17 Cherry Tree Lane

Morning, I hope you are enjoying the launch of the new Dimensional Dies in Hochanda, with more shows today at 9 am, 1 pm and Your Final Chance at 5 pm, thats if there is any left of course. I have loved seeing all of the ideas and samples from the rest of the design team, they have been such an inspiration. I am sure you are all going to be brimming with ideas, with plenty of projects to keep you busy, once your collections arrive. Today I am sharing Cherry Tree Lane. I Thoroughly enjoyed designing this card and putting it all together. Here is the finished card, along with the tutorial, I do hope you enjoy it. Some of the photos are slightly different as believe it or not all my photos were lost so had to recreate it, but at least I have one for myself this time. lol

You will need:

House Concept Die Set

House Accessories Die Set

Garden Party Die Set

Cottage Stone Embossing Folder

House Brick Embossing Folder

House Accessories Stamps Set

12 x 12 Coordinating Matt Card Pad

12 x 12 Coordinating Patterned Papers

A3 White Centura Pearl 'Hint of Silver' cut to 8 3/4'' x 16'' plus extra for windows etc

Mat Black Card

A4 Sheena Stamping Card

Acetate

Selection of Distress Inks

Shaped Nestie or Similar

Leonie Pujol Kite Stamp from Tangled Tails or similar

Clarity Skyline Mask or Similar

Glossy Accents

Tacky Glue

3D Glue Gel

Step 1: Cut the base section of your house, either overhang the part you dont want to cut or if using a manual machine, secure 2 pieces of thick card over the part you dont want to cut, as soon as you feel the resistance, reverse.

Step 2: Draw lines upwards from the sides of your house to help re position the die (see photo) Position the die lining up the cut line on the die onto your pencil mark. The distance between the bottom and the roof needs to be 5 3/4''. Repeat this cut as in Step 1 to avoid cutting the whole house.

Step 3: Using a craft knife and ruler, cut along your drawn lines to join the 2 dies cut shapes.

Step 4: Leave an extra tab at the top, approximately half inch to secure to the background later.

Step 5: Repeat the first 3 steps to make your second home, This time slightly smaller, also remove the roof section of this one to add variety (see photos). Also cut away the outhouse.

Step 6: Lightly draw a line at 8'' across your card, this will be your scoreline later.. Take a sheet of torn copier paper to create your landscape. Using an applicator of your choice blend Mowed Lawn Distress ink downwards from your mask. Repeat this step, moving your paper sideways also to stagger the hills. Three or 4 levels look great.

Step 7: Take the skyline mask, secure to your card, using black soot, built up your colour lightly, you really want a deep grey tone rather than black. Move the mask and repeat adding dimension to your card. Next Build up the blues for the sky, Shaded Lilac and Blueprint Sketch.

Step 8: Place your smaller house on the card to help position your concept die. Use the notches either side to position on your pencil line and TAPE in place, cut and manipulate the pop up.

Step 9: Use the green card from the pad to create the grass. (Top Tip) cut the card to the required width, lay it against your house, place a ruler either side of the house and draw a feint line for the recess. Next position the card at the back of your card, lay the ruler against the front of the house and this will give you the depth. Cut out and secure to your base  with Tacky glue.

Step 10:Take a sheet of Card the width of your base, emboss using the Cottage Stone folder. Then colour randomly with a mixture of Black Soot, Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo and Frayed Burlap to give a realistic road, secure in place using Tacky Glue.

Step 11: Emboss the smaller house using the House Brick folder, then select your colour of choice for tinting the brick.

Step 12: Use a Dark Grey alcohol marker to colour the roof section of your main house. Use the brick stamp from the collection to add detail, then colour the bricks, choose 3 or 4 shades for this.

Step 13: Cut the window frames and window inserts from Centura Pearl white, then acetate and a chosen pattern for your wallpaper, using just the outside die. Repeat for the required amount and layer up.

Step 14: Cut the tree from Black and a brown from the coordinating pad. Layer using Tacky glue leaving a thin shadow behind.

Step 15: The fence will need 2 or 3 layers as it is only attached at the back of the house, stage the joins so it doesn't bend using Tacky Glue. Form enough for either side of the house with an inch or so extra to allow securing.

Step 16: Stamp the door in place on the main house, then on a piece of card stamp another to secure in place on the smaller house. Position and secure the windows in place with 3D glue gel for dimension. Add the roof trim and eves.

Step 17: Add the fence, securing behind the house. Then add window boxes, using the grass for foliage. A nice welcome mat looks nice here, cut and stamped onto self adhesive Burlap/Hessian. Position the tree using Tacky Glue and trim.

Step 18: Cut some blossom and leaves from the Garden Accessories set, shape them with a ball tool and add. Use the smallest of the blooms for the window boxes.

Step 19: Use a royalty free image and reduce in size.Position a basic circle die over the image and draw around it. Carefully trim around any bits outside the circle to allow you to position the die. Top Tip: Make sure the die is underneath any parts you dont want cutting, legs, bag etc. (See Photos)

Step 20: To finish your card, add extras of your choice, keeping the perspective with the card. Add some fallen leaves and grass to the scene to make it more realistic and your card is finished. Then you can decorate the outside to match.

I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial and finished card. Thank you ever so much for joining me and I hope to see you very soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

A Friendly Warning, Pleased don't miss this

Good afternoon Crafters and friends. What a lovely afternoon, just been to my friends house as they have just got a lovely Goat and Kid, it was lovely to visit and see them in their new home. This is a friendly warning about tonight's One Day Special on Hochanda at 6 pm. I am sharing a sneek peek of another of the scenes I have made using the collection, you might have seen the tutorial I shared on the Hochanda Blog, if not do go and see.

This is such a wonderful collection, I really cant tell you the hours of fun I have had making and designing the projects that I will be sharing. I really hope you will tune in tonight as I know how popular these are going to be, so I dont want you to miss out. Here is a scene I have made using just one of the sets in the collection. If you have any questions do ask. Tutorials, Coming Soon. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Large Fantasy Bloom

Hi Crafters,Today is a special post, which I am dedicating to my Nan, who would have been 96 today. She would have loved Foamiran and the flowers it enables you to make, so this is for you Nan.xx For quite a while I have wanted to create a large statement bloom, so I thought today would be the day to make and share this fantasy bloom. It could be a heritage rose or a peony, well whatever you choose really, you decide. I've included a highlighted video, which has been shortened, I must appologise for coming out of shot a couple of times, but I burnt my hands.

You will need:

Ecru Foamiran (002) From 14 Craft Bar

Oil Pastels, Mid Green, Pale Pink or Peach and Deep Pink

Scissors

Hot Glue Gun

Stamens in Yellow and Brown/red

Step 1: Cut your foamiran into squares, see the photo for measurements and numbers.

Step 2: Cut the petals, I find it easier to cut them exactly like I did for the rose and then take out the extra pieces. See the photo for a detailed view.

Step 3: Colour your photos use Green at the base of all petals.Then use less & less of the Deep Pink as and ore of the green as the petals get larger. See the photo included.

Step 4: Concertina fold the smallest petals as shown, then twist back and forth. Gently tease the twist out but leave the petals fairly tight.

Step 5:For all of the larger petal sizes, use something round to create the cupped shape, here I have used a soft apple, it's just the right size and gives a nice texture to the petals.

Step 6: Concertina the edges of all petals and twist as before, uncurl and gently stretch to increase the petal size and shape. The 2 largest size petals can also be rolled outwards on the edges. Here is the highlighted video showing me putting it together.

I used a spray varnish for my leaves this time, sadly I was a little heavy handed with it so they are rather glossy. Here is the finished Bloom inside and outside.

Thank you ever so much for joining me today, I really hope you have enjoyed my post today, including the video. I would love to hear what you think and what you thought of the video. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx