Dreams Come True at Christmas

Morning, I know some of you are making your Christmas Cards by now and a lot of you have probably done them all. Here is a Christmas card I have made using Leonie Pujol's collection of stamps and dies.I am sure you have seen them, there are some beautiful Entwining Dies along with her famous coordinating stamp sets. The collection works well on it's own to achieve a myriad of special designs, or alternatively used with anything you already have in your collection.

The finished card measures 8 x 7''. To start, I cut out 3 identical rectangles from burgundy Silk Art card. I used the outer cutting edge from one of Sue Wilson's mini striplets, it measures 1 3/4 x 5 3/4'' approximately.

Next from gold Silk Art card I used 'Frost' from the 'Entwined Christmas Tree' set, I cut 6 of these.

I arranged them onto my rectangles to create the backdrop and to add interest. I wanted to use the dies in a completely different way to what they were made for. I stuck these into place using Cosmic Shimmer Glue, then trimmed off the excess from behind.

Next, Taking piece of burgundy card and using a Versamark Ink Pad, I stamped a cartouche from Leonie's coordinating stamps. I also positioned one of the sentiments inside and embossed using burnished gold fine detail embossing powder.

To create my card base I took a sheet of burgundy card measuring 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 and layered this onto a sheet of burnished gold card and left a small boarder around the edge.

I then positioned my decorated rectangles onto the card, secured them with foam tape and 3D glue gel to raise them from the base. I cut the corners of my sentiment with an inverted corner punch and backed with gold card to match.

On a sheet of Super Smooth card, I stamped some of the coordinating stamps, some holly, berries and pine sprigs.

I coloured these using Mowed Lawn and Fired Brick Distress ink and then cut them out with scissors.

I shaped the greenery and berries on a foam mat with a ball tool, then arranged them onto the card and secured with 3D glue gel. Finally to complete the look, I added a gold satin bow, again securing it with 3D glue gel.

Thank you ever so much for taking the time to visit, I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial and the finished card. 

My collection is still available at a wonderful offer price on Hochanda with Freedom Discount and Flexi Buy on the full collection. HOCHANDA LINK. There isn't a lot left, I doubt I can order any more either due to the minimum order amounts so please be quick. I also have the collection available at my CRAFTASCOPE ETSY SHOP.

If you did miss my very first Hochanda show and the launch of my collection, it is still available on Rewind, via the Hochanda Website, it was last aired on Tuesday 20th November so please be quick.

NICK'S FIRST LIVE HOCHANDA SHOW LINK

Another thing, here is a 30% off voucher to use on your first order (anything) from Hochanda, use code FEY5JBP7.

Take care and Happy Crafting.

Parchment Hearts

Morning, I am very excited to be sharing this project with you today as it's Valentines Day. The lovely Leonie, launched this lovely set of dies on Hochanda a while back but they are wonderful. Leonie designed them especially to co-ordinate with the 'Entwined Hearts' die cutting range. That said they are so versatile and work really well as a stand alone essential or with any of your existing stash.

                          

Beginning with the 'Dotty Heart'  embossing folder from the new collection, I embossed a piece of parchment. To ensure the parchment didn't tear or buckle, I placed it between a folded sheet of copier paper.

                

Next, from black card I cut the ''Folk Heart'' base die as I wanted the frame and one heart, I kept the other for a future project.

                     

I stuck the heart frames onto my parchment using 3D glue gel, to give a different look on each I used the embossed side on one and the debossed side on the other.

            

I then roughly cut out 2 pieces of red 'Silk Art' card and adhered it to the back of my parchment hearts using 'Stick It' adhesive sheets, this allows the colour to show through more where the parchment touches and highlights the embossing. I then trimmed around these using scissors, it's very easy because of the frame.

           

Next, I took one of the heart dies cuts. Using the Flitter Glue from Indigo Blu, I stamped the lovely 'Script' stamp from the range at an angle.

                  

Then taking a sheet of gold foil, I placed over the heart and gently burnished it with a soft cloth. Removed the sheet leaving it beautifully foiled.

                 

For the card front I took a piece of black card stock measuring 7' square. Using the sweetheart stamp and Flitter Glue, I stamped and foiled in the same way as the heart. I then repeated this with a small detail stamp from the collection, to add highlights mainly focused around the top right and bottom left hand corners with just a suggestion in other areas and set aside.

           

Next I took a piece of red 'Silk Art' card, approximately 7 3/4'' square and a piece of parchment large enough to fold around and leave a 5 mm fold for securing at the back. I folded the edges over to mark but did not secure it until later.Taking the parchment and script stamp, I randomly stamped around the edges with white Stazon ink. There's no need to stamp anywhere else as it will be covered.

           

I folded this back over my red card and secured at the back with red liner tape.

            

Next, I arranged my hearts on the card front and secured them with foam tape and 3D glue gel to raise them from the background.

           

I backed the script background with a black card base and secured with Cosmic Shimmer Glue from Creative Expressions.

          

To finish my card, I secured thin organza ribbon across the two opposite corners using red liner tape and added it to my base card with 3D glue gel.

           

I hope you have enjoyed the step by step I have shared and the little taster of the wonderful crafting goodies that Leonie gives us crafters. See you all soon and thank you for visiting today. Please take the time to visit the Hochanda Blog, I am sharing Part 2 of my Floral Embellishment Series. I would love to have your comments there and support. Take care and Happy Crafting.

Sending Love at Christmas

Morning, Today I want to share a Christmas Card with a twist. I have made this using the stamps and dies that Leonie launched on Hochanda. Please try and watch the shows, if you missed them or just want some more inspiration. They will be available on the Hochanda website via the catch up facility.

I took the wordy background stamp, using Black Archival, I stamped all over a piece of tissue paper.

Next I took a selection of Pixie powders and Brusho to create the background. I used Cobalt Blue Brusho with Silver Dream, White Pearl and Purple Violet Pixie Powders from Creative Expressions. I sprinkled more of the Cobalt Blue Brusho and Purple Violet first and then added smaller bursts of the Silver Dream and White Pearl. I then saturated the tissue paper and left to dry. Where the pools had settle it gives a lovely texture while still allowing the stamped images to show through. I actually used this technique last year to decorate my hallway and it's easily transferable to card making.

Next, using white Centura Pearl card I cut a frame, approximately 6 1/2 x 5'' I was using the  plain side but I know that this card embosses exceptionally well and take the ink nicely too.

I cut a rectangle for the cartouche and sentiment and rubbed an anti static pad over this and the frame. I stamped both using Versamark with Ultra fine silver detail powder. For the frame I used one of the swirly stamps from Leonie's collection.

I took my card and covered it with my backing paper, it is best to overlap this to the back rather than trim as you will get a much neater edge. I wrapped a burgundy satin ribbon around this and secured at the back with red liner tape. I then mounted this onto Silver Mirri Card giving a 1/4'' boarder.

I used one of the strip stamps to create my corner sentiment on each corner of the base card. For this I again used Versamark and the silver embossing powder. I prefer making my own corner sentiments as you dont get any upside down elements.

I blended around the edges of my backing card with Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink to coordinate with the main card.

I then cut out the Entwined Snowflake Base twice using Centura Pearl 'Hint of Silver' and attached to the back of my frame. I secured this to the card using foam tape to lift it from the base.

Finally I added the sentiment, which I had also blended with Blueprint Sketch and backed with Silver Mirri Card. To finish the card I added a matching burgundy satin bow.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit today. I hope you have enjoyed the step by step I have shared with you and the finished project. Take care and hope to see you tomorrow. Happy Crafting xx

Birthday Triangles

Morning and welcome to another step by step using the wonderful dies that Leonie launched on Hochanda. Don't forget, if you missed any of the shows or want some more inspiration the shows are available on the Hochanda website via the Television Schedule. Today's card is fairly simple but also quite different, here i have made it as a birthday card but it could be made for any occasion, it would be a great card for a man as well.

I started by taking an A4 sheet of black pearlescent double sided card. I marked where my score line was going to be to enable me to position and cut the dies. Here I used the 'Mosaic' Die in full but without the outside cutting edge to leave it in the card.

I then took a sheet of white glossy cardstock and created a marbled background. The colours I used were: Midnight Blue, Purple Violet Cosmic Shimmer Mists along with Cherry and Midnight inks.

I then took the outer die from the 'Mosaic' set and cut the background where it would be best for this project.

Next I used a Gold Krylon pen to edge the die cuts and make them more pronounced.

I chose the words I wanted to use and stamped them in black onto the remainder of my marbled background, choosing lighter areas to allow the words to be seen clearly. I cut them out using the dies and layered them onto black card using Cosmic Shimmer glue. I went around the edges with the gold Krylon pen to make them stand out from the background card.

I secured the words shapes to the card using 3D glue gel and secured the backing paper behind the apertures.

Thank you so much for your visit today, I hope you have enjoyed this step by step and the card I have shared. I am so pleased to have your comments and really enjoy reading them.Thank you and take care xxx

Etched Upon My Face

Morning. I am so proud of this sample and really couldn't wait to share it with you all today. I have to say, I was a little worried as it is so different. The idea started with the heads from Easter Island and the Oscar award, but I wasn't sure I could pull it off. After a lot of playing around with Leonie's Dies, Stamps, slippers and shoes, I came up with the idea and the tester piece worked out well enough. I have used the 'Looking Good' die that Leonie launched on Hochanda in conjunction with the Wonder Embossing Crystals from Justin and Gordon at Be Creative.

To start with, I cut out the 'Looking Good' die 3 times on backing board and stuck together. I took another sheet of board and this time applied a Wonder Sheet to it before cutting out a fourth time and securing it to the ones I had already stuck together. On a separate  piece of board I applied the Wonder sheet and drew my rough shape, after rubbing out a bit I got the shape I wanted.

I cut out the shape and a middle section for a nose. I placed the eyes where I wanted them to go, in order for me to work out how I could divide the main shape and pencilled this in.

I cut along these lines and using the Wonder Embossing Crystals added the vibrant colours. I used Tigers Eye, Leopard Jasper, Red Adventurine, Verdite Green, Turquenite, Carnelian and Goldstone. These are amazing Crystals and gave me just the effect and colour I wanted for this project. I wanted to use a stamp but needed to add it later so I could work out placing.

I shaped and sanded a piece of wood, rounding it in places to make it look like a piece of cut stone or marble. I drilled a hole in the centre and added a large old nail.

I coated the wooden block with Wonder Sheet and Wonder tape, peeled off the backing and covered with Leopard Jasper, melted with my heat gun and added more until it looked like a wonderful piece of polished stone. I covered the base with green felt to protect any surface it would sit on.

Next I took a sheet of copper and stamped using black Stazon ink. I used the 'Etched Upon My Face' from the coordinating stamps, it suits this project down to the ground. I then added some Versamark ink around the edges using my finger and embossed with the Turquenite Wonder Embossing Crystals to give an aged copper look.

To assemble, I cut another 2 of the main shapes, approximately 5 mm smaller than the original. I stuck green felt onto the back of one and set aside. To the other shame I secured the face pieces using Cosmic Shimmer Glue. I then added the facial features with 3D glue gel. I could now position the stamp I wanted to use  from the coordinating stamps sets, under the eye. Once dry I stuck the front and back pieces together using the nail to secure in place.

I really hope you have liked the project I have shared with you today, I am extremely proud of it. I could never have done it or even thought of it without Leonie's new collection or the amazing Wonder Embossing Crystals from Justin and Gordon from Be Creative.

I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Thank you so much for your comments, I wouldn't continue with this blog if it wasn't for your support. xxx