Way Out!!!

Morning Friends and Crafters. Fancy a little bit of fun with some vibrant colours and some straws? Well that's just what I have been doing, with the background for this mutlicoloured banner. This is a real statement die, great for any occasions and all types of crafting, from card making, journalling and scrapbooking and lots more. It's a great addition to your crafty stash and also makes a great card for a bloke.

I have managed to get a little bit of stock back on my Etsy Store, I am still trying to get the Stamp version of the 'Retro Banner' back in stock and will let you know if it's possible.

You will need:

Craftascope 'Retro Banner' Die

Craftascope Retro Fever Stamp Set

Craftascope Retro Vibes Stamp Set

Clarity Stamp 8 x 8'' Black Card Blank.

Selection of Brusho

Mat Black Cardstock 7 1/4 x 7 1/4''

White Stamping Card 7 x 7''

Mat Black Cardstock to cut the Banner

Coloured Card (A real Scrapbuster)

Tacky Glue and 3D Glue Gel

Step 1: Take 4 colours of Brusho, totally your choice. Premix them with a little water. Drop the first colour onto the card and blow out towards the edge of the card. Repeat this with your other colours to give a wonderfully vibrant background.

Step 2: Cut out the Retro Banner 3 times in black card from gutting. You need to whole banners and a section of 2. ****TOP TIP**** Don't use your pokey tool, tap the die firmly cutting side up on a surface to release on it's own, It does release and doesn't distort your die cut.

Step 3: Mount your vibrant background onto your base card, You can easily gut this card before sticking it down and use it on another project. 

Step 4: On your white card secure the banner die cuts to form a circular shape. Use coloured card to paper piece the banners.***TOP TIP***** This is a great way to use all of your scrap card pieces, I know we all have them.

Step 5: Back this piece onto your black card and make sure you have gutted it. You could easily position your banner die and use it latter for another card or project.

Step 6: Select a sentiment for your card. When I finished the background, I used the rest of the premixed Brusho to colour some scraps using the straws as well, these come in really handy for sentiments or smaller projects and we dont like to waste the colours. Here are two variations, but you could use any sentiment to suite the project.

Well, thats a really fun card to make, the explosion of colour with the banner would look fantastic in a journal or scrapbook, it really does make a statement. So versatile, how about printing thumbnails of photos and putting them in the blocks. Whatever you make or decide to do with your Banner I do hope you will share your Creations. Look forward to my next Back to Basics with Craftascope Show, dont forget if you have any ideas or anything you would like to see, please add it to the comments section under the videos, it makes it easier for me if they are all in one place. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Beauty in Everything

Hi Friends and Crafters. Well here I am with the first tutorial using the New 'Retro' Collection launched on Hochanda a couple of weeks ago. I have to thank you all so much for embracing the  unique collection. I was so touched  that so many of you have now joined the Craftascope Family. It's also been a real treat for me to see all of the beautiful Creations being shared. It really does show me, how much fun you are having and for me thats the best part of bringing you my designs.

Before I start with my tutorial today, I want to mention the 'Graceful Striplet' Die I have added to my Etsy store. If you dont know abut it I have added the video here for you. At the moment there are more of you have it in your baskets than I have stock, so sadly people are going to be disappointed. If you really want this die, then I urge you to check out. They are not safe in your basket and if someone buys it will be lost. I hate to go on, but I had so many messages from people who missed out on the Retro Stamps and Rose Petals that I don't want the same thing happening.

You will need:

Craftascope Retro Leaves Die Collection

Craftascope Retro Rounds A5 Stencil

Clarity 8 x 8 Card Blank, cut to 7 1/2 x 7 1/2''

Clarity Stencil Brushes

8 x 8 Card Base

Basic Round Die (Approx 6 1/2'')

Distress Inks: Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey & Aged Mahogany 

Versafine Black Ink

Waste Plastic Packaging

EVA or Funky Foam

Yellow and Orange Card (Here Tim Holtz Distress Pad)

Step 1: Trim your Card blank to 7 1/2 x 7 1/2, you will use the remainder at another time. Cut a piece of copier paper that same size and cut a circle into it. Use temporary adhesive spray to secure to your card.

Step 2: Using the Distress inks blend from Light at the top to Dark at the base to create a really rich background.

Step 3: Cut your chosen leaves from EVA foam, I like the EVA foam more than the Funky Foam as it hold the ink better, especially good if you are going to use them again. Spray the back with Stick n Stay then secure to the waste plastic packaging. This will allow you to use them again and again.

Step 4: Remove the mask from your card and replace the inner circle over your design, again with temporary adhesive. Take the stencil and the 2 lighter ink pads and create some interest around the center focal point.

Step 5: Use Temporary adhesive to your stamps and position them into your design using the black ink.

Step 6: Stamp your sentiment onto white card, edge with the black ink and layer it onto Orange and Yellow card. Mount your artwork onto the same yellow and orange card to match, making sure you have gutted it as always.To finish off mount it onto your base card and secure the sentiment with either foam pads or 3D glue gel.

If you prefer not to add matting and layering to your card, then I would suggest working directly onto the Clarity Card Base, as I say on all my videos and tutorials it takes the inks and colour really beautifully and well worth it.

Before I go just to let you know abut the offer I have on the Blooming Marvelous Collection (pictured above) on my Esty Store, There are only 4 left at the amazing price of 58.95. The collection includes the Beautiful Dolphin Die, 3 A5 stencils and 2 A5 plus stamp sheets, not far off A4 really so a it's a great time to add it to your Craftascope Library. See the Etsy listing for more inspirational photos.

I hope you will join me tomorrow at 7 PM for the next episode of ''Natter with Nick'' to see what I will be sharing and for the new Natter with Nick offer. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Video Tutorials and Written tutorials to come

Hi Friends and Crafters. Firstly thank you ever so much for your comments and requests for things to bring along for the Back to Basics with Craftascope, if you have any more to add, please leave them in the comments under the video so I can pick them up easily. I do hope you have been enjoying the videos I have been sharing over the last few weeks on youtube. If you haven't seen them they are available on my channel. I will be starting with my written tutorials soon, as I have now had chance to get everything up to date since coming home. A t-shirt I made with the Retro Chaos Stencil from the Retro Collection, it makes such a clear impression and so nice to have something different.

I added a video yesterday, which you might be interested to see. One of the dies (Graceful Striplet) that I was planning to bring in August features. I have decided not to take it any further, but wanted  to show it to you and give you the opportunity to get hold of one of the 11 dies. You do need to watch the video before deciding on your purchase. Most of them are already in peoples baskets, so if you do want a set please act fast, until they are purchased they are not safe in a basket.

I am really looking forward to joining you on Wednesday at 7 pm for Natter with Nick. For now take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Natter with Nick Episode 2 and more

Hi Friends and Crafters. Well it's Wednesday and time for another Natter with Nick tonight at 7 pm. I have broken it into two this week to see if they are faster to upload and I have to say that they were, I left enough time in case it was another 8 hours, but it was less than half that this time. I do hope you will join me for a natter, some demos, Hints, tips and some Wednesday night fun.

Part 2 of this weeks episode will go live at 7.30, to give time to have a chat answer any questions etc. I hope you enjoy  part 2 just as much as the first part. I will take this time to let you know about the 'BIG GIVEAWAY', I have still had a lot of people who don't know about it, I have shared it as much as I can, but obviously with the way Facebook share, there are people who will miss out. What do you have to do? Leave an Honest review for any Craftascope Purchase on my Etsy store. Thats it, then you will be in with the chance of winning my Brand New August collection, consisting of 3 Beautiful Stamp Sets, Stencils and dies.

When you have watched the Natter with Nick, please get in touch if there is anything you would like me to include in my future shows. Anything crafty at all, I will always try and include it. I want these shows to be enjoyable and informative, so your feedback is extremely valuable.

Well I will see you tonight at 7 pm and again at 7.30 pm. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

New Stamps Listed, Giveaway and an Free Bonus Offer

Hi Friends and Crafters, I have some very exciting news this morning. I have been able to list my New & Exclusive Retro Banner Stamp set, it's on my Etsy store. I have to say it's wonderful, so a huge thank you to Sarah & Vicky from Stamp Addicts for making them for me. Such a wonderful design. I know this is the die, but it can be used for the same, only with stamping techniques.

Other this to remember, I am running the giveaway to win my August collection. All you have to do is make a purchase on my Etsy store and leave an honest review once you have tried the Craftascope range.The giveaway is for the full collection, 3 Beautiful Stamps sets, stencils and dies too. If you missed my first Natter with Nick, do take a look at it, link below.

Talking about my Natter with Nick yesterday, There are bonus free items, when you buy the pair of Triskaidecagon dies, I have reduced the price and you will now automatically get 2 free stencils included until Midnight tonight. See my Natter with Nick for more Details.

For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Natter with Nick

Hi Friends and Crafters. Just a very quick post for now to let you know that my first Natter with Nick Episode is now on Youtube for you to see. There is a product of the week, which I discuss in a little more detail, there's never really enough time to tell you everything in a show, so I thought this might be a great idea.

Also in the show, I will show some of the show samples in a little more detail, these will be relevant to the products I have chosen for the particular episode. I will finish with a short demo and maybe a little look at some other samples or even products you have asked to see. It is supposed to be interactive, so it would be great to have your ideas. Feel free to leave any requests below and I will try to include them in the show.

I wanted to do these as a Facebook live but sadly my laptop camera is not working so until it's fixed I will have to use my phone, but it does mean I can watch along with you and answer any questions straight away. There will also be a special offer given during the show until midnight on Thursday. Details given about a giveaway/Competition.

Please take a look at the first episode and let me know what you think. Any feedback is very welcome. For now take care and Happy Crafting.xxx