Tuesday 30 August 2016

For the Love Of Harry Potter

A few days ago I made a card that I absolutely love, love love. So why didn't I put it on my blog straight away, you ask. Well, I've been having a real battle with myself; the problem is that it isn't totally SU! I'm really trying, honest I am, but sometimes I just haven't got the equivalent Stampin' Up item.... or as in this case, they don't make it. And this time, it's the main feature.

Waiting for a suitable sentiment

So what's all the fuss about? The other week, I saw a fabulous card, sorry but I can't remember who by, that I really had to CASE. It called to me, in fact it positively screamed my name. I'll try and trawl through to credit the original artist. Then by chance I saw someone selling the retired stamp If the Broom Fits. How could I not create my version of this card. It was a sign. It was meant to be. But in being, it has caused my dilemma.


The more I saw this stamp, the more I thought how nice it could be just stamping individual brooms. I also decided that Gorgeous Grunge would be great to add to the magical theme.


The golden snitch was created by die cutting a circle, its wings - I know they should have been silver -  made by punching several butterflies layered up to create length and cut in half, one for each side. And that's where I strayed from the Stampin' Up path. The gold paper was found in my scrap drawer; just enough for one card. To me it gives the impression of the markings needed and if I'm going to be totally honest, I wish I knew where it came from as I'd love to buy more of it!


 I started by cutting a piece of A4 heavy Whisper White cardstock in half for the card blank. Night of Navy was layered on top leaving a small edge of white all around. I stamped 2 brooms, one in Chocolate Chip, the other in Crumb Cake and fussy cut them out. It's only recently that I've started to fussy cut, it isn't always possible or necessary to get dies for each stamp. Linen thread was folded over and tied in a bow around 1 of the brooms which was attached to the card using dimensionals. Before attaching the snitch, I used Versamark to stamp the "splatters"  out of Gorgeous Grunge and heat embossed using gold powder. All that it needs now is a suitable sentiment.

Wow, after some help from some lovely ladies this is the link to the inspiration for this card. Massive thanks to Beryl.
B-CREative with Beryl Independant Stampin' Up demonstrator 

Wednesday 24 August 2016

I Like You.......

Just a quickie for today. I've been playing with Aqua Paints and Write Markers over the last few days. It's obvious that my water colouring skills are sadly lacking so looks like I have the perfect excuse to sit and practise.

Whisper White on the left/Watercolour Paper on the right

I thought I'd make a direct comparison between the Whisper White card stock and the SU Watercolour Paper. Notice how you get a more vibrant effect on the Watercolour Paper? The Whisper White has a more muted effect but because the water has warped the paper a little I'd be more inclined to use the heavier card in future. Another option would be to use the Shimmer White, which I'll try once my order comes in.







Monday 22 August 2016

She's got the key of the door, never been 21 before....

While I have started papercrafting for Christmas rather than make cards there are some occasions that you just want to make a card for.


Today it's my youngest daughter, Sarah's 21st birthday; I know, I don't look old enough! Anyway, not being a girly girl I decided to make a card in shades of purple and turquoise - not an obvious choice but her favourite colour she assures me is turquoise and being an Emo, purple had to be included. The stamp set used was Balloon Celebration and I used the Balloon Bouquet co-ordinating punch. My upline Susan, aka Mama Duck, kindly cut out the number 21 using the large number framelit dies - I really must soon get my own set soon as I can see so many uses for them.


I couldn't decide at first how to tie the purple and turquoise together for the background; then I remembered I had Gorgeous Grunge. I used the larger ink splat in turquoise and the smaller splat in purple. With both colours I stamped onto a scrap of paper first before committing to the background so I ended up with a paler version. The eagle eyed amongst you will notice the lines from the edge the stamps; I actually like the addition of them for this card as it adds to the effect although normally, I'd wipe away excess ink before stamping.



The balloons were given a lick of Wink of Stella before being heat embossed with clear powder.







Monday 15 August 2016

Time Flies...

Well time certainly seems to be flying here in Colne, this year is wizzing by. Once again I decided to concentrate on small gifts for Christmas; this time an easel calendar with post it pad, they say variety is the spice of life. I also felt that it was time that men got a look in, most of my crafty makes are very much designed for women. Like lots of crafters, I tend to find cards and gifts more difficult to design with men in mind.

 I keep seeing the Hardwood background stamp cut and turned into fencing but thought it would be nice to use it as is. This stamp reminded me of the hardwood interior of a Freeman 22 mark 1 cabin cruiser I'm the co-owner of still at the moment so it didn't take much of a leap to use the Going Global stamp set and create a slightly nautical theme. I have a die in the shape of an anchor that completed the look. The colours chosen add to the theme.


I used Marina Mist as the base card and layered with the Crumb Cake stamped with the Hardwood background. Dapper Denim added a splash as my accent colour. I also used Linen Thread wrapped around the Crumb Cake several times to give a little texture. The anchor was coloured in grey and then I used glossy accents over it. It came out exactly as I had planned, looking quite grungy, but that was more by luck than design.

Close up
All that I need to do now is add the Post It notes when they arrive.



Sunday 14 August 2016

Busy Bee....

Hi everyone, while I'm not ready to start making more Xmas cards yet, I thought I'd start preparing for Xmas in other ways. The other week I decided to order calendar tabs, post it notes and shopping list pads with a view to making some desk top sets. I only hope the village has an Xmas fair or everybody I know will be getting a set from Santa. I had seen a lovely calendar on Pinterest, created by Lorri Heiling so decided to use that as my inspiration. The Post It note and mini pen holder was inspired by Dee Slater, her tutorial is on You Tube so thank you to both ladies.

I've mentioned before my daughter is called A-beee by her friends and partner so what better bundle to use than Shooting Stars. I used the beehive and both sized bees. While I could create a tutorial I feel the 2 ladies mentioned above do a far better job than I ever could so I have linked to Lorri's blog and Dee's You Tube video. I hope you feel I've done them justice with my creations. So the colours used are -


I think they look lovely and fresh together.














Tuesday 9 August 2016

Oh Baby...


Just a very quick and simple card for today using the Something For Baby stamp set. I took my inspiration from the current SU catalogue (image below) since this particular stamp works best with Write Markers.

Click here to shop
 I created the background by first stamping on a scrap of paper to remove excess ink before stamping on the white card.

Once again, I've stamped on the envelope and also inside on the insert for a cohesive look.


Thursday 4 August 2016

Not quite Xmas in July...

I've been lucky enough to have a sneaky peak at the new Autumn/Winter Catalogue and I have to admit there are some gorgeous new stamps coming out; some even have dies or punches to co-ordinate. With so many to choose from I'm trying to work out my "can't live without list" and at the moment it's quite a list. The dilemma I have is that as a new demonstrator, I'm still trying to build up my core stock so I want the choices I make really work for me.

In the meantime as everyone is showing their Xmas makes, I thought I'd make a card using the Wondrous Wreath stamps and Wonderful Wreath die set. Luckily these stamps are extremely versatile, so if I wanted to, I can use them for other occasions as well.

First of all I decided on my colour scheme. I have a friend in mind to send this to during the holiday season who likes all her decor to match - and that includes cards when possible!
So for Chantelle, I've chosen Pool Party and Bermuda Bay with highlights of Crumb Cake.


This uses up to 3 stamps to create the wreath, so first of all, I stamped the background leaves in Pool Party, then used Bermuda Bay to give a little depth. I finally did the berries in Crumb Cake and brushed them with clear Wink of Stella to add a little shimmer.


Layering the stamps is so easy as each one has a small tab to ensure correct placement, hence the small mark on the card. As I'm die cutting this, it won't be seen. Obviously, if this wasn't being cut out, I would use a light pencil guideline and erase.


To add interest, I took some bakers twine in white, separated it into single strands and coloured it with a marker before wrapping around the top layer of card before matting and layering.


The wreath and bow were fixed using dimensionals - double sided foam pads -to give a slightly 3D effect. The addition of a layered sentiment completes the look. I've placed a stamped insert in as well as stamped the envelope. A friend once said how nice it was to receive a card with a decorated envelope, that it ensured, depending on personality it was opened either first or last.

Inside and out