Poppy Reflection and Remembrance

Morning Friends and Crafters, this year marks 100 Years since the guns fell silent in 1918, marking the end the 'The First World War'. Today I am sure we will all take the time to remember and reflect on all those who have fought and fallen in times of conflict. Hear is my card for today, as I also remember past members of the Family who never returned.

You Will Need:

Trent Media Stencil

Dolphin Stamp Set 1

Blazing Poppies fro Indigo Blu

Distress Oxide: Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Squeezed Lemonade

Amsterdam Acrylics Red & Green

Red Watercolours

Black Fine Liner

Ruler

Collall Tacky Glue

Archival Black Ink

Versafine Black Ink

Watercolour Card 6 x 9''

Step 1: Create your background using a large acrylic block or a quilting ruler, (something large). Add the Oxides in a diagonal fashion. Lightly spritz the card and the ink, then stamp and drag the block a little and lift. 

Step 2: Cut a rectangle from copier paper and place over your card. Place the stencil over the top and ink through with Versafine black ink.

Step 3: Draw a line around the face with a ruler and black fine liner.

Step 4: Use the ruler and fine liner again to draw a second frame around and colour in with a black marker.

Step 5:Use the inside of the rectangle you cut fro copier paper to mask off the face. Ink up the poppy stamp with Versafine ink, place and stamp as shown.

Step 6: Repeat below, keeping the diagonal composition as shown.

Step 7: Colour the poppies on the card and stamp using 'Reflection' & Memories' again with Versafine Ink.

Step 8: Stamp the poppies again, this time with Archival black ink, you need enough to decoupage your image. Colour these with the red watercolours.

Step 9: Slightly shape the poppies and use Collall 3D glue gel to secure giving them a little more dimension.

Step 10: Mount a black layer onto your base card.

Step 11: Mount your main piece onto your base to finish your card.

Here is the finished project:

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

By the Seaside

Morning Everyone, Welcome along today. I am sharing a card I made for the launch of the Three Way Overlay stamps and mask set that Barbara launched on Hochanda on 2nd September. I do hope you got to see the shows over the Celebration weekend to mark 25 years of Clarity.

You will need:

Clarity Three Way Townhouse Overlay Stamps

Clarity Letterbox & Alphabet Stamp Collection

Versamark Black Ink Pad

Memento Summer Sky

White Stamping Card 6 x 6'' & 8 x 8''

Black Card

Brayer

Indigo Blu Townhouse Teal Acrylic Paint

Indigo Blu Pantry White Acrylic Paint

Watercolour Pans

Brush and Water

Step 1: Stamp your Townhouse outline in black ink.

Step 2: Overlay the positive Townhouse stamp using the 'Summer Sky', I built the colour up as it's a fairly pale colour but layered it's a beautiful summery colour.

Step 3: Use a selection of watercolours to give the a seaside feel to your image.

Step 4: Create your background using the 8 x 8'' card, Use a Brayer to build up with the acrylic paints, the more layers the better for additional texture,set aside to dry.

Step 5: Arrange and stamp the letterboxes and fill with your chosen words. Layer this onto black card. Mount your background piece onto your base card. Then to finish the card add the topper you have created.

Thank you so much for joining me today, it's been great to have your company. I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial and the finished card. Hopefully you will stop by very soon to see what else I have to share with you. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Beauty with the Clarity Three Way Overlay Stamps

Morning Friends and Crafters, I do hope you are enjoying the ongoing Celebrations for 25 Years of Clarity. Today there is still the fabulous One Day Special with Paul & Linda at 9 am, 1 pm and the Final Call at 5 pm. Today I am sharing a card along with a full tutorial of one of the samples I made for the show.

You will need:

Clarity Three Way Overlay Townhouse Stamp Set.

Stamping Card

Black Card

White Card Base

Word Chain Stamps

Brayer

Indigo Blu Town House Teal Acrylic Paint

Indigo Blu Pantry White Acrylic Paint

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Tango Acrylic Paint

Black Fine Liner

Ruler

Versamark Black Ink

Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide

Step 1: Create a textured background using the acrylic paint selection, Add each layer separately, leave to dry and add more layers until you are happy with the texture, depth and effect. This will give you lots of texture and interest.

Step 2: Stamp your outline stamp, using Black Versafine ink.

Step 3: Add the positive layer stamp, using Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide, layer this until you are happy with the depth of colour.

Step 4: Trim to size and mount onto a black mat.

Step 5: Create a background piece in the same way as before, here i have used an A4 piece, which will give me some for a future project.

Step 6: Trim to size, Use a fine liner pen to add a frame around the piece. Mount onto a black base before adding to your base card.

Step 7: Use 'Beauty' from the Clarity Word Chain Stamps, stamp with the black ink onto a matching piece of background.

Step 8: Using the fine liner and ruler, create a frame around this also. Mount this onto black card.

Step 9: To finish your card, add the topper you have created and add the sentiment to your project.

Here is the finished piece:

Thank you ever so much for joining me today, I do hope you have enjoyed my tutorial along with thee finished card I have shared with you. Enjoy the last day of the Clarity Celebrations with Paul and Linda and here's to another 25 plus years. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Cameo Box

Hi, Today I am sharing a Cameo Box that I made from Kraft card to decorate with the stunning 3D Embossing Folders from Crafters Companion. I will explain as clearly as I can with the photos I do have but please ask if you are not sure of anything or just want to ask any questions.

Choose something cylindrical that you can easily wrap the length of an A4 sheet around with some excess to avoid any joins in the strips. If you want to use A3 card then this wont matter. Also make sure that the item is the same diameter with no lip or rim which would make it impossible to remove the piece once dry.

Step 1: Cut strips of Kraft Card in the following widths,

             4 x 5 cm

             4 x 3.5 cm

             4 x 2 cm

Also cut one length of the 5 cm and the 2 cm in white card for covering the final strip.

Step 2: Take one 5 cm strip and wrap around the cylinder. Mark where they join with a pencil and cut using a ruler and craft knife. Use tape to hold the  tightly together and in place. Take another strip and wrap around the first, Mark this and cut.

Step 3: Cover the second piece with Tacky Glue and stick the first piece half way along that. Wrap around the cylinder, making sure it's a tight fit at the join.

Step 4: Wrap the next 5 cm strip around the first 2 (now stuck), measure and cut. Now stick this to the first to making sure you cover the join with the centre of this strip for strength.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 with the last Kraft strip and then with the white strip.

Step 6: Take the first 3.5 cm strip, level with the bottom of the previous strips, wrap around mark cut and glue as before.

Step 7: Repeat for the remaining 3.5 cm strips

Step 8: Take a 2 cm strip, wrap around level with the ledge that you have now created, Mark and cut. Hold this in place with tape, take another strip, wrap, mark and cut. Then secure as in step 2.

Step 9: Repeat this for the remaining 2 cm strips, check that the 2 pieces are not stuck together with a light twist. Separate them and leave to thoroughly dry overnight.

To make the base, place the lower part onto cardboard (an old box). Draw around the inside of the drum and cut out. Add glue around the edge of the circle and insert into the base of the drum, make sure its nice and level. Repeat this for the lid (please make sure you add it to the right end or the lid will be too tight) I made this mistake the first time.

Once this is dry cover the bottom with glue and place a piece of white card large enough to cover and hang over. Once dry this can be trimmed with sharp scissors to give a very neat edge. Repeat this for the lid and leave to dry thoroughly.

I painted the inside with Pebeo Black Gesso and the outside with Park Lane Acrylic paint from Indigo Blu. (DO NOT PAINT THE LIP WHERE THE LID GOES or the sides of the inside of the lid,this will stop the box opening easily)

Next I rolled out some air dry clay and imprinted it using the Country Garden 3D Embossing Folder. I used a large pastry cutter to cut a disk that would fit the lid. I left this to dry.

I also used a small pastry cutter to cut more disks to decorate the sides of the box. I dried these on the cylinder so they had the same curve.

I coloured the clay pieces using Cosmic Shimmer Sprays, they same as I did for the wall hangings in a previous post. Midnight Blue and Purple Violet. To finish the project I arranged and secured them in place with 3D Glue Gel.

I hope you have enjoyed the step by step and like the finished piece. Thank you for joining me again today, I hope you will stop by again soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Pop Goes The Teasel.

Morning, Another beautiful day, I always like September here in Bulgaria when the weather turns cooler, it's always so pleasant to be able to have a drink outside without cooking. Today I am sharing a project I made using the wonderful MDF set that Bev from Bee Crafty launched on Hochanda 'Live' from Alexandra Palace. I do hope you managed to get hold of them, they were so popular that they sold out twice during the show.

After coating my card with Acrylic Paint, (here I used Vanilla from Pebeo). I sprinkled purple Brusho's over the surface and dragged over the surface with a painting knife. 

I then decided to add some subtle colour down the mid section, so I sprinkled some Orange Brusho's onto the acrylic paint I had on my mat, placed the card face down onto it to transfer some of the colour.

When this was dry I stamped the 'Teasel' using Royal Purple Versafine. I then used Blue Lagoon to Stamp my sentiment and Birds.

To finish this project I secured it onto my MDF with Cosmic Shimmer glue from Creative Expressions and painted the base with Grandma's Teacup Acrylic paint from Indigo Blu and assembled.

I am so pleased that you have visited today. I hope you have enjoyed me step by step and the finished piece. I hope to see you very soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Clock Works

Morning, I thought it best to share this with you as a separate project. I actually used it for the back of the Dandelion  clock that I shared yesterday as the working arrived damaged and wanted to make the most of the MDF surface. The MDF was launched on Hochanda by Bev from Bee Crafty, during the show from Alexandra Palace, It was so popular and sold out (twice) incredibly quickly during the show. I have to say the quality is excellent, with such a smooth surface to work on, I didn't even need to prime it for this.

To start this project I used a clock/cog stencil. I smoothed Decoart Sand Texture Paste through it and removed the mask. While it was till wet I secured an old watch part to it using Collall 3D glue gel. The I linked some wooden cogs from Indigo Blu and secured them with Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

Once this was dry, I painted it all over with acrylic paint, the one I chose was 'Sleeping Beauty' from Indigo Blu. It is a beautiful metallic colour and gives a marvellous sheen. I set this aside to dry completely.

On my glass mat I put a small amount of Townhouse Teal acrylic paint and separately another amount of Grandmas Teacup, both of these colours are from the English Cottage Acrylic paint collection from Indigo Blu. To both of these I mixed some Kroma Crackle thoroughly  before randomly applying to my project

I left this for the rest of the day and overnight to dry thoroughly and crack before applying gilding wax, I used Pebeo Silver and Empire Gold to highlight some areas. To finish, I secured it to the base.

It's such a great piece of MDF, I am almost pleased that the clockworks were damaged to allow me to decorate the back as well. Thank you for taking the time to visit today, I hope you have enjoyed the step by step I have shared and the finished piece. Would be great to have your comments. Hope to see you soon, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Weeds are Flowers Too!

Morning, At last some cooler weather has arrived after a few days of very welcome rain. Now the temperature is around 25-30c rather than in the 40's, so it's much more comfortable. Today I am sharing a card I made for the Bee Crafty show at 'Alexandra Palace' shown on Hochanda recently.

To make the card and background, I used the Gelli Plate. I also used a selection of English Cottage Acrylic paints by Indigo Blu. The colours I used were Townhouse Teal, Banana Custard and Emerald City which is a metallic colour giving a beautiful sheen to the finished piece. Using my Speedball Brayer, I layered the colours onto the plate. Then taking the Ground Elder, I stamped onto the plate to remove the paint before I took my print.

For the background I wanted a contrasting colour which would still compliment the piece so I used Pumpkin 'Eco Acrylic Paint'. I Brayered the colour onto my plate and taking the leaf stamp removed the paint and took my print.

To finish, I layered both prints onto Ivory Centura Pearl card from Crafters Companion. Then using foam tape onto my centre panel I secured it to the background. Finally I layered it onto a sage green pearl base card.

I hope you have enjoyed the step by step I have shared today along with the finished piece. I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx