Last Chance to get hold of the Blooming Marvelous Collection.

Hi Friends and Crafters. Things are rather busy at the moment, especially with the extra videos that I am adding to the Youtube Channel and the prep. Just wanted to let you know that it's your last chance to get hold of the Craftascope Blooming Marvelous Collection with 50% off. You can get the full set now for 39.97 rather than the regular price of 79.95, so please don't miss out if you really want to add it to your collection, there are not many left now and I'd hate anyone to miss out on this wonderful offer. There are many more samples but here are a few to give you some inspiration.The first shows another way of using the collection, almost beautiful piece of Jewellery from Jane.

The collection consists of 2 A5 Plus  (close to A4) stamp sheets, 3 Wonderful Stencils and the Dancing Dolphin 2 part die set.

I have included some of the projects made using this collection in case you missed the launch show on Hochanda.

I have also included a link at thee bottom of this page for the launch show if you would like some more inspiration.

These stamps are beautiful for pattern building or using singly to make the most wonderful floral cards or notelets. 

However they are not just for your card craft, they are great to make beautiful stitched or embroidered projects.

So whatever crafts you enjoy, they really will suit a wide range of people and occasions.

There so much to celebrate, being the a full year since the Craftascope Makes Facebook Group was started. It's also the first anniversary of my first show on Hochanda and on Tuesday the 40th Youtube Video will go live.

To thank you for all of your support over the year I will be adding offers on my Etsy store over the coming week, so do keep an eye out for those. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

This is the launch show on Hochanda with Dave Bradford you can either watch it her or on Youtube:

For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Flower Embroidery & Other things

Hi Friends and Crafters, well another busy day here and with a few surprises along the way. I hope you've all had a great Friday and are looking forward to your weekend. I really can't believe where all the weeks are going, they seem to be flying by at a rate of knots. This year seems to be passing by so fast. Today, I am sharing quite a different project using my Blooming Marvelous collection.

You will Need:

Craftascope 'Positive Journey' A5 Plus Stamp Sheet.

Madeira Threads or your Choice

Calico

Embroidery Hoop

Step 1: Stamp your design onto Calico, you will need to use masks to avoid overstamping. You dont need to use a dark ink, just strong enough for you to follow the design. Place the design into you hoop. I am quite happy for you to scan and copy the design so you can enlarge this for your own use only.

Start 2: Start stitching your design, in colours of your choice. I have used the Madeira threads.I have started here with the chain stitch and the stem stitch.

Continue with stitches of your choice to complete your project. For the leaves I have used fly stitch. Some of the other stitches I have used are: Soft Shading, French Knots, Laid Filling and Detached Button Hole Stitch. I have finished this piece with some simple beading.

I hope you have enjoyed my post today, despite how late it is. Some other news, I was so surprised when one of my cats presented me with 3 kittens. She had put weight on but I had no idea she was pregnant. There's a black, a grey and an almost totally white one.

Well thats all from me today, so I hope you will join me again soon, for now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Under the Sea

Morning Friends and Crafters, Today I am sharing a stitched project with you, using my Craftascope Dolphins set of stamps, along with the Under the Sea collection from Leonie. These have gone so well together to create a framed wall hanging. It was a really fun project to do, it would be very relaxing and enjoyable for those winter nights that will be upon us soon. It would also make a great gift.

You will Need:

Craftascope A5 Media Stamp Set 1

'Under the Sea' Collection by Leonie Pujol.

Fabric Ink Pad or Versafine

Selection of Threads

A Selection of Blue and Green Acrylic paints

Calico

Embroidery Hoop

8 x 8 Greyboard 

8 x 8 Greyboard Frame

Stick N Stay For Fabric

Step 1: Using the acrylic paints, start building up layers of colour on your fabric. I scrunched it up first to get some creases for more texture. Keep adding your paint in a random fashion to give an underwater feel and texture. I used a selection of things from a Brayer, Gelli Plate,sponges and brush.

Step 2: Continue to add colour and depth to your fabric, until you are happy with the result. Before adding to the hoop, iron to smooth the fabric, you ill see you have some lovely patterns where the creases were.

Step 3: Stamp you design, taking into account the size of your greyboard, then add to the hoop.

Step 4: Start to stitch your design, I have used a sort of satin stitch, I am not a regular stitcher so I am sure you will make an even better job than I have, it gives a great result if you overlap the stitches to blend the colours, rather than a definite line. But that is personal choice.

Step 5: When you have finished stitching, remove the work from your hoop. press first then stretch and secure your piece on to the board with Stick n Stay.

Step 6: Use a piece of the excess fabric to stamp the wave from Leonie onto an stitch all around the design. Add some PVA to the back of the embellishment, once dry trim around the edge with scissors.

Step 7: Add your frame using 3D glue gel, then position and secure the waves with the gel for even more depth and dimension. To create the wall hanging, simply attach some ribbon to the back of the frame.

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

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 

https://www.britishcraftawards.com/

Thank you ever so much for joining me today, I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial along with the finished piece. Hope you will pop by again for more inspiration. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Butterfly Wall Hanging

Morning Friends and Crafters, I am sharing another project that I made using a stencil and Luster Paints from Be Creative. I always like to do something different to get more value from my goodies. For this project I didn't want to use it as a stencil so I used it for the pattern and shape. I also used the Luster paint to make an interesting background on calico to make a wall hanging.

I have to appologise for the lack of photos in this one, I really dont know where they disappeared to.

You will need:

Be Creative Beautify Stencil

Luster paints Bronze, Pearl and Gold

Calico

Matching Embroidery Threads

Embroidery Hoop

Matching Beads

Step 1: Start by colouring a piece of Calico, large enough for your design. I added to Luster paints to add texture, dimension and interest to the fabric.

Step 2: Pencil through the stencil to mark the design onto the fabric. Then stitch the design with the fabric in a hoop to keep the fabric taught. When finished add some decorative beads.

Step 3: Cut 2'' strips of Calico, enough to form a frame around the piece.Cut this on the bias I have dyed this by boiling it in a pan with walnut shells to give a matching colour. Once dry covert this to Bias Binding ready to add to the project as a frame. I have splatted this with some Pearl Luster paint and stitched around the project to finish.

Thank you for joining me today, I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial I have shared along with the finished project. I do hope you will join me very soon when I will share some more. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Stitched Hummingbird

Morning, I hope you are all well, I hear you are bracing yourselves, ready for a cold snap from the return of 'The Beast from The East 2' I do hope it's not as bad as last time, so stay warm and safe. Today I am sharing a little embroidered piece, using the images from the Jungle Dreams Collection from Michelle. If you're going to the NEC this weekend, I hope you have a great time.

For this project you will need:

10'' Square of Calico

7'' or 8'' hoop

Clarity Light Wave or similar

Embroidery Threads

Needle

Pencil

Coloured Card and Matching Ribbon

Step 1: Choose the designs you would like to use and print them off, Choose a selection of threads.

Step 2: Mark the edge of of your hoop by finger pressing or placing in the hoop. Remove and transfer your design using the light panel or holding up against a window.

Step 3: Stitch your design, here I have used a lot french knots to add more texture, but the choice is yours.

Step 4: Trim a little fabric from around the edges, then roughly stitch the excess at the back. Make sure your design is pulled tight in the frame.

Step 5: Secure the ribbon hanger at the back to form a loop for hanging. Run glue all around the back of the frame and secure your card, coloured facing outwards. Place under a heavy book to ensure even adhesion. Once dry trim around the frame.

Here is the finished piece:

Thank you for taking the time to pop by today, I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial and the finished project. If you do have time it would be lovely to see some comments, I really do love to read them. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

My First Ever Embroidery

I Just had to share this project next, I was totally blown away by the results I got. I started Crosstitching years ago, I have always loved it along with the projects that I have completed. I had always admired embroidery but always thought it would be very difficult and take a lot of concentration in order to get a good result. On Hochanda (My Favourite Craft Channel) I saw Katrina from Rowandean demonstrating some of her amazing embroidery. I have to say she made it look incredibly easy, so I watched all of the shows before making the decision to try one of the kits.

Oh my goodness, I am so glad I decided to go for it. It is one of the most relaxing and therapeutic of needlecraft's, that I have tried. The instructions are so easy to follow, a simplified design is also printed on the fabric making it so easy to stitch. Obviously you do have artistic licence and can change or add just what you like to make it your own. I got a little carried away with the French knots so one of the bushes ended up being totally knots rather than straight stitch.

I thoroughly enjoyed stitching the design, the only down side to the kit was coming to the end, although now I can enjoy the framed piece on my wall. I am now keen on trying a larger piece, three I have my eye on are: Bluebell Wood, Seagulls and Blackberries. Watch this space.