Copper Tree

Hi Everyone. Today I am sharing a little piece of home decor, that I made with the Retro Leaves dies from the Craftascope Retro Collection. I brought it to Hochanda last month for a One Day Special. I have a full tutorial and lots of additional photos for you today, I hope you enjoy it. There's also a little 'Thank You' Gift for you all from me for your amazing support. It's made me so happy, I can't quite believe it, A little overwhelming, but I am so touched, I really am, it means an awful lot to me so Thank you. xx

You will Need:

Craftascope Retro Leaves Die Set

Leonie Pujol Creativity Stamp

Pebeo Metallic Copper Marker

Florists Wire

Copper Wire

Old Drinks Cans

Craft copper Metal

White Gesso

Distress Inks Mowed Lawn & Mermaid Lagoon

Heat Gun

Blow Torch

Large Board or Canvas

Step 1:  Use the metallic marker to colour the florist wire and set aside to dry.

Step 2: On a small piece of copper sheet and stamp the creativity stamp using the black Stayzon.

Step 3: Paint you board with the white Gesso.

Step 4: Mix some of the white Gesso with a little distress ink to add colour to the sky, then repeat with the green for the grass.

Step 5: Take about 10-12 lengths of copper wire, Tightly wrap another length around the branch.

Step 6: Continue wrapping the wire, after about 5 inches, start to split into branches to form a tree.

Step 7: Cut a selection of the leaves, use a blow torch to heat some of them gently, this gives wonderful colours to the metal. Leave some of them plain, then  emboss some of them as well.

Step 8: Wire them onto the florists wire with a hot glue gun.

Step 9: Make some holes in your backing board. Position the tree onto the board, thread wire through from the front and secure at the back of the piece.

Step 10: Position you leaves, once you are happy, wrap a little of the wire around and secure with 3D Glue Gel or a hot glue gun.

This makes a great piece of home decor and would look great on the wall, obviously you wouldn't have to make it this size, a smaller one would be just as stunning.

As a thank you for all of your support here is a 20% discount code  (THANKS20) to use on my Etsy Store for any purchase over 20 pounds, the link to the store is at the top of the page. It was so nice to find out that I have been nominated for the Crafts Beautiful 'Best Of' Craft Awards this year. I was totally speechless when they contacted me. I have to admit that I thought it was a joke at first, after that I have to say there were some tears of joy, so I thought it would be nice to share the joy with you all. I am so touched and it means a great deal to me. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Christmas Baubles

Hi Friends and Crafters, as today is the last day of Christmas on Hochanda I thought I would add something festive using the Retro Leaves from the Retro Collection along with the Triskaidecagon dies, which are unique and incredibly useful for so many projects.

You Will Need: 

Craftascope Floral Stamp and Die Collection

Craftascope Triskaidecagon Layering Die Set

Craftascope Retro Leaves Die Set

Centura Pearl Silver/White card

Centura Pearl 120 gsm Silver/White paper

Construction Acetate

Snow Fall Acetate

Sentimentally Yours Silver Embossing Powder

Versamark Pad

Antistatic Bag

Mirror Card

3D Glue Gel

Tacky Glue

Red Thread

Step 1: Cut your base from Acetate. Fold in half and make sure your die slightly overlaps the fold.

Step 2: Cut 2 frames, using the first and fourth dies, you could use the 3rd if you want a thinner frame. Cut one piece of Centura using die 1 and another using die 2, trim the back of each to match the acetate.

Step 3: Cut a piece of the snowfall acetate using the second die to fit neatly inside the frames you have made. Use red liner tape and a little 3D glue gel to secure the acetate to the back frame, leave the front for a little later.

Step 4: Cut 3 of the Retro Leaves from Mirror Card, thread them with red embroidery thread. Arrange and secure them to the front of the acetate.**Make sure you line up the die with your base first to ensure it's definitely the top.

Step 5:Take the large Centura base and secure it under the acetate using 3D glue gel.

Step 6: Repeat with the smaller piece of Centura, This leaves the wonderful detail from the acetate showing and the card but also hides the glue from below.

Step 7: Secure the frame too your easel card base with the red liner tape and 3D glue gel.

Step 8 & 8a Cut the clematis  using the Centura Pearl paper, then emboss with the coordinating stamp and the silver powder. Repeat this with the 'Peace' sentiment and secure to your card.

Here is the finished card, using the Retro Leaves in a totally different way and adding a little festive cheer.

Thank you ever so much for joining me today, I really hope you have enjoyed the tutorial and that you will join me again soon. Don't forget to subscribe and watch out on my Youtube Channel as I am doing more on there including the 'Natter with Nick' and the 'Back to Basics' with Craftascope series. If there is anything you would like to see included in the Back to Basics show, please leave a comment under the video and I will try to include it in future shows.

Lastly, I have to do another reminder as I hat people to lose out. There are things in baskets on my Etsy store and there really isn't enough stock to cover the ones in baskets, if there is anything you want please check out, some of the things wont be coming back either. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Positive Vibes

Hi Everyone, Well it's so hot here today, I can hardly breathe it's so humid as well. So today, I have a really quick and effective card for you. We sometimes need a card in a hurry, that looks great but doesn't take us too long to create. This card still has a lot of texture and interest and would really suit any occasion, depending on the words or sentiment you decide on.

I hope you will join me later this evening for my 'Natter with Nick' at 7 pm. I have another offer for you that will last until Sunday at Midnight so tune in so you don't miss this weeks.

You will need:  

Craftascope Retro Vibes Stamp Set

Craftascope Retro Fever Stamps Set

Craftascope Retro Leaves Die Set

Pearlywinks Hot Pink & Vintage Teal Sprays

Clarity 7 x 7'' White Card Blank

White Stamping Card

Copier Paper Masks (your chosen design)

Versafine Black Ink

Black Card

Tacky Glue

3D Glue Gel

Step 1: Cut your chosen leaves from copier paper to make the masks, spray on the back with Temporary Spray Adhesive and set aside. Take 2 halves of copier paper, use the spray again to secure to your card to form a 3'' strip down your card blank, this will act as a mask. Arrange you leaves all along the strip.

Step 2: Use the Pearlywinks sprays to add that vibrant colour  then remove the masks to reveal the design.

Step 3: Using your Pearlywinks sprays again, colour your small piece of stamping card.

Step 4: Stamps a selection of words from the Retro Stamp Sets and cut out. Mat them onto Black card using Tacky Glue.

Step 5: Use the 3D glue gel to secure your sentiments in Place on the card.

And here is your finished card.

Thank you for joining me today, I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial today. Just another reminder about the Graceful Striplet Die,There are very few left and there are lot of people who have them in their baskets. I don't have enough for each person who has it in the basket, so if you do want it, please check out, I feel like I am going on and on, but I really dont want anyone to miss out and they are going to. 

For now, Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

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

Happy Birthday to me

Hi Friends and Crafters. Well I want to say a huge Thank You to every one of you for my wonderful Birthday messages, I am really touched and a special thank you to those of you that have sent real cards to me either through Hochanda or to my UK Hub, it's been a real shock and very welcome to have some nice things to open. It really has been very special for me indeed.So a HUGE THANK YOU.... Here is a closer look at the copper tree I made with the Retro Leaves. A really nice piece that would look great on a wall. Tutorial coming soon.

Well, here goes. A lot of people will know that I used to run a Craft Club in my Village, I was kindly offered the Library, which was smashing. It's a lot busier there now and they kept cancelling at the last minute. Anyway to cut a long story short, I have to stop doing it. My aim was to buy a small house in the village and do the craft club there with no having to arrange it months ahead for the odd session.

Quite a few people have said to join one of those fund raiser sites to help raise the money, but I have to say, that I would not feel comfortable doing that. I also didn't want to do a fundraiser for my Birthday as that seems to be a popular choice to. My dream is to get the money together to get this building and get it sorted for the craft club and so I a asking, not for donations as I feel it is like begging, (thats just me). What I a asking is that if you could buy something from my Etsy Store, that way it helps me to save towards the goal and you also get something nice to craft with. I love this t shirt made with the Retro Chaos Stencil, a real winner for any bloke or lady of course.

It also means that you can leave a review to help others decide on any purchase, and you will also be entered into the Huge Giveaway, with a chance to win the full August collection, consisting of 3 Stamp Sheets, 2 Stencils and 2 beautiful dies. A wonderful prize just for leaving a review on the store. Take a look at the Natter with Nick for a few sneek peeks of whats to come. The new Dolphin Die and some wonderful Rose dies and stamps.

I really pray that this does not sound like begging, a lot of you know me well enough to know that is just not me at all. I would hate to think you thought that of me. I am just so passionate about this and really want to make it happen and leave it for the Village after I am gone. I think you in advance for any support you can offer, It would make a huge difference. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx