Monday 27 February 2017

Spring Bird Heart Pendant created for Chocolate Baroque



Good morning. Today I am sharing one of my TV show samples using the Spring Birds Daffodil stamp set from Chocolate Baroque. This was done in rather a rush to catch the post so I just upcycled an old sparkly floral pendant and chain to finish. However, it does mean that this is a really easy project for beginners to make. No specialist tools or jewellery making techniques are required.
I am thinking of making another version with a more elaborate necklace ‘chain’ – perhaps a beaded spiral rope in colours to co-ordinate? I will share when finished.
 
Materials:
  • Spring Bird Daffodil stamp set
  • MDF heart approx. 6cm X 9cm (at widest points)
  • Pebeo acrylic paint (black) and gilding wax (gold)
  • Versamark inkpad
  • WOW embossing powder (Gold Rich)
  • Starlight Paints (Aegean, Cyclamen)
  • Small sparkly pendant and chain (upcycled)
 
How it was made:
  1. The pendant was painted with black acrylic and left to dry.
  2. The bird branch was stamped, embossed with gold powder and coloured with Starlight paints. I edged the pendant with gilding wax to finish.
  3. I used a Crop-a-dile punch to create a hole and looped the chain through. I secured the little floral pendant with a little 3D glue to cover the hole.

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Butterfly Shrine card created for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 32



Here is another project that I created for the Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 32 this month.

I came up with this after playing with my Inkadinkadoo stamping gear (circular wheel) and the Sticks & Stones stamp set to create wreath. Similar can be achieved by drawing a circle and dividing it into 8 sections. Keeping the stamp orientation steady, stamp and turn the card between each stamping or just work more freely around a circle.

I hope that you like it, and I look forward to seeing your entries x.

Materials:

 
How it was made:
  1. The top corners of the card blank were rounded off using a punch. The bottom strip was cut from blue card. The sentiment was stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with copper powder. The strip was then edged with gilding wax before gluing to the card base.
  2. An A5 sheet of stamping card was spritzed with blue & green inks and stamped with Silhouette Grasses. The top edge was cut using the decorative trim die. The top and edges were rubbed over with gilding wax. A circular mat was cut from blue card and placed behind the decorative central motif. The background was then glued to the card front.
  3. Another piece of stamping card was lightly spritzed with blue ink. The wreath was then stamped with Distress Ink using the stamping gear. The wreath was cut out with the circle die and gilding wax rubbed over the decorative edge. This was mounted to the card front with 3D foam pads.
  4. The butterfly was stamped (Just Butterflies set), embossed with copper powder and coloured with sparkle pens. I cut then cut out and shaped for added dimension. The ribbon and butterfly were then glued to the card front.
  5. I finished with copper PVA pearls and glitter glue on the wreath, blue PVA pearls along the base strip.


Monday 20 February 2017

Kingfisher Scene Cards created for Chocolate Baroque



Good afternoon. Today I am sharing another couple of my TV show samples for Lesley Wharton and Chocolate Baroque using the Kingfisher Song and scene building stamp sets recently featured on Hochanda. The aperture ‘waste’ from one card was used to create the background scene on the other.
Materials:
  • Kingfisher Song, Sticks & Stones, Baroque Meadow, Silhouette Grasses, Words to Dazzle and Sparkle stamp sets
  • 15 X 18cm card blank (Kraft card), 18 X 20cm card blank (white), card for background mat & layers (white), white stamping card (Sheena Douglass), waste copy paper (for masks), scrap card (brown and green for foliage die cuts)
  • Inkpads: Versafine (Black Onyx), Memento (Tuxedo Black), Distress Ink (Victorian Velvet)
  • Ink sprays: Lindy’s Stamp Gang (Cocklebells Coral, Opal Sea Oats, Azure Sea Asters)
  • Spectrum Aqua watercolour pens (pinks, greens, browns)
  • Spectrum Noir Sparkle pens (clear, gold, pink, green, and turquoise)
  • Cosmic Shimmer PVA pearls (Olympic Gold)
  • Fine tipped pen (brown) and Spectrum Noir alcohol pen (brown)
  • Soft Form Relief Paste (Gold and Silver)
  • Starlight Metallic Paints (turquoise, pink, gold)
  • Rectangle dies approx. 9.5 X 12cm and 6.5 X 3.5 cm (Heartfelt Creations Cut Mat Create set), dies to cut rectangular frame (Tattered Lace Rectangle Accordion), dies to cut twigs (Sheena Douglass) and ferns (Tattered Lace Floral Layers Leaves 1)
Creating the Kingfisher embellishments:

The twigs and ferns were cut from coloured card and further coloured with watercolour pens (to give them more dimensional colour).
The cut out card kingfisher was stamped with Versafine and coloured with watercolour and sparkle pens. The kingfisher scene stamp was used for this, the rest of the scene being cut away and discarded.
The larger dimensional kingfisher was created by spreading gold and silver Soft Form Relief Paste over the stamp. This was left to dry overnight before peeling off the stamp. Rough edges were trimmed away and further colour added using the Starlight Paints (leaving some areas of gold and silver paste showing through).
Creating the Kraft card blank:
The frame and central background mat were cut from white card using the Accordion die (largest die). This creates an attached mat which was snipped away from the outer frame. Faux stitching was added with a fine pen using the pin holes as a guide. These were then glued to the Kraft card blank (finished size approx. 15 X 18cm). If you don’t have this die you could easily use other rectangle dies to produce similar.
Creating the background scene and scenic frame:

An A4 sheet of stamping card was spritzed with inks, spraying blues nearer the top and golds at the base. The sheet was trimmed to slightly under 18 X 20cm and a sentiment mat cut from the excess (6.5 X 3.5cm).
Grasses and butterflies were stamped along the bottom edge using a mix of watercolour pens. Tip: Brush the colours directly onto the stamp then ‘huff’ onto the stamp before stamping. Moisture in your breath reactivates any partially dried watercolour.
The aperture was cut with the rectangle die (approx. 9.5 X 12cm). Edges were inked with Distress Ink.

Finishing the simple kingfisher card:
Additional ferns were stamped in dark green along the base. Finished by gluing the scenic mat, kingfisher, branch and fern embellishments to the card front with 3D glue for added dimension.

Creating the scene for the frame aperture:
Stamping card (larger than the aperture 9.5 X 12cm) was spritzed with inks in the same way as the other scene backgrounds.
The scene was built up working from the foreground base upward, stamping with Memento (waterproof when dry).
Scene components were stamped onto copy paper and cut out to create masks. These were simply laid in place, covering the appropriate stamped images,  before stamping the next scene layer. Tip: To stop masks moving while stamping you could use a couple of dots of zig 2 way glue on the back of the masks. Leave it to completely dry clear before placing the masks (the glue goes on blue and dries clear). This then acts as a temporary adhesive to hold the masks in place.
I continued building up the scene using masks where needed.
The scene was trimmed down to fit behind the aperture and coloured with watercolour pens. Silhouette grasses were stamped in the foreground with Versafine. The sentiment was stamped onto the sentiment plate.











Sunday 19 February 2017

Blue and White Crocus card created for Chocolate Baroque



Good morning. Today I am sharing one of my samples with the new stamps from Chocolate Baroque recently featured on the shows with Lesley Wharton on Hochanda.

Materials:
How to make it:
  1. Cut the frame and square mats for layering. Edge with Distress ink and add faux stitching with the fine tipped pen.
  2. Stamp the image and sentiment with Distress Ink. Pull out the colour using a damp brush. Add some ink to a craft mat and use as a paint to add extra colour and shading. Use the white gel pen to add back some highlights if needed.
  3. Mat and layer onto the card front using 3D foam on the topper for extra depth.

Friday 17 February 2017

A couple of quick and easy cards created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I have a couple of quick and easy makes using the Baroque Meadow stamp from Chocolate Baroque. There is more inspiration and quick makes from my Teamies on the CB Blog.
 

I stamped the foliage with Versamark Ink and embossed with white powder. The background was then coloured with inks. The sunray stencil was laid on top and I gently sponged with water and blotted to remove some of the colour. Finished by stamping the sentiment and twig. I used green pen to edge the card and frame.


 
The images were stamped onto a tag with Distress Ink - so quick and easy with the beautiful Baroque Meadow stamp. The card was edged with black pen and a little Distress Ink to frame.
 
 
Materials (Magical Day):
 
Materials (Missing You):

Thursday 16 February 2017

TV Shows on Hochanda today with Lesley Wharton and Chocolate Baroque stamps








Good morning. Here is a sneak peek of some of my show samples using the lovely Spring themed stamps from Chocolate Baroque featuring on Hochanda today. I will be blogging more details and tutorials over the next month xxx.

Show times 7am, 11am and 3pm – if you miss it you can watch them online at Hochanda.

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Butterfly Wreath Card created for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 32


Here is my first contribution to Chocolate Baroques Colour Challenge 32 this month.

I came up with this after playing with my Inkadinkadoo stamping gear (circular wheel) – I hope that you like it.

Looking forward to seeing your entries x
 
Materials:
 
How it was made:
  1. I created the wreath using the stamping gear and the Sticks & Stones stamp set with green Distress Inks. I stamped the butterflies and sentiment with copper pigment ink and heat embossed with clear powder. Similar can be achieved by drawing a circle and dividing it into 8 sections. Keeping the stamp orientation steady, stamp and turn the card between each stamping, or just work more freely around a circle.
  2. The background was spritzed with pale blue ink. I cut out the topper and created a circular card using scalloped circle dies. I used the fine tipped pen to draw faux stitching and edged the card with blue Distress Ink.
  3. The butterfly was stamped and embossed with copper powder and coloured with sparkle pens. I cut then cut it out and shaped for added dimension. Twigs were cut from mirror card.
  4. I finished with the copper PVA pearls and a few dots of glitter glue for sparkle.

Saturday 11 February 2017

Spring Iris Card created for Chocolate Baroque





Good morning. Today I am sharing another of my TV show samples using the Kingfisher Song stamp set from Chocolate Baroque. The new stamps are now available directly from Chocolate Baroque. I hope that you like this Spring themed card.
I so enjoyed the shows and Demos with Lesley Wharton on Hochanda. More shows coming very soon! I am beavering away to finish the next set of samples. I feel hugely privileged to be on the Design Team for Chocolate Baroque. It can be hard work but I get to play with some wonderful stamp sets – yay!
 
Materials:
 
How to make the Stepper Card blank:
Cut the A5 card blank through both front and back panels starting approx. 8cm in from the left side and stopping 3cm up from the bottom. Score the front and back sections equally, 3 and 6cm in from the edge. ‘Mountain fold’ at the 3cm score line to create the side stepper.
 
How to make the card:
  1. Lightly spritz the card blank with blue and gold mica sprays. Tip: if the card curls a bit I tend to pop mine under a stack of die cutting mats while I work on the rest of the card.
  2. Cut the blue background panels and glue to the card. Cut the leafy sprig from green card. See below for how to create the die cut Iris.
  3. Cut the main panels from stamping card and lightly spritiz with blue mica spray. When dry add faux stitching with the fine tipped pen.
  4. Stamp the sentiment and image with Versamark. Colour the Iris image with watercolour pens.
  5. Glue the sentiment and image panels to the card using 3D foam for added depth. Glue on the leafy sprig and 3D Iris to finish.
How I created the 3D Iris Flower:


I created this using the Spellbinders ‘Create an Iris’ die. I cut it from approx. 180gsm card and coloured it with Spectrum Noir alcohol pens. I shaped it using ball tools and an embossing mat/foam mat. Colours used: DG3 for leaves, CT2 and 3 for larger petal centres, LV2 and 3 for outer petal edges, LV1 and 2 for inner small petals, and the blender to add highlights.

Tuesday 7 February 2017

Blue Kingfisher Tile Card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Here is another of my samples for the recent shows on Hochanda featuring the lovely Kingfisher Song stamps from Chocolate Baroque. I love to create monochromatic blue & white scenes – reminds me of gorgeous blue & white china or ceramic tiles.

These are still exclusive to Hochanda but will soon be available directly from Chocolate Baroque too.
 
Materials:
  • Kingfisher Song stamp set (Chocolate Baroque)
  • 15cm square card blank, blue card (Tattered Lace Shades), white stamping card (Sheena Douglass)
  • Distress Ink (Chipped Sapphire)
  • Fine tipped pen (blue)
  • Spray and Shine (Crafters Companion)
  • Tattered Lace dies: Square Accordion, Torn Edge Squares
 
How to make it:
  1. Cut the Accordion in white card and trim away the outer shape to make a frame. Trim the blue card to give a fine outer border. Glue mat and frame to the card front. Draw faux stitching with fine pen.
  2. Cut the Torn Edge Squares from white card, the smaller from stamping card for the main image. Glue the larger mat to the card front.
  3. Stamp the image with Distress Ink. Using a damp brush drag out colour from the stamped image, add more ink in areas of shading (apply ink from the pad to your craft mat and pick up colour with brush). Using a sponge, blend ink in from the card edges.
  4. Spray the image with Spray and Shine. This gives it the look of a ceramic tile.
  5. Apply to the card front with 3D foam for depth.

Monday 6 February 2017

Kingfisher stepper card created for Chocolate Baroque



Good morning. I made this card for a friend using the Kingfisher Song and scene building sets from Chocolate Baroque. These are still exclusive to Hochanda at the moment but will be on the Chocolate Baroque site in a few days.
 
Materials:

Our Fragile Earth Kingfisher Scene Card created for Chocolate Baroque



Good morning. Today I am sharing another of my samples made for the recent TV shows on Hochanda using the lovely new Kingfisher and scene building sets. These are still exclusive to Hochanda for a few more days – then they will also be available from Chocolate Baroque.

This sample started out to be a bit of a disaster. I used Soft Form Relief Paste to make the textured embellishment but while preparing we had no electricity for 12 hours. It was only 5 degrees in the house and unfortunately it made my embellishment go hard and brittle (where it is normally flexible and soft) – so I accidently smashed and cracked it! Aaaargh! But then I thought about a theme …… ‘our fragile earth’ …… and this design resulted. Tee hee.
 
Materials:
How to make it:
  1. Cover the Baroque Meadow stamp with a layer of Soft Form Relief Paste and leave to fully dry (1-2 days). Gently peel away from the stamp and trim away rough edges with scissors. Rub over the surface with Stazon ink. Mine snapped across due to the cold conditions. Usually this stays flexible so you will need to cut across with scissors.
  2. Using a sponge and the circle mask apply yellow ink to create the earth shape. Remove the mask and lightly spritz with the blue ink. When dry apply a layer of clear sparkle over the earth.
  3. Edge the card with Distress Ink and glue down the meadow embellishment and sentiment strips. Glue to the card front with 3D foam.
  4. Stamp the Kingfisher scene with Versafine ink. You only need to partially ink the stamp – cut out the Kingfisher. Colour with sparkle pens. Dot a little highlight into the eye with the white pen and when dry add Glossy Accents. Shape lightly and apply to the card with 3D glue gel.

Thursday 2 February 2017

Crochet scarf embellished with Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die cut flowers



I embellished this plain scarf with die cut flowers as a gift for a friend – she was delighted.

I used Tim Holtz Tattered Florals BigZ die to cut flowers from felt. I chose pastel colours and used the smallest of the flowers to give a delicate and pretty spring feel which co-ordinated with the soft and delicate yarn.  I stitched them in place with a small sequin and seed bead in the centre to give a little shimmer.