Happy Birthday Nan.xx

Morning, My Nan would have been 95 years old today. To mark her special day, I wanted to share a double spread scrapbook page that I made last year. I really hope you like my project, her favourite flowers were roses and Lilies, so I just had to cover the pages with them.

For those of you that have been following my blog, you will know that I adore Graphic 45, but I never use it, for this I broke all my rules and used papers from The Gilded Lily 12 x 12 & 6 x 6 collections.

I chose the papers I wanted from the pad along with some border strips. I used the very border from two of the pieces as a frame for both pages. I also used 2 sheets of cream cardstock for the base of my pages.

Then I took the border strips and background papers and cut them to size.

I used a border for the top of the page, leaving a gap for the frame. I used the other border strip just over half way down the pages.

Once the papers were in place I added some Distress Ink around the pages, I used Victorian Velvet and Tattered Rose. Then I added the frame and finally some cream crochet lace from Creative Expressions.

For the decoupage element, I took a page from both the 12 and 6 inch pads. I worked out which roses and lilies I wanted and cut them out with scissors.

Having chosen the photos. I used some of the sentiment frames and cut out the centre sections so I could add  the photo's behind. I took one of the mini folders and used it as a journal pocket and added a matching tag for journaling. Here is one of the final layout after many re arrangements. 

I took some other embellishments from Bo Bunny and scrappberries, A cameo as Nan always used to wear some beautiful ones, some filigree metal butterflies and some letters to spell 'Nan'. The letters were printed with type, but white so I coloured them using Victorian Velvet Distress ink. I also coloured some seam binding with the same colour and scrunched it up before making a 'Sue Wilson' messy bow. Finally I assembled my decoupage elements using 3D glue gel. I wrote something in the journal pocket  and invitation with details of the wedding. I added a ribbon to the journal card and attached it with a matching brad.

To finish the pages I added some pearls, using some cosmic shimmer pearl PVA from Creative Expressions.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post today and for all of your comments. I do hope you have enjoyed what I have done here. Before I go I would also like to share this medal, I collect coins and I designed it as a commemorative piece and had them made. 

Thank you again for stopping by and I hope you will pop back very soon. Take care and Happy Crafting xxx

Cameo Box

Hi, Today I am sharing a Cameo Box that I made from Kraft card to decorate with the stunning 3D Embossing Folders from Crafters Companion. I will explain as clearly as I can with the photos I do have but please ask if you are not sure of anything or just want to ask any questions.

Choose something cylindrical that you can easily wrap the length of an A4 sheet around with some excess to avoid any joins in the strips. If you want to use A3 card then this wont matter. Also make sure that the item is the same diameter with no lip or rim which would make it impossible to remove the piece once dry.

Step 1: Cut strips of Kraft Card in the following widths,

             4 x 5 cm

             4 x 3.5 cm

             4 x 2 cm

Also cut one length of the 5 cm and the 2 cm in white card for covering the final strip.

Step 2: Take one 5 cm strip and wrap around the cylinder. Mark where they join with a pencil and cut using a ruler and craft knife. Use tape to hold the  tightly together and in place. Take another strip and wrap around the first, Mark this and cut.

Step 3: Cover the second piece with Tacky Glue and stick the first piece half way along that. Wrap around the cylinder, making sure it's a tight fit at the join.

Step 4: Wrap the next 5 cm strip around the first 2 (now stuck), measure and cut. Now stick this to the first to making sure you cover the join with the centre of this strip for strength.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 with the last Kraft strip and then with the white strip.

Step 6: Take the first 3.5 cm strip, level with the bottom of the previous strips, wrap around mark cut and glue as before.

Step 7: Repeat for the remaining 3.5 cm strips

Step 8: Take a 2 cm strip, wrap around level with the ledge that you have now created, Mark and cut. Hold this in place with tape, take another strip, wrap, mark and cut. Then secure as in step 2.

Step 9: Repeat this for the remaining 2 cm strips, check that the 2 pieces are not stuck together with a light twist. Separate them and leave to thoroughly dry overnight.

To make the base, place the lower part onto cardboard (an old box). Draw around the inside of the drum and cut out. Add glue around the edge of the circle and insert into the base of the drum, make sure its nice and level. Repeat this for the lid (please make sure you add it to the right end or the lid will be too tight) I made this mistake the first time.

Once this is dry cover the bottom with glue and place a piece of white card large enough to cover and hang over. Once dry this can be trimmed with sharp scissors to give a very neat edge. Repeat this for the lid and leave to dry thoroughly.

I painted the inside with Pebeo Black Gesso and the outside with Park Lane Acrylic paint from Indigo Blu. (DO NOT PAINT THE LIP WHERE THE LID GOES or the sides of the inside of the lid,this will stop the box opening easily)

Next I rolled out some air dry clay and imprinted it using the Country Garden 3D Embossing Folder. I used a large pastry cutter to cut a disk that would fit the lid. I left this to dry.

I also used a small pastry cutter to cut more disks to decorate the sides of the box. I dried these on the cylinder so they had the same curve.

I coloured the clay pieces using Cosmic Shimmer Sprays, they same as I did for the wall hangings in a previous post. Midnight Blue and Purple Violet. To finish the project I arranged and secured them in place with 3D Glue Gel.

I hope you have enjoyed the step by step and like the finished piece. Thank you for joining me again today, I hope you will stop by again soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

It all kicks off this morning at 10 AM

Morning everyone, Well it's all kicking off this morning at 10 am on Hochanda. The kinetic cards are coming along at 10 am for the Bank Holiday Weekend Wow. These really have been fun to use, give wonderful card blank designs all ready to decorate. We all love adding the embellishments and papers to make them unique, so these give you the ideal base card.

I will be sharing mu step by steps after launch, I do hope you will visit to see what I have done. In the meantime, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Live, Dream, Love

Here's a great technique to really highlight the depth and detail that these new 3D embossing folders give. I hope you got to see the launch, but if not the shows will still be available on 'Rewind' via the Hochanda website. I used the Daisy stamps from 'The Everlasting Love' set by Leonie, they really suit the look of the card.

Using Neenah Dessert Storm card, I used the letterpress technique to colour the lowest part of the emboss. I swiped across the Regency Swirls embossing folder with Rich Cocoa Memento ink pad. Next I coloured the swirls using a selection of Spectrum Noir, from the Essentials set I used 058, 056 and 057 to blend across the design.

The matching sentiment was stamped using Versafine black in, left to dry before adding Vintage Photo Distress ink.

I stamped Leonie's flowers onto Neenah Dessert Storm card and coloured them using Spectrum Noir. From Nature I used 002 and from Essentials I used 022,020,015,058 and 056.

I cut around the Embossed image with a paper trimmer.

Then I layered the background onto Centura Pearl brown card, then onto Kraft card. The sentiment and flowers were attached with Collall 3D glue gel. Finally I drew a wobbly line around my base card using a Sharpie, white liner.

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you have enjoyed the step by step I have shared and the finished card. Hope to see you soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Sneek Peak for you.

I am sharing another Sneek Peak for you this morning. This is a card I made using the wonderful Create a Card Pop out Dies that will be launching on Hochanda this Friday (26th May) at 10 am for the Bank Holiday Weekend Wow. I have had such fun using the dies and decorating them for so many different occasions. Please tune in for so much more inspiration.

I will be sharing the Step by Steps for all of the cards I have made after the launch so I hope you will join me again. For now, Ii hope you all have a great day. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Gilded Rose Box

Fancy making a gift box and dressing up with your 3D Embossing Folders. I can't tell you what a super impression these will give your cards and projects, they really have to be seen to be believed. The depth of design is on so many levels, the techniques and finishes you apply can really enhance them.

The size of the embossing folder is 5 x 7'', so I wanted to make my basic box with a finished size of 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 with a depth of 1''. I made my box with the Big Score, I cut two sheets of Matt Black Cardstock measuring 9 1/2 x 7 1/2. Having assembled the box, I gilded the embossed card with Empire Gold and Renaissance Gold and secured it to the lid with Tacky Glue. To add more texture and to hide the seam, I used DecoArt Sand Texture paste around the top and sides.

I used a small scrap of black card to emboss the cartouche and cut it out. With Black Dylusions ink spray, I dyed some paper roses. I then used the 'Rose' stamp from Sheena to add the sentiment.

I painted the Texture paste with Pebeo Black Gesso and then gilded the whole box and roses with the same gilding wax. I then used 3D Glue Gel to secure the roses and additional Cartouche to the lid.

Thank you for taking the time to visit today and for your lovely comments on here and Facebook, I really do appreciate them all. I hope you have enjoyed the step by step and the finished piece. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Another Full Sneak Peek

Morning everyone, Hope you all had a great weekend. Time for another Sneak Peek of a card I have made for the brand new Create a Card dies being launched on Hochanda by Crafters Companion. Counting down the days now until the big day on Friday 26th May. I am sure the show will be full of inspiration, so I hope you will be tuning in.

I will be sharing step by steps for the cards I have been making with these great dies, so I hope you will join me after the launch for these. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Life's an Adventure

Create a rustic look with these fantastic 3D Embossing Folders launched on Hochanda by Crafters Companion. There is so much Depth and Dimension in these folders that they really hold their own. I have really enjoyed designing to show just how detailed they are.

For this card, I wanted the finished card to be larger than the embossing folder, but also wanted the folder to be the main focal point, so I cut 2 which I would join together later. I inked my 'Regency Swirls' folder with Rich Cocoa Memento Ink and ran through my machine. This coloured the lowest part of the design to highlight the different levels of emboss. The card I used here was Neenah Dessert Storm.

Next I trimmed the design, both pieces to 6 3/4'' x 4 3/4''.

I took a strip of hessian, which I frayed at the edges. Then I joined the embossing folders to give me a 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 piece. I wrapped the hessian around horizontally and secured at the back with red liner tape. I did the same with some raffia, then again vertically, where they crossed I tied a knot.

I backed the piece onto red pearl card to give a narrow border, then attached to my 8 x 7 base card made with Ivory Centura Pearl card. I stamped the sentiment and cut it with a basic circle die, distressed with Antique Linen and layered onto some matching card cut with a larger basic circle die.

I hope you have enjoyed this step by step and the finished card, I hope it has shown the depth and detail of the folder, which is what I wanted with this card. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and hope to see you soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Super New Launch Next Friday (26th May)

Morning, I have a nice surprise for you today, a full "SNEAK PEEK" on my blog. Crafters Companion are launching these Super New Create a Card dies next week, so here is one of the cards I have made for the show. I really hope you will be tuning in to Hochanda to see them in action.

I have to admit I have never used anything like this before. However they have been wonderful to work with. Having the ability to make a special card base at home with whatever card stock you like. It's fantastic, once you have cut the card the FUN really begins, The Decorating. I will be sharing Step by steps after the launch, so please keep your eyes peeled. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

All you need is Love.....

Morning, Today my card Is using 'Country Garden', one of the wonderful New 3D Embossing Folders launched on Hochanda by Crafters Companion. Where is the embossing folder, I hear you say!!! I wanted to share a completely different way of using them as well as a great way to use up all of those pieces in your bit box, we all have them. I have also used The 'Script' Stamp from 'All the Love' set by Leonie.

To begin with, take all those bits of black card you have and selectively emboss them with the folder, choose the elements you want to use on your card.

Next gently highlight them with your Pebeo Gilding wax, Here I have used Empire Gold and Renaissance Gold. Set aside for later.

To make the background I took a 5 1/2'' Square of Sheena stamping card, Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and I stamped Leonie's Script stamp, I did the same for the sentiment panel.

Across the background and the sentiment panel, I used Frayed Burlap, Old Photo and Tea Dye Distress Inks, darkening around the edges and blending out to a much lighter shade in the centre.

I then backed the sentiment with Black card, giving a very narrow border.

Before adding anything to the background I wrapped 5 or 6 strands of hessian string and secured it at the back. I then attached it to my 6'' square Centura Pearl card base. I then added a metal key embellishment.

To add the wow to the card, I shaped the flowers and leaves, made from the folder, arranged and secured them with Collall 3D Glue Gel. I did leave a couple flat for sticking to the base card with Tacky Glue.

I hope you like the different way I have used the folder and maybe it's something you hadn't thought of before. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit today and hope to see you very soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx