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Tuesday 20 December 2016

Inkspirational Stamp Collection and Colour Cloud


Hello crafters!

Here is another card to inspire you.

This card is a sample made using the beautiful Sentimentally Yours 'Inkspirational Stamp Collection'. Sentimentally Your 'Vintage Script Background' stamp and Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud blending inks.  We have used Creative Expressions 'Smoothies' to create the seamless, blended finish using two colours.

The colours we have used on this sample card are from the Phill Martin range -  'Frosty Blossom' and 'Frosty Sky', but as always I have attached examples using colour combinations.  We have also used black foundations card for the layers, but some colours work better with navy blue.

Firstly, we have created the coloured background layer using 'Colour Cloud'.   The middle colour (Frosty Blossom) was applied first using the 'Smoothies' at an angle across the card layer.  It's always a good idea to take off the excess colour from the smoothie then you can add more depth if you wish.  We then applied the second colour (Frosty Sky) working outside-in, making sure that we overlapped with the middle colour slightly to create the blended effect.

Secondly we stamped the 'Vintage Script' background onto the left hand side, using Black Soot Distress Ink.  We have made sure to overlap the edge, but come in enough to cover at least 1/2 the layer.   We then stamped the border on the left and right edge of the colour cloud layer.  On this card we have moved the 'Inkspirational Border' in a little on the left side, so that we could add some more flourishes.  On the right we have just stamped a little of the detail flourish to add some interest.

The tag was stamped again with Black Soot Distress Inks, using the 'Inkspirational Birthday Sentiments'. with a little extra flourish on the edges.

The Open Daisies petals have been layered together and finished with a simple cream pearl in the centre.

Here is what we used (with links to the www):


Full Card
 

Close Up

Close Up

Frosty Blossom and Frosty Jade 
Frosted Mink and Frosted Blossom


Decadent Denim and Soft Cerise

Chic Aubergine and Pretty in Pink


Remember -We are more than happy for you to replicate our cards in your own style :-)

Happy Crafting!











PS - Don't forget to 'like' Phill's Facebook page and follow him on Twitter to keep in touch, you can also find him on Pinterest and Instagram for ideas and inspiration :-)

(Links below)




Inkspirational Stamp Collection with Memento Inks

Inkspirational Stamp Collection with Memento Inks

Hello Crafters!

Here is a new card for you that was made at our regular card making workshops.

This card is a sample made using the Sentimentally Yours  'Inspirational Stamp Collection' and the beautiful Memento Ink Pads.  We have also used Creative Expressions 'Smoothies' to create the seamless, blended look on the flowers.  You can use these fabulous latex smoothies to blend with any inks such as distress inks or colour cloud.

The colours we have used on this card are the Elderberry and Teal Zeal, but as always I have attached samples using other colours

To stamp the borders around the frame we have inked up both colours on our chosen border stamp from the 'Inkspirational Borders A5 Stamp Set'' before applying to the card.  We applied the lighter colour first and then slightly overlapped the darker colour to blend.   We started with a shorter edge and then rotated the card and stamped the border again until all four sides were stamped.  To create the sentiment we have  used the 'Inspirational Birthday Sentiments A5 Stamp Set' and again have overlapped the two ink colours to create the blended look.  We have then used a 'Smoothie' to gently tap the darker colour against the edge of the layers and soften the white edges.

To create the stunning flowers we have used 'Smoothies' to blend the two colours.  Starting with the centre colour we applied ink to the smoothie, but then took off any excess ink to control the depth of colour.  (You can always add, but you cannot take away!).  We applied to the centre of each flower using a gentle circular action, just so it came about 1/3 of the way.  Next we applied the outer colour to the very tips of the petal quite darkly, so that this would contrast.  To create the faded look we took off virtually all the excess ink from the smoothie and using a gentle circular action we blended the outer colour from outside-in and just overlapped the inner colour.   The flowers were then shaped with a 'Shape-It' tool and assembled.

The flower dies were very gently inked with the same two colours, just to take off the stark whiteness.

This card has 6 layers;

Card Blank - 21 x 18
Layer 1 - 20.5 x 17.5 (plain white - stuck flat to base card)
Layer 2 - 20 x 17 (embossed layer - stuck flat to layer 1)
Layer 3 - 16.5 x 12.5 (plain white)
Layer 4 - 16 x 12 (stamped border - stuck flat to layer 3)
Layer 5 -  9.5 x 7.5 (plain white)
Layer 6 - 9 x 7 (stamped sentiment - stuck flat to layer 5)

We used double sided foam tape to lift the stamped border layer and stamped sentiment layer.   Glitter jewels was used on each flower petal, the leaf die and the edges of the layers.

Here is what we used (with links to the www)




Close Up
Close Up



Close Up



Tangelo and Rich Cocoa

Teal Zeal and Lilac Posies

Rhubarb Stalk and Tangelo 
Nautical Blue and Pear Tart


Cottage Ivy and Lilac Posies

Remember -We are more than happy for you to replicate our cards in your own style :-)

Happy Crafting!











PS - Don't forget to 'like' Phill's Facebook page and follow him on Twitter to keep in touch, you can also find him on Pinterest and Instagram for ideas and inspiration :-)

(Links below)


Friday 18 November 2016

Dainty Daisies collection with pearl lustre embossing powders

Hello Crafters!


Here is another beautiful card made at our regular card making workshops.


This card is a sample made using the 'Dainty Daisies Stamp Collection' and uses the gorgeous 'Pearl Lustre Embossing Powders' from Phill's cosmic shimmer range.   The pearl lustre powders give a softer, but more pearlescent finish when embossing.  The flowers have been 'double embossed' to give a really stunning glossy look! This colour is the 'Decadent Oak' used with Chestnut Foundation Card, but I have attached some other examples using different colour combinations.


To stamp with the pearl lustre powders it is really important to use the anti-static bag and be quite generous as the mica content means the powder clings more.   After applying 'perfect medium' to the stamp and heat embossing, leave the stamped image for a few minutes and then wipe away any excess pearl lustre powder with a very soft tumble dryer sheet.  This just helps to lift off any left over powder and ensures the area around where you have stamped stays clean!


The stamps that I have used for the main sentiment are the 'Dainty Daisies Everyday Sentiments' and the corners have been stamped with the 'Dainty Daisies Everyday Corner Sentiments'.  The gorgeous swirly pattern behind the sentiment has been done using the 'Dainty Daisies Flourishes & Corners'.  It just adds that extra bit of loveliness to the card!


To double emboss the flowers, we have pressed the die cut flower 'right-side' down into the perfect medium pad.  Your fingers get a bit sticky, but it's all part of the fun!  Turn the flower over and cover with the pearl lustre powder, shaking off any excess.  Heat emboss gently until the powder melts. The first finish will look a bit 'wishy-washy', but don't worry as you are going to repeat the process again to ensure the final finish is lovely! (be sure to allow the flower to completely cool before pressing back into the perfect medium).


To finish off the flowers we have used the Pearl PVA in the coordinating colour in the centre, and sprinkled over glitter jewels for extra bling.


The oval frame has been created using the 'Grace' die Sue Wilson's Frame & Tags collection.  I love this die as it is so versatile.  Here, we have set the dies down into the card, but you could easily build the layers up to add more depth.  


When making easel cards you need to make sure that the flat, base layer of the card has a 'lifted' part so that the top part can rest on it and stand easily.  Here we have used a simple border stamped randomly with 3 daisies from the 'Dainty Daisies Flourishes & Corners' and using the same Pearl Lustre embossing powder.  We have lifted the border with double sided foam tape.



We have finished off the card with Sue Wilson dies: Delicate (Daisies Complete). and Delicate Fronds.

Here is what I used (with links to the WWW if you need them) 

(As always, we only use Cosmic Shimmer dries clear PVA glue and Perfect Medium pad)

The Full Card







































Close Up

























Close Up


























Close Up

























Close Up




























Decadent Denim

























Decadent Grape



























Remember -We are more than happy for you to replicate our cards in your own style :-)

Happy Crafting!


PS - Don't forget to 'like' Phill's Facebook page and follow him on Twitter to keep in touch, you can also find him on Pinterest and Instagram for ideas and inspiration :-)

(Links below)






Thursday 3 November 2016

Exciting News!

Our Nottingham Store Is
Moving To Bigger Premises!


Come and join us on our open day!

Sunday 4th December
10am-4pm



Scribbled Christmas - Distress Ink and Embossing Folder

Hello Crafters!

Here is another beautiful card made at our regular card making workshops.

This card is a sample made using the 'Scribbled Christmas Collection' and applying 'Distress Inks' with a 'Speedball Brayer' to an embossing folder.  I am sure you agree, it creates a stunning effect and allows you complete colour co-ordination!  This colour is Victorian Velvet, but I have also attached some other examples made by the lovely ladies in our Sheffield workshops.

To apply the Distress Ink we have rolled the Speedball Brayer over the over the ink pad until it was fully covered.  Then we lightly rolled the brayer on the rough side of the embossing folder, checking that it was evenly covered.  To ensure we didn't smudge the card, we placed the card stock vertically on the smooth/clean side of the embossing folder and lifted it together to close.  A bit of experimentation told us it was better to put the open end of the embossing folder through the machine first with the plain side facing up!

On this card I have used the A5 Scribbled Christmas Verse stamps for the main sentiment and added the snowflake flourish from the same set to help co-ordinate the look.   The sentiments on the oval frame are from the A5 Scribbled Christmas Sentiments stamps and they've  been curved on the acrylic block to allow us to stamp around the frame. 

The oval frame has been created using 2 dies from Sue Wilson's Double Pierced Oval Set A. The bit that comes out of the middle has been used for the sentiment. 

We have finished off the card with Sue Wilson dies: Holly Branch and Poinsettia Additions.

Here is what I used (with links to the WWW if you need them) 


Sentimentally Yours - Super Smooth Stamping Card in Cream
Sentimentally Yours Scribbled Christmas Collection - A5 Scribbled Christmas Verses 
Sentimentally Yours Scribbled Christmas Collection - A5 Scribbled Christmas Sentiments
Sue Wilson Dies - Double Pierced Ovals Set ASue Wilson Dies - Holly BranchSue Wilson Dies - Poinsettia AdditionsIcicle Sparkles - Cosmic Shimmer Glitter JewelsNordic Tiles - 8 x 8 Embossing Folder
Woodware - Speedball Brayer
Victorian Velvet - Distress Ink Pad

(As always, we only use Cosmic Shimmer dries clear PVA glue and Perfect Medium pad)




The Full Card


Close Up





















Close Up




















Close Up




















Stormy Sky Example




















Bundled Sage Example




















Dusty Concord Example




















Remember -We are more than happy for you to replicate our cards in your own style :-)

Happy Crafting!


PS - Don't forget to 'like' Phill's Facebook page and follow him on Twitter to keep in touch, you can also find him on Pinterest and Instagram for ideas and inspiration :-)

(Links below)