossed scallop frame.

Fairyland card created for the Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 35

Good morning. Today I am sharing one of my samples for the recent shows on Hochanda. I had so much fun with these stamps. I hope that you like my fantasy scene. This one also perfectly fits the Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge this month too.

Materials:

• Spring Fairy Collection , Fantasy Castles, and Magical Landscapes
• 8 inch square card blank, white stamping card and purple iridescent paper
• Scrap copy paper to create masks
• Large decorative circle mat cut from purple card and circle die to cut out image
• Versafine Inkpad (Onyx Black), StazOn (Jet Black)
• Water based inks (purples)
• Watercolour pencils (black, purples and greens)
• Clear sparkle pen
• Fine tipped marker pen (black) and alcohol marker (purple)
• Stickles glitter glue (Star Dust)

How to make it:

1. Stamp the fairies with Versafine, cut out and colour with pencils and a damp brush.
2. Stamp the wings with StazOn onto the iridescent paper, cut out and decoupage over the stamped fairies.
3. Stamp the castles and buildings onto copy paper and cut out. Arrange the elements to plan the scene, i.e. it needs to fit into the circle topper which will fit onto the large decorative mat. Stamp the foreground image with Versafine and cover it with your paper mask before stamping the next image behind. Continue covering the foreground images and working towards the background elements. When complete remove the masks and use a fine tipped marker to join up or draw extra elements where needed.
4. Colour with watercolour pencils and a damp brush. Overlay some areas with clear sparkle pen. I added extra intense colour with water based inks into the background to make the buildings ‘pop’.
5. Edge the card blank with alcohol marker to frame. Layer and glue down all elements. I used 3D foam and glue gel for added depth.
6. Finish with touches of glitter glue for added sparkle.

Mystic Night card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Here is another of my samples for the recent TV shows on Hochanda featuring the Spring Fairies stamp sets. I had so much fun with these.

Materials:

• Spring Fairies Collection (March Fairy, Butterflies from March, April and May)
• Floral/foliage stencil and circle template
• 13.5 X 18cm card blank, card (black, turquoise glitter and white stamping)
• Watercolours with mica (green, pink)
• Watercolour pencils (flesh, blue, green, pink)
• Clear sparkle pen
• Stickles glitter glue (Star Dust)
• Glitter paste (turquoise)
• Versafine (Onyx Black)

How to make it:

1. Apply glitter paste through the stencil onto black card using a palette knife. Leave to dry.
2. Paint the background and moon using sparkly mica paints. Use a circle template to help (I used a circle die to draw around). Glue mats and layers to the card front.
3. Stamp the fairy and butterflies onto white stamping card and cut out. Colour with pencils and paints with mica. Shape and glue to the card front with 3D glue gel.
4. Finish with Stickles for added sparkle.

Sparkling Butterflies card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Here is another of my show samples featuring the lovely butterfly stamps and stencils from Chocolate Baroque.

Note: The butterfly stencils were available in the One Day Special offer on Hochanda but sold out. They are now available again directly from Chocolate Baroque. The Kaleidoscope of Butterflies stencil/masks match the Just Butterflies stamp set perfectly.

Materials:

• Patchwork Butterflies, Just Butterflies and Kaleidoscope of Butterflies stencil/masks
• Inkpads: Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass) and StazOn
• Viva Décor Kristall Gel (Hologram and blue)
• Cordinations card (pink), plain card (pale blue and black), acetate
• Floral stencil (Sheena Douglass)
• 8 X 8 Chains embossing folder (Tattered Lace)
• Die’sire Decorative Scallop Edge die (Crafters Companion)
• Organza ribbon (blue) and PVA pearls (Tonic)

How to make it:

1. Two pieces of blue card were cut with the border die. The card blank was created by trimming to approx. 20 X 15.5cm and gluing the decorative border sections together to make a decorative spine. A score line was added to enable the front panel to open.
2. The Coredinations card was embossed and lightly sanded to reveal the texture, trimmed and layered onto black card (approx. size 16.5 X 14.5 cm). Distress ink was blended in from the edges to frame.
3. The acetate was trimmed to make an overlay for the card front. Images were stamped using StazOn ink. Stencils were laid onto the back and glitter paste applied using a palette knife. After drying, the ribbon was glued down with strong double sided tape. The panel was then glued to the card front, hiding the glue under the ribbon on the left edge.
4. Finished with PVA pearls along the decorative spine.

Rocking Butterflies card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Here is another of my show samples for the butterfly stamp bundle from Chocolate Baroque recently featured on Hochanda.

I used some hand coloured paper from my stash for the background. This was created using the shaving foam technique: Layer shaving foam onto a tray, drop and swirl inks into the surface, pick up and transfer the inks to paper.

I used dies to make the rocker card and to cut the tag and decorative leaves. The flower was created from stamped butterfly wings.
 
Materials:

• Patchwork Butterfly, Just Butterflies and Words to Dazzle and Sparkle stamp sets
• Hand coloured paper and plain card (pink and white)
• Versamark
• Embossing powder (detail white)
• Fine tipped pen (pink)
• Sparkle pens (green, pink)
• Tattered Lace dies – Circle Stepper, Tags and Branch
• PVA pearls (white) and faux gem flower (pink)

 
How to make it:

1. Cut the rocker card, layers, tag and branch using dies.
2. Stamp the sentiment onto the tag and heat emboss with white powder. Stick down layers. Add faux stitching with the fine pen and PVA pearls.
3. Stamp the large and small butterflies with Versamark, heat emboss and cut out. Stamp the butterfly wing 7 times and cut out to make the flower petals. Add colour with sparkle pens.
4. Lightly shape the butterflies and glue to the card. Shape the single butterfly wings and build into a flower. Add a faux gem to the centre. Attach to the card with branches using 3D glue gel.

Butterfly Splendour card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Here is one of my samples for the butterfly stamp set shows featured on Hochanda recently with Chocolate Baroque. If you missed the shows they are available for a while on the website. Lesley Wharton did some great demos so the shows are well worth a watch. There were also so many fabulous projects and inspiration from my Teamies.

Materials:

• Patchwork Butterfly stamp set
• Smooth card (blue and black), decorative holographic card (black and silver)
• Opaque gouache paint (blue and white)
• Inkpads: Versamark, Versafine (Onyx Black)
• WOW embossing powder (Clear Gloss and silver sparkle)
• PVA pearls (silver)
• Large label dies (TODO)

How it was made:

1. I used a large label die to create the decorative card blank using blue card. I cut a decorative mat from the holographic card and layered onto the card front.
2. The swirls were stamped onto blue card using Versafine and were heat embossed with clear powder.
3. The butterflies were stamped with Versamark and embossed with the silver sparkly powder. Colour was added using gouache paint. I mixed the blue and white to get a colour to match the blue card base.
4. The swirls and butterflies were cut out and layered onto the card with 3D glue gel. For added depth and strength I layered some plain blue card butterflies behind the smaller butterflies (using the stamped and cut out ones as a template).
5. Finally PVA pearls were added around the border.

Yay–I have just discovered Open Livewriter

Last year Windows Livewriter stopped working with my Blogger account and I just couldn’t get it to work and I gave up. Did a little research tonight and I discovered that a newer version has been developed – Windows Open Livewriter.
This is going to make my life so much easier. I can now write my posts from one place and publish as usual to Wordpress and to 2 blogger accounts too (one being my Chocolate Baroque Design Team Blog). No more cut & paste for every time I blog to several places. Yippideeee!
Happy Bunny.

UPDATE: I knew it must be too good to be true - after it all worked fine last night - this morning it doesn't load to Blogger! Aaaaargh - technology does my head in at times!

test blog with new open livewriter

test blog with new open livewriter

Mini Review of the Tim Holtz Stamping Platform available from Tonic Studios (UK)

I just have to say how much I LOVE the new Tim Holtz stamping platform from Tonic Studios. I was a little unsure how much it would benefit me as a seasoned stamper but since getting it I find that I use it so much and I tackle stamping jobs that I sometimes avoid. It is really easy to use with the clear stamp platform lid easily flipped over to use with unmounted or thinner clear stamps, the reverse for foam mounted or extra thick polymer stamps.

• The little magnets are super strong and hold your card or paper in place while stamping. Great for batch making where you want to repeat stamp across a batch giving consistent alignment. If your stamps are the same thickness you can load several stamps all at once.
• If you miss a bit while stamping you can just stamp back down with exact alignment to correct any missed bits. This is virtually impossible if judging this by eye yourself. Also great for stamping on textured card such as watercolour card.
• I particularly love it for stamping on acetate - always a problem for me as I would often get slipping and blurred results. With this I get perfect results.
• Also brilliant for precise multicolour stamping with watercolour pens etc. You can apply the different colours to the stamp one at a time, stamp, load the next colour and stamp – knowing that each colour will be perfectly aligned to build up the complete multicoloured image.
• Not only that but building frames and patterns is a cinch too. Stamp, turn the card, stamp again - woohooo it's just brilliant x

I am definitely delighted with my investment.

Thread wrapped and woven buttons created for Gina-B Silkworks

Good evening. Here are my show samples for Gina’s show on Create and Craft TV tomorrow at 5pm (Freeview Channel 23 – can watch live or on catch up online too if you miss it).

Gina is a super talented lady that uses traditional Passementerie techniques to create period costume and museum pieces to commission. She also provides kits and books with the aim of keeping these traditional methods alive and applicable to the modern maker.

Tomorrows show is all about button making. I can highly recommend her range of books and DVDs – I think that I have bought just about every one. New designs will be on the show including Dorset Style buttons.

Quick and Easy Floral Thank You card created for Chocolate Baroque

Here is another quick and easy card using a ready made aperture card and the flower stamp from the Spring Fairies April set (recently featured on Hochanda TV). I stamped onto watercolour card, colouring the stamp directly with watercolour pens. To activate the ink I lightly spritzed it with water just before stamping. I then used a damp brush to drag out some of the colour.

Check out the Chocolate Baroque Design Team Blog for more examples of quick and easy cards from my fab Teamies
 
Materials:

• April Spring Fairy, Words to Dazzle & Sparkle stamps
• A6 circle aperture card (white linen finish), watercolour card
• Versafine Inkpad (Vintage Sepia)
• Spectrum Noir Aqua Pens (green, pink, yellow)
• Satin bow

Quick and Easy Gold Bird card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This is another quick and easy make using the Spring Fairies stamp collection recently featured on Hochanda. Great for batch making.

.
I used a ready made gold aperture card. I stamped the bird and sentiment using Versamark and heat embossed in gold onto black card. I added a little colour with opaque gouache paint.
 
Materials:

• April Fairy and Mackintosh Sentiments stamp sets
• A6 oval aperture card blank (gold), black card
• Versamark Inkpad
• WOW Embossing Powder (Gold Rich)
• Opaque gouache paint (blue)

Quick and Easy Spring Bird card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This is a quick and easy make using the Gelli Printing Plate to create the background. I used stamps from the Spring Fairy Collection recently featured on Hochanda TV.

 
I used a technique demonstrated on one of Lesley's shows recently. I inked up a 4 inch round gelli printing plated with Distress Ink and then lifted off some of the ink using the Big Bold Background Leafy Trails stamp, then transferred the image to stamping card. I overstamped with the Bird and Spring sentiment with Versafine and edged with marker pen to frame. To give added dimension I mounted the image onto the card with foam pads. This technique is so quick and easy - great for batch making.
 
Materials:

• Big Bold Background Leafy Background and Spring Fairies Collection (March and April sets) stamps
• 6 X 6 inch scalloped white card blank, white stamping card
• Inkpads: Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Distress Ink (Peacock Feathers)
• Alcohol marker (brown)
• Gelli Printing Plate (4 inch circle)

Sneak Peek of my samples for Chocolate Baroque starting on Hochanda this eve

Lesley Wharton is bringing a One Day Special starting this eve at 8pm on Hochanda (Freeview Channel 85). More shows tomorrow at 9am, 12, 4 and 7pm.
 
Here is a sneak peek of my samples.

Tie dyed and block printed skirt and top

I had been meaning to dye and decorate these for ages  – a white T shirt and very pale denim skirt (white to pale blue dip die effect).

I used one of the old multipurpose Dylon dies in the washing machine (they now have an alternative formulation for natural fabrics such as cotton). I really didn’t spend a lot of time. I decided where I wanted the motifs and made a small mark with chalk. I placed a chop stick tip behind the placement mark and made a sort of tent shape. Then I simply wrapped it with elastic bands and pulled out the stick. I found this a really quick and easy method. I then dyed in the washing machine with salt (according to packet directions). I love the way that the polyester stitching didn’t pick up the die – nice design detail.

Looking at the results the rings reminded my somewhat of floating jelly fish so I decided to block print and create a sort of ‘under the sea’ theme.

I over printed the design using iron fix fabric paints and printing blocks from Colouricious.

Butterfly Wishes card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing another of my samples for the recent shows on Hochanda.

I played with the butterfly stamp from the Spring Fairies April set. I used a stamping gear to create the wreath but you can achieve the same by drawing a circle (lightly in pencil), placing a little mark at 8 points around it and stamping freehand. Stamp and turn the card, stamp again keeping the angle of your stamp constant.

A simple wreath stamped onto a plain background, perhaps with variegated inks, would look quite pretty too.
 
Materials:

• Spring Fairy Collection (April) and Words to Dazzle & Sparkle stamp sets
• 6X 6 inch white scalloped card blank, plain card (black and white) and silver mirror card (plus ready made scalloped frame)
• Inkpads: Versamark and StazOn (Black)
• Embossing powders: white detail and silver tinsel (with glitter)
• Clear glitter glue
• Inkadinkadoo Stamping Gear

How to make it:

1. Trim the black card panel and stamp the sentiment in the centre with Versamark. Heat emboss with white powder.
2. Randomly stamp the butterfly with Versamark. Heat emboss with the silver powder. Glue to the card front along with the silver frame.
3. Stamp the butterfly wreath onto silver mirror card with StazOn ink. Cut around the outside and layer onto white card. Trim around the outside to leave a white border and cut out the centre. Layer onto the card with foam pads.
4. Finish with dots of glitter glue for added sparkle.

Welcome to Fairyland card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing one of my samples for the recent shows on Hochanda. I had so much fun with these stamps. I hope that you like my fantasy scene.

 
Materials:

• Spring Fairy Collection (May), Fantasy Castles, Magical Landscapes and Welcome to Fairyland stamps
• 7 inch square card blank, black card, white stamping card
• Versafine Inkpad (Onyx Black)
• Watercolour masking fluid (Pebeo Drawing Gum)
• Spectrum Noir Aquatints - water based inks (yellow, red, purple, greens)
• Watercolour pencils (greens, blues, browns, pinks)
• Clear sparkle pen
• Fine tipped marker pen and alcohol marker (black)
• Glossy Accents
• Glitter glue (aqua)
• Decorative corner dies (Tonic)

How to make it:

1. Stamp the scene with Versafine and extend the scene by drawing with the fine tipped pen.
2. Cover the moon, rocks, castle and fairy wing with masking fluid.
3. Colour the scene using inks, remove a little colour from the clouds with a wet brush and blotting with paper towel. Note: you can only do this with certain inks (some set into the paper and cannot be lifted after dry, so you may need to work quickly to lift colour while still wet). Dry and remove the masking.
4. Colour the images with watercolour pencils and blend the colours with a damp brush.
5. Apply sparkle pen over the moon, fairy wings and sections of the sky.
6. Edge the card with black alcohol pen and mount onto black card. Glue to card front adding decorative die cuts to corners.
7. Add Glossy Accents to the fairy and finish with glitter glue for added sparkle.