Powertex, The finished Journal Cover

Hi, Time to share my finished Journal cover. The blank Journal was brought to Hochanda a few weeks ago by Neil Burley and That's Crafty, I have used the larger A4 size here. I have a large Powertex project that I was preparing, but need the weather to warm up, I also thought it might be better to start with a smaller piece. I am really pleased with the results. The photos have not shown it as well as I had hoped, so with this I have included a selection of close ups, so I hope they will help.

To begin with I collected everything together that I was going to use, that way it's not messy at all. Lots of different textures. Here are some Oak Leaves, leaves from my Coconut Palm, these are really interesting. I've also used some Spider Web, Crochet Lace along with lots of scraps of fabric. I collect old coins, so I wanted to include some of those as well.

In addition I used some die cuts for the lettering, these were cut multiple times and layered using Cosmic Shimmer glue.I did the same with some waste circles from Sheena's Time Traveller Collection, (I never throw anything away) these formed the screw heads on the cartouche. The plaque was made from a small spellbinder die which I cut 5 times and layered using the glue to give the thicker look I wanted. Queen Victoria's portrait was moulded from an 1897 Jubilee medal and then filling the mould with paper clay. I took all of the elements and made an initial layout before using my Bronze Powertex.

The scrap fabric roses were made using the same technique, I showed in an earlier video. This time the fabric was soaked in Powertex so no glue was need as it sticks to itself. Once the Powertex was dry, I added some Sand Texture Paste from DecoArt to some areas of the cover.

I wanted the finished piece to look like a sheet of Iron with aged copper embellishments fixed to it. I decided to add some of the Rusty Powder in the areas that would naturally rust. I mixed the Rusty Powder with bronze Powertex along with a little Titanium White to lighten it a little as the Rusty Powder is best used with the lighter Powertex colours.

To finish the project, I dry brushed using Turquoise Powercolor and Colorticx Copper Pigment both mixed with the Powertex easy varnish.

Thank you so much to you all, I hope you have enjoyed this step by step and the finished Journal cover. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

The Bookshop

Morning, I think everyone must be gearing up for the Christmas Season. I know I am, loads to do and running out of time to fit it all in. Today, I am sharing another project I made using the beautiful Bee Crafty Steam Punk paper pad which Bev brought to Hochanda. I really love the designs on these papers, they are wonderful to use, each one is a piece of art in it's own right and would look wonderful in a frame with very little done or added.

I chose to make a very simple design using this sheet from the pad, I selected the area I wanted to use and stuck it to a piece of board using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

Using Gathered Twigs Distress Ink I stamped the Large Feather stamps onto Kraft card. I also stamped the Ink Pot with the same ink before using Versamark and brass embossing powder to stamp the nibs (both from the same set).

I used some of my alcohol markers to colour parts of the design to highlight the characters. Finally I cut out the other elements and secured them to my piece using 3D glue gel.

Thank you so much for joining me today, I hope you like what I have shared and the short step by step. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Wake Up

Morning, Today I wanted to share one of the samples I made for the Bee Crafty show on Hochanda. This was from the show when Bev brought us the wonderful Steam Punk Paper pads. The beautiful Feather stamps were also a feature of the show.

For this card I decided to use Kraft card for a different look and feel. I started by stamping one of the feathers letting them overlap, using a mask I had cut from copier paper. The colours I have used here are Shaded Lilac, Pine Needles, Festive Berries, Squeezed Lemonade and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks.

On another piece of Kraft card I stamped the 'Wake Up' stamp with Gathered Twigs Distress ink. This is a really fun sentiment that suits lots of occasions, I think it's especially good for teenagers.

To create the background I stamped the smaller Swirly Feather using Gathered Twigs Distress ink, allowing some to fall off the page.

I blended around my sentiment, background and main piece with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink to soften the edges.

Next I cut a piece of hessian approximately the same width as the background and frayed the edges quite heavily.

I layered my background onto brown Centura Pearl card and secured the hessian in place using Cosmic Shimmer glue.

Using some of the longer lengths of hessian thread, I wrapped them around my main piece and secured at the back with tape. I then layered this onto the same brown card.

I used another hessian thread to thread through a wooden button to act as an embellishment. Then layered my sentiment onto the same brown card.

To finish the card, I assembled, I secured the main piece to my background using foam tape to raise it, then 3D glue gel to add the sentiment, lastly I added the button, again with 3D glue gel.

I hope you like the finished card today and the step by step I have shared with you. Thank you ever so much for joining me. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx 

Making Memories

Today I am sharing a project that I made with the papers that Bev from Bee Crafty launched on Hochanda on October 17th. The shows will still be available on their website Via  the 'Rewind' facility. The papers are wonderful, I thought the piece I am making today would be super for the wedding scrapbook page I have made, but there are so many other ways you could use it.

This is the sheet I decided to use for the project, it's such a beautiful design.

I was also using the feather stamps from the show as well, I stamped some of them around, mostly second generation. To position the ones in the centre I took the photograph I was using and I would use a craft knife later so I could use them as photo corners. 

Around the edges, Particularly the left hand side I used part of the ledger stamp to deepen the colour and add some extra depth.

Next I took a selection of alcohol markers and added some colour to the lady and the flowers.

Then taking the photo, I added some feathers to tie the whole thing together.

I used Tattered Rose and Victorian Velvet Distress ink to blend the edges. Then using my craft knife I cut a little way along the feathers, just enough for the corners of the photo to slip underneath and added the photo.

Next I added the sentiment I had chosen with Archival black ink.

To create the background, I stamped the feathers around the page and blended with Victorian Velvet and tattered Rose Distress Inks.

I backed my page with mat black card, I ran around the edge of this with a gold Krylon Pen to add the gold detail.

To finish, I layered it onto my background using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

Thank you for looking today, I hope you have enjoyed what I shared and that you will pop by again soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Starry Night

Today I am sharing a card from the collection Leonie launched on Hochanda at the beginning of the month. I have had a ball colouring them and really enjoyed crafting with them. I decided I wanted to make a larger village, complete with the Snowmen, Christmas Tree and Stars. I hope you can get the idea of just how versatile they are by changing colours they become completely different. 

To create this scene I needed some paper masks, so I stamped them onto copier paper and cut them out. In the photo, there are some smaller elements that I didn't need, like the snowman etc, so please dont let that put you off.

Using the masks I plotted my design onto watercolour card using black Archival ink. I also used the star stamp in the sky and built the tree. For now I just had to imagine where the landscape would be

I masked all of the design with Pebeo Drawing gum and allowed it to dry.

Using torn copier paper, I created the landscape using mostly Shaded Lilac Distress ink, with just a little Blueprint Sketch.

For the watery sky I used Cobalt, Lavender, Arctic and Icicle Glitter Brush pens by Leonie. This time dabbing the colour from dark to light, I wanted texture in the sky rather than a smooth blend. I removed all of the drawing gum and coloured with my Alcohol markers.

Finally I used a Clear Overlay Sparkle pen to add a frosty/magical look and layered onto purple and blue Centura Pearl card from Crafters Companion using Cosmic Shimmer glue.

Thank you for stopping by today, I really hope you like this card and the step by step I have shared today. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx