Ties That Bind

Hi everyone. Long time no see, I'm back with a post for you today, it's a big one with lots of pictures, had to be after such a long time. This project has been created for the AALL-and-CREATE Europe Challenge 1. I have used a real mix of products and techniques and had to include letters from Leonie's Typography range, which I tend to use endlessly.I am extremely proud of it and thoroughly enjoyed creating it, while I have been secluded.

To begin, I transferred my map of Europe onto calico, using tracedown. I darkened the lines using a black Copic fineliner.

Next I used a selection of stitches to achieve a variety of interesting texture throughout the map, depicting the countries with shades of blue thread. The coast of Africa was stitched in red. I also stitched onto the map design the phrase 'Ties that bind' demonstrating the tight threads that have historically joined us to Europe. The french knots that I have used for many of the countries have added a lovely texture to the piece, but took forever. Thank you to Katrina from Rowandean for the inspiration.

One part of the challenge brief was to include something modern, after all that has happened with my laptop, it had to feature in my project, so I will never forget. I also wanted to include an element that stretched back through our rich history. What better than an ancient king and a historical ship, so I stitched these onto calico to illustrate the long history of Europe.

Next I moved onto the frame, which is slightly larger than A3, I used a thick backing board covered with Centura Pearl cardstock, the wrong side up.

Then came the exciting part, creating the texture and decoration and lots of rearranging. I started by covering the whole frame with Spiders web ribbon, securing with Collall  tacky glue.

I was so inspired by this project, to include the European printmaking influence, I decided to use the word 'Inspire' I would have loved to include all of the translations of the word but had to settle on 4 for this. I have used English, Welsh,Danish and Czech. The Danish 'Inspirere' is enclosed in a mini printers tray. The letters I have used are from Leonie's 'Typography' die collection.

Next I took a selection of bits and bobs to create my frame and add as much texture and interest as possible without detracting from the main map. I made ribbon roses, antique and modern lace, scrap fabric, old baby wipes along with a lot of other items. After a lot of rearranging, I came up with a plan. I did have a selection of old and new coins from all over Europe but decided to leave them out of the final design.

I had planned on using Ivory Powertex for my frame.......

But decided I wanted to continue the old and new theme, so changed to bronze Powertex. I added sand and different sized balls for even more texture.

For the letters, I added a little depth, using black sand texture gel from Pebeo.

I painted some parts of my old Laptop black and assembled onto the base sing garden twine and Powertex. I have included some close ups here.

The letters for my printers tray were finished with black gesso before lifting the texture with a selection of gilding was from Pebeo.

I then enhanced the textures created on the frame by drybrushing, firstly with black gesso. Then I used Colortricx Brons Gold mixed with Easy Varnish from Powertex.

I secured acetate in the aperture, then the stitched map behind. To finish, I added my stitched embellishments.

Thank you so much for coming to see this project. As I said before I have really enjoyed making it. I am so pleased to be back in the land of craft and hope to see you all very soon. I have to build up a selection of blogs, but I a working on it. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Rainbow Mosaic

Morning, I really think this project would look great as a piece of wall art. I used the 'Mosaic' Mixed Media Dies by Leonie, along with the coordinating stamps. I do hope you got to see the shows Leonie had on Hochanda yesterday, if you missed them they will be available on 'Rewind' via their website.

To begin with, I blended a selection of Distress inks onto watercolour card. I did a selection of blends in order to achieve the ones I needed to create the graduation of colour and a more seamless blend across the piece. The colours I used here were: Fired Brick,Rusty Hinge, Fossilised Amber, Chipped Sapphire, Dusty Concorde, Blueprint Sketch, Mowed Lawn and Faded Jeans.

Once they were dry, I cut the pieces using the 'Mosaic' dies, then separated them into colour stories.

I arranged the pieces on to black matt card, from red through orange, yellow, green then to blues. I matted this onto white card leaving a space beneath for the sentiment, which was also matted onto black card. I coated all of the mosaic tiles with Glossy Accents, when these had set I secured the piece to a black background to keep a very simple and clean look.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit today. I do hope you like this and the step by step I have included for you. I hope you all have a great weekend and I will be back again on Monday. For now, Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Dreamer

Hi, For this card I have used the Mixed Media collection of dies from Leonie. I made this samples for the shows on Hochanda today. Leonie is live at 8 am, 11 am and again at 3 pm, the shows will be available on 'Rewind' via the Hochanda website once they have been aired.

To start I cut  selection of Hearts and triangles from the 'Mosaic' set of dies from the collection.

Next, using a black fine liner pen, I added detail to these elements ready to colour with my alcohol markers.

From the same Mixed Media collection of dies, I cut some of the leaves and one of the 'Funky Flowers'

I coloured the leaves using Mowed Lawn Distress ink. Then replaced them in the die before applying Walnut Stain. I also added the same ink to the stem of the smaller leaves.

To create my background I used Leonie's lovely sparkle pens. For the sky, I used the 3 shades from the 'Wrapped Up' set. The used the 'Evergreen' set for the landscape, then added some texture with a damp sea sponge.

Finally, I arranged the elements on my background to create my dreamy village, using 3D Collall glue gel. The sentiment I used was from the coordinating stamp set.

Thank you so much for visiting today. I hope you have enjoyed the step by step and the finished card. Please come back for the next one tomorrow. I have some exciting news that I m really looking forward to sharing with you very soon. As my followers will be the first to know, right here on my blog. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Leonie's Show-Sneak Peek

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all enjoying nice the nice weather. Leonie will be sharing her wonderful designs with us tomorrow. There are 3 shows, one at 8 am , one at 11 am and another at 3 pm, please tune in when Leonie will be presenting some really popular dies, stamps and stencils. Here is a sneak peak of one of the samples I have made for the show.

As always, Leonie will fill her show with Inspiration, demos and samples from the design team. I will share my samples along with step by steps from tomorrow onwards. Thank you so much for visiting. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Let's Celebrate

Morning, I have another card to share today that I made for the launch of the Kinetic Card dies by Crafters Companion on Hochanda. This one looks fairly simple, it does take a little more time and effort as the petals from a contrasting card are place within the design before adding the sparkle.

To start with, I cut the card base with the sentiment cut out from the centre using black gloss card.

I next cut the beautiful decorative panels in the same black card and placed a Wonder Sheet behind. I then cut the same panels with Centura Pearl 'Hint of Silver'. These would not be wasted and used for another card. I then took all of the white petals and pieced them into the black card and filled the remaining space with ultra-fine glitter Periwinkle.

A centre circle was cut from Centura Pearl with a wonder sheet cover, I secured this behind the sentiment and infilled with the same glitter.

I edged all of the components with a Pebeo 4Artist marker before assembling the card as in the photos.

That is my last sample from this particular launch so I hope you have enjoyed the cards that I have shared.

Exciting news, Leonie will be showcasing here die collections on the 15th June so I will be sharing the cards I have made for that after the shows, but I hope to share a couple of Sneek Peaks before then. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog, bye for now, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Oriental Parchment

Hi Everyone, This morning I am sharing one of the samples I made for the launch of the Kinetic Cards by Crafters Companion. This one is the Circle Pop Out base, the shows should still be available on 'Rewind' via the Hochanda website.

To start with, I cut some heavyweight parchment, large enough for me to secure behind the outer frame once I had cut it. I then used the stamps from Sheena's Oriental collection to create my design on the parchment using white Stayzon ink. After the white work was compete I coloured the images using Spectrum Noir pencils.

Next using ll of the base dies, I cut the thin frame twice so I could sandwich the parchment between them.

I then cut the 'Sending my Love' sentiment in black and to create the layer I cut some Ivory Centura Pearl covered with a Wonder Sheet with the circle die. I stuck the sentiment in place and then covered the remainder of the sheet with AB glitter. As I had cut so much weight away by removing the centre I stuck a penny behind the sentiment panel so the card would easily stand.

I wrapped a narrow length of pink satin ribbon around the centre and added the sentiment which also covered the ribbon join and inserted the parchment, sandwiched between the black frame.

Thank you ever so much for taking the time to visit today. I do hope that you have enjoyed the step by step and the finished card. If you do enjoy reading my blog and the things I share then I would love your nomination for best blog in the International Craft Awards, the link is here:
http://www.craftsbeautiful.com/awards/

Take care and Happy Crafting.xx