Gilded Dolphins

Morning Friends and Crafters. Well I have had a smashing few days. It's been so much fun experimenting with my new collections and making samples for my next visit to Hochanda. It's always exciting and I always love visiting but this time I am even more excited to share the goodies with you. The Dolphin Die is so versatile, it can be used to give so many different looks. Use any of your techniques and experiment, but above all have lots of fun.

You Will Need:

Craftascope Dolphin Stamp Set

Craftascope Dancing Dolphin Die

Craftascope 'Such a Card' Stamp Set

Craftascope 'Bloom & Grow' Stamp Set (only for the card Variation)

Black Card Blank 8 x 6''

Gilding Flakes

Flitter Glue or Similar

Black Card

Phat Foam

Clarity Double Sided Adhesive Sheet

Step 1: Take your card blank, towards the bottom, use the dolphin stamps along with the Flitter Glue and Phat foam to stamp them. Leave the glue to go clear.

Step 2: Use your chosen Gilding Flake to cover the design. Rub away any excess gently with your finger. Finally rub over with a schoochy to remove the finer pieces and burnish to give a beautiful shine.

Step 3: Repeat step 1 with your chosen sentiment. These stamps are high quality and dont need excess pressure. Pressing too hard will only result in a splayed image.

Step 4: Repeat step 2 with your sentiment. When done, edge the card with the Flitter Glue, when dry add the flake . It gives a wonderful deckled edge to the sentiment. Next cover a piece of card with a double sided adhesive sheet, cut to  give a 5 1/2'' square, remove the protective sheet and cover with the gilding flake as before.

Step 5: Cut the dolphin die from black card, then use the outer die to cut and emboss the edge. Layer this onto your gilded background and mount onto your base card. Finally position your sentiment and secure with 3D Glue Gel.

It's been great sharing this project with you today, I do hope you enjoyed using the die. I really would love to see all of the projects and creation you make. If you are not already a member and you use Facebook, It would be great to see you on the 'Craftascope Makes' page, where you can share any of your Crafting projects.

Here is a variation of the card using a different sentiment and just the dolphins stamps. Just a quick reminder, when using flitter glue or similar, please wash immediately or at least put them in water to soak.

I hope to see you all soon, for now Take care and Happy Crafting.

House Plaque Base

Hello and thanks for popping by today. For a long while now I have been wanting to make a number plaque for the front of the house, but never seen to get the time. Well today I made a start and thought I would share it with you. It's not finished as I cant find a number that suits the look I want. As soon as I find the right number 7 I will  finish and share it with you.

I started with an MDF oval shape (Marine Grade)

Using black gesso, I gave it two coats for a really thick coat as it will be outside even though under cover.

I used the beautiful 'Rose Blush' stamp from Indigo Blu. I stamped with flitter glu and covered with a mix of Gold and Copper Kettle Gilding Flake.

I wanted to add Gilding flake around the edge but at the same time I didn't want to detract from the main image of the roses. To add the flake I dipped a tissue into the flitter glue and dabbed around the design. After adding the flake and burnishing, I painted over it with black gesso. I left this for about 2 minutes and then rubbed it off. This subdued the brightness but left a lovely aged look around the piece.

I would like to add some more texture to this and maybe some crackle as well. As soon as I find the number 7 I will complete it and update you on the progress. It probably wont be for a couple of weeks as there are some new and exciting things coming from Leonie. I really cant wait to share, it's so very exciting. 

Thank you so much for visiting today and hope you will come by again very soon. Take care xxx