Christmas Show Card Samples - One day at a time - Day 5!

Good Morning Everyone

It's a bit of a breezy day here in Nottingham!, but the sun is shining so it's ok :-)

I've got lot's to do between today and tomorrow!

I'm back on Create & Craft on Tuesday at 8am and 2pm, with 'Best Sellers' shows,.. this is a great way for me to bring back some of the stamps we've had on previously, that sold out so quickly I didn't get chance to demo them properly!
It's also a great opportunity for you to grab them whilst they are back :-)

It's also the Great British Craft Festival at Stoneleigh Park in Warwick next weekend, so I'm restocking and making sure I have lot's of lovely stamps and my new Vintage Christmas Paper Pad ready for you!
If last years event is anything to go by, this year will be even better!

I'm on stand A2 'Sentimentally Yours Stamps by Phill Martin' and I will have my sister (Karen) and my friends Lorraine and Tanya helping me out,.. my Auntie Sue will also be helping me on the Sunday so I'm really looking forward to a busy weekend!

Anyway,.. we are on day 5 (already!) of my Christmas Show Card Samples - One day at a time posts,.. I hope you're not bored with them and you are getting some ideas on how to use my new Christmas stamps and papers :-)

So, here is card no.5, a lovely 8x8 card in beautiful deep red tones..

As always, I've popped a list of what I used with links to them on my www if you 'need' to purchase them :-)

8x8 Vintage Christmas Premium Paper Pad
Christmas Sentiments Stamps
Marvellous Squares Dies
Layered Poinsettia Dies
Stardust Stickles
Red Dazzlers
Aged Mahogany Distress Ink Pad
A4 Quilted Flower Embossing Folder

One of the things I love most about my new Vintage Christmas Paper Pad is that it works so well with the distress inks (anybody would think I planned that!) lol

Aged Mahogany and Festive Berries Distress Ink Pads are perfect for the red toned papers!

I hope you like this card,.. It's one of my faves, the detail of the Quilted Flower Embossing Folder really stands out 'in real life'.

Anyhoo, off to get some work done!

Happy Crafting!

Christmas Show Card Samples - One day at a time - Day 2!

Good Afternoon Everyone

As promised, here's the second sample card from my Christmas Shows, with a little list of what I used and a link to my www for you to go and get them, should you feel the crafty need!) :-)

This is an 8" x 7" Card, in lovely Green Tones :-)

Vintage Christmas 8x8 Paper Pad (sold out in 2 days! now back in stock) :-)
Christmas Sentiments Collection Stamps
Bundled Sage Distress Ink Pad
A4 Lattice Heart Embossing Folder
Acrylic Circle (the one I used on air)
Stardust Stickles
Spellbinders Marvellous Squares Dies

I'm not sure if you can see from the photograph, but i've used the Stardust Stickles on the hearts on the embossed border and randomly around the lovely swirly stars on the background paper,.. they just add that extra 'something'!

Hope you like this card, I love green!

Happy Crafting!

Gilded Dragonfly Meadow

Good Afternoon Everyone

I know, I know,... it's been a while, but I have been really busy! 

Anyhoo, here's todays' post for you... this was a sample card I made for my last shows on Create & Craft, with one of my new stamps, Dragonfly Meadow..

I adore Dragonflies and, dare I say it, probably more than butterflies! (shocking!) lol

This is what I used:
Cream 8x8 Card Blank
Cream Card
Brown Card
Sentimentally Yours Dragonfly Meadow A5 Stamp Set
Cosmic Shimmer Gemstones Gilding Flakes
Cosmic Shimmer Flake & Glitter Glue
Brown Seam Binding Ribbon
Spellbinders Grand Ovals
Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Metal Button


This is what I did:
I won't rattle on about matting and layering as you can see what I did from the photo... 

The card blank was cut with the largest oval die through my Grand Calibur, making sure I overlapped the crease of the card and the bottom of the card to give me a fold and a flat bit so the card stood up! lol

I then did the second largest doe in brown card.

Then the third largest die is cream card and this is the one I used to gild onto.

I used the Cosmic Shimmer flake & Glitter Glue and applied it to my stamp using a piece of cut n dry foam,.. now, I have so many people ask me what the trick is with gilding flakes and it's simple really,... 

Don't use too much glue and don't apply loads of pressure when you stamp it (like you would do with inks)

I, literally, glue the stamp, then just put it onto the card, giving just a very light amount of pressure and remove it straight away.

Then, I just covered the glued impression with the gilding flakes and burnished them into the glue, rubbing off all the excess with my little scrubby sponge :-)

As you'd expect, there's a triple upside down bow made with the brown seam binding ribbon ;-)

The lovely sentiment is part of the Dragonfly Meadow set and I just stamped it onto some left over cream card and snipped the end with my scissors to give it the 'flag' look..I curled the sentiment with my bone folder and used wet glue to stick to the card.

TOP TIP - The cosmic shimmer flake and glitter glue is a little softer than most used for gilding, I would, however, clean the stamp straight away with warm soapy water (I just chucked mine in the sink lol and it washed up lovely)

You'll find most of the products I used on my show on my website here..

Hope you like it :-)

I love gilding flakes and love the overall simplicity and elegance of this card,.. the stamp is doing the hard work here (not me!) ha ha

Happy Crafting!

Just a note....

Good Morning Everyone

It's now stopped raining and the sun is shining! :-)

This is another one of my sample cards from my shows on Create & Craft....

This is what I used:
Kraft 8x8 Card Blank
Cream Card
Kraft Card 
Sentimentally Yours Circle Frame & Flourish Collection A5 Stamp Set
Sentimentally Yours Damask Background and Damask Borders & Icons A6 Stamp Sets
Cosmic Shimmer Ivory Pearl PVA
Medium Dazzlers
Sue Wilson A4 Quilted Flower Embossing Folder
Spellbinders Gold Labels Dies
Brown Ribbon


This is what I did:
I won't rattle on about matting and layering as you can see what I did from the photo...
The second layer is cream card and I have stamped a random (ish) pattern using the largest and smallest of the Damask Icon stamps,.. the smaller has been stamped as a second generation (lighter tone of the same ink)
The third layer is kraft card and I have used the Ivory Pearl pva to create faux pearls all the way around.
The fourth layer cream card and I have stamped the damask background stamp in the centres, just enough to show through the aperture :-).
The fifth layer is kraft card, embossed using the quilted flower embossing folder. I have also cut an aperture in this using the gold labels dies. (Aperture was cut first)
I then die cut a layer in kraft card and a layer in cream card, stamped the sentiment onto the cream card.
I also used autumn bronze gilding wax around the edges (gives a beautiful pearlescent sheen!)
All edges were distressed, apart from the actual card and the kraft and cream layer :-)
The layers are difficult to see on the photo, but I have created dimension using foam pads.
I finished off with my signature upside down triple bow in brown ribbon.
Popped a medium dazzler in the centre and job done.. easy peasy :-) 
TOP TIP - Save time and do the faux pearls with the pva beforehand, to give them time to set properly.

You'll find most of the products I used on my show on my website here.. 

You'll find the full range of Polished Silk Glitters here..

Hope you like it!

Always believe that something wonderful will happen....

Good Morning Everyone

This is another one of my sample cards from my shows on Create & Craft....

This is what I used:
Cream Card Blank
Cream Card (about 3 sheets!)
Iced Spruce Distress Ink Pad
Sentimentally Yours Quotes of Inspiration Collection A5 Stamp Set
Cosmic Shimmer Sahara Gold Polished Silk Glitter
Medium Dazzlers
Double Sided Adhesive Sheet
Spellbinders Radiant Rectangle Dies
Couture Creations Large Joes Garden Embossing Folder
That Special Touch Ivy Mask
Sage Ribbon 


This is what I did:
I won't rattle on about matting and layering as you can see what I did from the photo.
The second layer of cream card was covered in the self adhesive sheet and dusted with the beautiful sahara gold polished silk glitter (my new fave glitter!!), this is a much softer glitter than those we usually see, still has sparkle, but understated and classy.
On the third layer, I inked through the Ivy mask with the iced spruce distress ink to give it a lovely background. I then pierced the top and bottom sides of this layer (not all the way around) :-)
The fourth layer was cut to size to fit the embossing folder, then I did some very gentle distressing of the edges (ha ha) just to bring all the layers, so far, together.
I then die cut the centre frame and oval layers from the Radiant Rectangles die set, inked through the dies whilst they were still in place, with the iced spruce distress ink.
I stamped the sentiment onto cream card, using the iced spruce distress ink, and cut it out (made easy by the fact that I have left double borders on nearly all of my sentiment stamps!), I then used a quickie glue pen to add a border of the sahara gold glitter.
I made a border of the sage ribbon and stuck this through the middle of the embossed layer.
The first frame die cut is attached to the embossed layer flat, using cosmic shimmer glue, then the layers on top of this are all on 3d foam pads.
The sentiment is actually on a double layer of 2mm foam pads, giving it a 4mm height,.. this makes the focus of the card the words (when you see it in real life, it's really more obvious)
I finished off my my signature upside down triple bow and tails :-) 
TOP TIP - Save all your scraps of ribbon, they make perfect tails for your cards, without having to cut up more from a reel or full length :-)

The Quotes of Inspiration stamps are perfect for adding meaningful words to our projects,... I love words on cards, they make them (I think) so much more elegant :-)
And remember, you don't have to use them with the frames around them (see my previous posts on how to mask off the frames) 

You'll find most of the products I used on my show on my website here.. 

Hope you like this one - I love the colour scheme! 

Delightful Damask ....

Good Morning Everyone

This is another one of my sample cards from my shows on Create & Craft and one of the demos I did...

This is what I used:
White 8x8 Card Blank
Black Card
White Card
Shaded Lilac Distress Ink Pad
Sentimentally Yours Circle Frames and Flourish Collection A5 Stamp Set
Sentimentally Yours Damask Borders & Icons A6 Stamp Set
Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels Glacier Ice
Black Sparklers
Spellbinders Die Gold Majesty Circles
White Pearls
Black Pearls
Lilac Ribbon 


This is what I did:
I won't rattle on about matting and layering as you can see what I did from the photo.
The second layer of white has an aperture cut from the frame of the Gold Majesty Circles, you'll notice this die leaves beautiful piercing detail around the aperture too.
The actual topper, created from the die, is done by sticking a piece of white card to some double sided adhesive sheet, then die cutting as one piece (using the frame and next layer of the die) then peel the backing off and burnish the glitter jewels into the sticky side... simple :-)
To get the distressed edges onto it (as I have) this needs to be done before applying to the adhesive sheet, all I did was put the outer frame die onto my white card, then ink inside it, removed the die, inked around the outside, then placed the card (face down) onto the adhesive sheet, lined the die up within the inked area and cut :-)
I stamped the larger of the two circle frames from the stamp set, cut it out and then stamped the sentiment from the same set into the middle. I then (painstakingly!) put alternate black and white pearls around the line that the circle stamp gives.
I then die cut the plain and decorative circle from the die set together and distressed the edges.
The background, with the aperture, was stamped with Shaded Lilac, the larger damask icon was stamped on directly, the smaller one was second generation stamping (ie, ink it up, stamp on some scrap paper, then onto the project)
I finished of with a lovely triple bow in the lilac ribbon and put a black sparkler onto the bow and top of the topper... a few black and white pearls around the corners finished the card off... job done!
TOP TIP - You can apply less distress ink to any stamp by using a piece of cut n dry foam, this saves the need to do second generation stamping, if you're not confident. :-)

The Damask Background Stamp and matching borders & icons are one of my faves, so many uses, so many different looks, from just two stamp sets! :-) Black & White projects look amazing with these stamps!

You'll find most of the products I used on my show on my website here.. 

Hope you like it!

Shades of Cream - Have a wonderful day!

Good Morning Everyone

This is another one of my sample cards from my shows on Create & Craft and the second demo I did on the 10am show. (even if I did finish it after the show lol)

This is what I used:
Kraft 8x8 Card Blank
Cream Card
Beige Card
Gathered Twigs Distress Ink Pad
Sentimentally Yours Lacy Rectangle Frames and Borders Collection A5 Stamp Set
Sentimentally Yours Everyday Flourish Collection A5 Stamp Set
Creative Expressions Micro Beads
Creative Expressions A4 Adhesive Sheets
Couture Creations Large Joes Garden Embossing Folder
Spellbinders Die D-Lites Blooms 3
Sue Wilson Foliage Dies
Cosmic Shimmer Pearl PVA Glue
Brown Ribbon

This is what I did:
I won't rattle on about matting and layering as you can see what I did from the photo, I did pierce around the edge of the first beige layer to add interest.
I stamped the large Lacy Rectangle Frame onto some beige card using the Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and cut it out (easy to do too!), then I embossed it with the embossing folder, then distressed the edges and glittered them.
I stamped the smaller lacy rectangle frame onto cream card, using the gathered twigs and cut it out, then stamped the 'Have a wonderful day' sentiment from the Everyday Flourish Collection. (I masked off the frame around the sentiment with removable tape, then inked it, then removed the tape, then stamped the sentiment (that will mean you just get the words, with no frame (even better value!!) (If you look closely, I have actually third generation stamped the bottom flourish of the frame under the sentiment as I wanted to add a feint flourish (I'll show you how to do this soon)
This was mounted onto a piece of Kraft card and cut around.
The border consists of three layers, the first is a small one with one of the lacy borders stamped onto it, the second is a bit bigger, with pierced edges, the third is larger again and this time it was stuck to self adhesive sheet and covered with micro beads (lovely!)
I die cut one of each flower die in kraft card and in cream card and two sets of leaves in cream card.
The flower centre is actually Pearl PVA Glue covered in micro bead (looks amazing!)
I finished off by making a triple bow in brown ribbon and a set of 'tails' to put at the bottom of the card, added a couple of small clear dazzlers... job done!
I love the neutral colours of this card and how the frame gives it a really elegant finish.
TOP TIP - When I attach the flowers and leaves to my cards, I always put the flowers on where I want them and tuck the leaves underneath,.. :-)

You'll find most of the products I used on my show on my website here..

I hope you like it!

Life is beautiful...

Good Morning Everyone

It's a nippy one too! so I've mashed a cuppa and thought I'd pop this card on that was one of my samples on Create & Craft.
I've had lot's of people ask me to put the photos on my Blog so I will :-)

This card features a sentiment from my Sentimentally Yours Stamps and this set will be on C and C on my next shows (I'll confirm the dates as soon as I can)

Here's a photo of the card

Here's what I used

1 6x6 white card blank

2 A4 sheets of my white inking card

Spellbinders Scalloped Borders 2

Spellbinders Gold Labels 4

Vintage pink seam binding ribbon

Couture Creations Great Almanzo embossing folder

Sentimentally Yours Tiny Little Ink Splats Stamp

Sentimentally Yours Words of Inspiration Stamps

Victorian Velvet distress ink pad

Cosmic Shimmer Clover ink mist

Creative Expressions small dazzlers

I love this card, lot's of inky fun, but still quite a pretty finish and it's easy to do!

You can see how I've assembled the card from the photo, so I'll just tell you what I did on which layer :-)

There is a plain white layer on the card blank, the second layer has been misted with my Clover Ink Mist, then another white layer (no edges inked on the white layers to give it a clear seperation), the next layer has been stamped with my perfect medium using my Tiny Little Ink Splats stamp, then embossed with the Pink Speckle embossing powder, I then distressed all over the top with victorian velvet and wiped the ink off the embossed areas. 

The next layer has been given a beautiful edge using the scalloped borders 2 dies, this was then embossed up to where the scalloped border starts. (I did very lightly ink the edges of this layer) 

The dies were cut from my inking card and the base die given the distressed edge treatment :-)

The top die was glittered all around the edge.

The sentiment was stamped with the Victorian Velvet distress ink onto my inking card and cut out, then distressed around the edges and glittered.

TOP TIP - You'll see me distressing most of my sentiments and if you look closely, I always leave the middle bit clear, this draws the eye to the words of the sentiment :-) You can see on my sentiment on this photo that I have put more ink on the left and right to achieve this effect.

Hope you like it

:-)

Happy Crafting!

2 Stamps, 2 Ink Pads & 2 Punches :)

Good Evening Everyone...

Well, it's been a busy old day, with one thing or another!

It's not long now until collection 3 (can you believe it!) of my Sentimentally Yours Stamps is released (but I will tell you more about that nearer the time) :-)

I can tell you that I will be at a few of the Craft Shows with them this year and, again, I will list them for you soon :)

Anyhoo, I wanted to show you another way in which you can use your distress inks.

As you know (surely by now) I love distress inks and love to make the most of them so, with this card, I have used them with a couple of butterfly punches in 2 different ways.

The first white layer, I punched out a mix of the butterflies, used low tack tape to stick them around the edge of the layer and then inked over them, with Faded Jeans first, then a touch of Frayed Burlap. (Save a couple of the inked over butterflies for decoration later) :-)

The second white layer, I used the negatives from the punched out shapes as stencils, to ink through, again with the same two colours.

Here's what I used:

• My Sentimentally Yours Inking Card (this is such a fabulous card that really helps with distress techniques)
• My Sentimentally Yours A5 Everyday Flourish Collection Stamps (great collection of mixed everyday sentiments in different shapes)
• My Sentimentally Yours A6 Butterfly Dance Background Stamp
• Faded Jeans and Frayed Burlap Distress Ink Pads
• 2 different sized butterfly punches
• Corner rounder punch
• Scrap of twine
• Glitter

And here's the card :)

Hope you like it!

Distress Inking & Mask Stamping

Good Evening Everyone

I've been playing with my distress inks and my IndigoBlu stamps (no surprise there then!) and thought you may like to see what I did.... and, more importantly, how I did it...

I've used

Stormy Sky Distress Ink Pad

Faded Jeans Distress Ink Pad

Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink Pad

IndigoBlu Stylised Flowers Stamp

Woodware Huge Circle Punch

Woodware Butterfly Punch

Wee Stamps Digi Image

This is what I did

1. Printed the digi image onto my super smooth white card
2. Trimmed the card to 14cm square
3. Punched a circle from thick cardstock
4. Using a removable tape pen, masked over the image
5. Inked the card (lightly) with Stormy Sky, all the way up to the circle.
6. Inked from the circle outwards with the Brushed Corduroy, to create a soft brown shadow.
7. Inked the outer edges again, this time with Faded Jeans, heavier on the corners and edges.
8. Stamped the Stylised flowers using the Brushed Corduroy, blotting once onto scrap paper to soften the colour.
9. Punched the butterfly from thick  cardstock.
10. Inked through the negative of the butterfly punch with Faded Jeans, effectively using it as a stencil.
11. Removed the punched circle and voila! A lovely clean image surrounded by even more lovely inkyness! :o)

And here are three little photos to show you :o)

Hope you find this useful... I love this technique!

All I have to do now is take a photo of the image, coloured in!

Happy Crafting!

Hunkydory Show Cards

Good Afternoon Everyone!

Well, what a busy week it's been!

Kicked off with the amazing Hunkydory Christmas Blockbuster (hope you got yours), then two days of Serif with the equally fabulous Fizzy Moon Digikits (I loooove them!.. so many images to work with!) and then back yesterday with the Hunkydory Christmas Blockbuster and then in my shop this morning doing a Serif workshop!!

I'm pretty sure I need to sleep at some point! lol

Anyhoo, I find I'm in a state of shock as I have a couple of hours free! 

So I thought I'd pop some photos on here of some of the cards I made on air with the Christmas Blockbuster.... 

Hopefully they will give you some ideas and inspiration :o)

I haven't taken photos of all the cards I made on air (I forgot my phone!) lol, but there are 7 to keep you going...

Happy Crafting!

Here you go....

A4 Easel Card

8x8 Tent Fold 

8x8 Aperture Tent Fold 

C5 Tent Fold 

8x8 Side Fold 

A5 Cut Away Side Fold 

A4 Tent Fold