Rusty Face

Morning Friends and Crafters. I am so excited to share this mixed media piece with you today. It's a real favourite of mine a it was a bit of an experiment that came out just as I wanted. It was a fun project and well worth the waiting time. Once again this wouldn't have to be a journal or scrapbook page, it could easily be made smaller for a card or even par of it onto an ATC, Like I always say have fun with your crafting, try something new, and always remember, There are NO RULES.

You will need:

Craftascope A5 Media Stencil 'Trent'

Craftascope A5 Media Stamp set 2 'Profile'

Kitchen Roll

Powertex Rust Powder

Vinegar & Water Mix 50/50 mix 

( if for fabric or Clothes I recommend the Rust Dye either Bright or Dark from Inventors Asylum as it's much better where the integrity and strength of fabric is important, clothes etc)

Strip of Calico (previously used for cleaning paints, inks etc)

Medical Gauze Dyed to Match

Sewing Machine

Black card and threads to match or contrast.

Collall Tacky Glue

Step 1: Fold the  sheets of kitchen roll together (still connected gives more strength) Spritz with the mix of Vinegar Water. Next position your stencil in place, sprinkle with rusty powder and spritz again. Do check after a few hours to make sure it's not dried out, If so spritz with more. Keep checking periodically, then leave overnight or longer if required. Remove the stencil and leave to dry thoroughly before dusting off any remaining powder. If using on fabric with the rust dye instead, the fabric can be washed as instructed. 

Step 2: I use calico to mop up inks and paints etc and keep the fabric for future projects. I took one of the pieces and cut off a strip to use. First I added a strip of the dyed gauze and over the top added the calico, which matched the colours beautifully. I used a ziz zag stitch to secure the pieces. I then used Versafine Black ink to add some words, Here I thought the 'Life is Tough' fitted perfectly, but thats personal choice.

Step 3: To finish stitch around the kitchen towel a few times with a messy Zig Zag stitch, I finally added it to a piece of natural Calico, stitched around once more and then frayed the edges before mounting onto black card with tacky glue.

Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.

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 so much for joining me today, I do hope you have enjoyed this tutorial along with the finished piece. It's such an easy but effective result and quite special how the rust forms the complete face just from the stencil including the lips etc as they were originally drawn. I added a very small amount of white gel pen just to highlight the eyes a little. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

A Ladies Lounge

Morning Friends and Crafters, Hopefully you all had a super weekend. Today, I am sharing a Ladies Lounge with you, made with the amazing Dimensional Die collection from Crafters Companion. I really hope you are having as mush fun as I have had with these. I've not shared making the base card again, but if you would like to see the full process, please take a look at the Gentleman's Front room.

For this you will need:

Chair Concept Die (or collection)

Chair Accessories Die Set

Decorative Motifs Collection

Garden Party Collection

Warm Blanket Embossing Folder

Chair Accessories Acrylic Stamps

12 x 12 Patterned Card Pad

12 x 12 Plain Card Pad

Calico Fabric

Sara's Signature Range Lace

Velvet Ribbon from the Embellishment Pack

Glossy Accents

Wool or Yarn

Cocktail Sticks

Family Photos

Optional Extras

Prepare your base card (any size you like), position and cut your chair. Here the same paper is used for the whole wall, adding a strip from the collection for the chair rail and dado rail. Use the chair die to get the perfect fit for your wallpaper and flooring (as for the Gentleman's Room).

Step 1: Take a sheet from the plain 12 x 12 pack, run through the Warm Blanket embossing folder. Cut to size after embossing to ensure a nice clean line. Then add velvet ribbon from the embellishment pack, it gives a lovely trim to the rug.

Step 2: For the curtains and the lampshade, I covered the card with Calico before cutting to add texture.

Step 3: Next stamp and colour flowers from the accompanying stamp set. Finally over stamp with the curtain stamp. This adds more texture and detail.

Step 4: Cut the mirror frame from the brown card, add a little gilding wax here and there for texture. The mirror itself was made with Pebeo Silver Metal Film, but it could also be cut with Mirror Card. Lace from Sara's Signature collection was used to add a table cloth. I used my Nan and Granddads wedding photo in the frame. The vase was then cut, coloured and coated with Glossy Accents, finally filled with blooms, created with the matching dies and stamps, secured with Collall 3D Glue gel.

Step 5: The second side table was cut down slightly to add more interest to the room. There is a photo of my Grand Father added to the frame die and coated with Glossy Accents. The wool or yarn was wound to for a ball of yarn, then a cocktail sticks added as knitting needles.

Step 6: A photo of a cushion was resized, cut out and shaped for the chair. The same for the glasses on the arm of the chair, with added Glossy Accents on the lenses. A few magazines and knitting patterns were resized and cut out to place at the side of the chair.

Step 7: The window, which I wanted left open for this Spring/Summer card was cut from the brown card,then over stamped with the wood grain. Some of the lace was used to trim the lampshade. The clock was coated with Glossy Accents. Outside the window you can see the tree die, cut from brown card and flowers cut with the flower dies, using paper from the plains paper pad. Finally to finish the card I added some slippers and a cat at the side of the chair, again from photos that were resized.

I know I keep saying it, but this collection has been such an inspiration. It's easy to see why it's so popular. It's very easy to personalize each and every scene for the person it's for by adding personal effects and things that mean a lot to that person. They're so exciting to use and seeing peoples faces light up when they receive them is a real joy. They are definitely much more than cards and I am sure that they will be treasured by the person you make them for.

Thank you so much for visiting today, I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial today and maybe the inspiration I have shared with you, I do hope you will be making these for years to come can wait to see what you make, For now take care and Happy Crafting.xx

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

Fabric Moth Wall Hanging

Morning. This project is a wall hanging made using Leonie Pujols Dies and Stamps launched on Hochanda earlier this month. I had quite a few questions asking is the dies would cut fabric, so I have been experimenting. Obviously some of the dies are just to intricate to cut fabric, but it's always worth a try if it's something you would really like to use.

I started with the background, I took a piece of Coredinations cardstock, it was a grey/silver sheet from the Ebony and Ivory range, this one had the black core colour. I used the Texture embossing folder from Crafters Companion 'Distress'. I then sanded it back using the sanding gadget to reveal the core colour.

To add stability to the hanging, I secured the embossed card to canvas board with Cosmic Shimmer Glue by Creative Expressions.In between the two sections I secured cord to enable the piece to by hung.

I cut some calico using the 'Folk Heart Base' Die from Leonie's Entwined Collection. I cut 4 pieces to form the wings. Then I used  Lime Green and Violet Brusho's to colour the pieces. I stamped the flowers from Leonie's collection onto the wings using Black Archival ink.

To make the body, I wound wool and glue to stick it to itself as I wound and left to dry. To make the antenna I used some wire and twisted it round a skewer and attached them to the body along with the wings.

I stamped the circle sentiment stamp from the collection onto Super Smooth Card and die cut it using a circle die leaving a slight border. Then with a dipper pen I wrote the word Moth, then used 3D glue gel to secure it to my work.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit today. I hope you like the wall hanging and the step by step I have shared.

The countdown is now on for the next beautiful release from Leonie. I cant wait to share all the new goodies that she is bringing us. Watch this space and Take care xxx

Leonie's Love Bird on a Branch

Morning, good to see you again. Here is a sample I made with the New stamp collection from Leonie Pujol that launched on Hochanda on May 18th. I used the flower stamps, the Heart Branch along with the little bird and word strip stamps. It just goes to show how a collection of smaller stamps can make a fairly substantial card.

I also used the Scattered Leaved Background from Sue Wilson and the inner rectangle die from the same die set for my stamped images.

To start with I made a few marbled backgrounds using shaving foam and a mixture of the following coloured ink sprays applied in drops with a straw. Stamps Away: Cherry, Rose and Midnight. Comic Shimmer Mist: Midnight Blue and Purple Violet. I continued making backgrounds until I got the perfect mix for the project.

Then I cut out my Scattered Leaves background leaving out the inner cutting die. I used a ruler and craft knife to cut the outer edge leaving a 5 mm border. I also cut my background sheet to exactly the same size. Lastly I cut the inner rectangle to stamp my design.

I used the border word strip along the bottom of my design, then stamped the branch and added the bird on the tree.

O a separate scrap of velvet card (I never throw it away ever it's like gold dust) I stamped a selection of flowers, the single flower and lovely group along with some leaves. At the same time I cut some flowers using Sue Wilson's complete blooms out of some calico that I had dyed for my wreath project, earlier in the week.

I coloured the flowers and leaves using my alcohol markers, I also added some Dusty Concorde to alternate layers of the calico flowers.

I now had all the elements I needed to assemble my project.

Firstly I took my backing card and edged it, using Purple Mist Gilding Polish from Creative Expressions.

I placed the scattered leaves background back into the die and blended Dusty Concorde Distress Ink around the edges, middle and the highlights within the die.

I mounted the die cut onto the background using foam tape (2 Layers) to raise it from the marbled background. Then secured it to the backing card using Cosmic Shimmer glue.

I blended around my stamped image with the same Distress Ink, then added some of the leaves and flowers with 3D Glue Gel, I had previously shaped the flowers and leaves with a ball tool and foam mat. I then stuck this to the centre of my card.

Lastly I added the fabric flower and stamped flowers in the bottom right hand corner and 3 in the top left hand corner. 

My project was now complete.There are two photos here, one taken inside and one outside.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit today, I really hope you have enjoyed this step by step and the finished project. Hopefully you will be back again soon.Take care xx

Flowery Gown

Hello and welcome back. Here is a fabric project I have done using the stamps from Leonie Pujol and the new collection that was launched on Hochanda on Wednesday 18th May. I hope you like it and enjoy my step by step today.

I started of by cutting a square of cream Calico approximately A4 in size, pressed it and stamped the head and shoulders stamp.

Very lightly in pencil, I sketched a rough outline of a gown, I filled this with the group of flowers stamp from the same set. This is a wonderful stamp and has a light feathery effect within the flowers, I deal for pattern building. I thought it would be great for the dress as it gives a floaty effect.

I was a bit adventurous with the hair and wanted her to look different so I decided to cover the hair with French knots. Taking 2 strands of black and one strand of burgundy embroidery thread I randomly added them all over. Then in between I used just 2 strands of black thread until it was completely covered. 

For the flowers on the dress I used Spectrum Aqua Markers from Crafters Companion, the colours I used were Teal,Wildflower and Red Violet. I used flicking strokes using the small nib end, from the centre outwards, but didn't colour right up to the tips as I wanted these to remain cream.

I used the same flicking motion and small nib to colour the wings with Teal and I concentrated the colour nearest the body. When this was dry, I stretched the calico over a piece of 8 x 8 board.

On a separate piece of calico I stamped my sentiment and stretched this over a piece of greyboard.

Taking the misty flower stamp that I used for the dress along with the single flower, I created a frame/border around the card. I positioned the sentiment where i wanted it to sit so I could stamp the edge to match the Background.

I then randomly coloured some of the blooms in the border, Using just a couple of the Spectrum Aqua Markers. Finally I stuck down the sentiment, raising it with 3D glue gel.

It was fun creating this project and I hope you have enjoyed seeing and reading about it today. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and I hope that you will continue to follow my blog. Take care xx

Butterfly Wreath

Good Morning and thank you so much for stopping by again. I hope you are well and have a good Bank Holiday weekend. Well I have something completely different using stamps from Leonie to share with you today, So I am hoping that you will like it.

I have lots of grape vines here, when they are pruned, there are lots of long lengths to get shot of. A lot of them go into the stove, but I thought it would be nice to find a different use for some of them at least. I decided I would like to try and make a grape vine wreath.

After some research online, I found out that it is in fact fairly easy to do, I took three equal lengths of vine and formed them into a rough circle shape. Then brought the ends through the centre, wrapped and repeated. Before running out of length I added some more until the wreath was about the right size, any loose pieces can be tucked in or trimmed back with pruning sheers. I was really please with the finished result, at the same time cursing, thinking about the money I had spent in the past buying them in the past. I put this aside while I got everything else ready.

There are quite a lot of elements to the wreath, so It's best to go through them one by one.

I cut about 10 x 1 1/2'' strips of calico, approximately 36'' long and when bunched together I concertina folded them and tied them together with garden twine about 2/3 of the way up. I dyed one part with Slate and one part with Lavender, Quick and Easy Dyes from Forest Fibres on ebay. When they were dry I cut them in half and rolled them into roses. I will do a post on this at some point soon, to show how. There were a couple of strips left over that I tied into messy bows.

On a separate piece of calico, I stamped some of Leonie's stitched hearts from the new collection with archival waterproof ink. I stamped inside the hearts with 'Love' & 'Dreams', again with black Archival Ink. I dyed half of them in Slate and half in Lavender at the same time I dyed a square of calico in Slate to become my backing. Once they were dry, I roughly cut out the hearts and backing and stitched around leaving a gap for stuffing. I then stitched up the gap and frayed around the edges.

I took some 2'' strips of hessian, approximately 18'' long and made 3 large roses. I wrapped some garden string around paint brushes 3'' long, secured with pins at either end, covered in PVA and left to dry.

Then I made a few Paper roses, I took half a sheet each of Tim Holtz Core-dinations cardstock, Tattered Rose and Dusty Concorde from Crafters Companion. I cut various size circles, using my circle cutter, then run them through the Textures Leaf Vein embossing folder by Crafters Companion. I then sanded them back to reveal the core colour. I cut these into spirals, wound them to form roses and secured them with Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

Taking an MDF tag, I coloured it using Cornflour Blue Nuvo Embellishment Mousse by Tonic Studio's. I applied 2 coats and polished it once it was dry. Then using Indigo Blu Flitter Glue, I used a sentiment stamp from Leonie's New Stamp Collection and covered it with Gilding flake.

Finally I assembled the wreath, using a hot glue gun. I  started off by placing the MDF tag and building up around 3/4 of the wreath leaving some bare vine.

I have really enjoyed making this project and I sincerely hope you have enjoyed the step by step. I know it was a long one but I really thin it is worth taking the time to make such a nice piece. Thank you so much for your continued visits and wonderful comments, I do read everyone of them and try to answer. Thanks for your support. Take care xx