Grace

Morning Friends and Crafters. I am sure many of you know how much I love parchment craft. There was no way I could make samples with my own collection and not include at least one samples with it. So today I am sharing one with you. My card today also includes a selection of Groovi plates which have completed the design, it just shows that the elements in my collection will mix and match with any of your favourite crafts and styles. It might even get you to try something completely new, which would be wonderful.

You Will Need:
Dolphin Stamp Set 1
Clarity Poppy Wreath
Jayne's Agapanthus A5 Square Plate Set
Nested Squares Extension & Alphabet Plate A4
Parchment
Embossing Tool
White Stayzon Ink
Pergamano Embossing Mat
Polychromos, Pergacolours or Similar
Piercing Mat
Parchment Scissors
Dark Blue Mirror Card
Centura Pearl White Base Card
Tumble Direr Sheet

Step 1: First stamp your dolphin in place using the white Stayzon.

Step 2: Next use one of the  Christmas Groovi plates to add the sun. Add a small frame around the dolphin and the sun. The flourish around the outside frame is from Jayne's Agapanthus, use it to determine which of the larger frames you need to add. Add the next frame to give yourself enough room for the embossed dots. Then use the little berries from the 'Poppy Wreath' to add the selections of bubbles. Stamp 'Grace' in the middle of the bottom of your frame, (You will need to stamp this from the front of your work) then continue building your design.

Pierce and snip around the whole design Next add your white work and embossing, remembering to leave your work to rest inbetween. Finally colour your design from behind with your chosen colours.

Step 3: To finish you project layer your parchment onto mirror card and mount onto a Silver/White Centura Pearl card base.

My collection is still available at a wonderful offer price on Hochanda with Freedom Discount and Flexi Buy on the full collection. HOCHANDA LINK. I also have the collection available at my CRAFTASCOPE ETSY SHOP.

If you did miss my very first Hochanda show and the launch of my collection, it is still available on Rewind, via the Hochanda Website, it was last aired on Tuesday 20th November so please be quick.

NICK'S FIRST LIVE HOCHANDA SHOW LINK

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/

Until Tomorrow, 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

17 Cherry Tree Lane

Morning, I hope you are enjoying the launch of the new Dimensional Dies in Hochanda, with more shows today at 9 am, 1 pm and Your Final Chance at 5 pm, thats if there is any left of course. I have loved seeing all of the ideas and samples from the rest of the design team, they have been such an inspiration. I am sure you are all going to be brimming with ideas, with plenty of projects to keep you busy, once your collections arrive. Today I am sharing Cherry Tree Lane. I Thoroughly enjoyed designing this card and putting it all together. Here is the finished card, along with the tutorial, I do hope you enjoy it. Some of the photos are slightly different as believe it or not all my photos were lost so had to recreate it, but at least I have one for myself this time. lol

You will need:

House Concept Die Set

House Accessories Die Set

Garden Party Die Set

Cottage Stone Embossing Folder

House Brick Embossing Folder

House Accessories Stamps Set

12 x 12 Coordinating Matt Card Pad

12 x 12 Coordinating Patterned Papers

A3 White Centura Pearl 'Hint of Silver' cut to 8 3/4'' x 16'' plus extra for windows etc

Mat Black Card

A4 Sheena Stamping Card

Acetate

Selection of Distress Inks

Shaped Nestie or Similar

Leonie Pujol Kite Stamp from Tangled Tails or similar

Clarity Skyline Mask or Similar

Glossy Accents

Tacky Glue

3D Glue Gel

Step 1: Cut the base section of your house, either overhang the part you dont want to cut or if using a manual machine, secure 2 pieces of thick card over the part you dont want to cut, as soon as you feel the resistance, reverse.

Step 2: Draw lines upwards from the sides of your house to help re position the die (see photo) Position the die lining up the cut line on the die onto your pencil mark. The distance between the bottom and the roof needs to be 5 3/4''. Repeat this cut as in Step 1 to avoid cutting the whole house.

Step 3: Using a craft knife and ruler, cut along your drawn lines to join the 2 dies cut shapes.

Step 4: Leave an extra tab at the top, approximately half inch to secure to the background later.

Step 5: Repeat the first 3 steps to make your second home, This time slightly smaller, also remove the roof section of this one to add variety (see photos). Also cut away the outhouse.

Step 6: Lightly draw a line at 8'' across your card, this will be your scoreline later.. Take a sheet of torn copier paper to create your landscape. Using an applicator of your choice blend Mowed Lawn Distress ink downwards from your mask. Repeat this step, moving your paper sideways also to stagger the hills. Three or 4 levels look great.

Step 7: Take the skyline mask, secure to your card, using black soot, built up your colour lightly, you really want a deep grey tone rather than black. Move the mask and repeat adding dimension to your card. Next Build up the blues for the sky, Shaded Lilac and Blueprint Sketch.

Step 8: Place your smaller house on the card to help position your concept die. Use the notches either side to position on your pencil line and TAPE in place, cut and manipulate the pop up.

Step 9: Use the green card from the pad to create the grass. (Top Tip) cut the card to the required width, lay it against your house, place a ruler either side of the house and draw a feint line for the recess. Next position the card at the back of your card, lay the ruler against the front of the house and this will give you the depth. Cut out and secure to your base  with Tacky glue.

Step 10:Take a sheet of Card the width of your base, emboss using the Cottage Stone folder. Then colour randomly with a mixture of Black Soot, Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo and Frayed Burlap to give a realistic road, secure in place using Tacky Glue.

Step 11: Emboss the smaller house using the House Brick folder, then select your colour of choice for tinting the brick.

Step 12: Use a Dark Grey alcohol marker to colour the roof section of your main house. Use the brick stamp from the collection to add detail, then colour the bricks, choose 3 or 4 shades for this.

Step 13: Cut the window frames and window inserts from Centura Pearl white, then acetate and a chosen pattern for your wallpaper, using just the outside die. Repeat for the required amount and layer up.

Step 14: Cut the tree from Black and a brown from the coordinating pad. Layer using Tacky glue leaving a thin shadow behind.

Step 15: The fence will need 2 or 3 layers as it is only attached at the back of the house, stage the joins so it doesn't bend using Tacky Glue. Form enough for either side of the house with an inch or so extra to allow securing.

Step 16: Stamp the door in place on the main house, then on a piece of card stamp another to secure in place on the smaller house. Position and secure the windows in place with 3D glue gel for dimension. Add the roof trim and eves.

Step 17: Add the fence, securing behind the house. Then add window boxes, using the grass for foliage. A nice welcome mat looks nice here, cut and stamped onto self adhesive Burlap/Hessian. Position the tree using Tacky Glue and trim.

Step 18: Cut some blossom and leaves from the Garden Accessories set, shape them with a ball tool and add. Use the smallest of the blooms for the window boxes.

Step 19: Use a royalty free image and reduce in size.Position a basic circle die over the image and draw around it. Carefully trim around any bits outside the circle to allow you to position the die. Top Tip: Make sure the die is underneath any parts you dont want cutting, legs, bag etc. (See Photos)

Step 20: To finish your card, add extras of your choice, keeping the perspective with the card. Add some fallen leaves and grass to the scene to make it more realistic and your card is finished. Then you can decorate the outside to match.

I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial and finished card. Thank you ever so much for joining me and I hope to see you very soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx