Morning Friends and Crafters, For those of you who saw my second episode of 'Back to Basics' with Craftascope last night. I really hope you enjoyed it and found it useful & worthwhile. After the show I added a few finishing touches as discussed and added a little sentiment. So here is the end result, do excuse to odd finger print. You can still take a look at the video on my youtube channel and I have added the link to this post to, so pop over and see how it was done.
As I said on the video, I will be adding to the series for as long as I get your requests. So if there is anything you would like to see included in the future shows, then please leave your comments on the comments under the video so I can find them easily.
This weeks 'Natter with Nick' offer ended last night but there are still some really great buys on my Etsy store, some are a little low on stock now, but hopefully you will find what you want to add to your Craftascope Library. I did a second demo on last nights show, I added it as a separate video and you can see it here.
Well I have lots of preparation underway for my first stand at Stamperama in August, not long to go now. I will be sharing lot's of new goodies before visiting Hochanda on the 13th August. Well thats all for no, so Take care and Happy Crafting.xx
Hi Friends and Crafters. Well here I am with the first tutorial using the New 'Retro' Collection launched on Hochanda a couple of weeks ago. I have to thank you all so much for embracing the unique collection. I was so touched that so many of you have now joined the Craftascope Family. It's also been a real treat for me to see all of the beautiful Creations being shared. It really does show me, how much fun you are having and for me thats the best part of bringing you my designs.
Before I start with my tutorial today, I want to mention the 'Graceful Striplet' Die I have added to my Etsy store. If you dont know abut it I have added the video here for you. At the moment there are more of you have it in your baskets than I have stock, so sadly people are going to be disappointed. If you really want this die, then I urge you to check out. They are not safe in your basket and if someone buys it will be lost. I hate to go on, but I had so many messages from people who missed out on the Retro Stamps and Rose Petals that I don't want the same thing happening.
Yellow and Orange Card (Here Tim Holtz Distress Pad)
Step 1: Trim your Card blank to 7 1/2 x 7 1/2, you will use the remainder at another time. Cut a piece of copier paper that same size and cut a circle into it. Use temporary adhesive spray to secure to your card.
Step 2: Using the Distress inks blend from Light at the top to Dark at the base to create a really rich background.
Step 3: Cut your chosen leaves from EVA foam, I like the EVA foam more than the Funky Foam as it hold the ink better, especially good if you are going to use them again. Spray the back with Stick n Stay then secure to the waste plastic packaging. This will allow you to use them again and again.
Step 4: Remove the mask from your card and replace the inner circle over your design, again with temporary adhesive. Take the stencil and the 2 lighter ink pads and create some interest around the center focal point.
Step 5: Use Temporary adhesive to your stamps and position them into your design using the black ink.
Step 6: Stamp your sentiment onto white card, edge with the black ink and layer it onto Orange and Yellow card. Mount your artwork onto the same yellow and orange card to match, making sure you have gutted it as always.To finish off mount it onto your base card and secure the sentiment with either foam pads or 3D glue gel.
If you prefer not to add matting and layering to your card, then I would suggest working directly onto the Clarity Card Base, as I say on all my videos and tutorials it takes the inks and colour really beautifully and well worth it.
Before I go just to let you know abut the offer I have on the Blooming Marvelous Collection (pictured above) on my Esty Store, There are only 4 left at the amazing price of 58.95. The collection includes the Beautiful Dolphin Die, 3 A5 stencils and 2 A5 plus stamp sheets, not far off A4 really so a it's a great time to add it to your Craftascope Library. See the Etsy listing for more inspirational photos.
I hope you will join me tomorrow at 7 PM for the next episode of ''Natter with Nick'' to see what I will be sharing and for the new Natter with Nick offer. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx
Morning Friends and Crafters, I do hope you all enjoyed your May Day bank holiday weekend. It's not long until I am back with my new collection on Hochanda, it's going to be very exciting, with lot's of demonstrations and giveaways too. It will be my very first One Day Special so a big celebration, I do hope I can count on your support. It's a very different collection and I really can't wait to share it with you. Today I am sharing a card I made using the Weeping Willow stencil from my Blooming Marvelous Collection.
You will Need:
Craftascope 'Not Just The Gift' Stamp
Craftascope 'Weeping Willow' Stencil
Clarity Stamp Landscape Mask
Clarity Stamp Moon Mask
Clarity Stamp Tree Stamps
Distress Inks: Chipped Sapphire, Blueprint Sketch and Black Soot
Clarity A5 Stamping Card
Clarity Black Base Card 8 x 8'' cut down to size
Step 1: Position your moon & hills mask in place then with the spray adhesive position the stencil.
Step 2: Blend the sky using the distress inks from dark to light. Then remove the willow mask.
Step 3: Place the negative mask to protect your sky. Also protect the white edges around your design with copier paper and spray.
Step 4: Use the remaining masks to create your landscape with the lighter blue distress inks.
Step 5: Remove the moon mask, then stamp the trees in place to complete your design. Use the landscape masks to ensure that the trees sit nicely on the ground.
Step 6: Finally stamp the sentiment within the large moon. Then mount onto your black card base.
Thank you for visiting today. It's that time again and Nominations are open for the Craft awards. It would be amazing to be nominated in some of the categories. Every bit of support is appreciated , I really do value it, it means an awful lot especially for newcomers to the craft word. I love to be able to bring my collections, especially as they are different to what is out there This is the link to nominate your favourite Crafts and brands: Best of Craft Awards.
I know blogging is now becoming less and less popular and I see that this year they have even removed the category for best blog. I suppose it's only a matter of time until most people will use the more popular forms of social media. I think it's a great resource for some crafters, I love to share so I will continue for as long as I get visits. I do hope you will use your vote to support your favourites. For now take care and Happy Crafting.xx
Morning Friends and Crafters. Today I thought I would share a very special page with you all. It's the very first project I made when I my final prototypes arrived, even before the stamps had been delivered. For this page I decided to use the beautiful Typography range from Leonie. I love this font and it was just the right size for this project. Iv'e used all of the front facing stencils so it's 'Three Boys Together.
Distress Inks Mermaid Lagoon and Seedless Preserves
IndigoBlu Banana Custard
A3 Watercolour Card or Good Quality A3 White card.
Stencils
Bubble Wrap
Stick n Spray
Step 1: Work out where you want your faces to be positioned. I did the front to first and then added 'Bailey' Behind. For this one I have used all of the outside lines of the stencils. Remove the stencils and roughly go over the lines with the 6B pencil, before adding your shading with the Pergamano Blending tool. I hope to share a video with you very shortly, but for now pleased refer to my show demo. This is still on Hochanda via rewind as it was repeated on Tuesday 20th November (CLICK HERE FOR THE SHOW).
Step 2: Cut out the required letter for your sentiment or heading, here I have used Leonie's wonderful Typography collection. I positioned them to make sure they would fit, these were all cut from black card.
Step 3: Use Greasproof paper or similar to make a mask to protect your drawings while adding your background. First I took Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink and applied to the project by pouncing the colour with a heavy and lighter pressure to get the different sizes of circle. I also used the first and second generation colour to give shade.
Step 4: Next I repeated the process with Seedless Preserves. To add more texture, I added Banana Custard Acrylic paint through a stencil. I would have continued and used the Bubble wrap as well but I didn't want to detract to much from the boys. I cut out the letters again in yellow to bring out the stenciling, securing them to the black letters for more depth. Finally securing them to the project with Tacky glue.
It's been such a wonderful journey for me from the first marks on my paper to originally design my collection to this first project, then to the show. But the most rewarding thing for me has been the projects I have seen created with my collection and the wonderful comments that I have received since. This is just something that money cant buy and I am really touched, so thank you to you all for making it such an amazing experience.
My collection is still available via my Craftascope Etsy Shop or from Hochanda, while stock is still available. If you dont have it already I do hope you will have a go.
Many thanks for joining me today, I do hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and the finished project. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx
Morning Friends and Crafters, Today I am sharing a card I made with the wonderful 'Treescape' stamp set from Clarity. Maria had these on her shows on Wednesday. I do hope you got to see, if not you can always watch rewind via the Hochanda Website.
You will Need:
Clarity Treescape Stamp
Winter Stamp
Club Stencil No 46
Archival Black Ink Pad
Copier Paper Mask
Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink
Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink
Stamping Card
Clarity Moon Mask
Black Card
White Card Base
Copier Paper Mask
Tacky Glue
Step 1: Cut your card too 6 x 5'', Stamp your image centrally on the card with Archival black ink. Add a row of 'Winter' across the top. Mask the image and add your stencil, using the distress inks.
Step 2: Cut a mask to protect the outside of your image.
Step 3: Secure the mask over your image.
Step 4: Add a clarity moon mask using ripped copier paper cover the ground and blend the sky with the distress inks. Add a very light touch of the blue to the snowy ground.
Step 5: Remove the moon mask and the copier paper.
Step 6: Cut your black mat and base card.
Step 7: Mount your piece onto the black before securing it to your base card with Tacky Glue.
Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.
I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial today along with the finished card. I hope you will join me again very soon to see what else I have to share with you. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx
Morning, Great too have you join me this morning. I am sharing one of the cards I made for the launch of 'A Little Bird' stamps and stencils from Clarity, Barbara launched them last weekend. If you would like to watch the shows for inspiration, they should still be available on "Rewind' via the Hochanda website.
You Will Need:
Clarity 'A Little Bird' Stencil
Clarity 'Life' From the Stamp Club
Clear Embossing Powder
White Stamping Card
Centura Pearl White/Silver Base Card
Black Card
Distress Oxide Blueprint Sketch
Distress Oxide Seedless Preserves
Distress Oxide Wilted Violet
Versamark Ink Pad
Black Soot Distress Ink
Step 1: Ink up the reverse of your stencil, using the Distress Oxide Inks. Then run through your machine, this will give a wonderful emboss to the finished image. Coat this with clear embossing powder and heat. Next stamp 'Life' using Versamark and again heat emboss with the clear powder.
Step 2: Use Black Soot to completely cover the whole area. You want to get a really dark solid black. Trim around the full stencil, including the rounded corners.
Step 3: Mount onto black card, leaving a very narrow border, ten mount onto your white base card.
This technique gives the illusion of a coloured die cut which has been mounted onto the black card.
Thank you so much for joining me today, I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial along with the finished card. I hope you will join me again very soon to see what I have to share with you. For now, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx
Morning Friends and Crafters, I really enjoyed making this card. Blending with Distress inks is such a relaxing process and can give such a dramatic look. Here I have used the Clarity 'Little Bird' stencil that Barbara launched on the 7th October, the shows should still be available on "Rewind" via the Hochanda Website, for more inspiration. I've included a full tutorial on my blog for you, with additional photos.
You will need:
Clarity 'A Little Bird' Stencil
Clarity Garden Birds Stamp & Mask Set
Clarity Moon Mask
Scrap Paper
Washi or Masking Tape
Alcohol Markers
Black Card
White Stamping Card
Black Fine Liner (Copic and Waterproof)
Black Soot Distress Ink Pad
Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink Pad
Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink Pad
Versafine Black Ink
Step 1: Stamp the largest of the garden birds using the Versafine Ink Pad. Cover the bird with the mask which come included with that stamp set. If you don't have one, don't worry you can make one from copier paper.
Step 2: Position your stencil and secure in place with Washi or Masking tape. Also cover the rest of the card with scrap paper to protect it. Add the largest of the Clarity Moon Masks (See Photo).
Step 3: Using the Distress inks, blend your colours, keeping your project lightest around the moon. Use the Black Soot sparingly at the end just around the edges to add more depth to the colour. Remove the moon mask. With a pencil, lightly draw around the stencil, to add the detail that was behind the moon. You could go straight in with your marker if you are confident to do it that way.
Step 4: Remove the stencil and masks.
Step 5: Colour the bird with your alcohol markers, Fill in the moon silhouette with a black marker. Trim your topper to size. Take a ruler and fine liner and draw a frame around the topper.
Step 6: Layer onto black card before mounting onto a white card base.
Thank you for joining me today, I hope you have enjoyed the Tutorial along with the finished card. I hope you will come back very soon to see what else I have to share with you. The next couple of months are going to be very exciting. For now take care and Happy Crafting.xxx
Morning, I am back again with a little inspiration using the wonderful Foamiran from 14 Craft Bar. Today I have used the roses to decorate a beautiful decoupage card from Reddy. They make beautiful decoupage cards and what would be better to embellish it, but with some matching Foamiran roses. They really add that finishing touch.
Step 1: Cut out your mat and layers, this will depend on the image or decoupage you have chosen to use. I have picked the colours for this to match the colours in my image.
Step 2: Mount the design onto the first layer with Tacky glue.
Step 3: Add the other layers, then add your decoupage layers with 3D Glue gel.
Step 4: I added another layer to my card and then mounted it onto a Centura Pearl base as I wanted a larger finished card.
Step 5: Cut the flourishes from white stamping card, blend a little Weathered Wood Distress Ink to match the image. I have also used a Sakura gold pen, here and there, again to match the image.
Step 6: From 2.5 cm & 3 cm Foamiran squares cut your petal shapes.
Step 7: Take 4 or 5 petals at a time and edge them with the oil pastel, try to choose a colour to match your image.
Step 8: Warm the Foamiran on an iron, concertina fold and twist back and to. Shape the petals and roll some of the petals outwards. See the video below for the simple white rose.
Step 9: Create your roses, layering the petals and securing with the hot glue.
Step 10: Add the roses to your project. I have used 3D glue gel rather than hot glue as it gives you a longer working time to make sure you are happy with positioning.
Here is the finished card:
Thank you so much for joining me again today. I do hope I have given you a little inspiration, maybe another way of using your beautiful Foamiran flowers. Another thing, here is a 30% off voucher to use on your first order (anything) from Hochanda, use code FEY5JBP7. I do hope you will join me again very soon, to see what else I have to share with you. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx
