Hope, Joy and Love

I wanted to make something different with the stamps Leonie launched recently on Hochanda. For this project I decided to use the lovely Angel to make a lavender bag. I have used the Spectrum Noir Aqua markers from Crafters Companion for the colouring as they work really nicely on fabric, but please bear in mind that they wont be colourfast. For this project they were perfect as it wouldn't be necessary to wash a lavender bag.

To start with I cut to identical rectangles from cream calico, using a basic die. I also stamped the Angel onto copier paper and cut out. I needed to use this as a mask to add the wings, once I had stamped the Angel onto the Calico using black Versafine Ink, I then Ironed with a hot iron on the reverse.

I coloured the Angel in using a selection of my Aqua Markers, then put the calico in a hoop. I then embellished it with some stitching and French knots using gold metallic thread.

For the reverse of the bag, I stamped Love, Joy and the Hope stamps from the collection and then pressed with a hot iron.

This was also coloured with the Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers from Crafters Companion.

The two rectangles were then placed right sides together with a piece of ribbon sandwiched between them to act as the hanger. I then stitched all around leaving a small gap for filling.

I then turned these the right way and pressed again.

To complete the design I decided to use a couple of the accent stamps to surround the design around the edges.

Finally I stuffed the bags and ladder stitched the hole left for the filling.

Thank you so much for joining me today, I really enjoyed making these and hope you have enjoyed my step by step along with the finished items. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Snow Deer

Morning, The day as arrived when Leonie will be launching something very special on Hochanda. Please don't miss the One Day Special, starting tonight at 8 pm. I will be posting my sample previews as normal from launch. For today I am sharing a card I made using the 'Nature Trail' Stamp Set from Hobby Art, brought to Hochanda by Jenny recently.

When the card was finished I wanted a white border around my design. So to start with I cut a rectangle frame from copier paper and secured it to mt card with Stick n Spray, a repositionable adhesive by Crafters Companion.

Next using the set of stamps I planned and stamped my design with Versamark Ink. I used the smaller stamps towards the back to give a feeling of distance. I stamped the largest Deer in front and masked it using Pebeo Drawing gum, when this was dry I added a smaller deer behind. Each time I stamped an image I masked it with the gum.

I coloured the landscape using shaded Lilac and Faded Jeans Distress Ink, using ripped copier paper for the land making sure these matched any lines that where on the stamps. For the sky I used Blueprint Sketch, Chipped Sapphire and Black soot, I wanted the sky very dark to make the foreground seem lighter. I then removed all of the Drawing Gum.

To add the watercolour to the images, I used a selection of Spectrum Aqua Markers and applied them with a brush and water.

I removed the copier paper and removed any excess marks from underneath.

Lastly I trimmed down the border slightly and backed the piece onto a black background.

Thank you for stopping by today, I hope you have enjoyed the step by step and the finished card. I will be posting some of my launch samples later, so I hope you will visit. Thanks again and Happy Crafting.xx